Book Review - Raman Agarwal's Crochet - The Gordian World of Tahir Khan

About Crochet -

While adult mental health issues around the world have gained massive awareness in the past few years, the mental health issues of kids and teens continue to be ignored and denied recognition. The roots of mental disorders are often found buried in childhood traumas. Social stigmas attached to mental disorders are monstrous, especially when it comes to the suffering of young ones, who are too confused to speak of their pain--or to know that they suffer unfairly.

Often parents try to shield their children using deception and ignorance. The general perception remains that people suffering from a mental disorder are crazy, or mad. The insensitivity of popular culture makes a laughing stock of this pain and chooses to ridicule what should be alleviated. The result is a complete alienation of a bright spark who must pretend normalcy by aping the behaviours of their peers while their consciousness cries in the despair of soul-crushing loneliness.

Crochet aims to bring light to the topic of mental health and its importance amongst young adults and their parents.

 

Blurb:

 Tahir lives with Maa and Abba in a refugee colony. A childhood misfortune pushes him down an age long chasm, surrounding him with ominous shadows and illusory objects. As Alex untangles his knotted head, Tahir uncovers a dark past, stored in long forgotten jars.

Crochet is a story of greys, of fractions, of halves, of twins, of dinky dots, of concentric circles, of daisies in gardens, and irises in eyes.

You can watch the book trailer here - https://youtu.be/KuR7vpqK5FI

To buy the book click on Amazon Purchase Link - https://www.amazon.in/Crochet-Gordian-World-Tahir-Khan/dp/B0B353YDNB/

 

About the Author :

Raman works with a global cloud company as a value evangelist & advisor. Raman enjoys visiting local book stores & coffee shops in foreign cities. He is also an amateur, but a passionate photographer.

Raman enjoys his coffee dark and bitter, and his books deep and profound. On most weekends, you can find Raman seated on his balcony, reading a twentieth-century classic while sipping coffee.

Raman hates watching the trailers before the movies, and he never reads blurbs before books. He is also a believer and a practitioner of objectivism.

One can follow him on the following social media

Insta : @crochetbyraman

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramanagarwal13

Twitter: ramanagarwal138

 

My Views :

Speaking about mental health has been a taboo for generations but, in the past two years, since the pandemic has hit us, something has changed and now everyone is talking openly about mental health and giving preference to it.

 

Our brain functions in a very strange manner. Good thoughts and memories are stored deep down somewhere where no one can find them, but bad memories and trauma hold a special place and trigger various reactions. And if any untoward incident happens, especially in childhood, it leaves a long-lasting effect on that person. But sadly, we are so used to sweeping the dust below the carpet that we don’t realize what effect it does on a child, but by the time we realize that, the damage is already done and the time has passed away too.

 

Crochet - The Gordian world of Tahir Khan, is one such book that is based entirely on mental health. After a very long time, I have come across such a book, that has left me speechless. Initially, I found the book a prolonged read, but as I progressed, it was like peeling layers of corn cob; the more we peel, the more interesting it gets. The author has done a commendable job and I appreciate the effort he has put into his debut book.

        

The first fourteen chapters are like a monologue, where Tahir, the protagonist is just sharing his thoughts, about his experience with Alex, a psychiatrist.  Tahir gives you entry into his world, which he believes is true but after fourteen chapters, the suspense clears and the mystery unravels leaving you thoughtful and speechless. How Raman, the author has compiled the story of Thair, is astounding. For a debut author, Crochet is well-written.

           

 

Though the book has a cliffhanger ending, it stays with you for a very long time as it did to me, to gather my thoughts, to make sense of the whole story.

 

I loved the intricate book cover; it is eye-catching. The editing is perfect, error-free writing, and the use of simple language are some of the plus points of this book. The only blemish, for me, is the font size. I wish the author had opted for a font size a little bigger than the one used in the hard copy. Other than the one teeny-weeny flaw, this book is worth a read.

 

I recommend one and all to read Crochet, but let me warn you it is not a simple and easy read. But, do pick up this book when you have time in hand and want to read some good stuff on mental health and settle down with no distractions and a big pot of strong tea or coffee as you enter the intricate and tangled world of Tahir.