A Sum of Our Choices: Destiny Manifests and Karma Remembers by Chaitanya Salvi
Publisher: Flipping Pages
Pages: 300
Price: Rs. 299 INR(Paperback), Rs. 99 INR(Kindle Edition)
ISBN: 978–8194936466
Buy here: https://amzn.to/3hJjCbl
My take on the book:
Ashutosh Paranjpe, a young successful entrepreneur plans to expand his business through new business ventures. When his startup is seeing a high point in revenues, his longtime girlfriend breaks up complaining of Ashutosh’s misplaced priorities. Even before he could recover from this shock, he is arrested for suspected financial fraud. As life suddenly turns upside down, will Ashutosh be able to prove his innocence and understand the play of destiny and karma that he always refused to acknowledge, forms the rest of the story.
The story starts with the lavish life of Ashutosh, which quickly takes a sudden turn with his arrest. Along with the multiple twists and turns that happen in Ashutosh’s life, the reader is also introduced to his past, starting from his birth, childhood, adult days and how ‘Man with the Midas touch’ was an apt description for him. However, Ashutosh does not believe in destiny and karma, until life teaches him the real meaning of these two words.
The author shows promise with the twists in the story line and while narrating Ashutosh’s past, though the writing style could have been better. The author should have built the protagonist’s character better as the reason for the transformation of Ashutosh from a smart youngster to an insensitive and headstrong adult is not explained.
His relationship with Tanvi could have been better explored as it starts well but the reader does not get much insight into how it progressed. The portions where Ashutosh encounters the mystery man also end abruptly. The meaning of destiny and karma and how they play a part in an individual’s like without their knowledge is portrayed well by the author.
Pick this one if you like modern stories with a hint of philosophy and interesting twists.
My rating:
3/5.