Jump Cut : A Novel

by Krishna Shastri Devulapalli

Ray had it all worked out. Go to India, take care of his father and return to his life in San Jose. His father would follow him in a couple of months and that would be that. But his father dies and Ray attributes it to bad luck. Things take a bizarre turn when an old friend tells him the reason behind his fathers death. Ray finds himself drawn into the seedy under-belly of Tamil films and up against a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Should Ray go back to his meticulously constructed life in the US? or should he throw all plans aside and take on the man responsible for breaking into his fathers heart and stealing his mind? Jump Cut is a genre-defying age-turner that is at once funny, moving and suspenseful, all leading to a deliciously satisfying climax with a sting in its tail.

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2013

About the author

Krishna Shastri Devulapalli is a cartoonist, children's illustrator and graphic designer. In his chequered career, he has worked in advertising, designed hundreds of greeting cards, illustrated school textbooks and written film scripts. Ice Boys in Bell-Bottoms is his first novel

Reviews

[Raju · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading the book "Jump Cut" by Krishna Shastri Devulapalli. I absolutely loved it. It had the plot of an Indian Movie, but narrated with a panache and style alien to a typical Indian Movie. The language itself was an absolute delight. There was just enough humour or clever turns of phrase to keep a discerning reader engaged without distracting him. For me the book really shines brightest in the dialogues. Absolutely some of the best lines in an Indian English Novel.

[Swathi Manchili · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading Jump Cut by KSD. This is my second book of KSD. Have been following his writings in The Hindu and Deccan Chronicle. The plot of the book is simple and can be easily used to make a movie. Was a fun ride reading this one!

[Divya Pal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected the normal laugh riot from Devulapalli but it turned out to be a lame story of vengeance. Although the irrepressible brand of the author’s hilarity did blossom out in patches

The rain had come out of nowhere, like it usually did in Chennai. And did what it usually did – proved the city’s orifices needed a good proctologist.

[Manasa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not expect a shallow writing from KSD. I really enjoy reading his work in The Hindu and the last two books that he wrote. So much of his references in this book were sexual in nature. His writing is usually satirical but Jump cut seemed a tad pervasive to me. He obviously intended to make this story alluring using clever and sly humor but most of the time it was sexual and crass. The plot itself seems implausible, something that you might see in a typical Indian TV series minus the sexual references. Quite disappointed…

[Veturi · Rating 2 out of 5]

KSD is an able writer, his humor comes easily and reads quickly. He is definitely a bit above the average best-selling rom-com Indian writer in English, but Jump Cut as a plot is highly preposterous, not in a goofy mindless fun sort but in a predictably stale sort, one we may have already seen quite a lot of times. (Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and Rajendra Prasad's Brindavanam. Telugu Movie. There I said it. )

Oh, and did I forget boobs and sex? Don't worry the writer doesn't.

[Hariharan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its my first book from the author. I indeed enjoyed reading during a long train trip. I guess its meant to be a light read. The plot is a kollywood movie by itself and its very easy to find lot of logical flaws. But no one questions logic in tamil movie, anyway. Although the plot is about vengence, the narration is never serious. Its not a great book that one should read. Nevertheless, no one will regret reading this.

[Blogwati · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had/has potential. Quite a decent read, and it had its moments. However, at some points the language, the grammatical bit that is, was a let down. Secondly, the buildup to the resolution and the resolution to the conflict was rushed a tad bit haphazardly. The drama, that you'd associate with a story such as this, was missing at crucial bits. And since this was about the South film industry, it needed that larger than life execution.

I still say it has potential. There are bits and pieces of the book that really worked. But I guess I was expecting more.

[Seema Devgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book mainly for its simple and no-nonsense writing. plot could be right from a typical Bollywood movie but there is no elaborate melodrama and it has right touch of humour. would recommend this if you are in mood for simple short read.

[Yashika Ahuja · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐