Manipulations

Shrinivas Sharangpani
Zumaya Publications (2002)
ISBN 189486932X
Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (8/06)

“Manipulations” follows a fictitious political struggle of good versus evil as the Prime Minister of India comes up against a fiercely ambitious and power hungry opposition.  Add to the mix an aggressive international business tycoon and watch the manipulation of powers unfold.

R.S. Sharma, a name which signifies “high caste of Hindu Priests”, is the newly appointed Prime Minister of India, leading from the Sarva Dal party, translated as “the party for everyone”.  Sharma’s strong ethical and moral leadership has branded him with the reputation of a no-nonsense leader.  However, sometimes one had to “compromise his principles to fight evil”.

Giridhai Lal Gupta, a name which signifies “the cast of traders”, was once the trusted lieutenant of Sharma.  Giridhai, unhappy with the lack of power he was afforded, has formed the opposition party Kasan Majdoor Sena (KMS) - the Peasant and Worker’s Army.  Giridhai’s blind ambition for power soon escalates the KMS party to tactics of violence and manipulation, of which there appears to be no end.  With the parties success in poaching Sarva Dal members and increasing popularity among the voters the future of India appears ominous.      

Gulu Bhojwani is an international business tycoon with a sordid past and a tremendous ambition to build an empire in his home country of India.  While he had a strong international network, he had no business presence in India due to government restrictions.  With a strong background and connections to the underground world, and a keen eye on the political upheaval in India he devises a plan and the players required in order to realize his dream.

As paths cross and manipulations unfold, each man becomes more desperate to win the battle before them.  As the suspense builds and the struggle escalates the reader is held captive….will it be good or evil?  Or is it really ever that simple?

While grammatical errors can be found throughout the novel, they are few and do not deter the reader from enjoying the book.  A ‘glossary of terms related to the Indian environment’ provided at the end of the novel gives the unfamiliar reader a better understanding and appreciation of the irony and terminology existing within the novel.

“Manipulations” is an action packed political thriller which takes the reader on an adventure in international politics, business, the underground world and the realization of what can occur when these worlds collide.  Shrinivas Sharangpani has created a literary fable of the struggle between good and evil in the world of politics, keeping the reader in full anticipation as each player makes their next move.
 
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