(Above): Cover of Siddharth Srivastava's new book, "An Offbeat Story."

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The book begins before you realize it has. What at first seems like a prologue, and then a disclaimer, is actually the beginning of the book. Confusing? Yes and probably that’s what this first time author wants to do with his offbeat story. And he does in a very casual, affable style all through the book.

Written in first person narrative this novel has a halting, exploratory and experimental tone. Alternating rather abruptly from one thought to another, it can throw off the reader in the beginning. You are enjoying descriptions of lusty overtures and impassioned navel gazing of the seductive married girlfriend and then without any warning comes an article about the VVIP culture in Delhi. And this is repeated throughout the narrative.

Incidentally, these articles are actually previously published journalistic pieces the author has written in his real time job as an international features writer.

Like here he is, dwelling on his earliest encounters and dependence on intimacy with a girl. “The only way I could fill the void following the exit of my village girl was by being with another woman. I could sense that such dependence, like smoking, could be counterproductive in the long term. But at that stage in life I was looking at short time frame solutions. I was young. ... I guess it was her first time with any guy, though she learnt quickly to effectively use her tongue and lips whenever we kissed.

“Yet despite her desire to experiment in her personal life, deep down her sole ambition was to make it to the IAS. And she did. I call this the Delhi effect that impacts many who live in the city. In Bombay, the film stars are the real heroes.” ... and then the narrative goes on to detail the life and times of Bollywood and its hold on Mumbai life. And, then on to the Civil servant obsession of Delhi.

But this is an offbeat story, so don’t expect anything to go in the normal conventional way. Probably that’s the redeeming part about the book.

The seemingly casual and sudden interjection of his various articles and blog posts are strategically placed. After a while you actually start enjoying the sudden change of scenario and content.

The novel delves simply and well into the dynamics of a middle class professional, educated family that is overly focused on the progeny’s career goals and marriage choices. Siddharth brings out quite realistically the soulless ennui felt by a young man who finds himself at odds with the prevailing culture and mindsets. He is happy to drift and arrive at goalposts by meandering, but seems to be hemmed in by straitjackets of convention. In the circumstances, the only area of independence and choice appear to be his sexuality. So we find individuality expressed largely through his sexual and emotional liaisons. However, again after an initial high of pure passion, they too seem to be framed in the sub-text of marriage, contracts and benefit analysis. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

More substantial changes are narrated in the rise of new creative professional opportunities resulting from globalized economic growth like journalistic research and consulting. There is also the fresh, bold and independent voice of a few sexually aware and proactive woman characters. Almost all the younger characters in the story seem to be breaking out from convention in some way, and rewriting the rules of engagement in their life.

While the book does not leave the reader with a sense of closure, what it does it bring out the confusion, the shifting terrain of a newly urbanized and fast growing melting pot of a city like Gurgaon and the changed trajectory of its denizens’ life. It’s the offbeat journey taken into a world of open possibilities, fluid relationships, unsure fidelities, unlimited new opportunities and breaking down of boundaries.

An easy light read that leaves you thoughtful.

The book is available at this link on Amazon.com.