Love in Search of Peace by Somprokash Das

Title: Love in Search of Peace

Author: Somprokash Das

Publisher: Petals Publishers

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

First Publication: 2023

Language: English

Book Summary: Love in Search of Peace by Somprokash Das

Are success and failure different from one another or two sides of the same coin? Does failure have the power to end all the paths of life? These were the questions plaguing Ritom and Tamannah’s minds. They tried to find the answers to these questions in every success and failure of their lives. For IAS aspirants like them, success and failure were part and parcel of their daily lives. But can success, failure, friendship and love lead to eternal peace?

Book Review: Love in Search of Peace by Somprokash Das

“Love in Search of Peace” is a heartfelt story that explores themes of relationships, personal aspirations, and individual freedom through the lens of two ambitious young IAS aspirants – Ritom and Tamannah. Set predominantly in Delhi, the novel delves deeply into the challenges faced by its protagonists as they navigate blossoming romance amidst the pressures of preparing for the highly competitive civil services examination.

Ritom and Tamannah are introduced as dedicated civil service students whose affection develops naturally through their studying together. However, their relationship faces strain from family responsibilities and gender roles. Tamannah in particular battles to secure her independence and career against her family’s wish for her to marry. She commits fully to the civil service exam as a way to gain stability and freedom through success. Under similar pressure, Ritom also throws himself into preparation in hopes of moving past heartbreak from his own past relationship ending. Their parallel preparation journeys show the highs and lows of striving for ambitious goals in the face of discouragement.

Somprokash Das intricately develops Ritom and Tamannah’s characters from the outset, introducing them as dedicated students solely focused on their IAS preparation. Though from contrasting family backgrounds, both characters are driven by a desire for independence and career success through the civil services. Their growing affection for one another unfolds organically as they spend increasing time studying together. However, societal expectations and familial responsibilities soon place strain on their blossoming romance.

Tamannah in particular faces immense pressure, coming from a traditional Marwari family that expects her to conform to gender roles. She has already defied them by pursuing higher education, and now clings to her IAS dream as a means of securing her independence and freedom of choice. Her brother provides support, but makes clear that this is her last chance before an arranged marriage will be imposed. The novel insightfully illustrates how gender roles continue restricting women’s individual aspirations even in modern times.

Ritom is also navigating heartbreak, still grieving a past relationship where his partner left him for someone wealthier. His IAS preparation now serves as an escape from emotional turmoil. Both characters throw themselves completely into studying as a means to clarify their thoughts and regain control over their lives. Das movingly portrays their parallel preparation journeys, with shared highs and struggles as the pressure mounts continuously.

Somprokash Das presents a nuanced look at the characters’ maturation. Through their experiences, Ritom learns to move on from his hurt while Tamannah gains confidence in pursuing her dreams despite societal expectations. A particular strength is how the author fleshes out supporting characters like Suraj and Trisha, who provide counsel and companionship to Ritom and Tamannah during difficult periods. Their advice and perspectives offer reasonable counterpoints that encourage the protagonists to prioritize their goals. This adds layers of complexity to the relationships explored. Minor characters like Tamannah’s family further enrich the socio-cultural context.

Somprokash Das builds romantic tension skillfully through subtle situations, without losing focus on his protagonists’ grappling with responsibilities and dreams. Tamannah’s lighthearted yet desperate stunt to gain Ritom’s attention highlights her internal conflict between heart and dedication. The telephone conversation with her brother underscores the looming reality she faces. Throughout, the narrative pace remains gripping as readers become invested in how Ritom and Tamannah will navigate personal and societal obstacles to find independence as well as love and peace.

While the overall themes and character development are compelling, some parts of the story feel unrealistic or underdeveloped. For example, Tamannah’s instant infatuation and bold actions towards Ritom upon just seeing him once seem implausible given her otherwise level-headed personality. Their relationship also progresses very quickly without enough description of their interactions and deepening bond. More buildup could have made their connection more believable and emotionally impactful for readers to invest in.

Despite these flaws, the core message of “Love in Search of Peace” remains thoughtful. It highlights the difficulties of pursuing dreams and personal fulfillment within the constraints of cultural and familial expectations. Ritom and Tamannah’s perseverance in the face of discouragement provides an uplifting representation of challenging norms in a peaceful manner. While their relationship progresses quickly, the overarching exploration of finding purpose, individual freedom, and meaning through hard work and ambition resonates deeply.

Somprokash Das’ “Love in Search of Peace” offers insightful perspectives on navigating societal constraints while pursuing individual dreams and relationships. It highlights universal themes of pursuing aspirations against the odds, finding purpose during hard times, and seeking balance between duty and desires of the heart. Most of all, it celebrates the human spirit’s remarkable ability to persevere through compassionate connections and inner strength and clarity. By weaving an emotionally resonating tale of two hopeful souls seeking independence as well as each other, Das affirms that even in life’s storms, love itself can provide an anchor towards finding inner peace.