Savi Sharma’s “This Is Not Your Story” is the tale of 4 youngsters – Shaurya, Miraya, Anubhav and Kasturi. The story revolves around their lives and their struggles.
PLOT: 3.5/5
CHARACTERS: 3/5
WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5
CLIMAX: 3/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5
The Hype
Having read Everyone Has a Story by the same author, I had almost written off “This is Not Your Story” as another mediocre and seriously hyped book, but, when one day I mustered the courage to finally read it, I was in for a pleasant surprise.
The book proved to be a decent read and I was happy that I read it.
[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“There are opportunities that come and go, like the trains on this very track. You can climb on any train and it will take you down a new path. But you need to decide which platform to stand on and which train is the one that is the most important for you.” [/perfectpullquote]What is the book all about?
“This is Not Your Story” is the tale of 4 youngsters – Shaurya, Miraya, Anubhav and Kasturi.
Shaurya is a guy who wants to follow the career of his choice but is forced to do chartered accountancy by his parents. Torn between his dreams and his parents’ dream for him, Shaurya is lost and confused.
Miraya is a talented interior designer who has had a really bad experience with love. Betrayed and depressed Miraya finds solace in the company of her cousin Kasturi.
Anubhav is an entrepreneur who has had everything that his heart desired and yet he has lost his will to live. Looking for the meaning of life, he finds peace and happiness in the soothing words of Miraya.
Kasturi is an MBA aspirant who loves her friends and will do everything possible to make sure they are okay.
The plot and the characters
The book follows the stories of these four individuals and how they tackle their problems and conquer life.
The plot is pretty decent and moves at a steady pace. There is not much action happening in the story but the drama manages to keep the reader hooked.
The characters are a mixed bunch.
I really liked the character of Miraya but Anubhav and Shaurya were just too depressed and pessimistic for my liking. Kasturi was a decent character but she wasn’t given an important role to play.
It’s all in the writing style
I liked the writing style of the author.
“This is Not Your Story” is divided into three parts – Four Years Ago, Present Day, Three Years Later.
The story is told in three voices – Anubhav, Shaurya and Miraya’s Diary.
Chapters are named after the characters who tell their story alternatively.
The beauty of Savi Sharma’s writing lies in her ability to give words to emotions and feelings. There are some beautiful quotes in the book which I felt compelled to highlight and go back to after reading the book.
Just above 200 pages, the book can be read in a single sitting of 3 hours. The language has been kept simple and that makes the book a really breezy read.
How was the climax?
The climax is average and predictable. I hope things were more exciting but they weren’t and I can’t complain. The book overall made for a pleasurable read and that is what mattered the most to me.
Final verdict
The entertainment quotient of the book is pretty good and therefore I have rated “This is Not Your Story” three and a half out of five stars in this department.
I end this book by recommending it to people who are looking for a light read. Finally, for those who decide to read it, the book will also double up as an inspiring read.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy from the links below!
