Review of Ophelia

[Mayengbam Atulananda Singh]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Ophelia" by Norman Bacal.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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When CallMeGeri suddenly died, everyone accepted that it was due to a heart attack. But not Talem. Instead, he’s convinced that his father was murdered. However, being a drug addict who’s been in rehab a few times, Talem’s complaints were dismissed as unreliable. The question arises: was Talem delusional about his father’s death or does he know something no one else does? But you’re wrong if you think the novel ends there. The truth about the death will be revealed early on and the book will only get more intense.

“Ophelia” by Norman Bacal is a psychological novel with themes including obsession, betrayal, deception, manipulation, power struggle, and moral quandaries.

The author accurately describes the book as a study of relationships between fathers and children. The unhealthy and dysfunctional relationship between Talem and his father is pivotal in the narrative, with more such relationships in the backdrop.

The story is complicated yet relevant to the present times when stocks and shares are considered even more valuable than human connections and relationships. Most characters reflect modern humans, consumed by ambitions to such an extent that they are not bothered about who they wipe away to get what they want.

Additionally, the book is exceptionally well-edited. I did not come across a single error.

One thing I dislike about the book is that it’s not as thrilling as I anticipated. Books of the C/T/M/H genre usually keep readers on the edge of their seats and impatient to get to the next page. The book lacks that element. However, this is just my opinion. So, I won’t be deducting any points for this. Perhaps, my expectations were too high.

The narration is not linear, and the reader is introduced to too many characters, subplots, and scenes. While eventually, everything fell into place, initially, I struggled to keep track of the characters and their relationships with each other.

While the story may not offer the thrilling experience typically found in C/T/M/H novels, it is undoubtedly interesting.

It is a good choice for readers interested in books that mirror the lives of conglomerates. However, I advise against recommending it to young readers due to the significant role substance abuse and gambling play in the story.

I rate the book 4 out of 5.

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Ophelia
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