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Time is a fire
Set in Seattle, Vancouver and Delhi, Time is a Fire blends mystery, romance and political history to tell the story of lives turned upside down by Indira Gandhi's assassination through a young woman's bid to lay to rest the ghosts of her own tormented past.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2002
9 people want to read
About the author
Vikram Kapur
8 books12 followersVikram Kapur is a writer from New Delhi. Sometime in his mid-twenties the poetry of William Butler Yeats rocked his world. While his initial ambition of becoming a poet in the tradition of Yeats quickly waned, the writing bug did not. For several years he attempted to snuff out the bug by casting himself in the role of the typical Indian middle-class male. Holding on to a steady job and living a routine life while clamping down hard on literary ambition each time it reared its head. By his mid-thirties, however, he could fight the bug no longer. One day he simply put pen to paper and wrote a passage that became the beginning of his first novel Time Is a Fire.
Since then, Vikram has published another novel The Wages of Life and an edited anthology on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India called 1984: In Memory and Imagination. He has also published short fiction and nonfiction in anthologies, newspapers and several literary publications around the world. His short fiction has been broadcast internationally on radio and shortlisted in a number of international short story competitions including, among others, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. More information is available on his website.
Vikram has a PhD in creative and critical writing from the University of East Anglia where he substantially raised the average age of his graduating class as a forty-something student. When he is not writing, he is an associate professor of English at Shiv Nadar University near New Delhi.
Since then, Vikram has published another novel The Wages of Life and an edited anthology on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India called 1984: In Memory and Imagination. He has also published short fiction and nonfiction in anthologies, newspapers and several literary publications around the world. His short fiction has been broadcast internationally on radio and shortlisted in a number of international short story competitions including, among others, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. More information is available on his website.
Vikram has a PhD in creative and critical writing from the University of East Anglia where he substantially raised the average age of his graduating class as a forty-something student. When he is not writing, he is an associate professor of English at Shiv Nadar University near New Delhi.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 8, 2018
A meticulously written novel that holds history, mystery, and love so perfectly – Time is a Fire- has everything you would want to find in a good novel. It is an example of fine literature which blends different themes and emotions to touch the mind and heart of its reader.
The book dates back to the fateful day of October 31, 1984, when the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi was assassinated. The act was committed by the Sikhs and was followed by the pogrom covering the whole Sikh community. Amrita, the protagonist, recalls coming back home on the night of October 31 to see her dead parents. She is shocked to witness the scene and thereafter, her life changes overnight. Years later, in Seattle, a familiar face from the past bumps into her life and writes to her. There is urgency in that letter and before she could discover what was it about, the person is dead. The mystery unfolds gradually as the novel proceeds with the induction of new characters. As a bemused Amrita looks for answers, she finds the past to unravel in ways she could never imagine. Towards the end, the story surprises you, makes you cringe and cry, all together at the same time.
The writing style of the author made the complete reading experience for me an enriching one. The rhetorical style adds to a wonderful impact on a reader. The manner in which the story develops keeps you at the edge of your seat. And for someone(like me), who was uninformed about the history, the book is both entertaining and knowledgeable. As for the language, it is so smooth. The narrative is subtle and to the point. In fact, it was a refreshing book for me that had a seamless transition from a point to the other.
It is gripping. It holds you and you are bound to stay back glued to the book because you want to know what happened next! I was amazed at the stunning revelations which followed one after the other. The time of Emergency is a painful memory and the hearts ache even today remembering it. I could feel the torment of the people and what they have been through at that time.
Set in Vancouver, Seattle, and Delhi, the book moves from one place to the other and the reader explores the contours of history. The lives went berserk after the riots of 1984 and it has been brought out in the book really well. Indeed time is a fire.
The book offers an intellectually stimulating experience and provides insights into the realms of the past. It was hard to believe that it was a fiction. Overall, I had a really amazing experience reading it and I am happy that I picked it up. Do check this book out!
The book dates back to the fateful day of October 31, 1984, when the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi was assassinated. The act was committed by the Sikhs and was followed by the pogrom covering the whole Sikh community. Amrita, the protagonist, recalls coming back home on the night of October 31 to see her dead parents. She is shocked to witness the scene and thereafter, her life changes overnight. Years later, in Seattle, a familiar face from the past bumps into her life and writes to her. There is urgency in that letter and before she could discover what was it about, the person is dead. The mystery unfolds gradually as the novel proceeds with the induction of new characters. As a bemused Amrita looks for answers, she finds the past to unravel in ways she could never imagine. Towards the end, the story surprises you, makes you cringe and cry, all together at the same time.
The writing style of the author made the complete reading experience for me an enriching one. The rhetorical style adds to a wonderful impact on a reader. The manner in which the story develops keeps you at the edge of your seat. And for someone(like me), who was uninformed about the history, the book is both entertaining and knowledgeable. As for the language, it is so smooth. The narrative is subtle and to the point. In fact, it was a refreshing book for me that had a seamless transition from a point to the other.
It is gripping. It holds you and you are bound to stay back glued to the book because you want to know what happened next! I was amazed at the stunning revelations which followed one after the other. The time of Emergency is a painful memory and the hearts ache even today remembering it. I could feel the torment of the people and what they have been through at that time.
Set in Vancouver, Seattle, and Delhi, the book moves from one place to the other and the reader explores the contours of history. The lives went berserk after the riots of 1984 and it has been brought out in the book really well. Indeed time is a fire.
The book offers an intellectually stimulating experience and provides insights into the realms of the past. It was hard to believe that it was a fiction. Overall, I had a really amazing experience reading it and I am happy that I picked it up. Do check this book out!
December 8, 2018
One of the most heart touching stories that I have read in a while. The novel is based in the era of Indira Gandhi’s assassination and also describes 1984 riots. The different themes that it has covered left me overwhelmed with mixed emotions and touched my heart.
The story is about a 16 year old girl Amrita Gill who comes home to find her parents murdered in the riots following Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984. Thereafter she moves to Seattle to leave her life in India behind. But after 13 years, the past is haunting her. First, she receives a letter from an unknown man in Vancouver called Gurbachan Singh, who says he has something to tell her. But Gurbachan Singh is actually dead. Many more such incidents follow which lead Amrita to discover new secrets about her parents. To know what she finds out, grab your copy now😉
The book is a blend of mystery, suspense, political history with a touch of romance.
The narrations are beautiful, the language and the vocabulary are excellent.
Special Mentions: The cover and the title of the book are very thoughtful and apt.
If you are one of those readers who loves to read about politics or Indian history you will definitely love this book.
The story is about a 16 year old girl Amrita Gill who comes home to find her parents murdered in the riots following Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984. Thereafter she moves to Seattle to leave her life in India behind. But after 13 years, the past is haunting her. First, she receives a letter from an unknown man in Vancouver called Gurbachan Singh, who says he has something to tell her. But Gurbachan Singh is actually dead. Many more such incidents follow which lead Amrita to discover new secrets about her parents. To know what she finds out, grab your copy now😉
The book is a blend of mystery, suspense, political history with a touch of romance.
The narrations are beautiful, the language and the vocabulary are excellent.
Special Mentions: The cover and the title of the book are very thoughtful and apt.
If you are one of those readers who loves to read about politics or Indian history you will definitely love this book.
December 2, 2018
Time is a Fire
Vikram Kapur
Srishti Publications
2002. Pp- 265.
The story revolves around Amrita Gill- who has pushed aside a painful past and is living a new life. This is, however, not what fate has in store for her. She finds herself back in the clutches of the past, and the old wounds are stripped bare.
Read on to find out how the secrets from her past reveal themselves in the present and come back crippling into her life.
This is the first novel by Vikram Kapur and it definitely has excited me enough to read other works by him.
The genre- a stirring mix of historical fiction, mystery, suspense, and adventure- is one of my personal favourites, and I couldn't resist Time is a Fire.
The writing style, plot structure and language used couldn't have been better. It is correct, appropriate, and complex enough to excite you.
The characters are well defined and the narration has a flow.
It took 13 years for this book to take its final form, and I think all the efforts speak for themselves. They are clearly visible and pause worthy.
About the cover- I like it, but it could have been a liiiitle sharper and arousing.
I haven't read a fiction around Indra Gandhi's assassination before, and I liked this one.
Another thing I really liked is that it provides deep insight into the lives of families affected by the 1984 riots - how political chaos ruptures the harmony of the society.
I give it a 3.5 on 5.
To read the entire blurb and to know more about the author, visit my Blog (link in bio).
#writersmelon #bookstagramindia #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #review #bookreview #readdreamrepeat #blogger #bookblogger #delhibookstagrammer #indianblogger #igreads #delhiblogger #unitedbookstagram #delhibookstagramfam #bookishfeatures #bookporn #booknerd #bookstagramfeature
37 down @htbrunch #htbrunchbookchallenge #BrunchBookChallenge #htbrunch
Vikram Kapur
Srishti Publications
2002. Pp- 265.
The story revolves around Amrita Gill- who has pushed aside a painful past and is living a new life. This is, however, not what fate has in store for her. She finds herself back in the clutches of the past, and the old wounds are stripped bare.
Read on to find out how the secrets from her past reveal themselves in the present and come back crippling into her life.
This is the first novel by Vikram Kapur and it definitely has excited me enough to read other works by him.
The genre- a stirring mix of historical fiction, mystery, suspense, and adventure- is one of my personal favourites, and I couldn't resist Time is a Fire.
The writing style, plot structure and language used couldn't have been better. It is correct, appropriate, and complex enough to excite you.
The characters are well defined and the narration has a flow.
It took 13 years for this book to take its final form, and I think all the efforts speak for themselves. They are clearly visible and pause worthy.
About the cover- I like it, but it could have been a liiiitle sharper and arousing.
I haven't read a fiction around Indra Gandhi's assassination before, and I liked this one.
Another thing I really liked is that it provides deep insight into the lives of families affected by the 1984 riots - how political chaos ruptures the harmony of the society.
I give it a 3.5 on 5.
To read the entire blurb and to know more about the author, visit my Blog (link in bio).
#writersmelon #bookstagramindia #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #review #bookreview #readdreamrepeat #blogger #bookblogger #delhibookstagrammer #indianblogger #igreads #delhiblogger #unitedbookstagram #delhibookstagramfam #bookishfeatures #bookporn #booknerd #bookstagramfeature
37 down @htbrunch #htbrunchbookchallenge #BrunchBookChallenge #htbrunch
December 20, 2018
Before I could begin reading the book, I was disappointed by the condition in which I received it. So, I did not want to read the book in a spoilt mood and kept the book aside on the shelf for a few days. This worked and I could begin reading the book with a fresh mind. Glad, that I did this and I enjoyed reading this book. I give it 5 stars out of 5 and here is my review.
This is a story of a teenage girl who finds out that her parents were murdered in the riots that were held during the times of Indira Gandhi. The protagonist, Amrita, moves outside India after the death of her parents in an attempt of leaving her past behind her. But, that does not happen. After 13 years, she receives a letter from a stranger in Vancouver. The receipt of this mysterious letter is followed by weird events that are trying to take Amrita closer to the truth behind the death of her parents. But, why are the things hidden from her? What is the mystery all about? Will she be able to discover the complete truth? There will be too many questions in your mind while you are reading this amazing book and they will be solved at the right time in the story. I will not be a spoiler. You will have to read the book to find it out.
I could not find anything in the book bad. The plot, narration, cover and the title, all are good which make this book a complete package for all those who love thrill, mystery, action and a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Pick up this book today if you are a fan of this genre and you will surely enjoy reading it.
Plot- 5 / 5
Cover- 5 / 5
Narration- 5 / 5
Title- 5 / 5
Overall- 5 / 5
This is a story of a teenage girl who finds out that her parents were murdered in the riots that were held during the times of Indira Gandhi. The protagonist, Amrita, moves outside India after the death of her parents in an attempt of leaving her past behind her. But, that does not happen. After 13 years, she receives a letter from a stranger in Vancouver. The receipt of this mysterious letter is followed by weird events that are trying to take Amrita closer to the truth behind the death of her parents. But, why are the things hidden from her? What is the mystery all about? Will she be able to discover the complete truth? There will be too many questions in your mind while you are reading this amazing book and they will be solved at the right time in the story. I will not be a spoiler. You will have to read the book to find it out.
I could not find anything in the book bad. The plot, narration, cover and the title, all are good which make this book a complete package for all those who love thrill, mystery, action and a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Pick up this book today if you are a fan of this genre and you will surely enjoy reading it.
Plot- 5 / 5
Cover- 5 / 5
Narration- 5 / 5
Title- 5 / 5
Overall- 5 / 5
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews