Insuperable the task seemed, at library,
Should I give a shot to this masterpiece literary?
To linguistic excellence, I lay no claim,
Should I read Vikram Seth, a writer basking in worldly fame?
Choice, why do you inundate a man with your potpourri-
‘Carrie’, ‘The Golden Gate’ or ‘The Great Train Robbery’?
To quote an adage, too much sugar spoils the broth,
Indecisive, sullen and morose, your variety makes a man with frustration, froth.
Yes, I eventually and apprehensively did pick up ‘The Golden Gate’,
Oh boy was it difficult! Yet it kindled a spark, an ever-expanding conflagration, refusing to abate,
A spark to wax lyrical while I write,
And spew out words – funny, serious or simply laced with the bite.
Oh dear reader, how upon your patience I transgress!
I was supposed to write a review, and now I digress!
My rhymes and rambles won’t do the justice,
To the consummate genius Mr. Seth is in his trade, his practice.
Oh! His rhymes entice, he is that Pied-piper,
Who lures us along the pages, his tune getting richer and riper.
The plot revolves around an ambitious man named John,
Climbing the rungs of success, yet who is all alone.
Out crops his former flame called Jan the Sculptor,
Who indulges in matchmaking, playing Cupid, that wily plotter.
In the process John finds the love of his life,
Called Elizabeth Dorati, whom he thinks suitable to be his wife.
What’s a story without a triangle?
Add Ed, Phil – this makes a golden quadrilateral.
In the end of course, the cats decide,
Who is right, wrong, as over the gullible humans, they regally preside.
How well Mr. Seth has juxtaposed the opinions galore,
Anti-Nuke, Pro-Gay or vice-versa, he has indeed brought out the clash to the fore.
A tinge of sadness pricks my mind,
In the end, all alone, John I find.
Maybe he called, who knows, you ask me not to speculate,
You are straight to the point, reader- ‘How do I, this book, rate?!’
In the beginning, Mr. Seth acknowledges the readers, who picked this book at their own volition,
He says – ‘And, fourth, to you, who did not question
The crude credentials of this verse
But backed your brashness with your purse.’
I humbly reply to his kindness,
‘Unfortunately Sir, I borrowed this book from the library; less pocket money. Oh Wretchedness!
If your verse is crude, my mind’s much less refined,
A whopper of a book, 5 stars, and your dazzling verse blinds
My eyes, yet my mind sees crystal clear,
A less-traversed path, where it’s difficult, my momentum, to steer.
Inspired by you: I now indulge in my own verse,
Next time, I read you, I will definitely back my brashness with my purse.’
Alienman 