ഹൈഡ്രേഞ്ചിയ

I was eager to delve into Malayalam fiction, particularly drawn to thrillers over other genres. After scouring Instagram and Goodreads, I stumbled upon Lajo Jose, whose thriller novels boasted a substantial fan following. Amidst the numerous reviews, one title, "Hydrangea," consistently stood out, with readers praising its excellence above others. Naturally, "Hydrangea" became my top pick. The captivating blurb only heightened my anticipation!

The first thing that struck me when I started reading was my limited Malayalam vocabulary. It left me questioning whether my grasp of my native language was not as strong as I had presumed, or if the author intentionally used flowery prose. I had to underline many words and scribble their meanings in the margins!

A peculiar trend that caught my attention was the author's penchant for detailed descriptions of clothing and accessories. Did I really need to know that Imran sir was wearing a pink shirt and grey linen pants? Or that Esther had yellow Nike shoes? Moreover, did I need constant reminders that Imran drove a Ford Endeavor? Was it necessary to mention that Imran owned a Galaxy S Note 9 and used a stylus? It all seemed excessive and unnecessary.

I was also uncomfortable with the excessive sexualization of nearly every female character in the novel. As a thriller, such detailed descriptions of things like thighs showing through a towel or someone removing their panties for a massage felt like unnecessary distractions. These aspects seemed to serve no purpose for the plot and only added unnecessary length to the story. The plot itself could have been condensed to about 150 pages without these elements.

Despite all of the above, I must admit that the plot itself is quite compelling. It features a unique modus operandi that stands out. The author doesn't hold back on the gruesome details and isn't hesitant to eliminate multiple characters. The investigation is depicted in a realistic manner, adding authenticity to the narrative. The differences in cultural context between English fiction and Malayalam may explain why I found certain details and investigative methods surprising. The reveal at the end was truly shocking, although the end felt rushed. I would give the mystery aspect of the book a rating of 3/5, while the writing style and overall book would be a 2/5. I think I can safely conclude that I will not be picking up another book from this author any time soon.