Book Review
355 Days: Pursuit of Freedom by Deeba Salim Irfan
355 Days by Deeba Salim Irfan |
Author: Deeba Salim Irfan
ISBN: 978-9388766074
Genre: Crime
Thriller
Length: 240 Pages
My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟ðŸŒ
Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3fOAyci
About the author:
Deeba Salim Irfan is an award-winning poet and a brand expert. She has been writing since childhood, ever
since she had to leave her parents who were in Iran, to live with her
grandparents back in India. Deeba’s 3 books have already been published
internationally in the last 8 years. Her first novel, URMA, was published in
2012. The translation in Urdu followed and so did the nomination for an award
by Urdu Press Club. Next, a collection of poetry was published in 2016,
CHARCOAL BLUSH and was a finalist at the Book Excellence Awards in Canada. She serves as the Chairperson of the Advisory
board of the ‘Young Author Awards’ for traditionally published authors under
the age of 30. For over last two decades, Deeba is residing in Dubai with her
husband and three children.
Instagram: @deebzirfan
Twitter: @deebzirfan
REVIEW
Summary
355 Days by Deeba Salim Irfan is a crime-thriller fiction
inspired by true events which takes you on the emotional and spiritual journey
of a falsely accused protagonist who survives 355 days in captivity and emerges
on the other side with a new purpose for his life; this super-engrossing story
discloses how media represents distorted facts on an impulse and exploits the
ethics of journalism, illegal use of third-degree torture, systemic corruption
apparently stating─
“money is everything” and portrays the unanticipated impact on relations during
the crisis; filled with surprises, brilliant characters, this cleverly-plotted
book will often make you go OMG!
Quote from 355 Days |
Narration
355 Days: Pursuit of Freedom by Deeba Salim Irfan is about
what characters experience throughout these days of imprisonment, each fighting
their own battle. The book is written in third person POV revolving around
three main characters─
Aadesh, his wife Maya and the lawyer Nasha. The language is simple,
comprehensible and the writing style is truly captivating. The book is well-structured,
providing an accurate picture of what’s going on in their (characters’) minds and the
outside world, avoiding anything that does not contribute to the storyline.
Setting and Characters
The story takes place in years 2015-16 when a British-Indian
business tycoon, Aadesh Dixit gets arrested for his involvement in a murder
case. The locations involved in the story are Gurgaon, Delhi, Tihar Jail and The United Kingdom. Aadesh Dixit owns a chain of restaurants in London as well as in
India. He is planning to open one of his outlets at the Hauz Khaz village as one
of the flagship restaurants. Maya─
Aadesh’s wife is a strong mother who bravely manages her two kids and the
household while their father is away at Tihar Jail. Nasha─ a celebrity criminal
lawyer is well-known for always standing by the truth. She is one impressive
character who has all the qualities of an ideal detective and a lawyer.
Quote from 355 Days |
Theme
Plot
355 Days shows you how a life of imprisonment can affect a
person in jail and the immediate family, especially when the person is
innocent. It all starts with media passing fallacious judgements based on their
sources just to gain viewership. This may further deceive anyone who is
watching to believe something that is not entirely true, causing unrepairable damage to lives involved. The author has done a commendable job at
research and portraying the functioning of Tihar Jail. Apart from how
characters are coping with the situation, the second most prominent aspect of
the book is life in Tihar Jail. At times the book directs the reader’s attention to
some sensitive issues like harassment, sexual assault, bribing, bloody
skirmishes and the ways prisoners resort to, for money.
Each page helps forging ahead the plot. Each page will make
you question yourself, what if you were in the place of those characters. Would
you be able to survive even a single day of that anguish? What it feels like to
be separated from your parent or children or spouse? Most importantly, waiting
to breathe freedom that has been snatched for the crime you haven’t committed.
But there is this thread of hope, on which they are hanging on. Having a strong
faith in yourselves can save you. So, here are these main characters putting on
brave fronts, making it as bearable as possible for the people they love.
My Opinion
355 days has a lot in store for you from spirituality, faith
to bravery and helping others. There are a lot of quotes that I came across and
noted them down as they are foundational and of core values. Each page has
something new to offer. Not to forget, dialogues are outstanding and a very
important part of the book because of the court hearing sessions. Who would not
like a book with such formidable characters and an awe-inspiring plot? Definitely
recommended.
Happy Reading!
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