Book Review: Kashmir 90 by Vineet Mishra

Book Name: Kashmir 90 

Author: Vineet Mishra 

Publisher: Frog Books 

Price: Rs. 225 

Blurb: 

The story Kashmir 90 starts in 2011 and travels back in time accidentally over an animated conversation between two friends, Vineet and Shiv. The heart-wrenching and the most unfortunate events of 1989-1990 in Kashmir caused the ripples which gave rise to this roller coaster tale that destiny wrote for Shiv. Shiv Pandit, a proud Kashmiri young boy of the valley and a darling of his local community, who has the world on his feet after getting admission in College of Srinagar, starts his journey of becoming a man from a boy along numerous other youngsters from all across the country. During the hostel life meets new roommates and develops a great bond with them through few hilarious and funny events. He also develops a soft corner toward a girl name Maya from Kerala. The college life was like a dream for him. In the background, the extremist fringe was spreading the lethal hate in the air Kashmir. The hate bomb when exploded and shook the soul of Kashmir, the causality was the Kashmiri Pandit community. The college was also closed down and the students who had gone for a winter break could never return to college! Shiv loses his roots, his college, his cradle and his love. He finds himself at junction of unknown crossroads of life. This new path of destiny takes him to different parts of the country to rediscover faith in humanity, friendship and love. In turn, it brings along new relationships, disappointments, fun, thrill and adventures. But the changing politics of the country, Ram Janmabhoomi movement and Bombay riots create surge in his life and cause a chain reaction that brings him to a point where once again he finds himself in a situation where he could lose it all! Will he again accept the fate and drift along or fight for his treasure of life? 

Review: 

Kashmir 90, as the name suggests, is set in Kashmir. The story is about Shiv and his life as a Kashmiri Pandit. It is a story about the love of his life, Maya and his quest to win her heart. Who is Vineet from this story? Well, narrating a story in the form of a conversation has always been regarded as one among the best. Shiv recounts his tale to his dear friend, Vineet. And as you can guess it, the narration has been done in first person narrative. The language is simple and lucid. I liked the way the chapters are named. Its either just one word or at the max, three words. You do not get any idea about the chapter from its name and probably, that compels you to read the book without taking a break. You will feel sad for Shiv as he faces a lot of hardships. The events have been rightly placed. You won't wander between the pages and wonder what is happening. The story has an innocence which will pull you towards it. 

Likes: 

• The friendship between Shiv, Sushant and Bala. 
• Vibha's unconditional love for Shiv. 
• Shiv's love for Maya. 

Dislikes: 

• The blurb seemed extremely long to me. 

I rate: 

Cover: 3/5 

Characters: 3/5 

Story: 3/5 

I rate 'Kashmir 90' with 3/5 stars.

You can buy your copies on Amazon.