Twice Upon A Time

by Anjali Bhatia

Is a man’s past set in stone, or can it be changed? Rewritten and reshaped? Is time a reality, or a construct of the imagination? Fleeting and fragmented? One man is about to find out . . . Meet Arpit, a bitter young man who embarks upon an incredible and seemingly impossible journey to right the seven wrongs that have shadowed his life, all in a quest to be together with Mannat, the love of his life. When Arpit meets Nishimaya, a modern-day mystic, little does he know that his life is about to change. In entirety. But change comes with effort. And Arpit has to lose himself in order to resurrect his past and set things right. With every past mistake he corrects, he finds a corresponding change in his present life . . . but not all changes are easy to make. And as Arpit travels further back into his own life, he’s forced to dig into frightening depths and fight against his own self to dredge up the truth from the sediments of folly that litter his world. Unknown to him, however, Mannat is supporting his struggle from halfway across the world even as she tries to gather her own life together. And Nishimaya, as she takes Arpit through the swirls of time, has to confront ghosts of her own as well. As their lives get caught in the web of karma, dreams, memories, and destinies, Arpit, Mannat, and Nishimaya must stumble and fall if they are to reach the end. But Time still holds a revelation none of them had expected . . .

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Anjali Bhatia is the author of four full-length novels. Several of her short stories and articles on social issues have found their place in newspapers and magazines. She has also reviewed works of other authors in print and on popular reading websites.

When she isn’t writing, she is devouring the classics, contemporary Indian fiction, narrative non-fiction and academic texts. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is currently working in Mumbai. Having her roots in the Himalayas, she has a passionate love for nature and for the lore of small towns. Her interests range from metaphysical to soap-operatic, and she would love to continue writing about otherworldly Reality.

Reviews

[Rupali Sheth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very effective and gripping story telling technique by the debutant author makes you wonder if it is really a debut novel.

Right from the beginning of the novel, the reader joins the journey with Arpit, Nishi and Mannat in their quest to find the truth.

Enthralling, gripping and a wonderful story of emotions and relationships, makes Twice upon a time a joyful and mesmerizing read, so much that as a reader I did not want the story to end. Definitely worth a read!!!

[Purnendu Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Twice upon a time’ is the first work of Anjali Bhatia. The debut author has framed quit a different plot and executed it wonderfully. The concept of time-travel is always fascinating and this is why the readers should pick this book.

I do judge a book by its cover because it creates the first impression and I appreciate the designer for making such a wonderful cover. From the font to the soothing background color everything looks remarkable. The name suits the concept of time travel perfectly.

This is the story of a guy named Arpit (the main protagonist), who has lost his love Mannat for his own deed. His immature decisions and his misplaced words took his love away from him and left him to regret his past. After the entry of Nishimaya aka Nishi, a modern day mystic, Arpit starts to see a hope to get Mannat back because of her powers to take him to the past by re-dreaming. As the process starts and Arpit goes back to make up for his mistakes the book becomes interesting.

Apart from the love story of Arpit and Mannat the author has presented few sub-plots too, the fright of the villagers against the evil corporate companies to save their holy lake from polluting, Arpit’s relation with his father, who is the main culprit to bring those companies to those villages and the past of Nishimaya. The characters are created with such proficiency that it leaves a lasting effect on the readers. Every character has a story to tell and a role to play. At times I felt the author was dragging the story unnecessarily by focusing on the sub plots which drops the speed.

The author have a beautiful command over the language and have chosen her words very carefully. At the beginning, the readers might find this bit a boring because of the puzzle created by the author. The slow speed at the start could make the readers drop the book. If the readers can go through the first few chapters till the start of the re-dreaming process then they will find this story interesting. I would have loved the book more if the author would have concentrated more on the time travel or the re-dreaming process without confusing the readers with numerous characters and stories. Though at the end the author was able to tie all the loose ends and complete the story with a good note and an effective message. Overall a nice effort by a debut author and this book can be picked over a cup of coffee as a different read.


Final Words: The author has efficiently mixed up science fiction with mystery which will help the readers find this story interesting. The fluent narrating style of the author the best part of the book. A decent effort by a debut author.

For more reviews click on: www.timidfingers.blogspot.in

[Book'd Hitu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the Author for sending me a personalized - signed book as a Goodreads first reads review copy.

Twice Upon A Time was one of the finest debut novel I have read in a long run. Anjali Bhatia has a wonderful command over the language and has an exceptional ability of story telling.

I never felt and still cannot believe that this was a debut work. She writes in a beautiful prose that a reader will enjoy each and every page of this book.

Twice about a time is a tale of love, longing, emotions and a whole new concept of re-dreaming. This is about re-living the past and correcting the mistakes we have made. In the beginning, I was sceptical about the re-dreaming concept of the book. It seems like a science fiction sort. But it comes out to be a completely different emotional and gripping story and all the credit goes to the Author for her command over the story.

I thoroughly loved the character of Binita for her expressive vocabulary and of course Nishi for her strengths and human spirit. At a point of story, I hated arpit for his inability and lack of expressions towards Mannat who is his childhood love. This book teaches us to value of relationships and our responsibility towards the environment.

I am looking forward to read more of the books by Anjali Bhatia. She has an ability to be an established author. Best wishes to her for her next book.

[Jayashree R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi Anjali,

First of all, thanks for sharing the book with me and providing me a chance to read an environmental novel.

I liked the story. it is a mix of timeline[I remembered time line stroy that I had read a long time back], environment and love. A big mix I felt.

Though the story had so much weight age, at some points I felt it was dragging.

Overall, the story is a compelling read and I finished it in just a couple of days.

If the story had dealt with, in detail as to what was the damage to environment, more accurate figures, it could have reminded us of the real story that happened, may be when some of us were not yet born.

But i liked the story a lot and have passed it on to one of my friends too, for a read. Thanks once again for passing a wonderful opportunity to read your novel

Best regards

Jayashree.R

[Dhwani Swadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the full review here: http://thereandtheir.wordpress.com/20...

This book's main premises is what got me interested in reading it...from the book blurb it felt like it would be Time Traveler's Wife meets Paulo Coelho.
The story tarts with the Protagonist Arpit, who is deeply distressed by his past and is now desperate to look for answers. He meets Nishimaya a modern day mystic who might give him 'answers'.

I liked that the book talked about how making peace with your past would help law foundation for a peaceful and happy future...After all that is what we need to do in life right? How can a person carrying his past as an albatross around his neck ever be happy? Kudos to the author for such a powerful message.

[Sakshi Nanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anjali Bhatia’s book ‘Twice Upon a Time’ drew me with its title. That most things, since the days of Aesop at least, happened once upon a time mattered not to this author. With her own twist to a phrase which begins most stories you and I hear, Anjali got me interested in her book instantly. I remember quickly checking to see if the book began thus too, but it did not. It did begin with an equally enigmatic scene-setting though.
To read more, please follow the link below:
http://www.sakshinanda.com/2014/07/bo...

[Tushar Mangl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a free copy from the author, courtesy of the Good people of Good Reads.

Twice upon a Time is a deep, insightful love story. It talks of our karmas and about love. It almost hits you at that raw nerve, which you have for those whom you love. Do we value our love enough? Do we show it enough? How well our relationships are entwined with feelings of love. My favorite character was veerji. The respected and revered leader of Mehersar.

It is difficult to believe that this is a work of a first time novelist. Such is the beauty and finesse of the text.

[Nilesh Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very interesting something in the lines of the Hollywood movie "Inception"
The book was gripping finished it in one go. Good creative writing.

[Chelsea Mcgill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arpit, the dissolute son of a wealthy businessman, is trying to drown his sorrows in alcohol, drugs, and sex while searching for a way to get back the person he lost (we later find out that this person is his childhood playmate and erstwhile girlfriend Mannat). At a drug-fueled party with the elites of Delhi, he meets Nishimaya (Nishi), a mystic and fortuneteller, who promises that there is a way to turn back the clock. Conveniently, he has also been looking for a conservation architect for an ecotourism hotel project, which just happens to be Nishi's day job.

With Nishi's guidance, Arpit takes part in "redreaming" sessions, which allow him to go return to the past through his memories and make different choices. This allows him to learn important information about his erstwhile love affair with Mannat - and about his father's nefarious dealings with international corporations that are wrecking the environment of their home village.

"Redreaming" as a way to uncover more information about the past is an interesting concept. Who wouldn't like to go back into their memories and see what happens if they make a different choice? But the way in which this process works is unclear and confusing. Apart from gaining useful information, how does following a different route in a dream have implications in real life? The author implies that there is some kind of connection (Mannat is reminded of things at the same time that Arpit "redreams" them), but the actual workings are hazy. If Arpit's "redreams" affect Mannat, shouldn't they also affect his father, ruining the work that they are doing to counter the old man's evil schemes? Why is Nishi supposed to be completely unemotional, and what are the effects of her emotional involvement, exactly? And why does Arpit suddenly gain the ability to "redream" without Nishi's help? The way that "redreaming" works would be the most interesting part of the novel by far, if we were given any information about it.

I found the rest of the book extremely boring. Nothing happens! This 300-page novel consists of people sitting around and having conversations, recounted in some of the driest, passionless prose I have ever read. While political agitation is happening in the village, including Arpit's elderly uncle going on a hunger fast, we the readers are stuck in the organization's office in another city, listening to Arpit and Nishi talk about political stratagems with Arpit's ex-girlfriend (who happens to be the head of the organization). The main characters are never there for the action; their conversations involve planning for the rallies, but we never get close enough to the actual activities to make us care about it except as an abstract concept.

Read the rest on my blog here: http://thegloballycurious.blogspot.co...

[Sandeep Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings :

Title : 4/5
Cover : 3.5/5
Story-line : 4/5
Writing Style : 4/5
Dialogues & Philosophy : 3.5/5
Characters : 3/5
Overall : 3.5/5

Overlook:

Is a man’s past set in stone, or can it be changed? Rewritten and reshaped?
Is time a reality, or a construct of the imagination? Fleeting and fragmented?
One man is about to find out . . .

This book is about the journey of a man called Arpit who meets Nishimaya and rediscovers his past and try to set things right in hope to find his love, Mannat back. This is a twisted tale about Karma, dreams, memories, destiny and most importantly ‘Time’.

Beauty:

*Title.
*In depth writing and language.
*Characterization.
*Plot.
*Climax.

Beast:

*Slow build-up.
*Confusing sub-stories.

Review:

When comes to science fiction, time travel, is a kind of subject we all loves a lot. Twice upon a time, talks about this concept only but in a far better and different way.

Twice upon a time is the debut work of Anjali Bhatia and it shows her brilliancy in this field. Everyone who will read her book can see a great authoress in her and expect great work in future.

Now, talking about the first look, that is of cover. It is a brilliantly designed cover but don’t know why I felt it a bit dull and doesn’t matches up with the blurb. So in the first look, it doesn’t explains the theme but that is brilliantly covered by the detailed blurb. It’s blurb is pretty interesting and binds the reader to give it a shot.

Coming to the content now. It’s prologue and the first chapter is amazing. It will try to hold your attention and promises to give you the best. But then when you read it further, the only thing which will draw you back form your ‘Readious World’ is it’s pace. The book starts up pretty slowly and will often confuse you with various sub-stories.

After a while when the author feels ready to play up with imagination and starts the ‘dream travel’ thing, it picks up the story again and this time, it will not leave you till the end. The twist and turns are fabulous and pretty unexpected and finally the overall story is a kind of a treat and have the essence of newness in it. So in totality, there’s no chance of disappointment.

The most important thing to mention about the book is it’s writing. It’s fabulous and a true ‘Book Lover’ will never try to skip this one. It’s a brilliant debut.

[Sundeep Supertramp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being Sci-Fi fan, I always feel jealousy towards Fantasy writers. Mind you, it is just jealousy and not hatred. While Sci-Fi authors have to do extensive research, break down complex stuffs for lay-readers, Fantasy writers could burn out the Sun and they need not explain. How lucky! This book has a deal about Time-Travelling. Time-Travelling according to Sci-Fi is a very complex procedure..................


The original review of this book is posted on my blog...


To read the original review of this book, click here...