Book Review 89
Name Of The Book : Once Upon An IAS Exam
Author : K. Vijayakarthikeyan
Publisher : Rupa Publications
Year : 2018
Category : Fiction
Review :
Vishy's worst nightmare-failing the UPSC's Civil Services exam-has come true. He is plagued by insecurity, fear and doubts. The mother of all competitive examinations has rejected him and he needs a reason to live. So, what does he do? He tells his best friend Rithika, 'I love you. Will you marry me?' In Once Upon an IAS Exam, twenty-five-year-old Vishy tries to overcome the uncertainty and confusion about his future and figure out ways of convincing Rithika to marry him. Things turn even more interesting, funny and emotional as Vishy reattempts to conquer 'Mount IAS'. As he tries to take his academic and love life towards safety, he seeks refuge in the world of IAS coaching centres. Set in the bustling Civil Services exam coaching hub of Anna Nagar in Chennai, this book is a hilarious account of the actuality, stress and struggle faced by millions of candidates who prepare year after year for one of India's toughest exams. Join Vishy as he sets out to prove his mettle to the world-and himself. Will Rithika accept the love of her best friend? Will Vishy overcome his sense of failure? Will there be a happily ever after?
Vishy has failed the UPSC’s Civil Services Exam and is at crossroads about his impending future. He decides to try his luck once again and joins a renowned coaching institute after much deliberation. There he meets others like him and forms unbreakable bonds of friendship with them. He is also in love with his longtime best friend Rithika and wants to convince her to accept his love. This is a short book which gives a firsthand account of the challenges faced by IAS aspirants in India and the pecuniary motives of coaching institutes. The book talks about the mundane life but does not make the reader feel bored. It ends on a positive note that hard work pays off at the end. That being said, I found certain problems with the book as well. The language used was too simple and did not carry any emotions. It could be edited better and maybe even shortened to avoid redundancy. The story has an undertone of sexism. Rithika is initially introduced as an IT professional, but later she is solely in the story for the purpose of making sacrifices for the hero. At more than a single instance, she undervalues the importance of her own achievements and follows the hero around to places attending to his needs. Even in spite of that, in the epilogue, there is only a passing mention of Rithika that too as the wife of Vishy. This was unexpected from the author who is a bureaucrat who runs the country.
Rating : 3/5
Name Of The Book : Once Upon An IAS Exam
Author : K. Vijayakarthikeyan
Publisher : Rupa Publications
Year : 2018
Category : Fiction
Review :
Vishy's worst nightmare-failing the UPSC's Civil Services exam-has come true. He is plagued by insecurity, fear and doubts. The mother of all competitive examinations has rejected him and he needs a reason to live. So, what does he do? He tells his best friend Rithika, 'I love you. Will you marry me?' In Once Upon an IAS Exam, twenty-five-year-old Vishy tries to overcome the uncertainty and confusion about his future and figure out ways of convincing Rithika to marry him. Things turn even more interesting, funny and emotional as Vishy reattempts to conquer 'Mount IAS'. As he tries to take his academic and love life towards safety, he seeks refuge in the world of IAS coaching centres. Set in the bustling Civil Services exam coaching hub of Anna Nagar in Chennai, this book is a hilarious account of the actuality, stress and struggle faced by millions of candidates who prepare year after year for one of India's toughest exams. Join Vishy as he sets out to prove his mettle to the world-and himself. Will Rithika accept the love of her best friend? Will Vishy overcome his sense of failure? Will there be a happily ever after?
Vishy has failed the UPSC’s Civil Services Exam and is at crossroads about his impending future. He decides to try his luck once again and joins a renowned coaching institute after much deliberation. There he meets others like him and forms unbreakable bonds of friendship with them. He is also in love with his longtime best friend Rithika and wants to convince her to accept his love. This is a short book which gives a firsthand account of the challenges faced by IAS aspirants in India and the pecuniary motives of coaching institutes. The book talks about the mundane life but does not make the reader feel bored. It ends on a positive note that hard work pays off at the end. That being said, I found certain problems with the book as well. The language used was too simple and did not carry any emotions. It could be edited better and maybe even shortened to avoid redundancy. The story has an undertone of sexism. Rithika is initially introduced as an IT professional, but later she is solely in the story for the purpose of making sacrifices for the hero. At more than a single instance, she undervalues the importance of her own achievements and follows the hero around to places attending to his needs. Even in spite of that, in the epilogue, there is only a passing mention of Rithika that too as the wife of Vishy. This was unexpected from the author who is a bureaucrat who runs the country.
Rating : 3/5