Essays PTO: A case against writing in uncertainty or otherwise

by Vikram Grewal

In 'Essays/P.T.O', noted essay peddler Vikram Grewal brings you (almost) nine essays that make you question the relevance of writing in the contemporary world of over-expression. From the humble beginnings of paper in ancient history to the inequitable luxury of limitless data today, from the decline of brave fiction to the rise of con-fiction, it is a journey full of anecdotes and sarcasm finding solace in islands of natural idiocy in an ocean of artificial intelligence. A shaggy dog commentary on the 'tails' of our times, this work is a reiteration of the futility, and simultaneously, the pivotal importance of expression across co-existing generations of people. People from different class, caste, religion, sex, age, region, race and profession - writers, bankers, historians, journalists, inventors, scientists, artists, lawyers, filmmakers, bureaumats and diplocrats (read: family and friends)...all namelessly feature this shamelessly written anthology of essays.

Genres: Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

Published February 29, 2024

Reviews

[Isha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book! In an age where contemporary writers are mostly writing poorly, this one is a glimmer of hope! The writing, the thoughts, everything is top notch and everyone, at some point in their life, has found themselves thinking the thoughts which the author does, at some point in their lives!
The beauty of this book, personally was that I couldn't classify it, into fiction, or non fiction... I feel it had aspects of both. This is one book I would want to re read, as many times as I can!! It was an amazing experience!

[Vishv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off quite funny and the table content has hands down the most funny and creative chapter names I've come across in any book. It becomes little dull as it progresses but addresses quite important current social issues and crisis of meaning we all seem to be facing. His take is something I can't always resonate with as I'm more of an ambitious or aggressive person but different perspective is what life is all about and there is no singular meaning is what book tries to go at and something which I thoroughly agree. It made me feel that life sometimes is about enjoying absurd things, finding humor in things, life itself; quite different way to look at the world and that is what I enjoyed the most, to see world through Vikram's eyes and try to appreciate a way towards life which is diametrically opposite to mine.

[GunjanVina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a happy reader of this book, I would highly recommend it, this book deals with so many relatable things in a very insightful and interesting way, every essay showcase different thoughts and every page excites you to read more, Wordplay have its own pinch of humours salt, little bit vocab can pin you but somehow you will enjoy it as well, most important it gave me very different feelings from other books , I need not to be in any specific mood to pic this , it as in its own way fictional, non fictional both and sometimes you will feel like of being in a conversation and you are the listener of the authors word . I enjoyed the way of writing and overall.

[Ummay Habeeba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book I read was "One Hundred Years of Solitude" (which I definitely have to read again). With a confused and messed-up mind, I started "Essays / P.T.O."... and now I feel much cozier...thanks to these easy-going write-ups.

​Review:
I read the PDF version of this book, but it goes without saying that the author’s wit is worth every rupee I didn’t spend (sorry Sir, I can't help you with your "solely profit-making ambitions" 😒).

​Because of his top-tier humor, creative writing, and extraordinary way of thinking, I absolutely enjoyed all the essays. I’d be remiss not to mention "Essay 8," which was so profound it required exactly zero words.

[Deepanshu Dabas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Misal pav is the most consequential element of climate de-financing, but Nachiket Mor committee's groundbreaking report will continue to make caucasian mountains increase anti microbial resistance of pre-diabetic drugs. Maslow's hierarchy of needs, also discussed by machiavelli in his book the discovery of India helped us understand the distribution of lithium in the crust of Jupiter's moon Titan.

[Asmita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A milieu where AI has hijacked our lives from what we eat, drink ,consume ,feel and of most significant -what we DREAM .After reading you’ll start questioning all your NEEDS generated by driving forces of capitalism .This book is a thread that will guide you in the maze of Artificial Intelligence .On a lighter note you don’t need Aftershave!

The personal anecdotes by the author marks the book different from popular didactic books.


It will make you devour every page !

[Upbite · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have jumble read a few chapters and quite liked the sarcastic satire here and there. The preface was the best but I wish there was not a P.T. O. at chapter 8. Seeing the index I was exited for that chapter only. By the way the casually mentioned 'Betichod' on the first line of page 142 was quite a shocker (It sounded like a French word though !)

[Jyoti Meena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a master class on how to write an essay, a big and deep dive into its many parts. Through beautiful writing, the author has interweaved more than one lens to foster better comprehension. The content is insightful and interesting. It's an invaluable resource for civil service aspirants and also for anyone out there who desires to develop their craft and create stunning essays.

[Avohra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was Montaigne meets memes, witty, chaotic, and ending in quiet epistemic dissonance, handled with understated insight.

[Devesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays. Which transcend every boundary.