Hold My Hand

by Durjoy Datta

An awkward young man, Deep, obsessed with libraries and books, has his dream come true when he is sent to Hong Kong by ATS Technologies to study and test the library cataloguing software at its head office. There he sees - the most beautiful girl he has ever laid his eyes on, But there is a twist to this love story - Ahana is not just stunningly beautiful, she also has a rare congenital disease leaving her blind. Together they explore Hong Kong Aahana guiding with the smells and sounds of the wondrous city and Deep bringing to life the sights he sees.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Romantic, Indian Literature, Contemporary, Young Adult, Novels

216 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2013

Reviews

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it comes to reading our favorite author, we do not even see the backcover and check synopsis whether the story is of our type or not, we just purchase the book without making any 2nd thought. This is what I did when I came to know that Durjoy Datta's 9th book is up for pre-ordering. First, I logged in to Flipkart, ordered the book and then read what's it all about. This is the 2nd book of Durjoy which gets published by India's No.1 publisher- Penguin. And this is only the 3rd book in which he has no co-author and he has done all the work single-handed. The speed with which he comes up with a new book is quite exciting as we, his loyal readers, do not have to wait for a long time to read what our favorite writer writes. The ratio of every 100th blog of mine and his new book coming is almost the same. Whenever I am up with a century post, there's a new book of Mr. Durjoy. :-) Hence, he has 9 books in his pocket while I have 900 Blog Posts. :-) I hope he is coming up with his next up till December. Haha!

As we already know that Durjoy Datta has quite matured as a writer and he has stopped writing those repeated stuffs anymore. Now, he has started examining people and finds out their characterization and attributes. Then he develops his own characters and his book rotates around almost every character that he describes even once in the book. He has stopped writing sex scenes after every 10 pages and in fact, this 196 pages book "Hold My Hand" does not a single scene that can make you feel "Repetitive Durjoy is back". This has assured that his audience will keep buying his book to see how much more has their author being improved. What I like about Durjoy's writing is that he writes a book as a book without any other ambitions attached to it otherwise many writers write a book as if a Bollywood movie is going to be made of it as soon as it releases. Irritating!

I liked the initial pages in the book where the characters are described and we are told what each of them are dealing with so that we can understand their state of mind once we read the scenarios pages ahead. The narration of how Deep is being interned in Hong Kong, and his mother's pain, his father's toughness, his friends' annoyance etc. is done greatly in the beginning. I just felt that the protagonist took a lot of time in India itself and its almost after 1/3rd part of the book is over that we finally find him in Hong Kong. I liked one part where Deep tells about what books has taught him. That whole paragraph is wonderful. Also, every time his writer's heart and love for books is discussed, Durjoy takes the words and sentences to the next level.

As soon as Ahana comes in to the picture, story takes a sweet and a soft turn. It's not about the pity and sympathy and the support that Deep shows towards her because of her eyes-disorder but about the feelings that both of them share. His falling in love with her, her father being strict, her attachment with her ex-boyfriend who's also blind like her etc is what this part of story needed. Actually, this part is less of her struggle with blindness but a relationship between a father and daughter. I liked the character of Ranbeer because this is how even i wish to be with my children. An ideal character it is! Sadhika's character is also portrayed beautifully. It's good that Durjoy wrote a part in Ahana's words that we get to know what this blind girl keeps thinking within herself who does not remember anything that she was before the age of 5 when her eyes were fine. Coming to the climax, Durjoy tried to make it surprising but it ended up being flat. I wanted it to look much better.

In all, I didn't find much of the mistake in the book but I feel it quite disappointed to speak that this book is average in terms of the kind of author has written it, the publisher that has published it and the kind of reader-base this duo already has. Someone like You was so much better than this. Even Till The Last Breath. I am not upset with the book but I felt as if this one is done in hurry to beat some deadline. Otherwise Durjoy can never write a story which has a good foundation but not the treatment. He treats every story of his as if it's his last book. That's his specialty though he has failed this time. I give this book an average 3 out of 5 points. I hope his next book comes soon with another terrific page-turner.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

[Avantika Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been Durjoy's fan. Even though some debate that how he has grown from his first book.
It is true but, this guy his best at what he does! He makes you evolved with each character so much that you probably start missing them after you keep this book down.

I'm certainly in love with Hongkong and wish to relive my love like "Ahana and Deep"! Ahana's dad is my favourite , somehow he is as cool as my Dad, just that my Daddy doesn't fly these cool planes.

I recommend this book to everyone, not only coz it's another love story. It's a love story of a blind girl. Once again he delivers a message that when in love that person is the complete for you. It is absolutely beautiful.
All the best, and I love you DJ!

[VenkateshVeera · Rating 1 out of 5]

skip it!!!

[Sayantani Sarkar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could say that it was the best book of Durjoy Datta till date, but I won't, because it wasn't.
There were a few issues I had that annoyed me initially, like how Deep went from "Oh-she's-a-beautiful-girl" to "I'm-in-love-with-her" in just a few hours, and how the language was really basic. But where there were these tit-bits of annoying things, the good parts were there too: I just LOVED the way Deep and Ahana talked, at times without even saying anything. That's the beauty of a Durjoy Datta book; it makes you empathise with the characters. I could feel how much Deep is crazy about Ahana, and also how badly Ahana just wants to be a normal girl.
Overall, a sweet, simple love story. Though it can be missed, but if you read it, then it'll definitely make you smile. :)

[Bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going to give this 3.6 yeah that's the perfect rating for it.
I have been in a reading slump for god knows how long a month or two and I was reading classic to break it through ironic right?
comes out i went in slump more..
I thought to get back to the author who is familiar and it's durjoy Datta , the first book of him which I read which was hold my hand was litreally okish and I doubted picking it up because it has a incomplete ending.. but the 2nd and 3rd book surprised me and this is the 4th one .
It was just boring in the first half and it's pushing through to read it and today when I was reading the other half it was the best.
it had all I wanted and I for a second thought that maybe litreally Ranbeer died and cursed myself for picking it because I am so done for sad incomplete and tragic love stories for now. but he was alive and the story has an happy ending soo it did the job..
you can try this one if you are In a slump too
byee!!!

[Satvik Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The simplest yet the most beautiful book I've ever read. It is fantastically narrated through the perspective of 'The Nerd Boy' and 'The Blind Girl'. No brilliant vocabulary, no sophisticated plot, yet the story is able to create the magic. Really emotional at times, the writer has balanced it well. There is no chance for the reader to get bored. The style of narrating brings the scenes alive, and makes the reading experience nothing less than watching a movie. It's a journey of a blind girl, a character through which we learn a lot. No words to describe the book. It is heart-touching, one of my personal favourites. Hold My Hand- a must read! Rating: 4/5

[Tanmayya Saraf · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past page 35, absolute horror show of misogny and fatphobia. Calling his mom stupid and emotional, and immediately turning it around because he'd miss her. Stereotypes galore, with the fat girl best friend and the popular guy best friend, he made his entire personality about him reading books. Totally do not recommend this.

[Meera · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simple, predictable love story, where a boy meets girl; in this case the girl is blind. The plot begins off slowly, picks up with the character of Ahana. However the end is too abrupt. Hong Kong has been beautifully depicted by the writer; it gives a visual feel.

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

You call this book???

[Zoha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hold My Hand by Durjoy Datta - to say I disliked this book is an understatement. The only reason I rated this book a One Star ⭐️ is because of it’s representation of Hong Kong, Ahana’s (female lead) experience with being blind, her parents backstory (even her father’s budding relationship with his co-worker) and One Direction references (notice how there’s nothing written about the male lead, because he’s just that poorly written). That’s about it. But these are things I could get in any other well written book. The cons heavily outweigh the pros and I would definitely not recommend buying or reading this book.

Let’s get into the reasons:

1. The author has an obsession with height, body image issues, fatphobic, racist and he’s lowkey a colorist too (obsessed with white skin - he constantly suggests that people who are fair and thin are beautiful). I can’t say for certain if it’s just Deep (male lead) that is written poorly or if it is infact the author who is manifesting his own insecurities onto him. If I took a shot the number of times Deep’s height and weight was referenced throughout the book, I would be drunk just halfway through the book.

Let’s get into the quote by quote references for each of my arguments —

a) Height and Weight (30 references!)

“In the last decade, I have gained inordinate height, though my weight has remained constant , making me resemble a praying mantis — tall, gangly, awkward and strange with spectacled eyes.” - Page 3

“…. my extraordinarily long legs folded awkwardly under the chair…” - Page 3

“It’s strange how much I love food and yet how excruciatingly thin I am.” Page 5

“She’s gorgeous and she cooks great food, when you’re just a tall, lanky boy who’s only useful to change fused light bulbs.” - Page 6

“Plus, he is all grown up. For God's sake, he's taller than both of us put together!” - Page 7

“'Weaker than this?' I respond and my father laughs; I weigh fifty-eight kilograms and I am six feet three inches, my waist worth the envy of runway models. ” - Page 7

“They all have crooked noses and slender bodies ,…” - Page 8

“Manasi is smart and large ; Aman's girlfriend wears pretty clothes and has a thin waist. ” - Page 9

“Manasi distorting pictures to make thin people look fat and fat people thin. She makes herself thin but her nose grows longer in the process and I don't think I like her like that.” - Page 11

“..french fries dipped in ketchup which is suspiciously thin..” - Page 11 (please Durjoy, at least spare the fries)

“ Manasi weighs ninety-three kilograms. At least that's the number she goes by, even though it has been a year since she last stepped on a weighing scale. She doesn't consider herself a foodie or a gourmet with a taste for fine food because she is quite the opposite. She just eats a lot, eats everything and eats all the time. But unlike other fat people who believe it's okay to be fat, she hates herself and on days when she hates herself the most. Like today she eats even more. ” - Page 11

“I had thought it was a thoughtful gift but Manasi thought otherwise and said, 'I am not that fat! She was right. Oliver Hardy was a hundred pounds heavier, though he lost one hundred and fifty pounds before his death which made him lighter than Manasi in the end. I pointed that out and she didn't talk to me for two days and I learned that girls don't like being compared to heavy, male actors. ” - Page 12

“…seeing Manasi lose weight by pinching herself on her new cell phone.” - Page 12

“he says, breaks a solitary fry in two and eats it. No wonder he's in such great shape! Manasi can take a tip or two from him, especially since she spends so much time staring at him.” - Page 13

“It’s never pleasant to have a crush on the college's hottest guy (especially when he is already dating a slim, pretty girl ).” - Page 14

“The last time I met a friend of Ritika, she had told Ritika and Aman that I was tall. She had used just one word to describe me, 'tall'. If I were in a book I would just be a tall character. Nothing more.” - Page 18 (yes Deep, Ritika’s friend was right, you’ve made being tall your entire personality)

“ She's fat, but boy can she dance! ” - Page 19 (sir, what now?)

“ 'And I am pretty tall, you know. I think I am pretty hard to miss. Not that Manasi can ever hide.' 'I'm so fat that maybe he mistook me for a building or something,' Manasi says. ” - Page 20-21 (no fat person would ever say that)

“Ritika is a thin girl, a foot shorter than me. As she walks towards us, her hips sway and if great music could be seen, it would look like her hips. She has a small face which is fair and cute and proportionate and symmetrical. I feel sorry for Manasi.” - Page 22

“Something I need badly because he's brilliant and I am, like, a tall boy who's not needed unless there's a fused light bulb.” - Page 23

“ He's very short, like five feet, and is healthy for a poor guy. ” - Page 24

“'Hey, the tall guy with the fetish for books. Come! Sit!'" - Page 25 (also, someone with a “fetish for books” would definitely be able to write a much better book)

“I can’t help but notice how skinny and tall I am, like a praying mantis, or a grasshopper, or their loving child.” - Page 40

“My legs are too long for the cramped seats.” - Page 43

“After claiming my luggage, getting my passport stamped on again (Yeah, I am that good!), peeing in the urinal that is fixed a little too low for my comfort (being six feet four inches is a huge disadvantage), I exit the airport building, clutching tightly a printout with the address of the hotel I have to check in to.” - Page 46 (Imagine being in the urinal and still obsessing over your height, it’s like that is all Deep had to offer in this entire book. How unfortunate it is for someone to be so proud of something that they are born with, rather than something they have actually worked hard towards achieving)

“…and the bathtub, which I will have to double over to fit inside. I don't think it will be comfortable for me to lie in a bubble bath with candles lit around me, my hairless bony legs sticking out.” - Page 49

“She's leaning back but I can make out she's not tall, around five feet three inches I would reckon.” - Page 55

“The bathtub invites me, but I'm the praying mantis, with long legs and shit , and I'm a young man so I shower instead.” - Page 61-62

“ 'Welcome to ATS, Deep. You're so tall' 'Thank you,' I say. For years I have been looking for a repartee to when people call me tall but I have not come up with one yet.” - Page 62

“ You're so short, like a bunny. ” - Page 130

b) Colorism and Racism

“She has a small face which is fair and cute and proportionate and symmetrical.” - Page 22

Durjoy is describing “the most beautiful girl ever to walk the face of earth” - “Her hair, brown and golden and with big, wavy curls, falling all over face, reaches down to her shoulders. I am not sure where she's from, because she's too fair, and her eyes are a curious shade of green and blue, but her earrings look Indianish and the tattoo on her hand is in Devanagari script. She's dressed like a hippy-harem pants and a heavily embroidered kurti, beads wrapped around her wrist, lots of them. Maybe she went to India for spiritual purposes after having too much of the Black Eyed Peas or something.” - Page 55

“More so when he found himself next to a girl who was beautiful, fair and proportionate, like a goddess and the figures in Da Vinci's sketches.” - Page 59 ( For an Indian to constantly imply being fair is beautiful is so off putting, people should have just made him the cover of Fair & Lovely [lady’s whitening cream])

“Hi! I'm Corinna Cheung, she smiles, her eyes cute like a bug's, disappearing into the crinkles of her skin. ” - Page 69

“The beautiful flight attendants take turns to ask me if I need anything, and it seems unfair that they, pretty and fair and perfect , should listen to me.” - Page 43 (How ironic that Durjoy went on to marrying a flight attendant)

c) Additional Problematic Behavior

“'It's alright. I will not let go,' she clutches my hand tighter. She reminds me of my mom and of when I was eight and we were on the giant wheel, I was scared out of my wits, and Dad, who was Superman to me, laughed, and I wanted to emulate him and Mom whispered in my ears, 'You're stronger, and that made everything alright.” - Page 100 (Freud would be rolling in his grave)

“'The girls were falling all over me! My sound waves were echoing the word, slut, slut, slut, slut,' he says.” - Page 103. (Speechless)

“ 'Are you saying I'm old? Ahana, I can pass off as your boyfriend any given day?” - Page 117 (Why would a dad say that to his daughter? Wouldn’t it make more sense to say pass off as your brother?)

2. The book is poorly written. I’m never able to understand how Indian men with an Engineering degree go off to write books without any training or knowledge of English Language and Literature. It is as if a 14 year old wrote the book.

3. Deep’s insecure attachment with his parents , especially his mother, was very evident throughout the book but because of this he does not face anyone throughout the book who opposes him, dislikes him or criticizes him. Because he is always “loved” by his family and friends. That’s not the reality of the world, it’s a safety bubble through which the author has written the book - there appears to be no character development for any of the characters except maybe Ahana’s father. Or rather any of the characters. Durjoy mentions “I'm a mumma-papa's boy.” (pg. 36) No shit, Sherlock. Deep literally runs to his mother “crying and shouting, 'MOM! MOM!'” (pg. 31) when he caught his ex cheating on him. How is this fully grown man able to date women only to run to his mother at the slightest inconvenience without dealing with the issue firsthand is beyond my comprehension.

In conclusion, do not recommend. Please spare yourself from reading this book. And can we please cancel the author?

[Meghant Parmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not his style. It's not typical college love story. It's not a lengthy title. It's not a regular narration. But it certainly is bit different.


The story is beautiful when seen through Ahana's perspective, boring when seen through Deep's perspective, emotional when seen through Ahana's father perspective and in all it's a story which leaves a lot of impact when characters like Ahana take center stage.


First two parts in the story are nothing extraordinary but the backbone of the entire book lies in its last two parts. :)

It's an experiment to experience love in a different way which has half worked half not but still cannot be ignored.

It's worth reading and reliving Hong Kong and Deep & Ahana's love one time.

[Priyanshu Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story revolves around the relationship of two youngsters Deep and Ahana . It's a contemporary Indian fictional novel were Deep has been described as a Shy boy and Ahana a beautiful night girl who suffer with blindeness .

The story will grip you and will make you keep turning the pages . The journey with no disappointment until Ahana's ex-boyfriend Aveek enters in her life . But how did Ahana realize who is her true love ? Grab the book to know the entire story .

I love the way author has narrated without unnecessary drama with full of emotions , funny moments , a bit tragedy . The best part is the vivid senerio of Hong Kong one will surely fall in love with the city and wish to visit at least once .

The story is simple yet the beauty it holds is mesmerizing . The title is spectacular and perfectly goes with the plots . I will highly recommend this book to everybody who loves refreshing stories , love fantasy and it is a great choice for beginners .

[Asutosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a light romance about a shy techie and a blind, free-spirited girl exploring Hong Kong together. Hold My Hand offers charm and warmth, though it follows a predictable path and keeps things surface-level. Ideal for those who wants a simple, heartwarming love stories.

[Manu♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried in it. Which means it's spectacular.!!! One of the first romance books i read and am not regretting. Life people LIFE sometimes it hits you hard.

[Harit Gupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was funny at times and some really good quotes as well which I enjoyed deeply. I also loved the book showed two perspectives rather than just one.

Ending could have been better. It felt a little rushed.

[Sonam Dubey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial 20% of the book was boring but as it proceeds it gets interesting and soothing. This book made me long for an Holiday trip to HongKong. While reading this book I felt that I am actually sightseeing HongKong. This is one of the feel good , heartwarming book which you want to read on one of your gloomy days. Hold my hand is the first book of Durjoy Dutta I read and wish to read more books written by him.

[Naren Khadka · Rating 1 out of 5]

when you release the plot of a pathetic bollywood romantic movie as a book. i'm surprised how a publishing house of your reputation could approve a so-called book like this. shame on you, Penguin Metro Reads. boring plot, stereotypical remarks, and constantly reminding us how much the boy loves his books. a total waste of time...

1/10

[Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hold My Hand is the sweet, hilarious and also very gripping story of Deep who in someways is very similar to me. He is a nerd, always engrossed in his books. His best place to be is a library and he is awkward with people. Six feet and four inches tall, he is mercifully thin with a waist that is the "envy of runway models" and excessively pampered and sheltered by his parents. Very well read and a bright student, he gets a chance to go to Hong Kong on internship and decides to take up the offer. What follows is many a funny but very sweet dramatic scenes at home with his mother crying and worrying about her "Shona" and his father making a list of relatives to call in an emergency to which Deep is sure he would die first before he calls any one of these relatives. His two friends are full of suggestions about all sorts of things like girls, shopping, clubs etc. The story takes us on a journey to a foreign land and makes us feel the nervousness and anticipation one feels on his first voyage abroad. The flow of the story changes when Deep meets Ahana and falls for her at first glance. What ensues is a touching, sweet and very real journey of two people, each with his/her own set of imperfections and shortcomings who enjoy each other's company and ultimately find a meaning to their life.

The story is told from the POV of Deep, Ahana and also her Dad, Ranbeer. I have read Durjoy Datta's works in the past but I liked this book the best. Durjoy has evolved as a writer and he effectively mixes humorous elements with sensitivity and skill. The characters are real, practical people and I was able to connect with them. I could feel the hopelessness of Ahana, who is blind and angry with the people with eyes who treat her differently. I could empathize with Ahana's father who loves his daughter but feels helpless. He tries his best to make his daughter happy but often without success. I could connect with Deep who loves books and finds a book a better companion than people who often don't notice him. He feels conscious of his thin waist, awkward height and no noticeable attractive physical trait when compared to his hunky and popular friend, Aman. I could connect with Deep's mother, who feels extra protective towards her only child and wants to shelter him from the harsh outside world.

The plot is well conceived and executed with some witty dialogues and laughter filled scenes. The author shows his skill when he traverses from the light to the serious part of the book. The description of Hong Kong is beautiful and vivid and creates a mental picture. All through the book I felt like I was actually there in Hong Kong and visiting places with Deep.

A gripping tale of finding love, an aim in life and a passion, this is a sweet book that will touch your heart, hook you and entertain you. A strong recommendation from me to read it, I give Hold My Hand a 4.5 out of 5.

This review is also available on my blog Njkinny's World of Books

[Rikky Bhartia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completed reading it last night, must say, the last part was the best part of the entire book, which gave the book entire credit for its book, but still it was something which missed The Durjoy Datta charm, felt as if its writing if someone different author, a new writer, it moved out of college like his previous 2 books, but certainly couldn't match the height and excellence of If it's not forever, Someone Like you and Till the last breadth...

Felt as if something was obviously missing in the story, the first part was kind of not required, or even if it was, it must had been limited to an introductory, but it was way too extended.

The second part from Ahana's perspective was really nice, it did satisfactory, and also showed how a girl without eyes feels and is difficult to live, and also what a normal girl wishes in her life.

The end was a little bit uncommon and unexpected, the ending could had been a lot better than it was, seemed as if the author was in a hurry to wrap it up.

The major set back was missing a love story, the importance of Aveek, their love, Ahana's and Deep's love, the back blurb promised a lot, but the story didn't deliver so much, Aveek role which seeme dto be most important after half of book, turned to be over by then, he was kind of guest appearance ONLY...

The beauty of the book, lies in the way Hongkong, its beauty, its history, its treasury, the tall buildings, lights, discs, friendly people, temples, island, advanced technology and many more, which gives you an urge to travel the city. The beauty was also described between Deep and Ahana when they held each other's hand throughout the book, mainly as she was blind but that was something special in the book.

The biggest surprise was absence of Durjoy Datta factor, and must say he carried the book well without his core competence, and also the literary work and his improvement in his writing can easily be noticed.

But somewhere I felt he forgot the main reason why Deep went to Hongkong, a little bi of his office and library work was expected, where Deep could have been shown as a genious with books and technology.

Nevertheless a nice book, could have been much better, as it was by an author of most bestsellers.

One time read for sure, and waiting for his next book, as you don't think twice before reading your favorite author.

RB...

[Manisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character of the book is a young Bengali boy, Deep, the only son of his parents. His father runs an old library which was established in 1926 and Deep assists him whenever he gets time from his studies. Since almost birth, Deep is surrounded by books and he loves his job. Though now not many people visit the library, he is content and spends his time reading his favourite books in the library. Deep down, he wishes to become an author someday. He is nerd boy as he calls himself who cannot woo girls with the style.

His life changes when he is selected for an all paid internship programme to Hong Kong wherein he gets a chance to work in developing cataloguing software taking the Hong Kong Central Library as the test case. For a book lover like Deep, this is a golden opportunity and he jumps at it. In Hong Kong, at the hotel he’s staying, he comes across a beautiful girl. They get talking to each other, and then Deep learns that the beautiful girl’s name is Ahana and she is blind. They become good friends, and Deep explores the city together with Ahana. Ahana guiding him through places and Deep bringing to life the sights he sees with his words for Ahana.

Then enters Aveek, Ahana’s ex boyfriend who is blind too, but an over confident, super cool guy who has the power to attract girls. Deep doesn’t like Aveek’s behaviour. The story moves further and it has surprises for the reader which are better to be read, not revealed!

Along with the main characters of Deep and Ahana, the other characters – Aveek, Deep’s parents, a calm father and an over protective mother, Ahana’s father who is striving hard to get back his daughter’s eye sight back are also well chalked out.

The book has an attractive cover and Durjoy’s language is very lucid and he succeeds in keeping his reader hooked. A good, light read for anyone who likes love stories and also books, as it has many good books mentioned ;)

[Aastha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is about 'Deep' who is obsessed with books and a beautiful girl 'Ahana' who has a rare congenital disease leaving her blind. The story has four parts. Part One explains how much Deep is fond of books and cannot imagine his life without them. The character has been described as a geek who is not at all fashionable and is the dimmest end of the spectrum going by the current standard of being hot or good looking. But he gets a chance to go to Hong Kong to study and test the library cataloging software at the head office of ATS Technologies. Deep meets Ahana on the lift of the Hotel for the first time and after few unexpected meetings together they explore Hong Kong. Aahana guiding with the smells and sounds of the wondrous city and Deep bringing to life the sights he sees. Part Two is from the Blind Girl's perspective. Part three and four unfolds the story further which has a Happy End. Overall the plot is good. Its a nice weekend read but there was something about it that it couldn't be the best. I think the author had all the ingredients to prepare an awesome platter but unfortunately he could not. Nevertheless every experience teaches something and may we get to read better stuff from him.

[Vishal Philip · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my second book of Durjoy Datta. The Fist book i read was Till The Last Breath . That book Impressed me and that's the reason why I picked up this book. Now talking about this book,

What i Liked About this book

->The Character Ahana is Refreshing
-> Many Funny moments that makes you laugh
->Some places in Hong Kong ( WARNING : You may even fall in love with this city )

What I didnt liked about this book

-> The characters are not deep enough.
-> the first part ( the Nerd boy ) was so boring and i even thought to give up the book
-> Just when the part two ( the Blind Girl ) got interesting , The Author Jumps to new part
-> Badly written
-> Characters like Aman And Manasi were given great importance at beginning but later on they don't have any role. I think it was waste to give them great importance at beginning

As a whole , Hold my Hand is readable. There is nothing much, not so boring either .
Rating : 2.5

[Parth Agrawal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hold My Hand-A love story by Durjoy Datta which unevils slowly as the book progresses.Main characters of this book are Deep,Ahana and a short cameo played by Ahana's father Ranbeer and deep's friends.This book is a story of a bling girl Ahana and a novice writer and a IT student Deep.

Deep is a bookworm and his only two friends are Manasi and Aman.Deep gets an internship of a month at ATS HongKong.Once he completes his itinery to HongKong he meets Ahana a blind girl residing in an adjacent room of his hotel.He travels to various places with Ahana and eventually both fell in love with each other.But owing to their own differences and loopholes they decided not to express there feelings for each other.Read the story to know what happens at last.

Slow story proceeding and a low vocab are drawbacks of this book.I would rate 3 on 5.!

[Wendell D'Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hold my Hand was my first young adult, romance novel. It aslo happened to be my first Durjoy Datta novel, and boy was it great. It is a story of a awkward young man named Deep. Who is sent on an internship programme to the marvellous city of Hong Kong. It is when he is at his hotel that he meets the stunningly gorgeous-Ahana. Just as they began talking, Deep realised something Ahana is blind!

What I liked most about this book is the way Durjoy Datta has portrayed the daily struggles of a blind girl, an antisocial boy and their struggle to find true love. Although this is a well written story, there are some things in the plot that I feel don't make sense. But all things said it is a great young adult fiction novel, and Durhoy Datta is nothing but an exceptional writer. Definelty recommend this book for contemporary Indian literature.

[Anika Kalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I had read Durjoy's book 'Ohh Yes I am Single..!'as the first one from this author, I firmly decided not to read any book again of Durjoy as I found it utterly boring and useless. But then I got a challenge from my brother to go for this one and promising to fulfill it I had to make up my mind a lot before beginning to read it. Now, after finishing it, I must say Hold My Hand is much better. Had I not formed a bad image of Durjoy when I first read one of his books, now after reading this one, I would have considered him a sensible author. The love story might not be a very touching one but still there was sensibility and maturity in his writing which did not make the read, at least, boring quite unlike the previous one. I had to give three stars to it.

[Tarun Sen · Rating 3 out of 5]

#📚 Book Review: *Hold My Hand* by Durjoy Datta*

#Part 1: Book Details & Summary

#Book Details:
- Title: Hold My Hand
- Author: Durjoy Datta
- Genre: Contemporary Romance
- Published Year: 2014
- Page Count: 196
- Target Audience: Young Adults, Adults
- Publisher: Penguin Metro Reads

#Setting:
- The story is set in two contrasting worlds:
- India: Where Deep’s sheltered life with his family unfolds.
- Hong Kong: A vibrant, bustling city that becomes the backdrop for Deep’s journey of self-discovery.
- The shift in setting is significant as it mirrors Deep’s transition from a confined life to one of exploration and emotional growth.
- The author’s vivid descriptions of Hong Kong make the city feel alive, almost like a character in itself.

#Main Characters:
- 'Deep':
- A bookish, introverted young man who finds solace in literature.
- His awkwardness and self-consciousness make him relatable, especially to those who’ve ever felt out of place.
- 'Ahana':
- A blind girl with a fierce spirit and a complicated past.
- Her vulnerability and strength create a compelling contrast, making her one of the most memorable characters in the book.
- 'Ranbeer (Ahana’s father)':
- A protective yet loving father who struggles to balance his concern for Ahana with her need for independence.
- 'Aveek':
- Ahana’s ex-boyfriend, who adds a layer of tension and complexity to the story.

#Plot and Problem Area:
- The story follows Deep, a nerdy bibliophile, who lands an internship in Hong Kong.
- There, he meets Ahana, a blind girl who changes his perspective on life and love.
- The plot explores themes of self-discovery, love, and the challenges of living with a disability .
- While the story starts slow, it gains momentum as Deep and Ahana’s relationship deepens.
- The climax, though unexpected, feels a bit rushed and leaves some questions unanswered.
---
#Part 2: My Opinion

#Strengths/Things I Liked Most:
- Character Development:
- Ahana’s character is beautifully crafted, and her perspective adds depth to the narrative.
- Setting Descriptions:
- The vivid portrayal of Hong Kong makes the city come alive, almost like a character in itself.
- Emotional Moments:
- The bond between Deep and Ahana is heartwarming, and their conversations about life and love are touching.
- Humorous Elements:
- The book has its share of light-hearted moments, especially in the interactions between Deep and his friends.

#Weaknesses/Things I Didn't Like:
- Pacing Issues:
- The first third of the book feels slow, with too much focus on Deep’s life in India.
- Underdeveloped Characters:
- Some characters, like Deep’s friends Aman and Manasi, are introduced prominently but fade into the background as the story progresses.
- Rushed Ending:
- The climax feels abrupt and could have been more impactful with better execution.

#Message/Theme:
- The book explores themes of love, self-acceptance, and the challenges of living with a disability.
- It also touches on the importance of seeing beyond physical appearances and finding beauty in imperfection.
- While the message is heartfelt, it could have been delivered more effectively with a stronger plot structure.

#Author's Writing Style:
- Durjoy Datta’s writing is simple yet engaging, with a mix of humor and emotion.
- His descriptions of Hong Kong are particularly vivid, and he does a good job of capturing the internal struggles of his characters.
- However, the dialogue sometimes feels forced, and the narrative lacks the depth seen in his earlier works.
---
#Part 3: Conclusion

#Your Opinion with Reasons:
- While *Hold My Hand* has its moments, it falls short of the brilliance of Durjoy Datta’s previous works like 'Someone Like You' and 'Till the Last Breath'.
- The story has a 'strong foundation' but lacks the emotional depth and tight pacing needed to make it truly memorable.
- That said, it’s a 'light, enjoyable read' for fans of contemporary romance.

#Final Verdict:
- I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy 'light-hearted romance' with a touch of emotional depth.
- It’s particularly suited for 'young adults' who can relate to the themes of self-discovery and first love.

#Rating of the Book:
- Overall Rating: 3/5
- Plot: 3/5
- Characters: 3.5/5
- Writing Style: 3/5
- Theme/Message: 3.5/5

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#Bonus Elements to Make Your Review Unique:

#Memorable Quotes from the Book:
- “Books make you rectify the mistakes even before you make them.”
- “Love doesn’t see color, love doesn’t see if you are blind. It comes without any discrimination.”

#Cover Analysis:
- The cover is simple yet elegant, with a silhouette of two people holding hands against a backdrop of Hong Kong’s skyline.
- It effectively captures the essence of the story.

#Emotional Impact:
- The book evokes a mix of emotions—joy, empathy, and a sense of wanderlust.
- However, it doesn’t leave a lasting emotional impact like some of Durjoy’s earlier works.

#Comparison with Other Books:
- While Hold My Hand is a decent read, it doesn’t quite match the emotional intensity and storytelling brilliance of 'If It’s Not Forever' or 'Till the Last Breath'.

#Recommendation:
- This book is perfect for a lazy weekend read or for someone looking to explore Durjoy Datta’s work for the first time.
- It’s also a great pick for those who enjoy travel-themed romances.
---
💡 Final Thoughts:
*Hold My Hand* is a sweet, light-hearted romance that shines in moments but doesn’t quite reach its full potential. While it may not be Durjoy Datta’s best work, it’s still a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

[Samrat Bhatt · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is so bad so bad can't believe people are so emotional fools to rate it so high that it has average rating of 3.7. The first 50 pages are wasted ,the story kicks off after he reaches Hong Kong , oh wait there's a story too, maybe. The character is so not believable. His mother is only concerned about his eating only. The story is emotionally unstable. The only likeable part is when the part of the book is written from the blind girl's part.
Overall it's too lengthy ,full of nuisance and a yawn fest. It seems it is too made up to make it look real. The ending also sucks seemed like a Bollywood romantic story ,made to please the masses.
That's all

1.5/5

[Saurabh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is totally different from other books of Durjoy. Maturity is showing very clearly in his writing.

The protagonist is a nerd boy, who gets a chance to visit Hong Kong on an internship where he meets a blind girl. The description of Hong Kong is very good. Also Durjoy has described a blind girl's feelings and thoughts very well. A part of the book is written with blind girl as first person. There was a little surprising/shocking even by the end. Overall end is quite flat.

The book is a small one, there are lot of blank pages and details of other books in the end.

[Manthan Ramani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was gigantic.A book with good flow and found too short after completion.It is one of my pick which barely take time to get off the story.Nicely narrated and beautifully craved.It was sweet at some place as if sweet like honey.Light read with the pleasurable phrase.A story isn't that much amazing by Durjoy Datta which I face in till the last breath.But not disappointed too.Good to go with a light start.

[Stardust✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was one awesome read *_* there was no love, romance and all evidently shown unlike durjoy's other books, but you can feel it through every character of the book! through Deep's mother, through Ahana's father and also Deep & Ahana themselves!