Review by Mercy Bolo -- Border Post 99 by Kedar Patankar

Mercelle · Post by **Mercelle** » 06 Oct 2017, 13:03

[Following is a volunteer review of "Border Post 99" by Kedar Patankar.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Border Post 99 by Kedar Patankar is a fiction book that focuses on the issue of tension and diplomatic ties between two neighbouring and rival countries; India and Pakistan. These two countries were once one and it's unfortunate that they split. This division caused a lot of pain and suffering as families and friendships were ripped apart and people who once coexisted peacefully now see each other as enemies.

The story is told from the point of view of two main protagonists; Lieutenant Mangesh Sharma, an Indian soldier and Abid Khan, a Pakistani soldier. These two soldiers are posted to no man's land at the border between their respective countries.

Both sides have adhered to an unspoken, unwritten rule: absolutely no soldiers, no guns and no posts on no man's land.

This raises the question of why the soldiers were posted, and why just one soldier from each side. The story delves into the backgrounds of both soldiers and their daily routines at at their posts. They both get nostalgic and miss their families. This goes to show that in as much as they are prepared for war, they are still human in nature.

It is interesting what happens when these two soldiers meet face to face for the first time. Now that they are both aware of each other's existence, they start preparing for an ambush. They both monitor each other's movements as none of them want to be caught off-guard. I expected a lot of battlefield action but I was even more impressed when the soldiers started playing pranks on each other. Although they never sit together and chat like friends would, I could feel the connection they both felt towards one another. This brings out the theme of friendship and human connection and goes to show that indeed no man is an island. Maybe it was fate that brought these two soldiers together as their history runs deeper than any of them could have imagined.

I like that Border Post 99 is a short book that is easy to read. The author doesn't bring in irrelevant details and there are also few but well-formed characters. I like stories that are unpredictable and this is surely one of them. The only downside was that the story ends abruptly at a point where I wanted to know more about what happens to the soldiers after they leave no man's land. Do they actually become friends or do they just take their memories with them and never keep in touch?

Because I enjoyed this book so much, I will rate it 4 out of 4 stars and look out for more works from this author. I would recommend it for anyone who craves an adrenaline rush and also learn some important life lessons while at it.

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Border Post 99
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geoffrey ngoima · Post by **geoffrey ngoima** » 10 Oct 2017, 14:04

I wouldn't mind a little battlefield action along with a few lessons; great job with the review.

Amagine · Post by **Amagine** » 10 Oct 2017, 17:03

This sounds like a really good book and I love the fact that there are lessons to be learned integrated in the plot.

Great Review!

kislany · Post by **kislany** » 12 Oct 2017, 02:29

I would really enjoy if this book were made into a movie with the screen focusing on the many emotions the waiting two soldiers feel throughout the whole time. Should be really interesting to watch. Thanks for a great review.

Mercelle · Post by **Mercelle** » 12 Oct 2017, 05:23

Thank you... I also hope this book gets made into a movie.

Aimy · Post by **Aimy** » 13 Oct 2017, 05:14

Human psychology is a mystery. A person is different when he is alone from a person who is part of a mob. Similarly, on the battlefield, we can see a different side of a person. Somethings are not as simple as they seem.

kwahu · Post by **kwahu** » 14 Oct 2017, 05:24

This an interesting book. I would love to learn more by reading the book myself. It's quite unfortunate that a country would split in two to become enemies.

Alicnim · Post by **Alicnim** » 14 Oct 2017, 06:43

This book has had some consistently great ratings, I can see you agree. The hybridised warfare between the 2 countries have played out for quite sometime. I'll add this book to see the author's perspective.