Author: Karan Bajaj
Pages: 324
List Price: Rs. 99
My review of this book is again spot on.
To begin with I was really apprehensive about reading this book. The reason was Karan Bajaj’s earlier fiction novel - Keep off the Grass. I never liked that novel. Why I didn’t like it was because it seemed like it was completely inspired by the novel that is touted to have started a revolution in Indian fiction – Five point Someone.
However, one friend recommended this book as a good fast paced read and I for once paid heed to her advice.
So here, in was on the very first page of the book and it went something like this:
“‘Stop staring,’ said the woman through clenched teeth.
The little boy, presumably her son, looked away reluctantly. ‘His left arm is missing,’ he burst out finally.”
These first few paragraphs along with the synopsis had me hooked on. And to my utter amazement once I crossed the first nine pages, I could not put the book down and when I had to it was agonizing.
This book is a complete package (a la Bollywood). It offers a good dose of romance & love (for people looking for it). It offers quite a bit of spirituality (Buddhism, to be precise). And it does have its fair share of violence (for people looking for action). The protagonist has seen it all and has gone through all. He in many ways is similar to ‘Shantaram’.
It all depends on what one is looking for. If it is a casual enjoyable read that you are looking for then this is the ideal book. However, if you are looking for a piece of literature then you obviously are at the wrong place. The best part is that it is an inexpensive book available for only 99 Indian Rupees. You can find it online for a much lesser late.
You can download the first chapter- The Prologue from here: http://www.karanbajaj.com/Johnny-Gone-Down-Complete-Prologue.pdf
This book is a good read. As always, you read and decide! My final verdict: 3.5 on 5.
