Ayush Ansal, son of prominent businessman Pranav Ansal and all of 16, has written a novel. Titled The Gentlemen of Finance , the novel, set in England, looks at the intersection of banking world and the mafia. “The book is essentially driven by conversation and is a narrative rather than a theoretical recount of the mafia world, so it caters to all age groups,” says the precocious writer. Excerpts from an interview:
Most boys at the age of 16 are struggling with school, how have you managed to write a book?
I believe, writing a novel along with school was essentially a result of time management. I really enjoyed writing so it was a hobby in itself. I was naturally driven towards taking time out to write, but I didn’t miss out on other aspects of school like sports, playing video games with friends and other amusements.
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I have been avidly reading since I was a kid. My grandmother is an accomplished writer and has published over 30 books. So, she encouraged me to experiment with writing as well. Also, I have always enjoyed English literature in school, so I decided to pursue my interest in writing in my spare time.
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I enjoy reading old school mafia books such as The Godfather . Some of my favourite authors are Umberto Eco, Mario Puzo and Nicholas Pileggi. I also read classic comedy novels from time to time.
Do you believe that anybody can write? or an access to the good life has helped you with this opportunity?
Anyone who can find time and has a creative bent of mind to put down his/her thoughts can and should write. I think writing is one such activity that everyone should attempt since it is a pursuit which has a wide range of accessibility – all you need is a pen, a paper and your thoughts.
Any novels in the pipeline?
I have a few plot outlines in mind for future novels, but I plan to concentrate on school for the time being. I intend to proceed with writing as a hobby.