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The 3rd Man on a Ledge

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About the

What if you woke up one day to the hard reality that you are not who you believed you were. That everything you experienced amounted to Nothing! How would it feel if the elephantine silhouettes of guilt and regret embedded in your soul shattered your fragile ego with its new found personalities.

This book wades into the dark chambers of the protagonist’s mind, digging out details that make him both the hero and the villain of his life. While the clinical verdict is Bipolar Disorder, a reader can visualize the thought process behind the disorder and the longingness to get back to a normal life.



The book gives perspectives of different schools of thought that the protagonist moulds in his mind. The protagonists’ journey seeking answers to fundamental existential questions leads him to find peace in the Unknown and by living in the present.



About the

Ajith, a young and promising entrepreneur hailing from God's own country is an engineering graduate and an MBA holder. Having worked in the corporate for over a decade and a half and then switching over to a self-owned business, he possesses a wide perspective over different strata of society.

Being a voracious reader and a great motivator, Ajith houses a unique personality and is a quintessential 'best buddy' to his never-ending long list of friends.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2023

8 people want to read

About the author

Ajith Gopalakrishnan

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Bibliophillic1997.
400 reviews16 followers
April 20, 2023
Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. The protagonist of this story suffers from a similar disease and has some more challenges in his life.

The story speaks about knowing yourself through all the perspective a world looks at us. The protagonist is in search of himself and his own identity struggling with bipolar disorder along with an identity crisis. The protagonist's actions were justified by the human emotions such as guilt, regret, ego, etc. It also speaks about the difference between being a hero and villain and how the protagonist struggles in between them.
It also sheds some light on bipolar disorder which is must as today's world is kind of skeptical about such diseases.

This book talks about different thought processes breaking the  spectrum of endless possibilities in the human mind. The way the author has portrayed the basic human thoughts of the protagonist into a journey of seeking answers about his own existence is phenomenal. The language of the book bothered me a bit as it has quite a few difficult words for regular readers. The cover of the book defines the life clinging on the edge of it and showing the protagonist's trust issues.  This book is worth a read.
Profile Image for Sumit RK.
1,217 reviews556 followers
May 2, 2023

"The 3rd Man on a Ledge" by Ajith Gopalakrishnan is a challenging read, exploring the dark intricacies of the human psyche. The book explores the mental struggles of a person dealing with bipolar disorder and his efforts to get back to normalcy.

'The 3rd Man On A Ledge' revolves around a character suffering from the Bipolar Disorder. As the protagonist realises that he is not who he thought he was, he struggles to understand his true identity. The book starts with the protagonist narrating the memories of his life, starting with his childhood. You will find the narrative unusual and hard to grasp at the start but the story becomes clearer as it moves forward. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces start falling in place slowly making the picture clear. The story is an array of emotions as the protagonist narrates his happy and sad moments and the story portrays his internal struggles and conflicts.

Mental health is a sensitive topic and the writer has done extremely well in highlighting the issue and the struggles of those affected by it, without trivialising it. The book is a thought-provoking read and will be helpful in creating more awareness about the bipolar disorder. The author explores the deepest recesses of the human mind which is both fascinating and terrifying. The excellent writing compliments the complex subject matter making it an intriguing read. The book seeks answers to some complex question and forces the readers to think beyond their preconceived notions.

Overall, The 3rd Man on a Ledge is a thoughtful read creating awareness on an important issue like bipolar disorder. Hopefully this book will raise empathy for those suffering from mental illness
Profile Image for Dalia (book_o_creativity).
566 reviews71 followers
May 1, 2023
What if what you believed to be true is not real? What if you woke up one day to the hard reality that you are not who you believed you were? Experiences that are not real, visions that are blurry and foggy. This book wades into the darkest chamber's of the protagonists mind who seems to be lingering on mental health issues, to say clinically he is suffering from Bipolar Disorder. In this book what seems to be his lifetime longings for answers regarding life's purpose we get to see different schools of thought that the protagonist holds as his belief. His journey to seek the real meaning of life will take us to the fundamental essence of spirituality, the present.

'The 3rd Man On A Ledge' is a work of fiction which is based on some clinical mental health condition especially Bipolar Disorder. It took me some time to get into the book, the storyline seems pretty unique but it's stretched too far with small unnecessary details. Rather it's the character Narain who intrigued me, it was such an innocent account of his life yet it brings a new perspective on seeing life through the eyes of a mentally distressed person. The cocktail of love, loss, grief, frustration and other such emotions invokes empathy.

The writing didn't work for me though, it's stretched and monotonous, though I believe a disorder of this kind makes day to day life difficult for a person, it's still very monotonous to read all the happenings in Narain's life. However I liked the connection of astrophysics with the storyline.
Profile Image for Anjali Sharma.
935 reviews56 followers
April 19, 2023
"The 3rd Man on a Ledge" by Ajith Gopalakrishnan is a thought-provoking and introspective exploration of the human mind and the complexities of identity. The premise of waking up to the realization that everything you believed about yourself was a lie is intriguing and immediately drew me into the story.

The author delves into the protagonist's mind, unraveling the intricacies of guilt, regret, and the impact of bipolar disorder on his thoughts and actions. The portrayal of the protagonist as both the hero and the villain of his own life is deeply compelling, showcasing the internal struggles and conflicts that he grapples with.

Through the protagonist's journey to seek answers to existential questions, the book offers perspectives from different schools of thought, providing a rich and multi-layered narrative. The exploration of finding peace in the unknown and living in the present adds depth and philosophical depth to the story.

The author's writing is immersive and evocative, delving into the complexities of the human mind with sensitivity and depth. "The 3rd Man on a Ledge" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read that will leave readers contemplating the nature of identity, existence, and the pursuit of inner peace. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy introspective and philosophical fiction.
Profile Image for Saumya.
165 reviews32 followers
April 23, 2023
Mental health is a very sensitive issue and when given representation in a book, it should reflect reality with accurate facts and portrayal.
The 3rd Man on a Ledge follows a protagonist who is suffering from Bipolar disorder and throughout the book we are in his intricate mind, looking at the world from his perspective.

As a reader with little to no knowledge about Bipolar disorder, I can truly appreciate the author for educating and creating awareness through this book. Filled with thought-provoking prose and a beautiful writing style, The 3rd Man on a Ledge turned out to be a worthwhile read. This book has the potential to generate conversation and awareness regarding sensitive issues. This novel delves deeply into the protagonist's thoughts to unearth things that both make him and make him the antagonist of his life. Although bipolar disorder is the official diagnosis, a reader can see the disorder's mentality and the desire to return to regular life.

As for the plot, it was new and challenging in the best way possible. The pacing was well done, and the character development was subtle yet strong which gave a unique rawness to the book.

The writing style as mentioned before was really creative and articulate.


791 reviews17 followers
April 27, 2023
"The 3rd Man on a Ledge" by Ajith Gopalakrishnan is an intense and introspective novel that takes readers on a journey through the mind of the protagonist. The book raises fundamental questions about identity, existence, and the human experience in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

The author's portrayal of the protagonist's struggles with bipolar disorder is raw and authentic, providing insight into the complex nature of mental illness. The exploration of the protagonist's internal conflicts and the impact of guilt and regret on his psyche is gripping and compelling.

What sets this book apart is its multi-layered narrative that draws on different schools of thought to provide a rich and nuanced perspective. The book offers a deep exploration of the human mind and the pursuit of inner peace, culminating in a powerful and moving conclusion.

Author's writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into the protagonist's world and emotions. "The 3rd Man on a Ledge" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a profound and introspective reading experience.
Profile Image for Readbyheart .
575 reviews68 followers
July 13, 2023
"The 3rd Man on a Ledge" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of the human mind and the impact of bipolar disorder. With skillful writing and well-developed characters, the book delves into themes of identity, self-discovery, and the quest for normalcy. The author's ability to convey raw emotions and the structured narrative keeps readers engaged throughout the story. The portrayal of the protagonist's struggles with bipolar disorder is sensitive and authentic, offering an insightful understanding of mental illness. Thought-provoking interactions with supporting characters add depth to the narrative. The author skillfully tackles themes such as identity crisis, guilt, and the search for meaning, prompting readers to challenge their perspectives. Through captivating storytelling, the book fosters empathy and awareness for individuals facing mental health struggles. It is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that navigates the depths of the human psyche, making it a must-read for those seeking an engaging and introspective literary experience.
263 reviews3 followers
April 24, 2023
Author's writing is marvelous he is so deeply perceptive, as it shows when he pens down his reflections. This is one of the most ground-breaking books in mental health fiction, spreading awareness about this sensitive topic. Suffers from depression and becomes to battling with his bipolar demons. This intense, gripping novel gives the reader insights into the complex mind of mentally ill people.

The manic phase of bipolar disorder is hard to express, leave alone to translate into literature.The author takes us through the ravaged heart, restless mind, and anguished soul . This is the kind of book that will take you by surprise! It has characters that will earn our love and an adorable story worth remembering. Yu will be struck by how it is to be young and suffering from a mental illness. The author vividly writes about the forces beyond control of the human mind. This is definitely one of the best books in fiction on bipolar disorder!
Profile Image for Vaibhavi Bhoirekar.
111 reviews
April 30, 2023
Title – The 3rd Man on a Ledge
Author – Ajith Gopalkrishnan @ajith5d
Publisher - Story mirror infotech @storymirror
Pages -330
Format – Paperback

Self-realization is sometimes defined as a journey rather than a goal, and it can entail addressing harsh realities about oneself and one's life experiences.

The book is sympathetic portrayal of mental health difficulties, as well as its examination of the themes of grief, loss, and connection.

The slow start of the book with detailing of Protagonists life, feelings POV made is interesting.
While reading sometimes it felt little over stretched and could have been avoided.

How world treats a person who needs break due to Mental Health?

You will definitely get an insight towards following:
#mentalpeace
#desires
#therealyou
#therealme
#friendsforlife
#eyeopenerbook

Would recommend to anyone who would like to read a powerful book towards mental health.

I would be happy to see if the book can be studied as part of the curriculum ❤️
Profile Image for Bookswithavinish.
1,572 reviews39 followers
April 15, 2023
"The 3rd man on a ledge" by Ajith Gopalakrishnan is a thought-provoking book. It will force you to think twice before making any assumptions regarding the situations that happens in the story. While, reading this book you will realise the fact that it traces out those hard-hitting realities of our lives from which we often try to escape them.

Here, the protagonist suffers from bipolar disorder , which makes him both the hero and the villian of his life. However, for examining the transition from imagination to reality is something you need to find out by digging deep into the story.

Must read❤❤
Profile Image for Rashmi Achu.
1 review
May 17, 2023
I appreciate the author for creating awareness about Bipolar disorder through this book, manic phase of bipolar disorder is hard to express. The unusual shifts in a person's mood, and challenges in his life. I found the narrative quite interesting. This intense, gripping novel gives the reader insights into the complex mind. The writing style is so unique and captivating
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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