Saturday Short-Story Review: The Boy by Nrupal Das

Hello Book Lovers! I hope you are enjoying weekend. Today’s short story review is on a fictional short story The Boy by Nrupal Das.

The Boy by Nrupal Das

Publication Date: February 10th 2018

Read Date: April 7th 2018

Category: Fiction

Pages: 14

Stars: 3.5/5

Story of a boy who went to play his usual tennis ball cricket in a nearby field. Nothing was unusual that day. Until in the evening when the boy does not return. and a friend tells her mom that the boy never went to play that day. 

A frantic search begins with the neighbours and the boy’s friends pulling in all their resources. Does the boy return? Where did he go? Where was he taken? What happens at the end? 

The Boy was a gripping story about love of child for his mother and family and a mother’s mental status for her missing child. It’s a story of faith, pure love, and fruits of true prayer.

The boy told in third person narration revolved around Amit, a boy who went missing and his mother (Mili) and family. Book started with strong beginning that instantly pulled me into story. Author has nicely introduced main characters and other side characters giving the overview of Amit and his Mili’s life and their love for each other. I liked the way all Amit’s friends and neighbors came to help Mili and they went to search for him in bad weather.

The suspense and tension was great. When Amit went missing all kind of scenario crossed my mind, I had so many questions and I was curious to know what might have happened to Amit, if they will find him or not.

The climax was surprising and I didn’t expected it such a way. The religious touch was placed nicely, the story at this point sounded exactly like I was listening from my grandparents.

The end was also good but I expecting something more to it.

This story was very short, I read it in less than an hour. It would be perfect for break reading and a good family story.

Well, many reader had issue with climax and end but for me it was just okay, not that bad just needed little different execution. My main issue was with mother. Author could have written mother’s grief and torment much better, specifically the part when she realizes Amit is missing. I didn’t like that her worry was voiced by Amit’s friend that why she was so worried on hearing Amit didn’t go to play with his friends and had not returned home. All the questions that I had could be expressed by mother but it wasn’t. Her grief was not expressed properly and maybe that’s why didn’t feel for characters the way I would have. Story had tension and suspense, I loved the way it flowed but it lacked proper execution.

It could be little longer more expressed and emotional but it wasn’t.

Overall, the story interesting, gripping and suspenseful. Those who liked to read fictional story of missing boy and little religious touch may like to read this one.

Author: Nrupal Das

Buy Link: Amazon.in / amazon.com

*** Note: I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author for giving me a chance to read this book. ***

What do you think about the book and my review? Have you read this book already? Have you read something similar to this before? Share your thoughts in comment-box below.