The Unburn Desire by Karan Bhatia | Book review

Book review:

"The Unburn Desire" is a  is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking novel that resonates the fears that are deep hidden in and urges the reader to introspect the other way around. The book also shines a spotlight on the Kargil War, showcasing the author's meticulous research and the ability to evoke powerful emotions.

 The story is about the protagonist Roy who is sharing a flat with Alison to bare the expenses in Bengaluru. Both have adjusted themselves with the tasks so that both are comfortable.  Alison was a blabber mouth, she could talk non-stop and Roy was the exact opposite . Initially , this irked him a bit, but later he got used to her endless flurry of  words . There was a massive level of  pensive sadness within Roy . Alison's continuous talking made him somewhat feel connected to the world. He leveraged her trait to fill the void within him.

As Roy opens up with Alison , he shares his story of being second son of his father and felt guilty of not being able to save his elder brother from drowning. That incident shaked him from within that he could not recover from that. He is struck by a sudden realization that propels him to escape reality and embrace his inner calling. His desire to write his memoir and reconcile with his deceased father becomes the driving force behind the story.

Quote from the book :

💗“You achieve victory not when you do y our best, but when you  don't  fear  failure  anymore .  And  whenever  it  comes  to  the security and safety of  our motherland, w e will be the first to lay down our lives" .

 💗"Death is not the final reality, but the soul is eternal,

   Our death is decided before our death."

The author has meticulously penned the turmoil of a child and a mature Roy who also seeked attention and love of his perfectionist father. He has vividly depicted the disciplined life of a army officer, a desire of making or leading his son to army or sacrificing their life for their motherland. The varied aspects of both the characters makes the story a compelling read. Language is lucid and beginner friendly.

Overall, "The Unburn Desire" is a  gripping tale that takes the reader through the haunting memories of a tragic incident, the valor of a soldier, and the search for meaning in the face of loss. Do grab your copy to experience  thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.