Close call in Kashmir by Bharat Wakhlu

"Close call in Kashmir" debut novel of Bharat Wakhlu. This book is published by Penguin metro reads in August 2010 and has 232 pages.

Dr. Michael Zutshi is a professor of South Asian art and history in USA. His sister is abducted by terrorists in Kashmir. Pirzada Shamsuddin Bandey is the head priest of the Dargah at Aishmuqam. He is opposed to terrorist violence and is vocal about it.  'Amanat' needs to be protected. Artefacts worth millions of dollars are stolen from Srinagar.

Will Michael come back to India? Who is stealing the artefacts? What stand does Shasuddin take? What is 'Amanat'? Why it needs to be protected?

Bharat has written a very good debut novel. Narration is good. Pace is maintained. Reader's interest is retained. Story is delivered with ease. But I felt that author has missed a few opportunities to make it more interesting.

This story centers around a legend of Dara Sukoh, elder brother of Auranzeb, who Aurangzeb beheaded to become Emperor. The book talks of a legend where great treasure was handed over to six mystique saints by Dara to be retrieved at a later date when he became king. He never became king and the treasure was lost.

Kashmir has a long tradition of mystique saints. The book addresses the Islamist terrorist threat to the shrines of mystique saints (sadhus and sufis, Hindu and Muslims). It also addresses terrorism in general including killings, sympathizers within government, black marketing of precious artefacts, kidnappings, ISI etc.

Although the treasure was handed over to six saints, author doesn't make it clear how it ended where it ended. Author has not elaborated the contribution of six. It could well have been one. Here one feels something amiss.

The climax is devoid of any action. In such a book with all ingredients of a thriller, I expected an action packed climax. It was easily possible to do so but the author chose not to.

The artistic key on the book cover tells us that the book has something to do with the hidden treasure. It's an interesting cover. Use of black colour is also symbolic.

Despite purchasing a brand new book, it had yellow pages. The quality of paper used was sub standard. Was it done to keep the cost down? In any case, it hindered the joy of reading.

A good book. Recommend reading.

For complete review, please visit:
Mandar's Book reviews
http://mandarbookreviews.blogspot.com/