Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands – Book Review
Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands – Book Review
Book: Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands
Author: Sanjay Desai
Reviewed By: Manas Mukul
Publisher: ConsciousLeap Insights Private Limited(15 Nov 2020)
Pages: 160 (Paperback)
Price: 250 INR
ISBN-10: 8194917204
ISBN-13: 978-8194917205
Language: English
Genre: Self Help Fiction
My rating: 3.5/5
Self-help fiction is a rare combination. They are mostly non-fiction and appeal to a niche segment of readers. Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands by Sanjay Desai tries to change that. Sanjay Desai through the book explores the concept of ‘Power of Manifestation.’ He takes the help of fiction to deliver his point so that the reader does not get overpowered by the concepts and lose interest.
I would like to express my gratitude towards Blogadda’s Book Review Program for considering me for this book review and allowing me to review self-help fiction.
About the Author
Sanjay is an entrepreneur and an ex-banker, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore and a Chartered Accountant. During his successful career, Sanjay has been integrating the essence of a parallel spiritual journey with his material pursuits. He has now set out to share the ways and means of seamlessly traversing through the material and spiritual world. Thereby, enriching each journey.
My Review
The cover page of the book has the title in the centre on a cartoonish background of something resembling the backwaters with little swamps and shrubs. The title, ‘Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands’ is apt as the main story revolves around the character of Jasmine Arya and the story is about her roller coaster ride of discovering the power of manifestation. The back cover has a picture of the E-microlearning Experience along with a little blurb and a testimonial.
The book has a prologue and an epilogue which is about the author’s journey to the Himalayas to see the blessings of his spiritual guru – Ma Krishnanandgiri and get the answers to his contemplative questions. This is where Ma tells him the story of Jasmine Arya.
The story is spread over 19 chapters and takes place in Mumbai and Kerala. Jasmine Arya is a college-going girl who excels at everything she tries her hand at including academics. Her life takes a sudden turn when she gets to walk the ramp for an event and how she gets introduced to the world of fashion and glamour. Along with success and fame comes its perils and Jasmine wasn’t spared either. The story from hereon is about her struggles and how she goes through a process of self-discovery by understanding the power of manifestation.
The author through this story tries to give a message and learnings that he received from Ma to the readers.
A note to the publisher – the copy that I received wasn’t cut properly and surprisingly, the back cover doesn’t have the MRP (The MRP isn’t mentioned anywhere in the book).
Hits
This book has a scan-code at the end of chapters 4,12,13 and epilogue which one can use to get access to their e-learning experience. This is a one-of-a-kind offering trying to incorporate digital learning in paperbacks too. The vocabulary is good and the writing style is lucid. With only around 150 pages it is a fast read and it would take about a couple of sittings to finish. Through self-help fiction format the author achieves what self-help books seldom do, it doesn’t become too much to grasp and the story keeps the reader invested.
Misses
Some parts appeared to have been rushed for the sake of pace, which is never a great experience. The story wanders of a little in the middle. The author could have increased the portions where he is conversing with his guru as the real learning lies in those conversations.
Verdict
Through Jasmine’s story, you will be taken on a roller-coaster ride of a journey of success, failure and the power of manifestation coupled with a one-of-a-kind e-micro-learning experience. I am going with three and a half stars for Sanjay Desai’s Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands. An extra half for the e-learning experience. It is a good read for self-help fiction lovers.
Manas ‘Sameer’ Mukul
If you love what I write I have recently published my first Poetry book – ‘You, Me & The Universe’ – Poems on the Conspiracies of the Universe. You can order the book and find more details HERE
Drop your views about the review in the comments. If you want me to review any book for you do reach out at jokerophilia@gmail.com
You can find previous book reviews here.
Drop your views about the review in the comments. If you want me to review any book for you do reach out at jokerophilia@gmail.com
This review was done as part of the Blogadda Book Review Program. Please sign up if you are a bibliophile.
My side of the bargain – an honest review – Find the Book here on Amazon and Goodreads.
