Soul Cosmic by Himani

Publisher:  Frog Books

Verdict: ☆☆☆☆ A small book but engrossing tale that will make you finish the book in one sitting. The narration is very interesting and series of events will give goose bumps. A must read book.

About The Author: Born into a family of journalists and writers in Lucknow, the author, Saumya, took to the pen like fish takes to water even before she was formally enrolled into school. Her adolescent scribbling was identified as a future potential by her grandfather, Mr Vijay Kumar Misra, who was himself a highly reputed journalist and author of several Hindi books, and he encouraged her to play with her imagination. While studying at St. Agnes’ Loreto Day School, Saumya regularly contributed short stories, poems and articles to school magazines, various newspapers and even to the All India Radio’s Youth Programme. She completed her Intermediate from the Loreto Convent and then graduated in Economics, Political Science and English from the prestigious Awadh Girls’ Degree College. Throughout her college period, she actively participated in all extra-curricular activities, including sports, dramatics, painting, debate, but writing remained her first love and passion. She then did post-graduation in Foreign Affairs with Proficiency in French language from the Lucknow University and then Management in Travel and Tourism from the one and only IITTM, Gwalior. But, fate had already decided that she would enter a field most suited to her interests and she became a journalist, working with groups like ‘The Indian Express’ and ‘The Times Of India’. She has now taken up her second passion – love for Nature – and has launched a monthly magazine dedicated to environment, titled, ‘Tree Take’.’A Grey Story’ in her second novel after ‘A Life Less Lived’, which was a social Thriller.

 About the book: A GREY STORY traces the life of Surya through her adolescence, from early teens to early twenties. Born into a large family, she is neglected by her parents unintentionally and abused by her siblings intentionally. As happens with most middle children, Surya is made a scapegoat and often targeted for faults committed by others. She is made to put up with a lot. Then, suddenly, accidents and deaths start occurring in the family. The story is a reality check on the serious impact of such callousness on the human brain and the destruction it can cause once driven beyond tolerance. It also reveals the disadvantages of large families, where parents are unable to devote ample time to each child, thus inadvertently causing at least one of them to suffer dejection. A Grey Story shocks one into realising the serious psychological impact negligent upbringing can leave on children that can even drive them to crime.

Review:  The cover of the book is scary but perfectly matches with the title and concept. The blurb really creates an urge among the reader to read this book. The concept is interesting and takes you to the life of a young girl Surya.  The series of events, Murder in the house will give goose bumps to the readers but the narration is so interesting that one cannot put the book down until one finish it completely. One can easily connect with the character Surya and her emotion turmoil. It was a Psychological thriller which will hold the reader. The language is simple and easy to understand. The emotional trauma which the main protagonist faced in her life was nicely described by the Author. The end was also simple and good. One can predict that ending could be like this only. Overall a nice read. One who wants to read something new can go and grab this book…

Book Link:

Amazom:A Grey Story