are. If all this was meant to be a satire then the tepid, sombre tone neutralizes its bite. Moreover, the build-up to the climax is thoroughly unexciting.

Most of the characters, including Varghese, come across as lifeless as cardboard cutouts. Only Kochapu and, to some extent, Patricia come alive. The author’s strong points are his description of the bar where Patricia works, and the exploring of Kochapu’s mindscape.

However, Menacherry’s debut novel may not set the Arabian Sea on fire, but is a passable read.

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