Title: Dangle
Author: Sutapa Basu
No: of Pages: 252
Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Romance
Blurb:
Stunning, svelte, smart Ipshita is a globetrotter. She treks across the world to gather bytes for the travel chats she designs and hosts for TV channels. Despite being a self assured and sophisticated entrepreneur, Ipshita is haunted by a nameless fear. Social interaction with men unleashes psychotic turmoil inside her, making her wary of male attentions. Yet, the cold and aloof Ips is inexorably drawn to the three men she meets at different points in her journey.
Her arousal to the overtures of these men catches her unawares. Well-built defenses break as her dormant sexuality go into overdrive until she discovers the horrifying truth about them…and herself.
Life puzzles. Secrets tumble out. Will she be able to reclaim her life or let it dangle.
Review:
Dangle is the story of Ipshita is a globetrotter and gathers inputs for her travel chat shows which she freelances to various TV channels. The story begins at Chicago, where she had gone for featuring an acrobat skywalking on a cable stretched across two skyscrappers. Here, she meets Amar Seth whom she feels attracted to. Ipshita is the younger daughter of Retd. Brig. Ujjal Sen. Her childhood friend Aditya Rao is her pillar of strength. Their fathers were comrades in the Army. Aditya lost his father in a heart attack, but the family remained close to the Sens.
As the story unfolds, we understand that our sauve and confident heroine Ipshita is a scarred soul, often agonized by her inner demons. She hears voices and has panic attacks. Her doting parents and Aditya is always by her side but her past beckons, hinting as if teasing her and often ends up horrifying her. Ipshita decides to pay a visit to her sister Mallika in Manipur. She is twelve years older than her and is married to Vikram, an Army Officer. Her hatred towards her brother in law is strong.
Ipshita is astounded by her reactions to the opposite sex especially when such occurrences had made her panicky in the past. She never believed in the idea of marriage. In Manipur, she meets Aakash Nag and on a trip to Indonesia, she meets Steve D’Silva. Unlike before when she had a cold feet and dodged off from men, Ipshita enjoys the attention from men and is keen to discover her sexual desires. But then why is she drawn to Aditya?
And then the hidden truths come back to her in a dramatic way. Will Ipshita overcome her fears and embrace the beauty of a normal life?
Whoa!
The title justifies the story and it keeps the reader hooked from the word go. I had often found my heart in my mouth at various junctures of the story and needless to say, it was a thrilling ride. I loved all the characters- Ipshita,her sister, her parents and Aditya. And for Vikram- I loathed him from the beginning. From being a lonely, broken girl, the journey of Ipshita was indeed beautiful. The way the character of Aditya evolved- from being a good friend, to her solace and then to a potential soulmate was mesmerizing.
I also liked the author’s way of writing – philosophical, poetic and soulful. She has a strong grasp on language and the places were Ipshita had gone for the tour- Chicago, Manipur and Indonesia have been elegantly captured.
And what really stood out for me was how the life in Army was accurately described. Below is one of my favourite lines depicting the same.
“This is the real Army, not sheltered childhood of helpers, parties and fine living! Eventhough every piece of the intricate machine that the Indian Army is, kept training day in and day out for the eventuality of war, and its principle of kill or be killed, it certainly eroded a man’s soul to see fellow officers and men fall to the bullet everyday.”
Do I Recommend?
Yes- for its beautiful bonds of friendship, sisterhood and family! Also for Ipshita’s quest for love and her tryst to defeat her own deepest fears.
Rating:
4 on 5
Disclaimer: I received a free ebook copy from the author via The Book Club. I did not receive any monetary compensation for the same. Thanks for the opportunity.
sutapabsu20 says
Hi Shalzz,
What a lyrical review! I am delighted that you found my writing soulful because your review seems right out of your heart. Thank you so much.
Shalzzz says
Keep writing <3
sutapabsu20 says
I am. so I will come back to you for more feedback.
anindya0909 says
I find the book interesting and will try to read the same. Great review
Dipankar Mukherjee says
Thank you for this wonderful review 🙂 It is a pleasure to see readers enjoying Readomania books.