I first heard ‘Q&A’ by Vikas Swarup as a serialized book on BBC Radio 4, and was immediately hooked. That story, of course, was made into the very successful film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, directed by Danny Boyle, and tells of the transformation of the lives of young Indian slum dwellers through a series of adventures told as flashbacks during a game on Indian TV’s version of ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’.
Having really enjoyed Swarup’s style – colourful, episodic narrative set against the magnificent backdrop that is modern India – I thought I’d try his other works, this being his third and most recent, having been first published in 2013.
The Accidental Apprentice is Sapna Sinha, and the sleeve notes tell the reader that they can expect ‘gripping stuff… awaiting its Danny Boyle’; ‘It gets off to an exciting start and ends with a spectacular twist’; and ‘imaging if your life changed in an instant’.
Yes, it’s gripping, and yes, it would make a great movie. Maybe ‘gripping’ is not the right word, though: perhaps ‘engrossing’ would be better – ‘intriguing’ even. The start isn’t exciting so much as being a curious, intriguing proposition: one of India’s richest men approaches a young woman in a temple during her lunch break from the Electronics store where she is top salesperson, and tells her that he wants her to be the next CEO of his organisation. The prologue takes us through that encounter and her reaction, and then we are treated to seven stories / episodes that tell of the seven ‘tests’ that she must pass in order to get the job.
There being, in the Industrialist’s experience seven traits that make for a successful businessman, there are seven tests, all from the ‘textbook of life’.
Living with an ailing (yet only in her forties) widowed mother and a beautiful and vain younger sister (as well as the ghost of another younger sibling that haunts much of the narrative), circumstances conspire to cause Sapna to take up the challenge of the tests, through the telling of which (just as in Swarup’s earlier story, ‘Q & A’) we get her life story.
The first test is the test of Leadership, something that she demonstrates as she is involved in the life of a girl about to be married to a man arranged for her by her parents. This comes about through the father having bought lots of electronics for her dowry and not being able to make them work – he asks specifically for Sapna to come to his village to demonstrate the machines. This episode deals with things like honour killings, forced marriages and corrupt policemen, as well as showing the huge gulf between modern Indian society and that of its rural communities.
The second test shows that Sapna is a woman of great Integrity, the story involving a famous, glamorous Bollywood actress, a huge diamond engagement ring and an autograph. In this chapter we are introduced to there being a ‘mole’ in the rich man’s organisation.
Test three, that of Courage, tells of Sapna’s friendship with a foreign woman who works for one of the foundations set up by Ram Thomas (the hero of ‘Q & A’: there are several incidental references to his first book, which is fun) that cares for street kids. Together they manage to close down a lock making factory ‘manned’ by kids and run by gangsters.
The fourth test is that of Foresight, and tells of her sister’s unfortunate yearning for fame. She enters a TV talent contest, similar to the X-Factor, and Sapna accompanies her to Mumbai as her chaperone.
As with the previous ‘tests’, the uncannily observant businessman draws the traits out of her life experiences. He is apparently following her life closely to see if he can identify the right character in her to be a successful CEO of his company.
Resourcefulness is the fifth trait, and it is illustrated by the way in which Sapna treats her Ghandian neighbour in her one-woman campaign against corruption in India.
The test of Decisiveness centres around her mother’s need for a new Kidney and exposes a dealer in human body-parts. Sapna’s ‘boyfriend’, Karan, is a running theme / commentator through the book, and in this chapter she finds herself questioning his motives through the past several weeks and months of activity.
The final test, demonstrating the most important trait in a leader is that of Wisdom, of knowing yourself. In this final episode we see death – murder, in fact! Sapna finds herself accused of murder, going on the run from the police, an exciting manhunt, clearing her name and only then facing the promised ‘spectacular’ twist in this exciting tale. I’m not sure if ‘spectacular’ is right, but it’s a really good one: this book would indeed make an excellent film!