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Gumrah: 11 Short Teen Crime Stories
‘… if we are not careful about who we trust, we could be used or even harmed.’—Chetan Bhagat, from the Foreword
Drawn from real-life events, and based on a popular tele-series Gumrah by Star India Pvt. Ltd this book holds tales revolving around adolescent crime, deceit, treachery and bad judgement. In ‘Soulmate’, a case of sibling rivalry leads to disastrous consequences, while in ‘Heartbreak’, the dark side of the nicest of people is exposed. ‘Naaz’ reveals how cultural differences can sometimes lead to danger and ‘Double MMS’ shows a college girl’s stabs at popularity going horribly awry.
Written by bestselling author Ira Trivedi, Gumrah: 11 Short Teen Crime Stories is a must-read, with every story revealing the consequences of wrong choices. Like the show, the message of the book, aimed especially at the younger generation, is: ‘Be aware, be prepared, be safe!’
Drawn from real-life events, and based on a popular tele-series Gumrah by Star India Pvt. Ltd this book holds tales revolving around adolescent crime, deceit, treachery and bad judgement. In ‘Soulmate’, a case of sibling rivalry leads to disastrous consequences, while in ‘Heartbreak’, the dark side of the nicest of people is exposed. ‘Naaz’ reveals how cultural differences can sometimes lead to danger and ‘Double MMS’ shows a college girl’s stabs at popularity going horribly awry.
Written by bestselling author Ira Trivedi, Gumrah: 11 Short Teen Crime Stories is a must-read, with every story revealing the consequences of wrong choices. Like the show, the message of the book, aimed especially at the younger generation, is: ‘Be aware, be prepared, be safe!’
- GenresNonfiction
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
50 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Ira Trivedi
19 books54 followersIra Trivedi is the bestselling author of What Would You Do to Save the World? (2006), The Great Indian Love Story (2009) and There Is No Love on Wall Street (2011). Her latest book and first work of non-fiction is India in Love: Marriage and Sexuality in the 21st century, a landmark book on India's new social revolution in marriage and sexuality.
Ira's books have been published by leading publishers like Penguin and Aleph and have been translated into several languages including Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and Greek.
Ira contributes to a wide variety of publications including Foreign Affairs, Hindustan Times Brunch, Forbes, Outlook, Daily News & Analysis (DNA), The Asian Age, the Telegraph (India) amongst many others.
She is regularly invited to speak to students, youth groups and corporates across the country.
Ira Trivedi has lived all over the world: in four countries, nine cities and three continents. She graduated from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, USA with a BA in economics from and gained her MBA from Columbia Business School, where she won the prestigious Feldberg Fellowship.
In addition to her career as a writer, Ira is also a certified teacher of yoga. She lives in New Delhi, India, with her family.
Ira's books have been published by leading publishers like Penguin and Aleph and have been translated into several languages including Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and Greek.
Ira contributes to a wide variety of publications including Foreign Affairs, Hindustan Times Brunch, Forbes, Outlook, Daily News & Analysis (DNA), The Asian Age, the Telegraph (India) amongst many others.
She is regularly invited to speak to students, youth groups and corporates across the country.
Ira Trivedi has lived all over the world: in four countries, nine cities and three continents. She graduated from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, USA with a BA in economics from and gained her MBA from Columbia Business School, where she won the prestigious Feldberg Fellowship.
In addition to her career as a writer, Ira is also a certified teacher of yoga. She lives in New Delhi, India, with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 20, 2019
Eye opening stories. It will give some issues to deal with our teenage generation.
February 2, 2016
I have only seen one episode of the TV series so if you are looking for a comparison then I guess this is not the right review for you.
The stories in the book sometimes make you feel as if you are watching a saas-bahu serial. I mean the 'sensationalism' it tries to create reminded me of the way the same thing is played over and over again by some melodramatic serials. There are also a lot of stereotypes about young people but I guess the target group for the book is the masses, so it is understandable.
Coming to the crimes and the psychology...once again, it resorts to stereotypes. It sometimes gives a very simplistic explanation about crime and criminals. This book could have been brilliant had the show's writers and the author delved more into the factors that push somebody to kill or rape a human being. Having said that, I personally didn't hate the book, simply because I like the subject.
Don't expect this book to give you insights about juvenile crime, but pick it up if you are in a mood for a light read.
The stories in the book sometimes make you feel as if you are watching a saas-bahu serial. I mean the 'sensationalism' it tries to create reminded me of the way the same thing is played over and over again by some melodramatic serials. There are also a lot of stereotypes about young people but I guess the target group for the book is the masses, so it is understandable.
Coming to the crimes and the psychology...once again, it resorts to stereotypes. It sometimes gives a very simplistic explanation about crime and criminals. This book could have been brilliant had the show's writers and the author delved more into the factors that push somebody to kill or rape a human being. Having said that, I personally didn't hate the book, simply because I like the subject.
Don't expect this book to give you insights about juvenile crime, but pick it up if you are in a mood for a light read.
March 5, 2016
11 crime stories of how the teenagers are swayed from the reality and succumbs to various pressure. They end up doing things which they would never do otherwise. Being a mother, I would recommend that every household should own this book and make sure that their children read this. Not that every teenagers will be good children but I am sure at least half of them will get influenced.
I have watched many episodes of Gumrah and hence I can authentically say that authoress has successful extracted the correct flavour of the stories. Needless to say about authoress's mastery over the language. While reading the stories, I felt like I am watching a repeat telecast of the book.
A post script could have been added as an analysis of why each incident happened and how it could have been prevented. Just like how it was done in the series.
I have watched many episodes of Gumrah and hence I can authentically say that authoress has successful extracted the correct flavour of the stories. Needless to say about authoress's mastery over the language. While reading the stories, I felt like I am watching a repeat telecast of the book.
A post script could have been added as an analysis of why each incident happened and how it could have been prevented. Just like how it was done in the series.
May 18, 2016
This review was first published on The Era I Lived In
The stories, as promised, reveal the consequences of wrong choices made by the teens in a variety of scenarios. All eleven of them tap on a different problem and the most important similarity in them is the fact that it takes just one moment of weakness to make someone go ‘Gumrah’.
Each of the eleven stories are written in a simple, easy to understand language fit to be read by parents and teenagers with equal ease, facilitating understanding the circumstances well. The narrative is engaging and the book makes for a breezy read but every story leaves the reader with a view to help teens differentiate between perception and reality of the real world. The beauty of the book lies in the fact that it avoids a documentary approach keeping the narrative interesting throughout.
The book however fails in delving deeper into analysing the situations in a way that the reader (especially the children reading the book) could see how the situations could have been handled better or in a more sensible way in the given circumstances.
In more than one story where the perpetrator of the crime has been shown to narrate from a mental asylum the one notion that rises commonly is that such crimes are committed by those suffering from mental ailments. Those are the moments where I cringe because though there is no denying that a criminal mind can never be thought of as normal, but who possess it is not written on people’s faces.
These kids who are now criminals were once just like any other child of their age. I would have appreciated focus on areas (or at least a mention of the areas) where the parents or families of these children could have acted differently to change the course of events.
There is no denying that most of the stories are chilling, gruesome and even horrific but they make for an important read for parents and young adults to give them a scoop of the reality of the world we live in.
The stories shall stay with me for a long time because they’ve been drawn from real life incidents, they’ll serve as a constant reminder of not making the same mistake of not letting my child be made aware of such happenings around us.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading short crime stories and especially all parents and teenagers because this book is more about being prepared for the unknown dangers lurking in known people around us.
The stories, as promised, reveal the consequences of wrong choices made by the teens in a variety of scenarios. All eleven of them tap on a different problem and the most important similarity in them is the fact that it takes just one moment of weakness to make someone go ‘Gumrah’.
Each of the eleven stories are written in a simple, easy to understand language fit to be read by parents and teenagers with equal ease, facilitating understanding the circumstances well. The narrative is engaging and the book makes for a breezy read but every story leaves the reader with a view to help teens differentiate between perception and reality of the real world. The beauty of the book lies in the fact that it avoids a documentary approach keeping the narrative interesting throughout.
The book however fails in delving deeper into analysing the situations in a way that the reader (especially the children reading the book) could see how the situations could have been handled better or in a more sensible way in the given circumstances.
In more than one story where the perpetrator of the crime has been shown to narrate from a mental asylum the one notion that rises commonly is that such crimes are committed by those suffering from mental ailments. Those are the moments where I cringe because though there is no denying that a criminal mind can never be thought of as normal, but who possess it is not written on people’s faces.
These kids who are now criminals were once just like any other child of their age. I would have appreciated focus on areas (or at least a mention of the areas) where the parents or families of these children could have acted differently to change the course of events.
There is no denying that most of the stories are chilling, gruesome and even horrific but they make for an important read for parents and young adults to give them a scoop of the reality of the world we live in.
The stories shall stay with me for a long time because they’ve been drawn from real life incidents, they’ll serve as a constant reminder of not making the same mistake of not letting my child be made aware of such happenings around us.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading short crime stories and especially all parents and teenagers because this book is more about being prepared for the unknown dangers lurking in known people around us.
May 4, 2016
I am just done reading Ira Trivedi's latest release which is an anthology consisting of 11 short teen crime stories named "Gumrah". It is based on the popular tele-series Gumrah by Star India Pvt Ltd. The book basically focuses on adolescent crime, deceit, treachery and bad judgement. Ira has used a very simple language while writing this story so that the children in school can also understand what's happening with the characters. The book is written as fiction stories rather than documentary. I feel this is a good approach as it sounds interesting currently otherwise many would not have picked it up considering it to be a boring stuff. Each story is based on different emotions and conditions hence not making it sound monotonous after a while.
The book is around 200-pages and can be easily completed in a sitting of 3-4 hours. The cover page is also appealing. Talking about the stories, Ira have made it clear in each of them that awareness has to be there in a child while making new friends and giving someone the authority of your life. She is asking everyone to "Be Aware, Be Prepared, Be Safe!". And I feel that the way juvenile crimes are increasing in the nation currently, this book can be a good way of letting the teens know the consequences of committing a crime in anger and later on, getting affected for lifetime because of it. This book can surely influence their minds.
Coming to the drawbacks, I would say that authoress should have added some advice from her behalf too which could have been like a personal message to the readers. They could have understood the premises more clearly. Some may end up reading this book as a crime thriller with tragic endings and nothing else. That's the only issue with this book written with a great purpose. And I hope this book brings Ira Trivedi back into the writing foray as she has been away since a long long time. I give this attempt 3 stars out of 5.
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
January 3, 2017
It's a must read book for every teenager.It better to be safe than sorry.Teenagers must understand themselves .
August 24, 2021
Teenage is a wonderful, isn’t it? Its like an entire amusement park budding inside you and your life too! The changes, the discoveries, the spiral of emotions and feelings, the robust energy, the experiences, the mistakes, the bruises… The prime time of falling and getting up, in continuity. But… Its not all sunshines, rainbows, candies and temporary hurricanes for everyone, you see. This age is like a fire, if not handled carefully, you’ll be consumed. But unfortunately, our pals from the various stories of ‘Gumrah’ by ‘Ira Trivedi’ avoided this advice, and their fate, you have to read the book to find!
This book is an anthology of stories revolving around one common theme: Teenage Crime. It contains 11 stories to be precise, including the dark side of life which dawns on the young tides, taking them away forever. If you like venturing in the dark avenues, give it a shot. But, be cautious.
My personal opinion (hope not unwanted): The language is pretty good, and the descriptivity is splendid. However, the flow of the stories and the plotline in all, get pretty monotonous. An incredible job has been done on capturing and portraying emotions, albeit. It could have been better were it more inclusive and broad scoped on the aspect of themes and plotlines. All in all, it was average and good for one-time read.
This book is an anthology of stories revolving around one common theme: Teenage Crime. It contains 11 stories to be precise, including the dark side of life which dawns on the young tides, taking them away forever. If you like venturing in the dark avenues, give it a shot. But, be cautious.
My personal opinion (hope not unwanted): The language is pretty good, and the descriptivity is splendid. However, the flow of the stories and the plotline in all, get pretty monotonous. An incredible job has been done on capturing and portraying emotions, albeit. It could have been better were it more inclusive and broad scoped on the aspect of themes and plotlines. All in all, it was average and good for one-time read.
June 2, 2025
This book is about 11 short stories of teenagers, who make their life hell and ruin it with there mistake like obsession over love to childhood friend but distance changed and killing it, acid attack, killing love one for there insecurities, did unwanted things to be with one of popular Guys and ended up in hospital for the untime pregnancy, by leaking MMS to get popular and get attention , then also become victim for that wrong doing.
Killing themselves for love, compromising over love and given up on life. Suicide and getting used to wrong things taking aggression to bully someone because they got abused at home and finally Rape that all they can be avoided if there is someone to tell them about the moral ethics of society they could not have ended like this..
Killing themselves for love, compromising over love and given up on life. Suicide and getting used to wrong things taking aggression to bully someone because they got abused at home and finally Rape that all they can be avoided if there is someone to tell them about the moral ethics of society they could not have ended like this..
October 1, 2017
It was so real, yet it freaked me out in all the ways, it gave me that realization of being surrounded by similar characters all around. Overall a nice, life teaching read. Must read for youth, a suggested option for thrill and crime fiction readers.
October 2, 2022
This was very uncomfortable to read. A good collection of horrible true crime stories. The only downsides were the writing which made the book lose it's ability to hook me.
December 30, 2020
I loved Gumrah the tv series, it's intensity, it's emotional surges.. This....this thing is not even a pale imitation in comparison
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews