Book Title: Body of Work
Author: Mansi Babbar
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Number of Pages: 180
ISBN: 978-9356297043
Date Published: Mar. 13, 2023
Price: INR 212
Book Review
“Body of Work” is a novel by Mansi Babbar, a writer and editor based in London. The book is a thriller that follows Raina, a young reporter who works for a magazine called Glitterbug. Raina stumbles upon a lead about a famous superstar involved in shady activities and decides to pursue it. However, she soon realizes she has entered a dangerous territory where nothing is as it seems. The book explores the themes of journalism, corruption, power, and deception.
The story can be visualized in three parts: Hunger, Thirst, and Satiety. Raina faces challenges and opportunities in each part as she investigates the scandal. She meets Ben, a fellow artist who lives in the same studio complex as her, and develops a crush on him. She also encounters Gideon, the director of the gallery where she works, who sexually harasses her and reveals that he knows her father, a famous Japanese artist who died before she was born. She also receives mysterious letters from an unknown sender, who tells her about the history and significance of the garden between her studio and Ben’s and how it used to be a place of joy and refuge for many people.
The book is well-written, original, and suspenseful. Babbar creates a realistic and relatable character in Raina, who suffers from anxiety, self-doubt, and ambition. She also portrays the dark side of the media industry, where ethics are compromised and secrets are exposed. She cleverly uses humor, sarcasm, and pop culture references to lighten the mood and engage the reader.
Mansi Babbar knows how to write. Her command over the language, her writing style, her narration, everything is impressive. She has paid attention to all the characters she has included in the story and given them time to build themselves into the story. Some readers may find reading about Raina’s inactivity and isolation in her studio boring or depressing. The book does not have much plot or action, focusing more on Raina’s emotions and relationships. The book also leaves some questions unanswered or unresolved, such as what happens to Raina’s mother in the nursing home or who is the mysterious letter writer.
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“Body of Work” is a captivating and provocative novel that challenges the stereotypes and conventions of thriller fiction. It is also a profound meditation on journalism and its role in society. The book is written in a simple and accessible language that appeals to adults and young adults. This book is for those readers to anyone who loves easy thrillers.
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