Love, Loss and conspiracy

Kamalika_Reads 13

Book: The Lankan Link

Author: Suman Mukherjee

Publishers: Notion Press

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 4/5

How I came to know about this book:

I had previously read Suman Mukherjee's Conversation With A Yogi and had an in-depth discussion with him about it. After exploring more of his work, the blurb of this book caught my attention, as it promised an intriguing blend of fact and fiction.

You can read my review of Conversation With A Yogi at

https://kamalikareads.blogspot.com/2024/09/journey-to-remember.html

What the book is about :

The book is a compelling fictional narrative that delves deep into the complexities of friendship, love, and loss against the tumultuous backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war and the tragic assassination of India's youngest Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi.

What I have loved about the book :

The author skillfully weaves the intricate threads of history, politics, and human emotions, that set the stage for a gripping story. The twists and turns successfully keep the reader engrossed until the very last page. After a long time, I read any book almost in one go.

Another refreshing aspect is the portrayal of the relationship between the main leads, Sujatha and Vedant. Instead of clichéd romantic tropes, Mukherjee explores their bond with nuance and depth. Also, the portrayal of the extremists is commendable. Rather than painting them as one-dimensional villains, he presents them through a lens of grey, highlighting the humanity and motivations behind their actions.

What I felt could have been better :

The reader in me felt that incorporating Sujatha's inner thoughts through monologues could have provided insights into character development as there were several shades in her story. Also, while the presence of Rajiv Gandhi in the narrative adds an intriguing layer to the plot, his character could have been given more presence, especially in key moments such as his meeting with Prabhakaran or his tragic death.

Moreover, the frequent breaks caused by the short chapters sometimes disrupt the narrative’s flow, and merging a few chapters could have maintained a more consistent impact. Additionally, a few minor editing errors detract slightly from the overall reading experience, which hopefully will be addressed in future editions.

Why one should read or not read this book:

"The Lankan Link" is a captivating novel that offers an exploration of love, loss, and the human cost of conflict. It is a compelling read for anyone interested in historical fiction with a powerful emotional core. 

Disclaimer:

It deals with child abuse, human suffering and mayhem and thus a disclaimer is made by the author that says it is unfit for readers below 18 or suffering from depression and anxiety.

Readers can grab a copy at Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/5JurEhl

The Lankan link refers to the tragic death of the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Do you know about the incident? Express your views about the incident in the comments.