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About Book

• Title : SOLO- The Journey Within
• Language : english
• Genre : fiction

Title: SOLO Genre: Travel Fiction Word Count: 52,450 words Concept Note and Synopsis of Solo- SHREYA SEN, a painter, a wife, a mother, a lady who wears many hats, is about to turn 50 in a few days. Of late, she has been experiencing an inexplicable void in her life. She feels that she lacks motivation in life and in her work and is slowly becoming a clone of her ‘perfectionist’ husband INDRONEEL SEN, who is the CEO of a top pharmaceutical company. He is rigid and proper in his behaviour and expects nothing less from Shreya. In her quest to regain her individuality, Shreya comes up with the idea of a month long solo trip all over India. Her proposal is met with the stereotypical resistance that many women face about travelling solo. Shreya holds her ground, and embarks on her trip. Her first destination is Jodhpur, where she attends a world famous music festival. Right from whirling with dervishes during the festival, to exploring historical forts, from indulging in local cuisines to shopping to her heart’s content, Shreya takes off on her solo trip with a bang. Her next stop is Jaisalmer, where she has surreal experiences like sleeping under the stars, dune bashing and the like. She also meets a suave gentleman SAMEER RAICHAND and they share a few special moments before she moves on to her next destination. Shreya then visits Ananda, a luxurious 5 star resort in the Himalayas, and after that she heads to Kasol, a controversial destination where she has her first brush with cannbis. Here too, she is at the verge of giving in to the advances of a foreigner and pulls back just in time. She befriends an Israeli girl SARA in Kasol, and a strong bond develops between the two women. Together, they visit a strange, ancient village-Malana, and marvel at its archaic customs. After Kasol, Shreya takes a long, arduous journey to Kashmir. On the slopes of Gulmarg, while learning to ski, Shreya meets with an accident and ends up fracturing her arm. Her husband insists she return home, but Shreya decides to continue on her trip, knowing only too well that she will never get this chance again. After the beautiful locales of Kashmir, Shreya lands up in Kolkata. Here, quite by chance she encounters a free spirited bohemian lady TARA who turns out to be the woman Indroneel has been meeting clandestinely, for quite some time. Shreya realises that there is something brewing between the duo. She is shocked, that her husband of almost 3 decades, who always wanted to put her in the mould of a ‘perfect woman’ has opted to have an extramarital dalliance with a completely artistic and open minded woman. She requests the woman TARA to show her around, and somehow cons her into admitting to the affair. She slyly records the conversation between them on her cell phone. Equipped with proof about her husband’s infidelity, Shreya returns home to confront him. Initially he denies the affair but then reluctantly admits to it. Shreya reveals everything to Indroneel’s parents who strongly support her, and also calls upon her own parents who ask her to join them and leave his home. Shreya decides that instead of going to her parent’s home, she should first visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where her rooms are already booked, and get hold of herself. She explores the exotic island, and also touring the Cellular Jail feels sad for her countrymen who bore inhuman atrocities to attain freedom. She speaks to both her children AKASH and SNEH about the relationship between Indroneel and Tara. They both have different takes on the matter, but promise to support her unconditionally. Shreya is happy at how well her children have turned out. On the eve of her 50th birthday, Shreya is approached by a T.V. crew to speak about her experiences as a solo traveller. She explicitly speaks about her travels to the anchor, and then proceeds to the beach to spend some time alone with herself. Sitting alone on the beach, she thinks about how she is every woman who has ever been short changed or wronged. She is filled with a renewed sense of self-worth, and comes to the understanding that self-love is the most important kind of love, and anything above and beyond that is a bonus. She receives calls from her family and friends who wish her happiness. She thanks them, knowing too well by now, that happiness can only come from within. My book is a reaffirmation to every reader, that even though we all depend on external circumstances and validations for our happiness and peace it is only we who hold the key to it. My protagonist eventually sets herself free from all the moulds and boxes that she has been ever encased in, and decides to take the reins of her life in her own hands. She realises that no matter what turn her life takes, it will always be a beautiful one. SOLO has a deep connotation in my book and I strongly want to drive home the fact that no matter what the age, sex or nationality of a person is, he/she has the right to decide the course his/her life takes. My book would appeal to anyone who loves to look beneath the surface, and meet new people and gain perspective, just as my protagonist in the book does. It would hold a special appeal to people who want to explore India, and want to know about its food, culture etc. Women, who are in the mid-life stage, where they feel the need to spend time alone, and take their own calls, would maybe identify more with my protagonist and enjoy her journey. I would compare my book with other travel based books like ‘The Shooting Star’ A Girl, Her Backpack and the World’ by Shivya Nath, which is the story of a 23 year old, who gives up the security of a permanent residence to explore the world. Or to ‘Eat, Pray & Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert where the protagonist sets out on a journey through Italy, India & Indonesia, in her quest for happiness post her divorce. The USP of my book is that it speaks about Shreya’s eventful journey through India, alongside which she is also on a journey of self-exploration and finally is able to come to the realisation that happiness can only come from within.

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