Kochery C. Shibu's Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar is a work of great promise and yet somewhat unfulfilled potential. At times, you're completely hooked, lost in the proceedings while brimming with intrigue, in this tale of intertwined destinies of characters you feel you're almost on the verge of caring about. Yet, the narrative is interspersed with stretches where the author's meticulous attention to detail becomes a double-edged sword and mars the novel's pacing. There's no technical faul...

This is definitely one of the best books that have been published by new authors of Indian origins.
The story line is quite complex and the writing style, although poetic, might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But for me, the different writing style and the way the whole story was presented added to the allure of the book.
The best part of the book was its characters. I loved how the author gave out information and history of the characters between the story. Not only did it provide an intere...

This has been one of the best books i read this year , The language , the content , story line,the way of describing things was very prolific & engaging , doesn't feel like a book by a debut author at any point .The characterisation was very detailed and i could feel the pains and pleasure so vividly. The author takes you to the amazing journey in the mountain which appears do magnificent as every thing is very well researched ,
What i enjoyed most is the use of so many languages and sense o...

Enjoyed reading the book “Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar”. All character and places are very well articulated. I flipped through the pages and finished reading the book in go. But thoughts of the mountain and people depicted in the story still lingers. Good for a light read.

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Review I am thankful to Shibu for offering me the book to review it.

Shibu's book is a delightful read. Pretty much enjoyable.
Khusru, Rekha, Nandu, Nandinikutty, Vijay. Too many characters from different backgrounds. Good to know about our diversified cultures through the characters. Very neatly sketched. Still can't believe this is the first book by the author.

The downside of the book is the narration of dam construction is too technical. At few moments, it's...

Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar was sent to me for an honest review by Kochery C Shibu for his debut novel. It is always exciting to read Indian authors and the same excitement was there when I got an offer to review the book. The book is easy to read with a smooth flow and gives a flavor of different regions of India and across the borders. A detailed background description of the main protagonists of the novel was interestingly done and enlightening. Some parts of the novel dragged on a bi...

a. Can the contractors at a work site be so insensitive to human life.
b. Is the value system in the project sites so different for one to understand.
c. Would I dare to put myself to through such a life.
d. Would some one still believe in kalari code of conduct even in this day and age.
e. Can some one as accomplished like Rekha ever fall in love with a teenage terrorist like Khusru
Men and Dreams in the Dhauladharhas a way of getting to you even before you realiseit.
A ...

Enjoy reading his masterly work

Men and Dreams in the Dhauladharis in many ways a tribute to the nature of human spirit. Even the most terrifying or enchanting moments of experience also wane and disappear with time. The despair of the humans struggling against nature could not have been said better than Kochery C Shibu in the descriptions of the man vs nature calamities.
Kochery C Shibu gives us many sections describing in detail the "love affair of Khusru with his many women. The love of ...

The grim realities of the project construction work site as depicted are something beyond comprehension as also is the love story of Rekha under captivity, to fall totally in love with a terrorist. The story whilst it has been written to touch the core of your heart does not change the fact that the love of Rekha and Khusru does not have a happy ending. This book speaks of what one values in life and the power of dreams. A very warm and clearly told story and an enjoyable read.

Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar by Kochery C. Shibu is a great novel. I liked it so much. The storyline is very interesting and unique. The story follows three main characters who have been brought together by fate at a dam construction site near the Dhauladhar Mountain Range set in India. This is a story of the lives of common people of India from different cultures and backgrounds, their dreams and desires and also their hardships and struggles.
A very important part of this story is the d...