Pravin Agarwal's
debut work, The Girl in the Dream, is subtitled with a very evocative
collection or words - a love story planned 500 years ago. So, it might suggest
to the readers who are too interested that the novel may take them into the
past and try to link the things there to the present scenario. All those who
might have thought so (after having a look at the novel) are right. The novel
does exactly the same thing - taking the readers into the past; however, there
is more to it than it may seem from the distance. Pravin Agarwal has planned
and penned his debut fiction book in a way that it does not let the readers get
an entire idea of what comes in the very next chapter of the chapter being
read. So, there is the element of suspense and also the element of surprise. In
short, it's a moving novel and the readers will never feel underwhelmed.
The novel opens with
a dream and dream remains the central idea of the plot until the central
characters, Vivaan and Riya, reach India from the USA. Vivaan is a well-established
scientist with NASA and his beloved Riya is also a well-settled creative
designer with a reputed firm in the USA. They also come from well-to-do
families and have been raised in the USA. However, the fulcrum of the plot
takes place in India and the author has planned their journey to India very
effectively and nothing reads like a forced twist. The dream, the girl of the
dream, the temple from the dream and the way these things connect with Vivaan
and Riya and also two other characters, Rachit and Swara (who remain in India
largely except when Rachit visits the USA) are amazingly designed and will
surely compel the readers to think.
It is a romantic
novel, to put in simple words. However, there is much added to a simple
romantic tale of the marriage of Vivaan and Riya. Introduction of Rachit in the
USA and then the introduction of Swara in India are also very effective.
Introduction to the ancient temple of Lord Shiva and then the exposition of the
major interest of the plot - the dream that confuses Vivaan continuously - have
been written with due care and decoration. And this is the reason that Pravin's novel is becoming very popular among contemporary fiction readers and reviews by readers, frequently visited Indian book review site and general audience has been superb.
Further support to the attraction in the novel comes from
the simple language and an engaging narrative. However, at times, the novelist
has gone too deep into the psyche of his characters and the monologues and
hidden thoughts' expressions have come out very differently. It may be
interesting for many readers. To sum up, The Girl in the Dream is a novel that
will certainly create an impact upon the readers. It will give out a message
that romantic writing without short-term explicit obscenity is very much
possible if the author wants to achieve it. I would recommend this novel for
its subtle storytelling and an engaging and exciting plot that keeps the
readers glued to the novel throughout!
review by Chandan for The Best Books
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