India , a diverse country with its unique way of being in unity . We all know it but if you want to feel it, the book under review will do that for you. It might seem very diverse from what you experience, yet resonate as if it is your own story ! A quick read which will warm your heart is Daisy Bala’s second offering to her readers.

Book Review 

Title of the Book: Patna 800020

Author's Name: Daisy Bala

Format: PDF

 

About the Author: Daisy is a passionate author, blogger and poetess from Chicago writing in
English and Hindi both the languages with embellishment of thoughts and bejwelled emotions. She’s been published in anthologies and online journals with Sharing Stories, Kalamanthan, Literoma, Chrysanthemum Chronicles, Innsaei Journal etc. Her pieces have been published with
Womans Web, Silver Birch Press, Creative Talents Unleashed, Blogadda and TOI blogs. Daisy’s first book on poetry “Blossoms and foliages” was received well by her readers and reached bestsellers on Kindle Unlimited. She was a finalist in the Orange Flower Awards for Hindi poetry in 2020.

Narration: The book speaks to you as the author takes the readers from one plot to another and the use of colloquial language gives it the personal touch, the desi flavor gives the book a very uniqueness it needs.

Book Cover & Title: I was in awe when I saw the book cover because the cover has been designed by the author herself which clearly showcases how multi talented she is ! She has done a wonderful job in portraying the characters that is her vision and very well become part of the imagination of the readers as well . The title is certainly unique and quickly grabs attention at once.

Content: This book is story of every middle class family in India, only difference being, it is set in Patna. The book has all that it takes to transport the reader to its own little world where starting from the vivid descriptions of the sunrise, to the condition of plasters on the walls, to the emotional turmoil within the mind of the protagonists everything has been laid out beautifully. A family story that is sure to resonate with most of the readers because the author brings the family into your vision, places the characters effortlessly in front of you with their own quirkiness, weaves the plot which showcases the tension filled family lives that we all live personally, yet successfully delivers the message that there is nothing more important than your own family. It has its own punch line of laughter especially when the author writes ” No one laughed“. It has an amalgamation of many things like the tension of getting grown up girls married by finding suitable alliances, the societal pressure when a daughter denies to get married, unrequited love, having big career goals for a small town girl and the speculations attached to it ! The author has brought out the local flavor by citing the rituals, festivals and most importantly the detailing of the food consumed while keeping the story plot intact and engaging. The strong point was she has tried to show rather than just write it. However, the story could have a little more detailed towards the end rather than a fast paced ending because the gripping plot just demands more and the reader who once is a part of Patna 800020 , will not want to leave the place so soon !

Few lines that touched my heart :

Early daybreak refulgence painted the
 sky with tangerine hues and the crisp hydrating wafts promised a gleeful
day. Ganga ghats buzzed in usual humdrum, Gandhi Maidan churned
 greenery and zeal 
for religious walkers, dhaabaas
 in Kadam Kuan diffused grey charcoal smoke setting the rustic mood for the day and
 euphonic mandir gongs-chants offered unsolicited positivity in plenty. The
 roadside garbage dumps were just starting to linger in the heat and the
 humped bull was too lazy to move his butt from the chowraha
, even as the
 traffic started to thicken.

I wish the author all the very best in all her future endeavors as a reviewer where as I give her kudos personally as a friend because I am aware under what difficult situations she went ahead and published this book. This very effort is inspiring in itself and I look up to to her for this brave act. So , with all my heart I recommend this book to my readers!

The book is available for free download on the

Blogchatter website:    Patna 800020  

PS. This book is part of #BlogChatterEbook carnival in which my book, Heartfelt Symphonies was also launched and is available for free download as of now.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.’ 

Love,

Chinmayee