Neon Noon review: Noon of a disheartened lover

This compact novel by Tanuj Solanki appears to be a jigsaw puzzle in the beginning. In the author’s own words: A short story can be a sprawling mess too.

Fragmented, not disoriented. This compact novel by Tanuj Solanki appears to be a jigsaw puzzle in the beginning.

Neon Noon by Tanuj Solanki is a disoriented tale that keeps the reader gripped with its masochist approach.

A letter from one protagonist, to assumingly the other, doesn’t intrigue until the unending chaos in the author’s mind grips the psyche. Quite gloomy and heartbroken, the lead character and his journey take off on a mysterious note. All expectations of experiencing a love thriller die down when noon dawns upon him in Pattaya, Thailand. The base for an unusual love story is set, between an MBA from Mumbai and a prostitute in Pattaya.

With just about the required amount of elements of sex and masochism, the story unfolds, as the wannabe writer-cum-protagonist tries to formulate a book, while missing his French lover – from whom he faced dejection. His endeavour is endless.

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The chapters turn into unnecessary sub-sections and questions aplenty, which can be read and thought about without wasting much time. Meanwhile, the lead character’s acts of choosing lust over love, and noticing blemishes and scars on the bodies of prostitutes might irk the feminists.

In the author’s own words: A short story can be a sprawling mess too. This book is presented in the same manner; yet a familiarity with the discord explored in words compels readers to devour it.

TITLE: Neon Noon

AUTHOR: Tanuj Solanki

PUBLISHER: HarperCollins India

PRICE: Rs 499