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Last Bench
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Last Bench
The Last bench is a very soul touching story. Each character has a small but significant role. Inspectors like him are more in need in this generation. The community unity in 70s is very much lacking in this century. Overall very good moral story for coming and present generation.
Verified Buyer
It was amazing!
Read the novel in one go. It took me back in time to the good old days. Days where a neighbourhood was close and everyone cared about the other and would do their bit to help each other - to their best extent.
A neighbourhood where kids played together - happily running around without any care or worries.
It reminded me of my teachers who went out of their way to encourage us to achieve our dreams. Who always had confidence in us and helped us dream bigger, think better and do our best!
Friendship and what it means to depend and trust each other is captured beautifully as well.
In a world where children are today handed everything on a platter and often overlook the hardships the parents face, it was wonderful to see how Vikki goes out of his way to help his mother out. A caring and sensitive boy, he looks out for his friends and neighbours.
Values, aspirations, emotions, courage, helplessness, joy, simplicity - many different threads are woven beautifully in this novel.
If only life was simple!
The novel beautifully depicts the situation in Bengaluru about half a century ago, particularly in one area and its surroundings. The main character Vikram, affectionately known as Vikki, is the central figure of the story.
The story is set in 1977, a time when TVs, Mobiles, Computers, smartphones were nonexistent in Bangalore, as it was then called. Only a few wealthy families had landline phones, Ambassador cars or Premier Padmini cars. Radio was the primary source of entertainment for most middle-class families.
Vikki is a talented student in the 10th grade at Sir M Vishveshwaraiah School, an institution that instills confidence and knowledge in its students. Despite being a bright student, Vikki is humble and doesn't consider himself exceptional. His mother and the elderly neighbour Ajju play significant roles in his life providing love, support and encouragement.
The novel takes us on a thrilling journey through Vikki's School life.
Nostalgia for Bengaluru!!
The LAST BENCH gleams with nostalgia for the Bengaluru of those days.
I was moved by the culture and a sense of community one strongly feels in India despite their own poverty; Vikki's actions as a young adolescent, prepared to spend his own savings in order to assist his friend in covering the costs of his sister's wedding struck home with me. All the other incidents in the book also reveal the value of people making connections and helping each other to solve problems for survival in their day-to-day lives.
These values seem to be rooted in the mysteries of Indian Culture and philosophy.
Verified Buyer
Last Bench
Good feeling after completion of novel. Taking you back to neighbourhoods of 50 years back in india
Can be published in selected Indian languages also
Back to the past
The book captured my attention right from page 1. I have not read such an arresting book in a while. The essence of student lives back in the seventies, their simple emotions, families and dreams all deftly woven into a tapestry of middle class landscape. It’s a refreshing nostalgia for the seniors and a window to the earlier years for the z gen. Each character is etched in my mind leaving me with a curiosity of wishing to know what happens next in their lives. Waiting for the sequel Ram. .