First of all, I must say that I'm not a professional critic, I just say what I feel like about a book. I read the way I want to and I'm addicted to anything with romance in it. In that way I might be weird to you. You should read the book and let me know what you think about the book rather than listen to a person who is willing to waste time and write a review about a book rather than move from devouring one book after teh other. So, this is my review of Ashok Ferrey's "The Professional".
I first came to know about this book when
a friend of mine invited me to the book
launch through Facebook. Needless to say I was not that interested to go to a
book launch of Ashok Ferrey. I have to say that having read two of his books; I
was not his biggest fan. During the book month, walking along the shops at
BMICH, I saw many putting this book into their shopping carts and buying it
with great enthusiasm that made me want to read it find out myself what the
fuss is all about.
First, I thought maybe it’s because he’s
famous and he’s got a TV show and everything. Then, I heard that the book was
shortlisted for the Gratiaen prize I began to understand the trend of everyone buying
this book. So, I took the risk of spending my hard saved money and buying the
book.
The
cover itself was adorned with two quotations from two authors; Shyam
Selvadurai, author of ‘Funny Boy’ and Seneka Abeyratne, author of ‘Mad People’. Reading Fifty Shades of Grey which defined the
word erotic at a new level and then reading The
Professional which was described as “Deliciously Erotic” by Senaka
Abeyratne didn’t seem to even grasp the idea of erotic to me but, then again,
people have different ideas and perceptions about eroticism. Throughout the
book, I was searching for that element of ‘erotic’ which Abeyratne described.
Selvadurai’s words “Wonderfully dark yet witty” on the other hand, was proven
to be an exact concise description of the whole book in 4 words. The word play
throughout the book, for example describing Aliya Ginger Beer (Elephant House
Ginger Beer) as Nariya Ginger Beer was fascinating.
The
protagonist of the book was a well thought-out character by Ferrey, who is a
great example of the survival of the fittest category. Throughout the story he
seems to fit into his friend Jonas’s description, “You’re just like water.
You’ll take the shape of any cup you’re poured into”. From his ‘professional’
job to being friends with the two clients he met at Wimbledon, he fits into any
‘container’ he’s put into. The fact that he’s called a professional is a joke,
other than for ‘the job’ he’s nothing like a professional; he’s messy,
disorientated and disorganized.
The element of ‘time’ is used spectacularly
throughout the book. The author (the older Chamath) and the younger Chamath
runs side by side during the run of the story; much like the railways – “The
Finest thing the British did”. The play between the two Chamaths was kind of
exhausting at first, but as you progress with the story you will find out that
the story is a very well connected set of building blocks which fits perfectly
at the end of the story.
All in all, the witty, satiric book by
Ferrey is in my opinion a book worth your time. It may seem little bit
unfinished with the story ending so abruptly but I promise you, it will keep
your mind entertained about the life of those who remain in the society and we
try to ignore; ‘the professionals’.
