What do you think?
The Wrong Turn
1944, Kohima — a small, sleepy town in northeast India. Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) along with the Japanese, are on the brink of bringing the Empire to its knees and forcing the British out of India. But, inexplicably, the tables turn. The INA’s advance is thwarted and the victory march to Delhi is halted. Seventy years later, the British admit that the Battle of Kohima was the greatest battle they had ever fought. Even more so than the battles of Waterloo and Dunkirk.
Was it then that old Indian curse — betrayal? Someone from within Netaji’s own ranks? Were there forces other than the British, waiting in the shadows closer to home, who stood to gain even more from the INA’s defeat? Or was it just love that irrevocably altered the course of India’s destiny?
The Wrong Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji, is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle. Debraj, the rakish playboy and scion of a distinguished Calcutta family, and Nishonko, the fiery revolutionary sworn to the cause of the INA, must not only fight their common enemy, but also for the love of Aditi, the rebel with the healing touch.
A haunting tale of love, friendship and betrayal of an entire nation, The Wrong Turn veers inexorably towards a poignant redemption.
Was it then that old Indian curse — betrayal? Someone from within Netaji’s own ranks? Were there forces other than the British, waiting in the shadows closer to home, who stood to gain even more from the INA’s defeat? Or was it just love that irrevocably altered the course of India’s destiny?
The Wrong Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji, is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle. Debraj, the rakish playboy and scion of a distinguished Calcutta family, and Nishonko, the fiery revolutionary sworn to the cause of the INA, must not only fight their common enemy, but also for the love of Aditi, the rebel with the healing touch.
A haunting tale of love, friendship and betrayal of an entire nation, The Wrong Turn veers inexorably towards a poignant redemption.
- GenresRomance
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 23, 2017
Did you ever get a chance to know what probably would have happened during the pre-independence era? You might have watched some war documentary but nothing would come closer to this. Though this book is a fiction, it still makes you feel that you were very much present in the battle field yourself.
The 488 page story is a perfect novel for enthusiasts who would appreciate its quality over the length of the story. It covers lot of aspects - majorly about Indian Independence and Freedom Struggle carried out by eminent coupled with love and is a perfect movie material and no wonder this story is being made into a motion picture.
The story begins with the introduction of Debraj Mookerji who was born in a healthy family and his Dad was Knighted by the British Empire. Things did not go well despite their riches since his mother was lavish in her spending hosting parties which makes Sir Harry run into debts and his sprawling estate gets taken over by his close confidante Gangadhar Goopta aka G.G. who became rich due to the initial support from Sir Harry.
Deb's only sis Debi gets pregnant with one of Deb's friend Andrew who did not approve of becoming the father since he was a racist and he eventually gets killed. It is then Deb meets up Nishonko in an unusual situation where the cops starts chasing them. Deb gets saved by Nishonko and he joins him to be taken to the camp of INA headed by Netaji.
You read it right.
The story has a good fictional involvement of the great freedom fighter Netaji himself and as a reader, I wished some of the incidents mentioned in the book should have come true to see our Nation in a different situation altogether.
While we know about the outcome of the war, this story makes you feel intrigued to find out as to what happens next. Netaji had some close confidantes like Kabootar, Gaffar, Nawaz etc and one of his trusted aide turns out against him.
Why?
The story then introduces a character named Aditi. While Nishonko was in love with her since his childhood, Deb also falls in love with her. Who did win her love eventually?
What happens in the end?
The story is nothing less of a suspense thriller which would make you keep guessing from the beginning till the end making it an interesting read.
August 5, 2017
'Love and betrayal in the Time of Netaji' is set during India's freedom struggle when Netaji Subash Chandra Bose had raised the Indian National Army (INA) which was his kind of mutiny against the British reign.
There are many documentaries we have seen on our freedom struggle. There have been various films on prominent leaders, but this probably must be the first time someone has woven a fictional tale around the time Netaji and INA were active. This very fact made me look forward to read this novel and I wasn’t disappointed. The story is a skillful mix of human emotions be it love, loyalty, and pride or greed, hate and jealousy.
The story revolves around the three protagonists Debu (Debraj Mookerjii), Jhilik (Aditi Sen) and Nishonko. Deb is a suave young man, who despite being born in an upper class rich family follows his heart. Aditi, though young has a quiet depth in her personality, which tugs at your heart. Nishonko, is another handsome lad who suffers in the hand of destiny and a future of his own desires. All of them so heroic yet so human in their failings and weaknesses. The author duo have painted strong, intense characters which is a reader’s delight.
‘The Wrong Turn’ is suspense thriller yet romantic and emotional story. The right blend of fiction with facts on Netaji, his loyal confidantes and the battle of Kohima adds to the charm of the story. The narration is eloquent and crisp, pulling one deep into the era of struggle, strife and patriotism.
I would have loved to see all of them win, loved to see us win and chase them away, but sigh… one can’t change the history. Kudos to authors for the research they must have done for the book.
A fluent and lucid tale!
There are many documentaries we have seen on our freedom struggle. There have been various films on prominent leaders, but this probably must be the first time someone has woven a fictional tale around the time Netaji and INA were active. This very fact made me look forward to read this novel and I wasn’t disappointed. The story is a skillful mix of human emotions be it love, loyalty, and pride or greed, hate and jealousy.
The story revolves around the three protagonists Debu (Debraj Mookerjii), Jhilik (Aditi Sen) and Nishonko. Deb is a suave young man, who despite being born in an upper class rich family follows his heart. Aditi, though young has a quiet depth in her personality, which tugs at your heart. Nishonko, is another handsome lad who suffers in the hand of destiny and a future of his own desires. All of them so heroic yet so human in their failings and weaknesses. The author duo have painted strong, intense characters which is a reader’s delight.
‘The Wrong Turn’ is suspense thriller yet romantic and emotional story. The right blend of fiction with facts on Netaji, his loyal confidantes and the battle of Kohima adds to the charm of the story. The narration is eloquent and crisp, pulling one deep into the era of struggle, strife and patriotism.
I would have loved to see all of them win, loved to see us win and chase them away, but sigh… one can’t change the history. Kudos to authors for the research they must have done for the book.
A fluent and lucid tale!
July 7, 2017
Rating- 5/5
my BLOG
As you can guess from the rating, THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC! I don't usually read Indian fiction but this book restored my faith in it and I am so happy to see that their is still hope left! I saw this blog tour, randomly on TBC and applied for it because it talked of love and betrayal and war and struggle for independence and I was super interested to read it.
Writing
I loved the writing. Although it took me a while to get used to the writing style because its pretty heavy with lots of adjectives thrown, but once into it I WAS ACTUALLY GLAD FOR IT as it helped me to 'see' everything much more clearly and precisely. Specially the usage of words from British english gave it more realistic feel.
Plot
The plot is EXCELLENT! The love and betrayal and double crossing and twists and turns make it a delight to read. The story itself is super fast paced and grips the reader tightly in its bosom and forces you to turn pages after pages till you have reached the end. Its really really addicting!
Characters and Romance
This book has 3 main characters. Debraj, Aditi and Nishonko. I found all of them to super fun and interesting, my favourite being Deb. I absolutely loved his character. He stood out for me. Also the romance is interesting with a love triangle. Usually I hate love triangles but this was OKish. I didn't mind it that much.
Final verdict - Fantastic book! I highly recommend!
my BLOG
As you can guess from the rating, THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC! I don't usually read Indian fiction but this book restored my faith in it and I am so happy to see that their is still hope left! I saw this blog tour, randomly on TBC and applied for it because it talked of love and betrayal and war and struggle for independence and I was super interested to read it.
Writing
I loved the writing. Although it took me a while to get used to the writing style because its pretty heavy with lots of adjectives thrown, but once into it I WAS ACTUALLY GLAD FOR IT as it helped me to 'see' everything much more clearly and precisely. Specially the usage of words from British english gave it more realistic feel.
Plot
The plot is EXCELLENT! The love and betrayal and double crossing and twists and turns make it a delight to read. The story itself is super fast paced and grips the reader tightly in its bosom and forces you to turn pages after pages till you have reached the end. Its really really addicting!
Characters and Romance
This book has 3 main characters. Debraj, Aditi and Nishonko. I found all of them to super fun and interesting, my favourite being Deb. I absolutely loved his character. He stood out for me. Also the romance is interesting with a love triangle. Usually I hate love triangles but this was OKish. I didn't mind it that much.
Final verdict - Fantastic book! I highly recommend!
July 6, 2017
My Honest Review:
Jealousy is that green-eyed monster which makes one do unthinkable, unmentionable work, which makes not only that person but also people related also to suffer.
Human nature is very strange. It believes what the eyes see and what the ears hear, without verifying the facts. And that’s why it's easy to manipulate people who are hurt, insecure and jealous.
The Wrong Turn is love triangle story and how the fear of losing one’s beloved and jealousy made INA lose a winning battle.
The Wrong Turn takes you to an era where India was under the British rule and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with his Indian National Army (INA) and help from Japanese was trying to free India.
Like many historical love stories we have read or heard wherein love/hate either starts a war or a battle is won. The Wrong Turn is story of three main protagonists Debu (Debraj Mookerjii), Jhilik (Aditi Sen) and Nishonko and how fate brings them together in unexpected circumstances and how their relationship had an adverse effect on the Kohima war.
The plot is well developed but complex, can’t take it as a light read as it's intense but gripping too. All the characters, especially the protagonist and immediate characters are well developed. The book is a good cocktail of all human emotions in one. I especially liked the end of the story which is so different from the usual love triangle stories we usually get to read. Also the detailing of the war events is also worth a mention.
So if you like history and if you want to do some serious and intense read than The Wrong Turn is the one.
Jealousy is that green-eyed monster which makes one do unthinkable, unmentionable work, which makes not only that person but also people related also to suffer.
Human nature is very strange. It believes what the eyes see and what the ears hear, without verifying the facts. And that’s why it's easy to manipulate people who are hurt, insecure and jealous.
The Wrong Turn is love triangle story and how the fear of losing one’s beloved and jealousy made INA lose a winning battle.
The Wrong Turn takes you to an era where India was under the British rule and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with his Indian National Army (INA) and help from Japanese was trying to free India.
Like many historical love stories we have read or heard wherein love/hate either starts a war or a battle is won. The Wrong Turn is story of three main protagonists Debu (Debraj Mookerjii), Jhilik (Aditi Sen) and Nishonko and how fate brings them together in unexpected circumstances and how their relationship had an adverse effect on the Kohima war.
The plot is well developed but complex, can’t take it as a light read as it's intense but gripping too. All the characters, especially the protagonist and immediate characters are well developed. The book is a good cocktail of all human emotions in one. I especially liked the end of the story which is so different from the usual love triangle stories we usually get to read. Also the detailing of the war events is also worth a mention.
So if you like history and if you want to do some serious and intense read than The Wrong Turn is the one.
April 16, 2017
For me this has been indeed a page turner destined to be a best seller and then into a movie. It is a wonderful story of disloyalty and unreciprocated love. I have never been to Kohima but through the book I imagined myself roving about the places which have so much premeditated importance in our freedom fight. Congratulations for writing such a book and I am glad to have read it. I look forward to read more from the authors.
June 5, 2017
The Wrong Turn
By Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose
Review by Ila Garg
The Wrong Turn, a novel by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose, is published by Om Books International. The cover looks interesting with a couple in a jeep seeking some close moments. The subtitle – Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji – makes the plot look all the more intriguing. In fact, this line caught my attention more than the cover.
Sanjay Chopra is an airline pilot and the author of two collections of short stories. His stories have won the Invisible Ink, the Millennium writers and Southport awards in the UK and the USA. In the words of his readers, ‘He is a storyteller like those of the old days, yet his stories are as modern as tomorrow.’
During a school project on ‘The most memorable day of my life’, Namita Roy Ghose wrote about a Russian girl on the day WW2 ended. She got her first rejection slip from the teacher for making things up. Ever since, Namita has established her storytelling skills through her scriptwriting, screenplays poetry, fiction, legendary advertising campaigns, and as a renowned advertising film director. A Creative Director with HTA, she left after 13 years to start her own film company, White Light, one of India’s top ad film outfits. A social activist, she is the founder of Vanashakti, an NGO that works to protect the environment. Namita has done pro bono work on issues like domestic violence, child welfare, sexual harassment and forest preservation. She is an avid traveller, a photographer, foodie and teacher.
The blurb reads as, “1944, Kohima — a small, sleepy town in northeast India. Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) along with the Japanese, are on the brink of bringing the Empire to its knees and forcing the British out of India. But, inexplicably, the tables turn. The INA’s advance is thwarted and the victory march to Delhi is halted. Seventy years later, the British admit that the Battle of Kohima was the greatest battle they had ever fought. Even more so than the battles of Waterloo and Dunkirk.
Was it then that old Indian curse — betrayal? Someone from within Netaji’s own ranks? Were there forces other than the British, waiting in the shadows closer to home, who stood to gain even more from the INA’s defeat? Or was it just love that irrevocably altered the course of India’s destiny?
The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji, is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle. Debraj, the rakish playboy and scion of a distinguished Calcutta family, and Nishonko, the fiery revolutionary sworn to the cause of the INA, must not only fight their common enemy, but also for the love of Aditi, the rebel with the healing touch.
A haunting tale of love, friendship and betrayal of an entire nation, The Wrong Turn veers inexorably towards a poignant redemption.”
Read the complete review here: http://www.ilagarg.com/2017/05/the-wr...
By Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose
Review by Ila Garg
The Wrong Turn, a novel by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose, is published by Om Books International. The cover looks interesting with a couple in a jeep seeking some close moments. The subtitle – Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji – makes the plot look all the more intriguing. In fact, this line caught my attention more than the cover.
Sanjay Chopra is an airline pilot and the author of two collections of short stories. His stories have won the Invisible Ink, the Millennium writers and Southport awards in the UK and the USA. In the words of his readers, ‘He is a storyteller like those of the old days, yet his stories are as modern as tomorrow.’
During a school project on ‘The most memorable day of my life’, Namita Roy Ghose wrote about a Russian girl on the day WW2 ended. She got her first rejection slip from the teacher for making things up. Ever since, Namita has established her storytelling skills through her scriptwriting, screenplays poetry, fiction, legendary advertising campaigns, and as a renowned advertising film director. A Creative Director with HTA, she left after 13 years to start her own film company, White Light, one of India’s top ad film outfits. A social activist, she is the founder of Vanashakti, an NGO that works to protect the environment. Namita has done pro bono work on issues like domestic violence, child welfare, sexual harassment and forest preservation. She is an avid traveller, a photographer, foodie and teacher.
The blurb reads as, “1944, Kohima — a small, sleepy town in northeast India. Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) along with the Japanese, are on the brink of bringing the Empire to its knees and forcing the British out of India. But, inexplicably, the tables turn. The INA’s advance is thwarted and the victory march to Delhi is halted. Seventy years later, the British admit that the Battle of Kohima was the greatest battle they had ever fought. Even more so than the battles of Waterloo and Dunkirk.
Was it then that old Indian curse — betrayal? Someone from within Netaji’s own ranks? Were there forces other than the British, waiting in the shadows closer to home, who stood to gain even more from the INA’s defeat? Or was it just love that irrevocably altered the course of India’s destiny?
The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji, is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle. Debraj, the rakish playboy and scion of a distinguished Calcutta family, and Nishonko, the fiery revolutionary sworn to the cause of the INA, must not only fight their common enemy, but also for the love of Aditi, the rebel with the healing touch.
A haunting tale of love, friendship and betrayal of an entire nation, The Wrong Turn veers inexorably towards a poignant redemption.”
Read the complete review here: http://www.ilagarg.com/2017/05/the-wr...
July 2, 2017
When we think of historical fiction, we usually think of stories set during the World War and most of these stories make for a superbly unique reading experience. Rarely though, there comes along a book that is a historical fiction based on Indian history. Yes, there are many books and accounts written of the Indian freedom struggle; but very few that court controversy, especially related to Netaji and the Indian National Army. So when I was offered a chance to review The Wrong Turn by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose, I was eagerly looking forward to sinking my teeth into this juicy, hitherto unheard of, part of Indian history.
Of course, historical fiction is something that you are expected to take with a pinch of salt, but when something comes in your hands that is as engrossing and as enchanting as The Wrong Turn, well, it is time to sit up and take notice. And I did just that!
Here’s my review of this expansive adventure of love, loyalty, and duplicity.
The Plot
The Wrong Turn is a historical fiction based in the times of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Azad Hind Fauj. This is the story of the fight of a country’s people for their independence, for their freedom from the British Raj. This is also a brilliantly crafted war story, with strategies, espionage, adventure and action at every twist and turn. But at the heart of it, at the very core of it, The Wrong Turn is a touching story of young love, of yearning, of hopes, desires, heartbreak and the ultimate, deep hatred that the hater can feel only for someone they have deeply loved!
The story begins with our charming hero setting foot on his homeland after his studies at Cambridge. The prodigal son returning home. Heir to an illustrious family, our debonair hero charms us with his easy smile and his beguiling sense of entitlement. But even as the laat-sahab gets back to the pleasures of life he had left behind, he is faced with cheating friends and vulnerable family falling prey to the scheming, treacherous designs of vile elements surrounding them. And while still reeling from this sudden onslaught, a freak foray into an unlikely haunt leads him to a chance encounter with the INA. Before he knows it, he is engaged in a skirmish with the British and he is suddenly on the run, crossing the border, getting out of the country he had just stepped into - suddenly a fugitive, an implausible INA man, a man branded traitor by the very same British, whom he so adores and whose ways and pleasures he so enjoys.
A man without a country now, our charismatic hero finds himself charming his way into the hearts of the people he fled with, most importantly, making a friend with the very same INA man he was protecting taking this daring step. As the night wears on, they talk of life and dreams and hopes and the INA soldier talks of his love, the ultimate prize he is waiting for; while our hero lets him know, in no uncertain terms that he aims to return as soon as he has taken in the delights and allures of the city they have escaped to. Providence, however, has something else in store for him. A chance encounter with Netaji, whom his new friend takes him to meet, makes him join the INA as a young officer and that is where his life changes forever!
As our energetic young hero advances in the ranks of the INA, he makes some close friends, some enemies and a lot of fans as he earns the grudging respect of his commanding officers as well as Netaji himself. Along the way, he becomes best friends with his INA comrade, the one who he feels is instrumental in changing his life the night he escaped with him. However, even as the two become the best of friends, serendipity intervenes; and our enigmatic hero is wounded, sent to the hospital, in the care of a beautiful young nurse who is part of Netaji’s Rani Jhansi Regiment. As she helps heal his wounds, he loses his heart to her.
What follows then, is an extensive, emotional tale of affection, adulation, passion and emotions running amok in the backdrop of war and rampage. The story explores the beauty of love and passion and also the intensity of its ugly cousins, jealousy and hatred. It shows in all the gory details that the same love that can propel men to work hard towards their dreams can also turn them blind and bitter with hatred.
The positives
This is a story that is extremely fast paced. Before you have time to understand and settle to one emotion, the story has moved on. It sweeps you off your feet from the word go; and keeps you hooked till you find it impossible to turn page after page after page to find out the conclusion of the story. To find out who betrayed who; and what were the repercussions of the same. You cannot rest till you have read the very last page, because even as you think the story has ended, the authors have left one little nugget of surprise for you at the very last page!
The not so positives
As much as I loved this book, and I loved it a lot; there are a few things that stood out as disturbing little details that left a bitter taste in my mouth till the next scene (blissfully) engulfed me in its enthralling grip. One of the most common of these, was the usage of some really uncommon English words; and while they drove me to the dictionary sometimes, they did nothing to enhance the story; ergo, I would’ve felt definitely better if I had found familiar, more commonly used, regular words in here instead; as I was already hooked to the story and the narration, I did not need these words to impress me anyway. Another thing I felt, was the use of some very commonly used derogatory language - yes, it is the story of men in the field, and not all of them come from illustrious backgrounds, I understand that, but still, it is difficult to digest the fact that these words were actually used or spoken in the time the story is set in. But then again, I wouldn’t really know how far back the use of these derogatory words go either.
The real takeaway
Having pointed out the not-so-positives, though, I would now like to come back to what I loved the most about the story; and that is our sprightly, handsome, charming hero and his lady love; and the love story they have! All the characters, including the portrayal of Netaji and even the loyal Kabootar are relatable and realistic. The authors have beautifully captured the emotions and motivations of every character, be it the hero’s parents or the treacherous Goopta or the self-serving British Brigadier Whyte; and especially those of the two protagonists and their lady love. I also liked the way the authors have built up the suspense towards the end over the betrayal that led the INA to lose the battle of Kohima. But our dapper hero takes the prize for me. His easy charm and comely attitude won me over; and had me rooting for him all the way to the end!
My Verdict
Having read a lot of historical fiction recently, set in the WWII times, this historical fiction set against the backdrop of the battle of Kohima between the INA and the British was a refreshing read. Fast-paced, dripping, adventurous and dripping with edge-of-the-seat action, The Wrong Turn is definitely a read worth exploring. The wonderful cover proclaims that the book is soon to be made into a movie and I would definitely be looking forward to the same; and would surely recommend this beautiful read for all to devour before the movie comes out!
July 31, 2017
The Wrong Turn by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose is a page-turner that bridges the gap between fiction and non-fiction. The fact that the novel is set during the times of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and The Indian National Army not only made the premise more intriguing, it also set the tone for my literary journey. And what a roller-coaster journey it turned out to be!
The Wrong Turn is a gripping narrative of historical fiction with the right amount of Suspense and Romance thrown in. The tagline "Love and betrayal in the time of Netaji" certainly does justice to the overall mood of the book. The writing is evocative and crisp, easily transporting the reader to those old bygone days. The characters make the culture and the era dance in front of the reader's eyes. The plot is well-researched, and there's never a dull moment in the book. The language is mostly lucid except a few places where it seems just a bit over-the-top. The Bengali words sprinkled here and there delighted my Bengali soul, though I can see how they can be a problem for the non-speaker. I'd have expected a decent font size considering the book is already 488 pages. Since I am used to the comfort of reading on a kindle, being able to adjust the font size, reading this book in paperback was uncomfortable due to its small fonts.
All in all, The Wrong Turn will take you on a journey of myriad emotions, and not just love and betrayal! It will grab you by the throat and never let you go until you turn all the 488 pages. The Wrong Turn is a must read book of our times.
The Wrong Turn is a gripping narrative of historical fiction with the right amount of Suspense and Romance thrown in. The tagline "Love and betrayal in the time of Netaji" certainly does justice to the overall mood of the book. The writing is evocative and crisp, easily transporting the reader to those old bygone days. The characters make the culture and the era dance in front of the reader's eyes. The plot is well-researched, and there's never a dull moment in the book. The language is mostly lucid except a few places where it seems just a bit over-the-top. The Bengali words sprinkled here and there delighted my Bengali soul, though I can see how they can be a problem for the non-speaker. I'd have expected a decent font size considering the book is already 488 pages. Since I am used to the comfort of reading on a kindle, being able to adjust the font size, reading this book in paperback was uncomfortable due to its small fonts.
All in all, The Wrong Turn will take you on a journey of myriad emotions, and not just love and betrayal! It will grab you by the throat and never let you go until you turn all the 488 pages. The Wrong Turn is a must read book of our times.
April 29, 2017
The book is a sweeping tale of passion set against a mixture of love and tragedy in a land ravaged by an insane war in a story of different narrative voices and long monologues to tell it from different points of view. The authors tells the story and you're there to read, but you feel like you're sitting in an elegant café or in a hotel in Kohima, and from the window you can see the sun rise, and feel the epilogue of the story.
April 2, 2018
A fictitious story set in the troubled times of India’s independence and the war lead by Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army at Burma and Kohima in 1944. Conjuring the facts during the times, the authors have weaved a gripping story of love, loss and betrayal at the hands of the British empire and a handful of the Indians themselves. In the fight for setting a country free from a 200-year-old British Raj, it brings the focus on the brave wars that were lead, the lives that were lost and the betrayals that made some of these futile.
The book begins in London where the National Museum of Archives receives a letter for disclosure of certain documents recognizing the truth about the war against the British in Burma and Kohima. The letter is from an old man in West Bengal who later narrates the story behind this disclosure when it is declared in the newspaper after numerous letters over many years.
The story cuts to 1944. Debraj Mukherjee is a spoiled son of a millionaire who returns to India after completing his education in Britain. His family adheres to the British and is not in decent shape due to losses in business and luxurious living. On the night Debraj learns that one of his closest white friend is the reason behind his kid sister’s pregnancy who vehemently denies taking responsibility, he is furious and runs away from home.
The circumstances find him amid a motion led by Nishonko Mitro or ‘Nishachar’ as part of recruitment for the Subhash Chandra Bose’s INA. Bose has been secretly readying a big army in Singapore to fight the British. When Nishonko’s meeting in the dungeons of a building is raided by the British, Debraj helps him escape. Over the course of the week, both escape to Singapore in a ship and meets with Subhash Chandra Bose. It takes quite a while for the team to accept Debraj due to his earlier camaraderie with the British and nonchalant flamboyance. But soon his loyalty is established and moves up in the ranks of the army.
Meanwhile Nishonko is in the hope of meeting up with his childhood sweetheart Aditi alias ‘Jhilik’ in Singapore, but is sent to Tokyo for another assignment.
Sister Aditi Sen is a nurse part of the Rani Jhansi regiment that serves the cause of India’s independence and looked after by his aunt in Singapore after her parents died in India. During a trial coup that happens in Singapore, Debraj is heavily hurt and ends up in the hospital with the help of his trusted aide Kabootar. Aditi and Debraj meet and fall in love with each other, without Debraj knowing that Aditi is his best friend’s childhood love.
When Nishonko gets back from Tokyo, he finds out the relationship between them and is shattered by the betrayal. Although it only would seem like a betrayal on his side, since Aditi never held such feelings for him. Amidst all this, Bose gives the go ahead for the INA to march to Bengal through Burma and then from Kohima. To set the mood of the journey he decides the engagement of Debraj and Aditi as a curtain raiser. This infuriates Nishonko but he is rebuked by Bose to let everything go for the greater good of the country’s independence, reminding him that one’s motherland is bigger than him.
Coupled with Japan’s Major Saito’s army INA marches towards the British points taking them one by one in a gruesome battle. But as and when the whites figure out their plan, Debraj and Nishonko are made to encroach on the Indian Assam regiment fighting on the British side to turn them. Unfortunately, they both are captured. Debraj is brain washed to side with British Major Whyte and Mr.Gupta, the Indian sidekick who has lived off by bootlicking the Britishers. Debraj half-heartedly agrees to it dreaming of a better future with Aditi back home. Meanwhile Nishonko is tortured at their hands although Mr.Gupta finds out his weak point and comes to know his love for Aditi and spite towards Debraj.
In the following days, both escape the camp and reach their own army. When the consecutive moves the INA and the Japanese makes to outplay the British is all flawed, they come to know there is an insider feeding them information. While we all think the spy to be Debraj, it is Nishnko who has been giving them away. Mr.Gupta has capitalized on him promising him a better life and he eventually accepted the offer thinking he would be able to turn Aditi around to his side making her realize the love he had for him.
In the final confrontation with the British on the hills of Kohima, the Japanese along with Debraj, Aditi and her friend Meenakshi decide that they rather die than surrender. Hence, before Nishonko could reach Aditi, everybody on the battle ground fights until their last breath.
Soon after this news reaches Subash Chandra Bose, during his escape to Taipei, he goes missing never to be heard of again and laying a seen for Indians to wonder over his disappearance for the coming years. It is said, had the war been successful in Kohima without any interception of betrayals along the way, India would have been independent long before and the face of India would have been a different one from the Nehruvian beginning.
Back in the tea shop, narrating this tale of war and betrayal is Nishonko himself who has been leading a life of guilt and loss ever since, as a loyal servant to Bose trying to understand his sudden disappearance from the scene. But after the National Archives Museum published the facts of Kohima war, he goes back to his shack and shoots himself. Right after, the journalist in the tea shop comes to his house with Debraj’s sister Debi who has been alive all these years trying to find out about his long-lost brother or anybody who knew him after he left his home.
The tale is a gripping narrative with all the essential ingredients.
The book begins in London where the National Museum of Archives receives a letter for disclosure of certain documents recognizing the truth about the war against the British in Burma and Kohima. The letter is from an old man in West Bengal who later narrates the story behind this disclosure when it is declared in the newspaper after numerous letters over many years.
The story cuts to 1944. Debraj Mukherjee is a spoiled son of a millionaire who returns to India after completing his education in Britain. His family adheres to the British and is not in decent shape due to losses in business and luxurious living. On the night Debraj learns that one of his closest white friend is the reason behind his kid sister’s pregnancy who vehemently denies taking responsibility, he is furious and runs away from home.
The circumstances find him amid a motion led by Nishonko Mitro or ‘Nishachar’ as part of recruitment for the Subhash Chandra Bose’s INA. Bose has been secretly readying a big army in Singapore to fight the British. When Nishonko’s meeting in the dungeons of a building is raided by the British, Debraj helps him escape. Over the course of the week, both escape to Singapore in a ship and meets with Subhash Chandra Bose. It takes quite a while for the team to accept Debraj due to his earlier camaraderie with the British and nonchalant flamboyance. But soon his loyalty is established and moves up in the ranks of the army.
Meanwhile Nishonko is in the hope of meeting up with his childhood sweetheart Aditi alias ‘Jhilik’ in Singapore, but is sent to Tokyo for another assignment.
Sister Aditi Sen is a nurse part of the Rani Jhansi regiment that serves the cause of India’s independence and looked after by his aunt in Singapore after her parents died in India. During a trial coup that happens in Singapore, Debraj is heavily hurt and ends up in the hospital with the help of his trusted aide Kabootar. Aditi and Debraj meet and fall in love with each other, without Debraj knowing that Aditi is his best friend’s childhood love.
When Nishonko gets back from Tokyo, he finds out the relationship between them and is shattered by the betrayal. Although it only would seem like a betrayal on his side, since Aditi never held such feelings for him. Amidst all this, Bose gives the go ahead for the INA to march to Bengal through Burma and then from Kohima. To set the mood of the journey he decides the engagement of Debraj and Aditi as a curtain raiser. This infuriates Nishonko but he is rebuked by Bose to let everything go for the greater good of the country’s independence, reminding him that one’s motherland is bigger than him.
Coupled with Japan’s Major Saito’s army INA marches towards the British points taking them one by one in a gruesome battle. But as and when the whites figure out their plan, Debraj and Nishonko are made to encroach on the Indian Assam regiment fighting on the British side to turn them. Unfortunately, they both are captured. Debraj is brain washed to side with British Major Whyte and Mr.Gupta, the Indian sidekick who has lived off by bootlicking the Britishers. Debraj half-heartedly agrees to it dreaming of a better future with Aditi back home. Meanwhile Nishonko is tortured at their hands although Mr.Gupta finds out his weak point and comes to know his love for Aditi and spite towards Debraj.
In the following days, both escape the camp and reach their own army. When the consecutive moves the INA and the Japanese makes to outplay the British is all flawed, they come to know there is an insider feeding them information. While we all think the spy to be Debraj, it is Nishnko who has been giving them away. Mr.Gupta has capitalized on him promising him a better life and he eventually accepted the offer thinking he would be able to turn Aditi around to his side making her realize the love he had for him.
In the final confrontation with the British on the hills of Kohima, the Japanese along with Debraj, Aditi and her friend Meenakshi decide that they rather die than surrender. Hence, before Nishonko could reach Aditi, everybody on the battle ground fights until their last breath.
Soon after this news reaches Subash Chandra Bose, during his escape to Taipei, he goes missing never to be heard of again and laying a seen for Indians to wonder over his disappearance for the coming years. It is said, had the war been successful in Kohima without any interception of betrayals along the way, India would have been independent long before and the face of India would have been a different one from the Nehruvian beginning.
Back in the tea shop, narrating this tale of war and betrayal is Nishonko himself who has been leading a life of guilt and loss ever since, as a loyal servant to Bose trying to understand his sudden disappearance from the scene. But after the National Archives Museum published the facts of Kohima war, he goes back to his shack and shoots himself. Right after, the journalist in the tea shop comes to his house with Debraj’s sister Debi who has been alive all these years trying to find out about his long-lost brother or anybody who knew him after he left his home.
The tale is a gripping narrative with all the essential ingredients.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2017
There are some books you just HATE to review. 'The Wrong Turn' is one of them, for two reasons.
Firstly, you hate doing it, because reviewing it means you've finished reading them, they've ended; and you just don't want them to end. You want them to go on and on. They're so good!
Secondly, it's hard to review them. What do you write in praise of a book that ticks all the boxes for being a masterpiece? Where do you look for appropriate adjectives?
Alright, I'll give it a try, I have to. 'Love and betrayal in the Time of Netaji', that's what the tagline says. It was enough in itself, to pique my interest. Little did I know that those were just two of the innumerable emotions, I'd encounter in the book. There's drama, action, compassion, loyalty, jealousy, hatred, avarice, greed, pride, and wrath; all skillfully mixed up and presented with the finesse of a french cuisine. Wait, I think I missed something? Oh yes, there's happiness too.
Now,we all might have read one or a few books on Indian history at some point. Trust me, this is not one of them. Although, it talks about one of the most important moments in the Indian freedom struggle- the one that British refer to as the greatest battle they had fought in the last 400 years, the twin battle of Kohima and Imphal- the facts are blended well with fiction, making it an even more interesting and gripping read.
WHAT I LIKED:
The plot is researched and well-knit. The story flows at a quick and steady pace; no dull moment there. The characters are relatable and likeable. The locales are well-sketched and intriguing. The writer duo has managed to play quite expertly with the emotional roller-coaster of the reader, hitting them at regular intervals with a twist here and an unexpected turn there.
WHAT I DIDN'T:
I'm not sure, if my complaint fits in here or not; because this one has nothing to do with the writing, editing, or the proofreading. This has to do with the formatting, which the publisher should have taken care of. I'm reading a long paragraph about Deb's life and suddenly the next one starts talking about Nishonko, without any indication that one part has ended and another is about to start. It wouldn't have been too difficult to put an ellipsis or some other symbol to indicate it.
Apart from that, 'The Wrong Turn' is an excellent book that has all the making of a bestselling masterpiece, one that would stay in the minds of the readers for a long time. I strongly recommend this book to.... well, everyone who loves to read a well-written book.
My congratulations to the authors, Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose!
I give this book, a full five out of five stars.
Firstly, you hate doing it, because reviewing it means you've finished reading them, they've ended; and you just don't want them to end. You want them to go on and on. They're so good!
Secondly, it's hard to review them. What do you write in praise of a book that ticks all the boxes for being a masterpiece? Where do you look for appropriate adjectives?
Alright, I'll give it a try, I have to. 'Love and betrayal in the Time of Netaji', that's what the tagline says. It was enough in itself, to pique my interest. Little did I know that those were just two of the innumerable emotions, I'd encounter in the book. There's drama, action, compassion, loyalty, jealousy, hatred, avarice, greed, pride, and wrath; all skillfully mixed up and presented with the finesse of a french cuisine. Wait, I think I missed something? Oh yes, there's happiness too.
Now,we all might have read one or a few books on Indian history at some point. Trust me, this is not one of them. Although, it talks about one of the most important moments in the Indian freedom struggle- the one that British refer to as the greatest battle they had fought in the last 400 years, the twin battle of Kohima and Imphal- the facts are blended well with fiction, making it an even more interesting and gripping read.
WHAT I LIKED:
The plot is researched and well-knit. The story flows at a quick and steady pace; no dull moment there. The characters are relatable and likeable. The locales are well-sketched and intriguing. The writer duo has managed to play quite expertly with the emotional roller-coaster of the reader, hitting them at regular intervals with a twist here and an unexpected turn there.
WHAT I DIDN'T:
I'm not sure, if my complaint fits in here or not; because this one has nothing to do with the writing, editing, or the proofreading. This has to do with the formatting, which the publisher should have taken care of. I'm reading a long paragraph about Deb's life and suddenly the next one starts talking about Nishonko, without any indication that one part has ended and another is about to start. It wouldn't have been too difficult to put an ellipsis or some other symbol to indicate it.
Apart from that, 'The Wrong Turn' is an excellent book that has all the making of a bestselling masterpiece, one that would stay in the minds of the readers for a long time. I strongly recommend this book to.... well, everyone who loves to read a well-written book.
My congratulations to the authors, Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose!
I give this book, a full five out of five stars.
May 22, 2017
The book is a heart-rending story of love, betrayal and strong characters dominated by ambition, desire and outright greed, set in the backdrop of the Second Great European War of 1939-1945. It is the story of three people : a complete bastard, a wayward and hopeless misbegotten hero/anti-hero, and a nice but tough girl with her priorities set right. It is the story, above all, of one man, and one man only : Debraj Mukherjee, a man with too many mistakes to count, a man with few redeeming qualities – and how he changes, or rather is buffeted by circumstances to change into what he becomes.
Cirucumstances force Debraj to abandon home & family, where he stumbles onto the INA – and doesn’t betray them. From there he starts changing as he meets his future best friend, Nishonko Mitra; a complete bastard with no redeeming qualities, a swine who loves his kid sister {Pg 109 – specific reference to sister as relationship[} amorally & sexually – but a patriot all the same. This man is easily by far and away the most reprehensible and ugly character I have ever read in my life.
These, then, are the three principals : Debraj, already on the run; gets deeper and deeper into the INA – and likes what it is all about, as he slowly overcomes his faults and rises like a phoenix; Nishonko, the evil bastard, as he sinks from the high perch of a patriot into a hell-hole of incest, as he “loves” {God forgive me} his own kid sister {moonh-boli, but so what?}; and the inimitable Aditi, the frontispiece of the book, the charming and delightful, near-flawless lady who carries the story and ALL the accolades.
One of these three will fall; one of these three will betray India, the INA, and the other two… who will it be? Will it be the incestuous Nishonko? Or will it be Debraj – the former anglophile, who once aspired for all things British, a man who joined the INA as last resort, whose sister is still in danger in the Raj? Or will it be the Lady Aditi – the poor, poor Aditi, chased by her Brother {though in his mind only}, separated by war from her lover? For two of these three rise to become close to The Netaji, as the war progresses and The INA reaches Kohima, set for its pivotal battle against The British… Who will fall – the one who was already a fallen man at the start of the story, or the one who was already an established beacon of patriotism, nationalism and impeccable personal character – or The Lady?
Read More @ https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.in/20...
Cirucumstances force Debraj to abandon home & family, where he stumbles onto the INA – and doesn’t betray them. From there he starts changing as he meets his future best friend, Nishonko Mitra; a complete bastard with no redeeming qualities, a swine who loves his kid sister {Pg 109 – specific reference to sister as relationship[} amorally & sexually – but a patriot all the same. This man is easily by far and away the most reprehensible and ugly character I have ever read in my life.
These, then, are the three principals : Debraj, already on the run; gets deeper and deeper into the INA – and likes what it is all about, as he slowly overcomes his faults and rises like a phoenix; Nishonko, the evil bastard, as he sinks from the high perch of a patriot into a hell-hole of incest, as he “loves” {God forgive me} his own kid sister {moonh-boli, but so what?}; and the inimitable Aditi, the frontispiece of the book, the charming and delightful, near-flawless lady who carries the story and ALL the accolades.
One of these three will fall; one of these three will betray India, the INA, and the other two… who will it be? Will it be the incestuous Nishonko? Or will it be Debraj – the former anglophile, who once aspired for all things British, a man who joined the INA as last resort, whose sister is still in danger in the Raj? Or will it be the Lady Aditi – the poor, poor Aditi, chased by her Brother {though in his mind only}, separated by war from her lover? For two of these three rise to become close to The Netaji, as the war progresses and The INA reaches Kohima, set for its pivotal battle against The British… Who will fall – the one who was already a fallen man at the start of the story, or the one who was already an established beacon of patriotism, nationalism and impeccable personal character – or The Lady?
Read More @ https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.in/20...
July 2, 2017
When we think of historical fiction, we usually think of stories set during the World War and most of these stories make for a superbly unique reading experience. Rarely though, there comes along a book that is a historical fiction based on Indian history. Yes, there are many books and accounts written of the Indian freedom struggle; but very few that court controversy, especially related to Netaji and the Indian National Army. So when I was offered a chance to review The Wrong Turn by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose, I was eagerly looking forward to sinking my teeth into this juicy, hitherto unheard of, part of Indian history.
Of course, historical fiction is something that you are expected to take with a pinch of salt, but when something comes in your hands that is as engrossing and as enchanting as The Wrong Turn, well, it is time to sit up and take notice. And I did just that!
Here’s my review of this expansive adventure of love, loyalty, and duplicity.
The Plot
The Wrong Turn is a historical fiction based in the times of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Azad Hind Fauj. This is the story of the fight of a country’s people for their independence, for their freedom from the British Raj. This is also a brilliantly crafted war story, with strategies, espionage, adventure and action at every twist and turn. But at the heart of it, at the very core of it, The Wrong Turn is a touching story of young love, of yearning, of hopes, desires, heartbreak and the ultimate, deep hatred that the hater can feel only for someone they have deeply loved!
The story begins with our charming hero setting foot on his homeland after his studies at Cambridge. The prodigal son returning home. Heir to an illustrious family, our debonair hero charms us with his easy smile and his beguiling sense of entitlement. But even as the laat-sahab gets back to the pleasures of life he had left behind, he is faced with cheating friends and vulnerable family falling prey to the scheming, treacherous designs of vile elements surrounding them. And while still reeling from this sudden onslaught, a freak foray into an unlikely haunt leads him to a chance encounter with the INA. Before he knows it, he is engaged in a skirmish with the British and he is suddenly on the run, crossing the border, getting out of the country he had just stepped into - suddenly a fugitive, an implausible INA man, a man branded traitor by the very same British, whom he so adores and whose ways and pleasures he so enjoys.
A man without a country now, our charismatic hero finds himself charming his way into the hearts of the people he fled with, most importantly, making a friend with the very same INA man he was protecting taking this daring step. As the night wears on, they talk of life and dreams and hopes and the INA soldier talks of his love, the ultimate prize he is waiting for; while our hero lets him know, in no uncertain terms that he aims to return as soon as he has taken in the delights and allures of the city they have escaped to. Providence, however, has something else in store for him. A chance encounter with Netaji, whom his new friend takes him to meet, makes him join the INA as a young officer and that is where his life changes forever!
As our energetic young hero advances in the ranks of the INA, he makes some close friends, some enemies and a lot of fans as he earns the grudging respect of his commanding officers as well as Netaji himself. Along the way, he becomes best friends with his INA comrade, the one who he feels is instrumental in changing his life the night he escaped with him. However, even as the two become the best of friends, serendipity intervenes; and our enigmatic hero is wounded, sent to the hospital, in the care of a beautiful young nurse who is part of Netaji’s Rani Jhansi Regiment. As she helps heal his wounds, he loses his heart to her.
What follows then, is an extensive, emotional tale of affection, adulation, passion and emotions running amok in the backdrop of war and rampage. The story explores the beauty of love and passion and also the intensity of its ugly cousins, jealousy and hatred. It shows in all the gory details that the same love that can propel men to work hard towards their dreams can also turn them blind and bitter with hatred.
The positives
This is a story that is extremely fast paced. Before you have time to understand and settle to one emotion, the story has moved on. It sweeps you off your feet from the word go; and keeps you hooked till you find it impossible to turn page after page after page to find out the conclusion of the story. To find out who betrayed who; and what were the repercussions of the same. You cannot rest till you have read the very last page, because even as you think the story has ended, the authors have left one little nugget of surprise for you at the very last page!
The not so positives
As much as I loved this book, and I loved it a lot; there are a few things that stood out as disturbing little details that left a bitter taste in my mouth till the next scene (blissfully) engulfed me in its enthralling grip. One of the most common of these, was the usage of some really uncommon English words; and while they drove me to the dictionary sometimes, they did nothing to enhance the story; ergo, I would’ve felt definitely better if I had found familiar, more commonly used, regular words in here instead; as I was already hooked to the story and the narration, I did not need these words to impress me anyway. Another thing I felt, was the use of some very commonly used derogatory language - yes, it is the story of men in the field, and not all of them come from illustrious backgrounds, I understand that, but still, it is difficult to digest the fact that these words were actually used or spoken in the time the story is set in. But then again, I wouldn’t really know how far back the use of these derogatory words go either.
The real takeaway
Having pointed out the not-so-positives, though, I would now like to come back to what I loved the most about the story; and that is our sprightly, handsome, charming hero and his lady love; and the love story they have! All the characters, including the portrayal of Netaji and even the loyal Kabootar are relatable and realistic. The authors have beautifully captured the emotions and motivations of every character, be it the hero’s parents or the treacherous Goopta or the self-serving British Brigadier Whyte; and especially those of the two protagonists and their lady love. I also liked the way the authors have built up the suspense towards the end over the betrayal that led the INA to lose the battle of Kohima. But our dapper hero takes the prize for me. His easy charm and comely attitude won me over; and had me rooting for him all the way to the end!
My Verdict
Having read a lot of historical fiction recently, set in the WWII times, this historical fiction set against the backdrop of the battle of Kohima between the INA and the British was a refreshing read. Fast-paced, dripping, adventurous and dripping with edge-of-the-seat action, The Wrong Turn is definitely a read worth exploring. The wonderful cover proclaims that the book is soon to be made into a movie and I would definitely be looking forward to the same; and would surely recommend this beautiful read for all to devour before the movie comes out!
Of course, historical fiction is something that you are expected to take with a pinch of salt, but when something comes in your hands that is as engrossing and as enchanting as The Wrong Turn, well, it is time to sit up and take notice. And I did just that!
Here’s my review of this expansive adventure of love, loyalty, and duplicity.
The Plot
The Wrong Turn is a historical fiction based in the times of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Azad Hind Fauj. This is the story of the fight of a country’s people for their independence, for their freedom from the British Raj. This is also a brilliantly crafted war story, with strategies, espionage, adventure and action at every twist and turn. But at the heart of it, at the very core of it, The Wrong Turn is a touching story of young love, of yearning, of hopes, desires, heartbreak and the ultimate, deep hatred that the hater can feel only for someone they have deeply loved!
The story begins with our charming hero setting foot on his homeland after his studies at Cambridge. The prodigal son returning home. Heir to an illustrious family, our debonair hero charms us with his easy smile and his beguiling sense of entitlement. But even as the laat-sahab gets back to the pleasures of life he had left behind, he is faced with cheating friends and vulnerable family falling prey to the scheming, treacherous designs of vile elements surrounding them. And while still reeling from this sudden onslaught, a freak foray into an unlikely haunt leads him to a chance encounter with the INA. Before he knows it, he is engaged in a skirmish with the British and he is suddenly on the run, crossing the border, getting out of the country he had just stepped into - suddenly a fugitive, an implausible INA man, a man branded traitor by the very same British, whom he so adores and whose ways and pleasures he so enjoys.
A man without a country now, our charismatic hero finds himself charming his way into the hearts of the people he fled with, most importantly, making a friend with the very same INA man he was protecting taking this daring step. As the night wears on, they talk of life and dreams and hopes and the INA soldier talks of his love, the ultimate prize he is waiting for; while our hero lets him know, in no uncertain terms that he aims to return as soon as he has taken in the delights and allures of the city they have escaped to. Providence, however, has something else in store for him. A chance encounter with Netaji, whom his new friend takes him to meet, makes him join the INA as a young officer and that is where his life changes forever!
As our energetic young hero advances in the ranks of the INA, he makes some close friends, some enemies and a lot of fans as he earns the grudging respect of his commanding officers as well as Netaji himself. Along the way, he becomes best friends with his INA comrade, the one who he feels is instrumental in changing his life the night he escaped with him. However, even as the two become the best of friends, serendipity intervenes; and our enigmatic hero is wounded, sent to the hospital, in the care of a beautiful young nurse who is part of Netaji’s Rani Jhansi Regiment. As she helps heal his wounds, he loses his heart to her.
What follows then, is an extensive, emotional tale of affection, adulation, passion and emotions running amok in the backdrop of war and rampage. The story explores the beauty of love and passion and also the intensity of its ugly cousins, jealousy and hatred. It shows in all the gory details that the same love that can propel men to work hard towards their dreams can also turn them blind and bitter with hatred.
The positives
This is a story that is extremely fast paced. Before you have time to understand and settle to one emotion, the story has moved on. It sweeps you off your feet from the word go; and keeps you hooked till you find it impossible to turn page after page after page to find out the conclusion of the story. To find out who betrayed who; and what were the repercussions of the same. You cannot rest till you have read the very last page, because even as you think the story has ended, the authors have left one little nugget of surprise for you at the very last page!
The not so positives
As much as I loved this book, and I loved it a lot; there are a few things that stood out as disturbing little details that left a bitter taste in my mouth till the next scene (blissfully) engulfed me in its enthralling grip. One of the most common of these, was the usage of some really uncommon English words; and while they drove me to the dictionary sometimes, they did nothing to enhance the story; ergo, I would’ve felt definitely better if I had found familiar, more commonly used, regular words in here instead; as I was already hooked to the story and the narration, I did not need these words to impress me anyway. Another thing I felt, was the use of some very commonly used derogatory language - yes, it is the story of men in the field, and not all of them come from illustrious backgrounds, I understand that, but still, it is difficult to digest the fact that these words were actually used or spoken in the time the story is set in. But then again, I wouldn’t really know how far back the use of these derogatory words go either.
The real takeaway
Having pointed out the not-so-positives, though, I would now like to come back to what I loved the most about the story; and that is our sprightly, handsome, charming hero and his lady love; and the love story they have! All the characters, including the portrayal of Netaji and even the loyal Kabootar are relatable and realistic. The authors have beautifully captured the emotions and motivations of every character, be it the hero’s parents or the treacherous Goopta or the self-serving British Brigadier Whyte; and especially those of the two protagonists and their lady love. I also liked the way the authors have built up the suspense towards the end over the betrayal that led the INA to lose the battle of Kohima. But our dapper hero takes the prize for me. His easy charm and comely attitude won me over; and had me rooting for him all the way to the end!
My Verdict
Having read a lot of historical fiction recently, set in the WWII times, this historical fiction set against the backdrop of the battle of Kohima between the INA and the British was a refreshing read. Fast-paced, dripping, adventurous and dripping with edge-of-the-seat action, The Wrong Turn is definitely a read worth exploring. The wonderful cover proclaims that the book is soon to be made into a movie and I would definitely be looking forward to the same; and would surely recommend this beautiful read for all to devour before the movie comes out!
July 24, 2017
PLOT/ STORY-LINE: An interesting one that’s destined to make one think of what the India of today would be if Netaji and his Azad Hind Fauj were to decide India’s destiny post-Independence.
Wonderfully crafted, the story is a saga of the struggle of the people and the mutiny that took place in the Armed Forces during that time that saw a steady stream of ragged Indian soldiers desert the British Indian Army to join hands with Netaji’s fauj in their yearning for dignity and respect.
While on the one hand we see intense patriotism drive common people to leave all that’s dear to them, sacrifice their loved ones, live a life of fugitive and at times resort to nothing short of guerrilla warfare, on the other side we see the ugly face of those that seek to take advantage of the situation. Driven by selfish motives and the desire to rise up in the ladder of life they are ready to turn in their fellow countrymen. Unfortunately it is people like Goopta who are the curse of Society, who decided the destiny of India of post- Independence. Corrupt to the core, it is they who stabbed at the very core of the Independence Struggle by their deceit and ensured that they had a say in the new order.
‘The Wrong Turn’ represents not only the wrong turn in India’s freedom struggle but also the wrong turn in the life of the protagonist Debraj Mookerji the Scion of an aristocratic family who is involuntarily drawn into the freedom struggle by circumstances beyond his control.
Steeped in myriad emotions like patriotism, deceit, love, jealousy, hate and empathy, the story takes us on a journey of sorts through a part of the freedom struggle and imparts a feeling of being in the middle of the action. It also gives us an insight into life in Kolkata of those days.
The twists and turns makes the book an engaging read but…….it’s the climax that turns out to be the icing on the cake.
CHARACTERIZATION: The characters are well- developed and easily relatable. One can’t help but see in them a strong resemblance of our next- door neighbours, friends, relatives and politicians.
LANGUAGE: Crisp and lucid.
PACE: Fast paced
VERDICT
A truly engaging read, one that will enthrall the historical fiction fan to the core.
Wonderfully crafted, the story is a saga of the struggle of the people and the mutiny that took place in the Armed Forces during that time that saw a steady stream of ragged Indian soldiers desert the British Indian Army to join hands with Netaji’s fauj in their yearning for dignity and respect.
While on the one hand we see intense patriotism drive common people to leave all that’s dear to them, sacrifice their loved ones, live a life of fugitive and at times resort to nothing short of guerrilla warfare, on the other side we see the ugly face of those that seek to take advantage of the situation. Driven by selfish motives and the desire to rise up in the ladder of life they are ready to turn in their fellow countrymen. Unfortunately it is people like Goopta who are the curse of Society, who decided the destiny of India of post- Independence. Corrupt to the core, it is they who stabbed at the very core of the Independence Struggle by their deceit and ensured that they had a say in the new order.
‘The Wrong Turn’ represents not only the wrong turn in India’s freedom struggle but also the wrong turn in the life of the protagonist Debraj Mookerji the Scion of an aristocratic family who is involuntarily drawn into the freedom struggle by circumstances beyond his control.
Steeped in myriad emotions like patriotism, deceit, love, jealousy, hate and empathy, the story takes us on a journey of sorts through a part of the freedom struggle and imparts a feeling of being in the middle of the action. It also gives us an insight into life in Kolkata of those days.
The twists and turns makes the book an engaging read but…….it’s the climax that turns out to be the icing on the cake.
CHARACTERIZATION: The characters are well- developed and easily relatable. One can’t help but see in them a strong resemblance of our next- door neighbours, friends, relatives and politicians.
LANGUAGE: Crisp and lucid.
PACE: Fast paced
VERDICT
A truly engaging read, one that will enthrall the historical fiction fan to the core.
July 3, 2017
Phew. As i turned the last page of the book, i was lost and thinking what’s next. As i started realising my present and its surrounding, i understood that the plot of the book had put me on a ‘time travel mode’ to pre-independence era. In this journey of 450+ pages, I had experienced the love story that was happening in the midst of historical freedom struggle by the valiant soldiers of INA led by a powerful leader Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Though it is a fiction, hardly any facts have been altered and the author does well to portray a good balance of fiction and history through some good usage of high end English verbose.
Though it is a fiction, hardly any facts have been altered and the author does well to portray a good balance of fiction and history through some good usage of high end English verbose.
October 27, 2018
One of my best reads ever!!!
August 5, 2022
4.3 stars
December 11, 2023
A love story set in fiction, illustrating the transformative impact of love. It depicts how love can turn the virtuous of one towards darkness, while simultaneously other towards redemption.
July 28, 2017
Book name: The Wrong Turn
Author(s): Sanjay Chopra, Namita Roy Ghose
Published by: Om Books International
Pages: 480
Genre: Fiction, Historical War Thriller
MRP: Rs. 295 /-
—
Blurb:
1944, Kohima – a small, sleepy town in northeast India. Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) along with the Japanese, are on the brink of bringing the Empire to its knees and forcing the British out of India. But, inexplicably, the tables turn. The INA’s advance is thwarted and the victory march to Delhi is halted. Seventy years later, the British admit that the Battle of Kohima was the greatest battle they had ever fought. Even more so than the battles of Waterloo and Dunkirk.
Was it then that old Indian curse—betrayal? Someone from within Netaji’s own ranks? Were there forces other than the British, waiting in the shadows closer to home, who stood to gain even more from the INA’s defeat? Or was it just love that irrevocably altered the course of India’s destiny?
The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji, is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle. Debraj, the rakish plaboy and scion of a distinguished Calcutta family, and Nishonko, the fiery revolutionary sworn to the cause of the INA, must not only fight their common enemy, but also for the love of Aditi, the rebel with the healing touch.
A haunting tale of love, friendship and betrayal of an entire nation, The Wrong Turn veers inexorably towards a poignant redemption.
—
Review:
If I had to describe The Wrong Turn in a sentence, I’d say, “It’s one hell of a war thriller!” because it doesn’t just focus on the horrors of war, it goes beyond that. It gives the reader the biggest keyhole there’ll ever be into what happens on both sides of a war. The planning, the improvisations, the spur-of-the-moment decisions, the action, the speeches, the lives of the civilians during those wars, God, it’s just…unbelievable how they crafted the story without any plot-holes or any inconsistencies.
And the honey-smooth flow of the writing, whoo!!
Seriously, hats off to the writers and the editors.
Umm…all right, the cover is a bit misguiding. The cover designer should’ve chosen another scene.
But, anyway, on with the rating.
—
Rating:
The cover should’ve had another still – 1/5
The premise is promising… – 4/5
…and the presentation definitely does justice to it – 4/5
The blurb is very intriguing – 3.5/5
Overall, The Wrong Turn gets a 4/5 from me.
—
Final verdict:
So worth its price.
Author(s): Sanjay Chopra, Namita Roy Ghose
Published by: Om Books International
Pages: 480
Genre: Fiction, Historical War Thriller
MRP: Rs. 295 /-
—
Blurb:
1944, Kohima – a small, sleepy town in northeast India. Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) along with the Japanese, are on the brink of bringing the Empire to its knees and forcing the British out of India. But, inexplicably, the tables turn. The INA’s advance is thwarted and the victory march to Delhi is halted. Seventy years later, the British admit that the Battle of Kohima was the greatest battle they had ever fought. Even more so than the battles of Waterloo and Dunkirk.
Was it then that old Indian curse—betrayal? Someone from within Netaji’s own ranks? Were there forces other than the British, waiting in the shadows closer to home, who stood to gain even more from the INA’s defeat? Or was it just love that irrevocably altered the course of India’s destiny?
The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji, is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle. Debraj, the rakish plaboy and scion of a distinguished Calcutta family, and Nishonko, the fiery revolutionary sworn to the cause of the INA, must not only fight their common enemy, but also for the love of Aditi, the rebel with the healing touch.
A haunting tale of love, friendship and betrayal of an entire nation, The Wrong Turn veers inexorably towards a poignant redemption.
—
Review:
If I had to describe The Wrong Turn in a sentence, I’d say, “It’s one hell of a war thriller!” because it doesn’t just focus on the horrors of war, it goes beyond that. It gives the reader the biggest keyhole there’ll ever be into what happens on both sides of a war. The planning, the improvisations, the spur-of-the-moment decisions, the action, the speeches, the lives of the civilians during those wars, God, it’s just…unbelievable how they crafted the story without any plot-holes or any inconsistencies.
And the honey-smooth flow of the writing, whoo!!
Seriously, hats off to the writers and the editors.
Umm…all right, the cover is a bit misguiding. The cover designer should’ve chosen another scene.
But, anyway, on with the rating.
—
Rating:
The cover should’ve had another still – 1/5
The premise is promising… – 4/5
…and the presentation definitely does justice to it – 4/5
The blurb is very intriguing – 3.5/5
Overall, The Wrong Turn gets a 4/5 from me.
—
Final verdict:
So worth its price.
April 29, 2017
A fictional love story set in the time of Netaji and the freedom struggle for India's independence. The book has an extremely interesting premise (by far one of the best I have read in recent times among fiction, and certainly gives a glorifying touch to India's history, Netaji's INA army and its contribution towards the independence movement. The book starts pretty slow and you wonder where it's heading and just then, things take a quick turn and the pace sets in
This co-authored book by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose is definitely a refreshing attempt mixing history, love and a thrilling idea. It may not be a one day read book, but then you'll definitely be involved with the plot and get engrossed as it goes on.
Incidentally it's also slated to be a motion picture and that could be an interesting watch (much amidst the controversial theme of the book). You may read the entire book review in my blog below:
http://www.muralikarthik.in/2017/04/t...
This co-authored book by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose is definitely a refreshing attempt mixing history, love and a thrilling idea. It may not be a one day read book, but then you'll definitely be involved with the plot and get engrossed as it goes on.
Incidentally it's also slated to be a motion picture and that could be an interesting watch (much amidst the controversial theme of the book). You may read the entire book review in my blog below:
http://www.muralikarthik.in/2017/04/t...
Read
April 29, 2017 A fictional love story set in the time of Netaji and the freedom struggle for India's independence. The book has an extremely interesting premise (by far one of the best I have read in recent times among fiction, and certainly gives a glorifying touch to India's history, Netaji's INA army and its contribution towards the independence movement. The book starts pretty slow and you wonder where it's heading and just then, things take a quick turn and the pace sets in
This co-authored book by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose is definitely a refreshing attempt mixing history, love and a thrilling idea. It may not be a one day read book, but then you'll definitely be involved with the plot and get engrossed as it goes on.
Incidentally it's also slated to be a motion picture and that could be an interesting watch (much amidst the controversial theme of the book). You may read the entire book review in my blog below
http://www.muralikarthik.in/2017/04/t...
This co-authored book by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose is definitely a refreshing attempt mixing history, love and a thrilling idea. It may not be a one day read book, but then you'll definitely be involved with the plot and get engrossed as it goes on.
Incidentally it's also slated to be a motion picture and that could be an interesting watch (much amidst the controversial theme of the book). You may read the entire book review in my blog below
http://www.muralikarthik.in/2017/04/t...
April 18, 2017
All said, this, for obvious reasons, remains my favourite lines from the book 🙂 :
“Do you know what ‘Aditi’ means in Sanskrit?
He doesn’t wait for a reply.
It means freedom, limitless, boundless. Unbroken. She is the goddess of the sky, the mother of the sun, she is both the past and the future.”
Read the full review here:
https://lovewordie.wordpress.com/2017...
“Do you know what ‘Aditi’ means in Sanskrit?
He doesn’t wait for a reply.
It means freedom, limitless, boundless. Unbroken. She is the goddess of the sky, the mother of the sun, she is both the past and the future.”
Read the full review here:
https://lovewordie.wordpress.com/2017...
April 28, 2017
The Wrong Turn by Sanjay Chopra & Namita Roy Ghose actually has one of the aptest taglines I have read, “Love and Betrayal in the time of Neta ji.” The book is a love story set during the freedom struggle and the time when Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was raising the INA. The characters are introduced by an old man who talks of those long gone days, the brave men, and women and we are unsure who he is till the very end. The love story, the struggle for independence and its impact on lives as well as the mystery of the book about how and why India lost that campaign started by Netaji for India’s freedom and supported by Japan.
The love story is the core of the book while the lovers work their way in the INA – Indian National Army. The Wrong Turn is a patriotic, love filled, emotional book that will surely leave an impact. It is a big book at 488 pages but I kept turning the pages as the story and character had me hooked and the story needed to be told. In this age of quick reads and novellas which I enjoy, The Wrong Turn satiated the reader and book lover in me with a story well told.
What I liked best was the author’s writing – it is evocative, crisp and transports the reader to the places and images described. I could see the opulence, the style, the leeches, the carnage of war, the smoke, the soldiers and their passion, the jungles, the fumes, lazy rivers, and the lovers as they found each other.
“He holds it up close to his rheumy fading, eyes. The letter is addressed to the National War Museum in an elegant, cursive handwriting, in a plain unmarked envelope.”
“He stood, his face like stone, a wall, a cliff, completely still. For a second Chhoto mashi felt the hahakar, the desolate cry of his soul. Then, he looked at her directly, and it was as if she had been stung, slapped, electrocuted, annihilated.”
The part where a young soldier steps on a landmine and is standing still as he does as instructed is gut wrenching. Such poise in the face of death and what sacrifices they all made. I could mention many such instances but it is best if you read the book.
The authors, Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose make an excellent partnership for writing. The visual descriptions are so strong and made reading the book a delight as I was transported to those patriotic times. I look forward to reading more books by the authors. I can confidently vouch that a new bestseller book has emerged.
Nishonko, Debraj and Aditi are the main protagonists of the story. They are as different as can be from each other but accurately depict the life and times of pre-independent India. The angst, the urgency, the youth stuck between two worlds and that underlying vein of patriotism that binds them.
Aditi is the young – very young girl. Sweet, confident, kind and impish yet wise beyond her years. She took my heart with her quite strength. Debraj is the suave, handsome golden boy born with a silver spoon. He everything money can buy but he follows Nishonko to paths unknown to fill that indescribable yearning. Nishonko has suffered loss yet he is solid, brooding as he inspires and he is the typical TDH – tall, dark and handsome. The author has penned strong, deep characters in the book that make them come alive within the pages.
Netaji, as the inspiring leader shines across the book, surrounded by many memorable characters. Evil Goopta who turns up when we least expect him and makes his presence felt. Kabootar took my heart with his loyalty while Chhoto Mashi with her concern and love. Debi, the little sister that was the link to it all. Meenakshi, the friend who was so much more. As well as so many others which we lost during the journey.
I recommend this book to all who want a slice of India – young India on the verge of Independence, the journey of self-discovery and how we often let our loved ones and our country down. Not an ending that I loved but then we cannot change history. How at the end of it all we realise that we are humans and that is our failing yet that is our triumph.
Jai Hind!
The love story is the core of the book while the lovers work their way in the INA – Indian National Army. The Wrong Turn is a patriotic, love filled, emotional book that will surely leave an impact. It is a big book at 488 pages but I kept turning the pages as the story and character had me hooked and the story needed to be told. In this age of quick reads and novellas which I enjoy, The Wrong Turn satiated the reader and book lover in me with a story well told.
What I liked best was the author’s writing – it is evocative, crisp and transports the reader to the places and images described. I could see the opulence, the style, the leeches, the carnage of war, the smoke, the soldiers and their passion, the jungles, the fumes, lazy rivers, and the lovers as they found each other.
“He holds it up close to his rheumy fading, eyes. The letter is addressed to the National War Museum in an elegant, cursive handwriting, in a plain unmarked envelope.”
“He stood, his face like stone, a wall, a cliff, completely still. For a second Chhoto mashi felt the hahakar, the desolate cry of his soul. Then, he looked at her directly, and it was as if she had been stung, slapped, electrocuted, annihilated.”
The part where a young soldier steps on a landmine and is standing still as he does as instructed is gut wrenching. Such poise in the face of death and what sacrifices they all made. I could mention many such instances but it is best if you read the book.
The authors, Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose make an excellent partnership for writing. The visual descriptions are so strong and made reading the book a delight as I was transported to those patriotic times. I look forward to reading more books by the authors. I can confidently vouch that a new bestseller book has emerged.
Nishonko, Debraj and Aditi are the main protagonists of the story. They are as different as can be from each other but accurately depict the life and times of pre-independent India. The angst, the urgency, the youth stuck between two worlds and that underlying vein of patriotism that binds them.
Aditi is the young – very young girl. Sweet, confident, kind and impish yet wise beyond her years. She took my heart with her quite strength. Debraj is the suave, handsome golden boy born with a silver spoon. He everything money can buy but he follows Nishonko to paths unknown to fill that indescribable yearning. Nishonko has suffered loss yet he is solid, brooding as he inspires and he is the typical TDH – tall, dark and handsome. The author has penned strong, deep characters in the book that make them come alive within the pages.
Netaji, as the inspiring leader shines across the book, surrounded by many memorable characters. Evil Goopta who turns up when we least expect him and makes his presence felt. Kabootar took my heart with his loyalty while Chhoto Mashi with her concern and love. Debi, the little sister that was the link to it all. Meenakshi, the friend who was so much more. As well as so many others which we lost during the journey.
I recommend this book to all who want a slice of India – young India on the verge of Independence, the journey of self-discovery and how we often let our loved ones and our country down. Not an ending that I loved but then we cannot change history. How at the end of it all we realise that we are humans and that is our failing yet that is our triumph.
Jai Hind!
April 29, 2017
A fictional love story set in the time of Netaji and the freedom struggle for India's independence. The book has an extremely interesting premise (by far one of the best I have read in recent times among fiction, and certainly gives a glorifying touch to India's history, Netaji's INA army and its contribution towards the independence movement. The book starts pretty slow and you wonder where it's heading and just then, things take a quick turn and the pace sets in
This co-authored book by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose is definitely a refreshing attempt mixing history, love and a thrilling idea. It may not be a one day read book, but then you'll definitely be involved with the plot and get engrossed as it goes on.
Incidentally it's also slated to be a motion picture and that could be an interesting watch (much amidst the controversial theme of the book). You may read the entire book review in my blog below
http://www.muralikarthik.in/2017/04/t...
This co-authored book by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose is definitely a refreshing attempt mixing history, love and a thrilling idea. It may not be a one day read book, but then you'll definitely be involved with the plot and get engrossed as it goes on.
Incidentally it's also slated to be a motion picture and that could be an interesting watch (much amidst the controversial theme of the book). You may read the entire book review in my blog below
http://www.muralikarthik.in/2017/04/t...
May 1, 2017
To begin with, its a fictional story based in the backdrop of India’s struggle for freedom with particular reference to Subhash Chandra Bose and his INA or The Indian National Army. Netaji has always been such an enigma himself. Over the years people have speculated about his very existence and have admired his efforts and charisma. I too am one of those people, so you see I was brimming with excitement to unravel the story page after page and honestly it was very difficult for me to put this book down.
I agree with the author Sanjay Chopra that: “The Wrong Turn is a story that traverses the cities of Calcutta, Singapore, Rangoon and Kohima caught up in the blaze of the Second World War. It is about the clash of four desperate forces as they come together in Kohima to vie for the brightest jewel in the crown — India.”
I agree with the author Sanjay Chopra that: “The Wrong Turn is a story that traverses the cities of Calcutta, Singapore, Rangoon and Kohima caught up in the blaze of the Second World War. It is about the clash of four desperate forces as they come together in Kohima to vie for the brightest jewel in the crown — India.”
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews