The diminishing habit of reading – I postulate – is one of the major reasons for the reverse Flynn effect being noticed the world over. As the average age of the population is reducing in many countries across the world so is the average intelligence level, primarily due to our need for instant gratification through effortless entertainment. A need to be stimulated without exercising ones mental faculties is a malaise fast spreading across this generation who want their daily fix at the tap of a virtual button but I digress.
Fact of the matter is that any and every effort made towards encouraging the habit of reading is commendable and should be appreciated. When the effort is in the form of a book which has the potential to attract non-readers to the fold – it is admirable indeed.
There have been authors (Chetan Bhagat is an example) who, while not known for exceptional literature, have by dint of their own unique writing style, played an essential role in the revival of interest in books in the last decade. The number of bestsellers churned out by these authors effectively demonstrates that relatable characters and engaging storylines trump highfalutin literature.
Falling squarely in this genre is “The Fixer” a thrilling fictional account of a cricketer (Neil Upadhyay) with unrealized ambition who gets caught in a web of corruption and treachery in his search for validation. Suman Dubey adopts a less is more approach towards designing the story which results in a fast paced narrative.
Take a newly formed cricket league which involves businessmen in the gentlemen’s game add women, fame and riches to the mix and a dash of high stakes gambling- the stage is now set to replicate the early years of India’s IPL which tread a similar path after its inception. In fact many of the characters and situations written about in the book sound and feel familiar and I am sure that most readers will go through a feeling of Déjà vu while reading the book – but since it is fiction any resemblance to actual people or events has to be coincidental right ?
Launched at the time of IPL 2020 and based on cricket – this book is bound to be appreciated by all cricket lovers who will pick up the book owing to their love of the game and remain glued to it to savor the protagonist’s eminently real journey into the morass of corruption that seems to be overtaking the sport.
The family intrigue, the chicanery and machinations of the so called loved ones, the hegemony of the select few, it is all there and more. “The Fixer” teaches without being preachy and entertains without being frivolous it wheedles its way into your thinking and you end up caring for some of the characters whose lives are unfolding in front of you.
The only grouse I have with this book (and I know I am nitpicking here) is that I felt a little more comic relief would have added value to the story. Knowing the author the way I do – I am aware of the massive flair for tongue in cheek comedy that he is capable of and was slightly disappointed not to find that particular element in this book.
I strongly recommend reading this book not only for the story but also for the style of narration which while breezy and light does succeed in conveying its message in an entertaining manner. Neil Upadhyay and his family (representational in so many ways) welcome you into their lives and are bound to stay with you even after you put down the book.
Order ‘The Fixer’ now: https://unlk.in/TheFixer/
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