Date of Reading: 23/01/2018
Author: John Thomas
Year: 2017
From: BlogAdda in exchange of an honest review
Rating: 3.5/5
You might be 27 or 33 or even 45, but there could at least be one moment in your life when this question pops up: "What did I do with this life?" With every birthday that brings us one step closer to our graves, out comes these reflexive thoughts -- the doubts of being on the right track. Some may quench this spark with the notions of practicality, still there will always be a few who takes the less travelled path before it's too late. . . and make stories.
'The Big Switch' is one such story of a daring attempt. We could pretty much assume the story line from the title itself , but I was never expecting such a drastic change of careers as Keith, the protagonist planned to do. If you would like to read a different version of Santiago, the hero of 'The Alchemist', then this is just the pick. As hundreds of movies and novels before it, the novel asserts once again that it is not the goal that is important, but the journey to achieve it. Whether you can make it come true or not is not that relevant. Who knows? You may reap better rewards than you have planned. Don't get me wrong here, but if I ever come by Keith in my real life I am going to think he is absolutely crazy. . . but so are all who have left some marks in this world.
John Thomas' novel is one such which compels you not to make judgement with the cover page. The front cover is a bit dull and so is the font colour in the kindle edition. But in spite of all this, I made it to the end because of the lovely writing style that keeps you wanting for more and of course, we can't neglect the certain familiarity we feel toward Keith's character. There is a Keith in all of us. But will we all make the leap that he had made is yet to be seen. Now to the story:
Keith Kurien was happy that he secured a job as a software engineer in H&G, one of the prestigious companies in IT sector. But after two years of back breaking work, he is left with a poor appraisal and a manager who hit on his nerves almost everyday. It is only when he is dumped by his girlfriend Maya, who accuses him of not balancing his work and relationship, that he begins a retrospection.
When he goes with his roommate Brijesh to witness the historic world cup final of 2011, he is struck by the way Sachin Tendulkar enjoys playing cricket. He still keeps the same enthusiasm of a beginner. This makes Keith think of his own profession which he has chosen for financial stability.
A two week assignment in the Banglore branch of the company comes as a turning point. Ramesh, the manager there, inspires him with his own life story. He started his career as an accountant, a job he never liked. Studying software development with the help of online resources, he got a position in H&G and soon made it to the post of the manager. Keith thought back to his own life and decides that what makes him happy is playing football though he had never played it before.
He begins practice with the hope of becoming a professional football player and joins the football training club, Young Tigers. He retains his job for monetary benefits, but decides to find a different source of income through writing. It is in a writing workshop he meets Kyra. She was his young teacher and the sparks fly from the first moment itself; their relation progresses from friends to lovers.
An accident that incapacitates him for weeks comes as a big blow as he was just selected to play in a match representing the club. With Kyra's inspiration he writes a novel based on Ramesh's life, titled The Accountant. Keith resigns the job thinking he could make it as a writer now. But these expectations fall short when the sales fail to pick up. To make the matters worse, the doctor poses doubts on him playing football again.
There begins the search for a new job. While attending one of the interviews he gets an urgent call from the publisher informing that his book is on the way to become a best seller. The Bollywood star Farhan Khan has read and shared it through his social media account making it an instant hit. He realises that his true calling is to become a writer. He may not be able to play football again but it is his attempts to be a footballer that eventually led to to his true calling and to his destined partner. As Keith himself says, "With writing, I am definitely not living my dream. But I wouldn't have been this happy even if I was living my dream."
Something to ponder on . . .
"Your fears, they have a strange knack of finding you. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, they will get you. And when they do, they will trouble you just as you always feared" - Loc 585
"Most Indian schools followed a simple rule. If a boy was good at studies, the teachers branded him as an engineer. And if it was a girl, she was branded as a doctor. Soon, even the parents followed in on the act and the poor kid was left branded for life" - Loc 763
"Most people spend their entire life doing something they don't feel connected to. Doing a job that troubles them by the day and haunts them at night, they live their lives in quiet desperation. . . They commit spiritual suicide every single day. . . Many people don't even realize that they are caught up in the wrong career" - Loc 1335
"You can choose anything. It has nothing to do with your current capability. It has nothing to do with your past. It has nothing to do with your present. . . Set a goal so big that it scares you. Decide on something that won't let you sleep at night" - Loc 1365
"Football is not a game with turns. It is very much like life in this regard. As both in life and in football, you need to fight for every turn of yours" - Loc 1716
"If one has to succeed, then he must get used to the idea of failing" - Loc 2000
John Thomas is a full-time seeker, who is in a continuous search for meaning. To earn his livelihood, however, he does a lot of other things. He works as a Freelance Software Developer, a Freelance Content Creator, a Stocks Investor/Trader and anything else that interests him.
"This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!"
John Thomas' novel is one such which compels you not to make judgement with the cover page. The front cover is a bit dull and so is the font colour in the kindle edition. But in spite of all this, I made it to the end because of the lovely writing style that keeps you wanting for more and of course, we can't neglect the certain familiarity we feel toward Keith's character. There is a Keith in all of us. But will we all make the leap that he had made is yet to be seen. Now to the story:
Keith Kurien was happy that he secured a job as a software engineer in H&G, one of the prestigious companies in IT sector. But after two years of back breaking work, he is left with a poor appraisal and a manager who hit on his nerves almost everyday. It is only when he is dumped by his girlfriend Maya, who accuses him of not balancing his work and relationship, that he begins a retrospection.
When he goes with his roommate Brijesh to witness the historic world cup final of 2011, he is struck by the way Sachin Tendulkar enjoys playing cricket. He still keeps the same enthusiasm of a beginner. This makes Keith think of his own profession which he has chosen for financial stability.
A two week assignment in the Banglore branch of the company comes as a turning point. Ramesh, the manager there, inspires him with his own life story. He started his career as an accountant, a job he never liked. Studying software development with the help of online resources, he got a position in H&G and soon made it to the post of the manager. Keith thought back to his own life and decides that what makes him happy is playing football though he had never played it before.
An accident that incapacitates him for weeks comes as a big blow as he was just selected to play in a match representing the club. With Kyra's inspiration he writes a novel based on Ramesh's life, titled The Accountant. Keith resigns the job thinking he could make it as a writer now. But these expectations fall short when the sales fail to pick up. To make the matters worse, the doctor poses doubts on him playing football again.
There begins the search for a new job. While attending one of the interviews he gets an urgent call from the publisher informing that his book is on the way to become a best seller. The Bollywood star Farhan Khan has read and shared it through his social media account making it an instant hit. He realises that his true calling is to become a writer. He may not be able to play football again but it is his attempts to be a footballer that eventually led to to his true calling and to his destined partner. As Keith himself says, "With writing, I am definitely not living my dream. But I wouldn't have been this happy even if I was living my dream."
Something to ponder on . . .
"Your fears, they have a strange knack of finding you. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, they will get you. And when they do, they will trouble you just as you always feared" - Loc 585
"Most Indian schools followed a simple rule. If a boy was good at studies, the teachers branded him as an engineer. And if it was a girl, she was branded as a doctor. Soon, even the parents followed in on the act and the poor kid was left branded for life" - Loc 763
"Most people spend their entire life doing something they don't feel connected to. Doing a job that troubles them by the day and haunts them at night, they live their lives in quiet desperation. . . They commit spiritual suicide every single day. . . Many people don't even realize that they are caught up in the wrong career" - Loc 1335
"You can choose anything. It has nothing to do with your current capability. It has nothing to do with your past. It has nothing to do with your present. . . Set a goal so big that it scares you. Decide on something that won't let you sleep at night" - Loc 1365
"Football is not a game with turns. It is very much like life in this regard. As both in life and in football, you need to fight for every turn of yours" - Loc 1716
"If one has to succeed, then he must get used to the idea of failing" - Loc 2000
About the author
John Thomas is a full-time seeker, who is in a continuous search for meaning. To earn his livelihood, however, he does a lot of other things. He works as a Freelance Software Developer, a Freelance Content Creator, a Stocks Investor/Trader and anything else that interests him.
He wants to write stories that can make a difference. And his debut novel, The Big Switch, was an honest attempt at sharing the message that it’s never too late to follow one’s passion. He is currently working on his second novel.
"This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!"
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