It was with great interest that I had read the memoirs of the
brilliant author, ‘For God Loves foolish people,’ and was on the lookout for
more books from her. So, naturally, when Betrayed, her first novel – a medical thriller,
to be more precise, hit the market, I was all agog.
A very well – researched book, with a riveting plot and finely etched characters, the book is indeed a gripping read, where two stories run parallel with an effortless ease. The story of the young idealistic doctor Amit Biswas and his simple , doting artist wife , Anita , who had been ‘together for ever and ever’, sharing the same bathtub, pram and the crib, even the milk bottle .
Sometime after marriage, Anita is dumbfounded by the incidents unfolding around her, as her husband who, had at one time, wanted to heal the world, falls victim to the power of lucre, and their anguished daughter Rattna , wonders , what had happened to her ‘darling mother ; the soft , snuggling , hugging, peaceful , whispering warm lady .”[p 88]
Actually, the revelation of the ignoble underbelly of the noble medical profession, had made her mother turn away from the brush, and find solace in liquor.
A very well – researched book, with a riveting plot and finely etched characters, the book is indeed a gripping read, where two stories run parallel with an effortless ease. The story of the young idealistic doctor Amit Biswas and his simple , doting artist wife , Anita , who had been ‘together for ever and ever’, sharing the same bathtub, pram and the crib, even the milk bottle .
Sometime after marriage, Anita is dumbfounded by the incidents unfolding around her, as her husband who, had at one time, wanted to heal the world, falls victim to the power of lucre, and their anguished daughter Rattna , wonders , what had happened to her ‘darling mother ; the soft , snuggling , hugging, peaceful , whispering warm lady .”[p 88]
Actually, the revelation of the ignoble underbelly of the noble medical profession, had made her mother turn away from the brush, and find solace in liquor.
“Rattna noticed that
her mother almost never touched the easel any more , and if she did , she drew
only syringes – some big , some small , some crooked even , but hardly much
else ; and she sat before her board , staring at the centre , where there was
nothing .”pp 90-91
The second story is that of a young, devastated widow, Mohini from the Punjab of undivided India, who flees from the brazen sexual overtures of her brothers-in- law into a completely different world, where she manages to carve a comfortable niche for herself.
In a bizarre turn of events, the two stories merge, and what follows makes an absolutely engrossing read. The reader reads on, awe-struck, as one medical malpractice after another, unfolds in all its horrifying ramifications and one is not prepared for the jaw- dropping denouement which hits one with all the force of a hammer.
Written in a very lucid style, this book is indeed a page – turner,
spine – chilling and gripping till the end.
Published by Vitasta publishers, Delhi, the book is crisply edited,
and the cover of the book, tempts you into buying and reading the book immediately.
Highly recommended for lovers of good literature and those passionate about thrillers.
Book: Betrayed: Tale of a Rogue Surgeon
Author: Satbir Chadha
Publisher: Vitasta, Delhi
pp: 193
price: Rs. 250
Highly recommended for lovers of good literature and those passionate about thrillers.
Book: Betrayed: Tale of a Rogue Surgeon
Author: Satbir Chadha
Publisher: Vitasta, Delhi
pp: 193
price: Rs. 250
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