Book Review: Play with me by Ananth

Introduction

ISIN: 9780143423621
Genre: Fiction/ Erotica
Publishers: Penguin House
Price: Rs. 250/- (I got this book for review from the publisher)

Once in a very blue moon, you are confronted with astonishing beauty ... Sid is a successful photographer in a boutique ad agency. He is single and has everything he wants – a great job, great colleagues and a hassle- free life. But if there is one thing that has eluded him – it is love. Until the gorgeous, free-spirited Cara walks into his life. Sexually obsessed, the two begin a charged affair that disrupts all his notions of love and transforms the way Sid thinks about erotic pleasure. But then something strange happens – Sid finds himself falling in love with another woman.

Behind The book

About the author
Ananth is a photographer, dog lover and a bibliophile. This is his first novel.

Me thinks

Such a book coming from Penguin House had definitely set the expectations very high from me, added to it the fact that the author was Sr. VP Marketing for Penguin which made it all the more special. I was looking forward to some variety which would actually be trend setting in Indian Literary market in many ways. And yes I wasn't disappointed at all!

The book begins with a bang. Usually I don’t like it but then this story line deserves it that way. Getting to the point in a way for that is what the reader is expecting specially after reading a blurb like this. I have always been a firm believer in the power of love, that it can transform lives in an instant and this book proves to be just that.

Apart from the usual debate of love and lust which I am sure every reader will expect from this book the most beautiful thing is the way the author has spoken about relationships and their complexities. It is amazing to see his narrative at few places , which actually are very tender moments. He uses very precise words to convey a lot through minimal usage of hi-fi language and for me that is where he scores the brownie points.

The story line is very thin, with no twists or turns but the author does full justice to it with his language, narrative and has your attention through the detailing he has put in to some of the scenes. It is as if they come alive before you.One thing I missed badly was I wanted to know how the lead character Siddharth looked like, as a reader for me somehow that connects at a huge level. I am able to visualise all other characters based on the descriptions but in his case maybe I wanted something more.

I finished the book in 2.5 hours without a break. I wouldn't call it gripping but yes it is enticing in a very different manner. It invites you to listen to more of it.It surely makes you want to read it further as you want to know where it all leads to.

The ending is heart warming, in a way much more high on emotions that what I had expected and it left me all smiling. Recommended to people who enjoy this genre, know how to appreciate the art behind it and understand the subtleties hidden amidst these.

Foodie Verdict

This book is like kala khatta chuski - tasty, tangy, tongue tantalisizing and leaves a mark on your tongue (read: mind!!)

Source: Google Images

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