I wouldn’t call this a
book review because that would be untrue. I never completed reading the book. This
book was found hidden between hardbound copies of books written by such giants
of literature that it appeared both shy and intimidated to be stashed among
them. A tattered, old copy from 1994, its pages are dog-eared and browning. I decided
to read it because, of late, I have been experimenting with authors of Indian
origin in order to better understand the scene.
The story is about a
9-year-old boy, Neilkant Jhaveri. Neil, as his friends and family call him, excels
in studies as well as sports. But he suffers from emotional neglect. He is
abandoned at his boarding school by his parents, who have separated.
Consequently he goes through a phase of depression. Alone and uncared for, he
finds himself inexplicably experiencing symptoms of liver disease, which he, as
a child, is unable to diagnose or understand. He is eventually taken by his
mother to her parents’ home in Byculla, where his physical and emotional health
recovers. In Byculla, he lives among Catholic relatives who refuse to accept
him entirely as their own because of his part-Hindu parentage. He makes friends
with older teens and enjoys escapades into Elvis’ songs and movies. But the
reality of his mother always being away, chasing roles in movies, gnaws at his
young heart. He craves to be loved and adored by both his parents like regular
children. Throughout most part of the story, Neil suffers from abandonment and
a sense of being alone even when surrounded by hordes of people.
The tale is a sad one,
but there is an underlying humour about the life of the Byculla people and
their peculiarities. Stories about Mumbai and its people have been finding
their way to me ever since my trip there last May.
Regarding the writing,
all that I want to say is that the author uses far too many adjectives than
necessary. It is one of the chief reasons why I could not finish the book. It was
short but I read three quarters of it spread over many sittings, which is quite
unusual for me. The story would have been better received had he done away with
the dispensable descriptions. The author has lengthened a simple yet promising story
into a tale that becomes tenuous with every page. I could go on, but unlike
him, I kinda do know when to stop.
In conclusion, Neil was
a fairly interesting character who unfortunately populated a weak plot. If the
author ever decides to revamp the tale by giving Neil better scope at a
performance in the story, I wouldn’t mind giving him a second chance.
