On vacation with his family in the coastal town of Bhuj, Viral Dalal is buried under the rubble of an eight-storey building as an earthquake hits the town. And there he must wait, for five long days, never knowing if his family is safe or he himself will survive.
An important thing to know going into this review is that I am severely claustrophobic. I cannot imagine staying calm in the space that Dalal was trapped in for more than five minutes, let alone five days. But there’s worse working against him than that small space – for there is no food, no water, and he can barely move at all.
The author does a good job of leading us through the tale, starting from when he returned to India through the earthquake, the rescue, and the aftermath, which helps us really absorb the stakes and identify with his hopes and fears. The writing is vivid, and I liked that we are told about the different ways he coped with being trapped and what he thought about during that time.
I did think that sometimes parts got a little repetitive, especially toward the beginning, but that straightens out as the book goes on.
Overall, a compelling read that will appeal to those who enjoy survival stories, as well as those who want to learn more about India and Hindu beliefs.
Disclaimer: This book was won in a Goodreads giveaway. This is my honest and voluntary review.