𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧
This book takes you on a spiritual journey of its own. As I started the book, I was a bit distracted by the changes in POV and the storyline kept adding these important bits of information that I wasn’t sure I’ll remember. But a quarter in the book and the story grabbed a hold and from there, there was no looking back.
The author has described a world after the Last war (where humanity stood still), 4 artificial cities were built in the middle of the desert. In order to avoid any resemblance of war, TABULA RASA is practised, a concept where a person’s memories are erased to remove all prejudices. Every 4 years, humans get to reset their lives. Amidst all this, Aris, the main protagonist is living one of the cycles as a scientist. Every so often her dreams contain detailed images of what she believes are figments of her subconscious. In reality, dreams are a tunnel of what has taken place in her previous cycles. Enter Benja, a believer that dreams harbor moments of your previous life that are etched in your mind despite the TABULA RASA. On the other side is Métis, a well known pianist who is desperately trying to find his lover, knowing his dreams are in fact glimpses of the previous cycle. Through these 3 main characters, the story once set in its pace does not slow down. Will Aris be able to love someone she doesn’t remember? That’s the story!
There are a few books that really make you think as you’re reading the story or finishing it. This is one of those for me. I was torn between whether the practice of TABULA RASA they have illustrated is acceptable or not. On one hand, prejudices not existing seems like a dreamland but then I believe it should involve the consent of the person. No one is above all. No single person can take the decision of wiping your memory. This constant struggle till the end of the story kept me sitting on the edge. As the story reached an end, I wanted there to be more. I wanted to know more about what happens after the last chapter. Alas, some things are better left unsaid. That way your mind can think about imaginative ways this world strives on with the characters. Just for that, this is a 5 star read for me! A book that made me think about my views, with the last once upon a book club gift being the cherry on the top, I recommend this read to anyone who wants a little spiritual journey through the book!
PS: Last year I had made 1000 cranes in a month as I was intrigued by the myth and this was one of my passion projects! Scroll down to see all the 1000 cranes in one frame!
A Booklover’s Dreamland 
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