Title: Love In Lutyens' Delhi
Author: Amitabh Pandey
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
Amitabh Pandey’s ‘Love in Lutyens’ Delhi’ is the story of
two childhood sweethearts who grow up amidst different social upbringings and
come to see life not through rose-tinged glasses by the time their story
culminates. Written partly in the epistolary (read e-mails) form, the novel is grounded
in realistic conflicts. The core relationships are authentic and memorable, and
the conclusion is satisfying.
As the story progresses we learn that Akriti and Sanjay were
kindergarten friends and then lovers in college before hitting the real world.
With bureaucrats for parents, Sanju’s world is one of power, privilege and
entitlement. Akku, on the other hand, is brought up by a single mother and a
smart and sassy editor for an aunt with commitment issues. What follows is
something out of a standard urban scenario and predictable to a certain degree.
Sanju’s mind is in turmoil as he chooses to abandon his dreams and, like his
parents, looks to the Civil Services for what he thinks will be a meaningful
career. Meanwhile, Akku, armed with a BTech from IIT, is jetting off to a land
of systems design and fun-loving computer geniuses.
The story is nothing new but the way Amitabh has managed the
pace is commendable. It doesn’t bore the reader. The writer’s genius lies in his
projection of Lutyens’ Delhi — not just as a place, but as a character
demanding attention. Amitabh has portrayed Lutyens’ as the senior sarkari portion of New Delhi where
power, and those who wield it, reside. Here, love is not enough; “waiting for a
plum posting is.” So, can Akku and Sanju’s love survive these growing
differences? Or will the compulsions of Lutyens’ Delhi stand in the way of
their togetherness? Read and find it for
yourself.
To sum it, Love in Lutyens’ Delhi has a well-crafted plot
with interesting revelations about living in the so-called modern times.
Amitabh Pandey studied economics at St. Stephen’s College
and Delhi School of Economics. He taught economics at an undergraduate college
of Delhi University and then joined the Indian Railways where he worked for
twenty-four years, during the course of which he conceptualized, implemented
and managed the railways online ticket reservation system at the IRCTC. In
2007, Amitabh shifted to the private sector and spent five years building business
software. He now lives in Noida and writes full-time.
I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book.
I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for
stopping by, and happy reading!
* I received a review copy
from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
** Picture courtesy:
Amazon.in ,
