Book Review #60 : You Raise Me Up

Book Title: You Raise Me Up

Author: Arjun Hemmady

Paperback: 364 pages

Publisher: Frog Books

ISBN-13: 978-9352013883

Language: English

You Raise Me Up by Arjun Hemmady is a heart touching and intense novel that will surprise, conquer and awaken in you all kinds of emotions, from joy to fear, from candid love to passion. This book is a realistic account of urban romance.

Aalok Sharma, a 27-year-old, chartered accountant, has never experienced true love. But when on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai he meets the bubbly and gorgeous Priyanka Mehra, very different from the classic girl you would expect, he is at once ensnared and they are right away fascinated to each other, though fully opposite in nature.

Nevertheless, something is holding Aalok back as there is something about him that brings back what she had pushed into the depths of his soul, the memory of a painful past of Aalok that comes back to upset them.

Mysteries unfold through the burning pain, the most inconvenient truths, and the most difficult challenges to overcome. The genius of how every single detail of the plot can take place in the grand finale that the author has created, is disarming.

The writer is really a genius with strong narrative skills who with his pen will play with your heart filling it with overwhelming feelings and creating a sweet, dramatic yet spicy story that will touch your soul.

I loved the description and the imagery the author has managed to intersperse the book with. The metropolitan life is portrayed really well. Dialogues are a bit lengthy and could have been reduced to make a lasting impact. Sometimes, the events got a little predictable.

The book has strong characters, it is impossible not to relate to them, and the plot is strong too, which conceals twists and transmits very strong emotions.

The book is carefree, sensual, alluring punctuated by witty dialogues.

Even the sensual scenes, are characterized by a unique class that does make you hold your breath and heart beat faster.

The revelation about the past of Aalok is devastating and completely changes the course of the book. The maturity and strength of mind with which the characters face their destinies, push the story to the next level.

The author has created a mature, sensible love story that tackles the sensitive issue of love after marriage and divorce.

The life of a CA aspirant is clearly portrayed in the book. The despair, the struggle and the hard work to clear the exam is written so well. If you are a chartered accountant or aspiring to be one, you can definitely relate so well with a lot that is written in the book. The life of young professionals in a metropolitan city and sibling relationship are sketched quite well in the book.

You Raise Me Up is targeted towards young adult readers. With vivid descriptions and imagery this book is a simple, light read.

Rating – 4/5

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