Review of Divyansh Mundra’s Second Novel “Gangs of Bombay”: Predictability and Character Development Critiques

As a long-time fan of Divyansh Mundra, I found myself both excited and disappointed with his second novel, Gangs of Bombay. The title promises an exciting exploration of the Mumbai underworld, but the execution falls short in several important areas.

Introduction and Early Impressions

To start, the prologue sets a fantastic tone with its chilling and intense scene. The way the author creates an atmosphere of fear and tension is commendable. However, as the story progresses, the plot begins to feel predictable, and the character development is often lacking.

Predictable Plots and Liner Development

One of the main issues with Gangs of Bombay is the predictability of its narrative. The Sherlock Holmes character's interactions with readers and his jumping directly into the action without proper backstories can be a turn-off for readers who enjoy building their own narrative world. Additionally, the Bollywood-style storyline and unexpected character developments, such as making a character gay for no apparent reason, can feel forced and detract from the overall reading experience.

Structural Breakdown and Character Flaws

The major breakdown in the story comes when the protagonist, Hermit, starts the drug trade. The excitement that followed his decision quickly fades as the author doesn't delve into the intricacies of the drug trade or highlight the protagonist's academic background. Instead, he simply tells the reader that the deal was done. This lack of depth leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied and disconnected from the story. Compounding this, another significant flaw occurs when the protagonist talks to Natasha, a character with whom he hasn't engaged in a romantic relationship yet, about a pregnancy.

Respect and Disappointment

Despite my respect for Divyansh's writing, especially his engaging Quora answers on fictional crossovers, the disappointment in Gangs of Bombay was palpable. The protagonist's jokes in such a tense situation with no romantic history just didn't gel with the character as portrayed earlier in the book. The absence of Stalin Potter at the court and the lack of a meaningful character development for the new boss further contributed to the overall disappointment.

Positive Aspects and Conclusion

Despite the negatives, the novel does have its redeeming qualities. Chapter 2 provides a great overview of the history of the five gangs of Bombay, connecting the underworld to significant historical events. The language and vocabulary in the book are fluid, enhancing the reading experience, and the prologue is particularly effective in setting the scene. However, these positive aspects are overshadowed by the predictability and lack of depth, which left a sour taste in my mouth.

In conclusion, while Gangs of Bombay attempts to capitalize on the thrill of the Mumbai underworld, it falls short in terms of narrative depth and character development. As a dedicated reader and fan, I hope future works from Divyansh improve on these areas to provide a more engaging and captivating reading experience.