Book Review: The Perfect Us by Durjoy Datta

The Perfect Us by Durjoy Datta is a book about layers in relationship. If there is relationship between a boy and a girl and it is going up year by year, then it means it is crossing one layer after another. Many people get into relationship but they are afraid of changes, thus the layers in the relationship see an untoward stagnancy and they break up for better off. The book is more about conflict of interests in the relationship than on love.

Coming to the story – there is only one theme - and that is how to have a baby after being in relationship for over ten years. The story features Durjoy’s regular characters: Deb and Avantika. The two are different i.e. Avantika looks stunningly beauty, she is rich, and holds a job of investment banker. On the other hand, Deb is a kind of creative hopper; he is a writer, scriptwriter and all but an abled corporate professional. Other than differences in their tenacity, they also have distance in their financial status. In short the guy is less than the girl.

They are married…happy somehow…and scuffle a lot. The story opens up with both trying to scale up the Kilimanjaro Mountain on account of their anniversary. But even there Deb behaves like a loser. He falls sick and gets hospitalized. The story comes back to their home where they are seen mentally fighting and crossing each other. After reading a few chapters you will realize that the bone of contention is baby. Yes, the lady wants to have a baby now, well they guy, Deb, thinks otherwise. Why he thinks like that – there are many reasons – you got to find out yourself.

To modern couples, the story may either intrigue or fascinate. However, other than the baby theme there isn’t much in the book. Yes…there are some credible sweeps too and other annoying auxiliary characters, but overall the theme of the book isn’t that captivating. Also, the author has superfluously stretched the book well beyond 300 pages. It wasn’t needed. He could have finished it in around 200 pages. The good note is that Durjoy has learnt writing i.e. he looks improved writer now, but still he needs to settle down with some good concepts and storyline. He should expand his writing caliber and try something new…who knows what miracle happens there. Overall, The Perfect Us is an easy read with around three stars. Go ahead at your own risk.