The Itch You Can't Scratch

by Sumit Kumar, Anant Singh (Foreword), Adhiraj Singh (Editor)

A former writer for savita bhabhi, sumit kumar takes the reader through his short but eventful life. From the absurd to the comical, from mundane activities to mind blowing realizations, from entrepreneurship to embarrassment. This is a self-effacing, honest view of the life of a young, Confused man suffering from an acute case of the Itch you can’t scratch.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Autobiography, Graphic Novels Comics

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Sumit Kumar is a Cartoonist based in New Delhi. His first graphic novel 'The Itch You Can't Scratch' has gained a strong cult following (meaning, not a mainstream one) and his 'Kashmir Ki Kahani' for Newslaundry.com has gotten mainstream acclaim.

Reviews

[Piyush Mourya · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I don't understand what's the problem with the other reviews in this website. Either these people have no sense of humour or they are not worth reviewing this book. I now know how it feels to be a Bhakt. I'm shamelessly a Bhakt for this book. And would keep on dismissing people who don't agree. Bought this book at the right time, even though a decade late. The work is pure genius. Sumit Sir is a gifted storyteller, nobody can question that (Supreme leader). I found myself laughing and in awe throughout the book. I could relate to it to the atomic levels. This book felt so close that I should drop any plans to write my autobiography, as this already exists. One fear I have is, I would be too tempted to steal from this book. The jokes are witty. They will catch you off-guard. This is a very brave, bold and honest work. If you pay closer attention, under the lighthearted humor, there are so many layers of pain, struggles, rejections, confusions and failures. This book can be a guide to self love and never giving up on oneself.This one is very close to my heart. I don't think I would read anything else in this world which would make me relate harder(Not even my biography, if that ever comes out). The only thing I hated about this book is (even though it is cliché, I had to write this) it ended. I didn't wanted it to end, so I kept savoring it slowly slowly till I lost control.

[Neha Gupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ITCHED and SCRATCHED my head all the time trying to figure out ‘The ITCH you can’t SCRATCH’.

I am not really an expert in Graphic Novels.. with reading count still lingering in single digits. But as a reader I do have a say on them. Like any novel they are supposed to have a plot.. just because there are graphics ala cartoons ala comic.. doesn’t mean you just string the various solo comic strips or events and TA DA here is a novel. At the end of the day you need a plot but I don’t think cartoonists can manage that alone. They are good at capturing facial expressions, body language, comical dialogues and presenting events as satires but somehow they lose the plot of the NOVEL. They can manage the short of it but stumble with the long of it. I accept the author was funny at places – but that is forced laughter as those incidents don’t support the plot or the story. They are just ranting and ramblings of a frustrated cartoonist.

To read more, visit Storywala

[Moth]

Its a dude-type ka comic book

[Ashutosh Rai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it for Sumit Kumar, whose Amar Bari... and Kashmir Ki Kahani I had absolutely loved. This was not as good, but has some funny moments. There's some existentialism also lurking in parts, if you look for it, but nothing goes deep. Still, a fun read. I read it on kindle, but I think the hard copy will be definitely more enjoyable because of framing of adjacent pages making more sense.

[Apoorv Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of comic I'd like to keep on my shelf to bring out when I'm feeling too low or too high on life. Just to find company and comfort in the issues of contemporary Indian life.
Read this for brigadiers' advice on trying out things.
Commendable honesty, as well!
I am curious for the Bakarmax online stuff now.

Kudos, author.

[Vinayak Hegde · Rating 3 out of 5]

A self-deprecating humorous look at the life of the author growing up in a graphic novel. The artwork is comic strip style mostly. Some of the jokes are funny and some are passable. The book is somewhat engaging but the last part of the side stories seems added on to increase the length of the book. Overall a decent read.

[Anand Koppar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is good in parts when Sumit Kumar explains the hypocrisy of Indian society or when he explains about his family tree. But that's about it as the rest of the writing is random and can't be taken seriously. I prefer his other book Amar Bari Tomar Bari Naxalbari.

[Ishu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most hilarious Indian graphic novel

[Debopriyo Moulik · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting comic.

[amarjeet sonkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny & bold illustration of engineering student's lifestyle.

[Arjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure inspiration.

[Chetan Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book didn't have a start or an end but the journey was enjoyable. Gave a little inspiration as well.

[S K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny illustration of the author's trials and tribulations in his life and career.