The Lost Paradise
By Anjali Vaswani & Vikas Bansal
Review by Ila Garg
The story of the novel, The Lost Paradise, is set in the capital city of our country, Delhi. The beginning scene takes the readers in a usual household scenario where a mother is trying every means to wake her kids up. This scene in itself is very relatable and elaborated beautifully by the novelists, Anjali Vaswani & Vikas Bansal.
The story line, as I felt, is very challenging, intriguing, and, gripping. From the second chapter onwards, the story begins to enthral the readers and engage them in the process of reading. The way in which Anjali & Vikas have crafted themselves into the story is notable too.
The 167 page book comprises of 15 chapters. Each chapter compels the readers to engross themselves into the story. The story gave me goose bumps as I continued to explore in the details. The novelists have tactfully placed Riya’s history in front of the Readers.
Riya is a small town girl who comes to the city with big dreams of becoming a politician and wiping out all the evils from our society. She meets Vivaan and falls in love. Every scene is marvellously written and is therefore believable.
The lead protagonists, Riya and Vivaan, are a made for each other couple. The romance, the way Vivaan proposes Riya, the intimacy between them, the love, is so well expressed that it actually makes you remember your lover!
Riya and Vivaan are shown very much in love, and yet it is not just a common place love story. It deals with society at large. Rapes, Drugs, MMS scams, Murders, etc. comprises of the underlying themes. I personally recommend this book for all the youth of our society.
Moreover, what is striking about this novel is the fact that it is a debut novel and yet the subject chosen is quite matured. Proper justification is done to the content without any loop holes.
A common picture is placed amongst the Readers of the increasing number of girl victims, seeking justice at the India Gate, candle light marches, etc. but when it comes to Government, they are just acting like Douchebags. The intrinsic reality is portrayed magnificently. And for this, I highly appreciate the novelists.
Vivaan is a dedicated lover who wants to ensure Riya’s safety all the time. When Riya decides to help her friend Kamini to lead a normal life again without any fear of being killed, she doesn’t even know what effect it will have on her life and Vivaan’s ofcourse.
The moments of separation of Riya and Vivaan are created well too. You can actually see all the scenes running before your eyes like a movie. It left me all choked by the end.
The too many complexities of Riya’s life is just one of the reasons you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in The Lost Paradise. I finished the novel in one go as it is very hard to put it down once you start the journey. Vivaan tries hard to persuade her innumerable times that she should cease the battle and not involve herself much, but Riya is determined to fight for the right things.
To find out whether she comes out as a fighter or surrenders to the societal evils, she is able to bust the sex and drug racket or not, her dreams are fulfilled or shattered, she gets a happy ending or not, what happens to her future with Vivaan; you will have to read the novel, The Lost Paradise.
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