Like many others, I have been eagerly awaiting Priya Basil's second novel and after having devoured it in a matter of days, I must say that it was every bit as good as her first. She has captured the essence, atmosphere, form and characteristic of each person and place to perfection, so that the story flows like liquid gold. The reader is immediately captivated by the love struck Anil and Lina and drawn into their different worlds, marveling and empathising with both their situations, to the point of frustration. The Obscure Logic of the Heart is a novel you can visualise and practically "live", the vivid backgrounds set the different scenes perfectly and mirror the challenges that each character faces. It is heart rendering read and will have you wishing and hoping that Anil and Lina will somehow get together in the end, despite the setbacks and guilt that Lina faces.
Amidst the love story, strong global issues are addressed in this novel and cleverly intertwined with the characters and their lives. The irony of Lina being anti-arms and weapons and finding out that the private jet that takes her to Kenya from Sudan, courtesy of Anil's father, is actually transporting arms, leaves you shaking your head in incredulity.
The familial elements in this novel are both poignant and entertaining. You feel for Lina's father, Shareef and what he has been through in his life. As for Anil's father, a shrewd business type, whose straight talking is a breath of fresh air and very amusing, he will make you laugh out loud.
The ending was brilliant and left the reader longing for more, whilst reveling in the world of limitless possibilities. I have already pre-ordered Strangers on the 16:02.
