BLURB:- “Would you give up your high-paying
job and comfortable personal life to drive ten thousand kilometres across India?
Just for fun! Three twenty-something's dare to do just that! While the two boys
take turns to drive, the girl gives voice-over as they record their entire
journey on a handy cam. Ab, Sasha and Unnati are ordinary youngsters, rendered
special by the feat they accomplish. As they recount their adventures, I crave
to live their journey. They look at each other with a glint in their eyes, as
if refurbishing those memories while narrating their spooky time at Bhangarh
Fort, strange escapades at Wagah Border and Sundarbans, car breakdowns, wild
animals, near-death experiences and highway robbers! It's nothing less than
crazy. I doubted if I'd ever have the gumption to create such experiences. So I
did the next best thing - I penned a book about them and their road trip.
Colorful Notions is a journey of three young hearts on the Indian terrain and
into the inner recesses of their souls, giving a new perspective to
relationships, love and life.”
The cover absolutely
seems to make complete sense in accordance with the title and retains the
flavor of it. The long roadway and the car with three roadtrippers - so
attractive for all the travel enthusiasts out there.
The
story revolves around three friends—Abhay (Ab), Sashank (Sasha) and Unnati
(Unns). They decide to take a soul-searching road trip covering the entire
India. The plot sounds almost like Zindagi Milegi Na Doobara, right? The book
met my expectations of going on an amazing journey across the length and
breadth of India from the comfort of my own couch!
The
journey puts their physical as well as emotional states of mind to test. While
Abhay is trying to deal with a troubled past and his relationship with his
parents which is strained, Sasha who is his bestie offers to accompany him on
the trip. In a way, he is also trying to escape an over-protective family. Both
of them then, convince Sasha’s girlfriend, who is a clueless assistant RJ to
join in.
The
trio plan to cover the entire India in just 75 days; starting from Corbett Park
and ending in Delhi. The itinerary is well planned. The author has done immense
research before penning down the book. They cover places like Goa, Haridwar,
Leh, Amritsar, Alwar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bhuj, Mysore, Kanyakumari, Hyderabad,
Puri, Kolkata, Gaya, Varanasi, Agra, Kumbh Mela, Kargil, Golden Temple, Wagah,
Bhangarh Fort, Thar Desert, Rann of Kutch, Ellora, Mysore Palace, Vivekananda
Rock Memorial, etc. It is a fun-filled emotional roller coaster as they try to
spot tigers at the Corbett National park, take a dip in the Ganges at Haridwar,
battle altitude sickness at Ladakh /Leh, cause a security threat at the Wagah
border, chase and be chased by ghosts at Bhangarh fort at Alwar, get caught in
the marshlands and quick-sands at Runn of Kutch and finally encounter a
man-eater at the Sunderbans while setting foot on Bangladeshi borders and even
obtain enlightenment at Gaya! If this is not enough, you will get to read about
the culinary delight that is India, as your senses take in the description of
delicacies like the momos at Ladakh, Hyderbadi biryanis, Lucknowi Kebabs,
Punjabi chicken, Goan seafood, Udupi cuisine and of course Idli, sambar and
chutney and other rice delicacies from Tamil Nadu too! Almost all travel
requirements like finances, stay & rest, fun, route map etc have been taken
care of.
The
language is highly simple and easy to comprehend. I found the details of the
places quite engaging, which definitely makes it a delight for all travellers
with the vivid picturesque narration.
How
they execute the entire trip, how the feelings of friendship and love are
challenged in the course of 75 days, will the trip help them lighten the
emotional baggage that they are trying to escape from, how does the trip change
their lives are some of the many reasons why you will keep turning the pages to
find out what happens in Colourful Notions: The Roadtrippers 1.0.
The
author writes effortlessly. It is difficult to believe that he is a first time
author. The book manages to impart some simple lessons while not being preachy.
Some of the chapters will have you thinking about the life we live, our
expectations from it and our perspectives on happiness. This book seems
like the answer to a lot of questions youngsters these days are plagued with.
We all want to escape from our routine and follow our calling. Sometimes it
also happens that just want to escape and in that process find our calling.
This book is about such escapism.
The
author has also given a lot of attention to the characterization. The
characters of Ab, Sasha and Unnati are well demarcated and evolved throughout
the journey. They became more mature by the end of the journey.
The
story has it all. Friendship, love, jealousy, food, fun, adventure, horror and
comedy, thus making this a packed entertainer with first hand lessons of what
life is all about. There is not a single dull moment in the book and you will
surely read up to the end page of the book.
The
poor editing of the book is a huge dampener especially when you reading
something which is pacy and thrilling.
This
200-page book is a must read books for all those who are looking for a fresh
and light read during their journeys, and are bored of simple romance tales. It
is for the adventurer in you and more essentially the dreamer in you.
Ratings:
4/5
I won a
review copy from The Tales Pensieve as
part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP
for lots of #book fun and activities.
.jpg)
.jpg)
