Book Review: SOME HEARTS RUN WILD
Author: JEEVAN GAIKWADAmazon India link:  https://amzn.to/3TDrhtJ  Rating: 5/5

Jeevan Gaikwad’s debut novel ‘Some Hearts Run Wild’ is a compelling tale of love, friendship, dreams, and self-discovery that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you glued till the last page. This big, fat book with an attractive cover is all-consuming! I have already read it twice and I want to read it again 😊.

At the heart of the novel is an intense love story that is fresh and appealing. However, this is not a munching-on-a-quick-burger kind of speed-read romance. It is more like a leisurely three-course meal where you savour each bite and look forward to the next. The author’s writing style is classy and eloquent and at some places, the emotional subtleties reminded me of Amitav Ghosh’s ‘The Glass Palace’ and Rohinton Mistry’s ‘The Family Matters’. The language is rich but not verbose.

While there are several key characters to keep you engaged in this brilliantly written book, the one person I cannot get off my mind is Urvashi Dutta, the protagonist. An independent, unconventional girl of today, Urvashi is spontaneous and fiercely loyal. Youngsters at the crossroads of life will find her character very empowering. This wild heart’s response to crisis situations is uncannily inspiring. She surprises you and yet she never seems out of character. As the story progresses, her character grows on you.

All the other characters are relatable and their stories have been beautifully interwoven in this novel. They evoke a sea of emotions – joy, hope, love, anger, abhorrence, fulfilment. The characterisation is very visual and the chemistry between the key characters makes the story even more interesting. And I don’t mean the lovebirds or their intimacy only! You feel an instant connect when you read about the solid bond between friends, the unspoken love between family members, and the woes of estranged lovers. The author’s choice of metaphors to depict situations throughout the book is fabulous. There is poetry too, and the conversations between some of the characters is worth reading multiple times.

The story also travels through some exotic locations and presents you with a delightful slice of wildlife. Besides, there are some gorgeous photographs that complement the flawless writing. All through, the riveting storytelling keeps you hooked. This is what happens when you experience great books – you can’t wait to reach the last page and yet you don’t want the book to end.

A great debut. Absorbing, powerful writing. Highly recommended.