Crossing the Mirage

[AnushkaL]

i]Crossing the Mirage/i] by B S Murthy is a novel on an unattractive man's quest for love and the series of events that follow. It features Chandra, heir to a rich enterprise of pearl trade and blessed in every way except in the looks department. The plot describes the different men and women who influence his life.

The story begins with Chandra's birth and how it is celebrated by his family who wanted a male heir. Even though he is adored by his parents and older sister, Vasavi, he is made to realize his unattractive physical appearance in his adolescence the hard way. Filled with doubts and self-pity, Chandra makes a sequence of decisions that influence his life as well as those around him.

The writing is very unique as it is full of metaphors. Everyday life is described using poetic analogies that compare it ( sometimes unnecessarily) to wholly unrelated ideas. In some cases, these analogies are interesting: for instance, when it compares emotions with seasons but in other cases, it is perfectly ridiculous: for example, when the male organ is described as a 'syringe of passion'. The amount and kind of metaphors used is a little pretentious.

The characters are written well and a lot of the prose is dedicated to their introspection. This gives the viewer a good idea of how they think and feel. I found the character of Vasavi truly beautiful. However, some of the mannerisms of the characters are inconsistent with the post independence era this book is set in: for example, calling your parents mom and dad in 1940s.

The language is complicated and formal in most parts of the book. While in some places it lends a sarcastic delight to the prose by being understated, in most places it is annoyingly unnecessary. It was a little difficult to get used to in the beginning, but after a few chapters, it became rather comforting. The sense of humor the author displays is unexpected and hence appealing.

The plot itself is quite engrossing in the beginning thanks to the interesting character of Chandra who suffers despite having all the wealth in the world. But as it progresses, the plot line meanders into other people's lives and the story becomes recounting of their past stories. Even though, the author tries to connect the stories, it is unconvincing due to the unrealistic conversation the characters have and the fairly predictable ending.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. The alarming amount of metaphors, the rambling plot and the complicated language keep this book from being engrossing. However, the unique concept and the few instances of genuine humor pick up the act.