Give Me a Break (A Jigneshbhai and Swami Story) by Ranjit Kulkarni is a short, around 150-pages read. The author has already written a few more books featuring this familiar comedy duo Swami and Jigneshbhai.
The novel is extremely funny with some of the situations, especially where Swami goes berserk with his own imagination and opinions. However, at a wider level, the novel highlights how greed overshadows aspirations.
The overall dosage of humour is likable and it never leaves the backdrop. The story moves at a measured pace, brimming with mirth, fun, and wit. Despite comedy at the centre of the novel, the author built the story slowly and with full credibility.
Like many other humorous novels, this too occupies ironical situations. From time and again, some inevitable circumstances put Swami in trouble and then the hysterically funny show begins. The author very cleverly balanced the comic and serious characterization. In fact, the characterization is mix of some cool yet interesting people. It is to be noted that the novel is not one-man army. There you will meet Raichand, the greedy boss of Swami, and then Purno – a long lost friend of Swami. Purno is so cunning that in the garb of social activism, he tries to fulfill his aspirations. Puneet and Ishita are another set of characters that keep the plot buoyant, witty and wry.
Since it is a Swami and Jigneshbhai book, how could one ignore the realistic and silent wise man? Jigneshbhai is somewhat serious and philosophical type of character who believes that Swami is not only gullible but also a fool.
There are many instances where one will fall in love with the idiosyncratic innocent wit of Swami. The main theme of the novel is to get peace from the hustle-bustle of city life, from office, and so on. Well, when Swami and Jigneshbhai go to the farms of Sridhar Mama, a different and slightly embarrassing situation traps them. However, with courage and little stupidity, they try to tackle all problems one by one. Will they succeed? Is Jigneshbhai funny James Bond? May be! Did the book maintain its comic charisma when the duo confronts the familiar faces with dark aspirations?
At times the humour is dry, but most of the time, the storyline manages to sail swiftly without creating doubt in the hearts of readers. At its core, it is a funny book with one mega funny character Swami.
ibooksta 