Saumya Misra’s ‘A Life Less Lived’ started off like any other. About a college going girl, Aparna and
her best friend, Rati. You are put through the usual routine of her college and
its adventures. The story takes an unexpected turn and follows Aparna, and one
is taken into an old man’s tale.
The old man, Boorha
Baba is a weak and sickly creature, who catches her interest. One day, when
Boorha Baba seems quite sickly, she immediately calls her reluctant mother and
takes him in. A doctor is called in and asks Aparna and her mother to take care
of him.
Meanwhile, Rati has her
own set of problems. She lives in a wealthy home, with only her mother. She wants
to see her estranged father, but Rati’s mother, Anamika keeps her on a tight
leash, claiming all the money for herself. Caught in the situation, Rati
manages to escape, hoping to call her father, from somewhere away from home.
Aparna seems to be
caught between the devil and the deep sea. She wants to help out Rati, but she
finds herself kept away firstly by Anamika and then she hears of Rati running
away from home.
Meanwhile, Boorha Baba who
has recovered a little now launches into a story of his own. In a village, he
was the eldest son of the village’s biggest man. Known as Panna, he enjoyed the
company of his two step-brothers and close friend.
There is a boy from his
village who was in love with a girl from the neighbouring village. As this was
not allowed, due to caste differences the boy and girl are beaten to death, as
Panna’s father passes the order.
Panna, who himself is
against these problems; but find himself in a similar situation. He finds himself
in love with Damayanti. She and Panna who keep meeting due to various
circumstances, are suddenly kept away, by Damyanti’s evil uncle. The situation
is eclipsed by a cousin of Panna’s too.
As his story ends, we
are now aware of why Boorha Baba is so far away from the Panna he was. He, who
was almost killed, finds himself now begging for food and clothes.
We also meet Rati’s
father who comes home from the overseas but with a godmother. How does the
entire situation blend together, to find its end? Will true love find its end,
will we know how and why people act the way they do and will the families get together?
Circumstances, problems,
love, friendships, spouses and families are all in this one. With plots and
subplots, this social thriller manages to find its end. They were all stitched together
quite decently.
Did I like it? Well,
perhaps due to the various subplots, I got a little confused. The spelling
errors did not help its case, either. But overall, a decent effort.
Author:
Saumya Misra
Genre: Fiction
ISBN : 9789384226558
Publisher: Frog Books, Imprint of Leadstart Corp
Price: Rs
145 /-
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