A Man From Mandu-Manoj V Jain

Book: A Man From Mandu

Author: Manoj V Jain

Publisher: Notion Press

In this hectic age, we all have some belief of a person we turn to when we need advice. It can be a friend, family member, relative or maybe a spiritual leader, but everyone has someone they always turn to.

A Man from Mandu is a book that delves into the concept of Godmen and how behind the scenes action of how the system operates. It is a book of deception, transformation and growth. The protagonist of the book is Dhawal who is discovered by Tarini, a disgraced marketing executive when she goes with her friend to Mandu. As a part of a deal between Tarini and her friend, they create the brand of Avishkar Baba and she promotes him very successfully. He gains a huge traction on social media and uses the #SadhuofStories to get his sayings across. How the journey of Avishkar Baba progresses forms the plot of the story.

A Man From Mandu is a story that basically tells the reader about how people transform during the course of their life due to their experiences and the impacts of other people around them. The protagonist is Dhawal, his transformation into Avishkar Baba and how it changes his life and thoughts is the central plot of the story. Apart from Dhawal, the changes in the life of Tarini are also brought to the fore beautifully, specially the open-ended ending with her tells us how far she has come in the course of the year.

The book also focuses on the fact that we tend to focus and hear what we want to hear rather than what is actually being said. Through the character of Avishkar Baba, Manoj tells the reader that though everyone hears the same story, each one relates to it differently. With no specific endings to the short stories, it further emphasises on this point. This is what makes us relate to the stories of godmen and charlatans at times as well.

The plot is well built and executed. Manoj has given us wonderful food-for-thought through the story of Dhawal, Tarini and the team. The characters are well built with their flaws and strengths coming out beautifully. The past of the characters is revealed in phases as the story requires and this adds to the charm of the book.

A wonderful and a short read, I would give A Man from Mandu 4/5.