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A review by allthatissim
Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag
4.0
Full review on: FLIPPING THROUGH THE PAGES
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
There are two kinds of interesting books. One that you totally enjoy based on the plot and characters. The other is one that you don’t only enjoy but also consider as your true self and it convinces you that it is your story. This book falls into the latter category.
When you start the story, it will look like the story of an Indian middle-class family with normal income and basic values. The father of the narrator is the only source of income in the family and thus they lived a very normal life. When the narrator’s uncle starts a business then they become rich overnight. The story then follows how their life changed with all that money and how their personal relations got affected.
When I finished the last page, I suddenly realized that I don’t know the name of the narrator, or rather it was never mentioned? In my opinion, the reason behind not giving the name to the narrator can be because of the metaphorical description that Shanbhag wanted to showcase in his book. The narrator is a simple person like all of us and represents our common man.
The story starts with the narrator sitting in a coffee house (his usual spot) observing the surroundings and was lost in his own thoughts. He tells his story from there and makes us feel how his life has changed since they have become rich. He was the CEO in his uncle’s company but he didn’t do anything there. Every month the money automatically gets added to his account without actually doing anything.
His family was smoothly running before his marriage. After his wife Anita comes to the family, the quarrels start between her and the narrator’s mother and sister. The house was not that peaceful anymore as it used to be. When Anita asked him what does he do in office, he was speechless and ignored her question for many days. That’s when he realized that for his wife, his respect was more important than the money.
The author has portrayed the story of a typical Indian family living in Bangalore, India. Obviously, the story has to be Indian in nature. But the unique thing is, it is not just for the Indian audience. Vivek Shanbhag has captured the basic essence of a middle-class family with such delicacy and accuracy that you would be amazed by his writing.
I belong to a middle-class family too. Most of the events in the book made me realize like it’s my own story as if I am the part of it. The smallest things of the family, the struggles etc. seemed surreal.
The first thing that attracts you towards this novel of just 119 pages is its name. “Ghachar Ghochar” is a nonsensical word which Anita used. He first heard the word when the narrator was trying to untie her petticoat string during their honeymoon, but instead, the string was more tangled. She then explained the meaning as “tangled beyond repair”.
Later he explained that his life has become Ghachar Ghochar i.e. tangled too. Once the life which was peaceful suddenly became stressful and messed up because of all the money.
Apart from the distinct title, I love the cover of the book. It symbolizes something. The symbolization of it is related to the changes the money has made up in their lives. There is a reference to ants made in the story. Their home gets infected by ants and they used to kill them whenever they see any. Later the narrator seems to resonate with it – Like their home infected by ants, their lives were also infected by the money.
This is a true portrayal of Indian middle-class family which not only Indians but everyone should read. this will make you think and will tangle your thoughts. The writing and humor are superb and will keep you hooked on the story. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.
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Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
There are two kinds of interesting books. One that you totally enjoy based on the plot and characters. The other is one that you don’t only enjoy but also consider as your true self and it convinces you that it is your story. This book falls into the latter category.
When you start the story, it will look like the story of an Indian middle-class family with normal income and basic values. The father of the narrator is the only source of income in the family and thus they lived a very normal life. When the narrator’s uncle starts a business then they become rich overnight. The story then follows how their life changed with all that money and how their personal relations got affected.
When I finished the last page, I suddenly realized that I don’t know the name of the narrator, or rather it was never mentioned? In my opinion, the reason behind not giving the name to the narrator can be because of the metaphorical description that Shanbhag wanted to showcase in his book. The narrator is a simple person like all of us and represents our common man.
The story starts with the narrator sitting in a coffee house (his usual spot) observing the surroundings and was lost in his own thoughts. He tells his story from there and makes us feel how his life has changed since they have become rich. He was the CEO in his uncle’s company but he didn’t do anything there. Every month the money automatically gets added to his account without actually doing anything.
His family was smoothly running before his marriage. After his wife Anita comes to the family, the quarrels start between her and the narrator’s mother and sister. The house was not that peaceful anymore as it used to be. When Anita asked him what does he do in office, he was speechless and ignored her question for many days. That’s when he realized that for his wife, his respect was more important than the money.
The author has portrayed the story of a typical Indian family living in Bangalore, India. Obviously, the story has to be Indian in nature. But the unique thing is, it is not just for the Indian audience. Vivek Shanbhag has captured the basic essence of a middle-class family with such delicacy and accuracy that you would be amazed by his writing.
I belong to a middle-class family too. Most of the events in the book made me realize like it’s my own story as if I am the part of it. The smallest things of the family, the struggles etc. seemed surreal.
The first thing that attracts you towards this novel of just 119 pages is its name. “Ghachar Ghochar” is a nonsensical word which Anita used. He first heard the word when the narrator was trying to untie her petticoat string during their honeymoon, but instead, the string was more tangled. She then explained the meaning as “tangled beyond repair”.
Later he explained that his life has become Ghachar Ghochar i.e. tangled too. Once the life which was peaceful suddenly became stressful and messed up because of all the money.
Apart from the distinct title, I love the cover of the book. It symbolizes something. The symbolization of it is related to the changes the money has made up in their lives. There is a reference to ants made in the story. Their home gets infected by ants and they used to kill them whenever they see any. Later the narrator seems to resonate with it – Like their home infected by ants, their lives were also infected by the money.
This is a true portrayal of Indian middle-class family which not only Indians but everyone should read. this will make you think and will tangle your thoughts. The writing and humor are superb and will keep you hooked on the story. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Amazon