1000 Kilograms of Goa by Rohan Govenkar : A Review

BOOK TITLE: 1000 Kilograms of Goa

AUTHOR: Rohan Govenkar

ISBN/ASIN: 978-8192681078

GENRE: Fiction

NUMBER OF PAGES: 240

FORMAT: Paperback

SERIES / STANDALONE: Standalone

HOW I GOT THIS BOOK: The author sent me a review copy in exchange for a honest review

SUMMARY:

Seven years after they last met in college, four best friends set out for a reunion holiday to Goa. Strange but alluring circumstances compel them to break the stereotype of a beach vacation and let themselves wild.

Instead of treasuring memories, they memorize treasure-maps. Instead of scoring keys, they duplicate keys. Instead of haunting discotheques, they break into haunted-like houses. Instead of partying at EDM festivals, they gatecrash birthday parties. Instead of hitting on random hot women, they grow into subjects of hot pursuit. De-stress becomes distress, and their jolly vacation transforms itself into a cabaret of headless chickens.

What motivates them to let adrenaline shoot to potent levels? What inspires them to act in a manner they’d term insane in their otherwise normal worlds? Is it a fair gamble or just another wild goose chase? Or is it really a goose that lays the golden eggs?

Find out as you lose yourself in the frenzied, gripping and adventuresome tale about the 1000 kilograms of Goa.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

When the author contacted me for review purposes, I was immediately intrigued by the title. Khoa being one of my favorite sweets, and what I thought was obviously a misnomer. But as I looked closer, I just HAD to find out why the book talked about 1000 kilograms of a place. It was obviously a fun read and the author sent me a gift card to buy the book for myself. And when it arrived, I immediately read the first few pages, being drawn into the story.

REVIEW:

Goa is one of the few places in India considered to be more of a tourist spot than famous for its local culture. This book proves this statement false. When any person, Indian or otherwise, thinks about Goa, a vision of good food, drinks, endless beaches and sunny sand comes to their mind. But what if a book wanted to show the other, lesser known side of Goa and Goans? Who other than a true Goan could do it? What if a book told you about everything you needed to know about Goa, everything official records and other tourist pamphlets didn't mention - at all? What if Goa is actually a land of many more mysteries and exotic and lesser known locations than the widely popular image it is known for? Read this book to know this and more.

From the prologue, where the talk shifts from Honda Activa to a confusing Russian in the beat of an eye, this book promised to be a different fun ride. Instead of talking about Goa as the tourist heaven, this book takes you on a treasure hunt - so realistic that the state itself would earn a new respect from the readers. Ashwin narrates the 'story', with each paragraph only mounting more interest than the previous one. The exciting treasure hunt and thrilling rides make the book a page turner. Ashwin, Bhavesh, Ifthikar, Priya and Pratik never let your interest wane even for a moment.

Before I actually began reading this book, the impression I had about the story and the setting where totally reversed by the time I was halfway through. This was one of those rare books that gave me the feeling, "oh, the story is almost over, why are there these many pages left?" when the author surprises with a great anti climax. I am not quoting anything from this book because I was too busy absorbing the story and enjoying the ride to notice each and every knack. The cover, summary and story come together in a confluence of well written, well formed words that give the reader a satisfaction.

Rohan Govenkar has penned a book that I would definitely read more than once. The story and the narration are such that I would have to read it more than once to appreciate the nuances of the setting. I will never look at Goa with my green tinted glasses again, and it would not be an exaggeration to say, this book has made me want to visit the land for myself.

Would I read this book again? Yes.

Would I recommend this to my friends? Yes.

Could I find faults with this story? Oh yes. But they did not hamper the reading.

Did I get a feel, at any point while reading, that this was a debutante's work? NO.

That is the power of narration Rohan has! A book that would stay with me for a long time to come.

WHAT I LIKED:

• The title and the really attractive cover.
• The exciting summary and the book that lives up to it.
• Showing Goa in a different light..

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• The ending drags a bit - only a little bit.
• If you look for romance - or expect the story to turn towards romance, no go!
• Who am I kidding? I am just trying to point out faults, searching for them. This book has very less faults!

VERDICT:

1000 kilograms of Goa - 200+ pages of pure exhilarating read!

RATING: 4.5/5

EDITIONS AVAILABLE: Paperback

PRICE Rs.99 for Paperback

BOOK LINKS: Amazon