Centripetal

by Rohit Shukla

Mangal, a dreamer of becoming a writer who is not happy with his job, suddenly found himself haunted by a character of his story. Meanwhile, Niketan, A lover, who after not finding any whereabouts of his love Chahat for several months, decided to find her by travelling to her city, where he will meet Jayant, a wannabe government employee. Coincidently, their lives are coiled around each other's mishaps and the answers will come from the past. A thrilling tale, which will leave you to contemplate over several facades of life.

206 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2021

About the author

I am still a learner and a seeker. My creativity gets inspiration from endured criticism and solitude. Born and brought up in a small town of West Bengal, India, I started writing at the age of 9, during my school days, after being inspired by the stories of Sir Munshi Premchand. I also make music and am in love with traveling.

Reviews

[Alok Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Mangal, a wannabe writer who continues creating a story till he becomes one... hardly differentiable from each other. Niketan, who is madly in love with someone and wants to be with her. And, many other characters who are looking to fulfil the pursuits of their lives. However, the messy sets of ambitions and individuals are brought together by fate (and the craft of the author) to give the readers a wonderful experience... a modern novel with a modern treatment and a contemporary theme that holds many things together.

[Abhishek Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centripetal is a novel of illusions, illusions around us and illusions inside us. The author has articulated all these aspects beautifully and yet, he has tried to keep the humane aspect in the work alive that will keep the readers close to the narrative and storyline of the work. Rohit's writing style is more contemporary but his theme is rather traditional or we can say serious. He has tried to do something differently and he did it as well. Suspense is there, seriousness is there, a flow is there and a reading satisfaction is always there once you end the book.

[Naman Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can past become very important in your present? Yes, it can. And certainly becomes. Can past become so important that it mars your present prospects? Yes, it certainly can... and the same happens with many characters in this novel. One discovers someone is a murderer and one discovers what was in the past that haunts him in the present... Mangal, Jayant and Niketan are in a fix... how will they come out of it? Read the novel and you will understand how it moves on...

[Akanksha Shrivastav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will enjoy reading a novel like this over the usual romantic novels, any day... Rohit's writing style is not appealing per se but rather philosophical and almost mystical except for the times he uses modern verbology to make the conversations possible among his characters who meet by luck and continue to be together by some unconscious force. Do read it and you may like just because Centripetal offers new style and new content that is actively lacking in modern Indian English literature.

[Shivani Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel has many pages. It has many characters. It has many incidents as well. However, the better things come out as you go on reading, skipping songs and scenes, understand the psychology of the characters, travelling through their memory lanes and imagination... feels like a drama made into a novel and that also successfully! Enjoy it.

[Avdhesh Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a story that tells the readers how messy can life be and, at the same time, how wonderfully we bump into people and become a part of their life... it's about life being unpredictable. It's about a philosophy that life does bring you back to face your ghosts from the past. It's more about psychological aspects of life and how we keep evolving in our timelines. The story has not the pace that of a thriller but it does have a pace to match your expectations, it has thriller elements, suspense elements and even tragic qualities as well. It's about ambitions and chaos. A very different kind of work that offers a mix of things you will enjoy. Do read it.

[VishnuGupta Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centripetal is one of those novels that you read and enjoy and cannot forget even after many days. You have to give the credit where its due and Rohit has done an amazing job in writing such fiction. His art of storytelling, character building and even creating an engaging plot are up to the mark and rather different from the usual ones that we read more than often. He has written a romance, a thriller, a murder mystery and a sentimental, self-realisational novel... mixing all these together in a wonderful blend of emotions, thoughts and art... good job, once again!

[Afreen Khalil Inscribed Inklings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Centripetal by Rohit Shukla

Check out the review on my blog- https://inscribedinklings.wordpress.c...



Centripetal has a diaspora of innovations and plots within it. I felt it was too ambitious at times. The author has given a disclaimer right at the start that the narration of this book is completely different and out of the world, and that's exactly what we get. There are 3 main characters in the book and each have separate plots which gets connected at the end of the story. The book is very short of only 152 pages. But this is not a book you can rush through.

I felt the writing style was very experimental and it was personally hard for me to comprehend. I would definitely not recommend this book to beginner readers. I would say experienced readers looking for an experimental and unique writing style can give this book a go. The narration had multiple POVs but proper distinction was not present in the chapters, so it was confusing to understand who was actually narrating.

The book also has explicit language and content. It was definitely violent and gory. It had elements of action, thriller, romance, mystery, psychology and drama. The thing I liked about the book the was how all the three parallel stories were brought together and tied off in the end. It showed the skill of the author. If you are looking for a unconventional book and are okay with not being in your comfort zone, you can give this book a try.

-Afreen

[Rahul Sikaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel opens up like a mosaic of broken images put together to create an effect of unity... plot us unified, you begin to trace events, characters and their goals. Once you begin to identify with any of them, though the best is to identify with the narrator, you will have your perspectives leading you to the end of the novel and you can see things unfolding in unexpected ways. There is everything. There is life. Death. Love. Hatred. Many things more. Do read it.

[Zeenat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it! It kept me stuck to my Kindle reader and I enjoyed every bit of this dramatic novel with too many songs playing in the background and cockroaches heralding the events to happen with their metaphorical walks! Mangal keeps looking for Robert and he knows a little that he will confront his past sooner than expected... interesting turns make the novel further interesting.

[Anivesh Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary in content and a grand mixture of style, the traditional and the new-age... Rohit's novel will chide many readers who have become accustomed to reading love stories with no ends specified. Centripetal runs in conscious, subconscious, unconscious and even in super-conscious and I must say that the novelist has managed to merge the timelines, scenes and storylines together in a very aptly balanced manner to give the readers a conclusion they can decipher.

[Readwithmadhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Centripetal’ by Rohit Shukla begins with some background information explained by the narrator and also giving the readers first glance and insight into the story, wherein we are introduced to our three main characters in the Inception chapter.

First, the narrator explores the story of Mangal, and we are shown in flashback about how he started his job and what were the circumstances that were there surrounding it.

Next, we have Niketan, a man who would do anything for his love, even if it means leaving everything behind and travelling to the place where he deems his Chahat to be.

And last but not the least is Jayant, who seems like he has an aura of mystery that is surrounding him. At initial glance, the readers may deem him to be the one with a temper, considering his interactions.

Now, these three people are absolutely different and distinct from each other. However, there is definitely some thing common between them which will connect them together and bind this all.

The author has sort of given an ending to the book by closing all the loose ends that arose at the starting, but then he also went ahead at the end gave another few scenarios which will make us think about.

This was quite a different book than the rest which I have read or come across, in a way that it's narrative style was something which most of the readers might not have seen before, making it a great new experience for each and everyone. I am going to give this book FIVE CENTRIPETAL STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Rajni Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centripetal appears to be a philosophical novel more than anything else. The author has tried to influence the minds of the readers with many other things other than the characters and conversations. Yes, the subconscious plays a bigger part in this novel and this was my first experience in reading such a novel... you will feel the urge of the characters and their drive but you just don't seem to know what might happen in the next scene. I liked it. Though new to me, it took no time in getting in-tune with the work.

[Ankita Gaurav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rohit's novel is more or less a novel of ambitions, frustration and the usual thing we call life... readers will find it messy in the beginning but will get in-line with the characters once they begin reading it carefully. An experiment kind of execution with the plot and the narrative and I almost like it all the way except for the occasions where details overtake the actions or the spotlight is misplaced. A challenging read to me too... like many have already stated about the novel. Do read it and you will see for yourself.

[Ashish Ranjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story, within another story and the complete storyline has many joints that you can follow to understand what actually happens and how you can perceive what's happening. The author has done a brilliant job in keeping the story alive and readers will certainly see it as they move ahead. Mangal's talents seldom meet his actual life's harsh realities and so is the case with Niketan, more or less. The two persons' fate gets intertwined and we move towards a very mind-blowing finale. A different, somehow problematic and an eventful read.

[Vinod Manas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is right when he says that this tale will force you to contemplate about many perspectives of life... I admire his style of writing and also his vision that he could see beyond the contemporary shortcuts to success in writing industry and come up with something as wonderful as Centripetal. The book is active as well as passive. You read the story. You get to know the characters. And, if you are careful in your observation, the forces you to think certain things by giving you information about the background, the set-up, the scenario and the subconscious information.

[Sima Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the story is exciting or not, I will leave it up to the judgement of the readers, I am sure that the novel offers a true reading pleasure to the readers. Yes, it is a little slow and too clumsy in terms of narrative and storytelling... but, yet, I will say you should read this because it is too attractive in many different terms. Different characters and different stories meeting in one single line and moving towards an end... which is happy to be precise but also too open to fully convince yourself and you get chance to reflect on many things to understand the ending.

[Chitranjan Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel has philosophical, psychological, political, social, personal and real elements embedded in each part of the book. You can continue reading and understanding the scenes and the episodes but there will be the elements that will demand your attention and time to be decoded and understood. I truly engaged with the novel to understand it and even though I did my best (that I think), I think I will need to relook... a challenging fiction to be frank... try it.

[Anand Shiv Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure what to call it – a suspense, a crime or an adventure thriller... but the novel has these elements in plenty. However, the entire set-up seems a little elevated because of the constant indulgence of a narrator who remains with the readers till the end... The novel offers a story for everyone who reads it. For me, it was rather a story of Niketan and his discovery of some real faces. The novel has cryptic messages, Hindi and English songs, scenarios and a movie like experience. DO try it if you want to be shocked, surprised or just amazed... all the best!

[Saloni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read anything like this. in recent months. Rohit has written wonderfully and he truly deserves applause for the same. He has wonderfully threaded the plot of this novel and so neatly that it does not let the readers off the hook for a while until the resolution is made at the end.

[Prabhnoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centripetal, a book with the most beautiful metaphors. It is delightful to read about distinct characters while you read about their various events and till the end the pieces just fit perfectly. Its thrilling to read how the characters suprisingly revolve around each other. The omens, indicators they are all infront and still even as readers we are too oblivious to them. The reading style make it seem more enjoyable and way realer. The book has got the hope, the love, the struggle, the thrill and what not, centripetal has got it all covered. An utterly enjoyable and binge worthy read.

[Vikas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clumsy and hasty... I may say. However, after reading a while, the novel does feel gripping and I almost enjoyed this twisted tale of fate and one's karma... justice and its various concepts. If you are also looking for something that does not only blow your mind but also gives you things to remember even after the novel is over, Centripetal is for you guys!

[Manish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niketan's search for his beloved takes many turns and he does not only realise many twists in his own fate but also in the lives of people around him. However, things are not only limited to the present... events of the past and horrors of the days gone by also come to the fore as the characters 'dig' deeper. You will love it as you read...

[Saket Niranjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing that I liked the best in this novel is its ability to keep the readers engaged till the very conclusion and yet not bore them with a multiplicity of the characters and their motifs. I enjoyed it.

[Krishna Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Centripetal by Rohit Shukla.

It's was the second book of this author. This story revolves around the three main characters.

Initially, it's talked about Magal who loves to become a writer, and he doesn't like his current job. So he started writing. While writing he was haunted by a character of his story.

After that, this story talks about the Niketan. He likes to do anything for the love of his life. But he couldn't find her in months. So started to travel to different places to find her.

Later this story revolves around Jayant. He was a government employee. He was always confused state at that time he met Niketan.

What happens then? What happens to Magal? Does Niketan find the love of his life? How do Jayant and Niketan help each other? Read and find out.

It's a very unique book I have read so far. All because of the narration of this story. The author tried something new in narration. (For ex: He tried to explain about the background of the situation, noises, voice of the speaker., etc ) it helps for better imagination. Due to very different narration, I felt a bit hard to understand in few areas. It's a good attempt by this author. He tried something different from others kudos for that.

Personally, I haven't liked this narration, I think BCS it's very new to me that's why I couldn't understand clearly in few areas. I think very experienced readers might understand it very well. I recommend this to them.

Happy reading.

[The Caged Butterfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a psychological thriller with an apt amount of thrill, suspense, and mystery. This story revolves around three main characters whose lives are interconnected and how are to be known by reading this. The first character Mangal is an aspiring writer who is looking for a way to put an end to his boring job and make writing his full-time profession. The second character is, Niketan who lost his love Chahat without any trace. Out of curiosity to know what happened to her and where she went missing, he leaves for her place and meets the third character, a would-be government employee, Jayant. Everything was fine till now; this is when the story catches up with the pace and interesting twists are introduced. This is an attention-gripping read that can be completed in one sitting. One thing I struggled with while reading this book is the formatting which sometimes made me read between the lines unknowingly. But overall this is a not-to-miss read.

[Neha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ebook revolves around Mangal who is bored with his job as it’s not serving him his cause and wants to be a creator and of Niketan who is madly in love with Chahat and goes to meet her as he has now not heard from her for few days.
Next, we have Niketan, a man who could do whatever for his love, even supposing it means leaving everything in the back of and touring to the region where he deems his Chahat to be and remaining however no longer the least is Jayant, who looks as if he has an charisma of thriller this is surrounding him. At initial look, the readers may also deem him to be the only with a temper, considering his interactions.
The creator has made a international of his personal and allow the characters indulge in pursuing their goals and ardour. I truly loved analyzing this book.

[Shashikala Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can the character of a story bully or harass anyone? Highly impossible. However, can a character out of any story break you emotionally? Likely... probably and possibly! Mangal is haunted by one certain Robert from his story... a metaphorical one. Moreover, all other characters are dealing with the same crisis. Haunted by the ghosts of their ambitions, pursuits in life and desires. Niketan, Jayant, Chahat and so on... the novel has many facets that you will explore as you read it and get into the depths. The end us almost surreal because no one expects lines from different origins to come and meet in such an unexpected way... but, that's the speciality of an author and Rohit has done it quite well!

[Rashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you get a good book in your hands, you can never stop reading it completely. This is what happened to me when i had started this book. Truely saying the story swayed the way author had written and it made an amazing impact on the reader. The story was more like a movie than a novel. The main character was the one behind every plot. We had seen different concepts of comic or any novel character coming out of you book, but never even thought that this book totally change the original perspective and concept of virtuality. I really got amazed by the plot twists and the story line. I really need a person to share every line with. Just grab it with a load to read it and remark it.

[Lalan Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel seems more like a TV show where you get information about everything. However, the meat lies in its plot, subtle and connected, threaded in a way that gives you insights into the past and present of all the characters and highlight that whatever we do might have an effect on our lives... corpses are dug out of grave to haunt the sinners... figuratively as well as literally... language is contemporary and swear words add more common touch to it. Songs in the background suit the mood of the characters or make fun of them, most of the time... you will like it, overall...