Book Review #24 : 60 Minutes

Author: Upendra Namburi 

Publisher: Westland Ltd 

Genre: Corporate Drama 

Price: Rs. 350 

Pages: 361

‘60 Minutes’ by Upendra Namburi is a corporate thriller/ business fiction. It’s an excellently conceptualized and well written book. If you are interested to know what happens at the top echelons of FMCG companies, this book is a must read. The solid story that the author has weaved around the corporate setting, and the pace with which the events unfold is very good. The cover page is attractive too. 

I loved the characterization; there are no good/ bad people. Everyone, including the protagonist, is shown as they actually are in real life: greedy and scheming. Everyone goes through the process of survival of the fittest. One can almost feel the pulse of their office rooms. They end up playing a deadly game with huge rewards, but equally huge risks. 

Rivalry and (personal) revenge, you know you get a lot of drama here. You should read this novel to understand what nonsensical levels people go to achieve their selfish motives. This is the side of corporate life that needs to be exposed to people and I appreciate the author for doing that. Altogether, an excellent book but the author should have presented a more believable climax. 

Professional networks and game plays, stock markets and millions of money, relationships and stress, domestic violence and infidelity- the author highlights all aspects. Obsession and revenge carried from the past is all what drives the scenes in the sixty minutes. Some happenings do seem without purpose. 

The book reinforces that everything is fair in love, war and corporate battle for supremacy. Ethics and integrity aren't always the merits. One needs lots of tactics to outsmart the competition, defend one's position and cover his/ her back. Friends and foes can swap positions in matter of minutes when money, job, reputations are at stake. 

Though it appeared to be a 60 minute event, every now and then incidents of past are introduced. So end to end, the story takes couple of years in total duration. The flashbacks are not in order, but are based on the specific incidents which serve as background for current developments. At 360 odd pages, this book seems a bit dragged. 

The author is a sales and marketing professional by himself and it seems that he has moulded the raw material of his life in the form of a book. His own experiences, his encounters with other corporate people, and the major events of corporate life - have all gone into this work. 

60 Minutes is high on emotions; disappointment, rejection, elation, fear, relief. It is a revealing window into corporate life in India, exposing the slime and deceit in corporate relationships, the backstabbing and the vested interests. It would make for an excellent Bollywood plot, with all the drama, subterfuge and intrigue. The writing style is simple and easy to grasp. However, I did spot some sloppy writing which some careful editing could have weeded out. 

The only thing with 60 minutes is that you will not be able to finish the book in 60 minutes. If you are fond of reading corporate drama, this one is a good pick. 

Rating - 3/5.

P.S: I would like to thank Blogadda for the opportunity to review this book. This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!