This post is also in response to Sadje’s Weekly Photo Prompts on #Whatdoyousee
The Sinful Silence by Abir Mukherjee is the first book I finished reading this year – a carry over from 2025. It’s not a book that I’d recommend. It’s absolutely not my type. But it’s funny the way it landed on my book shelf.
I was checking out the much acclaimed British Indian historical crime thriller writer, Abir Mukherjee’s Smoke And Ashes. The sample reading gave a glimpse of very heavy language. Who writes a thriller in literary style , I wondered. Amazon had cunningly displayed this book too in the series of books authored by him. So I chose his early writing first. Remember my resolution of 2025 to try out new authors ?
But half way through the book I realised they are two different writers with the same name. Gosh!! Incidentally, both authors have facial resemblance as well till you look closely. I checked this one’s FB profile midway through the read – no post after 2022!! Strange, isn’t it? The author profile says he is an IT techie based in Bangalore. It took some time, rather painful some time, to finish this book.
(Good if he has stopped writing. Well, I am sorry for that blatant remark.)
Since I am at it, a brief on the plot: two cops with two different agendas trying to solve a high profile murder case which has an uncanny resemblance with the actual death of a Bollywood diva in Dubai. Does it ring a bell?
The murky mystery has everything – corruption, sex scandals, drugs, violence, rape, illegitimate relationship, blackmail, underworld dons, grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, wrong English, loose ends, slipshod denouement and chosen expletives. Needless to say the book is in dire need of some scrupulous editing.
I guess I have managed to read pulp fiction (or perhaps a little more respectfully speaking – a mini web series) in English. You know, the ones that are called Battalla Edition in Bangla which refers to editions of books read under the shade of a peepal tree. Don’t smirk such books do exist and they do provide entertainment to those who prefer to read feather light.
This time the devil captivated me. I was determined to finish this one against all repugnance. Result?
What do you do when you are left with a bad taste in the mouth? You rinse with mouth freshener, right?
I need a cerebral cleanser….
Ugh!
Suggest some….
Postscript: This year I have decided to also write about those books which are, in my opinion, not to be recommended at all. Usually, I omit mentioning them. Then I thought why not ? Let’s also talk about our regrettable choices.
I admire your resolution Geeta. I would have abandoned the book after realizing that it’s not what I thought it was. I’m glad you’re sharing books that you wouldn’t recommend. It will save others from buying these books. Thanks for joining in my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Sadje.
My will took me almost a month to finish a 200 page book.
You can well imagine how strenuous that was!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes I can imagine
LikeLiked by 1 person
A highly recommended book by Anuradha Roy, just published, is “Called By The Hills” Geeta!
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joanna. I will check that out
LikeLike
Thank you, Geeta! She is a well-known writer and journalist.
Joanna
PS. I loved your childhood memories of books you liked!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you again Joanna for liking my previous post on children’s books
LikeLike
There were the books that I liked too, Geeta!
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first paragraph already put me off
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Derrrick. I know it’s not a book you’d like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review, Geeta, although this novel is not for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. It wasn’t for me either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. If a book was not recommended there’s a very good chance I’d start reading it to find out why!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can by all means but all the reasons for not liking it are also mentioned.
LikeLike
Geeta di … your resolution is superb as it would not only document the regrettable choices but also they would be entertaining 🤭
Something unusual that we don’t usually read… 🥴
To add to that mystery nudge try The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you bachche!
I will try that out since you have recommended it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Means a lot to me 😇♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
An honest look at a book. I too usually avoid writing about books I don’t enjoy reading. But sometimes it’s good to write like this – let potential readers beware.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talking about Mukherjee , I remember a wonderful book called The emperor of all maladies : a biography of cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have read a few books that a) I do feel have wasted my time b) wonder why I finished them and c) were nasty trillers that gave me nightmares. I’m sticking with what you call feather light – fun cozy mysteries. 🙂
Good to know what to skip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Geeta; Not a recommended book […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate watching a terrible movie or reading a bad book. Disturbing and a waste of time. Thank you for the warning, Geeta.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Mary. You are absolutely right. It’s a total waste of time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Geeta, thanks for the review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👍
LikeLiked by 1 person