Book Review: The Patiala Quartet by Neel Kamal Puri

The Patiala Quartet by Neel Kamal Puri is a book I bought recently. With an eminent writer like Khushwant Singh recommending the book as a 'debut novel that will rank among the best works of English language fiction from Punjab', I didn't have to think twice before I opted to order it on Amazon. However, being extremely choosy about the books that I read, I still checked out various book bloggers to read their reviews on the debut novel. [Best Books I read in 2020]

All book reviews of The Patiala Quartet praised the debut novel as a sensitive chronicle of life during Punjab's turbulent political upheavals that also wtinessed the beginning of the Khalistani movement.

So, I was like, how did I miss this book in the first place? I must read it!

With keen interest, I bought the book. The first few chapters brought forth some strong characters, particularly the female protagonists Minnie and Karuna whereas the male protagonist Monty and Michael seemed to be weaklings in comparison. Then suddently the entire narrative became disjointed beyond redemption.

Still I persuaded myself to trudge along with the story, grasping at the dash of humour that is evident in the writing and trying to whip up some degree of curiosity to contunue reading the book.

This is one of the few rarest books that I gave up reading.

Some interesting twists, better sketched characters and a real life narrative of Patiala would have been fun to read.

With Delhi and Noida turning hotter each day, it's time for me to start reading the next book. Just before I sign off, here's a perfect book to curl up with and yes, it comes with the delicious sweetness of mangoes!

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