Dark thrills

Three characters going through existential crisis and lots of crazy partying cross paths in a tale of mystery with shades of the sinister.

A dark comedy packed with thrills and a whole lot of partying, Mohit Uppal’s Here Be Dragons was inspired by two crazy summers. “I was inspired to write this book by two summers in the US and Europe where I met crazy people. I was in IIT when I wrote this book and had just returned from Italy. So, with memories of Rome and Venice fresh in my mind, I started writing,” says the author.

Talking about the story he says, “The book is pulp fiction. An Indian, an American and a Korean walk into a bar and the journey begins. All three of them are going through some form of existential crisis and have a rendezvous in Rome. This leads to a crazy party, after which they realise there’s something sinister that has been pulling their strings all this while.” We’re hooked already!

About how writing came to him, he says, “I have always been writing. I wrote a lot of fan fiction as a kid — oodles of Harry Potter and Enid Blyton. It’s been a form of escapism for me.” He also talks of the trials of being a young writer, and an IITian. “People assume young writers lack assurance that old authors do but the truth is, today young people have really seen the world by the time they’re 22. In fact, I believe this age is the best time to write. Also, I think IITians have a bad reputation when it comes to the writing circuit and it seems like a pre-emptive strike,” he laughs.

The management consultant also has another book in mind. “I’d love to write full-time and I’m already halfway through my second book.” He concludes saying, “I think people who enjoy comedies and thrillers with a sprinkle of romance, will enjoy this book. I believe it’s like if 23-year-old Quentin Tarantino wrote a book. When you start reading it, expect the unexpected!”