Tall Man Small Shadow by Vipin Behari Goyal
Title: Tall Man
Small Shadow
Author: Vipin
Behari Goyal
Publisher: Cyberwit.net
Date: 2013
Price: Rs.240
The
Review:
Since many days, Indian
Film Industry experienced a typical juncture which eventually gave way to an
evolution. From early 90s, along with the masala movies released a sort of
movies which were then called “meaningful”. Later, as the craft got popular –
they were tagged with an even more fascinating name “parallel movies”. Budgets
were low. Subjects were contemporary and real. The main point of these movies
was the smooth and excellent screenplays – those were very close to the heart.
In the same way, in the masala-content dominated paperback industry – Vipin
Behari Goyal’s Tall Man Small Shadow – is a parallel or a meaningful
entry.
The book revolves around
the lives of Salil, Aalya, Seema and their families. The story goes ahead with
their lives. The protagonist Anupam coins philosophies for day to day prosaic
events. The second protagonist his wife Sulekha believes coincidences happens
with artful manipulations. The story flows and curves along with their
lives.
Existentialism is a
philosophy that proposes that “existence precedes essence” – individuality over
perceived image. The author with many philosophical interpretations has
established the basis through his characters or the knitting of the
plot.
The book is not a mere
travel read. It has many deep insights of life. The philosophical
interpretations were never boring. It all relates to our life and thoughts. With
a fine sweet pace and lucid language – the book is a pleasure to
read.
The plot touched many
aspects of a normal life with an uncanny reality. The feelings portrayed through
the characters were awesome. The style of narration was mind-blowing. The author
took several paths to explore an incident. And, a single point was explored by
several characters with several viewpoints. In international realm – this style
of story-telling is called Rashomon style after the movie of the same name made
by the veteran director Akira Kurosawa. Though the style suits mainly for a
mystery/thriller storytelling – it was adapted well here still the mystic nature
remained with the plot. As the plot gained ground – the author took a procedural
approach with a classic twist at the end.
Though the end-twist for
this genre is unexpected – the establishment of the second protagonist’s belief
got fragile and baseless in a couple of pages. Wasn’t the last page twist too
meek and too unbaked to suit such a mature plot? – I wonder. The sudden ending
was like a rash amputation.
But the book deserves a
read. May be for the fine philosophies of life – may be for the sweet pace – may
be for the deep insight to many prosaic stuffs of life – but surely for the
author who attempts a “meaningful” writing.
Just as the “meaningful”
movies win over the masala flicks and changed the movie market which became more
acceptable to sensible movies – we hope the book makes a step towards this in
its own way. and, hope for an steady evolution in course of
time!
Overall 3.5 stars on 5.
Overall 3.5 stars on 5.
This
book is reviewed by
Sankha Ghosh:
Sankha Ghosh was never born in that 'City of Joy',
never dreamt of being a banker, never watched a Godard, never loved Kafka, never
fell for that Solitary Reaper, never danced on a friend’s wedding, never
fought for human rights, never had a crush at college and never ever aspired to
work on a novel! Never was he as simple as this! #He wishes
I
thank the author for a review
copy.
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