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1000 Kilograms of Goa

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What do you do at a college reunion in Goa? Clubbing? Sunbathing? Water Sports? Treasure hunt? Escaping from police and drug mafia? Falling in love? No one has ever got enough of Goa, and 1000 kilograms of Goa isn't worth missing at all!

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2015

4 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

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Rohan Govenkar

2 books16 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Archit.
826 reviews3,199 followers
May 16, 2018
This is the book to beat this year.

| Best in the mystery genre of 2016 |






A jolly good treasure hunt.

The twisting and turning alleys of plots, subplots and the art of moving through them.



Rohan, got the ring right on the jackpot.

The story opens with the protagonist loosing his manuscript. And his vehicle. Thankfully a godsend helps him retrieve what's his.

But not the novel.

So here we go on a roll.



Ashwin is a laid back real estate broker who's ditched by his girlfriend. Russian Girlfriend. And he takes it upon himself to generalize that sour taste by one Russian Federation citizen.

Landing up in his place, yes GOA, are four of his friends for vacation. Only that it is serious. Dead serious.

Pratik, tells them a historical story of a treasure that was long hidden and forgotten. No, it is not mythology stuff, rather solid gold we are talking about. Worth 200 Crores INR. And he has the map. Also, he is a descendant of the guy who put it in earth somewhere in Goa.

The chase begins. With not 5 but 6 people, including Maya. Well, Ashwin would not like Iftikar's girlfriend's being left out of my review for obvious reasons.

Because she was Russian. And Iftikar pours the entire story of 2000 Crores to his soulmate.

The story wobbles from one end to another, like a drunken old man. Then energizes itself from the Red Bull and we welcome the entry of not one but two more claimants to the grand lottery prize.

They have their own version of stories to append to the initial one. You do not know what is true.

One of them is a local don. Russian Don.
To make matters worse.
And the second one is the owner of the house where the treasure is believed to be buried.

I am not spoiling this one for you.

But to intrigue you further in the name of giving you some clues, here's something you'll love.

One. The treasure does exist.

Two. It is taken out multiple times.

Three And buried back.

Four The police arrives in time.

The punchlines are hilariously placed and it comes across as one brilliant book with perfectly well nourished characters (pun : intended) in Bhavesh.

The mystery is so finely knit that author does something out of the box.

He sits down cross-legged and discusses plot holes with you. Come on, no one did that with the reader.

And mind you, there are no plot holes.

One Word Verdict : Masterclass

Best in the mystery genre this 2016. Loaded to the brim.
Profile Image for Shraddha Narvenkar.
1 review59 followers
September 21, 2015
I bet if History books were written in this fashion, I would've possibly pursued my career in that line. Accurate Details that meet facts. All in all an educative piece of work, marvellous first attempt. Must have & Must read especially for the people from Diwar. A blend of mystery, suspense, humor, romance.4/5 but an extra mark coz the author has made his debut but managed very well to live to up to the expectations of readers of different Genre... Guys a must have & must read..Simply loved it. The book also teaches the youth.....
Profile Image for Dhiraj Bharude.
60 reviews9 followers
November 30, 2015
first of all i want to thanks mr rohan govenkar for providing me the book in a giveaway .1000 kilograms of Goa is a good read.The author has made a very good attempt to depict what holidaying im Goa could all be about.It's well written,you can relate to the emotions expressed and feelings narrated.
Various shades of Goa and Goans are found in this book.The book kept taking me to the beaches that I love the most ie Baga and Calangute!
One thing that I was left craving for more is romance.Had there more of romance between the protagonist and his love,I feel it would have been even better!
But all in all a fun book to read.A great read. I was completely captivated by this beautifully written novel. Apart from being incredibly insightful, there was an intensity that accelerated with every twists to the story. This gripping novel is exceedingly clever, both fascinating and fun. Well done Rohan Govenkar!
Profile Image for Anirban Nanda.
Author 7 books40 followers
Read
May 16, 2016
Amid many thrillers I have come across from India recently, I have quite liked this one. It was engrossing and the language was good too, never felt written by a debutante. The plot was very tight, supported by realistic sets and situations. The conversations were lively and credible. Though at one or two place(s), the actions happening seemed stupid/inane (which later were successfully used to create drama and action), though I was able to guess what the author was doing, or going to do, still, I wanted to read it further. This is because the presentation and narration was smart. An achievement indeed!
Overall, I liked the book very much and I congratulate the author on his glowing debut.
Profile Image for Shabana.
22 reviews
October 1, 2015
A medley of action, drama, romance, suspense, superbly wound around a thrilling plot keeps you going on and on, turning page after page to know what's coming next. loved the story, the characters, the language, the description. a definitely worth read and recommendation. well done rohan!
Profile Image for Kumar Shrijan.
5 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2017
Everyone is a thief and those who are better are the pirates.
Well, Ashwin you proved you are a pirate. This is a mind boggling book. Better be ready to end up with mouth wide open!
Profile Image for Abhilash Ruhela.
644 reviews64 followers
November 7, 2015


It was almost after 15 days that I picked a book to read as finally I realized that the countdown has begun for the year to finish and I am still left with 6 books of my target 60. And I picked up debutante, Rohan Govenkar's "1000 Kilograms of Goa". I found the title quite weird and unusual and therefore thought of giving it a read. Also the name of a debut author always catches my attention. I love reading work of a person with whom I have no attachment as a reader and thus getting surprised. Well, occasionally! Sometimes I end up getting shocked. And I can proudly claim that my last phase of reading journey of this year got a good start with this book which is such a great thrilling experience that it doesn't allow you blink even once for 230 pages of only fun, amazement, suspense, twist and turns, romance and everything done in a greatly balanced way.

Rohan has a very authentic skill of writing which makes him arrange words in his own way and serves a new reading experience for the readers interested in reading Indian authors. The characterization of each one in this book is perfectly done as it was very essential otherwise it would have become half-baked failed dish. I also loved how the author kept the romance as just another angle to the book rather than romanticizing the basic plot of this story. The magic starts right from the first conversation between the friends when a piece of history is shared in the best written form. After that, it becomes more exciting when you realize that the mission gets accomplished almost half way in the book. But what happens after that makes this book not an ordinary thriller but more than that and something which becomes recommendable.

The story is beautifully crafted and it allows you to think even when it becomes fast pacy sometimes. The locations are nicely described as it allows your imagination to build the same in your thoughts which makes it more easy for you to follow the story weaved into it. The breaking into the mansion scene and the way it is handled by the friends is nicely written. I wish to read that part once again. The second half is what does justice to the first half of the book as it takes the story to another level. And the anti-climax is beautifully done. As drawback, I only felt that the last part is little overdone by the author to prove the book morally and politically correct but it wasn't needed and he should have closed the story little early rather than giving a whole chapter to what the main protagonist did. Rest, it's all fine. Go and get this book. I give the effort 4 stars out of 5 and I strongly recommend the same.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
Profile Image for Mani Khanna.
40 reviews14 followers
February 4, 2016
1000 kilograms of Goa
-By Rohan Govenkar


Many call it "Pearl of the Orient" or a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is widely known for its scenic beauty, beaches, casino-life, hippy culture, churches and much more. But the side which Rohan picked up for this amazing thriller is something beyond once imagination about Goa.


Plot:

After seven years of their college, four friends decide for a re-union in Goa. But the fun plans of other three went in vain when they got to know about the adventurous and money-making plan of the forth. Rather than sunbathing, clubbing and trying water sports, all of them go on an adventurous hunt of a century old treasure that they thought was waiting them in the historic town of Diwar. To their shock, what awaited for them there were a rude old man and a team of Mafias.

Where will their hunt take them to?

Will they be able to get what they desired?

Or will the idea of the treasure hunt spoil their possibly-fun-filled re-union?

Will they be able to save their lives from those scary mafias?

Sail through this thrilling adventurous ride to get the treasure that waits for you.


Positives:

A well thought and equally penned story, 1000 kilograms of Goa is a perfect book for someone looking forward to read an adventurous story. A perfect narration with simple language and thrilling story-line, every ingredient was perfectly added in this treasure-hunt-recepie which will be surely loved by readers.

The way the historical description of the treasure is written never bores a reader, which if happened could have truly been a negative point. But fingers’ crossed it was amazing. Such things are not expected from a debut author, which again is commendable.

Proper justification of all the characters involved, story title and book cover adds a cheery to this cake.



Negatives:
The book doesn’t scored too many negatives, the only point that enters here is the ending description of Ashwin’s social works, even if that part would have been reduced, the story must haven’t had any impact.



Final review:

A well-cooked story, this is a must read for Goans, adventure lovers and people who are travelling, Trust me this will make your journey an unforgettable and adventurous one.

Don’t hesitate in trying this debut book, go, pick it up and I am sure you will definitely pick Rohan Govenkar’ second title in future with a smiling face.


Final Rating:

Book Cover and Title: 3.75/5

Plot, language and Literature: 4/5

Character Justification: 4.5/5

Final Rating: 4/5
Profile Image for Vibha Hegde.
276 reviews8 followers
January 28, 2016
I won this book at Goodreads giveaway. And this also the very first book I have ever won. I received this book today and I haven't been able to keep it down!! It's that amazing.
The story revolves around a friendly reunion, which turns out to a wonderful adventure. Four friends, one sister of a friend and one girlfriend of a friend get their share of drama, adventure, spicy mix of humor, love and shocking revelations. As the title suggests you pick this book up and it's impossible to let it down until you get the "1000 kilograms of Goa". The parts which I loved the most were the plot twists, dry humor and wonderful thoughts that make a reader feel the essence of Goa and the ideals of a human. This book not only gives the much required "complimentary ticket to Mars", but also a very happy, satisfied and mind boggling thoughts as return gifts.
If you haven't read it yet, then definitely your loss.
Special thanks to Rohan Govenkar. I thought you sent a book, but I received a holiday package without travelling hassle!
Profile Image for Komal Priyani.
75 reviews
January 5, 2016
Quote for this book :- I am not telling you it's going to be easy,
I'm telling you it's going to be Worth it.

"Goa" is considered as the "Live-wire" of our country. They say no one has got enough of Goa because of its Scenic beauty & electrifying aura

Pre-Reading :- Weird title, Glimpse of peppy Goa i.e
Beaches ,Drugs & babes pretty much sums up my "pre-reading thoughts" but there is a saying "Never judge a book by its outlook" so i think i should note that down Atleast after reading this one..

This book shows the exposed and unveiled Sides of Goa with the help of five friends who are on a treasure hunt excursion...From Ashwin's intelligence and never give up trait to Bhavesh's Food-o-logy , From Priya's Beauty with brains aspect to Ifti's emotional sight,From Feni to Vat 69 , From beaches to babes,from Ferryboats to Diwar Islands ,From Guns to the Goons, From burglars to the achievers...this book is an exotic ride.

Wow & Oops Of The book :-

Profile Image for Mohandeep Sandhu.
3 reviews
September 1, 2015
I picked up '1000 Kilograms of Goa' out of sheer curiosity about the title and wonderment about how and what could be meant by 1000 kgs of a place. I am glad I picked up the book because as it turned out Rohan Govenkar's debut novel is a page turner for sure. It is a story set in the backdrop of tantalizing Goa about college friends getting together after several years to go on a daring mission which could leave them as individual millionaires. Add to it the presence of the notorious local Russians who are all set to thwart the group and you have a crackling plot with enough twists and turns to keep you riveted. A thoroughly enjoyable read, a great first novel from a writer who shows great promise. I definitely recommend it as a good read.
Profile Image for Laukik Desai.
2 reviews4 followers
March 10, 2017
This brilliantly written book is a good movie plot. The Author, Rohan Govekar, being a Goan lad himself, lends authenticity to some of the facts about Goa.

If you are a Goan yourself, his narration takes you through some of the well known landscape and portrays a few typical Goan characters quite realistically.

The only part I would say could have been completely done away with, is the protagonist's philanthropic redemption of his ill-gotten wealth towards the end of the book. It comes across as a little too self indulgent and guilt ridden.

Having said that, awesome first book!
1 review
September 3, 2015
recommended, good plot, keeps you glued to it. Superb detailing. Very good debut novel by Rohan Govekar.
Profile Image for Kashish Agrawal.
104 reviews
September 7, 2018
1000 kilograms of goa is narrated in the first-person narrative. Ashwin is the narrator of the book and all the incidents have been shown through his perspective. The narration is smooth throughout the book which makes reading easy. Events in the book are described in chronological order thus avoiding any confusions. Author’s vocabulary is understandable as well as the writing style.

Rohan Govenkar has given a vivid and picturesque imagery of Goa. The detailed description will want one to visit that place and admire its beauties.

“Goa was about blissful beaches, limitless fields, serene churches and mystical temples. Somehow, Brand Goa was misrepresented to the rest of India.“

The bond among all the five characters has been wonderfully shown. One could easily relate to this group. They laugh together, have some arguments, and even fight against each other but in spite of all these disturbances, they stand together. The friendship among the five friends will make you smile. Here’s a dialogue from the book to sum it up:

“Ifti got a verbal thrashing left, right and centre from Pratik. We learned new synonyms for the words stupid, irresponsible and gullible.”

Along with being a lover of mystery thriller, I’m a bit of history buff too so all the past stuff about goa and its culture was like ‘cherry on top’ for me. If you like to learn about different cultures and history, go for this book.

“Divar had a couple of old houses built in the colonial era. Their distinctive Portuguese-styled architecture blended in the tranquil ambience of the village. Almost all of these houses had vast gardens and king-size verandas. Each veranda had brick-red porches for families to sit outdoors. The roofs featured brick-coloured Mangalore tiles, supported by plastered mud walls that made these houses appear like European homesteads.” 

The book has elements of fun which come out very often. Ashwin is sarcastic and witty which makes him a more interesting character. Pratik is the leader of the group. Ifti is portrayed as a love-struck boyfriend. Bhavesh is the one who follows the majority whereas Priya is shown as the intelligent one. All characters are different but together they make a powerful team. 


1000 Kilograms of Goa is a roller coaster ride. The author has done his best to keep the readers engaged through out the book. It is a page-turner. I could not stop myself from completing the book the soonest I could. I kept pondering over what would happen next.

As a reader who likes everything to be crystal clear in the end, I would have appreciated more details about Maya and what happened to Priya and Ashwin. Their relation was left for readers to speculate. Apart from these personal views, I didn’t find anything not worth loving.
Profile Image for Shivani Chauhan.
32 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2020
A story that presents divergent shades of an ideal holiday destination i.e. Goa which is also known as the "Pearl of the Orient" It brings a group of four friends together for a fun reunion where they set out for a sporting treasure hunt. This excursion marks the beginning of a thrilling adventurous ride with a risky chain of events.

The weird yet riveting title of the book drew my attention towards it. To add on, the mystifying blurb made me want to know more about the story. However, the opening is not very much compelling but, I found it absorbing after going through certain chapters.

The plot holds a good amount of intrigue. Elements like suspense, shock, mystery, entertainment are amalgamated in a fine manner. Furthermore, there are romantic encounters and interactions that the characters have. I wish there could be more. Certain parts of the story hold a great amount of thrill and drama in it. 
All the characters seem to fit the setting of the story. Each one's quality and unique trait predominated the plot. Moreover, the language is simple and effective. The pace seems to flow better after each segment and gives a few more details that make the story sound interesting. 

The debutante author did a brilliant job while describing about art,places, people and culture of Goa. From the kind of language to the traditions of Goans are well depicted. The Russian mafia plays an important role in the story and that's what makes the script realistic and gripping.This clearly shows how author took care of minute details which is praiseworthy.

The book mainly concentrates on the dark and dangerous sides of drugs and the rise of the criminal mafias. A lot of twists and turns are involved which grabbed my attention and raised question marks in my mind.

How will they reach to the hidden treasure? Will these people be successful in keeping the treasure to themselves? How they would be saved by the criminals? Will these friends stick together till the end?
At times bewildered and surprised by the events in the book, the reader will eventually enjoy reading until the final episode.

An engrossing and light read. Especially aimed at a younger audience.
Profile Image for Shree G.
89 reviews6 followers
November 13, 2024
Wow, what an adrenaline-pumped ride! The story and character buildup are excellent, and the book unravels like a plot of a blockbuster Bollywood-style movie. Barring a few glaring typos and the simple lack of slick editing, this was a Goan adventure that truly lived up to its name.

The vivid descriptions of Goan topography, right up to the typical customs and character sketches of the Goan people made it authentic like a tangy and spicy prawn balchao and humble poi.

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but when Ashwin says that he has a ton of *** to carry, the weight of his words set in much later in the paragraph, and I re-read that part. Heck, it was ACTUALLY a ton of ***, and not just metaphorically! Loved these little gems throughout the book, although I feel the deliberate attempts at humour and sarcasm all throughout could have been avoided.

All said - this is a great, adrenaline pumping and heart heart-thumping, unputdownable book (after a point - not spilling spoilers here...Ok hint - when the attic scene began ;)

Surprising gem, this book is, Rohan...Patrao.
Profile Image for Soul longings.
111 reviews69 followers
October 26, 2016
after reading Gory book about serial killer i was yearning for some light stuff and this book satisfied my craving , it took me to the serene beaches of goa, this book is a wonderful mix of mystery, history thrills & romance. The description is very good , language used by the author is very nice for a debutante. Depiction if history is interesting
The plot had too many loop holes and the ending was cliched though
Profile Image for Mukund Sanghi.
51 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2020
An amazing book...I just couldn't put it down... A terrific plot, interesting characters and a superb climax... Filled with lots of twists and turns, it's an absolutely fantastic novel...
Profile Image for Divya Ramnath Bandodkar.
Author 3 books19 followers
November 9, 2015
My Take-

This story has been set in the most beautiful state of goa. The protagonist, Ashwin is a resident of Goa. Pratik, Bhavesh, Iftikar and Priya, his friends, visit Goa during Christmas time. Fun on beaches, casinos, alcoholic drinks and parties is something which attracts lots of toursits. But Pratik and Priya is on a mission. They are attracted towards the hidden treasure on the Diwar Island.

Do they find the spot where the treasure is hidden? Do they get the gold? Do they face any problems?

Story and the characters:

The story is well knit without a slightest loophole. The flow of the events in the story is apt and the progress of the story is neither too fast nor too slow. The detailing of the places makes the reader draw a picture of the place in his mind. This is probably the first novel I have read that describes the scenic beauty of Goa so beautifully. The story keeps you hooked until the very end.
The characters too are well developed. The friendship bond that Ashwin shares with Iftikar, Bhavesh and Pratik is strong and I envy their friendship. Priya plays the role of girl-next-door. She is sweet, naughty and intelligent. She will surely create a place in the hearts of many readers.

Narration:

The narration style is simple but engrossing. There haven’t been any occurrences of words being stuffed up in order to make the language sound heavy.

I liked everything about 1000 Kilograms of Goa.

1000 Kilograms of Goa is a tale worth reading. It is an adventurous tale of treasure hunt. Apart from this, it gives you an insight of the problems that people from Goa face, the luring casinos where drug and flesh trade take place, the innocent behaviour and simple life of Goan people and many more things. It tells the reader that life in Goa is not as smooth as it is shown in movies.

I am sure that you will enjoy this exciting hunt as much as I did.


I rate:

Cover- 3.5/5
Story- 4/5
Characters- 4/5



My overall rating for 1000 Kilograms of Goa is 4/5.
Profile Image for Banaja Prakashini.
121 reviews11 followers
October 13, 2016
A perfectly balanced diet from the author's pen, waiting to be devoured by the readers with its perfect composition of mystery, thrill, romance and humour.
The humour of the characters will make you roll into laughter even from the first page.
The book reveals the fact that Goa isn't filled with all illegal drug trafficking, casinos, escorts, alcohol shacks and beach parties, it has a lot more value in it.
The best thing about the book, the description is so neat you will think that you know all the nooks and crooks of the areas where the characters visited. The author's hard work is definitely visible .

Ratings - 3.9 stars out of 5

The book was lacking a factor of surprise which is usually expected from books like these, half way into the chapter and if you are an avid reader you can predict the plot like a taro card reader.
The prologue of the book though amazingly written leaves the reader hanging as he/she keeps expecting that the story has more to give.
A sequel to the book is highly expected as the reader would want to know more.

Talking about the writing skills, the author possesses fantastic skills of writing and story telling and the book is worth it. Moreover , someone said " No one has ever got enough of Goa, and 1000 kilograms of Goa isn't worth missing at all " .

Read the full review at- http://literamuse.in/tea-talks-1000-k...
Profile Image for Guttu.
182 reviews36 followers
December 15, 2016
I picked this book as I like to read books by Goan writers, which to my knowledge is a limited in number. The plot of the book itself is sufficient to make you buy this book. A treasure hunt book is never boring. I haven't come across one yet. And this book lived upto that. You don't get bored while reading this book.
But what's a book which says its about treasure hunt and it drifts away from the narrative? It is more of a drama than the treasure hunt. It would have been wonderful if the adventure, thrill and mystery of treasure hunt consumed the maximum pages of the book. Last two chapters were unnecessary. That is where the author shows his desire to become a hero. If you plan to read this book, Just skip the last two chapters.
1 review
October 29, 2015
Great book to read. I bet you will enjoy it once you start reading.

This is one of those book which once you start reading it you will not like it to leave in in between. Each page, chapter have some new surprise and author have compiled the story nicely. Indeed this is one of my favorite book. You will find lots of Goan history. Apart from the beautiful story this book has a message in the end. Looking forward for another serious of this book.
20 reviews
January 6, 2016
4.5 stars. I received this book through goodreads giveaway. The book has been written in a good style and describes a great image of what is it like to spend holidays in Goa. I have not visited Goa so far, so difficult to say if all the description is correct, and maybe some of them are exaggeration, but the books is a blend of liveliness, drama, fun, romance and thrill. A great start to a possibly greater career. All the best to the author for further writings.
Profile Image for Charmaine Desouza.
16 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2015
For a first attempt, this book was nice, racey, great plot, good character descriptions, if you love Goa then this book brings chunks of "Goanness" to life. A little humour thrown in for extra spice. A fun read. Good job, Rohan. I'm really happy to have played a minor role in this.
Profile Image for Saravanan Pandi.
29 reviews13 followers
September 11, 2016
The book was really really really worth reading. It was amazing.
LOVED IT!!!
I would like to applaud the Author for his messages like Giving back to the Soceity, Saving the Environment,etc.,through the Protagonist of the story!!!
Profile Image for Diréctor Krish.
11 reviews29 followers
August 25, 2016
Thanks Rohan brother for gift me this book. really very interesting and superb twists. got info about Goa, Russians by reading the story. really best narration. all the best and waiting for your next work.
5 reviews
June 26, 2016
Very well written.This one keeps you interested till the end.My first ever read.
My journey begins.
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