Group Read June 2018 - The Butcher of Benares by Mahendra Jakhar

viksorion

Who's starting the discussion... 21 today

cynic

viksorion 22-6-2018 12:26 AM
Who's starting the discussion... 21 today

Feel free to start. Will join in with my thoughts later today.

Mousetrap

The book started off quite promisingly, but there were quite a few things that didn't work for me. The biggest issue was Ruby Malik - she's a major disappointment and an unnecessary addition given that she's so pathetic as a supporting character. An FBI agent, that too one specially appointed by the Vatican clings to Hawa Singh or stares helplessly during tough situations makes no sense.

Suryadev's party and the incident where he slices her dress and she doing nothing to protect herself and the typical filmy way of Hawa Singh offering his jacket was disgusting.  

Another issue was how Hawa Singh was able to make definite conclusions without any concrete evidence - he's cocksure that the killer was wearing only blue contact lens (and not originally blue-eyed) and another time he concludes that the killer is a chain ganja smoker. Bizarre. Or maybe I missed out some clues?

I know it's unfair to compare this with the previous book (3 and a half murders) but what was that book's strength is also this book's weakness. The characters in that book were so strong, identifiable and human. I felt no interest in a single character in this book and the sudden tears and emotions of Fauja Singh and others sound contrived.

There is also a lot of confusing, disjointed events and weird people. While I liked the twist in who the actual murderer was, it's still not clear how things worked out and why certain incidents happened.

Also, mentioning the positives:

Even though the story itself is average, the description of Benares is actually surprisingly good. This seems to be the author's strength. I'm also happy that I read about the Naga sadhus, aghoris, Mukti Bhawan... things I've never read or known before.

If only the author had paid as much attention to fleshing out the characters and a clear plot, this would have been a really good book.

soothsayer

4The book  is an  attempt at a Dan Brown pattern of thriller with overtones of a Bollywood  potboiler but falls short in both respects. For a thriller it nowhere provides a nail biting finish. The climax remains weak with no good reasons being provided for the killings. No character makes an impression on the reader except the fog which  seems to play a key role. I agree- The female  protagonist is wasted-she is only a peripheral character ; neither her ethinic origins nor  her FBI link find any role and the reader is left feeling that she is just a side kick.. The male protagonist ,according to me ,can never vie with an Inspector Gowda or a Byomkesh Bakshi both of whom have cult following today amongst Indian Readers.
A Few positives-The author has done quite a bit of research. He provides tid-bits / historical information about many things. The intermittent small passages of descriptive writing add  to the overall effect. The prose is good . Very realistic depiction of the modus operandi of the Police and the hunger for seizing power –be it the Aghoris or Nagas right upto the Kuler of  Kashi. The reader is kept involved with the narrative throughout with events happening regularly. One does not see endless drama in the portrayal of characters.

viksorion

I agree with the female character being wasted. I mean c'mon she's supposed to be an agent and that too rep a country for a foreign assignment.
secondly when ever the descriptive part of certain theory comes into play the writer has gone into a patronizing mode, pls give some credit to the reader, we're not imbeciles.
And yes the climax was anticlimax, as if the writer suddenly wanted to windup the book and move on. The motives, makeup, disguise, man to women transformation all falls flat on the face.
Many events go without explanation and taken for granted, like Hawa Singh running out of Suryadev's house. Why build up and then don't perform.
All in all not very encouraged by the author.
But on the positive side.... Yes the building up of atmosphere has been good, describing the weather, the atmosphere of Benares. And yes the different cults of the revered city.
Makes you wonder the lifestyle  of these sadhus, the nagas, the aghoris and the doms.

I would give the book a 6/10

jburman

I also completely agree with you that the character of female agent is wasted. Also the Author goes into the patriotic mode in some sections so the taste of reading is sometimes lost in some sections. I would give the book 5/10

cynic

The book came highly recommended but it was kind of disappointing.

It read as a typical Bollywood masala potboiler of the 80s (the women these days are more kick-ass) complete with a damsel in distress and loads of machismo. And like a Bollywood movie, it became predictable after a point. The end was quite disappointing.

That said, the author seems to have done quite a bit of research. If only he had paid equal emphasis on the characterisation and storyline.

jhsurti

Appears that the author has been 'inspired' by Dan Brown. But he never manages to get anywhere near him. Some things are too repetitive. The plot was good but the narrative was okayish. The characters were also not that developed. Agree that Benaras was well described. Informative as for the Aghoris, Naga sadhus and the Mukti Bhawan. Also agree re Ruby the FBI - what was the need? She doesn't do anything significant as an FBI agent. The end though felt like being cheated. Filmi, very filmi!
2/5

b_mayukh

Quite exiting

cynic

Thank you participating members for sharing your views. I am leaving this thread up until the next group read is decided. Feel free to share your reviews.