The Bankster : Book Review

“When it comes to life or death, it’s surprising how fear gets the better of everyone” says Ravi Subramaniam in his riveting new book TheBankster. Such a line in the book is sure to make you realize the simple fact of life, thus giving a practical impetus to fiction.

I was introduced (luckily) by Blogadda to Ravi Subramanian’s prolific and meticulous writing through this book. I must say, being a book-selective avid reader, I have developed this inane inclination towards being critical about every line, scene, character and the climax. Before I actually reflect my analysis, I would love to shoot my sincere apologies for not having read his previous books; which I will once I end this post.

The most important thing in these kinds of fictions is the amount of knowledge you have in the particular domain, or, it may include the rigorous research involved in presenting a set of three things: imagination carved by facts, plausibility and the most important of all, essence of embedded reality. Ravi has lived up to everything not leaving to trial for any.

Story:

The story revolves around the abuse of power and the lack of appropriate regulation flaunted in silence in most coveted job area- banking. As and when one keeps turning the page new characters keep coming in bringing in new dimensions to the story. The Greater Boston Global Bank or GB2, as it is well-known throughout looks great from outside with its CEO being extremely cautious about the reputation and a flawless image built over the years.

Suddenly a nexus of unnatural deaths of bank’s workers takes place and none of them realize this until one day, the protagonist Karan Panjabi, a former banker gets into the nitty-gritty of the matter and slowly but steadily conspiracy is smelt and soon unearthed. We all know that there is a conspiracy, but it takes a lot of courage and logical presumptions without hard evidence. It goes without saying that surprises are ought to happen; but one can surely measure the creativity in them and it comes by experience which our writer here, is replete of.

The other story involves an insinuation to the nuclear plant protests in Kerala. A senile man fighting for good cause is thumped down by burden of problems by unscrupulous people with vested interests, which are pretentious and precarious as well. How he fights back is the catch of the story.

Connection of Events:

This is one thing that Ravi keeps your anxiety levels high. Connecting the dots seems impossible not only at first but also even after half of the book is read. It establishes his finesse in the art of writing fictional suspense. He eventually relates the three different stories starting one from Angola, Kerala and amchi Mumbai.

Pick ups

There are many crucial things we can make ourselves aware of from The Bankster. First of all, it’s the loopholes present in the system we live by. Ravi has very honestly written about the flaws in the system and shown how lack of proper coordination in proper regulation can gift disastrous repercussions such as loss of life. He goes ahead to show the mismanagement of power at the hands of people working in the system using it for their own good. Money laundering is not only related to public entities but it is at the peak in private, reputed firms. Now this is where you will also learn how to effectively and efficiently use your knowledge in your own domain and be imaginative as well as creative in explaining it to others.

The next thing is about the protest: here, it presents an unprejudiced situation wherein we can easily relate things happening in reality. He has carefully analyzed the nuances laying bare open in such hoax protests which are otherwise not visible in the fog created by media. Yes, we should be aware of consequences pertaining to our safety but not at the cost of dancing on someone’s tune. No, these words aren’t Ravi’s, but this is the perception he tries to induce in his readers which is absolutely commendable and welcoming.

If such social and corporate issues are merged, with a perfect tinge of suspense and thrill, we get one of the best reads.

Lose end:

 Nobody’s perfect and we all believe it so. The dragging of CIA might give a new twist to the story, but such operations of CIA are quite famous and may not well be in tandem with the story. It thus appears, albeit slightly, to have been forcibly attached to other stories. Barring this, there isn't any Achilles’ heel even if you try finding any.

My perception’s rating:

I would give him 9/10 for the superb book his thoughts have penned down. Mind well, this rating, at least to me, is fair as I have not only considered the thrill and suspense which ought to be present in any suspense fiction, but also the all-round ability of the author to make realize his readers on certain issues we need to educate ourselves.

All the best Ravi. Look to have more from you.

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