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Colours in the Spectrum
Aristocratic parents, academic brilliance, smouldering romance with the prettiest girl on campus, a God-given gift that enables him to perceive people with an aura of colour -- growing up in the garden city of Bangalore in the sedate seventies, teenager Karan has everything going for him. At thirty-five, swept away by the unforgiving culture of Los Angeles, Karan s life is in shambles. The women he loved have deceived him; Dolly, the child he parented is taken away; his God-given gift is gone. Karan is penitent he once humiliated Danny, a friend who wanted to be much more. Seeking atonement, Karan returns to Bangalore, the burgeoning silicon megalopolis of the post-liberalization nineties. Living in the ancestral house, haunted by memories of the debacled death of his parents, he faces a new fear-- of being afflicted by promiscuous Lila s unfulfilled wanderlust. Karan reconnects with Arjun, Aarti, and Indu, rekindling the flames of friendship and love, trust and betrayal, and hope and despair. When tracing the whereabouts of Danny leads to a startling discovery, Karan must confront the truth through a complex interplay of agony, forgiveness and grief. Can Karan redeem himself? Does the love he always chased find him?
325 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2013
1 person is currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Jayant Swamy
2 books16 followersJayant holds an MBA from The Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore. He resides in the Seattle metro area. Jayant is the author of two novels - Colours in the Spectrum and Family Secrets - as well as an anthology series of a gifted humanitarian. His next book, a management fable with insights from the Gita, will be published in 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 13, 2016
synesthesia- a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.
That's what wiki says.
Basically, you 'see' or associate people, or things with colour, involuntarily.
I won this book off of Goodreads , which was exciting enough for me asI've never won ANYTHING in my life. Ever.
Although this book mentions synesthesia, it is just a small part of what the book is about.
In my opinion, many Indian authors have a predilection to make their stories too 'filmy' or Bollywood-ish, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this story to be a breath of fresh air.
I felt a myriad of emotions while reading this book, from one extreme to another, for the same character! The events in this book occur in a span of about 15 years, flitting back and forth between the past and the present. It revolves around five friends: Karan- the happy-go-lucky guy, Indu- the popular, I'm beautiful-and-I-know-it girl, Arjun- the soft-spoken, doesn't take anything for granted guy, Aarti- the smart, kind-hearted, voracious reader, and Danny- the recluse.
The story is told from Karan's point of view, and starts off with his life in Los Angeles, America.
As you read, you go through a range of emotions with the characters, which is always a good sign of a good book. What I really like about the book is that the characterization is not completely black or white. Each have their own good points and shortcomings, as real people do.
This is a really good debut novel by the author, and although the dialogues do seem a bit contrived at certain occasions, it can easily be overlooked.
I give this book a 3.5 stars.
That's what wiki says.
Basically, you 'see' or associate people, or things with colour, involuntarily.
I won this book off of Goodreads , which was exciting enough for me as
Although this book mentions synesthesia, it is just a small part of what the book is about.
In my opinion, many Indian authors have a predilection to make their stories too 'filmy' or Bollywood-ish, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this story to be a breath of fresh air.
I felt a myriad of emotions while reading this book, from one extreme to another, for the same character! The events in this book occur in a span of about 15 years, flitting back and forth between the past and the present. It revolves around five friends: Karan- the happy-go-lucky guy, Indu- the popular, I'm beautiful-and-I-know-it girl, Arjun- the soft-spoken, doesn't take anything for granted guy, Aarti- the smart, kind-hearted, voracious reader, and Danny- the recluse.
The story is told from Karan's point of view, and starts off with his life in Los Angeles, America.
As you read, you go through a range of emotions with the characters, which is always a good sign of a good book. What I really like about the book is that the characterization is not completely black or white. Each have their own good points and shortcomings, as real people do.
This is a really good debut novel by the author, and although the dialogues do seem a bit contrived at certain occasions, it can easily be overlooked.
I give this book a 3.5 stars.
August 3, 2016
Original review found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
3.5 stars
I received a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I am not sure how to describe my feelings about this book. It was hauntingly depressing in an interesting and good sort of way. Following the lives of five teenagers in India in to adulthood as they pursue their dreams and never fully being able to reach them.
I must admit that I hold a fascination with India and Indian culture. Having had the opportunity to spend some extended time there I find the culture fascinating and this is also what I enjoyed about his story. Reading about the traditions and the conflict of the characters as they try to forge their own path outside of the constraint of this tradition.
I felt most drawn to the character of Karan. Someone who was so charismatic in his youth who loses his way in adulthood. I could not believe the woman in his life and how he was drawn to them, truly horrible people. His need for love outweighed all common sense and in a sense changed who he could have been.
This was a story of growing up, dealing with the hand that is dealt to you and trying to overcome it. It was not a cheery read however I truly enjoyed it. I am glad that I had the opportunity to be introduced to this work
3.5 stars
I received a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I am not sure how to describe my feelings about this book. It was hauntingly depressing in an interesting and good sort of way. Following the lives of five teenagers in India in to adulthood as they pursue their dreams and never fully being able to reach them.
I must admit that I hold a fascination with India and Indian culture. Having had the opportunity to spend some extended time there I find the culture fascinating and this is also what I enjoyed about his story. Reading about the traditions and the conflict of the characters as they try to forge their own path outside of the constraint of this tradition.
I felt most drawn to the character of Karan. Someone who was so charismatic in his youth who loses his way in adulthood. I could not believe the woman in his life and how he was drawn to them, truly horrible people. His need for love outweighed all common sense and in a sense changed who he could have been.
This was a story of growing up, dealing with the hand that is dealt to you and trying to overcome it. It was not a cheery read however I truly enjoyed it. I am glad that I had the opportunity to be introduced to this work
August 13, 2016
I received "Colours in the Spectrum" as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
After 14 years in America, Karan returns to Bangalore after losing the child he raised as (and believed to be) his daughter to her biological father. Once a promising and gifted student, a now-defeated Karan revisits his relationships with a group of four friends. Meeting in adolescence, they grew apart during their tumultuous young adult years. Now reunited in their mid-30s, the group must now face long hidden secrets, weaknesses, and truths.
I loved this story. The prose is simple and straightforward, and the characters are messy, complicated, and real. Swamy does an excellent job of depicting the emotions of young adulthood and the stresses on modern-day relationships.
Highly recommended.
After 14 years in America, Karan returns to Bangalore after losing the child he raised as (and believed to be) his daughter to her biological father. Once a promising and gifted student, a now-defeated Karan revisits his relationships with a group of four friends. Meeting in adolescence, they grew apart during their tumultuous young adult years. Now reunited in their mid-30s, the group must now face long hidden secrets, weaknesses, and truths.
I loved this story. The prose is simple and straightforward, and the characters are messy, complicated, and real. Swamy does an excellent job of depicting the emotions of young adulthood and the stresses on modern-day relationships.
Highly recommended.
March 7, 2014
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
This is such an interesting and unique story with hints of lore laced into it. It's full of tragedy, realness, hope, forgiveness and liberation-- which is just how life is. Each character has an aura all their own and with Karan (the main character) seeing colors in people, it made it even more unique. There were cringe-worthy moments when the rawness of a character would shine through in such a heartbreaking manner. It was beautifully written with a helpful glossary in the back to help understand some of the words. What a special jewel this work is. I recommend it and I am grateful I got the opportunity to absorb the colors of each character into my world for a while.
This is such an interesting and unique story with hints of lore laced into it. It's full of tragedy, realness, hope, forgiveness and liberation-- which is just how life is. Each character has an aura all their own and with Karan (the main character) seeing colors in people, it made it even more unique. There were cringe-worthy moments when the rawness of a character would shine through in such a heartbreaking manner. It was beautifully written with a helpful glossary in the back to help understand some of the words. What a special jewel this work is. I recommend it and I am grateful I got the opportunity to absorb the colors of each character into my world for a while.
December 20, 2013
Jayant Swamy tells a heartfelt tale about the search for the kind of human connection that makes the challenges in life worthwhile. While exploring the darker shades of the spectrum of human emotions, the author leaves one with a sense of freedom and hope, redeeming the journey into the literary underworld where the reader has been led. I highly recommend this book to those who wish to explore the human experience through literature. I am giving it 5 stars.
December 21, 2013
It was such a good book. It was such a great bedtime, bathtub, or whatever else you can think of book. I can't wait to see if I've won the book, and if I do I can't wait to reread it and share it with friends!!!
June 4, 2015
Goodreads sent me a copy of Colours in the Spectrum by Jayant Swamy. I began reading it and found it very enjoyable, at least at first. It grabbed me and held me for awhile. Then it kind of got stuck and didn't seem to be really moving anywhere. The book focuses on one man in particular, and his four college friends. They have a reunion of sorts in their middle years and the story just gets stale. Ultimately, the main character Karan, has to come to terms with who he his and who each of his friends really is, the good, the bad and the ugly. Karan is kind of a self-made martyr, which is fine up to a point, but after so much of non-stop benevolence tempered by overwhelming guilt...this just wasn't for me. People are imperfect. We have to accept each other. We have to accept ourselves, mistakes and all. The whole thing was kind of depressing.
February 17, 2016
Setting: Los Angeles to Bangalore; and back.
Cast: the Famous Five - K, A, A, D and I.
Story & plot: Author’s main protagonist is K, who is gifted with Synaesthesia- the ability to visualize human beings and emotions in colors.The proverbial ‘poor little rich boy’, whose paternal and maternal origins are murky, but is amply compensated by wealth, academic success, raging testosterones and close-knit buddies.
The story follows a non-linear sequence of events with multiple flashbacks and flashforwards. Interestingly, K, A and A are inter-linked in mysterious ways.....
Read more on http://sweetyshinde.wordpress.com/201...
Cast: the Famous Five - K, A, A, D and I.
Story & plot: Author’s main protagonist is K, who is gifted with Synaesthesia- the ability to visualize human beings and emotions in colors.The proverbial ‘poor little rich boy’, whose paternal and maternal origins are murky, but is amply compensated by wealth, academic success, raging testosterones and close-knit buddies.
The story follows a non-linear sequence of events with multiple flashbacks and flashforwards. Interestingly, K, A and A are inter-linked in mysterious ways.....
Read more on http://sweetyshinde.wordpress.com/201...
December 29, 2013
Karan is a synaesthete who perceives other people and emotions in colors. He loses this gift after the baby that he has been parenting for a year is taken away from him by her biological father. With his life in shambles he returns to his home in India and reunites with four college friends whose life-stories are also told in retrospective vignettes. It was an interesting story but also a tough read as there is much Indian language throughout the book to wade through.
March 13, 2014
I am still not quite sure what this book was all about but since I received it free from Goodreads first reads I felt compelled to finish it. Some of it is difficult to understand due to cultural differences but there didn't seem to be a story line until the final chapter. It is rather disjointed in telling and while there are some words translated others are not that make understanding difficult at best.
May 25, 2015
I'm sure Jayant has a story to tell but this was so poorly written that I couldn't get much past the first chapter. I looked further in the book to see if it would improve, but it was all the same. Jayant needs to work with a book coach then re-publish. I love the cover and the story idea, though.
I won this copy from Goodreads for an honest review. Sorry Jayant.
I won this copy from Goodreads for an honest review. Sorry Jayant.
April 5, 2015
An interesting read. Although there is less reference to the actual phenomena of synaesthesia, it is still a much better fictional novel then as per indian standards. A book worth reading atleast once
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews