Jaipur Journals by Namita Gokhale [Blog tour review]

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour hosted by Random things tours. This novel Jaipur Journals is to be published today the 29th April 2021.

I would like to thank Random things tours and Hope road publishing for providing me with a proof copy of this book to review for this tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in anyway.

From the co-founder of the Jaipur Literary Festival, a brilliant, funny, and moving novel set against the background of the festival, and the characters that make it tick.

This story allows us a backstage pass into the glory of the Jaipur literary Festival (JLF) and gives insight into people who share their work, those who want to hear about their favourite literary heroes, how people interact with each other and also how they expect to be treated. It delves into the passion and ambition of writers, the fear of failure and desperation to get their words heard. The adoration of their fans, how they want to meet their idols and immerse themselves into the golden world of literature. The love, envy, hatred that goes along with the fame and all that comes hand in hand with sharing your words with the world.

Several characters are explored throughout the story, they all become linked within the festival and make a mark on each other. Sometimes positive other times negative. A septegenarian who carries her life work around with her, a thief who is also a poet, a graphic designer with a flair for style and a woman who is on the hunt for her own love story. All these characters and more are brought to life within the colourful descriptive writing of Namita Gokhale. Her powerful words lead us on a journey of discovery and entwine us with the delicious and dirty tendrils of the writers and the festival they all hold so dear.

One thing I would have liked to see at the end was how one particular characters story played out past the festival. Did she get her happy ending or were there shadows lurking around, waiting to reveal themselves once the glamour of the festival had worn off. I shall have to imagine my own ending for her!

I enjoyed the fact that the story began and ended with one young character, she brought youth and passion to the festival and showed us that the future of the literary world was a bright one indeed.

All in all this was a light hearted, yet equally detailed character driven story with a hint of satire aimed at some of the people who are involved within this giant organised event. The description of India and the people, the vibrant colours, the discussions between the authors (in some instances pretentious and satirical in others heartfelt and warming) the longing of all the characters to leave with more than they came with; all left me with a desire to visit the festival and immerse myself in the experience.

If you are interested in hearing thoughts from other bloggers you can see where the blog tour is landing here.

About the author:

Born in Lucknow, India, NAMITA GOKHALE, is an award-winning writer, publisher, and the co-founder/director (with William Dalrymple) of the Jaipur Literary Festival. She is the author of over twenty fiction and non-fiction books including the best-selling Paro: Dreams of Passion, Priya, and Things to Leave Behind. In 2017 Namita was awarded the first ever Centenary National Award for Literature by the Literary Society of Assam for her service to the Indian nation in supporting and showcasing Indian writing talents. Described as one of the finest Indian writers, she lives in New Delhi.