Title : 3 @ a Time
Author : Diptendu Shekhar Chakraborty
“3 @ a Time”, debut novel of Diptendu Shekhar Chakraborty, is the story of a wanton and his flings with her college mates and other girl. Well, in the beginning I found the title appropriate for the story, but as I was moving ahead, the number was not 3,it was getting increased, so ‘Many @ a time’ would be more suitable for the story, according to me. And so goes with the cover, no doubt it depicts cleverly what the story is all about, but there are only three girls over there.
As the blurb of the book goes:” Falling in love is one of the most exquisite feelings that one can experience in their lifespan. But what if while searching for your true soul mate, you end up having that ‘exquisite feeling’ for three people at the same time. 3 @ a time is the story of Deepankar and his tryst with trust, love, relationship, betrayal and humiliation with 3 girls at the same time along with maintaining his reputation as the wonder boy of his college. Deepankar – Strong, laborious, with a never-say-die attitude while searching for true love ends up in a relation with three girls from his college. Notorious yet dedicated for his deeds at college, Deepankar seeks love from his dream girl who turns out to be homosexual! And then destiny plays its game. And the reason – Girlfriends. But one should never back down and nor did Deepankar, Pooja stood by him in full support. And in the end. It does matter. Will the search for his soul mate be completed after his rendezvous with all the 3 girls? Will Deepankar restore his faith in others or will life throw curve balls at him? Will he be able to maintain his reputation or will be hailed as a onetime wonder? ‘Three at a time’ tells us not to be complacent on our victories and neither be demotivated on our losses.”
Talking about the storyline of the book, simple for the readers but complicated for the protagonist, as he got involved with so many girls in his college life, but at the same time he was enjoying all the complicacies happening in his life. I want the story to be end on a good note, though he is the protagonist or hero of the story, but he shouldn’t be stand like a bad hero, the story should feed reader’s mind with something good.
Though there is nothing new this story would tell, but there is something which can make reader keep on turning the pages without a pause and that very something is the flow of the story. But if the story could have something unique and alluring for the readers, I’m pretty sure that no one could stop it from coming into the list of bestsellers, as his writing style and way of presenting matches to what a typical Indian reader seeks for.
The switching of events is done faultlessly and smoothly. No superfluous blabber you would find in the book. The only thing which worked as a hindrance during the reading journey is grammatical errors and printing mistakes. Not at one or two places, but they could be found at many places.
Simple writing style festooned with good articulation makes the Indie-book readers glued to it. I found this book suitable for all those Indian readers who prefer light read, simple and candid writing fashion. As you start reading, you wouldn’t feel to stop at any place for a moment, you got so hooked to it, that you feel like finishing it in a single sit.
Rating: 3.4/5
Reviewer : Shweta Kesari