Review of Call Centre – An Inside Story; by Vikrant Shukla; Mehta Publishing House; Rs 250
Review by Mahesh Awasthi
What happens behind the big buildings of glass? What does a small-town youngster do in a big city? Vikrant Shukla answers these questions in his Call Centre: An Inside Story. The story line is amazing, well-written and managed by Shukla. The transition phase of Shiv – the protagonist of the book – from a small town boy to a big city man is portrayed really well.
After an unsuccessful stint in a law firm, Shiv tries his luck in a call center. Getting the job was only half the battle. He faced further mind trips when the work culture of a call centre dawned on him. Gradually he understands the hardships, hectic schedules and effects of the fatigue of the night shift on its employees though it offers attractive salaries and incentives. The book also deals with the causes that make youth addictive to bad habits that get them temporary relief of their frustrations, but the long hard of recovery seldom creeps into their minds, at least not until the last moment.
The author’s words are just too GOOD. I myself started thinking about how it is for a migrant man to face the perils ahead of him in his new city of choice. Initially, the story just walks like a tortoise, the middle part is fast like a man’s stride and end shoots like a tiger. Kudos to the writer as it is a practise that big names follow and he’s done it well. With his first book the author has proved that there is some potential in him and he can make a blast. (I am waiting to read his next book!) I would like to meet author some day as I want to appreciate him for his truthfulness in writing this book.
I feel that the price of the book is just too much, at Rs 250, in comparison to Chetan Bhagat 2 States and other books in the similar category. But this factor can be excuse when we look at the cover page. The quality and execution is good and print is simply awesome. Over bold is what best describes the cover of the book: I should say it takes quite a bit of courage to put the picture of a condom on the cover! If I am able to read publisher’s mind right, it was done for attracting potential buyers in big stores. And no doubt this idea worked and people are buying this book. Nobody knew Vikrant Shukla’s name as a writer, but now a small marketing tactic worked for him and he has joined the ‘author of a bestselling book’ club.
Two chapters in the book are no way related to the story line. They increased the page numbers but no value added to the story line. Good as entertainment part but negative impression on readers as they are useless for the story running in background. You wait for something to happen and nothing happens. Author seems to have a strong family bonding as many times his lectures go on about the strength of the family ties, but at times I found them dragging and boring. As to the characters, I felt bad for Sumit; Tanya was amazing and Alex made me laugh a hundred times. Author could have ended this story on a positive note, if he wanted to, but it’s a tragic one. I hate stories with a painful ending.
Verdict: The book tries to give the readers a saaf-saaf idea about what goes on in a call centre. Chetan Bhagat’s One night @ a Call Center was all fiction and nothing else. Shukla managed to stick to the reality. Good work!
The reviewer, Mahesh Awasthi, works for an IT firm in Mumbai. Reading books is his primary passion and writing about them is the second in row. He is 36 years old and makes his home with his wife and two kids. He does not have any favourite authors. If he likes the book; he likes that author. He loves to read fiction that is close to reality.
I agree to the above post. A worth read...
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