The hope factory by Lavanya Sankaran

"The hope factory", by Lavanya Sankaran. This is her second book and first novel.

Two story's run more or less parallel in this book mingling frequently. Anand, an entrepreneur, who is on the cusp of acquiring a large order from a Japanese auto company (looking to expand) and Kamala, a cleaner in his house.

Anand's story portrays the upgraded lifestyle, entrepreneurship, high society, cosmopolitan culture, fantasies and politics of Benglore. Kavika is the portrayal of all that is desirable and human, what you long but know is unachievable and dream. Vidya is the  annoying and at times irritating reality that you live with and you also love. Lawanya has been able to tap the pulse of the city and capture it for the readers.

Kamala's story is of a fiercely proud and poor mother who's only ambition is to give good education to her son and make him a good man. She is ready to toil for his better future but would not tolerate accusations.

There are problems in both the stories, that will impact the lives of the concerned, and there are solutions. Though the solutions may not be permanent there is always a hope.

Lawanya has shown two faces of striving city and how they intertwine. She has shown human emotions and tested them  with the yardstick of reality. Lawanya has a very different style of narration. She has shown the cosmopolitan nature of Bangalore while at the same time has shown that Kannada atmosphere is not smothered.

A decent book. One can read.