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The Diary Of An Unreasonable Man
Pranav Kumar is:
(a) An advertising executive
(b) An aspiring writer
(c) An anarchist
(d) A fugitive from the Mumbai Police
(e) All of the above
Pranav Kumar has had enough. He’s sick and tired of being a corporate drone convincing people that their lives are meaningless without the newest product he’s peddling. He hates that commercialism is the new mantra and people actually believe that you are what you own. Pranav Kumar wants to change the world.
But how does one man make a whole country question the way we are when no one is interested in listening?
Pranav and his friends decide to capture the eyeballs of the nation and shake up the system. Their methods are unorthodox; their message unique. They take over a TV station; expose an environmental scam; strike out at patrons of brothels; sabotage a glitzy fashion show; and paint-bomb a local train.
But as the Anarchists of Mumbai ignite sparks of a much larger movement; they realize that doing good comes at a price; that the means are as important as the ends and that being hunted by the Mumbai police is perhaps better than being hunted by contract-killers.
Bold; fresh and darkly comic; The Diary of an Unreasonable Man is an exceptional debut.
(a) An advertising executive
(b) An aspiring writer
(c) An anarchist
(d) A fugitive from the Mumbai Police
(e) All of the above
Pranav Kumar has had enough. He’s sick and tired of being a corporate drone convincing people that their lives are meaningless without the newest product he’s peddling. He hates that commercialism is the new mantra and people actually believe that you are what you own. Pranav Kumar wants to change the world.
But how does one man make a whole country question the way we are when no one is interested in listening?
Pranav and his friends decide to capture the eyeballs of the nation and shake up the system. Their methods are unorthodox; their message unique. They take over a TV station; expose an environmental scam; strike out at patrons of brothels; sabotage a glitzy fashion show; and paint-bomb a local train.
But as the Anarchists of Mumbai ignite sparks of a much larger movement; they realize that doing good comes at a price; that the means are as important as the ends and that being hunted by the Mumbai police is perhaps better than being hunted by contract-killers.
Bold; fresh and darkly comic; The Diary of an Unreasonable Man is an exceptional debut.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 26, 2011
One look at the title and you feel oh, another stereotypical Indian writing. I was going to bury it deep behind in the bookshelf. But a friend said to at least 'give it a shot'.
The first thing you notice after going down a few pages is that, the book is crafty. The author carves out anarchism rather wittily surpassing the dryness circling this very theme.
Clever and razor-sharp Mr.Pranav, the protagonist, scratches the reality as we see it. He unfolds our blinds and helps us get back to the homemade happiness save for materialism.
We run behind the unnecessary, he says. Or rather those things which we are told are 'obvious' for a better life. Advertisements, ever-so-creatively hammer the same in our brains. We define happiness by the number of products we own. We add weightage to the same definition by comparing it to others around us. And then we get a surge of joy with a smirk and a smug face showing off living a so-called 'better life'.
Thats what we've come to. We've become shallow. We are mere puppets to hands of shiny big things.
The protagonist, with his quirky moves, gives us one simple message - there's no joy like living simple, unadulterated life.
The book is induced with undercurrents of dark humor.
The first thing you notice after going down a few pages is that, the book is crafty. The author carves out anarchism rather wittily surpassing the dryness circling this very theme.
Clever and razor-sharp Mr.Pranav, the protagonist, scratches the reality as we see it. He unfolds our blinds and helps us get back to the homemade happiness save for materialism.
We run behind the unnecessary, he says. Or rather those things which we are told are 'obvious' for a better life. Advertisements, ever-so-creatively hammer the same in our brains. We define happiness by the number of products we own. We add weightage to the same definition by comparing it to others around us. And then we get a surge of joy with a smirk and a smug face showing off living a so-called 'better life'.
Thats what we've come to. We've become shallow. We are mere puppets to hands of shiny big things.
The protagonist, with his quirky moves, gives us one simple message - there's no joy like living simple, unadulterated life.
The book is induced with undercurrents of dark humor.
January 23, 2018
People know you by of the things you own. What car you have, what brands you wear, how big is your house is, what restuarants you dine, you use iPhone or S8 etc. These days we are more happy when we buy a brand new cellphone than meeting a old childhood friend. And even more happier if it's an iPhone. Well, its not completely our fault, we are just following what we are fed.
Pranav Kumar is the main protagonist who has similar thoughts as of the above and wants to change the way people think and live their lives. And one day he quits his jobs and starts the revolution. The revolution which turns the whole system into chaos. He exposes the corrupt, the cheaters and many of those who are at fault. But also in turn is chased by the police and criminal goons who not just wants to abduct him but kill him. The climax is quite filmy but interesting.
In the beginning, the plot seems little slow but speeds up after few chapters inspite of the complex language the author has used. vocabulary is also a bit complex. But Overall Its a good read.
Pranav Kumar is the main protagonist who has similar thoughts as of the above and wants to change the way people think and live their lives. And one day he quits his jobs and starts the revolution. The revolution which turns the whole system into chaos. He exposes the corrupt, the cheaters and many of those who are at fault. But also in turn is chased by the police and criminal goons who not just wants to abduct him but kill him. The climax is quite filmy but interesting.
In the beginning, the plot seems little slow but speeds up after few chapters inspite of the complex language the author has used. vocabulary is also a bit complex. But Overall Its a good read.
July 25, 2011
Many of us could identify with Pranav Kumar, the advertising executive who suddenly thinks out of his cubicle and realises the perils of this generation's materialism driven existence. But he's an aspiring author too, so he quits his job and tries to change the world through his writing. But the publishers aren't really interested in the social commentary and opinions of an unknown person. And that's when he decides to really do something.
With a little help from his friends, he treads the anarchist path and tries to shock the system into taking notice of what he's trying to say. The creativity of his campaigns ensures he gets all the attention from the media and the public, and then some that he didn't really ask for - the cops and the underworld, because he has managed to disrupt the lives of many important people.
The book reminded me of the film 'A Wednesday' in terms of the basic premise - the common man shocking the system. But the author treats anarchy with the same irreverence that the protagonist has for consumerist society. The plot is fairly simplistic, despite the creative disruptions, and so is the climax. It is perhaps this simplistic approach that takes away from the believability of the book. But it still is a fun read.
With a little help from his friends, he treads the anarchist path and tries to shock the system into taking notice of what he's trying to say. The creativity of his campaigns ensures he gets all the attention from the media and the public, and then some that he didn't really ask for - the cops and the underworld, because he has managed to disrupt the lives of many important people.
The book reminded me of the film 'A Wednesday' in terms of the basic premise - the common man shocking the system. But the author treats anarchy with the same irreverence that the protagonist has for consumerist society. The plot is fairly simplistic, despite the creative disruptions, and so is the climax. It is perhaps this simplistic approach that takes away from the believability of the book. But it still is a fun read.
April 6, 2012
I've never been a great fan of Indian authors. But I'm always delighted to be proved wrong, and Mathur has certainly proven me wrong. The language is fluid and poised, but always relate-able. The characters are few and reasonably well etched given that it's almost exclusively the narrator's point of view. Actually, it's more like we are inside the narrator's head and so it's not very surprising the constant 'I' perspective. Thankfully the narrator is a captivating enough character. The madness and frustration is something that most of us would relate to; esp when we read/hear the news or some new marketing gimmick and the ease with which people are pulled into the pathos or excitement all too momentarily.
The story line is most thought provoking. After the book I could not help but look around me and view the world through new eyes, maybe through that of an unreasonable man :) Definitely a book that I would recommend everyone to read so that we don't lose ourselves in the constant cacophony of marketing that surrounds us. Or to remind ourselves that being unreasonable once in a while is not a bad thing at all :)
The story line is most thought provoking. After the book I could not help but look around me and view the world through new eyes, maybe through that of an unreasonable man :) Definitely a book that I would recommend everyone to read so that we don't lose ourselves in the constant cacophony of marketing that surrounds us. Or to remind ourselves that being unreasonable once in a while is not a bad thing at all :)
June 8, 2012
A highly interesting book to read. Reveals the positive impact of individual quest for truth and freedom which to others may seem like an act of anarchism but dangerous to be imitated by common individuals.
Great to be read as a form of entertainment but not as a manual for activism. One has to know the dangers that idealism can lead one into as not everyone is cut to be activist.
Good book to read for young readers as it might provide insights on the flaws in the system and where the system itself refuses to change or clean its acts it will take the younger generations to show them one thing or two about changes that need to be carried out.
February 9, 2010
The subject, Pranav is tired of the coporate culture and the wave of materialism sweeping across Mumbai. he packs in his job and decides to do something that makes a difference. Together with his close friends they set upa series of 'pranks' that shake up the sity and its inhabitants, exposing corrupt big-wigs, and receive amazing support from ordinary people. Mathuer's writing is tinged with black humour and cynism, a simple story that makes its point.
November 2, 2012
One of the few books that you don't feel like putting down, till it's done. The writing is fresh, original and packs a good punch. A lot of thought seems to have gone into how specific issues irk and get addressed by the protagonist. It seems logical, despite the improbability of some of the 'stunts' or 'anarchic' actions. Had a lot of fun with this book! Kudos to the author!
October 30, 2012
This book is dark, funny and at times quite violent. I really enjoyed it. The imagination of the writer shines through in many instances. Particularly loved the car sequence and pimp episode. Looking forward to more from this writer.
January 11, 2011
Maybe too cinematic....reminds me of a couple of tamil movies but the satire feel and the new techniques used are interesting ! Impressive for a debut
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October 16, 2012typical corporate story..
May 11, 2013
A very entertaining read, especially if you're a would-be writer hoping to get published.
February 28, 2014
Easy and quick read. A group of youngsters not happy with the way life moves takes up way the their hearts show ... what happens in the process?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews