This is an enlightening and heartwarming novel about overcoming the stresses of modern-day living. The protagonist, Aman, offers a realistic portrayal of a twenty-first century businessman who is career-driven and materialistic. Dealing with the pressures of his career and family, Aman mirrors the relatable feeling of being overwhelmed. The pressure continues to build up as household chores mount and Aman realises he cannot keep throwing money at the situation – his family want to spend time with him. Raff’s sudden death brings Aman an inner conflict and marks the beginning of his steady transformation.
Aman’s Nepalese heritage is immediately referred to in the beginning of the novel, which brings another layer of depth and complexity to Aman’s situation. Aman is subject to high expectations from his family which is particularly prominent in his competitive relationship with his sister. His grandad, however, frequently returns to Aman’s consciousness as a wise and guiding light who emphasises that Nepalese heritage is not consumed by money and status which is what Aman’s father instilled, but rather hard work and family should always be prioritised. As Aman opens himself up to his grandad’s teachings, he reconnects with his family and Nepalese heritage symbolised through his increased attention towards the foods and language of his culture. Aman’s diaspora offers an interesting perspective about migrant families and expresses how to navigate between different cultures or acculturate to new ones whilst preserving your own. The setting of Kaya’s wedding is described thoughtfully and represents the blending of cultures. I thought it was very impactful how, towards the end of the novel, Aman feels comfortable attending to family phone calls and talking about his Buddhist religion in his new role – a strong indicator that he is now valued and comfortable within his working environment.
For me, a prominent technological theme emerged within the novel. Varia’s references to Aman’s use of the latest cars, devices and technology really places the novel within the modern day, reflecting his materialistic nature as well as exposing our society’s perhaps distracted ways of living. For Aman, smartphones and instant messaging become a constant reminder of the stresses within his life, whether it be work or planning his niece’s wedding, and could be a contributor towards his depressive slump. When the family go on an expensive holiday to Dubai, Aman spends a lot of time on Instagram showing others where he is whilst not being fully present within the setting nor spending much time with his family. I believe this representation of technology alludes to the artificial nature of social media and our society’s need to impress others, which I believe Varia has situated within a very suitable Dubai setting on the artificial island. I really enjoy how this theme develops as I feel that Aman learns how to remedy his situation by using technology to connect with others rather than remove himself from situations. I like the use of video calls to allow family members to ‘attend’ Kaya’s wedding and Aman’s presentation on digital Renaissance paintings at his group allows him to further enjoy his hobby and create new friends. With the theme of technology, I feel the novel urges readers to use technology as a tool to enhance relationships rather than hinder them. It is also evident that Aman recognises that money cannot buy happiness, and instead of an overpriced holiday to Egypt that his wife rejects, Aman and his family have a better time at a simpler holiday in the Lake District, touching on an important moral lesson in the novel to appreciate what you already have.
Fusion of Reality is written from Aman’s perspective in the first person. I believe that this allows readers to really dive into Aman’s emotions and perspective. This style of writing is particularly impactful to recognise Aman’s transformative journey from excessive stress and depression to tranquillity and enlightenment. The novel is written in a very logical way, I sometimes feel there may be too many references towards time and numbers, however this could also be a clever way to indicate Aman’s logical way of thinking.
Overall, I think the novel is incredibly enjoyable, offering lots of points for analysis with its many underlying themes (technology, heritage, colours, etc.). Many of the characters create more depth and complexity to the novel and contribute in similar ways to Aman’s transformation. Aman’s grief towards Raff’s tragic death is realistic and paints an impactful image.
Tesni Adams