Don’t Tell The Governor! Yes – this is the latest
Ravi Subramanian thriller… and another yes, it is focused on the Reserve Bank
Of India. Salivating prospect, isnt it – reading this? Well, in a nutshell, you
wont be disappointed – this book is among his best works, vintage Ravi – the Ravi
we saw in the earlier phase. While his recent books were also good, this one is
a throwback to his early years. He has excelled in every department in the
book.
THE BOOK
This is a story greed, of crime, of intrigue, of
crony capitalism, of political interference, and of money. This is the story of
two RBI Governors, a few industrialists, pure chance, and rough business. A
no-holds barred story of business intrigue in an atmosphere of crony
capitalism. The first Governor is on the way out, and does not see eye to eye
with the Government; the second, an academician in the US, brought in for a
purpose. Simultaneously, in another storyline, an year later, we have a 300-Cr
money haul in cash in a truck, leading to a police investigation.
Thrown in with the above is an Ecommerce Venture,
currency printing deals, a Gold Loan Scheme, and insurgency in Kashmir, and an
affair. An unscrupulous businessman starts an Ecommerce Venture, and a dodgy Gold
Loan Scheme, backed by a lender. Problem : this lender has a currency printing
press which supplies notes to the RBI. Bigger Problem – said firm now
blacklisted by the outgoing Governor. From here starts a tale, a sordid tale of
dodgy planning, connections, pressure, vice and rough stuff. How is someone in the Government and the RBI connected?
What happens next? Read the book to find out!
THE ANALYSIS
First of all, let me be clear – this book is not a
take on Demonetisation, or any real
Government policy measure; it is not meant to be a quasi-fictional critique.
Real events have been used or alluded to throughout the book – but the book is
an out-and-out fiction thriller. Nowhere in the book can you find any critical
appraisal or comment on real events – or their praise. Just like his other
books, this is a book, a thriller book based in India, using an Indian
Background which makes for familiarity, intrigue and an easy connect with the
story, as well as draws in the reader. The skill with which the author has
weaved in the tapestry of an Indian background to tell a fictional story is
spellbinding!
This is a fast paced book full of intrigue, of intricately
woven interdependent multiple sub-plots {mentioned above} all coming together
in the climax. Full credit to the author for handling this level of complexity –
multiple sub-plots – adroitly. An act of sheer class! Given the plot
complexity, there is little scope for depth of characterization; this would have
impacted the length, and the flow & pace. That said, even here, this has
been handled adroitly with just enough present with an eye to keeping interest
while balancing character / story depth and flow. There is, happily, not much
vulgarity if any; and the icing on the cake, events follow logically, and flow
towards a climax that is superb.
THE CONCLUSION
This is an excellent book, rated 5 stars; with a
decent fast pace. This is not a racy thriller; the thrill lies in the intrigue, in the
many sub-plots, and the level of planning & involved nature of the story plus
the interconnected involvements and relationships of the characters. This is a
very involved story, but with not many
twists – straightforward tale of intrigue. The fun is in reading of the
plans, the plots and how they unravel in front of us, taking the story forward
with a high degree of skill, making for a fun read. Overall, this is a top book
that makes it to the top of the pile on the basis of its involved storyline,
superb handling and the fabulous intriguing planning it presents to us, the readers…
a highly enjoyable read!
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