Chapter 11. No, this is not a reference book on the nuances of the chapter by the same name in the USA Bankruptcy Code that deals with corporate insolvency. Amit Shankar’s second book is a pure fiction but yes, based around an event of insolvency. His first book – The flight of Hilsa was a bestseller. In Chapter 11, Amit weaves a fascinating story around the event to articulate a number of powerful emotions, of personal faith, hope, dejection, love, courage and self discovery.
Amit makes a brilliant use of the protagonist, an ambitious boy from a small town, who arrives in a big city to join his dream job only to find that his employer has become insolvent, to tell a compelling tale of corporate sleaze and manipulation. The protagonist serves not only an effective but an interesting medium to communicate the author’s message. Like his many other colleagues, for many days, the protagonist refuses to believe that such a mammoth sized enterprise could ever go bankrupt. As their fate hangs in fire, they anxiously wait and watch the fast-unfolding developments around them shocked by the mediocrity, nepotism, and irresponsibility of their leadership. They witness everything - blame game, cover-up, scapegoat-finding-exercise but no sincere effort to revive the business. Without revival their jobs are gone, their dreams are shattered. Emotions and anxieties of employees are portrayed beautifully by Amit.
Before he realises the protagonist himself gets sucked into the corruption muck. What eventually happens I leave for you to find out! An extra-marital affair and a number of other fashionable indulges of the corporate world have been thrown in by Amit to provide an added impact. They serve a bit like Bollywood masala in the book but remain relevant and provide the twists and thrusts any book needs. Full credits to Amit for employing a brilliant approach to make an otherwise boring subject of corporate greed and insolvency, not simply interesting but equally exciting! A gripping book which moves at a desirable pace! Amit mixes a number of diverse ingredients to produce a dazzling cocktail. A must drink (read).
The book demonstrates an impressive understanding of the fundamental issues of corporate functioning by the author. Having served in a corporation which filed chapter eleven proceedings Amit was probably a witness to the proceedings that went on behind the scene. His narration is no less than the story of a whistle-blower. Brilliantly told.
Clearly Amit seeks to serve many objectives using his book including conveying many strong messages. He does it commendably. And all this while retaining the charm of a fiction which is what he claims it indeed is.
