What would you do if you woke up one morning and found yourself in the midst of a mob war, even as you are grappling with no money in the bank and a small job as a debt collector for small business outlets? The Debt Collector’s Due , business consultant and author Adhirath Sethi’s debut novel is a tale of shifting fortunes and high stakes, with the Mumbai underworld playing a key part.
Talking about the book, Adhirath says, “I came up with the idea of someone in a dead-end job, who suddenly gets caught up in an alternate universe of sorts that changes his life. For the protagonist, it is a coming-of-age story. I have incorporated many plotlines and parallel story tracks. I hope the readers enjoy the book and think that the characters got what they deserved in the end.”
He adds, “Though the ending is a little open-ended, this book was always meant to be a stand-alone. I have made an attempt to incorporate the manner in which luck can change our lives.”
Adhirath does not relate much to the protagonist of the tale. He says, “I have never been as lethargic to make key decisions as the protagonist does. I am a very different person. I feel that the issues he grapples with are very commonplace for many youngsters in their 20s and that makes the character very relatable.” He does not write at a stretch and feels that creating a basic storyline is necessary before starting to write a novel. “My characters remain consistent from start to end and I have taken care to ensure that they do not lose their individuality. The plot did undergo some changes as I wrote the book.”
Balancing his job and writing is a tough task at times, but he does not mind the extra effort. “I have always enjoyed writing long descriptive letters and emails. I was influenced by writers such as R.K Narayan and Vikram Seth. A Suitable Boy is one of my favourite books.”
Adhirath is impressed by the current spurt of interest in Indian writing in English. “A lot of new genres are entering the market and more people are starting to read books and go to bookshops. It is a very positive trend. I hope it continues.”
