Publication Date: 30th April 2025
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/0143471643/
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231279300-what-s-your-price-mr-shivaswamy
Genre: General Fiction
3.8 Stars
One Liner: A mellow and introspective read
The book was first published in Kannada as Ondondu Talegu Ondondu Bele in 2022. In 2025, Penguin Random House India released the translated English version (translated by the author himself).
When the author approached me for a review, I was interested in the premise. Though we belong to different cities, the concept felt relatable.
Synopsis of the Plot
Shivaswamy, a Bangalore resident, worked all his life and has been awaiting a peaceful retirement. However, his plans to buy a house go awry, no thanks to unscrupulous builders. Now, at the age of sixty-two, he has to find himself a job to keep up with the expenses. The book is a gentle satirical take on the events that unfold and what it means to be a human in today’s world.
The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV.
My Review of the Book
Some books manage to feel mild and mellow despite the extensive drama that occurs on the pages. This is one such book. Even with themes strong enough to create OTT situations, the narration keeps it grounded.
It has a highly realistic feel as well, even if some developments appear stereotypical of fictional tales. The characters make their mark in different ways, presenting varied perspectives without forcing the reader to judge or take sides.
The book has many themes, and most of them don’t get definite endings. In fact, nothing is resolved as such, but can be considered resolved in a way! The ending aligns perfectly with the main character’s arc.
Technically, we have a main character. But the story has no heroes. It is a story of a common man, a retiree forced to get a job due to the developments that leave their finances in a tight fix. From there, it also veers into family business and the politics that come with it, as well as what it means for our MC.
Though the book is small (220 pages), it is a slow-paced read. In fact, the first 50-80 pages are very slow and can take a lot of time. This isn’t the book to pick if you want a quick and easy read. However, if you are in the mood for something introspective, give it a go.
The narration regularly drifts into philosophical introspection. However, there’s a clear reason and backing for this. It doesn’t feel odd or out of place.
Since I’m not from the city, I cannot talk much about the setting. Still, I could identify a few names and places, thanks to my limited knowledge gained from random SM posts. That aside, I could relate to the various events mentioned – the ceaseless construction sounds, city traffic, etc.
To summarize, What’s Your Price, Mr Shivaswamy? is not about a man who wants to become a hero. It is about a man who continues to be himself when the world demands otherwise, a man who does his best to do justice to everything that’s put in his path.
My thanks to the author for a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
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Do you like memoirs? Check out my review of Triple Negative by Aarti Pathak.
