Title – Peppered Minds
Author – Om Somani
Genre - Fiction
Publisher – Notion Press
As soon as I saw the title and
cover page of the novel, I got the hunch that there is going to be some good comic
ride awaiting me. The novel stretches over 300 pages but I breezed through. It’s
fun reading the book. With hilarity and it also conveyed message that we
Indians should not consume too much chilli-dominated food because it draws
curtains on our ability to think creatively and innovatively. The novel’s story
is told through some characters using a general sort of point of narration. But
all characters are likeable and pure to their roles and peculiarities.
The story is about a young man
named Neeraj, in fact he is the protagonist. He lives in Jaipur with his
middle-class funny family. He gets selected for the post of a geologist in a
government company in Hyderabad. A lot of pre-departure preparation has been
captured by the author very finely, as I could relate how near and dear ones
react when one family member has to go a far-off land for job and career aspirations.
As the journey starts, fun begins
in the pages. I liked the train journey part, how the author compared the hot train
bogie with an oven, and when scuffle between reserved and unreserved passengers
occur, Neeraj takes the side of a family going to Hyderabad and it’s appreciated
by a girl Preeti with whom Neeraj’s love story chugs ahead in the later part
of the novel. In each scenario and
description, the humour and wit is palpable. Putting so much fun and laughter
in a novel with a common story plot is indeed a remarkable job done by the
author.
In Hyderabad, a new life begins
for Neeraj. Half the time he is confused whether he is a geologist or earth
science? The office environment and seniors behavior in a typical corporate world
is worth reading, it seems the experiences have been spiraled out of the
author’s personal life. At times fantasy, sometimes a bit emotional, and
innovative, Peppered Minds is just another good experience of reading a book
that is not only lighthearted but also fast-paced. Though the thought process
and beliefs and ideologies of all characters differ, but they hardly get into
any deadly conflict. I hope you also enjoy reading it as much as I did. Pick up
this book to join Neeraj in his professional journey.
Buy from Amazon.
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