SEMICOLON

PANKAJ GIRI

by Sudhanshu Bisen

Publisher ?: ? Petals Publishers & Distributors

Semicolon is a psychosexual thriller, a genre I was unaware of until now. It is based on the weird experiences of Adwait Solanki, India’s most loved stand-up comic, after he lands in India for a tour. It is also about Kaveri, her diary, and a love triangle.

The plot is fast-paced with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. It gripped me from the very first page, and my interest never wavered after that. The part of the narrative that focuses on Adwait is filled with sexual escapades and tension; it is fast-paced and full of thrill. However, when the story shifts to Kaveri’s diary, the pace slows down, and the thoughtful, emotional side of the author comes to the fore. I loved that aspect of his writing even more.

The characters are well-developed, especially Aziman, who is easily my favourite. I think Bisen did an excellent job with Aziman. He is a loveable character, and I found myself rooting for him throughout the book. The snippets of his life in Kashmir, his dreams, and the challenges he faces in Mumbai after the terrorist attack add depth to the character and the story, which is admirable. The love triangle between Kaveri, Niharika, and Aziman is also well written, except for a few conversations between Kaveri and Aziman that are cheesy and border on preachy.

The language is simple and lucid, and I couldn’t find any major grammatical or punctuation errors. The short paragraphs also add to the readability.

The climax is also skilfully executed, and almost all loose ends are tied up. I liked it. And the ending, though sad, filled me with satisfaction. Overall, Semicolon is a very well-written book that most contemporary fiction lovers should enjoy.