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Manjhi's Mayhem
Longlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature 2023
Introducing Sewaram Manjhi in this explosive novel that combines a tight mystery and an anti-hero who refuses to back down.
Sewaram Manjhi works as a secuity guard outside a posh Bombay cafe. On the surface, he's not unlike millions of invisible Indians who make the city tick, but there is a difference: he holds rage in his heart, and he will go to any length to snatch a chunk of the good life. Enter Santosh, hostess at the restaurant across the street. A damsel in distress, Santosh has a strange request for Manjhi, and far be it from him to say no. What follows is tabaahi - mayhem - as Manjhi finds himself caught in a web of lies and deceit, and on the trail of a bag full of money that will lead to broken noses, bloody heads, sex, seduction, and murder. If he succeeds, Manjhi might finally discover what it means to be in control of one's destiny in a land where birth determines fate.
Introducing Sewaram Manjhi in this explosive novel that combines a tight mystery and an anti-hero who refuses to back down.
Sewaram Manjhi works as a secuity guard outside a posh Bombay cafe. On the surface, he's not unlike millions of invisible Indians who make the city tick, but there is a difference: he holds rage in his heart, and he will go to any length to snatch a chunk of the good life. Enter Santosh, hostess at the restaurant across the street. A damsel in distress, Santosh has a strange request for Manjhi, and far be it from him to say no. What follows is tabaahi - mayhem - as Manjhi finds himself caught in a web of lies and deceit, and on the trail of a bag full of money that will lead to broken noses, bloody heads, sex, seduction, and murder. If he succeeds, Manjhi might finally discover what it means to be in control of one's destiny in a land where birth determines fate.
216 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2022
9 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Tanuj Solanki
6 books447 followersTanuj Solanki is the author of four works of fiction. His debut novel Neon Noon was shortlisted for the Tata Lit Live First Book Award 2016. His second, the short-story collection titled Diwali in Muzaffarnagar, won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2019. His novel The Machine is Learning was longlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature 2020 and was listed by The Hindu as among the 10 best fiction books of 2020.
Manjhi's Mayhem
, his latest novel, was also longlisted for the JCB Prize 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 27, 2022
None of this happened for brawn; it happened for love.
And that’s why, the tale made for a gripping read.
As a missing money bag triggers a trail of mayhem, its mystery spills into the veins of a ravenous city, taking Sewaram Manjhi to apartments and offices, and opening to hitherto unknown patches where two and two didn’t add upto four. Wearing the badge of a security guard and a name declaring him Dalit, the eponymous hero exposes the underbelly of a society obsessed with status and money, lust and power, riding on the momentum and tharra of a thriller.
The highlight of the book, for me, was the writing. Smart, taut and in many ways, empathetic. Amidst brawls and warnings, fistfights and expletives, lied an intent to reach a place far away from unrest. Religious discord, casteism and financial disparity are themes that simmer beneath the words with a message, perhaps, to take note of their notoriety and toxicity. And the author’s effort in keeping the flavors closer to home shone. Mumbai throbs with a certain rhythm and so do her children in Uncle and Kaptaan, Godse and Patil, Santosh and Ali, upholding her traditions in local trains and misal pavs among others.
And like most pieces I have written in school, a parting thought to round up my experience – Tanuj gets brownie points for casting his hero from the Dalit community and adding to the relatively thin section of Indian noir.
Let me just leave it at this lest Manjhi loses his mind over too much Angrezi!
And that’s why, the tale made for a gripping read.
As a missing money bag triggers a trail of mayhem, its mystery spills into the veins of a ravenous city, taking Sewaram Manjhi to apartments and offices, and opening to hitherto unknown patches where two and two didn’t add upto four. Wearing the badge of a security guard and a name declaring him Dalit, the eponymous hero exposes the underbelly of a society obsessed with status and money, lust and power, riding on the momentum and tharra of a thriller.
The highlight of the book, for me, was the writing. Smart, taut and in many ways, empathetic. Amidst brawls and warnings, fistfights and expletives, lied an intent to reach a place far away from unrest. Religious discord, casteism and financial disparity are themes that simmer beneath the words with a message, perhaps, to take note of their notoriety and toxicity. And the author’s effort in keeping the flavors closer to home shone. Mumbai throbs with a certain rhythm and so do her children in Uncle and Kaptaan, Godse and Patil, Santosh and Ali, upholding her traditions in local trains and misal pavs among others.
And like most pieces I have written in school, a parting thought to round up my experience – Tanuj gets brownie points for casting his hero from the Dalit community and adding to the relatively thin section of Indian noir.
Let me just leave it at this lest Manjhi loses his mind over too much Angrezi!
November 13, 2022
First, the usual disclaimer for transparency- I'm married to the author. Make of that what you will. I can only confirm that it's been way too long since I've received any gifts substantial enough to qualify as bribes for good reviews and hence there's every attempt to be fair in my assessment.
Sewaram Manjhi is our bone-breaking anti-hero from Deoria in UP, whose place in the social order has so far kept him on the fringes of Mumbai. Sexless, invisible, overworked and underpaid, with not much to look forward to other than the occasional cigarette (bidis do nothing for him) and payday feasts at the grimy bar around the corner. Until he meets Santosh who seduces him and then turns him into her saviour. Thus begins a series of events involving punches, smashed skulls and run-ins with Mumbai mafia.
The narrative is tightly wound, an absolutely entertaining potboiler. What I enjoyed most was Manjhi's matter-of-fact reflections on what it means to be poor in India and his curious discoveries of how the world really works (there's a hilarious scene where he gets his hostage to explain the ins and outs of banking to him). Despite some sombre themes that underpin the story, it's warm and inviting, even laugh-out-loud funny in places (cue kimono, his father's English and Jatav's jongas).
You'll probably enjoy it most if you've lived in- and managed to love- Bombay. Solanki brings alive its streets, stations and societies, reminds you of all the pav you've probably eaten (bhurji, vada, bhaji), the mad rush of its locals, and the sukoon of letting the breeze run through your hair with the windows of your kaali-peeli rolled down.
My one complaint is that I wanted to know Manjhi better. While Solanki drops hints along the way- presumably to help you make sense of Manjhi's rage- he doesn't offer enough of a window into his life before Mumbai. On the plus side, that tells me we might see/read more of Manjhi in a possible sequel.
All in all, I've decided to forgive all the weekends when we couldn't make plans because the author was busy ploughing away at his manuscript. This book is more than worth it.
Sewaram Manjhi is our bone-breaking anti-hero from Deoria in UP, whose place in the social order has so far kept him on the fringes of Mumbai. Sexless, invisible, overworked and underpaid, with not much to look forward to other than the occasional cigarette (bidis do nothing for him) and payday feasts at the grimy bar around the corner. Until he meets Santosh who seduces him and then turns him into her saviour. Thus begins a series of events involving punches, smashed skulls and run-ins with Mumbai mafia.
The narrative is tightly wound, an absolutely entertaining potboiler. What I enjoyed most was Manjhi's matter-of-fact reflections on what it means to be poor in India and his curious discoveries of how the world really works (there's a hilarious scene where he gets his hostage to explain the ins and outs of banking to him). Despite some sombre themes that underpin the story, it's warm and inviting, even laugh-out-loud funny in places (cue kimono, his father's English and Jatav's jongas).
You'll probably enjoy it most if you've lived in- and managed to love- Bombay. Solanki brings alive its streets, stations and societies, reminds you of all the pav you've probably eaten (bhurji, vada, bhaji), the mad rush of its locals, and the sukoon of letting the breeze run through your hair with the windows of your kaali-peeli rolled down.
My one complaint is that I wanted to know Manjhi better. While Solanki drops hints along the way- presumably to help you make sense of Manjhi's rage- he doesn't offer enough of a window into his life before Mumbai. On the plus side, that tells me we might see/read more of Manjhi in a possible sequel.
All in all, I've decided to forgive all the weekends when we couldn't make plans because the author was busy ploughing away at his manuscript. This book is more than worth it.
May 19, 2023
Great read full of energy and life. I want to read more books like this. A fav of 2022. It is fun, thrilling, doesn’t conform to Western expectations of what a story from India needs to be, has great characters. It thinks, swears, converses in a medley of languages (just how life is). More thoughts here—https://www.thebooksatchel.com/best-b...
December 30, 2022
Manjhi’s Mayhem is a riot. A reading experience that befits the title of the book in a good way. The story of Sewaram Manjhi, a man living on the margins of sapno ki nagri Mumbai, takes the reader on a roller coaster ride which seems to pace and storm, taking sharp turns at places whilst maintaining a certain momentum which neither slackens nor loses its grip on the narrative.
Sewaram Manjhi, aka Harish Jakhar, is a security guard who stands outside a restaurant during the day, watching a world which moves in ways inaccessible to him and where the likes of him remain invisible. His worries mostly include getting a good night sleep or maintaining his false identity because a Haryanvi Jatt has better prospects at the job than a Dalit from Bihar.
Enter Santosh, a waitress from a restaurant across the street where he works, and Sewaram’s life veer in a direction unexpected. What follows is chase and mayhem. A course of events offering thrill while also pulsating with glimpses into the socio-economic-political realities of our times. There are some moments which glitter brighter than the rest, putting in focus the virtues of kindness and empathy in a city with a dark underbelly.
Violence and expletives abound and so does the human desire to achieve something. In Manjhi that ‘something’ seems to prick his subconscious and we are never given much insight into it. He mostly seems to be in the moment, in the action, doing the thing and not brooding too much. It however appears that this tug has a role to play.
A role that the author has deliberately put on hold. Is there a sequel in the line? I hope there is. For as a reader I need to know where Manjhi actually comes from and what happened to him.
This book was my foray into reading noir and I had no idea of the working of elements in this genre. As a reader however I can say that it is an extremely well written book. The only proof I can give is that I was hooked in from the very beginning and that I read it in a single sitting.
With a writing that is tight and a plot that is fast paced, Tanuj has brilliantly managed to pull off a feat which wasn’t easy at all. It is the author’s most confident work till date that I have read. A voice that comes out as assertive and focused while also humane and perceptive.
It is a feast and yes, definitely a riot.
Sewaram Manjhi, aka Harish Jakhar, is a security guard who stands outside a restaurant during the day, watching a world which moves in ways inaccessible to him and where the likes of him remain invisible. His worries mostly include getting a good night sleep or maintaining his false identity because a Haryanvi Jatt has better prospects at the job than a Dalit from Bihar.
Enter Santosh, a waitress from a restaurant across the street where he works, and Sewaram’s life veer in a direction unexpected. What follows is chase and mayhem. A course of events offering thrill while also pulsating with glimpses into the socio-economic-political realities of our times. There are some moments which glitter brighter than the rest, putting in focus the virtues of kindness and empathy in a city with a dark underbelly.
Violence and expletives abound and so does the human desire to achieve something. In Manjhi that ‘something’ seems to prick his subconscious and we are never given much insight into it. He mostly seems to be in the moment, in the action, doing the thing and not brooding too much. It however appears that this tug has a role to play.
A role that the author has deliberately put on hold. Is there a sequel in the line? I hope there is. For as a reader I need to know where Manjhi actually comes from and what happened to him.
This book was my foray into reading noir and I had no idea of the working of elements in this genre. As a reader however I can say that it is an extremely well written book. The only proof I can give is that I was hooked in from the very beginning and that I read it in a single sitting.
With a writing that is tight and a plot that is fast paced, Tanuj has brilliantly managed to pull off a feat which wasn’t easy at all. It is the author’s most confident work till date that I have read. A voice that comes out as assertive and focused while also humane and perceptive.
It is a feast and yes, definitely a riot.
March 1, 2023
Manjhi’s Mayhem is such a chaotic book, I love it! It reminded me of those old Bollywood films when things were done for love and action was a mere reason to serve justice. Tanuj Solanki has done a fabulous job in writing this novel, which although written in English felt quintessentially very local. You can hear the protagonist uttering sentences in Hindi, letting out cuss words every now and then. There’s romance, action, suspense and like a cherry on the top, a lot of masala.
Our protagonist is a handsome man from a village who now lives in Mumbai and works as a security guard for a cafe. Sewaram Manjhi aka Harish Jhakhar has a fake ID that let’s people believe that he’s not a Dalit. It’s important that he gets a job and survives in this city that never sleeps so he does everything in his power to fit in. It is while working that he notices and falls in love with a woman named Santosh (an odd name for a woman, I know). Santosh works in a restaurant just opposite the cafe and soon they take a liking to each other. But Santosh has a job for her brawny sweetheart and it is to find a stolen bag that contains lakhs of money.
Santosh and Sewa share a fiery romance and although he finds Santosh’s liking towards him suspicious and very convenient, he still agrees to help her out. This manjhi that Santosh has asked Sewa to create eventually sets a lot of things in motion, revealing many characters and their roles in her story. This book speaks consciously of the disparity between the rich and the poor and how his actions are perceived as an act of justice. I don’t want to give away too much of the story but this was a solid book in terms of storyline and it’s execution.
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who love to indulge themselves in fast paced, intriguing stories. Thanks to publisher for the copy.
Our protagonist is a handsome man from a village who now lives in Mumbai and works as a security guard for a cafe. Sewaram Manjhi aka Harish Jhakhar has a fake ID that let’s people believe that he’s not a Dalit. It’s important that he gets a job and survives in this city that never sleeps so he does everything in his power to fit in. It is while working that he notices and falls in love with a woman named Santosh (an odd name for a woman, I know). Santosh works in a restaurant just opposite the cafe and soon they take a liking to each other. But Santosh has a job for her brawny sweetheart and it is to find a stolen bag that contains lakhs of money.
Santosh and Sewa share a fiery romance and although he finds Santosh’s liking towards him suspicious and very convenient, he still agrees to help her out. This manjhi that Santosh has asked Sewa to create eventually sets a lot of things in motion, revealing many characters and their roles in her story. This book speaks consciously of the disparity between the rich and the poor and how his actions are perceived as an act of justice. I don’t want to give away too much of the story but this was a solid book in terms of storyline and it’s execution.
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who love to indulge themselves in fast paced, intriguing stories. Thanks to publisher for the copy.
December 25, 2022
I have been following Tanuj's work even before his first book came out. This here is his tightest writing yet. I finished it in two sittings! There are a couple of things Tanuj does here to make me green with envy. First of all, he finds the right POV to support tough hardboiled-speak, which has been greatly imitated since Chandler and the likes, but to get it right in a post-internet novel is tricky. In Manjhi, a security guard looking from the lower strata of society, unafraid to have his way (we are spared the backstory to imagine whatever we want to for what has made him this way - good move) who gets by on vada pavs often and is rightly not aware of how to use an ATM machine, there is a toughness in his demeanor that seems natural, which is Tanuj's biggest win, and because the writer is so talented he uses Manjhi's narrative voice to not only act tough in an unjust world, but create a worldview. Many forget that Marlow did not just talk smart, his words came out of a worldview, which is what happens here. This is neatly done is the first two chapters before the mayhem begins and you are with Manjhi already.
Then there is just a minor glitch. How can someone like Manjhi come up with compulsively enjoyable descriptions of events, people, society at large in English? Oh why not? He tells it to a friend who is a journalist, who in turn narrates it. It must have taken Tanuj 2 mins to solve this problem! You are surprised not because a novel begins with a sentence like: None of this happened in English. You are surprised because this trick was there in plain view all along! Nobody thought of it.
The mayhem starts the way any classic noir starts. A woman in trouble. How Santosh comes across and finally gets Manjhi to do something for her is brilliantly handled. Had it not worked, the novel could not take off. A bag filled with money becomes a Mcguffin for Manjhi to perform curious night excursions, from paid goons to crooked bank managers to underworld biggies - the progression is enjoyable, filled with beautiful sentences that try to understand the gulf between the 'haves' and 'have nots'.
Because Manjhi is looking up at the world from a lower place, there are great opportunities by design for Tanuj to explore, which he does with relish, like a scene where a tired Manjhi returning to his shared room after a dangerous encounter has to still wash his cloths at 2AM because he has nothing to wear the next day, a Tarrantinoesque sequence in which a breakin turns into a learning session, and ample such gems that were a joy to read. The narrative is not convoluted and fairly easy to follow, but Manjhi's unpredictability keeps you hooked. The final confrontation with Mehul is another great handling that made me envier. This scene could go in any direction, but Manjhi, honed by now and using calculated words, which are juicy and fun, not only gets the big man's attention but gets a coffee made for himself! You cannot help but cheer for the underdog having his way.
After all is said and done, the best part about this book is how effortlessly a character named Uncle enters the scene. Chance encounter that blooms into a warm friendship on the basis of what is left unsaid between them, and how they find solidarity in one another. I may forget most of it, but if I am going to remember this book fondly it is for this little touch, about how something purely human grows between two strangers.
Then there is just a minor glitch. How can someone like Manjhi come up with compulsively enjoyable descriptions of events, people, society at large in English? Oh why not? He tells it to a friend who is a journalist, who in turn narrates it. It must have taken Tanuj 2 mins to solve this problem! You are surprised not because a novel begins with a sentence like: None of this happened in English. You are surprised because this trick was there in plain view all along! Nobody thought of it.
The mayhem starts the way any classic noir starts. A woman in trouble. How Santosh comes across and finally gets Manjhi to do something for her is brilliantly handled. Had it not worked, the novel could not take off. A bag filled with money becomes a Mcguffin for Manjhi to perform curious night excursions, from paid goons to crooked bank managers to underworld biggies - the progression is enjoyable, filled with beautiful sentences that try to understand the gulf between the 'haves' and 'have nots'.
Because Manjhi is looking up at the world from a lower place, there are great opportunities by design for Tanuj to explore, which he does with relish, like a scene where a tired Manjhi returning to his shared room after a dangerous encounter has to still wash his cloths at 2AM because he has nothing to wear the next day, a Tarrantinoesque sequence in which a breakin turns into a learning session, and ample such gems that were a joy to read. The narrative is not convoluted and fairly easy to follow, but Manjhi's unpredictability keeps you hooked. The final confrontation with Mehul is another great handling that made me envier. This scene could go in any direction, but Manjhi, honed by now and using calculated words, which are juicy and fun, not only gets the big man's attention but gets a coffee made for himself! You cannot help but cheer for the underdog having his way.
After all is said and done, the best part about this book is how effortlessly a character named Uncle enters the scene. Chance encounter that blooms into a warm friendship on the basis of what is left unsaid between them, and how they find solidarity in one another. I may forget most of it, but if I am going to remember this book fondly it is for this little touch, about how something purely human grows between two strangers.
December 25, 2022
I usually rate even the best books 4 stars, because I theorized there is always room for improving something. No book is perfect in what it sets out to do.
But Manjhi's Mayhem has no flaw. It completely achieves what it wanted to do. There is nothing in this book I would have wanted differently. I love a good noir book. I have been dying to have more of them in India. I might have been prejudiced when I picked it up because I have never really disliked anything Tanuj has written, but it didn't matter. The pacing is perfect, the characters completely at ease in their surroundings, not sounding like someone else wrote them. While reading, I had even started imitating the action moves Manjhi was doing on other people; I was fully sold into the setting.
I only have two complaints with the book - that it was not set in Delhi, a city I still feel is great for noir, and that it ended too soon. I could have kept on reading another 100 pages about Sewaram Manjhi.
But Manjhi's Mayhem has no flaw. It completely achieves what it wanted to do. There is nothing in this book I would have wanted differently. I love a good noir book. I have been dying to have more of them in India. I might have been prejudiced when I picked it up because I have never really disliked anything Tanuj has written, but it didn't matter. The pacing is perfect, the characters completely at ease in their surroundings, not sounding like someone else wrote them. While reading, I had even started imitating the action moves Manjhi was doing on other people; I was fully sold into the setting.
I only have two complaints with the book - that it was not set in Delhi, a city I still feel is great for noir, and that it ended too soon. I could have kept on reading another 100 pages about Sewaram Manjhi.
December 3, 2022
You need to read this book, and you need to read it NOW.
Why?
1. Manjhi, the protagonist, is the perfect anti-hero. He's murderous, he's witty, and he delivers punches (verbal and physical).
2. The plot—a masterpiece. Moves quickly and not a word is wasted—your heartbeat will speed up so keep a glass of water handy.
3. There's sex, revenge, humour, and cutting observations—uff, the book has it all.
If you've always wanted to read good Indian fiction, PICK THIS UP.
Why?
1. Manjhi, the protagonist, is the perfect anti-hero. He's murderous, he's witty, and he delivers punches (verbal and physical).
2. The plot—a masterpiece. Moves quickly and not a word is wasted—your heartbeat will speed up so keep a glass of water handy.
3. There's sex, revenge, humour, and cutting observations—uff, the book has it all.
If you've always wanted to read good Indian fiction, PICK THIS UP.
May 7, 2023
I never write reviews especially here because i always feel like they're not intellectual enough, BUT
THIS BOOK IS A VERY CLEAR EXCEPTION.
I hated it.
hate is an understatement.
1) After Reading the summary or brief on the back of the book, i had in mind an extremely thought provoking book that talks about class in the context of the Indian subcontinent, more so about morality and other philosophical aspects like the difference between what is good and what is right. Unfortunately the only thought it provoked was the urge to throw it against the wall.
I feel absolutely robbed of a 5 star thriller with socio political commentary. It was the perfectly crafted plot but the way it was written just took that opportunity to the grave.
Or maybe the brief just didn't convey itself properly. It was all about the choice that he had to change his life, forever. And that's what i was waiting for, the beginning of the dilemma. Guess when it starts? The second last chapter.
And so the very last chapter of this book WAS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE EXPLORED, but it wasn't. It was simply stated infront of me with no life of its own.
2) None of the things this book talks about, talks about it with a heart. Its all lifeless words one after another, it made me feel ZERO emotions other than constant icks.
(spoilers from now on)
a. Sewaram being a dalit man, self-established. I think the book talks about him being poor more (MUCH more) than being dalit. No reference to his family in this context (other than his dad who just came in a dream once or twice and then disappeared??), what his childhood looked like, what the experience was in a metropolitan city, any historical references?, SO MUCH violence in this book yet it showed no act of violence towards him as a dalit AND SO MUCH MORE
I for one am not aware about them myself which is the biggest reason why i picked this book but im sure this isn't it. It cannot be.
It felt like it was written with a very privileged perspective, touching nothing but the surface, sometimes with the identity card but then it kept retelling that instead of literally anything more? Like it was trying to talk enough about the dalit experience while actually telling the bare minimum.
b. Uncle being suicidal.
Like he just found his purpose in life and stopped being suicidal? It does explain a bit in the last chapter (with a single paragraph💀) but it felt forced (alot).
So he just cried a single tear while explaining the tragic death of both of his sons? And Sewaram said nothing?
You see what i mean? This book lacks emotions.
It lacks empathy.
It's a book id understand if an AI wrote it but an actual person? Youre kidding me.
c. Mithilesh being a sex worker.
I don't even know what to say. Im just disappointed with the lack of depth in each subject it consciously chose to include.
Honestly all the characters felt the same. And Her character was especially 2D,
Like wdym years of sexwork has had absolutely no effect on her mental health?
If i was the author id definitely give her ptsd, not just for the plot but to potray the level of grief,
like she just said she'd return to sex work for 5-10 more years? Like so easily? Like she wouldn't try everything to go against the odds to change her fate before even thinking about it.
d. Ali being a journalist. and also Muslim. and also GAY.
That is such an amazing base to write SUCH GROUNDBREAKING CONVERSATIONS.
A dalit man in conversation with a muslim man, both exhibiting a kind of frienemy relationship.
And what do they talk about? Arranging a hookup place for Sewaram.
Where is the sociopolitical commentary??
This book is ANYTHING but that.
e. Pinky being the saviour of her elder sister.
I love when women save women. It's a trope i rarely find in a book, and here it had such an amazing base yet again with them being sisters.
But in the entire book, i think it was just once when we actually heard about it.
Soon its Sewaram saving both the sisters, "damsels in distress" as the author calls it.
Now making him a feminist hero, he cannot stand women being ill treated. His motive for the attempted murder of three socially big people and constant fight for life is lust.
Why does he do so much violence? He wants to continue to have sex.
People in this comment section calling it love,
have you ever been in love??
This is NOT it.
Especially when in the end they broke up because she did a lot of "randi rona" as the author would call it.
(what the fuck)
(how do you fuck up a trope so bad)
3) Someone in the comments mentioned it being the script if a TV Serial, with an act of fighting after another and then another. THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL.
Also its absolutely unreal how he just talks and punches these people and its gameover. Like you're telling me he thrashed Mehul Bhai right after he made coffee for him (i-) and lived to see the next day? What in the breaking of character? Isn't he the main villian? He just delivers a filmy story and some action and thats it???
I do not wish to write more because i can just keep going on and on and on about it.
(this is a rant, i don't mean to demean the author or books that are only a compilation of action sequences cause i know people that are into it. And its probably just about having different opinions and liking different things,
Im just mad this wasn't conveyed to me before? Why package this in the form of something entirely different??
This book isn't true to itself and now I've wasted an entire month on it just because it was EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL to read it)
THIS BOOK IS A VERY CLEAR EXCEPTION.
I hated it.
hate is an understatement.
1) After Reading the summary or brief on the back of the book, i had in mind an extremely thought provoking book that talks about class in the context of the Indian subcontinent, more so about morality and other philosophical aspects like the difference between what is good and what is right. Unfortunately the only thought it provoked was the urge to throw it against the wall.
I feel absolutely robbed of a 5 star thriller with socio political commentary. It was the perfectly crafted plot but the way it was written just took that opportunity to the grave.
Or maybe the brief just didn't convey itself properly. It was all about the choice that he had to change his life, forever. And that's what i was waiting for, the beginning of the dilemma. Guess when it starts? The second last chapter.
And so the very last chapter of this book WAS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE EXPLORED, but it wasn't. It was simply stated infront of me with no life of its own.
2) None of the things this book talks about, talks about it with a heart. Its all lifeless words one after another, it made me feel ZERO emotions other than constant icks.
(spoilers from now on)
a. Sewaram being a dalit man, self-established. I think the book talks about him being poor more (MUCH more) than being dalit. No reference to his family in this context (other than his dad who just came in a dream once or twice and then disappeared??), what his childhood looked like, what the experience was in a metropolitan city, any historical references?, SO MUCH violence in this book yet it showed no act of violence towards him as a dalit AND SO MUCH MORE
I for one am not aware about them myself which is the biggest reason why i picked this book but im sure this isn't it. It cannot be.
It felt like it was written with a very privileged perspective, touching nothing but the surface, sometimes with the identity card but then it kept retelling that instead of literally anything more? Like it was trying to talk enough about the dalit experience while actually telling the bare minimum.
b. Uncle being suicidal.
Like he just found his purpose in life and stopped being suicidal? It does explain a bit in the last chapter (with a single paragraph💀) but it felt forced (alot).
So he just cried a single tear while explaining the tragic death of both of his sons? And Sewaram said nothing?
You see what i mean? This book lacks emotions.
It lacks empathy.
It's a book id understand if an AI wrote it but an actual person? Youre kidding me.
c. Mithilesh being a sex worker.
I don't even know what to say. Im just disappointed with the lack of depth in each subject it consciously chose to include.
Honestly all the characters felt the same. And Her character was especially 2D,
Like wdym years of sexwork has had absolutely no effect on her mental health?
If i was the author id definitely give her ptsd, not just for the plot but to potray the level of grief,
like she just said she'd return to sex work for 5-10 more years? Like so easily? Like she wouldn't try everything to go against the odds to change her fate before even thinking about it.
d. Ali being a journalist. and also Muslim. and also GAY.
That is such an amazing base to write SUCH GROUNDBREAKING CONVERSATIONS.
A dalit man in conversation with a muslim man, both exhibiting a kind of frienemy relationship.
And what do they talk about? Arranging a hookup place for Sewaram.
Where is the sociopolitical commentary??
This book is ANYTHING but that.
e. Pinky being the saviour of her elder sister.
I love when women save women. It's a trope i rarely find in a book, and here it had such an amazing base yet again with them being sisters.
But in the entire book, i think it was just once when we actually heard about it.
Soon its Sewaram saving both the sisters, "damsels in distress" as the author calls it.
Now making him a feminist hero, he cannot stand women being ill treated. His motive for the attempted murder of three socially big people and constant fight for life is lust.
Why does he do so much violence? He wants to continue to have sex.
People in this comment section calling it love,
have you ever been in love??
This is NOT it.
Especially when in the end they broke up because she did a lot of "randi rona" as the author would call it.
(what the fuck)
(how do you fuck up a trope so bad)
3) Someone in the comments mentioned it being the script if a TV Serial, with an act of fighting after another and then another. THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL.
Also its absolutely unreal how he just talks and punches these people and its gameover. Like you're telling me he thrashed Mehul Bhai right after he made coffee for him (i-) and lived to see the next day? What in the breaking of character? Isn't he the main villian? He just delivers a filmy story and some action and thats it???
I do not wish to write more because i can just keep going on and on and on about it.
(this is a rant, i don't mean to demean the author or books that are only a compilation of action sequences cause i know people that are into it. And its probably just about having different opinions and liking different things,
Im just mad this wasn't conveyed to me before? Why package this in the form of something entirely different??
This book isn't true to itself and now I've wasted an entire month on it just because it was EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL to read it)
September 7, 2025
what an absolute rollercoaster and delight this story was! for some reason, i went in expecting a murder mystery but true to its name, it was all about manjhi's tabahi!
one of the things i loved most about this book is the way the author uses small, almost throwaway details to throw light on the big, weighty topics and the politics beneath them. i even caught myself trying to translate a few lines into hindi, just to sit with their rhythm and bite.
the writing is insightful, tightly woven, and deeply humanizing. the characters feel fully fleshed out, which is especially impressive given the book isn’t very long. and while I’m usually not a fan of fight sequences, here they only added to the intensity and pulse of the story.
most importantly, i saw bombay in a light i hadn't read before. the city has so many sides, and this book captured them with grit and tenderness, showing me corners i hadn’t been exposed to before!
one of the things i loved most about this book is the way the author uses small, almost throwaway details to throw light on the big, weighty topics and the politics beneath them. i even caught myself trying to translate a few lines into hindi, just to sit with their rhythm and bite.
the writing is insightful, tightly woven, and deeply humanizing. the characters feel fully fleshed out, which is especially impressive given the book isn’t very long. and while I’m usually not a fan of fight sequences, here they only added to the intensity and pulse of the story.
most importantly, i saw bombay in a light i hadn't read before. the city has so many sides, and this book captured them with grit and tenderness, showing me corners i hadn’t been exposed to before!
March 3, 2023
It was like reading a TV serial script. Just act after act of violence. No literary value.
September 13, 2023
"None of this happened in English. It couldn't have. English is not the language in which life runs for most people in this country. It all happened in a mix of Hindi and Marathi and kisses and fucking and knife threats and tummy punches and glass-breaking. Add to all that a monsoon of madarchods and bhenchods."
These might qualify among the best opening lines of all times. Lines that firmly place the book in the India of the working class migrant, struggling to survive in urban India without sacrificing his soul. Sewaram Manjhi is a migrant in Mumbai, who uses a fake Adhaar card to pretend to be a Jat, because Dalits like him do not get recruited as security guards. He falls in love with the beautiful hostess at the restaurant opposite his cafe, and when she seeks his help to recover a bag with a lot of money, he goes all out to help her, despite not being sure of her feelings for him.
The book is a riot, because of the swashbuckling hero who gets into more fights than the angry young man of the Bollywood of the 70s, but never loses his humanity. Strange though it may seem, Manjhi seems to see himself as a modern day Robin Hood, who wants to redistribute wealth to the best of his ability. Even while bashing people up, he is aware of the motives that might drive them, and doesn't push them more than they need to be pushed.
If you liked the premise of The White Tiger, but hated the book, you are certain to love Manjhi's Mayhem. It is at the same time a racy thriller and a social commentary. I am eagerly waiting for the sequel, and hope there is one.
These might qualify among the best opening lines of all times. Lines that firmly place the book in the India of the working class migrant, struggling to survive in urban India without sacrificing his soul. Sewaram Manjhi is a migrant in Mumbai, who uses a fake Adhaar card to pretend to be a Jat, because Dalits like him do not get recruited as security guards. He falls in love with the beautiful hostess at the restaurant opposite his cafe, and when she seeks his help to recover a bag with a lot of money, he goes all out to help her, despite not being sure of her feelings for him.
The book is a riot, because of the swashbuckling hero who gets into more fights than the angry young man of the Bollywood of the 70s, but never loses his humanity. Strange though it may seem, Manjhi seems to see himself as a modern day Robin Hood, who wants to redistribute wealth to the best of his ability. Even while bashing people up, he is aware of the motives that might drive them, and doesn't push them more than they need to be pushed.
If you liked the premise of The White Tiger, but hated the book, you are certain to love Manjhi's Mayhem. It is at the same time a racy thriller and a social commentary. I am eagerly waiting for the sequel, and hope there is one.
February 3, 2023
It took me time to grasp the whole thing. I needed time to gather my thoughts about this book. It's not like any other thriller or any novel, Manjhi's Mayhem gave me a whole other kind of experience. At first sight, I stumbled upon this book cover and was baffled by the author's writing style. It's a zigzag page-turner and tries to peak nonchalantly into "aam mumbaikar's" daily life.
It reminds me of some old movies by Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, they always portrayed the kaleidoscope of human life on the canvas of a big city in a very different way, I devoured them. Here in this book, the author facilitates a lens to zoom into the daily life of marginal people of Mumbai. It's like a dive deep into aam Mumbaikar's daily life with a pinch of Bollywood action and drama. After I finish it I feel like this book is like an ode to our Mumbai - the city of dreams.
This story revolves around Sewaram Manjhi, who came to Mumbai in search of a future. At this point author brilliantly depicted the life, life hack, and structure of ordinary people's lives in an extraordinary way. Sewaram meets with Santosh who then introduces him to the darker side of city life. As the plot goes on Sewaram's life took an absolutely unimaginable twisted form and a new high-voltage, the action-packed drama begins in a Bollywood style.
This book makes you laugh, cry, and be thoughtful in a different manner. The nuances of Mumbai's daily life he served with sprinkles of raw and rustic humor and this raw style stole my heart away. Every character is well-developed and well-rooted to the plot. Sewaram, Santosh, Mithilesh, Ali, and Uncle (Kedar ji) all are magnificent examples of the people who live outside our views and the author sees their lives through a new lens. The author narrates his story with the perfect amount of paper and salt! Kudos to Tanuj Solanki's delicious narrative.
It's nothing like any other thrillers that we usually read, it was totally a different kind of approach. With the sprinkle of humor, the author served a true Indian thriller which makes tingling effects on my taste buds and made me crave more. Read this book if you want to read something different
It reminds me of some old movies by Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, they always portrayed the kaleidoscope of human life on the canvas of a big city in a very different way, I devoured them. Here in this book, the author facilitates a lens to zoom into the daily life of marginal people of Mumbai. It's like a dive deep into aam Mumbaikar's daily life with a pinch of Bollywood action and drama. After I finish it I feel like this book is like an ode to our Mumbai - the city of dreams.
This story revolves around Sewaram Manjhi, who came to Mumbai in search of a future. At this point author brilliantly depicted the life, life hack, and structure of ordinary people's lives in an extraordinary way. Sewaram meets with Santosh who then introduces him to the darker side of city life. As the plot goes on Sewaram's life took an absolutely unimaginable twisted form and a new high-voltage, the action-packed drama begins in a Bollywood style.
This book makes you laugh, cry, and be thoughtful in a different manner. The nuances of Mumbai's daily life he served with sprinkles of raw and rustic humor and this raw style stole my heart away. Every character is well-developed and well-rooted to the plot. Sewaram, Santosh, Mithilesh, Ali, and Uncle (Kedar ji) all are magnificent examples of the people who live outside our views and the author sees their lives through a new lens. The author narrates his story with the perfect amount of paper and salt! Kudos to Tanuj Solanki's delicious narrative.
It's nothing like any other thrillers that we usually read, it was totally a different kind of approach. With the sprinkle of humor, the author served a true Indian thriller which makes tingling effects on my taste buds and made me crave more. Read this book if you want to read something different
February 25, 2023
A small book that packs a big punch! This here is by far one of the finest books I've read this year. Manjhi's Mayhem is the story of Sewaram Manjhi, a Dalit from UP who works as a security guard at a cafe in Bombay. With fire in his belly, Manjhi is desperate to get a slice of the good life he sees all around. What I also loved is that by making Manjhi the narrator the author gives him complete control of his narrative. Manjhi is not a hero in the conventional sense, in fact he's the complete opposite, a bad ass anti-hero. But here's the fun part, as the book progresses you'll find yourself rooting for him, and the choices he makes, even if they're quite devious. Reading about Manjhi and the other characters in the book will also push you to look past the privileged lives we lead, and take for granted, and I absolutely love it when a book does that. There's sex, murder and revenge, it's the whole package! Manjhi's Mayhem is very, very pacy, dark, and addictive and is Indian noir at its finest. It is also a very funny book. Please read it.
July 6, 2023
I made this time lucky by pick this book randomly. It’s worth reading & I loved it.
Tanoj salonki did a great job by keeping this story short & relatable. He’s got that different yet simple & engaging style of writing. This is a story of Sewaram Manjhi aka harish Jatav who works as security guard at cafe shop in Mumbai. He had nothing to lose , just work for his 2 times bread & butter. Life takes turn when he met Santosh who work in opposite japanise restaurant. After their intimacy in first meeting santosh asked him for some task to be done, while on at task sewaram comes to know about missing bag & from there mayhem starts. It’s a really page turner which will binds you till last of pages. End could be written or described differently as it slow down but overall its good book to engage & treat about reading the Mumbai life. Characters are well defined.
Protagonist Sewaram Manjhi is interesting & unforgotten character which you saw but never notice in your daily life.
It deserves 4 stars !
Tanoj salonki did a great job by keeping this story short & relatable. He’s got that different yet simple & engaging style of writing. This is a story of Sewaram Manjhi aka harish Jatav who works as security guard at cafe shop in Mumbai. He had nothing to lose , just work for his 2 times bread & butter. Life takes turn when he met Santosh who work in opposite japanise restaurant. After their intimacy in first meeting santosh asked him for some task to be done, while on at task sewaram comes to know about missing bag & from there mayhem starts. It’s a really page turner which will binds you till last of pages. End could be written or described differently as it slow down but overall its good book to engage & treat about reading the Mumbai life. Characters are well defined.
Protagonist Sewaram Manjhi is interesting & unforgotten character which you saw but never notice in your daily life.
It deserves 4 stars !
February 19, 2024
Manjhi’s Mayhem is a fast paced, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable novel. The protagonist and narrator of the story is Sewaram Manjhi, an anonymous security guard at a Bombay café. Through Santosh, the hostess of the Japanese restaurant across the road, he embroils himself into a tale of searching for stolen money, fighting corrupt criminals and bankers, with not a small amount of violence. Manjhi sees himself as a Robin Hood figure, fighting rich crooks and helping out the common men and women he befriends on the way.
All of this sounds like it would be the perfect read to find on an airport best seller stand, or scripted into a Bollywood movie. So, I was rather surprised to have come across it on the longlist for the 2023 JCB Prize for Literature. Of course, there is nothing to say that a darkly humorous thriller can’t be nominated for a literature prize. In fact, the voice of Manjhi during the first few pages reminded me of Balram Halwai from Aravind Adiga’s White Tiger, one of my very favourite novels, which won the 2008 Booker Prize. Yet the scope of Manjhi’s wit, ambition and social and political consciousness soon falls far short of Adiga’s creation.
All said, I found this to be the perfect book to spice up my reading between some of the other, heavier, contenders for the JCB Prize.
All of this sounds like it would be the perfect read to find on an airport best seller stand, or scripted into a Bollywood movie. So, I was rather surprised to have come across it on the longlist for the 2023 JCB Prize for Literature. Of course, there is nothing to say that a darkly humorous thriller can’t be nominated for a literature prize. In fact, the voice of Manjhi during the first few pages reminded me of Balram Halwai from Aravind Adiga’s White Tiger, one of my very favourite novels, which won the 2008 Booker Prize. Yet the scope of Manjhi’s wit, ambition and social and political consciousness soon falls far short of Adiga’s creation.
All said, I found this to be the perfect book to spice up my reading between some of the other, heavier, contenders for the JCB Prize.
December 18, 2022
This is Indian crime noir at it’s best. Definitely a page turner with all the elements of a thriller. Tanuj’s writing is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Indian writing and he continues to set a great example for upcoming writers. Looking forward to read more on Manhjhi, it’s going to be a ride!
May 20, 2023
I am not a reader easily drawn to noir fiction. If I choose to read one, it means something about the book has taken my interest too deeply to ignore the urge. It happened with this book. The title signifying the protagonist's identity kept me wondering about the force of this book, its dealing with a character from the Musahar caste, and its idea of noir (a genre/concept from the west). So, I did read it. The story, set in contemporary Mumbai, follows Sewaram Manji, a guard getting embroiled in criminal activities for the sake of love. His lady love, Santosh is in a mess. She tells Manjhi of a crazy man threatening to assault her. But Manjhi discovers something wholly different when he confronts the said man. This confrontation pushes him into a murky terrain that involves the city's big-wigs, a series of violence he draws excitement from and a bag of money that's stolen. This security guard starts solving a puzzle to find the true criminal whilst saving himself and the ones he cares for from the mayhem that awaits. I want to state it at the outset that the writing was brilliant. If I have managed to finish a book in less than two days then I guess it says something about the simplicity of language, and its plot structuring. Needless to say, I appreciate the writer for that. I think this makes the book a solid winner in terms of a noir-crime fiction which is supposed to keep the reader glued. Along the same line, I have to mention that the book reminded me a lot about Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep'. The author's skilful handling of a set of characters, making his protagonist do the talking, breaking and loving; it proved itself to be true to what a crime-noir book should read like and that too coming from India! I enjoyed the picture of Mumbai the author had tried to paint in the book. It made me a part of it, sucked into the nooks and crannies of the city. While these make the book very engaging, the story misses out on sitting with the characters. What I mean is, things happen in rapid succession giving little to attach to the author's interesting motley of characters. Like, one doesn't get a sense of Manjhi's past, it seemed as though with the change of his name in the story, his history has disappeared. One thing that I was most concerned about was the handling of the character's social identity. I have to report that the attempt has been great. Of course, there are instances here and there in the story where it's obvious that a UC, middle class voice is speaking in disguise through a Dalit character. But does that discredit the book's purpose? No. I don't think so. I still think it does a great job of uncovering such a genre in Indian literature, through a character like Sewaram Manjhi. It's an immediate crowd-pleaser, which I think what the author had set out to do. And I think we need more books like this in India.
January 3, 2023
Manjhi's Mayhem by tanujsolanki - Unputdownable & full of wit in equal measure. Observations used in the book are sharp & taut personified. Sample - This was another thing with the middle class: the big things happening in their lives could be seen on their cars.
January 29, 2023
A month into the year, and already have one the favs (of the year). This book is that little masala you need in your mundane life just for the cheap thrills. Loved it!!!
December 7, 2024
I finished reading my first crime novel!!! And oh, what a joyride it was. Tanuj Solanki's Manjhi's Mayhem is a story of a man named Sewaram Manjhi, a Dalit migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh, who works as a security guard outside a posh Bombay cafe.
Manjhi's life changes when a woman named Santosh walks into it, and Manjhi decides that he has to save her from the big bad guys.
He gets caught between a scam involving money bags, mistresses, and a murder and navigates his way through it by whatever means he finds; he is not exactly a conventional 'moral' hero, but as a reader, you always root for him!
All the characters are extremely well written; one of my favourites was this old man who Manjhi randomly meets on a Bombay local and refers to as uncle. He literally comes out of nowhere and becomes a beautiful part of the story.
I already knew that I have not read as many Indian authors as I would like to (I am getting there). But what was most jarring was that I don't remember the last time I read a novel where the protagonist was a working-class man.
This year's goal was to read women authors. Next year's should be to intentionally read more Indian authors.
Also, if it's not already evident, I LOVED Manjhi's Mayhem.
Manjhi's life changes when a woman named Santosh walks into it, and Manjhi decides that he has to save her from the big bad guys.
He gets caught between a scam involving money bags, mistresses, and a murder and navigates his way through it by whatever means he finds; he is not exactly a conventional 'moral' hero, but as a reader, you always root for him!
All the characters are extremely well written; one of my favourites was this old man who Manjhi randomly meets on a Bombay local and refers to as uncle. He literally comes out of nowhere and becomes a beautiful part of the story.
I already knew that I have not read as many Indian authors as I would like to (I am getting there). But what was most jarring was that I don't remember the last time I read a novel where the protagonist was a working-class man.
This year's goal was to read women authors. Next year's should be to intentionally read more Indian authors.
Also, if it's not already evident, I LOVED Manjhi's Mayhem.
July 12, 2024
“What a powerful thing purpose is, I thought, even when it’s someone else’s.”
~
Well, this one sentence describes the intent and premise of this riveting and mind-boggling book.
Sewaram Manjhi, the protagonist of the plot is all for survival and action that sustains him in the demanding Mumbai city, he works as a security guard outside a posh Bombay cafe. This persevering immigrant turns into an anti-hero with the entry of the pretty Santosh who gives him a cause to create “tabaahi” or mayhem. It’s a witty plot comprising of hope, action, lust, threat, deceit, grief and many unanswered questions that define the state of those living on the margins of the society.
The clever use of language; coarse and colloquial adds to the brilliance of the story. Quick paced, this story also gives a glimpse into the dark side of Bombay life, of those who come to make it big or merely escape the existing hell from which Bombay could be a respite.
P.S: Don’t hate me for saying this but I felt I was reading a Crime Patrol script with humour and no, I’m not complaining! 🙈
~
Well, this one sentence describes the intent and premise of this riveting and mind-boggling book.
Sewaram Manjhi, the protagonist of the plot is all for survival and action that sustains him in the demanding Mumbai city, he works as a security guard outside a posh Bombay cafe. This persevering immigrant turns into an anti-hero with the entry of the pretty Santosh who gives him a cause to create “tabaahi” or mayhem. It’s a witty plot comprising of hope, action, lust, threat, deceit, grief and many unanswered questions that define the state of those living on the margins of the society.
The clever use of language; coarse and colloquial adds to the brilliance of the story. Quick paced, this story also gives a glimpse into the dark side of Bombay life, of those who come to make it big or merely escape the existing hell from which Bombay could be a respite.
P.S: Don’t hate me for saying this but I felt I was reading a Crime Patrol script with humour and no, I’m not complaining! 🙈
November 15, 2023
Pot-boilish. But a page-turner.
September 9, 2023
This book was a pleasure to read! It's been long-listed for this year's JCB prize and I can see why.
It's not high-brow literature but that's not to say in any way it's not well written. It's gritty and crime-noir at its finest. The protagonist, or I suppose we could call him an anti-hero, is a Dalit, though that's not the crux of the story and neither does the story revolve around his Dalit identity. Yet, the author manages to weave in snipets of the struggles people from his community go through on an everyday basis.
It's a quick and highly engrossing read, I do wish more such books were published.
It's not high-brow literature but that's not to say in any way it's not well written. It's gritty and crime-noir at its finest. The protagonist, or I suppose we could call him an anti-hero, is a Dalit, though that's not the crux of the story and neither does the story revolve around his Dalit identity. Yet, the author manages to weave in snipets of the struggles people from his community go through on an everyday basis.
It's a quick and highly engrossing read, I do wish more such books were published.
June 13, 2023
a reason why my reading lists barely have any indian authors is because most of their renowned works are either classics or literary fiction. the contemporary fiction space in india is still something i feel tricky to navigate.
but during my time as a bookseller at kunzum, i had the chance to hear some pretty amazing authors talk about their works or just books in general and Tanuj Solanki was one of them.
and i gotta say — loving Manjhi's Mayhem was a relief to my bookselling ass because every time a fellow reader peered at me from the indian fiction shelf seeking help, i knew exactly where to point them at without batting an eye.
if you're in a reading slump or want to add more indian literature to your shelf, this potboiler set in mumbai with a dalit security guard at its centre and the smoothest, subtlest social commentary is truly a work of art.
p.s. bless you for keeping the gaalis, Tanuj! xD
but during my time as a bookseller at kunzum, i had the chance to hear some pretty amazing authors talk about their works or just books in general and Tanuj Solanki was one of them.
and i gotta say — loving Manjhi's Mayhem was a relief to my bookselling ass because every time a fellow reader peered at me from the indian fiction shelf seeking help, i knew exactly where to point them at without batting an eye.
if you're in a reading slump or want to add more indian literature to your shelf, this potboiler set in mumbai with a dalit security guard at its centre and the smoothest, subtlest social commentary is truly a work of art.
p.s. bless you for keeping the gaalis, Tanuj! xD
December 5, 2023
Talking about unconventional, Sewaram Manjhi is one such hero/anti-hero. Being Dalit he has seen the dark corners & hard creases of life. Thus creates Mayhem all around in his lust for money. The highest thrill point of the story is that you keep looking for that thrill😅. The drama- excitement does keep you engaged for fair bit
Tanuj Solanki's writing is very rooted in Indian aesthetic making it very much clear in the 1st line that though written in English, none of this happened in English
Read it to experience slice of life
Tanuj Solanki's writing is very rooted in Indian aesthetic making it very much clear in the 1st line that though written in English, none of this happened in English
Read it to experience slice of life
September 15, 2023
The power of a good story lies in its ability to captivate readers, challenge their perspectives, and shed light on the complexities of society. Tanuj Solanki's "Manjhi’s Mayhem" is a literary delight that seamlessly weaves together a captivating plot, thought-provoking characters, and engaging prose, all while providing a dose of essential social commentary.
At the heart of this gripping narrative is Sewaram Manjhi, a Dalit migrant in the bustling city of Mumbai. His struggles to secure a job are a stark reminder of the prejudices and discrimination that persist in our society. When faced with the grim reality that his name alone is a barrier to employment, Sewaram makes a life-altering decision—to change his identity and pose as a Jat from Haryana’s Jhajjar. This transformation sets the stage for a story of identity, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of upward mobility.
What sets "Manjhi’s Mayhem" apart from conventional narratives is its portrayal of Sewaram as a muscular anti-hero who is unafraid to challenge societal norms. He becomes a symbol of the determination that drives individuals to overcome the barriers imposed by birth in a country where destiny is often determined by one's caste.
The introduction of Santosh, a migrant girl from Uttar Pradesh, adds a layer of complexity to the story. Her presence sets in motion the titular mayhem, transforming the narrative into a spellbinding noir thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The chemistry between Sewaram and Santosh is magnetic, drawing readers deeper into their tumultuous journey.
Solanki's brilliance lies in his ability to balance the thrilling plot with essential social commentary. Throughout the narrative, he skillfully addresses pertinent issues, such as the ongoing construction of the Shiv Smarak and the plight of manual scavengers. He does not shy away from making bold statements, as evidenced by Santosh's reaction when Sewaram reveals his Dalit identity, shedding light on the deep-rooted biases that persist in society.
One of the most striking aspects of "Manjhi’s Mayhem" is Solanki's mastery of his craft. Despite the novel's thrilling nature, he avoids convoluted language or plotlines, ensuring that readers of all backgrounds can immerse themselves in the story. The author's decision to narrate the tale in English while acknowledging that the events transpired in a mix of Hindi and Marathi is a testament to his commitment to authenticity. Retaining words like "manhoos" and "bhadwa" adds to the novel's authenticity and ensures that it remains rooted in the culture and language of the characters it represents.
Visually, "Manjhi’s Mayhem" is a delight, with each scene and dialogue rich enough to evoke vivid imagery. Solanki's first-person narrative allows him to delve into issues of class and caste in a metropolitan city, making this novel an essential work of contemporary fiction. It is a reminder that literature has the power to transcend boundaries and provide a voice to those who are often marginalized.
In conclusion, "Manjhi’s Mayhem" is a literary triumph that combines the allure of a thriller with the depth of social commentary. It is a story that challenges preconceived notions, celebrates resilience, and serves as a mirror to the society we live in. Tanuj Solanki's narrative brilliance, coupled with his commitment to authenticity, makes this novel a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and visually stunning literary experience.
At the heart of this gripping narrative is Sewaram Manjhi, a Dalit migrant in the bustling city of Mumbai. His struggles to secure a job are a stark reminder of the prejudices and discrimination that persist in our society. When faced with the grim reality that his name alone is a barrier to employment, Sewaram makes a life-altering decision—to change his identity and pose as a Jat from Haryana’s Jhajjar. This transformation sets the stage for a story of identity, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of upward mobility.
What sets "Manjhi’s Mayhem" apart from conventional narratives is its portrayal of Sewaram as a muscular anti-hero who is unafraid to challenge societal norms. He becomes a symbol of the determination that drives individuals to overcome the barriers imposed by birth in a country where destiny is often determined by one's caste.
The introduction of Santosh, a migrant girl from Uttar Pradesh, adds a layer of complexity to the story. Her presence sets in motion the titular mayhem, transforming the narrative into a spellbinding noir thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The chemistry between Sewaram and Santosh is magnetic, drawing readers deeper into their tumultuous journey.
Solanki's brilliance lies in his ability to balance the thrilling plot with essential social commentary. Throughout the narrative, he skillfully addresses pertinent issues, such as the ongoing construction of the Shiv Smarak and the plight of manual scavengers. He does not shy away from making bold statements, as evidenced by Santosh's reaction when Sewaram reveals his Dalit identity, shedding light on the deep-rooted biases that persist in society.
One of the most striking aspects of "Manjhi’s Mayhem" is Solanki's mastery of his craft. Despite the novel's thrilling nature, he avoids convoluted language or plotlines, ensuring that readers of all backgrounds can immerse themselves in the story. The author's decision to narrate the tale in English while acknowledging that the events transpired in a mix of Hindi and Marathi is a testament to his commitment to authenticity. Retaining words like "manhoos" and "bhadwa" adds to the novel's authenticity and ensures that it remains rooted in the culture and language of the characters it represents.
Visually, "Manjhi’s Mayhem" is a delight, with each scene and dialogue rich enough to evoke vivid imagery. Solanki's first-person narrative allows him to delve into issues of class and caste in a metropolitan city, making this novel an essential work of contemporary fiction. It is a reminder that literature has the power to transcend boundaries and provide a voice to those who are often marginalized.
In conclusion, "Manjhi’s Mayhem" is a literary triumph that combines the allure of a thriller with the depth of social commentary. It is a story that challenges preconceived notions, celebrates resilience, and serves as a mirror to the society we live in. Tanuj Solanki's narrative brilliance, coupled with his commitment to authenticity, makes this novel a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and visually stunning literary experience.
November 16, 2023
"Manjhi's Mayhem" is a captivating narrative that exceeded my expectations with its enthralling storyline. This book, longlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature 2023, caught my attention despite my initial reluctance to delve into another Mumbai-set novel. The enticing blurb, promising action and more, compelled me to dive into its pages.
The heart of the story revolves around a security guard from Uttar Pradesh, who conceals his Dalit identity in pursuit of better job opportunities. In Mumbai, the 'city of dreams', he quickly finds himself entangled in a perilous web, where life-and-death stakes are the norm, and he is seemingly out of place. Yet, the allure of love and the prospect of wealth irresistibly draw him deeper into this chaos.
The novel is not just a singular narrative; it's a tapestry of multiple threads. The plot weaves through other people's stories, offering glimpses into their lives, finding unusual friendships in local trains, navigate the murky waters of politics and money laundering, and experience love, sex, and, of course, mayhem. The pace of the novel accelerates compellingly in the middle, capturing the reader's full attention, and concludes in a manner that is both realistic and satisfying.
What I particularly appreciated was Tanuj's ability to maintain a brisk pace while developing multifaceted characters and no-nonsense plot lines. This book is not just a story; it's a crash course experience on Mumbai that reflects the complexities of life in a megacity. The ending put a smile on my face, and it's a testament of the perfect balance that the author weaved in between believability and closure.
Highly entertaining and a standout addition to contemporary literature.
The heart of the story revolves around a security guard from Uttar Pradesh, who conceals his Dalit identity in pursuit of better job opportunities. In Mumbai, the 'city of dreams', he quickly finds himself entangled in a perilous web, where life-and-death stakes are the norm, and he is seemingly out of place. Yet, the allure of love and the prospect of wealth irresistibly draw him deeper into this chaos.
The novel is not just a singular narrative; it's a tapestry of multiple threads. The plot weaves through other people's stories, offering glimpses into their lives, finding unusual friendships in local trains, navigate the murky waters of politics and money laundering, and experience love, sex, and, of course, mayhem. The pace of the novel accelerates compellingly in the middle, capturing the reader's full attention, and concludes in a manner that is both realistic and satisfying.
What I particularly appreciated was Tanuj's ability to maintain a brisk pace while developing multifaceted characters and no-nonsense plot lines. This book is not just a story; it's a crash course experience on Mumbai that reflects the complexities of life in a megacity. The ending put a smile on my face, and it's a testament of the perfect balance that the author weaved in between believability and closure.
Highly entertaining and a standout addition to contemporary literature.
March 24, 2023
A woman seduces a security guard working at a café to beat up a man who has ostensibly been her jilted lover and is harassing her. But there is more to it than meets the eye. Soon the protagonist, Sewaram Manjhi, realizes that this is not a case about a stalker but (mild spoilers) a part of a chain involving unsecured bank loans, shady go-betweens, and a missing bag of money. What happens over the next week or so is what ‘Manjhi’s Mayhem’ is all about. Does Manjhi unleash mayhem on all the wrongdoers? Or is he taken for a ride himself?
The plot reads like an episode of Crime Patrol. The book does promise a mystery, but after some revelations, it becomes a pretty straightforward plot with not many surprises. It is not a high-stakes thriller, as the suspense and intrigue never rise beyond a point. What sets this story apart is the socio-political commentary. The protagonist is a Dalit. Interspersed between the pages are meditations on what it means to be a subdued caste in a changing and often dangerous political environment. The author excels at describing people and places in detail. And we have an interesting supporting character named only Uncle (till almost the end), a suicidal man who Manjhi befriends and becomes an ally in his shenanigans.
A short breezy read, this could have been another crime novel. But the author’s writing style and the subtle socio-political commentary puts it above many stories in this genre. There is ample scope for sequels. There is a lot of opportunity to build the brand Manjhi by letting the character have more adventures. More stories may lead to wider character development and make matters compelling.
Rating: 3.5 stars
The plot reads like an episode of Crime Patrol. The book does promise a mystery, but after some revelations, it becomes a pretty straightforward plot with not many surprises. It is not a high-stakes thriller, as the suspense and intrigue never rise beyond a point. What sets this story apart is the socio-political commentary. The protagonist is a Dalit. Interspersed between the pages are meditations on what it means to be a subdued caste in a changing and often dangerous political environment. The author excels at describing people and places in detail. And we have an interesting supporting character named only Uncle (till almost the end), a suicidal man who Manjhi befriends and becomes an ally in his shenanigans.
A short breezy read, this could have been another crime novel. But the author’s writing style and the subtle socio-political commentary puts it above many stories in this genre. There is ample scope for sequels. There is a lot of opportunity to build the brand Manjhi by letting the character have more adventures. More stories may lead to wider character development and make matters compelling.
Rating: 3.5 stars
May 22, 2024
I am astounded to see the five-star ratings given by people who review books quite regularly on Goodreads. I am not challenging their reviews, but I must say that I am in disbelief after seeing the five-star ratings and the page-long reviews the book has been given, describing how this is a great book that talks about the misery of the lower class and is a total page-turner (which it is, but it really is just that—a page-turner that doesn't make you feel anything at all and is crammed with nothing but action and writing that is average at best).
This is not a novel. This is a script for a bollywood film, and that too, of a film you've probably already watched before: a hero (or antihero) who is poor, a cast of characters with their own motives, rich but corrupt people, and violence—lots and lots of violence, which, for the most part, isn't even justified or necessary—and on top of it all, a money bag eyed by all.
Do we really still live in the era where we want to see stories where a guy goes after a bunch of goons for the sake of love? Really?
I've liked (not loved, but liked) the work of this author before. This one, however, simply did not work out for me. I think the author could have done way better, given the fact that he's produced a better class of work in the past.
I would have gone for 2 stars, but really, I find it impossible to give it more than 1.
This is not a novel. This is a script for a bollywood film, and that too, of a film you've probably already watched before: a hero (or antihero) who is poor, a cast of characters with their own motives, rich but corrupt people, and violence—lots and lots of violence, which, for the most part, isn't even justified or necessary—and on top of it all, a money bag eyed by all.
Do we really still live in the era where we want to see stories where a guy goes after a bunch of goons for the sake of love? Really?
I've liked (not loved, but liked) the work of this author before. This one, however, simply did not work out for me. I think the author could have done way better, given the fact that he's produced a better class of work in the past.
I would have gone for 2 stars, but really, I find it impossible to give it more than 1.
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