CHARACTERS: 3/5
WRITING STYLE: 3/5
CLIMAX: 3/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 2.5/5
My Musings
Nature is something which has always fascinated me.
I love the feel of pristine blue waters, wide green valleys and birds chirping in the skies – there is a different kind of joy when you experience the bounty of nature.
“The Poacher” by Neilay Khasnabish is one of those books that bring you closer to nature.
What is the Book All About?
“The Poacher” is a fiction novel based on wildlife and poaching.
In this book, you will not only unravel a crime mystery but also get to know much about the Kaziranga National Park, The Indian Rhinoceros and poaching in general.
The Story as it Goes
George Hazarika is an honest police officer who is currently suspended from his office because he upset the wrong politicians.
He is a wildlife enthusiast who was very disturbed to learn about the murder of a renowned wildlife specialist, Dr Hemant Saikia.
Dr Hemant Saikia’s killers were never caught and this thought plagues George every day. Suspended from his duty and willing to re-open the case, George decides to go to Kaziranga.
He meets up with Jonali Saikia who introduces him to Mantu Bora and Sonu Mian, her two trusted aides when it comes to preventing poaching in Kaziranga.
As George digs deeper, he realizes that the problem is much bigger. Kaziranga is full of poachers who are discreet and adept at avoiding the authorities.
He is stepping into dangerous territory and the risk to his life is real.
Author’s Writing Style
What I liked about the author’s writing style is that he has managed to weave a decent story around such a serious environmental issue – poaching.
That the author himself is very passionate about the issue is reflected in his writing. With a strong main character, a decent plot and a crime mystery, this book makes for an entertaining read.
What could have been better?
One thing that I felt missing was maps.
Since the author has described the geography of Kaziranga and its nearby places so vividly, I think including a few maps and pictures would have added to the reading experience.
What did I not like?
Despite the book having a good story and decent characters, one parameter where it fared poorly was editing. There are just too many editing mistakes to ignore.
The language too needed polishing but editing is where the book loses most of the points.
The cover of the book too was unappetizing and could have been better.
Informative and Thought-Provoking
Probably, the best thing about “The Poacher” is its theme.
There is a huge amount of information which the author has provided about the history of Kaziranga, its flora, and fauna and its delicate status.
The threat to the Indian Rhinoceros is real and this book goes a long way in educating the readers about it.
Further, the author has also included information about prominent wildlife enthusiasts like Dharanidhar Boro.
The characters
The characters in the book are a decent bunch.
George is the ideal man – honest, courageous and humble. He was truly an inspiration to read about.
I also enjoyed the character of Sonu Mian; with his eccentric and amusing ways, he was indeed the perfect partner for George. Other characters were interesting as well.
The Climax
The climax is a good one and gives a befitting end to the story of George. It was unpredictable for the most part of the book with only a few clues hinting at it in the last few pages.
Entertainment Quotient
The book is an entertainer when it comes to story and plot but loses out on editing and language.
Since I cannot ignore the poor editing, I would rate it 2.5 out of 5 stars in entertainment quotient.
Grab the book if
- You are looking for a short read.
- You are a wildlife enthusiast
- You are a nature lover
Skip the book if
- You can’t tolerate poor editing
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of “The Poacher” from the link below.
