E-Arc
No of pages : 321
Date of publication : January 5th 2019
Genre: YA Fiction self help Internet Addiction Romance Rehab
My take
First of all I thank the author Amit Joshi for having given me a free Kindle copy in exchange of my review.
Is the smart phone a boon or bane?Electronic gadgets would be useful or a threat to our peace of mind according to the way we use them.
The Internet acts like Aladdin Lamp capable of fetching all the informations with a click and help us as a good companion through our good and bad times. It can be compared to the double-edged knife which is to be handled with care and attention, in the absence of which it may land you in trouble.
Are Social media platforms are friends or foes? Face book, Twitter, and other social media help us to connect with each other and also helpful in critical situations. These platforms are also abused by some for bullying and other unethical activities.
It all depends on our moderate usage as excess indulgence only leads to addiction. This wonderful book TIME PASS touches very sensitive points with respect to our utilizing the Internet. Especially the youth belong to the present generation use it to the maximum extent and they can not imagine being devoid of INTERNET for a single minute.
The plot.
I likel title TIME PASS and the subtitle Story of Internet Addiction. The cover depicting a youth sitting on the clock the time zone differs by 5 years starting from 1980 to 2035.the significance of time is highlighted by the author as our precious time is consumed by Internet without any positive effects. The story starts with the chapter holding the caption TIME. There are totally 16 chapters each one titled Like June 2013, My Room, My Rules ,Sudoku.
The story is told in first person POV by the protagonist Shikhar Verma, a highly intelligent and hardworking IT professional 32 years old youth living with his parents in Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh area working in the software industry for around ten years. The tale unfolds to tell his day to day activities, his habits, his official struggles and friendship with his buddies. The story happens during the year 2013.
His parents are pestering him to get married. Meanwhile, he has got a crush on Madhvi his colleague who is fond of reading books. Gagan Rawat is his childhood buddy and as he has gone to a far of place Shikhar can’t contact him. He misses him very much.
Sandy who is good at wooing ladies is a good friend to him. He spends his quality time with him. Shekhar wants to convey his love to Madhvi.
Whether he has succeeded in his love affair or not?
What befalls to his career as he is losing concentration?
Why he gets admitted in a Rehab center and how his experiences are there to change him?
So many questions arise and the social drama gives all the answers to the readers.
The Pro
There are two parts of the story. One relates to romance and lifestyle of Shikandar and another one relates to the Rehab center. As the title suggests the story deals with so many facets of the Internet and it is very much contemporary. The language is simple and honest and at no point of time, it is dragging. The pace is even and the twist and turns serve as a page turner. Characters are realistic and they are relatable. Conversations are informal and suit the story. Translation and editing are good so as to make the reading an engaging one.
My favorite.
The protagonist says about the INTERNET as follows:
The Internet is my best and only true friend, It keeps me company in my days of emptiness and loneliness. It has everything that can keep me happy.
About Face-book he says
Face-book is an important part of my life. There rarely goes a day without Face book.
On the INTERNET, there is something new every day.
Praise the lord of these gifts like Whatsapp, Google, Face book, You tube, and Candy crisis which were trying to keep the mood light in such difficult times.
My favorite characters are Rakesh and Gagan Rawat who are very much conscious and thoughtful enough to follow their dreams. I sympathize with Shikar. Pooja’s story would shock you. I wish there have to be more doctors like DR. Net Not.
My verdict
The book has captured me as an eyeopener to the perils of INTERNET addiction as the blurb suggests. It is enormously interesting story of human beings – at many levels of struggle and rewards both in the real as well as virtual worlds. It gives caution to elders about the craziness of their wards towards Internet and they should take necessary action to prevent them falling victims to their follies .
This book is an inspiring and insightful story nicely woven with suspense, fun, pain, and awareness.
Overall the book is an excellent read and the messages the author wans to tell us all would definitely have a great impact on you.
I recommend this book to all students, teachers, parents, and youth. Especially Netizens find the book very engaging and entertaining as well as enlightening and others also find it interesting to know more about virtual realm.
It is a good investment and I suggest you don’t wait but grab the copy immediately clicking the above link.
My score: 4/5
Disclaimer: I have received the Kindle copy from the author in exchange of my honest and unbiased review and i have not received any monetary compensation for the same .