Wildcard
Author: Asfiya Rahman
Publisher: Half Baked Beans
Rating: 4/5
‘Wildcard’ comes as a delightful read because of the chronological approach used by the author to reach the climax. It is a pot-boiler that has a blend of drama, regret, helplessness, love, determination, a hankering for the lost title and the bond between a daughter and the father. The story does remind you of ‘Reel Steel’ (Excuse my growing habit of relating the books with movies) but at the same time, it has a flavour of its own. With a catchy cover and just the apt amount of green, the book doesn’t fail to leave a lasting impression.
The story begins with Karan Mehrotra (the protagonist) blowing away the cobwebs and enjoying life to the fullest. He has a name, fame, and money; he is the star Tennis player. Wimbledon and wedding are on cards but destiny turns the tables for Karan and forces him to give up his dream. It is eight years later that Karan gets a second bite at the cherry when his little daughter urges him to pursue his long-lost dream and be contended.
‘Wildcard’ is about a player’s endeavour to become the champion, a lover’s quest to fulfill the vows of marriage, a father’s struggle to live for his child and a man’s ‘fight tooth and nail’ attitude. Karan has the blend of all these qualities and his character shines. Balancing his character is the character of Roshni. With an impressive tone and easy to understand language, the story flows smoothly at a convenient pace. However, the only drawback is the presence of numerous typos.
Overall, a straight-from-the-heart story. Good effort by the author.
Buying Link: Amazon