Aayush Gupta's My Name is Not Devdas | HarperCollins India

Title: My Name is Not Devdas
Author: Aayush Gupta
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Paperback: 150 Pages
ISBN: ‎ 978-9356292826
Buy the Book: Amazon Link

 

‘There are two kinds of dead people. The first are remembered fleetingly, of course-for the things they did when they were alive. Made money. Travelled. Loved Lost. The second are remembered for the things they did not do in life. Never cheated anyone. Never committed a crime. Never hurt a fly.’

“My Name is Not Devdas” by Aayush Gupta is a captivating retelling of an Indian classic. The novel sets in Delhi and weaves an imaginative world around intriguing characters – Paro, Chandramukhi, and Dev. It takes us on a sweeping journey through modern reality.   

At its core ‘My Name is Not Devdas” is a story about bruised egos, frame-ups, and quaint obsessions. The characters are incredibly relatable to contemporary India. The portrayal of characters is nuanced and moving, as they struggle through intense human emotions.

‘I honestly don't know. My love for Dev didn't have a when. It didn't happen at a time, or a place, or a moment or a word. It happened to me much like life. Constantly. Inevitably. He was the cigarette smoke corroding my very being. I knew it would kill me, but in this moment, the smoke was the air that I breathed in and out. How does one stop breathing?’

Aayush Gupta’s prose is elegant and crispy, immersing readers in the rich details of the current scenario. The story deals with key elements such as student politics, outrage over gender-biased assault, and corruption. Dishonesty and desire work as prime driving forces. Besides, he wisely blends classic chords and complex power dynamics of present society, offering a fresh perspective on the beloved story that has been told-retold for decades. 

‘Devdas. Such an apt name for him. Beaten. Lovelorn. Chaotic. The maddest in a mad world. The only one who made sense.’  

Devdas is not the typical tragic lover who is misunderstood by society, Basically, Dev is a Marxist and holds principles that motivate him to become a reformer.  Paro is not the typical beloved who is rejected by her lover and withdraws from the world, and Chandramukhi is not the stereotypical prostitute, who is kind-hearted. As the plot unfurls, the characters make tough choices and, that leads to a shocking revelation. 

Overall, ‘My Name is Not Devdas” is pacy and thought-provoking read, perfect for the young generation seeking to explore the complexities of identity and relationships. It’s a slim and stunning book, that can be your perfect weekend read.  

About the Author

Aayush Gupta is an author-screenwriter. He's been a part of writers' rooms in Eros, Zee and is currently associated with Yash Raj Films. He's produced and presented shows for All India Radio's External Services and National channels. Under his own banner, Guddi Productions, he has directed and co-produced multiple nonfiction shows and documentaries.

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Salman Rushdie's Victory City | Penguin Random House

 

Title: Victory City
Author: Salman Rushdie
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Hardcover: 350 Pages
ISBN: 978-0670098460
Buy Link: On Amazon
 

‘Fictions could be as powerful as histories, revealing the new people to themselves, allowing them to understand their own natures and the natures of those around them, and making them real.’

In ‘Victory City,’ Salman Rushdie weaves the epic tale of the mythical Bisnaga, where the main protagonist Pampa Kampana - a sorcerer and poet - plays a pivotal role in the birth of the empire. Eventually, the destiny of this realm is shaped by Pampa Kampana along with many characters.

Salman Rushdie has a wide range of narrative forms, while exploring the intricacies of society he wisely integrated references from folklore history to biblical tales. Rushdie’s prose is magical and elegant, at times almost poetic, as he discussed religious conflict, power, and race. 

‘Only when she saw the last slabs of roasted flesh fall away from Radha Kampana’s bones to reveal the naked skull did she understand that her childhood was over and from now on she must conduct herself as an adult and never commit her mother’s last mistake. She would laugh at death and turn her face toward life.’

The story begins with a traumatic atrocity witnessed by Pampa, which strengthens her existence, still, her divine calling doesn’t shield her from the harsh truth of life ¬ every blessing comes with a downside.

“… I am more than one person, and not all those persons are admirable. I am the mother of the city—even though few people believe I am she—but I am away from my own daughters and during this separation I do not feel like their mother at all.’

Rushdie’s way of interlacing vivid descriptions makes you visualize the ancient city, and it maintains momentum despite various subplots – he succeeded in making me believe that it is a translation of an epic poem, Jayaparayam. At heart, it is a meditation on story culture, recollections of community tales, and a sense of being.

‘You are not plants, to come from such vegetal origins! You all have memories, you know your life stories and the stories of those who came before you, your ancestors, who built the city before you were born. Those memories are genuine and were not implanted in your brain by any whispering sorceress.’

Rushdie’s writing was so compelling, I got mesmerized by how he muddled up the margins of reality, dimensions, and imagination. He delves into a saga of the ancient empire and intentionally relates it to partition. That’s the power of storytelling. 

One of the novel’s strengths is the strong and remarkable women characters, including the protagonist, who embraced contemporary beliefs throughout the entire narrative. Besides this, a generous portion of humour, philosophical notions, and an enthralling storyline captivate the reader.

‘Looks like even the magic seeds have one rule for the rulers and another for the ruled,’

‘Victory City’ is a gripping and significant work of art, the only thing that disengaged me a bit, was a few outmoded sentences.  Overall, I adored the book and would recommend it to readers. 

About the Author

Salman Rushdie is the author of fourteen previous novels, including Midnight's Children (for which he won the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker), The Satanic Verses, and Quichotte (which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize). A former president of PEN American Center, Rushdie was knighted in 2007 for services to literature and was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's last Birthday Honours list in 2022. 

P.s. Thank you, Vivek Tejuja and Penguin Random House for providing a review copy.