What is stranger? The journey or the traveller?

Kamalika_Reads 03

Book: Strange: 5 Hours 20 Minutes

Author: Shubham Joshi

Publishers: Locksley Hall Publishing LLP

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 3.5/5

How I came to know about this book:

I connected with the author in a WhatsApp group, and the concept of the book intrigued me enough to dive in.

What the book is about :

Shubham Joshi's debut novel, "STRANGE 5 HOURS 20 MINUTES," takes a bold step by projecting homosexual characters with equal dignity and strength. The story centres around Granth, a main character from the LGBTQ community, a commendable move that adds a fresh perspective to the narrative landscape. The book takes the reader on a journey with Granth when he boards the wrong train and is left deserted as he gets down at the next station and decides to reach his actual destination.

What I have loved about the book :

Joshi's approach to portraying the main character as gay without venturing into cliched transgender behaviour is laudable, effectively capturing a distinct identity. One standout aspect is the character development, which takes precedence over the storyline. Joshi's offbeat writing style, involving a mix of past and future elements, is intriguing and adds depth to the narrative.

What I felt could have been better :

While the inclusion of LGBTQ representation is a thumbs up, the novel does raise some concerns. There are instances where the portrayal of arousal in public spaces by the touch or scent of a stranger feels uncomfortable, straddling the line between explicitness and narrative necessity. Additionally, the main character's fantasies occasionally edge towards being perceived as perverted, causing the reader to tread on uneasy ground.

However, the central selling point of the story, the titular 5 hours and 20 minutes, falls somewhat short of expectations. The novel seems to focus more on the main character's past rather than fully leveraging the potential of this time-loop concept. The thriller aspect, while pitched as a highlight, doesn't grip the reader as anticipated, missing the mark on creating a gripping, edge-of-the-seat experience.

Why one should read or not read this book:

"STRANGE 5 HOURS 20 MINUTES" showcases a strong attempt at a debut novel. While the representation of LGBTQ characters and the exploration of unconventional writing styles deserve credit, the execution falters in fully capitalising on the unique journey element and maintaining a consistent thriller atmosphere. With a bit more focus on the mystery and perhaps reconsidering the title and blurb, Shubham Joshi's work could have truly hit its mark. Nonetheless, it's an admirable stepping stone into the literary world.

The book is available on Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/c6BtWCn

So what's your take on the LGBTQ community? Do let me know in the comments.