Book Review: Turning Back Time by Shravya Gunipudi

Turning Back Time

Author: Shravya Gunipudi

Publisher: Gargi Publications

Rating: 4/5

‘Turning Back Time’ is an enthralling amalgamation of four tales into one.  The beauty of this book lies in the fact that it is not a regular rom-com, but has a different genre altogether. I found it difficult to classify the book under fiction category as the story (rather stories) seemed so much real.

For a debut novella, this is a marvelous literary feat! The author has not left any stone unturned in presenting something fresh on the platter. The story revolves around Alia, who works in an old age home. Burdened with the everyday work, she takes pleasure in lending an ear to the stories of the old people. The story is about the retrospective feeling that Alia has in the end that helps her mould the life in a different, yet positive way.

The striking feature of the plot is the way in which the author has addressed some of the most prevalent social issues like domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and marrying children forcibly. But wait, that is not all. Unlike the other contemporary novellas where the author uses one common storyline to project all the problems, ‘Turning back time’ has four different perspectives. The narration by Raman, Hema, Girish and Sita leaves a lasting impact on the minds of the readers.

‘Turning Back Time’ evokes the rational thinking in the reader and forces the reader to think out of the box and analyze the real reason behind a lot many things. The cover of the book is fine; I liked the clock graphic on the first page more. The blurb is catchy. The language is lucid and the dialogs are expressive. The title is apt and well suited because all the side actors have a reminiscence bump and they regret the decisions taken in the past.  But wouldn’t life become a bed of roses if we are given control of the wheel of time?

The author has done a commendable job in sketching the characters. Overall, this is a great book that has to be read at least once. It calls for patience and wit to understand and ponder on each and every emotion that has been portrayed, for it can impart a learning for life.

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