The Paperback Badshah by Abhay Nagarajan - A Review

On The Jacket –

‘In life…you can choose to become a specialist or a generalist. But in love, please don’t become a reluctant fundamentalist. Instead become a love scientist.’
-Raghu Balakrishnan

Raghu Balakrishnan is a laidback 25 year old, who quits his regular job as a financial advisor to focus single-mindedly on his dream of becoming a published author in India. He stays with his parents. They reluctantly tolerate his new found creative ‘nonsense’ as he works on his book, a love story, which he titles The Paperback Badshah. 

As time passes by, he realizes that writing the book is just one part of the dream.

How did one go about getting it published? 

What about the marketing and promotion?

What about reactions from the readers?

Would it open up the faucets of love in their hearts or would it irritate them, given the sheer absurdity of the plot?

Along the way, will Raghu also get lucky in matters of the heart?

Find out by joining him in his entertaining journey, as he chases his writing dream to eventually become a published ‘100 Rupee’ paperback author.

Storyline –

Now-a-days, 100 rupee books are flooding the Indian market. And everyone buys those books. Price is what everyone sees on book before buying it. No matter story is good or not, they don’t hesitate buying it id it comes under INR 100. 

“The Paperback Badshah” is the fictional story of one budding author, Raghu who works in the financial industry. He has only one dream, to write a book and get published. And to fulfill his this dream he quits his job. On regular basis, his parents taunt him and no on supports him in achieving his dream. He does everything what a struggling author do. He attends a creative writing workshop by Biryani Begum and meets Roma and Sweety. I would not like to go into major details of story as I don’t want to be spoiler here. 

Will Raghu be able to finish his book? Will he be able to find publisher?  To know the answer of all the questions, you shall read the book.

Now, Review Time –

Now, coming to the review – Book is poorly written. It seems like author have learnt nothing in the process, even after getting published two time before this book. 

Characterization is poor. I am disappointed with the characters in this book. None of the character comes live to you. Poor narration skills. I even don’t remember any single conversation after I am done reading the book. I liked Creative Workshop Session Raghu attended. All the things told by Biryani Begam were really inspiring and needful for all budding authors.

Over all, the book is a comedy but, most of the jokes in it are PJs and I only laughed at how poor they were. At some places, it made me laugh. But that’s author’s stupidity.  At places, book is being stretched. It could have been cut shorter by 60-70 pages. Writing is normal as anyone can read it. It is written is simple English. 

Verdict –

This book gives insight into how a struggling author struggles to get his book published. I would like to rate it 3/5. It’s a light read. You can give it a try.