Book Review: Lost Edges by Salini Vineeth

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When I received the book, Lost Edges, as a prize for ECM Bloghop's Fam Jam Blog Hop, I was unsure whether I would like to read it. Primarily because just a few days back, I had read a teenage romance book and was not in the mood to invest my time in another. Variety matters for me. But once I started the book, I realised I was about to begin a journey into a very complex world that spans from a couple's teenage years to their late twenties. And I immediately knew I would be invested in it for the next few days. 

About the Book

Ravi and Geetanjali met on the dance floor in their college. Their friendship began unexpectedly and grew into a relationship. After a few misunderstandings and initial breakups, they reunite after a tragic incident. Finally, they get married, but within a couple of years realise their lifestyles and lives are poles apart. The book traces their relationship through the events of their lives and the decisions they make. 


About the Author

Salini Vineeth is an Indian author based in Bangalore. Before taking up writing as a full-time profession, she had worked as an engineer for 10 years, till 2018. Her books, Magic Square, Everyday People and travel guides on Hampi and Badami are popular amongst readers. She has won numerous awards and has been recognised by several literary societies. Her series about LGBTQTA on Instagram is a rich source of knowledge about the community.

Here are her Social Media handles:

Blog: https://salinivineeth.in

Instagram: @salini_vineeth

Facebook: Salini Vineeth

X: Salini Vineeth

The Synopsis:

Ravi and Geetanjali's BITS Goa days are marked by their friendship, support, misunderstandings, and breakups, which finally led to their marriage. Throughout their marriage, they realise they are poles apart in their thoughts, lifestyles, and goals. While Geetanjali is a go-getter and a winner who is not willing to stop at any cost, Ravi is laid-back, insecure, and scared to take any risks. This huge difference becomes so serious that they have to seek counselling. What happens thereafter - do they reunite or choose their separate paths? The story ends on an unexpected yet mature note. And that is where the beauty of it lies. 

Review of Lost Edges: 

As I always say, if I enjoy something, I can write non-stop about it. What I enjoyed most was the narration style of swinging between the past and the present without breaking the connection. I have read the author's book, The Tree, The Well and the Drag Queen, before, and the style of writing and presentation in this book varies in every aspect. This brings out the author's versatility. 

What also makes the story feel very real and connected is that the author was a student at BITS Goa. Her on-campus experience had clearly laid a strong foundation for Ravi and Geetanjali's hostel days. The minuscule details of the Sunday special lunch or the passing of Feni without being caught add up to form a great backdrop for their budding relationship. 

Another strong aspect is the significance of each character, like Arnav, Ravi's best friend in college. Although he was present in his life for a very short time, his presence left a powerful mark. The other two almost mute characters, Ravi's mother and Geetanjali's father, very effectively differentiate the distinctive nature of the families- Ravi's being a patriarchal and dominant one, while Geetanjali's is a broken one, with a very influential mother. The author's explanation of mental health and the root cause of it, like childhood trauma, has been described in great detail, which is never disassociated from the narratives. 

Overall, Lost Edges is a very mature tale of two individuals who are almost forming their lives together. It's about the strength of a bond that shapes their identities, breaking past patterns and reinventing their lives. For me, it conveys a wonderful message: marriage does not have to be a means of staying together emotionally.

The book is available on Amazon.

This review is a part of the ECM Blog Hop's Book Review Programme hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed 

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