Flawed Balance

by Ranjit Divakaran

He grew up like any other child from a middle class Indian family. Being the eldest son, he took on the responsibility to support and look after his parents. Something that was ingrained in him since birth. And something he did with joy. But slowly it dawned on him that it was only his services that were of value, not him. The last remnant of a family bond finally collapsed on the fateful day of his house warming . As the outward celebrations progressed with guests swarming all around, Rahuls own family refused to attend. Was this the price he had to pay for being the eldest son ?

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2021

Reviews

[Polomy Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each one of us are born in some families which differ from financial status. Some are poor, some are affluent and some are middle class. Poor Families often accept their condition and live a restricted life whereas affluent families are considered to live a carefree life. But the confusing families are the one's whose financial status are neither poor nor too good.
Children of such families are brought up with a responsibility that they have to take care of the family in order to support/take the position of head of the family.
But Somewhere the children from Middle class families go through a tough time in their own ways.

'Flawed Balance' is such a realistic novel that narrates a story of a middle class family. The book has a very sensitive beginning when Rahul looses his father and as I read the first chapter, I assumed the book would narrate the sacrifices & essense of a father in one's family but the book had something more to offer. However the first chapter is too gripping that makes this book page turner. As the story proceeds, Rahul's life since the time of his college days has been written in detailed way which seems unwanted and makes the book slow paced but as we keep reading, We readers realise that the book intends to showcase Rahul's life that is relative to most of the audience.
The detailed narrative will make the readers familiar to the family.
Approximately after 80 pages, the story will start making sense for it's detailed information.

Progress of the story showcasing the reality and bitter truth where responsibilities and duties being imposed on a person pushing one to be the provider of the family despite being broken and missing the feeling of being loved and cared is addressed very well. Each one of us, especially if a reader is the only child or the elder one can find themselves in this story.The story demands it's own time from the readers but eventually succeed in making an impression of a good book. The writing style is too good and the language of the book is a treat for a reader.
Rahul is definitely not a character who would impress the audience but he is someone who resides in each one of us. Overall it's a realistic novel.

[Debabrata Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

👉𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:-
📚ⓉⒾⓉⓁⒺ:- Flawed Balance
🖋️ⒶⓊⓉⒽⓄⓇ:- Ranjit Divakaran
🗞️ⓅⓊⒷⓁⒾⓈⒽⒺⓇ:- Dot Marketing
🔤ⓁⒶⓃⒼⓊⒶⒼⒺ:- English
📖ⒻⓄⓇⓂⒶⓉ:- Paperback
👉𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:-
Life is a journey of uncertainty & unpredictability. You never know what's going to happen in the next moment.
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We as social animals classified according to our financial situations. There are some who are below the poverty line or classified as poor who surrendered themselves under the cruel hammer of life & some are rich who never cares for money but believe in living a lavish life.
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But the most peculiar condition & hardest situation of survival is for them who are neither that much more nor a rich one. They r just sandwiched within this two economical groups struggling for a better life.
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This is the story of Rahul. He belonged to a middle class family & many expectations are lied on his shoulders as the elder child of family. The expectations changed into necessity when the only earner of the family died, that's exactly happened with him when he lost his father & all the responsibilities of his family transferred to his shoulder overnight without any sort of notice.
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To know more about it grab the book & give it a try.
👉𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 :-
🙂 The cover of the book is nice it gives an artistic touch
🙂 Writing style of the book is so real that you can feel it's each bit & connect with it too.
🙂 Language used in the book is simple & easily understandable. You never find any types of hardship to understand while reading it.
🙂 All the characters are developed perfectly in the book having crucial roles to make the book a smooth one.
🙂 Narration of the book is just classic. It's not that motivating or emotional middle class read but it's just a book that shows the reality & real faces of middle class families which is hard hitting & real struggle of middle class boys. Hats off to the author.
🙂 Book is paced nicely keeping all the detailing intact. Sometimes you find the book is dragging a little bit but completely worth reading.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑:-🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Vaj Vijaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW
BOOK - FLAWED BALANCE
AUTHOR - RANJIT DIVAKARAN
GENRE - CONTEMPORARY FICTION

As I read the book, I remembered a old movie which struck cord in my heart at a very young age. May be I was in class 3rd or 4th. It was the story of a women from a middle class. She secretly worked as a prostitute to pay for her family expenses. Theirs was a big family. Everybody enjoyed her money and finished their education. But a time came when all turned their back against her. The protagonist slowly crumbled under the pressure of her family and in need of love, withered away.

The protagonist of this book - Rahul reminded me of her. Having lost his father at a young age, the burden of running his family came on his young shoulders. As every middle class family dreams to become rich one day, the same dreams engulf their nights too.

The situations, characters are so relatable to any middle class member like me, I felt a tinge of pain in my heart. It made me question the societies norms and requirements for only the elder son or one family member to take care of everyone. Like in a poor family where the financial burden is shared by one and all, ( though its undesirable and pitiable ) why can't it be shared here too ?

The book throws a light on the silent sacrifices made my Rahul and also many like him. Though the book was elaborate and slow paced , the author made it interesting.

I empathise with anyone in Rahuls shoes and I hope there is a social change in these customs and way of live. Do check this one out.

[Shweta Shenoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parents burdening their child with their blinded ambition is not something new. In every society, there are children who are bought up with high expectations. Most of the times, the careers and future of the children is meticulously maped by the parents, while they have very little say in it.

Flawed balance is one such story of Rahul Prasad, whose father chooses him to become a doctor. Aware of being the eldest son and the responsibility that comes with it, Rahul cannot take his life decisions on his own. But when he does, the attitude of his family towards him changes drastically, that makes him think about his role in the family. Silently, he tries to fulfill his duty while battling his need for affection from them.

The beautiful cover and the blurb caught my attention. The beginning is very emotional but as we proceed, the grip starts to loosen. His college life is overly described and I failed to see the relevance to the story. The second half is when the real drama starts but that too lacks depth. Being a middle class 90s kids myself, i could relate to a lot of reference to his growing up years. The feeling of being ignored yet burdened by the overly expectant parents could have been described expressively.

In this plot, though slow paced, every reader will find something relatable. It is for the readers who like a casual, contemporary familial drama set in the medical background.

[Hepzibah Becca Jael · Rating 4 out of 5]

FLAWED BALANCE
Ranjit Divakaran

Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Genre: Contemporary Realistic fiction
Format: Paperback
Price: ₹299
Pages: 267

Review:
A well written realistic novel, I personally don't read much of realistic fiction because we read to escape reality but this novel was simple but unique and brings out the society's mindset and how it makes the balance flawed in a society!
There are three classes in every country that divides the people by their financial status, the rich and poor we know but the family doesn't realize the pressure they put on the middle class' bread winner, so they burden themselves to become rich someday and all these expectations lead them to burn themselves out. Such is the story of Rahul a middle-class boy who has lost his father and now not only have to take the role of a father in the family but strive to make them rich when he's still so young. The story brings out the fact that happens in India where the sole pressure to earn falls on the older son and Rahul sacrifices a lot but will his sacrifices count? Will they pay out? Read to find out!
The novel had a medium pace, the writing style was good, was a bit too kuch on the descriptive side but it did have it's reasons, the characters were simple but relatable, and the plot was well executed I think the authors themes have popped out of the pages to make them see their ownselves if not their parent's situation in a society!

[The Elite Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book reached me specially packed. I had the complete opposite feeling after reading the kind of book thought it might be. But in any case, the author's pen deserves praise. And it's a pity that I don't voice his description before reading this book because it greatly reduces my desire to read it. After reading the first two pages of this book, I got a distinct excitement that made me swallow the entire book . This is the crux of the story- Flawed balance. What happens when he realizes it and how his family reacts to the various situations is what the rest of the story will tell you. The book has 22 chapters titled with emotions like ‘Grief’,’ Delight’ etc. I found this to be a great idea for the chapter title!


Flawed Balance is a story of one such middle class family who lost their principal bread earner in a tragedy that leaves their eldest son Rahul with all the responsibilities for the family's survival and earnings. He, however, did not feel burdened by it, rather he took up his duties with joy. But like every happy story, there are some ups and downs. Something happens that leaves Rahul apprehensive about his decisions and actions. Rahul is definitely not a character who would impress the audience but he is someone who resides in each one of us. Overall it's a realistic novel.

Overall,I would say if anyone wants to read story which can be easily connected with you or the life in general can pick this book.

[Jenny Writes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each one of us are blessed in some way or the other. But our blessings are usually noticed when we see our financial viability. Yes the story revolves around a family who ain't blessed financially but thrown and caught up in this cruel world to an endless tenure of suffering.
'Flawed Balance' is a tale of one such a family whose faced by a turmoil on losing the earning member of the family passing on the burden of survival and earning to the eldest son Rahul. He like any other sons strives hard , goes through excruciating pain to change his family's life for the betterment.
Focusing and highlighting all the sacrifices made by a young boy really makes one numb on turning every page of the book. But as we say time flies either it's good or bad - same thing can be experienced in the book. But what happens when the destiny takes it's twists and turns ? Will all of Rahul's commitment , sacrifices will stand no where to be recognised ? Will all the dreams crushed stands at no place to be recognised?
To get answers to all such questions, do read the book to observe what actually happens in a family where the eldest one loses everything to benefit his/her family.

[Padmajha [PJ] Me and My Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most Indian middle-class family are depended on the breadwinner and when he passes on, the burden falls on the next of kin. And that person sacrifices all his dreams and wishes for the betterment of the family but the rest of the family takes advantage of this and exploits him. This is the crux of the story- Flawed balance. What happens when he realizes it and how his family reacts to the various situations is what the rest of the story will tell you.
The book has 22 chapters titled with emotions like ‘Grief’,’ Delight’ etc. I found this to be a great idea for the chapter title!
What I liked about this story is that the situations are portrayed very realistically and were believable. His characters are well described and quite relatable.
Most of us will be able to relate to the events going in or around Rahul’s life and some of them are quite emotional.
The story moves at a medium pace and sometimes slowed down a bit. The language is simple. The cover sort of portrays the premise of the story.
In all, 4 stars for this read and you can pick it up if you are looking for a realistic fiction or a light read.

[BINSHA ANAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can be called a contemporary realistic fiction. Set in different Parts of Kerala and outside India, it tells the plight of a young man Rahul as he grows and try to become a perfect son. Dheeraj Prasad is Rahul's 'strict' father and is not satisfied with things that others plan, especially Rahul.
Rahul is caught up between chasing his dreams and his parents'. Author have clearly portrayed the confusions, helplessness and disappointments that the characters face.
Like watching a realistic movie, with some drama of Indian households and the plights of youth, especially elder son of the house, on whom is the responsibility of rescuing the family.
Narration is really good even though we are familiar with many happenings in the story.

What I loved the most about the book is its free flowing and standard language. Readers are taken through all the emotions from the beginning to end without being stuck anywhere.
I also thought the cover would have been better for the content of the book. Also I couldnt feel connected to the characters at some points.

[Sagar Thakare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flawed Balance By
Ranjit Divakaran

This book Flawed Balance talk much about classes of Family Rich Poor Middle.

The book narrates the story of Protagonist Rahul Prasad who is having ambition to become Doctor but soon he had burden to earn bread and butter to family in early age due to Some circumstances and loss.

He has to take care of his family, the story start and run through very emotional angle and going steadily till midway thr Rahul going in college and start earning togetherly.

The Society how it is tough and How Rahul deal with it , Rahul has to sacrifice lots of things when growing up but does this is valued by his loved ones ?

Family and People opinion in society come under the scanner as the book move ahead.

The book is simple and Emotional roller coasters Ride , few things are strech in book which not needed , language i found easy and the story is sensitive and touching one.

[Sandip Majhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

"FLAWED BALANCE"The book presents a picture of the eldest son of a middle-class family. After a time in the middle class family, the father's responsibility falls on the eldest son of the family.But sometimes it goes beyond the will. The simplicity of his personal life is hampered by a responsibility.
Flawed balance is one such story of Rahul Prasad.The story has various experiences in the life of this character. It is really a matter of thought how many things he has to face in fulfilling the responsibilities of the family. There are some reflections of Rahul's life in us too.The story is like the movies of the 90s.

The story moves at a slow pace, which will make the reader feel a bit uncomfortable.
The naming of the book, and the cover are really admirable. By reading the story one can understand the meaning of its title along with the cover photo.

Those who love family dramas must read this book.

[Cha0tic Soul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being the eldest child automatically rests the responsibility of the family on that person. How many times have we seen the eldest child being burdened by his/her duties?

Flawed Balance is a story of one such middle class family who lost their principal bread earner in a tragedy that leaves their eldest son Rahul with all the responsibilities for the family's survival and earnings. He, however, did not feel burdened by it, rather he took up his duties with joy. But like every happy story, there are some ups and downs. Something happens that leaves Rahul apprehensive about his decisions and actions.

Will Rahul's dedication and sacrifice go unnoticed? Will all the dreams that have been crushed be forgotten?

Read on the book to know what happens to the family. Though a bit descriptive and slow, the book has very important lessons to offer to everybody.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flawed Balance by Ranjit Diwakaran is a novel about Rahul. The entire novel is about Rahul and his life. His family is an important part of the book and each of them plays a role in his life.

The language of the novel is a bit advanced but some sentences have errors. The narrative is not very smooth. The text is somewhat difficult to read and understand.

Most of the novel is well written and flows well.
The storyline becomes dull at some points and I often wondered why a certain part was added in the book.

The story is interesting in some parts and make it look like a good book.
It is a light read and suitable for beginners.