The novel “72 Miles” is a heart-rendering story of soul-stirring experiences, registered on the mind of a child (the Author, Ashok), through a character called “Raadhaakkaa”, during his three-day sojourn from Satara to Kolhapur.
This, in other words, is a live-transcription of those incidents which have left an indelible print on the mind of Ashok. Whatever happens to Raadhaakkaa, during this three-day journey, throws light on the stark reality of one’s life. It is here, during the three-day journey, that Raadhaakkaa silently bears the brunt of untimely demise of three of her six kids. Her sorrow knows no bounds when her darling son, Raanuu, from whom she had tons of hopes, too, leaves her forever, following a snake-bite.
And how would one describe Raadhaakkaa’s agony when, in the end, the circumstances compel her to fall prey to the lust, thanks to her starving-necessities of her kids !
This powerful novel has the strength to stir the conscience of the readers, in as much as, they, too, find themselves emotionally disturbed with the incidents that take place in the novel and turns & twists which the story takes, from time to time.
The best part of this novel is its strength to keep its readers totally restless, with the sad & sultry life-story of Raadhaakkaa & that, for sure, speaks volumes about its immense popularity.
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