Wavy Bob by
Sameer Suryakant Kulkarni is an incredible novel about an Indian IT
professional named Ketan. Yes, you can say that this is a story of Ketan, but
we also see some other characters with auxiliary importance. Ketan, around
thirty-years old, lives in Pune while working for an IT company over seven
years.
As you advance
into the story, you will get to know that Ketan is not a normal guy – he is way
different than other ambitious people working in the IT industry, because of
the reasons like he is uncharacteristically impulsive and always lives in fear
of insecurities. But despite all, he is a way honest and hardworking guy and
people around him appreciate him for this virtue, even his organization. The
characterization of Ketan is fully developed and the great thing is that he
doesn’t sound like a larger-than-life character. Thus, this aspect makes this
novel very relevant and contemporary with respect to current time.
Let’s discuss
how we got the title of the book – Wavy Bob. One day Ketan, on a company bus,
comes across a beautiful lady. She carried a strange yet captivating persona
and her hairstyle was different than others. Ketan was awed by her beauty and
said that her hairstyle was like Wavy Bob. She was so beautiful and charming
that Ketan fell for her at first sight. Well, next he doesn’t see her for much
time. He inquires about her but to no avail. And at the same time, Ketan is
busy meeting girls for marriage recommended by his parents. So, he thinks about
marrying that Wavy Bob. But in reality she passes before him like a mirage or
illusion. Will they ever come face to face?
Well, you must
be thinking that other than the life story of Ketan, what the other concurrent
theme in the story is. It is insecurity that IT employees feel post the recession.
Ketan always feels and once he also dreamt that due to automation he was
forcefully thrown out of his company. This fear keeps him gnawing day and
night. Any chances that his worst fear may come haunting for him any time.
That’s another thrilling jolt in the story.
Other than
Ketan’s encounters with girls, the major part of the novel deals with his fear
of losing job. And when he is moved to America on a project site, he witnesses
the worst office politics that could ever occur to him. And shockingly, the
girl Wavy Bob plays the de facto role in this politics. He is shocked to the
core and realized that insecurity and office politics are inseparable from his
working life. But at the same time, he comes close to his crush: Wavy Bob. But
the irony is that he cannot get along with her. At times what we strive to
achieve is something that we don’t need in reality.
Ketan moves
ahead with another girl and back in India he gets into entrepreneurship. He
commences a start-up for senior citizens of India, which is another phase of
his life. Apart from job, office, insecurities, we also see the other side of
Ketan where he constantly thinks about life in a small town with his parents,
and the kind of chemistry he holds with his parents is also funny.
Overall it is
a lengthy novel with many great aspects and for IT professionals it is an eye
opener. In this novel you will find almost everything like romance, modern
world theme, struggle, destiny, irony and so on. In a nutshell, a complete
entertainment novel but at the same time relaying a very positive message that
irrespective to any field one must keep updating their skills to survive in the
corporate landscape of India. Ketan’s character is an inspiring one – how he
works dedicatedly to save his job and support his filial responsibilities is
worth watching.
Well-written
and well-edited, Wavy Bob moves at a brisk pace and holds a promise for IT
professionals.
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