Frauds in the Pond

Josma Ettumanur

May 2020 · Notion Press

About this eBook

A BESTSELLER IN THE MAKING
Democristan-Where democracy becomes a mockery and political theories are fabricated as per personal will, the ultimate idea is about making money. The opposition leader Vikraman rules the state as the designated next Chief Minister when it happens… The arrival of a lovechild from the underground period of the communist leader turns the tables.

In a night bus from Chennai to Trivandrum, an old man sits with his head packed in muffler looking down as a failed man in life. Who is he?

A political satire of rare quality where social criticism is boundless.
An original novel of unparalleled kind that laughs at behind the scenes in politics and media.

Mumbai to Varanasi and Punjab to Kanyakumari, this pan-Indian novel takes you through the dens of frauds. For those who enjoyed The God of Small Things, Q and A (Slumdog Millionaire), and The White Tiger, another treat from Indian realities.

The funny, shocking truths from the desk of an extremely experienced journalist.

Ratings and reviews

This is one of the best Indian novels that has hit stands in 2020. In the flood of cheap romance this political satire is a solace and I wonder why this book was not grabbed by Penguin or Harper as this can stand with Aravind Adiga and Arundhati Roy. Although 'Frauds in the Pond' is the story of a very old Communist leader who commits suicide at the end, this 352 page novel deals with almost all social and political issues in the country. Fun filled speedy story telling makes this an 'un-put-downable' novel. Like a Bollywood movie Frauds in the Pond makes us laugh sometimes and cry sometimes. I wonder how this Chinese aggression related topics entered in this book which might have written at least one or two years back. A TV journalist resembling Arnab Goswami influences the defence minister to declare a war with Pakistan for him to break on the Channel.The author with a very long experience in Journalism as the news bureau chief in New Delhi, has given a lot of 'behind the scenes' from the media world. The Chief Minister designated Communist leader Vikraman of the imaginary state of Democristan fled the scene when his love child emerges on one fine morning and the party reprimands him. He became a Hindu saint in Chidambaram temple and when his disciple Maa Arya Tapaswini ditches him he felt dejected and hates this World. Most important aspect of the book is that it peaks into subjects like Indian publishing industry, authors like Arundhati Roy,black magic, India-Pakistan division, Delhi Journalism, literary awards. book piracy,student politics, Kerala Catholic marriage, orphan street children, animal love,communist ruled State, student politics and even import of wild animals from Wuhan in China and exporting owls to Harry Potter fans in UK. The plight of Kerala elephants and Ayurveda makes this a pure Kerala novel and unlike Anita Nair and other Kerala authors who lived outside the State, Frauds in the Pond is more authentic in Kerala affairs, I think. Josma's criticism is very sharp and deep and fun filled. Through funny incidents strong characters and fluent language it sometimes makes us laugh and laugh. The chapter, 'National Begging Corporation Limited' is about a Sardarji forming a corporation giving begging jobs to people and lists his company on National Stock Exchange. This chapter is based in Pondicherry. From Indo-Pak border at Attari to Kanyakumari and Mumbai to Varanasi ghats, the story progresses as a pan India novel of rare kind. Any reader will find this a different work for sure.

About the author

Educated in Kerala University and S V University in English Literature and Curtis Brown Creative, London, in fiction writing, Josma Ettumanur is the author of novels like Frequently Asked Questions and wrote The Avenge from Aymanam, the first-ever (1997) critical study on The God of Small Things. He was a member of Central Board of Film Certification New Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi University senate and Birla Fellow in Journalism and has worked as the News Bureau Chief at New Delhi and Trivandrum.