Review : Law of Averages by Kshitish Padhy

Author: Kshitish Padhy
Publisher: Paper Clip Books
Year: 2012
ISBN: 9789332420052
Rating:

If the law of averages is to be believed then the author, Kshitish Padhy definitely defies it by getting a right hit with his very first novel itself. And he makes no qualms about being truly desi filmy – as seen in the book’s tagline, “a hilarious love story – filmy ishtyle”.

Set amidst the buzz of eccentric creativity of the world of comics, love at first sight and following-your-dreams mentality of the new-gen Indians, Law of Averages is a well narrated story of an average ‘boy next door’. Our guy knows what he is worth and decides to make it big, by choosing his heart’s desire with the aid his head’s wilful scheming, that leads to a lot of twists and turns in his life.

It all begins with a love at first sight situation which then leads to a very dramatic plot envisaged by the ‘hero’ to win his prospective father-in-law’s favour. Juggling deadlines at the office to launching a new comic series into the very competitive market; handling his father-in-law and best friend’s whims and fancies, the 'great Indian boy' proves himself to be of more mettle than James Bond or Batman!

No surprises at why the beautiful heroine is won over with such boyish charms, just like many others through the course, including Indian army jawans and a bunch of loose-headed terrorists! Wondering where those popped up from? Well that is Law of Averages for you – springing a fun-filled surprise every now and then just to keep you on your toes and breeze you through an adventure no less than a masala flick.

It is very delightful to have young Indian writers come up with themes so fresh and stories so well told, first-timer or not. In spite of the book requiring a certain finesse that much of the older generation of readers expect, it definitely does ‘connect’ with the reader on a very chaddi-buddy tone. Feeling lucky? Grab a copy this summer and prepare yourself to be ‘mollified’ with a guilty pleasure of filminess.

Related Links

An Interview with Kshitish Padhy