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Line of Control THE book extrapolates from historical events and trends — a future war between India and Pakistan in the year 2011. However, Mainak Dhar’s alarming a posteriori war vignette is wrapped in his own description of the novel "a good masala entertainer".
Anyway, the military technology and tactics described in the book are close to reality and depict how a future war in the subcontinent can be fought well, claims Dhar. Hence Dhar’s extensive research may be a resource for military and a compulsive read for those willing to penetrate the military profession and the LoC. Insightful portrayal of fearful soldiers, resistant to war — both from India and Pakistan — touch us deeply. The arms are taken up out of duty, by no means, out of delight. "Each soldier is scared but can act despite his fears because he knows others count on him" deglamorises the soldier and the whole business of soldiery. Characterisation is one of the many strengths of the novel. Vast bodies of life like characters, presented with much individual details, speak volumes of Dhar’s imaginative abilities. Contrasting the bachelor Vivek Khosla, with Illahi, the future Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, respectively, he writes: "Tall and trim Vivek Khosla did cut a striking feature ... Illahi was a man with rudimentary education `85 came from a poor family and was the only son of a security guard. His background reflected in his coarse and halting English, which sharply contrasted with Khosla’s sophisticated and clipped tone." Moreover, the portrayal of inner workings of the espionage and the young journalist’s overflows eagerness and tactics to uncover unpalatable truths spice up the novel. There is no gainsaying the fact that in the wake of recent Mumbai terror strikes, "the war thriller", delineating serious and topical concerns — fundamentalism fuelling terrorism, burgeoning instability in Pakistan, reaction of other countries to the chronic and mounting tension between India and Pakistan — will attract much wider readership.
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As a matter of fact, the
spine-chilling war scenario entertains, by all means, with skilful plot,
well-drawn variety of characters, thrilling action, a high degree of
intrigue, suspense and tension, grim humour, role of media and spy.
Moreover, the witty epigraphs, about warfare, give poetic flavour to the
hard-hitting colloquial prose. However, the long lackluster descriptions
of the relative merits of up-to-date and out of date weapons and
weaponry is certainly the weak point of the novel.