Book Review - Trapped In Want and Wonder by Roswitha Joshi

Synopsis-

Dev and Dora, an Indo – German journalist couple residing in India, face sever challenges, when weird happenings threaten to throw their personal as well as professional lives out of gear.

She suspects that their helper, Amit, is involved in child trafficking. He does not even want to talk about this specific ‘nonsense’, but, in his role as TV anchor, is ever ready to highlight the plight of children in general. His career soars.

Yet his involvement in a shocking incident makes him fear to lose his job. His boss, however, assures him that scandals are good for business. They titillate the palate, ignite fierce debates and, at times, even provoke action. “Shout your way to glory. It’s the ratings that count,” he points out.

While both their careers take off dramatically – Dora has become a feisty investor’s publicist – jealous gnaws at their happiness and turns their bedroom from love nest into a den of power games.

Their at times playful, at times painful actions come to a sudden halt when Dev’s lingering fears prove to be true that invisible hands have pulled strings to destroy him and much, much more. While he tortures himself figuring out who might be the might behind the mayhem, he has a dream…

The novel, set in the India of today with his manifold issues ranging from child labour, the role of the media to marital rape etc., is written in a style (witty, suspenseful, sexy, satirical) that provides not only insights but entertainment. It is thus very much in tune with the times.

About the story-

This story is about an Indian male Dev, and his German wife, Dora. They both are in the journalist profession, and both are determined and ambitious towards their careers. However, when Dora’s career is witnessing its success, Dev’s male ego gets hurt, and he takes up the assignment that comes his way, just to earn more than his wife. And, that assignment brings havoc in his life.

Writing and narration-

The writing style of the authoress is appreciative. The language is simple, yet intriguing. One can easily gulp down the way the story has been narrated. The dialogues are appropriate and written well. They gel well with the story.

Title and cover-

The title of the story matches it perfectly. As both Dev and Dora are trapped in want and wonder. Want of earning high and doing well in the career, while wonder of the weird things happening around them at a fast pace. The cover suits the story as well. Keeping in mind that the story revolves around the journalism, hence the title is apt.

My verdict-

The story is nice and easy going. At some places it is captivating and keeps one hooked, while at the other places it become a bit confusing. Honestly, I had to read some paragraphs twice, in order to examine the content of the story. The story gives an insight of India and Indian men as well, and that too, from a foreigner’s point of view. However, the ending was not quite good as compared to the whole story. The authoress could have been more creative towards the end.

Ratings – 4/5