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Arachnid
Postal employee Jay Mukherjee believes that the world is spiralling into madness.
But he doesn’t remember his own face.
The residents of City-8 are living a faithless, hopeless, and musicless life, dreading an imminent android uprising.
Jay, tortured by the ghosts of his past, tries to come to terms with the squalid realities of urban life, when he encounters the manifestation of his darkest secrets and his worst nightmares – in the form of a spider.
Set in a distant future, the story delves into the ideas of existentialism, nihilism and absurdism, through an experimental narrative.
But he doesn’t remember his own face.
The residents of City-8 are living a faithless, hopeless, and musicless life, dreading an imminent android uprising.
Jay, tortured by the ghosts of his past, tries to come to terms with the squalid realities of urban life, when he encounters the manifestation of his darkest secrets and his worst nightmares – in the form of a spider.
Set in a distant future, the story delves into the ideas of existentialism, nihilism and absurdism, through an experimental narrative.
135 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 24, 2021
I have always loved psychological thrillers be it movies or novels . Some of the most prolific flicks by Christopher Nolan be it Memento ( the original version of Ghazni) or Inception created such ripples on my psyche that it soon become my favourite genre. Since a long time I have come across various mysterious read but nothing that can actually make me bend my mind to its limit. And then I picked this riveting read 'Arachnid'
The book revolves around a person Jay who is paranoid about spiders . He is so fearful of them that in every single thing he comes across he visualises spiders. His phobia has crossed all the limits so much so that the reality and illusion seems to have combined into one.His very existence seems to have a huge impact due to such paranoia.
The novel is literally a masterpiece. The metaphors employed by the author and the subtle transitions are something I have never seen from a debut author before. In less than 150 pages , Aditya has carved a tale which once started becomes totally unputdownable. The narration is excellent and story is fast paced. The underlying message about conquering fears is beautifully presented.
I would also like to thank @lipi.gupta for recommending me this book.
Overall a wonderful debut.
The book revolves around a person Jay who is paranoid about spiders . He is so fearful of them that in every single thing he comes across he visualises spiders. His phobia has crossed all the limits so much so that the reality and illusion seems to have combined into one.His very existence seems to have a huge impact due to such paranoia.
The novel is literally a masterpiece. The metaphors employed by the author and the subtle transitions are something I have never seen from a debut author before. In less than 150 pages , Aditya has carved a tale which once started becomes totally unputdownable. The narration is excellent and story is fast paced. The underlying message about conquering fears is beautifully presented.
I would also like to thank @lipi.gupta for recommending me this book.
Overall a wonderful debut.
February 25, 2021
Arachnid by Aditya Modak 📚
Check out the review on my blog- https://inscribedinklings.wordpress.c...
Trigger warning: Spiders, more spiders and hell a lot of spiders 😂
"Arachnid" is a mind-bending book with hidden meanings and metaphors that blew my mind. I initially thought it was a Dystopian Fiction book but by the end of it I understood that the whole book is a metaphor for our life. I think each person who reads it will find their own interpretation for the book. This book is really a short quick read and it will hardly take an hour to read and finish it. It also didn't seem like a debut book at all. There was a finesse in the book that only comes with experience and the author has to be applauded for that.
The writing style was articulate and succinct. The tone of the book was witty and philosophical. The theme of the book was about conquering fears. The narration was predominantly in third person. The main character also had conversations with himself in a few places which were in first person. The language and concepts were a bit complex at places and may not be understood by beginner readers.
The story was about Jay Mukherjee. He lived in a futuristic world with strict rules. The air was so polluted that everyone wore gas masks all the time. The government was pretty much a dictatorship and they would be put to death for the slightest infarctions. Jay had a wife and a daughter. He tried his best to put his past phobias in the back burner and provide a good life for his family.
His deepest fear were spiders, one particular incident from his past haunted him all the time. Even after undergoing therapy and treatments, the fear was not completely gone. To make everything worse, Jay feels like he was spiralling into madness. What happened next? Does he survive and accept his fate? Read to find out!
I'd recommend this book as it's very unique and for its quirky narration to all readers.
Read it / Skip it- My verdict- READ📖
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
-Afreen
Check out the review on my blog- https://inscribedinklings.wordpress.c...
Trigger warning: Spiders, more spiders and hell a lot of spiders 😂
"Arachnid" is a mind-bending book with hidden meanings and metaphors that blew my mind. I initially thought it was a Dystopian Fiction book but by the end of it I understood that the whole book is a metaphor for our life. I think each person who reads it will find their own interpretation for the book. This book is really a short quick read and it will hardly take an hour to read and finish it. It also didn't seem like a debut book at all. There was a finesse in the book that only comes with experience and the author has to be applauded for that.
The writing style was articulate and succinct. The tone of the book was witty and philosophical. The theme of the book was about conquering fears. The narration was predominantly in third person. The main character also had conversations with himself in a few places which were in first person. The language and concepts were a bit complex at places and may not be understood by beginner readers.
The story was about Jay Mukherjee. He lived in a futuristic world with strict rules. The air was so polluted that everyone wore gas masks all the time. The government was pretty much a dictatorship and they would be put to death for the slightest infarctions. Jay had a wife and a daughter. He tried his best to put his past phobias in the back burner and provide a good life for his family.
His deepest fear were spiders, one particular incident from his past haunted him all the time. Even after undergoing therapy and treatments, the fear was not completely gone. To make everything worse, Jay feels like he was spiralling into madness. What happened next? Does he survive and accept his fate? Read to find out!
I'd recommend this book as it's very unique and for its quirky narration to all readers.
Read it / Skip it- My verdict- READ📖
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
-Afreen
September 8, 2021
A brilliant blend of dystopia and surrealism, Aditya Modak’s debut novel Arachnid mirrors the common man’s fears in myriad ways. Jay Mukherjee leads a life bereft of flavour, carefully skirting the barricades placed in society by the Federation.
But one day, his nightmare doesn’t cease. And with great horror, Jay realizes that his childhood fear of spiders has surfaced again, threatening to engulf the world as he knows it.
I couldn’t set this book down, and so I read it in one sitting. The sheer jaw-dropping quality of it emerges not just through the well-written passages but also the ideas that underlie Aditya Modak’s storytelling.
Right from the beginning, the author gives us a glimpse of a world far removed from what it is today. The system of governance has changed. The quality of life has entirely succumbed to poor environmental conditions and dystopian policies. People are reduced beings, trudging on with their jobs, having no ambitions, creativity, or purpose. I enjoy reading dystopian books, so this aspect of the plot appealed to me a great deal.
Secondly, I love it when books I read are inspired by the ideologies and philosophies of other writers or reference other literary texts. And in the author’s writing, I was able to connect the dots to exceptional titles like Orwell’s 1984, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, and... Read the rest of the review on my blog
But one day, his nightmare doesn’t cease. And with great horror, Jay realizes that his childhood fear of spiders has surfaced again, threatening to engulf the world as he knows it.
I couldn’t set this book down, and so I read it in one sitting. The sheer jaw-dropping quality of it emerges not just through the well-written passages but also the ideas that underlie Aditya Modak’s storytelling.
Right from the beginning, the author gives us a glimpse of a world far removed from what it is today. The system of governance has changed. The quality of life has entirely succumbed to poor environmental conditions and dystopian policies. People are reduced beings, trudging on with their jobs, having no ambitions, creativity, or purpose. I enjoy reading dystopian books, so this aspect of the plot appealed to me a great deal.
Secondly, I love it when books I read are inspired by the ideologies and philosophies of other writers or reference other literary texts. And in the author’s writing, I was able to connect the dots to exceptional titles like Orwell’s 1984, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, and... Read the rest of the review on my blog
August 26, 2021
Recently I picked up this book because I was looking for a good psychological thriller. However it wasn't exactly what I usually read from the genre, neither the storyline was anywhere I predicted and expected. But it was definitely a good read. Completely unpredictable if you're not familiar with the genre. But if you're familiar with this kind of concept, still the book will entertain you.
Till around 60 pages, you'll try to decipher exactly what's happening in the storyline. Till the same, the pace is also mildly slow. But after that, you'll want it to finish faster so you can depict the end. At around the middle of the book, it'll grab pace and bring you closer to the edge of your seat. It's not a very lengthy read.
A slow reader like me needed just 2 hours to finish it. The writing style was nice. As a writer and editor, I always love to go deeper in the writing style of the author. Aditya Modak has maintained a straightforward, to-the-point, sharp-as-a-tack writing style. I liked that the language was simple and lucid. Generally, deep and vivid details are lost in complex language. But the language didn't fall flat either.
A good one-time read because once the only mystery of the book is out, you can't undo it.. so don't peek onto the final page until you've read to it.
Till around 60 pages, you'll try to decipher exactly what's happening in the storyline. Till the same, the pace is also mildly slow. But after that, you'll want it to finish faster so you can depict the end. At around the middle of the book, it'll grab pace and bring you closer to the edge of your seat. It's not a very lengthy read.
A slow reader like me needed just 2 hours to finish it. The writing style was nice. As a writer and editor, I always love to go deeper in the writing style of the author. Aditya Modak has maintained a straightforward, to-the-point, sharp-as-a-tack writing style. I liked that the language was simple and lucid. Generally, deep and vivid details are lost in complex language. But the language didn't fall flat either.
A good one-time read because once the only mystery of the book is out, you can't undo it.. so don't peek onto the final page until you've read to it.
August 19, 2021
The development of the setting is done very effectively. The sights, sounds, and happenings make the city feel realistic. I enjoyed that the descriptions were enough to be able to picture the surroundings, but not so much that it detracts from the story.
The story flows well and is simple to follow. Jay’s flashbacks came at strategic moments that broke up his mundane tasks and kept the story interesting. The plot moves faster as it progresses. The buildup left me excited for what would come next. I liked the story but felt that it ended too abruptly.
Jay’s character is the only character that had substantial development. This makes some of his interactions with other people seem empty. This shows that due to the hustle of the overcrowded city there is not much time to develop deep relationships with others. This gives more importance to Jay’s thoughts.
Arachnid does a good job combining elements of sci-fi and horror. The fast pace and vivid descriptions will keep readers engaged. The plot was interesting, the main character understandable, and the setting visible in my imagination. I would enjoy a more complete resolution. Overall I enjoyed this book, I rate it a solid 3.9/5 stars.
The story flows well and is simple to follow. Jay’s flashbacks came at strategic moments that broke up his mundane tasks and kept the story interesting. The plot moves faster as it progresses. The buildup left me excited for what would come next. I liked the story but felt that it ended too abruptly.
Jay’s character is the only character that had substantial development. This makes some of his interactions with other people seem empty. This shows that due to the hustle of the overcrowded city there is not much time to develop deep relationships with others. This gives more importance to Jay’s thoughts.
Arachnid does a good job combining elements of sci-fi and horror. The fast pace and vivid descriptions will keep readers engaged. The plot was interesting, the main character understandable, and the setting visible in my imagination. I would enjoy a more complete resolution. Overall I enjoyed this book, I rate it a solid 3.9/5 stars.
August 25, 2021
I finished reading 'Arachnid' in just a few days. It was a short book, yet attention-grabbing.
The start was a little bit slow, allowing readers to delve into Jay, the main character, and his past encounters with spiders. To top off, Jay's quirky personality and views about the world he lives in compelled the story even further.
The setting, which was far in the future, was clearly well thought of. It showed the bridge between the present times to the world shown throughout the story, also how the society adapted to it, which made this book even more interesting to read.
I absolutely love the climax at the end of the book and how it was packed with tension until the unexpected ending!
The start was a little bit slow, allowing readers to delve into Jay, the main character, and his past encounters with spiders. To top off, Jay's quirky personality and views about the world he lives in compelled the story even further.
The setting, which was far in the future, was clearly well thought of. It showed the bridge between the present times to the world shown throughout the story, also how the society adapted to it, which made this book even more interesting to read.
I absolutely love the climax at the end of the book and how it was packed with tension until the unexpected ending!
September 3, 2021
Mind Bending Psychological Thriller..........
Aditya Modak has done a commendable work in his book Arachnid. With limited characters, the author has woven a web of story which will definitely bend your mind. At a point, I was also not able to discern that which event is real and which is not. A powerful and excellent debut by a new author. I could not put down the book and finished in one sitting only. The book deserves a 5 star rating.
Read full review on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
Aditya Modak has done a commendable work in his book Arachnid. With limited characters, the author has woven a web of story which will definitely bend your mind. At a point, I was also not able to discern that which event is real and which is not. A powerful and excellent debut by a new author. I could not put down the book and finished in one sitting only. The book deserves a 5 star rating.
Read full review on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
November 1, 2022
This little book was so dark, twisted and an incredible mix of dystopia and surrealism and above everything the feeling of being completely alone in a world Full of people.
It's gonna be really scary book for you if you're an arachnophobic like me.
It's gonna be really scary book for you if you're an arachnophobic like me.
October 8, 2021
Arachnid sci-fiction horror story by Aditya Modak, at first made me a little drawn back by the writing style I wasn't used to, but reaching page 7 something captured my attention. I couldn't figure it out until I reached the middle of the book and realization struck me: the writing style of the author resembled the one Stephen King had in his earlier short stories - which one may or may not like. The dystopian setting of society made George Orwell's book "1984" appear in my mind.
Reading the book further, I found the author had a good understanding of how the person feels when he suffers from arachnophobia (some episodes even made me laugh).
The ending of the story was something even I - the person used to thrillers - find a little bit disturbing, but I really liked it.
Also, as a writer, I found this book interesting because it helped me to see some national specifics of Indian people.
Reading the book further, I found the author had a good understanding of how the person feels when he suffers from arachnophobia (some episodes even made me laugh).
The ending of the story was something even I - the person used to thrillers - find a little bit disturbing, but I really liked it.
Also, as a writer, I found this book interesting because it helped me to see some national specifics of Indian people.
September 4, 2021
As any writer can tell you, it takes talent to form something large out of a small amount of writing. It is often a challenge- write a short story, write a micro story, write a flash fiction of 200 words or less- and the best examples always shine through these mediums. As a writer myself, I can say that this is not a skill I possess. I can never fit the type of imagery, the type of story, that I read here into this amount. I always say too much- but what this novel holds is a powerful punch in a small, well done package.
When I received this novel, the first thing I noticed was the quality. A well done cover, strong binding, intricate details in the formatting. I dived into the story, and admittedly, at first I thought it was a slightly slow start. But then it began to unfold as it was meant to; proving to be revealing, thought-provoking, and clever.
What Arachnid does is present a statement on the mentality of our real world, and the real horror of the path we could easily go down. Many things presented here are not as outlandish as you would think- it was all too easy to imagine myself in the world of Arachnid. I would liken it to the type of society represented in popular video game, Papers Please, and the fictional country "Arstotzka". A clean cut, daily grind of a life where those that fit, thrive, and those that don't, sink to the bottom that everyone pretends doesn't exist, never to be heard from again.
Besides its social commentary, I found myself enamored in the mentality of the main character, Jay, as he went about his perfectly normal life- haunted by the spider of his nightmares. While I won't reveal the story here, I will say that I found Arachnid to be a subtle, well written insight into the human psyche.
The end, which could have been predictable if written by a less capable author, instead floored me and had me thrilled at what I had just read. Top notch prose, succinct in style, and a more than worthy read for anyone who likes a twist that makes you reflect.
I heavily recommend this novel for anyone who likes to read something that makes them see life in a new light- or perhaps, see themselves as someone else. I can say that Arachnid is an inspiration in its genre, and though it may be short, and it may look unassuming, it leaves a lasting impression. The next time I think of the darkness in the back of my mind, I might do so by envisioning my own spidery foe.
When I received this novel, the first thing I noticed was the quality. A well done cover, strong binding, intricate details in the formatting. I dived into the story, and admittedly, at first I thought it was a slightly slow start. But then it began to unfold as it was meant to; proving to be revealing, thought-provoking, and clever.
What Arachnid does is present a statement on the mentality of our real world, and the real horror of the path we could easily go down. Many things presented here are not as outlandish as you would think- it was all too easy to imagine myself in the world of Arachnid. I would liken it to the type of society represented in popular video game, Papers Please, and the fictional country "Arstotzka". A clean cut, daily grind of a life where those that fit, thrive, and those that don't, sink to the bottom that everyone pretends doesn't exist, never to be heard from again.
Besides its social commentary, I found myself enamored in the mentality of the main character, Jay, as he went about his perfectly normal life- haunted by the spider of his nightmares. While I won't reveal the story here, I will say that I found Arachnid to be a subtle, well written insight into the human psyche.
The end, which could have been predictable if written by a less capable author, instead floored me and had me thrilled at what I had just read. Top notch prose, succinct in style, and a more than worthy read for anyone who likes a twist that makes you reflect.
I heavily recommend this novel for anyone who likes to read something that makes them see life in a new light- or perhaps, see themselves as someone else. I can say that Arachnid is an inspiration in its genre, and though it may be short, and it may look unassuming, it leaves a lasting impression. The next time I think of the darkness in the back of my mind, I might do so by envisioning my own spidery foe.
March 8, 2021
This is a short book with a huge impact. The writing style is clear, brief, and to the point.
The story is about Jay Mukherjee. He lived in a distant future world with strict rules. The air is so polluted that everyone has to wear gas masks all the time.
His deepest fear was spiders. One specific incident from his past troubled him all the time. Even after going through many therapies and treatments, the fear was still there.
The theme of the book is about conquering fears. Definitely recommended!
The story is about Jay Mukherjee. He lived in a distant future world with strict rules. The air is so polluted that everyone has to wear gas masks all the time.
His deepest fear was spiders. One specific incident from his past troubled him all the time. Even after going through many therapies and treatments, the fear was still there.
The theme of the book is about conquering fears. Definitely recommended!
August 27, 2021
This piece of literature kept me hooked right from the first page. Arachnid is a near perfect blend of all the genres of literature that peak my interest, and thus I found it extremely fun to read. The only negative if I have to be extremely nitpicky is that the book was way too short given it's tightly wound narrative. Despite being a one time read, it leaves the readers wanting so much more by the time they reach the end. Overall the book was great. Looking forward to a lot more from this budding author.
October 10, 2021
I have finished it in one sitting. This one is really a wonderful plot with a gripping writing style.
It will gives you the goosebumps while reading it.
Well, I'm not gonna reveal even the short part of the story here. But I must say, if you are the kind of reader who love reading psychological fiction, give it a try, you will surely love it.
It will gives you the goosebumps while reading it.
Well, I'm not gonna reveal even the short part of the story here. But I must say, if you are the kind of reader who love reading psychological fiction, give it a try, you will surely love it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews