Book review: Reflections Through the Windscreen by Gaurav Khattar
Title: Reflections through the Windscreen
Author: Gaurav Khattar
Publisher: White Falcon Publishing
Genre: Biography
Pages: 114
It's not the destination that matters. It's always the journey, and this book is a reflection of that. This is a very different type of book. The author narrates his road trip experiences. He drives 5 cars throughout the course of his life, which he names them, affectionately: Bison, Chamko, Ustaad, Haathi and Owl. Each vehicle is special, as the journeys undertaken by them is immemorial.
Millenials would particularly be able to relate with his anecdotes, like how he reminisices Premier Padmini as his first car. Even my Dad had it and I could easily relate the smooth transition to Maruti 800 and Santro.
From various points in the Himalayas like Chopta to Chanshal Pass to Chakrata, to cities like Amritsar and then way down to the South, like Bengaluru, through the Golden Quadrilateral, the author has fathomed the length and breadth of the country on his various machines. What I have inferred is that he has a special place in his heart for the mountains. Well, for any North Indian ( Delhi NCR resident to be precise), driving to the Himalayas is definitely the easiest form of escape.
His SUV like Haathi (what an apt name) has been a witness of the uncertainty of the hilly roads, which can't be even called roads after all. He has gotten stuck at various instances, but his machines especially Haathi has drove him through dark forests, and had almost given up while on the way to Kullu, but the author had full faith in him.
He took out his Haathi only, after a full year of being inside during the pandemic. The way he describes freedom when he reaches Mukteshwar can only be felt, not articulated.
Some of his journeys are very emotional too. He was in his Haathi only, when his father was on his death bed. He didn't drive for a week, after his father passed away. But when he finally turned the engine on, he rediscovered himself.
There are many lessons in this book, that demand introspection. The author has expressed them beautifully. Also his declaration that parking is personality, is something I fully resonate with.
His latest machine is the Toyota Hycross, whom he has named 'Owl'. So starting with the classic Premier Padmini 'Bison' to gradually conquering the roads on his Owl through the decades, it's been a profoundly eventful journey.
Overall it's a very easy read, big font and short tales. It's a really enjoyable book, especially if you are fond of road trips.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.
13 comments
Your review looks so interesting about this book. From sharing about what the book is about to showing how beautifully it is written, you have done a good work in this post.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of naming cars, Just today, I was thinking how a car starts identifying our identities and individual traits. It's good to find someone went ahead and really wrote about his love.
ReplyDeleteSounds way too interesting, both your review and the book . Will try to push it up my TBR
ReplyDeleteI have been reading good reviews of the book. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Reflections Through the Windscreen wasn’t just about traveling through places, it was about traveling through thoughts, emotions, and perspectives that stayed with me long after I reached the final page.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting review. Reflections Through the Windscreen sounds like a lovely blend of road trips, memories, and life lessons, especially for anyone who enjoys the journey as much as the destination.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely getting this for my road trip loving hubby. Thanks for recommending
ReplyDeleteWhen i saw your name i expected a travel review 🙂 But then its a book review. When i was a kid we too had a Premier Padmiini. And yes many men named their vehicles. At that time cars were treated like girlfriends. Men were possessive about them. Now the driver culture, excessive traffic and cab culture has almost finished that practice
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting read. I was surprised to see a book review here. Nice reviews, especially how each car were named and his experience throughout each travel destinations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique memoir concept! Naming his cars Bison, Chamko, Ustaad, Haathi and Owl gives each chapter its own personality, and the moment about driving Haathi again after his father's passing sounds genuinely moving. The "parking is personality" line alone makes me want to pick this up.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to note the author's observations and the way he names his cars...must be someone who's passionate about driving and traveling.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating book. I love road trips though haven't done many but they have all left lasting memories. The road moves on, the stories stay - really liked this.
ReplyDeleteReflections Through the Windscreen sounds like a thoughtful journey of life, experiences and perspectives, seen through the lens of travel. I love books that make us pause, reflect and discover deeper meaning in the little moments along the way. It reminds us that sometimes the journey itself teaches us more than the destination.
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