PLOT: 3/5
CHARACTERS: 3.5/5
WRITING STYLE: 3/5
CLIMAX: 3/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3/5
My Musings
The Ambrosial Hour is a title that will easily get a reader’s interest piqued. Though the cover is a rather plain one, there is something in the blurb and the title itself that appeals to the female reader.
The book promises to be a woman-centric read and it the month of the #femmemarchfest (a month where literature by women and about women is celebrated in most literary circles) what more could I have asked for?
So, with much anticipation and excitement, I sat down to read this book.
Read on to know more about what I think of Kakoli G’s The Ambrosial Hour.
What to expect?
With just under 100 pages, expect a read that is short and easy. Written in a simple language the book is a quick read but with a pace that kind of slows it down.
Expect a woman-centric book that talks as much about the struggles and labour of being a woman as it talks about the fruits that the said struggles can bring.
, expect a fiction that is inspired by spirituality.
Who can read?
The Ambrosial Hour is written in a simple and easy to understand language and hence can be easily picked up by a beginner level reader. Regular readers who are used to racy plots and fast-paced narration may not enjoy it that much.
Let’s talk about the storyline
Aditi is a village belle who hails from a small town near Varanasi. Her life takes a sudden turn when her marriage is arranged with a wealthy businessman from Delhi.
Arun is ten years her senior and a shrewd businessman who is known for his wayward ways that don’t change even after his marriage.
Because of his conditioning and faulty upbringing, he treats his wife as nothing more than a housekeeper; never giving her the respect and love that she deserves. Incessant taunting and faultfinding ways of her mother-in-law also makes life a living hell for Aditi.
Having no professional qualification and financial independence, Aditi is forced to bear the daily drudgery that her life has now become.
But she is patient, hardworking and determined. She is just buying time until it is the right time for her to take the required step.
The Ambrosial Hour is the story of Aditi, her children, her struggle and her life.
How good are the characters?
The best part of the book is its characters. I love how each one of them has been portrayed.
It is very difficult in a short book to give adequate time and attention to character building but Kakoli has done a remarkable job of it.
Each of the characters has depth and a story that the reader quickly gets invested in. Attention to detail is another aspect where the author scores full marks.
What about the author’s writing style?
The only thing that drags the book down despite such wonderful characters and a strong woman-centric theme is the lack of pace.
The plot is a linear one and even the narration is a tad too slow. The combination of these two makes the book a rather dull read especially so towards the middle.
Is the climax good enough?
The climax manages to bring the story to a fruitful conclusion but that’s all there is to boast of.
Just like the rest of the story, it is rather slow which leaves a lot to be desired. I seriously believe that a couple of plot twists could have done wonders to the climax of the book.
What I liked?
I loved how the concept of Karma is effectively illustrated in the story of Aditi and her husband Arun. The book is like a moral story for adults with life lessons like – you reap what you sow, and what goes around comes around etc.
Though the book is a bit gloomy it nevertheless makes you believe in love, in hope and in moving forward. It comes with the underlying feeling that there is something out there which is bigger and beyond the trivialities of human existence.
What I did not like?
The plot and the slow pace with which the story moves forward is what keeps this book from being a 4-star read. The story is pretty straight forward and gets a bit monotonous after a while.
Since there isn’t much happening in terms of plot twists and surprises the book up being a dull read.
It all boils down to the entertainment quotient
Overall, The Ambrosial Hour is a decent one-time read which has life lessons for anyone who decides to pick it up. There are a lot of good things to look forward to.
Pick the book
- If you are looking for a short and gloomy read.
- If you like stories about despair and hope.
- If you are looking for an easy and well-written book.
- If you are looking for a woman-centric read that talks about the power of patience and perseverance.
- If you enjoy stories that come with a little sprinkle of spirituality.
Skip the book
- If you don’t like books that are slow.
- If you don’t like books that don’t have a solid plot.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy a copy of The Ambrosial Hour using the link below.
