THE SPAM : FIFTY SHADES OF MYLAPORE

Gripping novek. Very subtle and at the same time loud. Really enjoyed it. There was not a single dull moment in the entire story

For a first time novelist, Don Cavarcci leaves you wondering what he’s been smoking. He cuts to the chase right from Para 1 steering clear of the pitfalls that newbies stumble upon such as the dramatic “It was a stormy night blah blah blah”. This is a story about a Carnatic musician but again thankfully the author doesn’t delve into the fifty shades of Melakarta ragams. He sticks to his mojo which is running and offers the reader a glimpse into the life of a tier 2 Carnatic music artiste who makes a more than decent living from taking music classes on Skype.There are many firsts here (and probably lasts) such as the first time that a novel is set in Modern Madras, now Chennai, transformed by the Information Technology boom spawning a highly aspirational young generation ; the first time that the Chennai Runners Chennai Marathon ; the infamous Chennai flood of 2015 ; and the world famous annual Margazhi Mahotsavam Carnatic Music festival make it to a story.There are more Ms in store – the MeToo movement. Oh yes there’s also the Carnatic villain!Yes, the hero crosses both the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans but Don Cavarcci doesn’t waste time on taking the reader on a sightseeing tour. He gets on with the plot – ‘story’ is a tame word – which is simple enough.The protagonist, Jig (short for Jignesh) is trapped in a loveless marriage which is unconsummated. The author doesn’t delve into the reasons, except offering the viewer clues, such as the utter devotion of his freezing cold wife, Vasuki, to her Carnatic music guru and mentor which overshadows everything else. The issue is less about the reasons than about the mental state of Jig in reacting to this no-win situation.Jig’s dilemma is brought out well and the mental gymnastics he goes through in trying to escape the quagmire in which he finds himself.The first major card which turns up is the arrival of Ketaki, the devil-may-care Odissi danseuse with a lusty appetite for life.The series of incidents which follow make up the rest of the story which is brought to a satisfactory denouement.An absorbing read for a speedy drive across the Mumbai-Pune expressway, or the East Coast road highway between Chennai and Pondicherry!

If you are someone who likes to finish a book in one sitting then this is definitely that one to be bought. I bet the author will keep you hooked from first through last page. A nicely written tale of a guy who breaks free of a toxic relationship and finds his freedom…

Writer delivers a classic on debut. Book was thoroughly entertaining and very well written. You know, food was too good when you wanted to have one more portion of it. Book is in the same league, you will be asking for some more of it, if I can say, Yea Dil Maange More!

Cover page looks intriguing with suave looking Mylapore folks. Author's Pseudonym is next level. It is a slim book, quick read.This theme is first of its kind based out of Chennai with events and backdrop interwoven so well capturing the essence of the city. This novel is a page-turner, an absolute entertainer as the story unfolds. The ending is interesting, looking forward to a sequel. Indeed a superhit debut by the author.

A captivating tale spun around the trials and tribulations of a young Tambrahm trapped in an unsuccessful marriage. A must-read for a lover of music, sports and sex in the sultry city of Chennai.

A book which despite its limited canvas is racy and absorbing. The author knits several facets seamlessly.A book which begs for a sequel.

A page turner. Can be finished in quick time.Jig (Jignesh) is a tambrahm, a professional Carnatic musician from Bombay (his father named him thus because of his fascination with Gujarat). He is a well spoken, sensitive young man with exquisite taste and refinement, and a fatalist. He is also serious about his other passion which is distance running which provides him the mental ventilation for his feelings of frustration at the way marriage and life turned out for him. Vasuki is his wife, also a Carnatic musician, cold and irascible. Her reasons for marriage are also cold and for social acceptance – similar  to how one professional weds another professional  without regard to other factors. Ketaki is Jig’s saviour. She is a home maker with a  difference. She doesn’t have a career but she does whatever she sets out to do with a sense of mission whether it pursuing her interest in Odissi or nurturing the talents of her daughters. She is feisty, decisive and has an infectious zest  for life. She doesn’t bemoan her shortcomings but jets out to get whatever she is after or accomplish whatever she sets out to do. Auditor Hariharan is a killer cameoThe cover design is a smash leaving us with a  clear vision of the characters in the story – except for the female runner. She looks more like Maanasa than the teenager Bharathi.The story proceeds at a breakneck speed, even during the great Chennai flood. It doesn’t bring the narrative to a halt. On the contrary it appears to speed it up.Considering the ultra small canvas that he works with, this is a story telling master class. Narrated at  as fast a  trot as the protagonist runs a 10 K.

This novel is obviously inspired by the true life experience of Hollywood actor and raconteur David Niven as described in his autobiography ‘The Moon’s a Balloon’ and the homage to its dry British humour is evident in some portions.Contrary to the knight in shining armour rescuing a damsel, its is about the deep seated need of the beta male (opposite of alpha male) to be rescued by a damsel from HIS distress. Marriage in the present day has become increasingly complicated requiring attention 24 X 7 . Sometimes there is this urge to give up and throw in the towel, and find true love outside marriage’s confines. This book is an escapist tale which addresses the readers’ feelings of quiet desperation and longing to break free of their shackles.There are three ways in which ambitious women (and men) react to not being able to fulfil their perceived destiny on the world’s stage.Mostly, they become surly and indulge in boorish behaviour.Some push their children to fulfil their dreams – a vanishing breed – since they want part of the spotlight for themselves.Few women give richly of themselves in the hope that the universe will give them back in return.They succeed in creating grateful proteges like Stella Adler, who though not fulfilling her dreams of becoming an Eleanora Duse, nurtured talents like Marlon Brando, who swear by her influence.The female protagonist, Ketaki, belongs to this category.Ketaki has shades to her which are not immediately evident. She is not as assured as she seems on the surface. She has her own deep seated feeling of insecurity, inadequacy and regrets such as not becoming the dancing diva she dreamed of becoming after sacrificing a possibly successful corporate career.She is also shrewd and devious but in a good way.She sizes up her quarry (Jig) accurately and knows that he will not trouble her. On the other hand he proves a worthy assistant and confidante.She has this predilection to go-for-broke and that inherently violent streak makes her look for situations in which people need to be rescued by her.She jumps in to rescue Jig in the only way she thinks possible in that moment.She also has this touch of vanity wherein she loves men playing courtier to her. She knows her time has run out to make a difference on the world stage.All she can do is save that one lone starfish which has been put out on land to asphyxiate.She decides to make a difference to that lone starfish as her first and last swan song and performs for him the ultimate act of intimacy.

After reading this book, I request the author to accept my salute..at 45 degrees. 😂. It is engrossing.. unputdownable..the author cleverly establishes the premise very early.. there is an expectation of ACT and once it happened.. readers are still curious as to what happens next/how it will end.. I like all the analogies of Hollywood movies..ending is also good.. men will be men😂 .. Awaiting eagerly for the sequel..