Raina, Rahul

It takes talent to narrate both satire and slapstick convincingly, while ensuring each element remains both separate and believable. Todiwala is absolutely perfect; no matter what turns Raina’s story takes, he sells it, using a great variety of voices and emotion.

Debut author Raina’s gritty description of Ramesh’s downward spiral and the story’s over-the-top action give this novel a cinematic feel. Ramesh has a singular voice, and readers will come to understand how and why he has made the decisions he has. This tale should appeal to fans of the 2021 Netflix series The White Tiger, or possibly films such as Parasite and Slumdog Millionaire; the latter is referenced in the novel.