Geo political scenarios have been the background for fictional accounts both in print and film accounts. However, most of such works exist in Western world. In South Asia, it has been different. Most of the writers have focused upon the social structures of the society. The conversation has been largely left to the professionals in the respective fields. Filmmakers have selectively exploited this field, mostly with commercial intent and it is quite often been far far away from realities. Mr. Mayank Singh of Benares Hindu University has produced a fascinating and insightful account of the existing situation in South Asia. As observed by Mr. Nitin A Ghokle, “Wolf’s Lair employs realistic scenario to create a fictional account rooted in contemporary events”.
The setting of the book Wolf’s Lair is rooted in the recent geopolitical environment in the subcontinent.
The narrative reflects deep and abiding understanding of the same by the author. The readers are likely to find some characters in the book identifiable. The prose of the book and description of the some of the scenes by the author is lucid. Mayank waves an engrossing tale which keeps the readers spell bound.
Wolf’s Lair draws from the emergence of social, religious and ethnic realignment in the subcontinent, post-Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and emergence of Pakistan as a frontline state. It describes lurid activities of Pakistan Army against its own people and its neighbors.
It has led to rise of fundamentalism in Pakistan. Religious indoctrination fueled by conservative theology from the hostile adversary has led to manipulation of impressionable youth in India. It has led them astray, and has caused them to follow a dangerous path which is adversely impacting their families and communities. The backlash against their activities has impacted social fabric of India and caused rise of fundamentalism in other sections.
The failure of the society to comprehend fully the impact is causing a dilemma to the nation. The book brings out the same vividly. The writer has woven the impact of all this on the life of common people across the borders as well as across the spectrum quite skillfully. Impact of the realities, such as nepotism, corruption etc. in financially poor, educationally deprived, yet politically very aware environment of the subcontinent has been highlighted by the author in a manner, that at times the narrative appears to be real story as against fiction. The plot factors in all-out war being waged against India and inability of powerful interest groups to provide a united response. The author has utilized the plot to highlight the failure of different sections of the strata and what common Indians expect from the “establishment”.
Wolf’s Lair leaves the reader with a nice afterglow. The author has done a masterful job of understanding and relating to combat realities in military and intelligence field. There are a few slip ups, such as” D hour”, however only the professionals shall catch it. It only reinforces, how detailed, comprehensive and meticulous the research has been of the author. The book is unique in that it can be an excellent weekend read as also an important read for soldiers, security professionals, intelligence operatives as also diplomats. The vivid description by the author make the book an ideal candidate to be converted in to a celluloid commercial venture. An ideal book for libraries including military libraries.
You can buy the Wolf’s Lair here on Amazon
The Author Maj Gen Bhupesh Kumar Jain, VSM (Retd) is from 9 PARA (special Forces).
He later commanded a JAKLI Battalion. He was the Defense Attaché of India for USA and Canada.