The bluest Marble by Vipin Kumar

Aditya is known as Ram Kumar 125 a name given to amnesiac patients in a Mental Hospital . He doesn t have amnesia; he just doesn t want to go back to the world he knew before. His inmates include: UT the brilliant former CEO, Rajesh software engineer and Jacky Doctor in theoretical physics. Amongst these crazies Ram Kumar 125 discovers himself, the true Aditya, and the secret of happiness. He finds the mysterious and precious bluest marble he has been unconsciously looking for all his life. With portraits that both touch and disturb, corporate politics, Mumbai night life, Dalal Street, lower-middle-class Delhi and psychological illness , The Bluest Marble is a sensitive exploration of young urban aspirations and angst in the age of economic turmoil.

My Views:  Most insane men utter the sanest of thoughts, so we have read or heard often. This story gives it a new light. Insanity also masks the brilliance of a person that could destroy him otherwise.

Aditya Kymar decides to end his life once he is termed a loser by all those whom he loves. He fails and ends up in the psychiatric ward of a hospital pretending he has no memory of his past. But is it really the best way to sort your life ? To shut yourself from the world ? The book begins with Aditya telling his story of rise , fall and then finding peace for himself , away from family and friends. The urban life portrayed is as true as it is for every other person living in metropolitan cities. It is not a life but a checklist to cover - money , promotion , house , marriage , making parents proud etc etc ..

But what is new here is the way Aditya realizes that being happy is more important than making or keeping people happy. The point where for a second he realizes that probably his ex girlfriend was right in asking him to seek his happiness, is like a statement. Being happy is not selfish. But people's expectations from us or vice versa is selfish.

It was part scary , part sad how Aditya reaches the point of not wanting to return home.

But even with such relatable tale , there were sone things that bothered me. One is the dialogue between Aditya and his bike. I understand we all talk to our stuff but a response is creepy. Also , while the first part of the book is detailed , I found the ending little rushed. I wanted to read more about UT. To know how Aditya managed to have a fresh start. Little more perhaps.

Overall , i liked the book. Will definitely look forward to reading the next book by Vipin.


Rating : 3.5/5

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