Thursday, November 20, 2014

Review: Marry Me, Stranger by Novoneel Chakraborty

There have been times in life when a person encounters something extraordinary and life sets to take a turn be it good or bad. The implications are many but the scuffle to reach the end just plays down the entire thought process. Author Novoneel Chakraborty in his latest book "Marry Me, Stranger" ties you up with a story which will get on your nerves and gives you jitters. So has he been able to create that eerie magic? Let's find out. 

Marry Me, Stranger follows the life of a young and independent girl, Rivanah Bannerjee, living by herself in Mumbai. She has loving parents, adorable boyfriend and an amazing job. But there is just one problem – her life is in danger! Someone has been stalking her, watching her every move and trying to manipulate and control her just about perfect life. She initially thinks that it is a harmless admirer, but soon things start to get ugly. Who is this stranger? Marry Me, Stranger is a racy, spine chilling thriller with some mind-numbing revelations.



First look at the title and the cover and it might lure the readers into believing that it's an outright love story. But then there's more to it that meets the eye. The ring is the catch which has been designed in such a way that it acts as handcuff or a chain too. That's the first element of mystery. But the cover is still quite pale. The blurb is precise and it works on the formula of giving out very less which is a striking aspect. 

The story is set in Mumbai where Rivanah Bannerjee a young girl from Kolkata arrives for a job. Her journey is in splits when she encounters an obnoxious development which lets itself lose on her mind and soul. Its presence so dreary that Rivanah is not able to contemplate her next move or channel her thought process. What is that lurks in the dark and tries to instill fear in her mind? What Mumbai has to offer to Rivanah, peace or chaos? Will it ever be the same again for her? That's what the story is all about. 

The story is a classic romantic thriller which works overtime and feeds on the fears and element of uncertainty of the characters. The story is a breezy affair yet it provokes the readers and challenges the mind to be on your toes all the time. There's an air of gloom and there's sadistic pleasure yet there's happiness too which is the hallmark of the entire hoopla. The story doesn't dies down, in fact it drags the readers along a dark path which is illuminated only when required. It's soul stirring story.The uncanny knack of the author to pick up and assemble a befitting cast and story line works wonders for the book. 

The couple of downsides which are encountered in the book are some annoying spacing issues and the sexual encounters which have just gone a little overboard. The sexual excitement could have been suppressed to a minimum. 

All in all it's a heart stopping thriller which has a dark and a bright side to it. It spreads fear,gloom,cheers and smile in palpable amounts. It stops at nothing to toy with the mind of the readers and makes you believe in every word,every line and every character. The quandary in which the author leaves the readers towards the end hints at something big planned for the next part of the story. It's a legalized way to create doubts in your mind and deliver a book so magnetic that you won't be able to rest until its ultimate destination. A pure entertainer. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5  

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