Review- The THC: Under a Gibbous Moon by Manoj V Jain

  BOOK SUMMARY:

"Now look at the person in the mirror and tell her that you love her."
Sanjaneka stared and stared, unable to utter the simple words aloud.
Why is Sanjaneka unable to love herself? What past is she running away from?
How does an Uber ride help Samar to save his marriage?
Why does the dull moonlight of a gibbous moon trouble Varun so much?
Three lives. One Utopian centre.
The Total Holistic Centre (The THC) welcomes the broken and those looking for closure through its doors and works its magic to return them to the world fulfilled. This is the story of these three troubled souls who seek solace at the centre, indulge in its unusual treatment and find the cures to their ailments in surprising places.
A book on loss, longing and changing circumstances, The THC dives into uncomfortable topics that are usually swept under the rug: fragile relationships, deteriorating marriages, addictions, impotence, and the delicate bond between fathers and sons.
Welcome to the THC

Release date: October 23rd 2016

Published by: Notion Press, Inc.

Page numbers: 204

REVIEW: 

Although this is the eighth book by author Manoj V Jain that I have read, The THC: Under a Gibbous Moon is the second book he had written. Had I read this book immediately after his first one, I probably would have appreciated it more, but this reverse order helped me realise how far he has come as an author. His work just keeps getting better and better.

The THC is the story of three people who meet at The Holistic Centre while undergoing different treatments and forming a bond that is pure and simply peaceful. The THC itself seemed like something straight out of one’s dream where the air is fresh, the food is simple, nature is all around... truly an ideal destination to heal from all that our protagonists have been through in life which, like any book by the author, was put down in a manner that was relatable, raw and real.

The journey of self discovery and human relations along the way are two themes that Manoj V Jain does really well. Add to that, language that’s easy to follow and understand, characters whose stories are engrossing and endings that leave you feeling content, and you have a great read that is bound to keep you entertained, contemplate and just have a great reading experience overall, which is exactly what The THC did.

The story of Samar, Sanjenaka and Varun, this one stood out for me most because of its portrayal of the father son relationship and a marvellously done homosexual relationship.

Review- A Man from Mandu by Manoj V Jain

  BOOK SUMMARY:

Is he the New Age Guru that we have all been waiting for?
Is he a fraudster?
How does he know the story of your life?
In his latest book, Manoj Jain delves into the world of Godmen and devotees, of faith and money. A Man from Mandu is a book of deception, transformation and growth. Read about Dhawal and his metamorphosis into Avishkar Baba, the Sadhu of Stories, and about Tarini who is promoting him so successfully. But what does the scheming Tarini have to gain?

Release date: May 30th 2019

Published by: Notion Press

Page numbers: 168

REVIEW: 

Another enjoyable and insightful read by author Manoj V Jain, A Man from Mandu, although quite similar to other books of his that I have read as it all comes down to the same point, provided an excellent glimpse into the ways of gurus and Godmen. Not a believer in them at all, I see how important such figures are for so many people, which made the story somewhat relatable, because I see people dedicate their entire life to someone who appears Godsend but in reality, is just like you and me.

Anyway, the story of Dhawal, a man from the village of Mandu, was quite an interesting one. When Tarini, an extremely well thought of, well written and impeccably developed character, comes across him, she sees in him someone who could potentially change the course of life for many people and she makes sure that their invention “Avishkar Baba” becomes a hit with all the hard work they put it. A beautiful insight into the busy world of social media, marketing, event planning and then into the peaceful world of self discovery, personal journey and growth, the juxtaposition was amazing.

This book leaves a lot for the reader to think about after finishing the book rather than while reading it, in terms of the way it ends, the many wonderful and deep stories told by Avishkar Baba, the entire concept of Godmen, concepts like faith and trust, and so much more. A quick and engrossing read, I liked how this book really, really opens your mind and makes you think, serving the purpose of books in the first place.

If you have read the author’s works before, you will enjoy this one and if you haven’t read any book of this, this would be a good way to start.

Review: Balraj by Manoj V Jain

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Do you have the strength (or folly?) to give up everything in a quest to find happiness?

Inder, age 47, a family man and a successful financial consultant decides to walk away from everything he knows and loves.

He travels through the heart of India in search of himself, meeting new people, learning lessons and giving himself up to serendipity.

Balraj is thought-provoking, troubling and even uplifting at times.

Manoj Jain weaves a simple tale that explores the evolution of a soul-searcher through the travels of a man on a quest to find the answers he set out for.

Release date: 3rd May 2017

Published by: Notion Press

Page numbers: 150

REVIEW: 

Over the course of five books, I have become an ardent admirer of author Manoj V Jain. His books are simply brilliant- ordinary stories of ordinary people told in the most ordinary way and although they all come back to the same point, each story is special and unique in its own way. His latest book I read, titled Balraj, is the story of Inder, who, after getting all possible signs from the universe to go his own way and find himself, bravely takes up the mission of leaving it all behind to embark on his journey of self discovery.

In every Manoj V Jain book- and I consider myself capable of saying this because I have read many of the author’s works by now- he takes up topics like psychology and philosophy which are two fields I am deeply interested in. So for me, it’s like a more in-depth and realistic understanding of them in fiction that is relatable and believable. The author’s crisp and simple writing coupled with Inder’s wonderful journey make Balraj a very interesting and beautiful read.

I read the sequel of this book, Ramona, before I read Balraj but except for one or two instances here and there where I could connect the dots, the two books were refreshing and outstanding in their own ways and there was no overlapping or confusion in spite of me not reading them in order. Then again, the author himself has said that both books could be read as a stand-alone.

Overall, Balraj was an amazing read that had me smiling at the beauty of life all around us. It instilled in me, an urge to travel, but I don't see how the route Balraj took would work for a woman, so that was the only sad part.

                            *Note: A copy of this book was gifted by Manoj V Jain. We thank them.

Review: Ramona by Manoj V Jain

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Sitting on an armchair near the window, Ramona—separated, mother of a son and a cookery teacher—muses on the events that have happened in her life in the recent past. A letter from her husband, not even nearly justifying his mysterious disappearance, shocks her and topples her world upside down. Bombarded by a thousand questions, accusations, a tumult of emotions and confusion, she begins to untie the knots one at a time with help from her family. But what she wasn’t able to do over months, a stranger does within a matter of minutes. 

Release date: October 3rd 2017

Published by: Notion Press

Page numbers: 112

REVIEW: 

Author Manoj V Jain’s novella Romona, is a sequel to his novel, Balraj. While I do have the latter as well and I could have picked that up before getting to Romona, the author himself asserts that Ramona could be read as a stand-alone and it’s what I did because I’m a rebel like that. A novella of 100 pages, it was exactly what I was looking for on a Sunday when I all I wanted to do was immerse myself in a book that would keep reality away.

Ramona is the story of Ramona, a woman who is just like you and me. I could see her in so many women that I know and what impressed me most was the way in which a male writer not just took up but executed a woman’s point of view in the most relatable, justifiable and stunning manner. When Ramona’s husband leaves everything behind to go look for himself, she is forced to go through more downs than ups in life and emerges as an exemplary person that any reader could look up to and learn from.

I am really admiring and appreciating Manoj V Jain’s books, so it wasn’t surprising at all that I liked Ramona as well. His crisp yet simple writing and engrossing and realistic storytelling were exactly what I was looking for, and he delivered, that too from a female perspective that was not just well done, but totally remarkable. While not the most unique book out there, the realness and simplicity of it make Ramona a very interesting, engrossing and splendid read.

*Note: A copy of this book was gifted by Manoj V Jain. We thank them.

Review- Dystopia by Manoj V Jain

 BOOK SUMMARY:

How was your journey to Dystopia? Was it full of joy, freedom, rebellion, anger, shame or guilt?

THE BOOK

Children start their travels in the blissful kingdom of Shambala, a beautiful land, where they are protected and taken care of. They enter Shambala as little infants, trusting their parents and caregivers. The children continue on their journey, skipping along the path till they reach a dark forbidding gate, which like some powerful vacuum sucks them inside and into the next kingdom of Dystopia. I am their guide there and I will oversee their journey in this new land.

In his latest book, Manoj Jain discusses themes of childhood pain, growing up, teenage angst, role identities and parenting.

The story, guided by the spirit of Dystopia, is set in a small dinner party, a reunion among five friends. During the course of the evening, they uncover the source of various past wounds and resolve why a young girl had to kill herself at eighteen.

Release date: August 6th 2018

Published by: Independently published

Page numbers: 154

REVIEW: 

Having read author Manoj V Jain’s The B.N.O and Meeting Yama, I was honestly looking forward to reading Dystopia as well, another book I won in the giveaway by @writingbuddha. Even though I now have immense respect for the author, I had no expectations whatsoever from this book and the summary itself sounded just about interesting to me. Little did I know that this would be another book of the author that I’d not just finish in a day but be fully immersed in.

A book that’s less than 150 pages short or long depending on how you look at it, Dystopia is narrated in a manner so astonishing that even though the author clearly mentions that it could get confusing, it doesn’t because of how marvellously it is done. Certain parts of this book are narrated by Dystopia which is the voice and soul of adolescent. Other parts follow the story of five school friends who meet after years to reconnect, with flashbacks from their younger days. Short reads are very difficult, in the sense that they tend to leave something behind, something unsaid and undone... but Manoj V Jain has done it in the most skilful and precise manner where you will know everything about everyone and so much more in a book that has less than five chapters.

This is one of those books that no matter what I say, it will not be enough and mostly importantly, it will not do justice to the absolutely exquisite, unique and incredible story that is Dystopia. An ending that will leave the reader feeling shattered yet fulfilled, this is a slightly dark and deep read that’s also an emotional rollercoaster. Luckily for me, this is just the way I like my stories, so I am thrilled that it somehow found its way on my shelf. I am speechless- this was a marvellous read.

Review- Meeting Yama by Manoj V Jain

  BOOK SUMMARY:

From the moment we are born, we start our journey towards death. Some walk slowly, others run towards it, some skip and dance their way there, while others crawl.

In his seventh book, author Manoj Jain dwells on the uncomfortable topic of death. Interspersed with stories from Indian mythology, Meeting Yama is set in the mystical city of Varanasi where all answers are given if one is willing to listen.

Amrit, Rajat and Surya, three visitors meet each other in this city and find resolutions to the issues that they carry within them.

If you are reading this, then there is probably something in the book that is meant for you.

Release date: November 9th 2020

Published by: Notion Press

Page numbers: 236

REVIEW: 

I won a copy of Meeting Yama by Manoj V. Jain in a giveaway hosted by @writingbuddha. I had no expectations from the book; in fact, I wasn’t even planning on picking it up anytime soon, but something about the book pulled me and I gave in. It was while reading that I realised I had previously read the author’s The B.N.O and even though I recall very little about it, I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Speaking of Meeting Yama, it is the story of the spiritual journey of three different and relatable men, Amrit, Surya and Rajat, who find themselves in Varanasi, each there for a reason that even they aren’t aware of but each leaves with some much needed closure which was explained really well. The beautiful glimpses into the effervescent and pious city of Varanasi coupled with amazing and absorbing stories from Indian mythology and the fast-paced yet detailed glance into the lives of our three main characters made this book fascinating and delightful.

While spirituality and religion are quite complex, require immense understanding and contemplation, this book entwines the two in the world of fiction which makes it rather easy and simple to both read and understand. A few years ago, I would never have given a second glance to this book, but the interest I am developing in spirituality since the past few months made me want to explore it and this gave me a kick to delve deeper into it and embark on my spiritual journey.

Death has been a topic that somehow soothes me because of the immense reading I do on it, thanks to philosophy. This book takes it up in a simple manner that makes Meeting Yama a fantastic read. I would recommend this if you know little about spirituality and wish to explore- its a good start.