The Jehlum Boys

PANKAJ GIRI

Author: Prashant

Publisher: Highbrow Scribes Publications

The Jehlum Boys is primarily based on two friends, Nishant and Mudassir, and how one night of frenzy drastically changes their lives. Based in Jammu, Kashmir, Pakistan, Delhi, and the US, this is a sprawling story about love, loss, friendship, redemption, and hope.

The story starts with Nishant and Mudassir’s childhood, and from the get-go, the author, Mr. Prashant, manages to grip the reader. Using short paragraphs and simple, lucid prose, the narrative flows at a good pace, tagging the reader along. Sometimes, though, the prose and dialogues get colloquial and cheesy, the humor is forced, and the frequent use of high-fives between friends is a tad annoying.

However, despite those minor lapses, the plot construction is immaculate. The story is captivating, with its numerous twists and turns. Everything is planned with precision, and almost every interaction with a character is pivotal to the plot. The story successfully delves into the serious themes of terrorism, religious and political turmoil, and displacement.

The characters are also sketched well. They have their share of flaws, but they are mostly relatable and worth rooting for. My favorite relationship is the one between Nishant and Bansilal. It is relatable, touching, and inspirational. One particular scene even brought tears to my eyes. It was so emotional and well-written.

The protagonists, Nishant and Mudassir, are likable. Their delightful friendship is heartwarming and memorable. However, in some scenes, Nishant is portrayed as too heroic (e.g., the office brawl and the Maulvi slapping scene), making the scenes filmy and unrelatable. Apart from those couple of scenes, I enjoyed their journeys right until the end.

The language is simple, and the descriptions are vivid, especially the lush landscapes of Kashmir. However, I did find a few grammatical and punctuation errors here and there. One round of light editing would have ironed them out.

Overall, I enjoyed The Jehlum Boys. It is a gripping, well-told story that explores important themes and does justice to them.