From the first page of Protostar, I was swept into Amlan Ray’s colorful world of late-’90s Calcutta. The novel promises a mix of early internet thrills, exciting sports drama, and a strong friendship that carries through every page. Over the course of its 400 pages, I traveled alongside three close friends as they chased their dreams, faced tough challenges, and learned what really matters in life.
Plot & Setting
The story starts in 1999, when Dhananjay—whom I soon nicknamed “DJ”—is racing to finish an algorithm before the Y2K deadline. Ray’s scenes of late-night coding sessions, the hum of dial-up internet, and the worry about computers crashing felt true to life. I could almost picture the glowing green text on a black screen and hear the beeps of the modem.
Next, the novel takes us to muddy football fields where Durjaya plays with fierce passion. Each match felt alive: you could almost hear the crowd cheering and smell the wet turf. Then we follow Daksh out to the county cricket grounds, where the sun blazes down on him as he bowls and bats under pressure. Along the way, Ray sprinkles in details that bring Calcutta to life—rickshaw rides through narrow lanes, the smell of street-side kathi rolls, and monsoon rains drenching the city. Sometimes the repeated nods to old-school tech—cassettes, landlines—felt a bit heavy, but they also helped me feel the era clearly.
Characterization
At the heart of Protostar is the friendship of DJ, Durjaya, and Daksh. Dhananjay is the thinker: nerdy, curious, and fiercely loyal. I rooted for him every time his code crashed and then triumphantly ran. Durjaya is pure energy—his skill on the football field made my heart race. When he scored a goal, I felt the burst of joy right along with him. Daksh is steady and determined on the cricket pitch; his quiet focus grew on me with each test match he played.
What I loved most was how they supported each other. Whether it was DJ tutoring Durjaya in math, Durjaya hyping up Daksh before a big game, or Daksh patching DJ up after a harsh fall, their bond felt real. Their jokes in cramped dorm rooms, late-night strategy talks, and shared celebrations made me care deeply about their successes—and their setbacks.
Writing & Style
Ray writes in clear, friendly English that makes the story easy to follow. He explains tech ideas without getting too complicated and paints sports scenes in vivid strokes. I especially enjoyed small touches like vendors selling chai at dawn or the click-clack of typewriters in old offices.
That said, I noticed that some match scenes used very similar descriptions—crowds roaring, rain dumping, players diving. This repetition slowed me down at times. A little more variety in how game days were shown would help quieter, more emotional scenes shine even brighter.
Pacing & Structure
The book is split into three main parts: the friends’ early years, their growing success through the 2000s, and a shocking event in 2014. The first part moves fast, introducing each character and their dreams. I was hooked by the end of chapter two. The middle part sometimes drags during long, detailed match sequences—even though they were exciting, they stalled the overall story a bit. But once the plot turns toward the life-changing moment in 2014, the pace picks up sharply and never lets go until the very end.
Themes & Emotional Impact
At its core, Protostar is about chasing dreams, standing by your friends, and facing life’s surprises. The sudden violence against DJ in 2014 makes both characters and readers stop and think about how fragile life is. The scenes of healing, forgiveness, and self-discovery that follow are touching and heartfelt. I would have loved a few more pages to explore the pain and recovery, but the moments Ray does include hit me straight in the heart.
Memorable Moments
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The Algorithm Breakthrough: When DJ finally sees his code work, his excited shout gave me chills.
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Durjaya’s Winning Goal: Described in slow motion, I felt the ball hit the net and the crowd’s roar wash over me.
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The Rainy Reunion: A simple scene in the monsoon where the friends open up to each other—it was short but very moving.
Conclusion
Overall, Protostar is a strong debut filled with vivid characters, lively settings, and a gripping story. While the match scenes sometimes repeat similar details and the middle can slow down, the book’s heart and energy carry you through. I closed it feeling inspired by DJ, Durjaya, and Daksh’s journey and excited for the next chapter in the 3D Trilogy.
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