Every person in life has dreams & aspirations but many times or should we say, most of the times “Plans remain plans” & finally, things divert into an unplanned direction. But, it all depends on the individual & his/her capability to bounce back !!! Well, if this sounds “interesting & inspiring”, than you should definitely get your hands on Varun Gautam’s novel “The Symbol”. Today, we review Varun’s first novel – The Symbol
About the author
Varun Gautam is an engineer [from Pantnagar University] turned author. He has brief stint of around 8+ years in HCL Technologies. As mentioned on his website, he was always interested or passionate about writing & “The Symbol” is an amalgamation of fictional & factual experiences. Varun is reachable at varungautam13@gmail.com
Detailed Review
Looking at the book cover, one might mistaken this book as a sci-fi thriller but as mentioned above it is a “mixture of facts & fiction”. The story revolves around three characters – Dhruv, Mohan & Arjun. It is very common that people or more often friends are compared with each other based on multiple factors i.e. salary, house & many other materialistic things.
Mohan & Arjun – two friends have their own plans & priorities; but as they say in Hindi “Allah Meharban to Gadha Pehalwan”, Mohan gets more than what he deserves. Arjun’s life takes a drastic twist when he fails to clear his IMS entrance exam & life becomes completely directionless !!! With life going no-where & Arjun completely dejected, he comes across a device “Symbol” & than starts a series of twists & turns !!!
Would the “Symbol” prove instrumental in solving Arjun’s problems or it would bring-in more problems ??? This is what 230 pages long power-packed novel is all about… We could draw a parallel-comparison with “Aftab Shivdasani’s short story in Darna Mana Hain” 🙂
Dhruv is Arjun’s cousin brother & he is narrating the story. It is a breezy read & it surely keeps readers hooked & also motivated !!! While reading the novel, I could feel myself in Arjun’s shoes since, failures & successes are part & parcel of “everyone’s” life.
Closing Thoughts
The book provides an “Edge Of the Seat” thriller experience & the “Plot” creates this experience !!! However, the details of the central character i.e. Symbol [whether it is a time-machine/some other gadget etc.] that changed Arjun’s life is not disclosed, it is left upto reader’s assumption !!!
Apart from this; the story, characters & perfect ending were well-thought off & were detailed to perfection. This is the first time we reviewed a book of this genre on our blog & we really enjoyed the whole journey 
At around 230 pages, “The Symbol” is a breezy read & surely provides “dose of inspiration” !!!
Final Verdict – 3/5
Thanks to Varun Gautam for sending a review copy of “The Symbol” !!!
Buy “The Symbol” from Flipkart by clicking the below link
