Hey people! I am here with a book review. Read it and develop some understanding about this fantastic book.

I decided to wake up super early to read Ghachar Ghochar for breakfast a few days ago, drawn to it mostly because of its intriguing title. And, I haven't read a book so short but so intelligently layered at the same time. The book follows the story of a humble family from Bangalore and the sudden shift in their fortunes, as they go on from struggling to make ends meet, to unexpectedly owning a money - minting spice company. The narrator doesn't introduce himself and is the youngest child of the family, comprising of Appa, Amma , his sister Malati, wife Anita, and Chikkappa, his father's younger brother and the mastermind behind their business Sona Masala. He takes us through their days of sparse income and then the rapid transformation of their financial status, and the massive upheaval this unanticipated rise to affluence creates in the family's relationships. I can't tell you how engaged and enthralled this book had me, brimming with profound meaning even with the brevity of its ordinary words. It perfectly captures the ambiguity of overnight wealth, and the many ways in which it can take dark turns, almost like some assumed but robust authority that doesn't care for ethics or morals. Vivek Shanbhag is an undisputed genius for crafting this story with such lucid complexity, submitting to the implications hidden behind not saying certain things. And for that, I must congratulate Srinath Perur also, for his brilliant translation which is testimony to how sensitively he articulates the drift between languages.

Everything plays a central character at some point in this book from the dal curry spilled atop their house's door sill, to the thousands of ants scurrying across their old small, cramped apartment , and even the phrase Ghachar Ghochar. I have to admit, discovering the meaning behind it midway, out of nowhere, was my favourite part about reading it. I can't wait to read it again and discover the layers I'm sure I have missed. You NEED to read it too.

// I am lying. My favourite part was getting done with it in less than 90 mins, and then staying lost in lingering thoughts about it for the rest of the day.

Hope you all find it interesting to read this book. See you soon with a new book review. Have a great day!