Have you ever had a journey of thousands of mile sitting at your desk? If you are a reader, you will understand what I mean. This book is one such experience. Let me take you through how I cam in contact with Mr John Grisham and how I got to travel to Camino Island through his imaginations.
This is not strictly a book review but an attempt to take you on similar journey.
Title - Camino Island
Since March this year we were waiting to move to our new corporate office in Ahmedabad. Hurdles kept coming one after another and the move eventually took place in June. The new office is a shared space, with three companies occupying same floor as us. Various events like a Vastu puja, a small Katha, a cake cutting etc were getting deliberated and as usual decision making was delayed. Finally in second week of June, few of us were asked too report from the new office and so we did. First day for the four of us was too dull, not a good beginning, as our Lan and systems were not configured. I spent the entire day moving material from old office to the new one.
This is not strictly a book review but an attempt to take you on similar journey.
Title - Camino Island
Author - John Grisham
Genre - Fiction, Novel
Goodreads Rating - 3.7 / 5
Goodreads Rating - 3.7 / 5
Status - First time read
Since March this year we were waiting to move to our new corporate office in Ahmedabad. Hurdles kept coming one after another and the move eventually took place in June. The new office is a shared space, with three companies occupying same floor as us. Various events like a Vastu puja, a small Katha, a cake cutting etc were getting deliberated and as usual decision making was delayed. Finally in second week of June, few of us were asked too report from the new office and so we did. First day for the four of us was too dull, not a good beginning, as our Lan and systems were not configured. I spent the entire day moving material from old office to the new one.
Second day continued the legacy of the first, and no work was to be done. Post lunch, I took a walk and soon started perspiring in Ahmedabad heat. Hundred meters from our new office is the famous book store 'Crossword'. I decided to cool off and pass some time there. Entire store is located at the basement of a complex with a small entrance and no fancy billboards. You walk down the steps and find a cafe to your left with the book store ahead of you. The baggage counter and payment desks are right to you after entering. Opposite the payment desk, all new novels are beautifully displayed on three tables. Usually, I browse through these, pick the books I like and exit after paying for them. Today, however, I intended to pass the time.
So, I took the tour of entire store from book sections like Fiction, Crime, Indian Fiction, Non-fiction, Religion, Self-help to the music department and toys section too. Tables and chairs are placed all across the store for anyone who wishes to read the books before buying them. Almost all the chairs are always occupied by avid readers but few pews remain empty where you can stand and read your books. I intended to read a few books there and may be take one or two home. I picked up latest books by two Indian authors, Amish Tripathi and Ravi Subramanian, 'Sita' and 'In the Name of God' respectively. This is when I spotted 'Camino Island' by John Grisham and added it to my pile. After taking my place at an empty pew, I read a few chapters from both my earlier selections. Both I found interesting and decided to buy and started on the first chapter of the John Grisham novel.
A library of a prominent college in USA was being surveyed by a group of theives. They noted everything about the security, entrance and exit points, guards in place and other minute details required to accomplish a successful heist. Robbery took place in a few days with the same gang creating brilliant diversions and escaped with their loot unscathed. Millions of dollars worth property was stolen from the library which were the rare original manuscripts of five classic novels by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The University, FBI and Insurance company search for thieves and apprehend a couple of them in a few days. The manuscripts however are not found and the story travels across America before settling at the Camino Island, a small town in Florida.
A charismatic book store owner Bruce Cable and his French wife are central to the community there. A young author, Mercer Mann, occupies a cottage on this island which was owned by her grandmother. Clues of the stolen books come up here and there while a dangerous duo leaves bloody trail in search of them. Exciting events take place and our story reaches its climax.
I couldn't put this book down. That day I stood for over six hours in the book store and read over half the story. Next day I was back to the Crossword and occupied a chair with this book. Few hours more and I had finished the book. I was and still am amazed at the simplicity of the story. Book is less than three hundred pages long while the story moves at rapid pace. Multiple story lines are interconnected beautifully. Characters seem real and you feel like reading an account of somebody's life.
The story was so interesting that I had completely forgotten about other two books until today. So, friends, do pick up this novel and let me know if you found it as engaging as I did.
After two days, office was completely set up and eventually work started to happen there. In another week, all our colleagues took their seats in the new office and like a soap opera, familiar events started to take place with the usual suspects.
P.S. None of the planned events actually materialized and we simply took are allotted seats and started to work.
Comments
Post a Comment