First-time author Manu Dhawan makes a triumphant debut with his novel, The Unprodigal

An erstwhile private equity professional and a start-up specialist, Manu Dhawan has recently gone back to his first love, writing, and has released his first book The Unprodigal.

The book is a whirlwind saga of a young man, Aryan, and his struggles, victories, failures and values.

The story intricately depicts a beautiful bond between him and his grandfather interspersed with a complicated relationship with his own father.

A story that takes you through winding alleys, broken promises and shocking truths.

An old desert train cuts through an arid territory and nude trees against a rising sun, speeding towards nowhere.

Onboard, among a scruffy pack of hush-hush traders, sits an obtrusive young man.

Dejected, lost and hungover in a miasma of grief, Aryan is the genius son of country’s richest and most powerful scion.

He had given his all to seek justice for his grandfather but had failed.

But in the darkest hour before dawn, in a hopeless place and among strangers, truth awaits Aryan.

The choices he makes now will define who he will become.

Will he find true courage for a final stand?

Will the son become the father? Or will the truth make him… The Unprodigal.

The debutant author adds, "It’s a coming of age story of a man put in a treacherous situation with only his determination and grandfather’s love to stand by him." 

"When you piece together three generations of powerful fathers and defiant sons, it makes for a very combustible melting pot!"

The secondary characters also hold their own, making for interesting rebels and indulging in compelling conversations – in some ways, also a motley bunch of unprodigals – the ones who don’t tread normalcy.

Manu’s writing style is intuitive, vivid and well-researched, and brings a welcome dose of freshness.

The Unprodigal is published by Rupa Publications and is out in stores and online, INR 295.