Noordin's gift by Shashi Warrier

"Noordin's gift" by Shashi Warrier - A good book that falls short of finish line. 

This book is published by Manjul publishing house Pvt. Ltd. in 2014 and has 373 pages.

It's year 2025. Kashmir is now part of Pakistan. Indian army is weakened. Noordin, an Afghan residing in Kashmir, has planned an elaborate plot with ISI,  more than 20 years ago. He is determined to see it through. Ganesh gets a whiff of it. Thomas is not what he appears. 

What is the plan? Why is it in the making for more than 20 years?  Why did India secede Kashmir? How do Ganesh and Thomas fit in? Who is Noordin? What's his gift?

It's a terrorist plot in making for 20 years. A very long,  probably longest,  plan. Why does ISI want to hatch such a plan? What are the chances of such a plan remaining secret?

The story is interesting most of the time. It occasionally slows down. Noordin's quandary is captured very well. Ganesh the patriot is likable. Thomas plays with fire. Many of the conclusions drawn by the three protagonists are too simplistic and fortunate but correct. A bit too coincidental. 

However,  the climax is very anti climactic. The build up leads us to believe that climax will be very exciting, but it turns out to be insipid. It remains unknown what would the real perpetrator gain by such an elaborate plot.

Book cover shows a terrorist,  a fence and fires. It's interesting. A peculiarity of this Book is that its a book without index.

This book has narration with a difference. The entire book is narrated in first person,  but not by the same person. It's narrated by various persons, in first person. The story has three first person narratives. One of Noordin, the terrorist. Second of Ganesh, ex army and managing partner of a security agency. Third of Thomas, a RAW man.

Author toggles between present times (2025), recent past (2020), before that (2008, 2010, 2012) and old past (2989, 1992 etc.). This style of narration has become famous. However, author has overdone it by changing the timeline multiple times within each chapter. Reader has to be watchful. If not,  reader is bound to get confused and would have to go back and read again to understand the time line. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting title and cover.  

What I didn't like? Anti climax. 

What did I like? Character of Noordin.   

Read if you  have time.