Title: Hedon
Author:
Priyanka
Publisher:
Penguin Books
Genre: Adult
Fiction
ISBN:
9780143425953
Pages: 282
Source:
Flipkart Review Program
Rating: 4/5
When I read
debut work, the only thought comes into my mind, would it be worthwhile, when
there are thousands of classic work just waiting to be savored as well as I concur with the
fact that we carry perfectionism in our mind, still our mind urges for
freshness, something which comes with
different perspective and then comes this romantic fiction, Hedon by Priyanka.
STRUCTURE
Basically it
is a story of two socially privileged people, Tara Mullick and Jay Dhillon. Who
first met in a marriage function, at the beginning their relationship starts
with some casual friendship, although there is a huge age difference between
them, still mails, little talks, meetings lead them into a blossoming lovers.
Besides these
two main characters, author embedded few other facets of life as the part
of the novel regarding to friendship between Tara, cookie and button
wins the heart of readers. It’s kind of fascinating how book starts with their
enigmatic chemistry that filled with the school life, meaningless talks, their gay
friends, alcohol and somewhat creative writing classes and culture of the kolkata and US.
NARRATION
Author narrates
story so delicately, it was like unfurling the sepals of flower one by one,
with every curve character grows. I loved the writing skill of author, somewhat
like poetic prose, and she weave a romantic story around her poems that rejuvenate the
tale. I didn’t have to indulge into said-asked theory, dialogues are written in
better form. And the most beautiful part was the conversation between the Jay
and Tara, especially those last segments full of letters; it is nostalgic as
well as captivates readers to love the characters.
When I started
the book it seemed normal love story, but end was somewhat closer to reality,
impressive collection of real world things. Either it is pop culture, or talks
about authors, their saying, make book more vibrant and appeal to teenagers.
If you want
to read something entertaining as well as sensitive read. Give it a chance!
READER’s
MOMENT
With the
discovery of purpose, I realized the loss of my freedom. But this was before
that bothered me. It was before I learned nothing is ever it seems, and that
our lies are just dressed up versions of hopeful truths—they are dreams.
When two
people—even strangers—discover a book they both have loved. It feels like a
shared secret.
At
seventeen, we don’t realize what it means to be seventeen. We can’t quite see
the world for what it is, though we have started to feel it a bit. And it gives
us, it gives me, a hint of how horribly alone the going will get.
You’re too
young to start denying yourself the things that make you happy, kid.
We are not
happy unless we are crying. That is our curse and our gift.
You should
learn how to show your feelings so I know what to do with mine.
When you ask
someone how they are, you are just tempting the askee with a question social
dictates don’t allow them to answer. So don’t ask me how I am.
What I
perhaps did not know was that there is a fine line, a silver-spun tightrope,
between not forgetting and not being able to let go.
It’s
beautiful. Use your body, there is no sense in preserving something that’s
already dying.
POETIC
TOUCH
Scars brutal
and red
Sprinkled
with blue
They are
what they seem
Taken from
me, forced—the loss of safe.
You left me,
And it’s all
within
Locked away,
unexpressed,
Except here,
here
On this
page.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Priyanka
Mookerjee grew up in India and was educated at Loreto House and the Ohio State
University, where she studied Narrative Theory, Film, International Relations,
and Popular Culture. She currently lives in Kolkata. This is her first novel.