From - Reviews, Vol I, Issue II
Having read Neelam Saxena Chandra’s innumerable interesting stories
before in national magazines, there was no way I was going to miss out on her
novel! Neelam’s stories have never ever disappointed me so I was confident that
I was going to read an equally interesting novel.
The title of the novel itself, ‘CAN
I HAVE THIS CHANCE?’ is an attractive one. Who would not wish to have a
chance to do something he/she so desperately wants? Who would not like to make
amends or make a difference if another chance was given?
The protagonist Avantika is one such person who is at the crossroads of
her life. Having all along believed in the significance of duty, work and
career, she is given a chance to fall in love again. But, something edges her
on to ignore the chance and board a flight to New York instead, despite the
co-incidental/destined chance that comes her way. Is she running away from
love? Will she permit fate to play its role? Or, will she carve out her own
destiny?
“Avantika
was also lost in her own world. She knew she liked Sunil. After all, they were
so similar. Their professional liking, their tastes in reading, their tastes in
eating – almost everything. But wasn’t liking different from loving? Why did
she never feel the pangs of love which she had felt when she used to be with
her first love? Had her failed first love closed her world so much that she was
not ready to accept someone else? Or was it that she did not really love
Sunil?”
But wait, this is not all the story is about! It is about a ‘fiery young
journalist grappling with crime, murder, rape and aspiring to bring justice to
the oppressed and keeping up the quest for truth intact and lot’s more!’
To be able keep the reader enthusiastic about turning the next page and
also convey a message to the society is not easy a task. But, the author is
successful in both. Neelam Saxena Chandra’s narrative takes you on a see-saw,
now up and then, down providing you with situations to ponder about and a
desire to know where the story is headed. From the present to the past and back
to the present again, Neelam takes you on a journey that never fails to
disappoint.
“Avantika
had got so lost in the past that she had missed even the flight take off. She wondered
how she could have done that. She always enjoyed the take-offs and landings.
Take-offs made her feel the thrill of life on starting on an unknown voyage, of
surging hopes and of aspiring wings. Landings made her remain grounded and
signified the attaining of ultimate wisdom.”
The charm of the book lies in its simplicity. Despite a theme that is
filled with action and adventure, the author never loses focus and therein,
lays the success of the book.
Reviewed by Shail Raghuvanshi
Shail is
a freelance journalist, content writer, editor, reviewer and poet. She can be
reached at shailraghuvanshi@gmail.com
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