Gachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag (Book Review)

Gachar Ghochar is a page turning novel by Indian author Vivek Shanbhag,  in which an unidentified narrator takes us through the turbulent life of an undivided family and their sudden transition from impoverished living conditions to that of a free spending and luxurious life 

While living in a rented home in Bangalore the father figure of the family looses his job as the company he works for undergoes a process of reexamination, and thus salesmen are asked to retire earlier. Faced with pressure and the responsibility of being the sole provider he takes up his brother's idea and with his retirement funds and a loan from the bank decides to start his own spice business.

As the business turns out to be successful, the family begins to change; money transforms them in unrecognizable ways to which they fall blind. Placing themselves at the highest pedestal and in the midst of realizing who they have become lies an emotional and psychological odyssey yet to be unraveled.


THOUGHTS AND REACTIONS:
This book was a gift I received from a professor who knows how much I enjoy reading on any given time. The title and the presentation of the book really intrigued me and I was eager to find out the context inside, however I placed it on my shelf, reserving it for a less busy day. 

The moment I picked it up and read through the first page I knew it was going to be hard to set down, and so it was. 

The scenes and places are described in such a vivid manner that you can almost feel the texture of the objects being described and at one point feel situated in the middle of the coffee shop, the house, the warehouse or any other place. 

Shanbhag does an outstanding job of taking you through the present, the past and then bringing you back to present time, eliciting a sense of eagerness. 
To not give away any spoilers I will leave you with the phrase that abruptly made me stop reading and left me reflecting upon the truth that it spoke:

  
Title: Gachar Ghochar

Author: Vivek Shanbhag

Published: 2017

Publisher: PENGUIN BOOKS

Pages: 118

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