Res
If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it all - Oscar Wilde.
With ‘Nightmare’ even as the chapters were building up, I had read, re-read - it was to ensure I do not miss the obvious. And now, re-reading as a whole, is to re-live the experience; to appreciate the writing; and to enjoy it over again. A wish has been fulfilled with this FF - talking to the author, while reading it, to know more.
It all started with me reading the OS (have a history that led me to the OS, that is for later). I liked it, it was a good read but it had a void that I wasn’t able to fill in with details. I couldn’t see more to the words strung together. Going back to just read chapter1, it still talks to me of an unknown guilt, a difficult past and a nightmare; nothing more. In as less words as possible, it makes one feel for both the characters. And it sows so much interest, to ensure a continuous read, to know more.
As an OS, it would have left me crave for more; more clarity; more understanding. But it may not have stayed with me, like this FF is going to.
When this turned to be a FF, the initial few chapters kept adding more layers; cryptic. It was building the story, but no much was a big fat reveal. The non-linear story-telling was spinning more webs, though it looked chaotic then, as the chapters progress, a vague understanding of the plot began to appear. The constant nightmares, the timeline etc., started becoming clear.
When I think of chapter 3, I have a question. I had mentioned earlier, that before the first of the 2 gunshots that P took, there had been another gunshot that kept R in hospital; just before the trip to Kolhapur. When she thunders (to herself she thinks) about her love for him. Is this right?
When S entered the storyline, the mad-cap theory sessions started; much to the writer’s annoyance. A super efficient, fun team of IF-IO got created; with every line being rinsed and dried. And still the author pushing us saying, it is all in plain sight - go read it again!
I loved the confidence the writer has on the character of S. There were no deceiving points or red-herrings, to show her as a different character. She was let to behave very much like P, but, still managed to kept the tension/suspense of if she is really P or someone else. That is so very skilful.
Reading brings us unknown friends - Honore de Balzac
Chapter 5 and onwards, there was an unsaid dynamics with the reading team. This reading helped me get new unknown friends - those who brought more cheer to the reading; to make one wait for the next chapter.
When V was introduced in chapter 6, all hell broke loose. There was so much confusion. Of what next.
Chapter 7 and onwards, the debate on who S is, and who V shoots started peaking. There was an imminent tension throughout the story. An anticipation of what is the worse that happened 2 years before. Every word thrown in was put under a radar. One step ahead, two steps back was the scenario.
Chapter 8 brought silence. It brought in so much information around the 2 main characters. It made the reader bleed, as if the shot was direct on them. Every emotion, every pain, every movement could be sensed; such were the words used; powerful. Theories, theories and more theories. Everyone pulling in every direction, but slowly the voice for S is P started getting stronger.
Chapter 9 - felt very heavy while reading. The pain that R endured, can be felt. And this felt a very relevant chapter; and retrospectively it is. Many questions had answers just lying in open-air, in this chapter (on a later read). Shows the confidence in writing.
Chapter 10 - scored very heavily on being an emotional chapter. More insight into S; more she started appearing like P, only for the devar to throw a googly. S is not P. I still remember, the inferences on who the Uncle was; and if S is not P, who he/she can be. The latter was just crazy fun theories. But the scene was set for a big reveal. The stage getting ready could be felt in this chapter.
Chapter 11 - was dedicated to S & R. As like the readers R might’ve been frustrated with the tease that S is. He was trying to break her. He was trying to prove she is not her. He wished that she is her. An entire chapter to show the shift in dynamics. And ended with a bang. The boss returns. Again the theory of who he calls boss; is it himself? though V took most votes; as well as curses for re-appearing. The finale was in sight.
Chapter 12 - The final showdown. A twisted tale of V, S and R watched by P from the sidelines. Again one of those extremely emotional chapters. Having read till end, I can now say that from here till the end, there is an increasing pitch of emotions. A brilliant way of showing how the arc is repeating. A conversation between S & R. Then the gunshot; again the fire taking it. It was all just a repeat - a different day, a different setup, but the same people and with the same outcome!
Chapter 13 - The layers started peeling off in good speed. Earlier chapters did slowly start the process, but here there were answers that R started getting; and the readers too. As said before, another of those intense, emotional chapter. The struggle of mind over heart was brilliantly portrayed. It revealed so much; but it still concealed so much. The end is near.
Chapter 14 - What a way to tie up! back to chapter 9 timeline. Same situation shown from a different perspective. P’s perspective. Brilliant sentences in this chapter. It had so many lines laden with depth, that it elevated the chapter to another level. One of the fine end chapters. Mind sees what it comprehends; and that exactly was what was shown in the chapter too. Some decisions being made. Decisions which were the basis for this premise, for this story.
Epilogue; put a closure in real sense to all open ends. That was extra-ordinary. Some tears, more pain, few clarifications, some smiles, and a worthy end. It could’ve ended any which way; but, grateful that the writer chose to end it the way it did.
I had meant to write more. But, seeing how lengthy this has become, I had to stop. I had to write concisely on the chapters and the progress it had in my head.
Had thought of adding all the lines that I liked from every chapter; it wasnt easy as there were many. Left it considering the sizeof the post.
Lateuser, thank you for this FF.
Also, thank you to the IF-IO, it felt like watching a movie together, noisily with whistles & cheers.
Edited by Prriyam - 4 years ago
Parineeti
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