Introduction:

ISBN 81-88575-67-4

Genre: Fiction

Price: Rs. 100/-

Pages :212

Publishers: Srishti Publishers

Ok.. I previously read the author’s How about a sin tonight and I fell in love with it. Never before has any book got more than one post dedicated to it solely because of the beauty and oomph.

Someone came across this review and left a comment recommending his other book A thing beyond forever. And finally I managed to lay hands on it. Am not I happy? Oh I am dancing with joy for this book is another beautifully crafted masterpiece though my favourite still remains the previous one. This book has some magic of its own.

About the author:

Novoneel Chakraborty is based in Mumbai and he is currently working as a screenwriter. For more details about the author please visit: Blog  and Face book 

Me thinks:

Novoneel Chakraborty’s narration has an immaculate way of expressing human emotions in all his books and that’s what makes them priceless.

The story begins in a very normal manner with a boy narrating his school days through a diary about his love life and studies. So you conclude it’s a teenage love story. You move ahead and find things have taken a U turn drastically as there is an autistic brother in picture and the love story is not evolving into a love triangle. Now you get confused and before you can conclude something new the author has steered ahead of your imagination to another point altogether.  This is the beauty of the author. He manages to write so beautifully that not only are you engrossed  but you are also lost in that book so much that you forget your real life for a moment.

I finished this book in 3 hours as for me it was simply un-put-downable  and yes I had to gobble. There were some moments in this book where (I was reading late in the night) I almost stood up on my bed and was jumping with the book in hand screaming Oh my God! Oh my God… Yes it had me excited and I fell in love with the character of Dr. Radhika Sharma. In the previous book I have said I wanted to be Nishani solely for the love that was bestowed on her in form of those letters but here I would want to be Radhika only because of the love she had in her heart – true, self less love which crossed all the boundaries to become one with its loved one.

Some of my favourite lines:

• Man is born naked alright, but the rest of his life goes covering up.
• The most foolish thing in this world is to fall in love with someone without any reason. But the smartest thing, once you are in love is to respect that fall forever.
• Idea of a first date: Just sit with you somewhere and “tare” at your words, “listen” to your face, “smell” your smile and revel in your presence!

Romanticism at its best – is how I would like to describe this book. A must read for each and every soul who has loved ever in life! For this will truly redefine LOVE for you.

A Thing Beyond Forever by Novoneel Chakraborty is a contemporary romance novel that blends deep emotional storytelling with the intricacies of relationships, heartbreak, and personal growth. Known for his style of exploring intense emotional experiences, Chakraborty captures the complexities of love, loss, and the journey of self-discovery in this novel.

Overview of the Plot

The story follows Ayaan, a young man who has everything a person might want — good looks, success, and a charming personality. Despite his external success, Ayaan feels an underlying emptiness in his life. His world changes when he meets Riya, a free-spirited woman who brings new meaning and color into his life. Their bond quickly grows, and their love story unfolds with intense passion, but it is marked by the realities of life and the hurdles that relationships often face.

Riya is not just another love interest. She represents a deep connection to Ayaan’s inner world, and she becomes the person he is willing to open up to completely. However, as their relationship deepens, both Ayaan and Riya are forced to confront their pasts, insecurities, and the emotional baggage that complicates their bond. The plot explores how they navigate their feelings for one another, the challenges that arise in their relationship, and the personal battles they face in trying to stay together.

The novel delves into the idea that love is not just about happiness; it is also about learning to deal with pain, growth, and understanding the complexities of the human heart. Through Ayaan and Riya’s journey, the book explores how relationships can transcend time and personal limitations and how true love sometimes involves letting go.

Key Themes and Insights

1. Love and Loss: A central theme of A Thing Beyond Forever is the idea of love as a transformative experience. The love between Ayaan and Riya isn’t just about romantic gestures or surface-level connections; it’s about how deeply love affects both individuals. The narrative touches on the inevitability of pain in relationships and how loss, whether emotional or physical, becomes an integral part of understanding love’s true depth.

2. Self-Discovery: Another key theme in the book is self-discovery. Both Ayaan and Riya go through personal transformations over the course of the novel. Ayaan, despite his outwardly successful life, must confront his inner emotional struggles and vulnerabilities. For Riya, her free-spirited personality and the way she approaches love and life represent a different worldview that contrasts with Ayaan’s more controlled and guarded nature. Through their relationship, both characters learn more about themselves and what truly matters in life.

3. Emotional Conflict and Growth: The characters in the book undergo significant emotional conflict. Ayaan’s initial struggles with his feelings for Riya are complicated by his past, while Riya has her own set of emotional challenges. The book shows how love is not just about harmony but also about conflict, which often leads to personal growth. Their emotional highs and lows are part of the larger journey of maturing as individuals and as a couple.

4. The Nature of True Love: One of the most profound questions in the book is whether Ayaan and Riya’s love can withstand the trials of life, or if it is something that exists only in the fleeting moments of happiness. The concept of “forever” is questioned — does it exist, and if so, what does it mean for a relationship to be truly “forever”? Through their struggles and sacrifices, the characters grapple with these existential questions about love and the future.

5. The Impact of the Past: The novel shows how both Ayaan and Riya’s past experiences shape who they are as individuals. Their baggage, family history, and past relationships create obstacles in their path toward happiness. Yet, it is also through confronting and addressing these pasts that they learn how to heal and move forward, both individually and together.

6. Fate and Destiny: As with many of Chakraborty’s works, there’s a recurring theme of fate and destiny, questioning whether certain relationships are destined to be or whether they are a result of individual choices. The characters face numerous challenges that make them question whether their love story was meant to be or if they are simply two people trying to make something work against all odds.

Writing Style

Novoneel Chakraborty’s writing in A Thing Beyond Forever is engaging and emotionally evocative. His prose is simple yet poignant, with a focus on capturing the raw emotions of the characters. The dialogues are natural, and the flow of the narrative allows readers to become emotionally invested in the lives of Ayaan and Riya.

Chakraborty is known for his deep exploration of emotions, and in this book, he does not shy away from showing the vulnerability of his characters. The book doesn’t rely on dramatic twists or overly fantastical elements, which makes it feel more grounded and relatable. There is an underlying sense of melancholy that pervades the novel, giving it an air of realism while still offering the hope that love can be a powerful, transformative force.

Character Development

1. Ayaan: The protagonist, Ayaan, begins the story as someone who appears to have it all but is internally conflicted and emotionally disconnected. His relationship with Riya forces him to examine his life choices, confront his past, and open up emotionally. His development is one of growth, as he gradually sheds his walls and learns what it means to truly love and be loved.

2. Riya: Riya is a free spirit, someone who brings joy and color into Ayaan’s life. She is not defined by her relationship with Ayaan; instead, she’s portrayed as a strong, independent character with her own dreams and past. Throughout the novel, Riya becomes a catalyst for Ayaan’s personal transformation, helping him embrace vulnerability and emotional connection.

Reception

A Thing Beyond Forever received a mix of reviews. Fans of Chakraborty’s earlier work, particularly his exploration of contemporary romance, were drawn to the emotional depth and relatable characters. Readers appreciated the realistic portrayal of love, with its ups and downs, and the emphasis on self-discovery. However, some readers found the pacing of the book slow at times, and the emotional weight of the narrative may feel heavy for those who prefer lighter romances.

The book resonates strongly with readers who enjoy intense, character-driven romance stories with themes of personal growth and emotional depth.

Conclusion

A Thing Beyond Forever is a beautifully written novel that delves into the complexities of love, self-discovery, and the emotional toll that relationships can have on individuals. Through the story of Ayaan and Riya, Novoneel Chakraborty invites readers to reflect on their own understanding of love and what it means to build a life with someone.

It’s a book that combines emotional storytelling with relatable characters, offering both hope and melancholy in equal measure. If you’re a fan of contemporary romance that delves deeply into character development and emotional complexity, this book is likely to resonate with you.

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