What do you think?
Rate this book
The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles
A struggling author delves deeper into a murky past through the pages of his diary to unravel the mystery surrounding his father’s death.
As he pens down his thoughts on what chain of events could have culminated in his Dad’s demise all those years ago, he also begins seeking answers to other questions that had been gnawing at him; questions about his first love, his subsequent loves, his long-time friendships, the loss of those friendships, his ambitions, his choices, and as ever, about the enigma that his father was to him.
Amidst these queries that lie stranded in the purgatory of half-forgotten riddles, he needs to sort out the pieces that complete his jigsaw puzzle
As he pens down his thoughts on what chain of events could have culminated in his Dad’s demise all those years ago, he also begins seeking answers to other questions that had been gnawing at him; questions about his first love, his subsequent loves, his long-time friendships, the loss of those friendships, his ambitions, his choices, and as ever, about the enigma that his father was to him.
Amidst these queries that lie stranded in the purgatory of half-forgotten riddles, he needs to sort out the pieces that complete his jigsaw puzzle
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
John A. Raju
1 book34 followersJohn A. Raju is an engineer by qualification, a business analyst by profession, and an author by passion. His love for books was stoked initially by a diet of Jeffrey Archer and Dan Brown novels. Milan Kundera, Khaled Hosseini, Douglas Adams, and Arthur C. Clarke are some among his several other favourite authors. He completed his debut work The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles during a four month break taken after his first job. It was published in 2020.
He maintains a blog https://fourththoughts.wordpress.com/ where he pens book reviews and shares posts on myriad abstract observations. He occasionally writes on Quora as well https://www.quora.com/profile/John-A-...
He is also an ardent cricket and Formula 1 fan.
He maintains a blog https://fourththoughts.wordpress.com/ where he pens book reviews and shares posts on myriad abstract observations. He occasionally writes on Quora as well https://www.quora.com/profile/John-A-...
He is also an ardent cricket and Formula 1 fan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 19, 2020
Sometimes, a book is best described as a puzzle. You have to decipher the clues hiding in plain sight to find the true meaning of the story. The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles is one such astounding story which questions you, makes you ponder, and challenges you to solve the riddles within.
The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles is the story of Peter, a struggling author trying to write down the story of his life. As he delves deeper into his past through the pages of his diary, he tries to unravel the mystery surrounding his father’s death which has always troubled him. Soon he finds himself caught in a web of unanswered questions; questions about his friendship, his love life, his ambitions, his choices, and even his unfinished book. Will, he able to find all the answers to his story?
Written in the form of a journal, this book is about Peter trying to put together fragments of his memories, right from his childhood. Like an autobiography, it includes his earliest memories with his friends, family, and his childhood home. With each chapter, this book takes you on a journey into the farthest corners of a human mind. Peter's connection with his father, the death of his father, the Relationship with his friends, the unstable points in his life are all just unusual. Soon the memories get sketchier, the narration gets hazier and it feels like you are groping in a dark labyrinth finding a way out. Of course, it all makes sense in the end with an ending that will blow you away.
The narration is gripping throughout and though there are very few characters, each one of them stands out. The book is layered with the author's opinions about the world and life in general. The book does have a complex and heavy plot and you will require a bit of patience, especially when the narration randomly jumps to various points of time in the protagonist’s life. The books drag a bit in the middle but there is a reason for that. When you get to the final twist, in the end, all the incomprehensible things you read before start making sense.
Overall, the book is quite unique and interesting. As a book, it makes you introspect about your life and the importance of loved ones in your life. Though categorized as a suspense thriller, it has so much more about life, emotions, and relations. If you in a mood to read something, you will enjoy reading the book.
Many thanks to the author John A Raju for the free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles is the story of Peter, a struggling author trying to write down the story of his life. As he delves deeper into his past through the pages of his diary, he tries to unravel the mystery surrounding his father’s death which has always troubled him. Soon he finds himself caught in a web of unanswered questions; questions about his friendship, his love life, his ambitions, his choices, and even his unfinished book. Will, he able to find all the answers to his story?
Written in the form of a journal, this book is about Peter trying to put together fragments of his memories, right from his childhood. Like an autobiography, it includes his earliest memories with his friends, family, and his childhood home. With each chapter, this book takes you on a journey into the farthest corners of a human mind. Peter's connection with his father, the death of his father, the Relationship with his friends, the unstable points in his life are all just unusual. Soon the memories get sketchier, the narration gets hazier and it feels like you are groping in a dark labyrinth finding a way out. Of course, it all makes sense in the end with an ending that will blow you away.
The narration is gripping throughout and though there are very few characters, each one of them stands out. The book is layered with the author's opinions about the world and life in general. The book does have a complex and heavy plot and you will require a bit of patience, especially when the narration randomly jumps to various points of time in the protagonist’s life. The books drag a bit in the middle but there is a reason for that. When you get to the final twist, in the end, all the incomprehensible things you read before start making sense.
Overall, the book is quite unique and interesting. As a book, it makes you introspect about your life and the importance of loved ones in your life. Though categorized as a suspense thriller, it has so much more about life, emotions, and relations. If you in a mood to read something, you will enjoy reading the book.
Many thanks to the author John A Raju for the free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2020
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles is a book that stays tucked in the strings of your heart, long after you have read it. The book is primarily about a struggling author who is writing a book on his life, the one he never wants to be reading again. His story takes you down the lane from the start of his life, his journey through love, life, a penchant for writing, a few intriguing mysteries, and a baffling, truly surprising, climax.
At the onset, and for the most part of the book, you feel that it is a piece of literary fiction. And I cannot praise it enough for making me feel good about reading it. However, the climax, the end changes it. And trust me on this, one cannot see the thrilling aspect of this book coming anywhere. It just arrives. Blows your head. And you stare at it with dropped jaws. That was the beauty of a well-written narrative.
Our struggling writer, Peter, describes the loss of his mother and then losing his father. He goes on to elaborate upon his love for writing and losing his friend and love of his life thereafter. Amidst all the pain of losing and losing more, he holds on to his love for writing. With time, he moves on to introducing his wife, his kids, his job, and towards the climax, his undivided attention towards the mystery his father was. Actually, the mystery of his father's death stays out throughout the book. As our protagonist finds himself indulging in ramblings, he finds numerous questions glaring him. And the way he maneuvers his way through those never-ending questions, through that mess, we find ourselves.
I absolutely loved reading this book. It is so beautiful, with all its complications and ruminations. I know I am a sucker for well-served words. I love it when the protagonist is a writer or a reader. I love it when a book houses many books inside of it. I like it when there is so much deep stuff spread far and wide in the book that I cannot help but fall in love with it. The writing is refined, the plot treatment is fantastic, the character sketches are on point, and oh my god! the cover is indeed so so apt. Although a few instances appeared dragged or over elaborated to me, I still liked this one for all the above-mentioned reasons.
If you love literary fiction, go for it. If you love unique thrillers, go for it. If you love sophisticated writing, go for it. Recommended to the moderate level to avid readers.
At the onset, and for the most part of the book, you feel that it is a piece of literary fiction. And I cannot praise it enough for making me feel good about reading it. However, the climax, the end changes it. And trust me on this, one cannot see the thrilling aspect of this book coming anywhere. It just arrives. Blows your head. And you stare at it with dropped jaws. That was the beauty of a well-written narrative.
Our struggling writer, Peter, describes the loss of his mother and then losing his father. He goes on to elaborate upon his love for writing and losing his friend and love of his life thereafter. Amidst all the pain of losing and losing more, he holds on to his love for writing. With time, he moves on to introducing his wife, his kids, his job, and towards the climax, his undivided attention towards the mystery his father was. Actually, the mystery of his father's death stays out throughout the book. As our protagonist finds himself indulging in ramblings, he finds numerous questions glaring him. And the way he maneuvers his way through those never-ending questions, through that mess, we find ourselves.
I absolutely loved reading this book. It is so beautiful, with all its complications and ruminations. I know I am a sucker for well-served words. I love it when the protagonist is a writer or a reader. I love it when a book houses many books inside of it. I like it when there is so much deep stuff spread far and wide in the book that I cannot help but fall in love with it. The writing is refined, the plot treatment is fantastic, the character sketches are on point, and oh my god! the cover is indeed so so apt. Although a few instances appeared dragged or over elaborated to me, I still liked this one for all the above-mentioned reasons.
If you love literary fiction, go for it. If you love unique thrillers, go for it. If you love sophisticated writing, go for it. Recommended to the moderate level to avid readers.
January 31, 2023
The last book for January was John's debut effort The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles. It's written like a diary, one of an author who is still coming to terms with his father's death many years ago. These thoughts aren't exactly linear in time. Memories that gnaw at us rarely are. And these thoughts lead to other ones, the questions that have remained unanswered.
The first aspect of John's novel I like is that there are many quotable parts, especially in the earlier chapters. Some that feel relatable to those who have experienced a loss in their life and have thought of the "what if" question. One such quote is “You know a person for years, and only in hindsight do you attach significance to moments and incidents that you didn’t give much importance to at the time they occurred.”
Another aspect is the ending, which is a twist I didn't expect. I'm not delving any further into that. I like the characters, but the twist kind of makes me look at them from a different angle.
The language is rich, perhaps because it is meant to read like a book inside a book. At times, it did feel like a deterrent, with some sentences quite long, and many words unfamiliar to me. It was, in a way, an advantage to read the Kindle version where I could long press and get the meaning.
Definitely give this book a try. It may need some patience through the initial part of the book, but it's worth a read.
The first aspect of John's novel I like is that there are many quotable parts, especially in the earlier chapters. Some that feel relatable to those who have experienced a loss in their life and have thought of the "what if" question. One such quote is “You know a person for years, and only in hindsight do you attach significance to moments and incidents that you didn’t give much importance to at the time they occurred.”
Another aspect is the ending, which is a twist I didn't expect. I'm not delving any further into that. I like the characters, but the twist kind of makes me look at them from a different angle.
The language is rich, perhaps because it is meant to read like a book inside a book. At times, it did feel like a deterrent, with some sentences quite long, and many words unfamiliar to me. It was, in a way, an advantage to read the Kindle version where I could long press and get the meaning.
Definitely give this book a try. It may need some patience through the initial part of the book, but it's worth a read.
April 27, 2020
The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles is a fantastic book. It's a story of Peter who is a struggling author who tries to write down the story of his life where he talks about his dad, his dad's death, his first love, best friends, family and many other things.
.
I took a Lil more time than usual to finish reading the book because this book has a question for you, every time you turn the page. With a crisp and gripping narration, we can relate to each and everything the author says. .
Written in the form of a journal, with a wonderful storyline, and mystery, this book is filled with the thoughts the author had about his father's death. The mystery that he is trying to solve.
.
It has an amazing plot, filled with twists that you never guessed making the reader curious and excited to know what will happen next. With each chapter, the puzzle gets solved leaving the reader in an emotional turmoil.
Though his book has a complex plot and is a bit heavy read. The shifting plots between the past and present make it a Lil complicated.
The writing style of the author is lucid and engaging keeping the reader hooked throughout. The climax of the book was unexpected. The way the author turned the plot was exciting and commendable.
.
Love reading mystery/thrillers? Pick this book up. You won't regret it.
.
I took a Lil more time than usual to finish reading the book because this book has a question for you, every time you turn the page. With a crisp and gripping narration, we can relate to each and everything the author says. .
Written in the form of a journal, with a wonderful storyline, and mystery, this book is filled with the thoughts the author had about his father's death. The mystery that he is trying to solve.
.
It has an amazing plot, filled with twists that you never guessed making the reader curious and excited to know what will happen next. With each chapter, the puzzle gets solved leaving the reader in an emotional turmoil.
Though his book has a complex plot and is a bit heavy read. The shifting plots between the past and present make it a Lil complicated.
The writing style of the author is lucid and engaging keeping the reader hooked throughout. The climax of the book was unexpected. The way the author turned the plot was exciting and commendable.
.
Love reading mystery/thrillers? Pick this book up. You won't regret it.
December 8, 2021
This book is the one that leaves you excited and wanting to read more from the author. The level of intricacies in the book are great. I wish I had finished the book earlier, for I feel bad not giving myself the pleasure of reading it in one stretch. The vocabulary is a learning experience for a novice like me, but that shouldn't overshadow the fact that the book deals with the story and the thoughts of the characters. It makes you feel like reading the journal or talking to a friend and having a deep conversation. The last 3 chapters are the best of the book in my opinion, but it is that because of how well the previous 22 chapters have laid it out. A must read by anyone who is into reading and especially those who are into fiction and are intrigued by the workings of one's mind and in search of answers to half-forgotten riddles.
January 22, 2020
One of those books where you develop an instant flow. It holds a certain complexity that most of the contemporaries lack, the narrator gives equal attention & depth to all characters. The book has a way of surprising you, but not in an obvious way. I enjoyed it through & through. Loved the author's observations & opinions of life in general.
Only regret was that the musings sometimes got a little too much. But overall, the book was great!
Only regret was that the musings sometimes got a little too much. But overall, the book was great!
July 24, 2020
Actual Rating: ****1/4 (4.25/5)
This is one of those books which play with the extent of your imagination and hold the capacity to tarnish the ability of your mind to differentiate fiction and reality.
John A. Raju writes his “Purgatory of the Half Forgotten Riddles” to commemorate the strange fallacies of the human mind. He explores the vibrancy of the fictitious realm humans create up in their mind. In that realm, there is no right or wrong, neither are there any boundaries. Upon careless groping, that realm may very well dissolve with the tangible real world we exist in.
Peter is a writer who often reminisces about his childhood and his past. He takes us on a journey of rediscovering his life through the help of the figments of his memories—memories of him getting brought up without a mother, memories with his childhood buddies Alex and Alice, memories of the same Alice he falls in love with, of his school, games, books and beyond. He takes us along to question his passions, his ambitions, his betrayals and his faiths. Buoyed by this kaleidoscopic picture of remembrances and nostalgia, Peter gets unfurled as a real person. The storyline keeps getting mysterious and we constantly feel that Peter is sometimes very delusional, sometimes too impulsive and sometimes he tries hard to evoke sympathy and good wishes. Is the Peter we are seeing really the one who is talking about himself? Is his past really getting conveyed as colourfully as he vouches to be? What losses of identity and hidden aspects of his past will slowly dawn upon us?
The story, at first, seems like the unravelling of someone’s past—with a detailed account of the most minute of happenings, and the emotions and hysteria associated with it. But as we go deeper and deeper, his past starts to come off as mysterious and murky. The terrain of remembrance and recollection that the author constructs through the eyes of his protagonist Peter, makes us build up a character wholesomely like never before. We feel for Peter amidst his agonies, laugh at his subtle witty humours and we empathize with the vibes of desolation and loneliness he emanates. We see him as a tangible, real person living next door—and get involved in his life quite involuntarily. Before we properly know it, we start sensing several mysterious aspects of his personality which were hidden in his first impression. We get the flavour of vehement envy, the mistiness of prejudices and the odour of fear of loss of acceptance. By this point, we start to look at Peter with an eye of sympathy and compassion---and we twitch our tongues at how severe fate might have loomed large before him. The struggle of never seeing his mother, the struggle of getting brought up without a proper intervention of his father, along with the effect that his father’s demise and his aunt’s departure might have had on him—it all makes us ponder over the blatancy of human destiny and the belittlement of personal desires in front of it.
A huge plot twist comes towards the end of the book—which completely shakes the foundation of understanding that the readers might have been building until that moment. It emboldens the writer’s ability to convince and convey, and makes his intellect praiseworthy. This twist in the tale somehow reconsolidates our previous analysis of Peter’s past. It makes us rethink and again go back and search for details we might have overlooked then, and come back burdened with more ambiguity and more questions. A massive void of imagination and perception suddenly grips us all—engulfing us in a bubble of denial and cynicism.
A visible downside to the book was the over indulgence in terms of the analysis of the protagonist’s past. There was an endless discussion of some really mundane events, and although Peter’s take on them was fascinating—it kept getting cyclical and repetitive after a point. I understood that the author was perhaps trying to justify the unclarity of Peter’s memory fetching, but as a reader, there remains a possibility to get overburdened with the plethora of analyses of his mental condition. Moreover, the very last chapter of the book attempts to elucidate the plot twist which is established just prior to it, and this strips the story of the element of mysticism that was intact till then. The open-endedness to the book simply vapourizes and we get a very clear-cut explanation of everything that has been told—much like the convincing our mind that whatever we’ve read, is indeed very true.
Loss of identity and the scarcity of mutual consideration looms large as the primary theme of the book. It upholds the basic fundamentals of a deeply fascinating psychological saga of multiple interpretations and hazy storytelling. It explores the various hues of memory and bears the hint of some extremely disastrous psychological syndromes like anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. It skyrockets the flag of the seriousness of mental conditions and imagination influencing our lives. Partly thriller and partly imaginative fiction, this book rightfully makes its space in the list of my essential recommendations.
Disclaimer: this review is in lieu of a review copy
This is one of those books which play with the extent of your imagination and hold the capacity to tarnish the ability of your mind to differentiate fiction and reality.
John A. Raju writes his “Purgatory of the Half Forgotten Riddles” to commemorate the strange fallacies of the human mind. He explores the vibrancy of the fictitious realm humans create up in their mind. In that realm, there is no right or wrong, neither are there any boundaries. Upon careless groping, that realm may very well dissolve with the tangible real world we exist in.
Peter is a writer who often reminisces about his childhood and his past. He takes us on a journey of rediscovering his life through the help of the figments of his memories—memories of him getting brought up without a mother, memories with his childhood buddies Alex and Alice, memories of the same Alice he falls in love with, of his school, games, books and beyond. He takes us along to question his passions, his ambitions, his betrayals and his faiths. Buoyed by this kaleidoscopic picture of remembrances and nostalgia, Peter gets unfurled as a real person. The storyline keeps getting mysterious and we constantly feel that Peter is sometimes very delusional, sometimes too impulsive and sometimes he tries hard to evoke sympathy and good wishes. Is the Peter we are seeing really the one who is talking about himself? Is his past really getting conveyed as colourfully as he vouches to be? What losses of identity and hidden aspects of his past will slowly dawn upon us?
The story, at first, seems like the unravelling of someone’s past—with a detailed account of the most minute of happenings, and the emotions and hysteria associated with it. But as we go deeper and deeper, his past starts to come off as mysterious and murky. The terrain of remembrance and recollection that the author constructs through the eyes of his protagonist Peter, makes us build up a character wholesomely like never before. We feel for Peter amidst his agonies, laugh at his subtle witty humours and we empathize with the vibes of desolation and loneliness he emanates. We see him as a tangible, real person living next door—and get involved in his life quite involuntarily. Before we properly know it, we start sensing several mysterious aspects of his personality which were hidden in his first impression. We get the flavour of vehement envy, the mistiness of prejudices and the odour of fear of loss of acceptance. By this point, we start to look at Peter with an eye of sympathy and compassion---and we twitch our tongues at how severe fate might have loomed large before him. The struggle of never seeing his mother, the struggle of getting brought up without a proper intervention of his father, along with the effect that his father’s demise and his aunt’s departure might have had on him—it all makes us ponder over the blatancy of human destiny and the belittlement of personal desires in front of it.
A huge plot twist comes towards the end of the book—which completely shakes the foundation of understanding that the readers might have been building until that moment. It emboldens the writer’s ability to convince and convey, and makes his intellect praiseworthy. This twist in the tale somehow reconsolidates our previous analysis of Peter’s past. It makes us rethink and again go back and search for details we might have overlooked then, and come back burdened with more ambiguity and more questions. A massive void of imagination and perception suddenly grips us all—engulfing us in a bubble of denial and cynicism.
A visible downside to the book was the over indulgence in terms of the analysis of the protagonist’s past. There was an endless discussion of some really mundane events, and although Peter’s take on them was fascinating—it kept getting cyclical and repetitive after a point. I understood that the author was perhaps trying to justify the unclarity of Peter’s memory fetching, but as a reader, there remains a possibility to get overburdened with the plethora of analyses of his mental condition. Moreover, the very last chapter of the book attempts to elucidate the plot twist which is established just prior to it, and this strips the story of the element of mysticism that was intact till then. The open-endedness to the book simply vapourizes and we get a very clear-cut explanation of everything that has been told—much like the convincing our mind that whatever we’ve read, is indeed very true.
Loss of identity and the scarcity of mutual consideration looms large as the primary theme of the book. It upholds the basic fundamentals of a deeply fascinating psychological saga of multiple interpretations and hazy storytelling. It explores the various hues of memory and bears the hint of some extremely disastrous psychological syndromes like anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. It skyrockets the flag of the seriousness of mental conditions and imagination influencing our lives. Partly thriller and partly imaginative fiction, this book rightfully makes its space in the list of my essential recommendations.
Disclaimer: this review is in lieu of a review copy
September 12, 2021
Peter, takes a break for three days from his regretted & despondent present to spend time in his ancestral home faraway from his town during his father's death anniversary every year. He whiles his time finding solace obsessing over the past & it's no longer intimate inhabitants; not showing an iota of verve towards the future. Not inebriated for the very first time in this yearly stay of respite since his father's mysterious death, Peter starts visiting back his life events to try solving the mystery and scribbling his thoughts in a diary. In this perfect state of soberness ,now he tends to mull over his life's what-ifs and the plausible diversions he could have had taken , regretting the path he has been treading tirelessly.
Memories- if one could observe it closely is an enchantress luring towards it casting a spell on us. Never we are ever sure what makes a particular memory invade us from the past bringing alive the moment so intense despite the magnitude of time passed.
We see Peter trapped in such closet of past decked with memories intruding him surreptiously & struggling to come out of that grid. Helplessly he de-clutters his articles of memory strewn all over the expanse of his past elucidating into a journal.
A reader gets so attached to Peter's life, develops a sense of empathy towards the destiny his fate had conspired against him. Those awful silences & hesitations in his first love, that hidden streak of jealousy with his only friend, his failed attempts to succeed as an author, his relentless trials to smoothen irrepressible creases with his father--all these ramblings, reminisces and recollections jostle out absolutely in a random fashion leaving him with a very few answers but many unsolved riddles.
The author John A Raju's writing is constructive, immersive & meditative. His prose with rich vocabulary & long sentences, seeks various pauses to absorb and ponder upon Peter's life in retrospect to one's. Among the thickets of highlights I have made, I could relate to many of Peter's musings which I wish I had stated/cited but often brushed under the carpet. I found myself nodding to many statements Peter was scribbling aimlessly. The ultimate revelations shook me out piercing the bubble of gloom fogged up till then running a chill down my spine.
I constrict myself at this point preventing from committing the blunder of giving away too much of plot. Thereby I highly recommend to read this soliloquy of musings that Peter had made privy to us.
Memories- if one could observe it closely is an enchantress luring towards it casting a spell on us. Never we are ever sure what makes a particular memory invade us from the past bringing alive the moment so intense despite the magnitude of time passed.
We see Peter trapped in such closet of past decked with memories intruding him surreptiously & struggling to come out of that grid. Helplessly he de-clutters his articles of memory strewn all over the expanse of his past elucidating into a journal.
A reader gets so attached to Peter's life, develops a sense of empathy towards the destiny his fate had conspired against him. Those awful silences & hesitations in his first love, that hidden streak of jealousy with his only friend, his failed attempts to succeed as an author, his relentless trials to smoothen irrepressible creases with his father--all these ramblings, reminisces and recollections jostle out absolutely in a random fashion leaving him with a very few answers but many unsolved riddles.
The author John A Raju's writing is constructive, immersive & meditative. His prose with rich vocabulary & long sentences, seeks various pauses to absorb and ponder upon Peter's life in retrospect to one's. Among the thickets of highlights I have made, I could relate to many of Peter's musings which I wish I had stated/cited but often brushed under the carpet. I found myself nodding to many statements Peter was scribbling aimlessly. The ultimate revelations shook me out piercing the bubble of gloom fogged up till then running a chill down my spine.
I constrict myself at this point preventing from committing the blunder of giving away too much of plot. Thereby I highly recommend to read this soliloquy of musings that Peter had made privy to us.
April 10, 2021
"Every battle one faces is precisely that- a battle- and those are not always easy for the ones going through them, even if it's not set amidst a flurry of bullets."
- Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles
.
This book has my heart. What did I love more in this book, is it the immensely beautiful and smooth narration, the powerfully built characters or the beauty the writer exudes through all the myriad of emotions spread across the pages of this book, maybe all of these.
.
An aspiring writer, reminiscing and scribbling about his life now in a home reminding him of his old days as a teenager, how his life was with his Aunt, friends, Mr Archie and his father who left him in never-thought-of ways, his dreams, betrayals, love and untangling the threads of past and trying to make sense of the things that went unnoticed or rather taken for granted back then.
.
Without unfolding the story any further let's talk about the narration here and the writing style. It is brilliant. As you turn each page, you are posed with something to pause and think about, some questions, some answers, something we fail to notice in everyday lives, something which is beautiful in its own way. The words are beautiful, complex yet charismatic. They delve deep into complex emotions yet present them in a adorably subtle way. I would mention the ending here in specific because that was mind-blowing and so well written. The book is fluid that just flows from page to page, yet makes you halt and introspect.
.
If you love literary fictions and unique mysteries, then this is the perfect pick for you.
- Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles
.
This book has my heart. What did I love more in this book, is it the immensely beautiful and smooth narration, the powerfully built characters or the beauty the writer exudes through all the myriad of emotions spread across the pages of this book, maybe all of these.
.
An aspiring writer, reminiscing and scribbling about his life now in a home reminding him of his old days as a teenager, how his life was with his Aunt, friends, Mr Archie and his father who left him in never-thought-of ways, his dreams, betrayals, love and untangling the threads of past and trying to make sense of the things that went unnoticed or rather taken for granted back then.
.
Without unfolding the story any further let's talk about the narration here and the writing style. It is brilliant. As you turn each page, you are posed with something to pause and think about, some questions, some answers, something we fail to notice in everyday lives, something which is beautiful in its own way. The words are beautiful, complex yet charismatic. They delve deep into complex emotions yet present them in a adorably subtle way. I would mention the ending here in specific because that was mind-blowing and so well written. The book is fluid that just flows from page to page, yet makes you halt and introspect.
.
If you love literary fictions and unique mysteries, then this is the perfect pick for you.
May 9, 2020
Today I’m presenting my review of the book “The Purgatory of half forgotten riddles” by John A. Raju which was published in Jan 2020. Thanks @john for sending in the book for review. Spoiler alert: It is awesome. Having said that, stick around with me till the end of the review to know more about it.. So here goes:
The plot of this book is quite unique and interesting. It portrays the story of a struggling author who delves deeper into a musky past through the pages of his diary to unravel the mystery surrounding his father’s death. As he pens down his thoughts on what chain of events could have culminated in his father’s demise all those years ago, he also begins seeking answers to other questions that had been gnawing at him; questions about his first love, his subsequent loves, his long-time friendships, the loss of this friendships, his ambition, his choices and as ever, about the enigma that his father was to him. Amidst theses queries that lie stranded in the purgatory of half forgotten riddles, he needs to sort out the pieces that complete his jigsaw puzzle.
Though I’ve completed reading this book a week ago but it seemed really arduous to congregate my thoughts about this book. This is one such book that that can leave any reader in an emotional turmoil as it is capable enough to give an insight on the importance of relationships in one’s life and how we realize the importance of them only after they are just gone.
To be honest, this book accommodates one of the most complex plots I’ve ever read but the narration is truly gripping. The way the author has used different references of various well known books throughout the plot is praiseworthy.
Not just this, the theme of this book completely revolves around different emotions of a human being and I was amazed to see the way the book has managed to portray two parallel storylines- one is of the present day and the other is of the past memories of the protagonist Peter. Digging deep into the story made me realize how to look at life in a easier way. I absolutely loved that monologue on the glass as half empty or half full which simplified the way of living a life in a happier way.
Furthermore, this book is a work of fiction narrated in the form of a journal of life events with lots of twists and turns which leaves the reader with multiple questions but the final twist turns the plot completely upside down.
The language used was a bit complicated and the vocabulary used was sophisticated. The title and the cover of the book are completely apt with the storyline.
What I loved the most about the book: The author’s perspective towards life and his way of solving the puzzle of his father’s death was the most unique part of the book. The depth of this book cannot be expressed in just a few words and that is what makes this book a must read one.
Though this book is categorized as a mystery fiction, I personally felt it to be a psychological mystery fiction where the author has managed to imprint a morale in his readers' minds: Memories are destined to fade away and what lasts forever is experiences.
I definitely would love to recommend this book to all. Trust me, you won’t regret reading this book.
The plot of this book is quite unique and interesting. It portrays the story of a struggling author who delves deeper into a musky past through the pages of his diary to unravel the mystery surrounding his father’s death. As he pens down his thoughts on what chain of events could have culminated in his father’s demise all those years ago, he also begins seeking answers to other questions that had been gnawing at him; questions about his first love, his subsequent loves, his long-time friendships, the loss of this friendships, his ambition, his choices and as ever, about the enigma that his father was to him. Amidst theses queries that lie stranded in the purgatory of half forgotten riddles, he needs to sort out the pieces that complete his jigsaw puzzle.
Though I’ve completed reading this book a week ago but it seemed really arduous to congregate my thoughts about this book. This is one such book that that can leave any reader in an emotional turmoil as it is capable enough to give an insight on the importance of relationships in one’s life and how we realize the importance of them only after they are just gone.
To be honest, this book accommodates one of the most complex plots I’ve ever read but the narration is truly gripping. The way the author has used different references of various well known books throughout the plot is praiseworthy.
Not just this, the theme of this book completely revolves around different emotions of a human being and I was amazed to see the way the book has managed to portray two parallel storylines- one is of the present day and the other is of the past memories of the protagonist Peter. Digging deep into the story made me realize how to look at life in a easier way. I absolutely loved that monologue on the glass as half empty or half full which simplified the way of living a life in a happier way.
Furthermore, this book is a work of fiction narrated in the form of a journal of life events with lots of twists and turns which leaves the reader with multiple questions but the final twist turns the plot completely upside down.
The language used was a bit complicated and the vocabulary used was sophisticated. The title and the cover of the book are completely apt with the storyline.
What I loved the most about the book: The author’s perspective towards life and his way of solving the puzzle of his father’s death was the most unique part of the book. The depth of this book cannot be expressed in just a few words and that is what makes this book a must read one.
Though this book is categorized as a mystery fiction, I personally felt it to be a psychological mystery fiction where the author has managed to imprint a morale in his readers' minds: Memories are destined to fade away and what lasts forever is experiences.
I definitely would love to recommend this book to all. Trust me, you won’t regret reading this book.
February 1, 2020
“My life is a story I wouldn’t want to be reading again” starts the debut author John A. Raju’s book ‘The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles’. This novel is a recollections of a failed author, who could have done a lot with his life, but like many (including your reviewer) fails to act upon it and wakes to realise that it was all too late one fine morning.
The Novel is set in a fictional town of Winstorville, which much like the protagonist is shrouded in mystery. We experience everything in this novel through the broken memories of the protagonist. And much like the memories of a failed man trying to find answers to questions that has long eluded him, with the help of nothing but his memory, the recollections are scattered all over the place, not presenting itself in any chronological order or with any guarantee of genuineness. The memories present itself in the manner of pieces of jigsaw puzzle, but in the canvas of mundaneness the protagonist and the reader finds it difficult to place each piece. And please not for one moment that this process is tiring, it is engaging and offers the reader with a reading experience like none I have experienced before.
Alice, the protagonist’s ex-girlfriend who left him and his dad who commits suicide under mysterious circumstances are the two ever permeating question marks in the protagonist’s life and he tries to make sense of these and his relationships with people close to him that rose and waned.
Towards the end, the novel takes the form of a psychological thriller. It comes so unexpected that the reader is swept off his feet. Eventhough the book was engaging from page one, I felt like speed reading some chapters in the middle where the protagonist is trying to make sense of himself. Having said that, once you finish the book and try to make sense of it in your head, I don’t think the book could have been written any other way.
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles is an impressive book, that will choose not to leave you even after you keep the book down, working its magic in your head and creating memories and trying to shack up your memory vault mixing your reality with the fiction of the book, in the end the book becomes a part of you.
The Novel is set in a fictional town of Winstorville, which much like the protagonist is shrouded in mystery. We experience everything in this novel through the broken memories of the protagonist. And much like the memories of a failed man trying to find answers to questions that has long eluded him, with the help of nothing but his memory, the recollections are scattered all over the place, not presenting itself in any chronological order or with any guarantee of genuineness. The memories present itself in the manner of pieces of jigsaw puzzle, but in the canvas of mundaneness the protagonist and the reader finds it difficult to place each piece. And please not for one moment that this process is tiring, it is engaging and offers the reader with a reading experience like none I have experienced before.
Alice, the protagonist’s ex-girlfriend who left him and his dad who commits suicide under mysterious circumstances are the two ever permeating question marks in the protagonist’s life and he tries to make sense of these and his relationships with people close to him that rose and waned.
Towards the end, the novel takes the form of a psychological thriller. It comes so unexpected that the reader is swept off his feet. Eventhough the book was engaging from page one, I felt like speed reading some chapters in the middle where the protagonist is trying to make sense of himself. Having said that, once you finish the book and try to make sense of it in your head, I don’t think the book could have been written any other way.
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles is an impressive book, that will choose not to leave you even after you keep the book down, working its magic in your head and creating memories and trying to shack up your memory vault mixing your reality with the fiction of the book, in the end the book becomes a part of you.
January 29, 2020
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles is a book by author John A. Raju which I read recently . I don't know how to describe the book for my words may fail to capture its depth . The story from the very first page has this quite way of narration , the type I truly feel connected too. Though it's a fiction but written in first person narrative as a journal of life events. The protagonist talks a lot about what is going on inside his mind , trying to come to a comprehension .The flow of criss crossing thoughts at each moment when he sees his emotionally detached father , his love for him , the adjustment with the fact that he never saw his mother , his father's unnatural death , his first love, childhood friendships and bringing his own family up with Rachel which is still not at a stable point . But the twist at the end totally turns up the plot by 180 degrees . It was so unexpected and unconventional. More than all the twists , I loved how author has actually used this fiction to convey his thoughts about life , the way one self introspects , the long thought process inside our minds. Few of us do get flown away with our thoughts trying to find real truth behind smallest of things , that our thoughts become to strings and start to weave a quilt made of thousands of unexplained questions and half achieved answers and we carry it on us till the end . Just like that this fiction though may come under suspense / mystery genre but it runs way deeper than that and it is philosophical in nature.I recommend it to people who like reading books that are more like soliloquy and who are thinkers willing to go beyond dive deeper than the shallowness of life.
March 25, 2020
The story of Peter, The purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles, is a fiction book which is Extremely relatable and has different layers that grips the reader till the end.
The book throws many questions at the reader, with an exciting narration. The plot has a great meaning and depth. Peter's connect with his father, the death of his father, the Relationship with his friends, the unstable points in his life are all just unusual.
The book is filled with twists and turns. The fiction with mystery has unexplained points which collectively makes the book stronger and at the end takes a massive turn making the plot interesting.
Recommended to every reader.
The book throws many questions at the reader, with an exciting narration. The plot has a great meaning and depth. Peter's connect with his father, the death of his father, the Relationship with his friends, the unstable points in his life are all just unusual.
The book is filled with twists and turns. The fiction with mystery has unexplained points which collectively makes the book stronger and at the end takes a massive turn making the plot interesting.
Recommended to every reader.
January 14, 2021
//Human time does not turn in a circle; it runs ahead in a straight line. That is why man cannot be happy: happiness is the longing for repetition.//
Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
I always find the beginning of a review the most difficult part. Once I come up with a paragraph or a sentence that seems (to me) worthy of being shared with the world about a piece of literature I spent hours and hours reading, the rest comes easily. Or easier, perhaps, than it did. This is why I choose quotes, either from the book itself or the ones mentioned in the book, because I think the words of others, especially the more established ones, convey things, feelings better than I do or could.
Now, if you go back to the above-mentioned quote by Milan Kundera, focus on the words straight and curves. Those are the words this book is about. Straight, because it's the account of a man spending a few 'me-days' at a farmhouse, scribbling away in his diary, trying to make better sense of what he did, what happened to him.
And the curve? Because his writing, his recollection of the past, his memories, and his account of the past and the present is a purgatory of half-forgotten riddles, quite literally.
I wish I could tell you more about the story, but I can't. I won't. Even one extra word spoken about it could taint the magic of the author's words somehow, which brings me back to the thing I wanted to talk the most about: the writing.
It is one of the most magical, complex, beautiful and warm ones I've read. The book is filled with a vocabulary too rich for my taste or understanding, but I loved every single syllable of it. Even when I didn't understand the exact meaning of a word, it made sense. Weird, right? I ended up underlining, bracketing, writing on a different page, and dog earing the pages of this book because the beauty of the sentences was so urgent I couldn't imagine putting it off. I couldn't imagine not highlighting a sentence that made me stop in my tracks and love the book a little more. And trust me, there were many, many such words and sentences.
I will probably think and write about this book more every now and then, especially when I want to be grateful to myself for saying yes to this review copy and to @john_a_raju for deeming me worthy enough of receiving it.
Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
I always find the beginning of a review the most difficult part. Once I come up with a paragraph or a sentence that seems (to me) worthy of being shared with the world about a piece of literature I spent hours and hours reading, the rest comes easily. Or easier, perhaps, than it did. This is why I choose quotes, either from the book itself or the ones mentioned in the book, because I think the words of others, especially the more established ones, convey things, feelings better than I do or could.
Now, if you go back to the above-mentioned quote by Milan Kundera, focus on the words straight and curves. Those are the words this book is about. Straight, because it's the account of a man spending a few 'me-days' at a farmhouse, scribbling away in his diary, trying to make better sense of what he did, what happened to him.
And the curve? Because his writing, his recollection of the past, his memories, and his account of the past and the present is a purgatory of half-forgotten riddles, quite literally.
I wish I could tell you more about the story, but I can't. I won't. Even one extra word spoken about it could taint the magic of the author's words somehow, which brings me back to the thing I wanted to talk the most about: the writing.
It is one of the most magical, complex, beautiful and warm ones I've read. The book is filled with a vocabulary too rich for my taste or understanding, but I loved every single syllable of it. Even when I didn't understand the exact meaning of a word, it made sense. Weird, right? I ended up underlining, bracketing, writing on a different page, and dog earing the pages of this book because the beauty of the sentences was so urgent I couldn't imagine putting it off. I couldn't imagine not highlighting a sentence that made me stop in my tracks and love the book a little more. And trust me, there were many, many such words and sentences.
I will probably think and write about this book more every now and then, especially when I want to be grateful to myself for saying yes to this review copy and to @john_a_raju for deeming me worthy enough of receiving it.
June 20, 2020
Book Review:
Book Name: The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles
Author: John A. Raju
Pages: 285
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4/5
Summary: A struggling author returns to his father’s house each year on his father’s death anniversary. There he starts to write down the story of his life where he talks about his dad, his best friend Alex, his first love Alice, his mother like figure aunt Helen, the bookshop owner Mr. Archie. He pens down all those pains that he had to go through in his early days. He tries to find out many unsolved queries. Amidst these queries that lie stranded in the purgatory of half-forgotten riddles, he needs to sort out the pieces that complete his jigsaw puzzle.
My Take: The Purgatory of half-forgotten Riddles is a book that I took almost 2 weeks to finish. Because I felt this book was needed to be absorbed rather than read. The book was not an easy read. You have to give it enough time to fall in love with the book. But once you are in, there is no way back.
According to Google, a purgatory is a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven. This word was intriguing enough for me to pick the book. The title is very unique and justifies the context. And the cover picture itself is very much self-explaining. Once the reader will finish reading, he will get the link.
The main drawback that I had felt while reading the book was that I was not getting the purpose of the book until I finished one-third of the content. I was getting bored now and then. So you have to be patient while reading.
I loved the climax. It was not at all anticipated. The final twist is bound to leave an impression. The last few lines of the book left a huge impact on me. The book has dealt with suicide and the way it was written, the way the mental complexities were explained deserve to be applauded.
Book Name: The Purgatory of Half-Forgotten Riddles
Author: John A. Raju
Pages: 285
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4/5
Summary: A struggling author returns to his father’s house each year on his father’s death anniversary. There he starts to write down the story of his life where he talks about his dad, his best friend Alex, his first love Alice, his mother like figure aunt Helen, the bookshop owner Mr. Archie. He pens down all those pains that he had to go through in his early days. He tries to find out many unsolved queries. Amidst these queries that lie stranded in the purgatory of half-forgotten riddles, he needs to sort out the pieces that complete his jigsaw puzzle.
My Take: The Purgatory of half-forgotten Riddles is a book that I took almost 2 weeks to finish. Because I felt this book was needed to be absorbed rather than read. The book was not an easy read. You have to give it enough time to fall in love with the book. But once you are in, there is no way back.
According to Google, a purgatory is a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven. This word was intriguing enough for me to pick the book. The title is very unique and justifies the context. And the cover picture itself is very much self-explaining. Once the reader will finish reading, he will get the link.
The main drawback that I had felt while reading the book was that I was not getting the purpose of the book until I finished one-third of the content. I was getting bored now and then. So you have to be patient while reading.
I loved the climax. It was not at all anticipated. The final twist is bound to leave an impression. The last few lines of the book left a huge impact on me. The book has dealt with suicide and the way it was written, the way the mental complexities were explained deserve to be applauded.
July 20, 2020
The novel was a riveting blend of suspense, intrigue and philosophy with a psychological twist, that gripped me from the first to the last page.
Set in a fictional town of Winstorville, the story unfolds from a struggling author’s perspective as he journeys down the memory lane in his diary, reminiscing about various defining moments of his life and his relationship with his father and his two friends. With a non-linear narrative that is part epistolary in nature, shifting viewpoint and certain significant dialogues and scenes carefully scattered as clues, the story turns into a literary puzzle that engulfs the reader in an aura of mystery, intrigue and melancholy.
While initially it might appear like a story about three childhood friends Alex, Alice and Peter entangled in a love triangle, it is anything but simple or straightforward. Told from the point of view of the protagonist Peter, who is haunted by his father’s suicide that continues to be shrouded in mystery, it delves into Peter’s mindscape laying bare the emotions, the unresolved questions that continue to plague and torment him. The compelling storytelling beautifully captures human idiosyncrasies, small childhood moments that hold deeper meanings, life’s choices, flavors of friendship and familial ties making it both relatable and surreal striking an exquisite balance. As the pieces of the growing puzzle fall into place page after page, what emerges is a complex and layered tale with twists and turns interwoven with philosophical vibes. The characters resurrected from Peter’s memory come to life to be juxtaposed against different versions presented later from a different point-to-view to expose a startling contrast that deepens the suspense. The plot progresses at a comfortable and engrossing pace leading to a completely unpredictable one-of-a-kind ending. The title is an apt. The prose is both powerful and poetic and draws the reader into the complex and atmospheric world of the protagonist, intertwined with wistful memories.
A brilliantly crafted richly layered novel that will surely appeal to readers looking for a thought-provoking page turner.
Set in a fictional town of Winstorville, the story unfolds from a struggling author’s perspective as he journeys down the memory lane in his diary, reminiscing about various defining moments of his life and his relationship with his father and his two friends. With a non-linear narrative that is part epistolary in nature, shifting viewpoint and certain significant dialogues and scenes carefully scattered as clues, the story turns into a literary puzzle that engulfs the reader in an aura of mystery, intrigue and melancholy.
While initially it might appear like a story about three childhood friends Alex, Alice and Peter entangled in a love triangle, it is anything but simple or straightforward. Told from the point of view of the protagonist Peter, who is haunted by his father’s suicide that continues to be shrouded in mystery, it delves into Peter’s mindscape laying bare the emotions, the unresolved questions that continue to plague and torment him. The compelling storytelling beautifully captures human idiosyncrasies, small childhood moments that hold deeper meanings, life’s choices, flavors of friendship and familial ties making it both relatable and surreal striking an exquisite balance. As the pieces of the growing puzzle fall into place page after page, what emerges is a complex and layered tale with twists and turns interwoven with philosophical vibes. The characters resurrected from Peter’s memory come to life to be juxtaposed against different versions presented later from a different point-to-view to expose a startling contrast that deepens the suspense. The plot progresses at a comfortable and engrossing pace leading to a completely unpredictable one-of-a-kind ending. The title is an apt. The prose is both powerful and poetic and draws the reader into the complex and atmospheric world of the protagonist, intertwined with wistful memories.
A brilliantly crafted richly layered novel that will surely appeal to readers looking for a thought-provoking page turner.
April 16, 2021
Book:- Purgatory of Half- Forgotten Riddles.
Author:- John A Raju.
👉The tittle sounds unique, isn't it?
👉What does the book contains? Whats the story about?
Having many questions,so without wasting a second let's get into.
Genre:- Fiction.
[Book Review]
A boy named Peter is the protagonist of the novel.He faces many incident in his life due to which he is heart broken.What were those incidents?Will he be able to control himself? The novel takes a different turn when Peter finds that his father has left a four word riddle for him.It will sound strange but as you read the story,you will get what's actually gonna happen.Will he be able to find the meaning and the motive behind leaving this riddle?
[My views]
The language is easy to understand.Well crafted and beautifully penned story.The cover looks attractive and eye-catchy.The usage of words were good.The book is filled with twists and turns.If you are someone who loves mystery/thriller, you must surely try this out.
Author:- John A Raju.
👉The tittle sounds unique, isn't it?
👉What does the book contains? Whats the story about?
Having many questions,so without wasting a second let's get into.
Genre:- Fiction.
[Book Review]
A boy named Peter is the protagonist of the novel.He faces many incident in his life due to which he is heart broken.What were those incidents?Will he be able to control himself? The novel takes a different turn when Peter finds that his father has left a four word riddle for him.It will sound strange but as you read the story,you will get what's actually gonna happen.Will he be able to find the meaning and the motive behind leaving this riddle?
[My views]
The language is easy to understand.Well crafted and beautifully penned story.The cover looks attractive and eye-catchy.The usage of words were good.The book is filled with twists and turns.If you are someone who loves mystery/thriller, you must surely try this out.
March 14, 2020
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles by author John A. Raju weaves around love, demise and friendship. Before I can even start talking about this book, I want to say that I am speechless about the depth of this book. The story escalates from the very first page because of its unique narration. The book is written in a part epistolary style.
.
.
A struggling author tries to collect his thoughts about his father's death and all the mystery around it. The chapters are written in past and present life of the protagonist, Peter.
The movement of his thoughts and mental state at each stage of his life shows how a person's state of mind can be put to turmoil just by loosing someone close to them without having fault of theirs.
The pain of never having a experience of a motherly love, unexpected death of his father, loss of friendship and childhood love and his present marriage with Rachel which is not at a equilibrium shows Peter has gone through a lot, and now he wants to know the answers behind all the ruckus he has been through.
.
.
The story is strong in terms of its psychological understanding. The perspective of author towards life and how he introspect them is delivered through Peter.
How he tries to move out of his home in a secluded place to solve the puzzle of his father's death. It is sad how we start loving and respecting people when they're gone. And all which is left at last is regret.
.
.
As I said above, Writing is lucid, tossed with excellent vocabulary and chapters juggling in past and present thoughts fits perfectly.
Also, I was blown away how the author turns the plot completely to 180 degrees.
The end was unexpected. This book is categorised under suspense/thriller but surely it talks much more about life, compassion, emotional ties and understanding them.
The only thing which tickled me is the complex plot. You need to remember the events and all characters that enters and exits.
.
.
A struggling author tries to collect his thoughts about his father's death and all the mystery around it. The chapters are written in past and present life of the protagonist, Peter.
The movement of his thoughts and mental state at each stage of his life shows how a person's state of mind can be put to turmoil just by loosing someone close to them without having fault of theirs.
The pain of never having a experience of a motherly love, unexpected death of his father, loss of friendship and childhood love and his present marriage with Rachel which is not at a equilibrium shows Peter has gone through a lot, and now he wants to know the answers behind all the ruckus he has been through.
.
.
The story is strong in terms of its psychological understanding. The perspective of author towards life and how he introspect them is delivered through Peter.
How he tries to move out of his home in a secluded place to solve the puzzle of his father's death. It is sad how we start loving and respecting people when they're gone. And all which is left at last is regret.
.
.
As I said above, Writing is lucid, tossed with excellent vocabulary and chapters juggling in past and present thoughts fits perfectly.
Also, I was blown away how the author turns the plot completely to 180 degrees.
The end was unexpected. This book is categorised under suspense/thriller but surely it talks much more about life, compassion, emotional ties and understanding them.
The only thing which tickled me is the complex plot. You need to remember the events and all characters that enters and exits.
July 12, 2020
•
🌺The protagonist of the book is an author, Peter who had lots of questions regarding his past. The questions revolve around his father uncertain death which people claim as an accident but deep down he knew it was a suicide. Also, the love of her life “Alice” and her mother figure Aunt Helen left him after his father's death. These are the questions he needs an answer to and pen down all his thoughts when he goes to the place where his father grew up every year.
🌺The plot of the book is very engaging and complex. The language used is vividly rendered. Some lines in the book touched my heart deeply. Every word used implies a deep meaning.
🌺The author has created a compelling narrative of all characters and scenes which is what I find most engaging. The author hits her stride with his recent book and gained one more a fan because I loved this book a lot.
🌺The climax was like a boom and very unexpected!! After completing the book I was like wow!! The book is really very interesting and the end of the book was very intriguing.
May 25, 2020
Small routines of growing up, incidents & subsequent feelings mentioned is just so familier.beautifully written, Keep it up John!
March 3, 2020
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles
by John A. Raju
It's been three days since I finished reading this book and I'm still at a loss of words on what to say for this book, it's the kind you come across once in a while.
"What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though."
As J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, said this is one of those books and I'm pretty lucky that I'm acquainted with the author, even though it's teeny-tiny bit of an acquaintance.
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles, there are many things in this book that made me fall in love and the first and foremost was the reference of some of my favourite books and let me tell you there's a lot more to look forward to. I know it's sounding as if I'm only singing praises but honestly that's how it is. There were moments when I was literally made to go inside my head and re-think and rearrange my thoughts, I was impelled to do so. Peter, Alex and Alice; the trio. Peter is a quiet kid and as the story proceeds you will find yourself agreeing with all he does. His mother died when he was still a child. His father commits suicide and leaves him a note and so comes a 180° turn in his life. It's a totally chaotic story but it will calm your storms, unpredictable but beautiful.
As he narrates his past and present, his bestfriend Alex, his new neighbours, his love, his aunt, the bookstore owner, his insatiable love for coffee, his father's suicide, his wife Rachel, his kids, his students and his three-day trips back home you will find yourself slipping, and my dear bibliophiles when he will let you out of the grasp of his unparalleled narrative you'll still be in book-coma.
This book was kind of Paulo Coelho-ish, satiating your soul and providing you insight, guiding you to meet your demons, helping you understand. It was lovely reading it and this one's going to be reread a lot.
by John A. Raju
It's been three days since I finished reading this book and I'm still at a loss of words on what to say for this book, it's the kind you come across once in a while.
"What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though."
As J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, said this is one of those books and I'm pretty lucky that I'm acquainted with the author, even though it's teeny-tiny bit of an acquaintance.
The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles, there are many things in this book that made me fall in love and the first and foremost was the reference of some of my favourite books and let me tell you there's a lot more to look forward to. I know it's sounding as if I'm only singing praises but honestly that's how it is. There were moments when I was literally made to go inside my head and re-think and rearrange my thoughts, I was impelled to do so. Peter, Alex and Alice; the trio. Peter is a quiet kid and as the story proceeds you will find yourself agreeing with all he does. His mother died when he was still a child. His father commits suicide and leaves him a note and so comes a 180° turn in his life. It's a totally chaotic story but it will calm your storms, unpredictable but beautiful.
As he narrates his past and present, his bestfriend Alex, his new neighbours, his love, his aunt, the bookstore owner, his insatiable love for coffee, his father's suicide, his wife Rachel, his kids, his students and his three-day trips back home you will find yourself slipping, and my dear bibliophiles when he will let you out of the grasp of his unparalleled narrative you'll still be in book-coma.
This book was kind of Paulo Coelho-ish, satiating your soul and providing you insight, guiding you to meet your demons, helping you understand. It was lovely reading it and this one's going to be reread a lot.
April 20, 2020
The book dwells on the memories of protagonist which takes us through his relationship with his friends and father . Story revolves around his father's mysterious death and his love interest which is portrayed though his memories of each . He seeks the answers for his questions through the rewind of his life . An accurate description of a person who has lost his father and love interest is accurately depicted through his emotions .
It is an interesting read and the climax will leave an unexpected twist . An audacious effort from a debutant writer .
It is an interesting read and the climax will leave an unexpected twist . An audacious effort from a debutant writer .
February 23, 2020
The Purgatory of Half- Forgotten Riddles is definitely a book to be picked up. John A. Raju has woven a unique story with an end that you do not see coming.
The story is about Peter who escapes to aloofness every year, nearing his father's death anniversary. Having never made peace with his untimely death, his father's deathnote doesn't let him move on at all. This particular year, Peter sits to write about his life, his father and his love, Alice. He talks about his best friend, Alex, his family, his loving aunt and Mr. Archie amongst others who impacted his life.
What seems to be a generic story about a struggling author, has so many layers to it. Right from the first page, the narration is gripping and the author keeps throwing a twist and thrill here and there to keep a look out for. Every page left me with questions and the book takes its own time to answer them all. It left me excited and flustered. While the whole book is amazing, the end is just awesome. The title suits the book where Peter constantly writes about anecdotes that are now faint in his memory and half-forgotten. The front cover is beautifully done in two of my favourite colours, white and blue. Words are not enough to describe the depth of this book. The half-forgotten memories taught me a big lesson- that no memories last forever and fade sooner or later. I surely recommend this book.
The story is about Peter who escapes to aloofness every year, nearing his father's death anniversary. Having never made peace with his untimely death, his father's deathnote doesn't let him move on at all. This particular year, Peter sits to write about his life, his father and his love, Alice. He talks about his best friend, Alex, his family, his loving aunt and Mr. Archie amongst others who impacted his life.
What seems to be a generic story about a struggling author, has so many layers to it. Right from the first page, the narration is gripping and the author keeps throwing a twist and thrill here and there to keep a look out for. Every page left me with questions and the book takes its own time to answer them all. It left me excited and flustered. While the whole book is amazing, the end is just awesome. The title suits the book where Peter constantly writes about anecdotes that are now faint in his memory and half-forgotten. The front cover is beautifully done in two of my favourite colours, white and blue. Words are not enough to describe the depth of this book. The half-forgotten memories taught me a big lesson- that no memories last forever and fade sooner or later. I surely recommend this book.
February 23, 2021
The working of a mind are unexplainable and that is the beauty of the human mind. The novel narrates the story of three friends Peter, Alex and Alice through the voice of one of them. The protagonist writes about his life in a diary before committing suicide. At one point you may find the book confusing and even chaotic, but that is just how the protagonist’s mind works and hence he writes his diary in the same manner.
The debutant author has tapped the complexity of the mind and human relations in his writing. The novel unravels mysteries about friendship, love, family and passion.
“The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles” is like a beautiful puzzle that fits together at the end, piece by piece.
The debutant author has tapped the complexity of the mind and human relations in his writing. The novel unravels mysteries about friendship, love, family and passion.
“The Purgatory of Half Forgotten Riddles” is like a beautiful puzzle that fits together at the end, piece by piece.
January 24, 2020
Nothing I say would give a whole picture of this book. It was a literary fiction or at least that's what I thought until the last few pages of the book. I guess it would have been a full 5 star read if the author has managed to give a sense of a thriller in the beginning or in-betweens. But at certain angle, this approach is what made it a non- clichéd (if that's a word) thriller. It was actually so good and unexpected. I DIDN'T SEE IT COMING AT ALL I SWEAR! and omg! I loved it. It starts with a struggling author trying to write a diary surrounding the death of his father and the love of his life. But it went deeper than that by unraveling memories and dissecting the characters around him. Friendship, memories and death were the common theme. TO SAY THAT I LOVED THE WRITING OR THE THOUGHTS BEHIND THE WRITING WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. Trust me it was really so captivating and triggering my own memories. I would absolutely recommend it. Just pick it up if literary fiction or thriller is your choice of interest.
4.6 🌟
4.6 🌟
January 25, 2020
The psychological thriller that hits the bulls eye. A book that needs to be read by anyone who knows how to read. Its not just the thrilling factor alone that makes the read engaging, but the play with words and the poetic flow of the story, that sails to the big reveal.
The book is about a struggling author trying to find the truth behind his father's sudden demise. It is important for any book with such complexity to develop strong characters whom we can empathize with and John has done a great job. Age doesn't define maturity, but the circumstances and situations one must endure, sail past and experiences that change one's perspective of understanding things. We see the protagonist maturing through times in his diary, trying to find answers to the events that inadvertently shaped him and ultimately finding the truth.
Kudos to John for his debut work that matches the standards of a seasoned writer. Waiting for your next work.
The book is about a struggling author trying to find the truth behind his father's sudden demise. It is important for any book with such complexity to develop strong characters whom we can empathize with and John has done a great job. Age doesn't define maturity, but the circumstances and situations one must endure, sail past and experiences that change one's perspective of understanding things. We see the protagonist maturing through times in his diary, trying to find answers to the events that inadvertently shaped him and ultimately finding the truth.
Kudos to John for his debut work that matches the standards of a seasoned writer. Waiting for your next work.
February 9, 2020
It's a thriller with an intriguing plot that also contains flashes of humour. This book was probably the fastest I've ever read. The story switches between the past and the present and the suspense that builds up after each chapter
will keep you flipping the pages. The articulation of the author's thoughts is so beautifully reflected in his choice of words and his dense writing style. Fantastic novel! Amazing twist at the end!
will keep you flipping the pages. The articulation of the author's thoughts is so beautifully reflected in his choice of words and his dense writing style. Fantastic novel! Amazing twist at the end!
January 3, 2021
‘The purgatory of half-forgotten riddles’ is one such book I finished reading on the last day of the year 2020, and it's an understatement to say that it was very difficult for me to form thoughts around the book (in a good way). As soon as I finished reading it, it was so overwhelming to me that I Dm’ed the author to let him know how thankful I was for him to reach out to me to read and review his work.
I fell in love with this book the moment I got to know that Peter, the protagonist is a struggling author. I can’t even begin to talk about the refined use of language that the author has in his narration. Interpreting this book in one line, reading it was like a wordgasm to me. The plotline, the narration, the language used, and god the totally unpredictable climax, everything including the cover of this book has my heart. Just talking about this book soothes me, and every time Peter talks about his mom or his Dad, My heart would go to him like he is one wounded child and I need to caress him to make him feel like he is not alone in this world. I wish I could write pages about this book, but the more I talk, the more I am concerned that I will give away the plotline.
According to me, the beauty of this book is its words. Having read around 250+ books as a reader, I have never come across any book that garnered such polished usage of intricately woven words. For the same reason, this book might turn out to be a difficult read for a beginner level reader, as I feel these words would intimidate them. But personally for me, reading this book was a treat to my eyes and soul. I have never been good with words, but having read this masterpiece, I feel ecstatic to be called a reader.
The comprehension meaning of the title of the book at the end was beyond what I expected. I can promise that nobody is ready for the climax, and even though the narration was a little dragging at times, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This book is a pure work of literature for me, and I would urge more and more people to read this gem.
My rating: ****1/2
I fell in love with this book the moment I got to know that Peter, the protagonist is a struggling author. I can’t even begin to talk about the refined use of language that the author has in his narration. Interpreting this book in one line, reading it was like a wordgasm to me. The plotline, the narration, the language used, and god the totally unpredictable climax, everything including the cover of this book has my heart. Just talking about this book soothes me, and every time Peter talks about his mom or his Dad, My heart would go to him like he is one wounded child and I need to caress him to make him feel like he is not alone in this world. I wish I could write pages about this book, but the more I talk, the more I am concerned that I will give away the plotline.
According to me, the beauty of this book is its words. Having read around 250+ books as a reader, I have never come across any book that garnered such polished usage of intricately woven words. For the same reason, this book might turn out to be a difficult read for a beginner level reader, as I feel these words would intimidate them. But personally for me, reading this book was a treat to my eyes and soul. I have never been good with words, but having read this masterpiece, I feel ecstatic to be called a reader.
The comprehension meaning of the title of the book at the end was beyond what I expected. I can promise that nobody is ready for the climax, and even though the narration was a little dragging at times, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This book is a pure work of literature for me, and I would urge more and more people to read this gem.
My rating: ****1/2
December 20, 2020
/the past is never where you think you left it/
~ katherine anne potter
▶RATING - 4.5/5
.
▶REVIEW - The story revolves around 3 people named as Peter, Alex and Alice. The main protagonist is Peter who is a struggling author. He starts writing a journal which is full of nostalgic memories. Peter had a hard past as his mother died when he was young and he never developed a special bond with his father as his father was in trauma after his wife's demise. Peter had a best friend named Alex and trust me when I say that they did everything together! A girl named as Alice entered the town and settled down with her family. Alice, Peter and Alex became good friends. Also, Peter developed a small crush on Alice. But he never confessed his love for her due to the fear of rejection. Everything was going well, but Peter's father died... He left a note which explained that his death was a suicide and not an accident.. On that fateful day only, Alice left Peter. Peter also maintained his distance from Alex. He was devastated but started focusing on his career. So what happens next? ( Grab the book and start reading ).
.
An amazing read. The story is beautifully carved. An impressive book which will make a special place in your mind. The plotline is intriguing. The language used is vividly rendered. Overall this book is a bewitching medium to quench the mysteries of this world and what lies in a person. It also teaches us how to conquer your inner dreams. Author has done such a commendable job that even if you read this book 'n' number of times you would want to read it again.
~ katherine anne potter
▶RATING - 4.5/5
.
▶REVIEW - The story revolves around 3 people named as Peter, Alex and Alice. The main protagonist is Peter who is a struggling author. He starts writing a journal which is full of nostalgic memories. Peter had a hard past as his mother died when he was young and he never developed a special bond with his father as his father was in trauma after his wife's demise. Peter had a best friend named Alex and trust me when I say that they did everything together! A girl named as Alice entered the town and settled down with her family. Alice, Peter and Alex became good friends. Also, Peter developed a small crush on Alice. But he never confessed his love for her due to the fear of rejection. Everything was going well, but Peter's father died... He left a note which explained that his death was a suicide and not an accident.. On that fateful day only, Alice left Peter. Peter also maintained his distance from Alex. He was devastated but started focusing on his career. So what happens next? ( Grab the book and start reading ).
.
An amazing read. The story is beautifully carved. An impressive book which will make a special place in your mind. The plotline is intriguing. The language used is vividly rendered. Overall this book is a bewitching medium to quench the mysteries of this world and what lies in a person. It also teaches us how to conquer your inner dreams. Author has done such a commendable job that even if you read this book 'n' number of times you would want to read it again.
July 19, 2021
Purgatory of half forgotten riddles is a story which revolves around 3 friends - Alex, Alice & Peter, tracing their years of growing up, being inseparable & experiencing life together. The book beautifully captures every emotion and every feeling we have while growing up, the love, the insecurities, the jealousies and the chasm that builds as you move from high school to university and find newer people to hang out with.
I, honestly, always appreciate books with characters who are readers, for some reason there is a greater connect and this one really made me want to explore Milan Kundera's work. I really liked the character of Alex, the stoicism yet a carefree attitude but Peter shows a side which all of us have, the competitive one, trying to get ahead constantly.
What threw me off was that twist that I did not see coming. The writing is definitely complex, forces you to ponder, though the non-linear narrative is easy to follow and as a reader you try to piece together every character & scenario. Memories, past experiences, dilemmas and ramblings in their rawest form are presented, though they can get too much at times, leading the story astray but just when that happens the writer acknowledges and brings it right back. Slightly better editing would have won the game. But that end, so layered!
Don't we all look at life in hindsight and always wonder, what if? So many times we look at our peers and feel like we could have done so much better with the same opportunities had they come to us. But that is life. And this book is such an underrated gem.
I, honestly, always appreciate books with characters who are readers, for some reason there is a greater connect and this one really made me want to explore Milan Kundera's work. I really liked the character of Alex, the stoicism yet a carefree attitude but Peter shows a side which all of us have, the competitive one, trying to get ahead constantly.
What threw me off was that twist that I did not see coming. The writing is definitely complex, forces you to ponder, though the non-linear narrative is easy to follow and as a reader you try to piece together every character & scenario. Memories, past experiences, dilemmas and ramblings in their rawest form are presented, though they can get too much at times, leading the story astray but just when that happens the writer acknowledges and brings it right back. Slightly better editing would have won the game. But that end, so layered!
Don't we all look at life in hindsight and always wonder, what if? So many times we look at our peers and feel like we could have done so much better with the same opportunities had they come to us. But that is life. And this book is such an underrated gem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews