BALRAJ BY MANOJ V JAIN

TITLE- BALRAJ
AUTHOR- MANOJ V JAIN
GENRE- FICTION
NUMBER OF PAGES- 142
PUBLISHERS- NOTION PRESS
FORMAT- PAPERBACK

About the book-

Do you have the strength(or folly?) to give up everything in the quest of happiness? 

Inder, age 47, a family man and a successful financial consultant decides to walk away from everything he knows and loves.

He travels through the heart of India in search of himself, meeting g new people, learning lessons and giving himself up to serendipity. 

Balraj is thought provoking, troubling and even uplifting at times.

Manoj Jain weaves a simple take that explores the evolution of a soul searcher through the travels of a man on a quest to find the answers he set out for.

My rating- ★★★.5☆☆

My review- 

This is the story of Inder- a successful financial consultant who had everything in life- everything he wanted but not what he needed. Tired with his life and feeling like a failure especially on the family front- he decides to leave his old life in search for peace. 

Thus begins his journey which takes him from Mumbai ( his hometown) to Jaipur to Benaras. On his journey he comes across various people who help him in his understanding of the world and of himself. At every point he depends on the universe to show him the next step. What does the universe show him? How does he interpret the signs? Where is the destination of his journey? Will he be able to find peace? All these questions are answered in this book.

This book takes up a very important problem most people face during their middle ages- midlife crisis. It speaks of the way people become frustrated with their mundane lives and begin to question their happiness- using  Inder as an example. 

The emotional turmoil that the protagonist goes through, his desire to find himself and his transformation to a completely new person- Balraj is noteworthy.

The story revolves around Inder and his life in contrast to Balraj and his present life- there are very detailed descriptions of the places Balraj visits and how he tends to learn new perspectives through the people he meets. The emotions that he feels at every point are highlighted to a great extent.

This story speaks of the way one can find peace within. Balraj's experiences and his transformation into a happy individual is what makes this story emotionally appealing.

Though the book highlights a very important problem yet I feel that running away in search of yourself in not a solution- it is necessary that you understand what you are lacking in the initial days itself so that the thought of running away never manifests- for it leaves the family left behind tomented. The story though emotionally appealing is not fast paced, however the characters are very well developed.

A gripping story speaking of the human ability to turn despair and unhappiness into peace and hope- it delves on the emotions people tend to lock up, thus enabling them to let go and seek the answers they desire.

Characters-

Inder/ Balraj- the protagonist of the story who is fed up with his life and wants to start afresh, discover himself and understand what went downhill with his relationships. The inception of the thought to run away, the planning that followed, his transformation into Balraj and the lessons that follow are something to ponder upon.

Baani- an old lady who ran a cafe in Jaipur- where Balraj first halted on his journey. It was she who became a mother- figure for Balraj. A lady who made him understand his true potential and further encouraged him to learn about himself- to leave for a new destination in search of himself.

There are several other characters throughout the story who have small roles but leave a significant impact on Balraj- helping him in his search for himself.

The character development throughout the story is very impressive. Each character has something to contribute to the protagonist's story.

Writing style-

The writing style is very simple, a rather slow paced which can sometimes make it difficult to continue. However the author has described every emotion, every incident and every place in a very detailed manner. In just a few pages he has written enough things which would provide food for thought.

A book talking about a very realistic problem, however I personally didn't like the solution- though the solution is what most of the book is about. It enables the readers to identify and understand ceratin problems beforehand- before they become extreme. 

A psychologically enlightening book which helps to understand the human mind- a short, simple yet impactful read which makes the readers think about their own problems and identify with Balraj. 

I would like to thank Naman Pandey for sending over this book. Really had a great time reading this one.

Purchase link-

https://www.amazon.in/Balraj-Manoj-V-Jain/dp/1947137379/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549960191&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=balraj+by+manoj+jain&dpPl=1&dpID=51VHHtIrgkL&ref=plSrch

About the author-

Manoj V Jain has always been interested in human relationships and how they are affected by circumstances. He is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and student of psychology. Balraj is his third book, while the BNO, Sex life and hookah and THE THC, Under a gibbous moon where his first two. He runs his own garment export business. He travels over the globe, meets new people, hears interesting stories and these give him a deeper understanding of the way people think.