Author:Chitra Anand
Published By: Frog Books (imprint of Leadstart Publishing)
ISBN: 978-93-835-6240-4
About the Author:
Chitra Anand was born in Mumbai. She is a postgraduate in Physics and holds an Education degree. Beyond School is her first novel inspired by her journey as an educator.
Book Blurb:
Beyond School centres upon the weeks leading up to 17-year-old Shail s final board exams, as his world becomes a pressure-cooker and the weight of preparing for the exams sends him fleeing rebelliously in the other direction.
Along with Shail’s journey from boyhood to manhood, Beyond School vividly weaves between the narratives of four main characters, seamlessly uniting the past and present of Shail, his parents-Urmila and Sushil and his mentor-Gladys, in a story that is honest, funny, heartbreaking and ultimately, incredibly human.
My Review:
After reading the title the first thought that came to my mind was that of an old guy writing about his days of past remembering his friends. But when I started unfolding the story, I realized I was wrong.
Beyond School is a beautifully written story which takes you back to your school days, to be precise it takes back you to the days where exams used to haunt like nothing else (if you are someone of my kind).
The protagonist of the story, Shail Abhyankar has only one goal in his life i.e. to be a footballer, not just a footballer but he wants to be the best goal keeper of the world. Just like any other kid, he too has an exam fear. He does not want to appear for his Twelfth boards. For him education isn’t a mandatory criterion for someone who wants to make a career through football.
Apart from the main plot, this story has some sub-plots which play well along the main plot. Other characters like Glady, Sushil (father of Shail), Urmila, Shruti has their story to tell and will never make you bore.
So will he able to overcome his fear and appear the exams?? Who is Shruti?? To know this, you have to read the book. (Writing the entire story here will make injustice to the Author.)
The 200 pages are well divided into small chapters which makes this book an easy read. The Author has kept the plot simple, and it is something which you might have never read before.
If you know someone who is about to appear Twelfth boards or may be someone who has an exam fear, then please do remember this is the best thing to be gifted.
My Rating: 4/5
(Irrespective of my rating, I would recommend this book. It's obviously a worthy read.)
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