I wanted a book that looked straight at how news, power, and truth get twisted in our times. The Centipedes sounded like it would do that, and the cover and blurb promised a sharp, short read about a journalist thrown into a terrible crime and the mess that follows. I was curious to see how a novel would handle the ugliness of real life without turning it into spectacle.
What the story is about
The book follows Ramayan Prasad, a working journalist who is assigned to cover a horrific crime in the capital. As he digs in, he finds that the case is not just about the act itself but about how different forces shape the story: politicians, editors, public mood, and the hunger for headlines. The narrative stays focused on his work, his choices, and the slow sense of being squeezed by systems that do not care for truth.
The writing and pace
The prose is plain and direct. It does not try to be clever with language, and that works well here because the subject is raw. The book is short, which helps it stay intense. Scenes move quickly, and I found myself reading parts in one sitting. The simplicity keeps the focus on events and emotions rather than on fancy sentence craft.
Characters and realism
Ramayan feels like a real person to me. He is not a hero or a villain. He is someone who wants to report the truth but is stuck between deadlines, bosses, and power plays. The supporting world around him — the newsroom, the politicians, the public show — feels believable. The author does not add unnecessary characters; the cast is small enough that each face and action matters.
Themes that hit me
The big theme is how truth gets bent. The centipede image returns in different ways: systems that keep crawling despite broken parts, and stories that keep moving even when the people who should care are numb. The book also looks at responsibility — personal and institutional — and leaves you with the uncomfortable question of whether justice can survive when everything else wants a story.
What I loved most
I loved the honesty. There is no moralizing lecture. Instead, the book shows things plainly and trusts the reader to feel the weight. The short length is a strength because it makes the experience compact and pointed. The moments of quiet reflection between scenes of public chaos are the ones I remembered the most.
Small critique
Because the book is concise, I sometimes wanted a little more space to sit with certain scenes or to see more of Ramayan’s own backstory. That is a tiny wish because the tightness is also a strength.
Who I think should read it
If you are interested in journalism, politics, or how modern public life is shaped by narratives, this will speak to you. If you like short novels that are clear-eyed rather than decorative, you will appreciate it.
Final thoughts
The Centipedes is a compact, honest read that leaves a mark. It does not offer easy answers, and I liked that. It made me think differently about how stories reach us and how fragile truth can be when many people stand to gain by changing it. If you want a book that is sharp, readable, and quietly unsettling, this one is worth your time.
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