My Review of #Baaz by#AnujaChauhan
Heads up: Spoilers
I wasn’t sure if the book will keep me hooked, because I feared it will have too much of War and Flighter jet jargon, that I, as a laymen would not be able to comprehend. However, Ms. Chauhan’s narration kept me hooked and how! It kept me up for 2 nights and I also had to spend a restless day. The narration is the Hero of the book.
Two strikingly different people from two different worlds, with different ideologies, chance upon each other. Tinka, the well educated, upper class girl who hails from a celebrated army family, (in)famous for a swimsuit advert and a pacifist by nature, finds love and acceptance where it was least expected; a Haryanvi Jat village boy from Chakkahera with a penchant for adventure and an eye for glory- our Hero, BAAZ. One of the defining moments for me was when Ishaan Faujdaar tells Tehmina Dadyseth that she shouldn’t be ashamed of her ad & that she did nothing wrong. But with their ideologies, it is not your regular love story. And Tehmina Dadyseth is not your regular, “I am here to support the Hero” kind of lead. She has her own story and the narrative of her convictions and conflicts are slick.
Apart from the gripping narration, Ms. Chahuhan’s BAAZ also stands out because, each of her characters are well defined and build the story. They are part of the narrative and not present merely to glorify the lead characters. Each of them individually, has their own story too. The characters are also more real and believable. Juhi and Sneha, for example. Juhi though very fond of Maddy & Baaz, wishes that they find someone good for themselves, but not better than her. Sneha, though admits to liking Tinka, disapproves of her brother’s love for Tinka. The narrative of how Tinka, who hates everything about War, influences the thinking of Baaz, who is a nationalist, is very subtle, natural and not at all forced.
Only one thing let me down and that was how it ends. I personally felt flabbergasted that I was up for 2 nights “for this!” That is how I felt. I personally know many who applaud the ending and feel that Baaz could not have ended better. I for one, would have preferred “another” miracle.
This definitely does not feel like it was written by the same author who wrote “Those pricey Thakur Girls”. Nonetheless, I recommend this for its narration.
