The Eyes Author: Ashim Basnet Publisher ?: ?Ukiyoto Publishing

PANKAJ GIRI

 ‘The Eyes’ is a story primarily based on two characters – Maya, a simple girl from Sikkim studying in a medical school in Kolkata, and Kaushik, a prodigal son of a rich daddy, pursuing engineering in Kolkata. It is about a strange connection between two unconnected souls and the different challenges that lie their way.

The story begins well. Maya and Kaushik are characters you can relate to very easily. Written from the point of view of the two characters, the plot flows smoothly, making it difficult to put the book down. This is new territory to him; I know AshimDaju is proficient in writing short stories with twists in the tail, but The Eyes is a relatively simple novel with very few twists and turns. However, his narrative skill shines; in my opinion, it is much better than his previous book. The expertise with which he has weaved the story made me feel as if AshimDaju were a veteran writer who had already written several bestselling novels.

Life in two radically different studying environments – medical and engineering colleges – is described excellently, laced with appropriate amounts of subtle humor. The descriptions of Gangtok and the other places in Sikkim are vivid; I could clearly visualize them. The emotions of the characters are also described perfectly. The best part about the novel is that the characters are relatable and real. They are painted with gray shades, but you always feel like rooting for them till the very end. Moreover, even the secondary characters are interesting and likable, be it Maya’s loving father or Kaushik’s supportive brother or brash Shanti Aunty.

The language is exceptional; simple and lucid and littered with beautiful similes and metaphors at regular intervals. The wonderful descriptions of the gorgeous landscape, traditions, and food provide a different dimension to the novel. The editing is good and I couldn’t find any major grammatical errors.

I find the concept of love at first sight difficult to digest in most books, but AshimDaju has justified it well in this book via the characters’ thoughts and confusion. The ending is not a typical happy ending but a logical and satisfying one indeed. The philosophies and inspirational lines at different stages of the book lend it a maturity seldom found in popular commercial fiction books nowadays.

By the time I finished the book, I had a satisfied smile on my face. I have been reading a lot of award-winning fiction of late, but two books from the hills have managed to outdo them by a long, long way. ‘Perfect’ by Eunice Nirja and this book.