Laughter dances amidst the warm winds, concealing secrets beneath the mystical river Simroo. Three siblings and their cousins arrive at their ancestral village, enveloped in the scent of mangoes and laughter. Days blend into playful dips, childhood's spirit washing over them like a vibrant tide. But beneath the idyllic surface, shadows stir, eager to unveil the whispers of the past.
A forgotten aunt, Saraswati, a prodigy silenced tragically, ignite their curiosity. What darkness veils her fate? Why does Kashinath, once vibrant, now drown his sorrows in alcohol, haunted by the ghosts of 1976? And can the budding romance between two young hearts defy tradition's rigid expectations?
Their quest for answers reveals a tapestry of buried secrets, each revelation echoing like a monsoon thunderclap. Suppressed grief and guilt simmer, threatening to erupt into vengeance, as the past claws its way into the present, demanding reconciliation. Entangled in societal pressures, generational clashes, and hidden dangers, the siblings navigate this emotional minefield.
Can they mend fractured family bonds? Can they shield a fragile love story from societal norms? And, crucially, can they confront the consequences of unearthing a truth that may imperil their safety?
Plot/Idea: 7 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 7.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: This fluid, lyrically-wrought novel starts off as a breezy tale of summer indulgence, where a group of children in India set off to laze their days away by the Simroo River. The narrative initially mirrors that summer pace, meandering slowly through the story's different perspectives, but once it picks up readers will be swept into the dark secrets simmering just beyond summer's reach.
Prose: Somvanshi's expressive prose perfectly suits this romanticized tale and accurately depicts the woes of star-crossed lovers.
Originality: Summer of 93 combines several moving parts, from intrigue to romance to history, culminating in an entertaining concept that will appeal to fans of genre-crossing novels.
Character/Execution: Distinct and imperfect, the characters in Somvanshi's novel mesh in ways that make them seem incredibly real and believable. Their struggles with love, growing up, and heartbreak will resonate with readers of all ages.
Blurb: Summer of 93 beautifully explores themes of love and community against a stirring backdrop of feminism and a broken social system.
Date Submitted: August 05, 2024
