The Hitman by Manoj V. Jain

The Hitman Reviews

• 
  Avani ✨

  It happens with a very few author's that you get intrigued with every book that they write and well for me Manoj V Jain one such author. I've read his previous book Meeting Yama and since then I'm in awe with how he builds up his story.
  
  The Hitman, book about our main character named Vivek, who is reaching his 40th birthday and dives into the mind of the lonely and the desperate. Reading Vivek's story made me realise how we all have reached this point of questioning our life's purpose at some point in time.
  
  I love how author stricks a balance between the modern day plotlines with twists and turns of mythology and God in his books. I was literally intrigued and was wanting to go back to the book and read further to know what happens with Vivek.
  
  As far as the ending is concerned, I expected a little better execution. Overall I found Meeting Yama way more interesting than this book but ofcourse this was a very refreshing and self introspective read as well.
• 
  The Bookish Elf

  The search for the meaning of existence is an innate and captivating aspect of being human. From the earliest stirrings of consciousness, we are propelled by an unyielding curiosity to unravel the purpose behind our very existence. It's a profound journey that transcends cultural boundaries, religious beliefs, and the constraints of time, uniting us in our shared pursuit of understanding. Armed with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, we delve into the depths of philosophy, science, spirituality, and introspection, yearning to untangle the mysteries that enshroud our existence.
  
  We grapple with existential quandaries, attempting to make sense of the fabric of reality, the enigma of consciousness, and our place within the vast cosmos. The weight of our mortal fragility presses upon us, triggering profound questions about the significance of our individual lives in the grand tapestry of existence. Yet, it is within this quest that we uncover the extraordinary richness of our human nature. In a literary landscape brimming with stories that delve into the human condition, Manoj V Jain's "The Hitman" emerges as a captivating exploration of life's meaning and the relentless pursuit of purpose, interwoven with elements of suspense and self-discovery. Through the lens of the protagonist, Vivek, the author delves into the depths of loneliness, despair, and the desire to find significance in one's existence.
  
  As the story unfolds, we meet Vivek on the eve of his fortieth birthday, feeling desolate and contemplating the course of his life. It is during this vulnerable moment that he encounters a mysterious stranger at a bar, with whom he strikes a life-altering bargain. This stranger, known as Brahmaan, offers to grant Vivek's wish, but at a price. Vivek agrees, unknowingly setting in motion a series of events that will challenge his perception of himself and the world around him.
  
  Over the course of a hundred days, Vivek embarks on a journey filled with unexpected coincidences. As he navigates through these encounters, he begins to question his initial decision and the weight of his choice. Through the author's vivid storytelling, we witness Vivek's transformation, his gradual shift from despair to hope, and his growing realization of the preciousness of life.
  
  Manoj Jain's storytelling prowess shines through as he crafts a narrative imbued with emotional depth and introspection. Through Vivek's experiences, we witness the power of compassion, the profound impact of genuine connections, and the transformative potential of self-discovery. The author deftly navigates sensitive themes of despair, hope, and the search for purpose, treating them with a delicate touch that resonates deeply with readers.
  
  "The Hitman" is not merely a tale of despair and introspection, but also a gentle reminder of the little joys and moments of solace that pepper our lives. Each chapter is adorned with thought-provoking quotes that serve as beacons of light amidst the darkness, inspiring readers to reflect on their own existence and find meaning in the seemingly mundane.
  
  With his eighth book, Manoj V Jain has crafted a work that is more than just a story. It is a catalyst for introspection, encouraging readers to confront their own existential questions and delve into the depths of their souls. Through Vivek's transformative journey, Jain poses timeless inquiries about the human experience, leaving readers pondering the enigmatic tapestry of life long after the final page.
  
  "The Hitman" is a testament to Jain's ability to blend literary craftsmanship with profound philosophical exploration. It invites us to contemplate the complexities of our own existence, urging us to seek purpose and connection in a world that can sometimes feel devoid of meaning. In this remarkable novel, Jain compels us to embrace the extraordinary possibilities that lie within the ordinary, and to discover our own unique place in the grand tapestry of existence.
• 
  Saumya

  3.5 stars
  
  The Hitman is a philosophical read about the value of life and how it's all a matter of perspective. The protagonist is a 40 year old single man who has no will to live. He has given up on everything. He gets a chance to arrange his own death and has 100 days before he dies. His experiences during this period enable him to see his life in a new light. The story has a strong message and it delivers it gently yet firmly. It's easy to form a connection with the protagonist because of his simple personality. There are times when the protagonist reminisces but apart from that the story is pretty straightforward. It's not difficult to guess what the story will deliver and even though it's a good message, there isn't much room for anticipation and excitement. The writing is simple and no nonsense. The story is a breath of fresh air with its profound message but it could have been a bit more pacey.
• 
  Rupesh Ghode

  I took this book just because it’s been rated & reviewed highly on goodreads by some of my friends. Expectations were high from this book but it not met that much for me. Overall, it is good book with strong life message.
  
  Story starts with The protagonist Vivek a single unhopeful & sad personality, who after few hours will turn to 40, as its nothing to do in unknown city where he landed just for 1 or 2 days’ work, he visits a bar between drinking he arranges his own death with stranger pre decided date i.e after 100 days. He was happy that finally his miserable days were going to end soon However, he has no direct mode to contact the Stranger -The hitman.
  
  In-between those 100 days he goes through different events of life and able to think & see life with different Nazariaya. It is simple read that gives a strong message. Every chapter starts with quotes but there is a small mistake in Chapter number 7 ‘s Quote I wonder how no one revealed it yet.
  There are some beautiful lines about the life which will motivate or feel good to you. I can relate more to this main character Vivek as this phase is also came in my life and m trying to handling it better, (no I am not turning 40 I just reached to 30) thanks to writer for this emotional & lonely character.
  
  This book is very deep yet simple & quiet. Loneliness, emotions, life tragedies, thinking of past incidents, lived alone far away from parents, a past failed relationship, absence of true friendship- its a full packed main character. I just wish story should be lengthier with some narrative ending. This book will help you to understand the meaning of life.
  
  It’s a very short book just having 120-130 pages. I haven’t read any of the book from this Author (Manoj V jain) but I will try some other works of his.
  
• 
  Kitabi Keeda

  Nicely written novella with a mystical climax and great message.
  
  
  •• INSIGHT: The Hitman is a story of dejected and hopeless Vivek who, on his fortieth birthday meets a mysterious man in a bar who agrees to fulfil Vivek’s wish of dying. After this deal is done and a date is set for Vivek’s killing, he finds his outlook towards life changing for the better but a constant fear of death looms on him. The story is about what happens to Vivek thereafter.
  
  •• REVIEW: The novel ‘The Hitman’ was a very short read which definitely could be finished in one sitting. While the story was named Hitman, it is more about the protagonist, Vivek who sees life in a different light once he gets to know that his days are numbered. The story gives a very out and loud message that life is to be cherished and moments, however small, should be enjoyed to the fullest. The story has a fixed pace with which it moves throughout. The language is simple and lucid. Somewhere I felt that the plot could have been explored more to make the story more wholesome.
  
  •• STRENGTH: 1. The message conveyed by the story was very strong and needs to be out in the world for the greater good.
  2. The title and cover page of the book was very apt and related to the content of the story.
  3. The language used by the author is very simple and easy to understand, which makes it an effortless experience for the readers.
  4. The character of Dev has been explored well.
  5. I liked the mystical end given to the story.
  
  •• WEAKNESS: 1. The story was very straight forward and without any twists and turns which made it predictable.
  2. Some more characterisation of hitman was required towards the end because the climax track ended very quickly.
  
  •• TARGET READERS: New readers having interest in fiction can give this book a try. Also recommended to people who want some positive outlook towards life.
  
  •• GENRE: Fiction
  
  •• RATING: 3.4/5
• 
  Abhilash Ruhela

  15th Book of 2023
  
  There are few authors with whom you build a connection and end up reading their book just after it releases. Manoj V Jain is one such author whom I have read couple of times and always found his philosophical insights relatable. Repeating the phenomenon, I picked up his latest fiction book named “The Hitman” and completed it within couple of hours. This 125-pages book, I believe, is Manoj’s shortest book till date and I am surprised to know that he had almost thought of quitting but this story gave birth to his 2nd innings as an author.
  
  Story-wise, the book discusses about the protagonist, Vivek, who is going through the same mid-life crisis as his 40th birthday is round the corner. He is not happy with his job, life, family, city etc. and is generally not excited and curious about anything. One day, a person promises him that if he doesn’t want to live, he will help him die within a couple of weeks. He is been given a deadline. The moment Vivek realizes that he has limited time to live, he tries to change his lifestyle and perspective so that he can experience few things and meet people before he is gone. While doing this, he finds many insights which starts making him realize the beautiful moments of life.
  
  Author, Manoj V Jain, capitalizes on this plot and uses it to help us understand how we keep on ditching life and its beautiful aspects without feeling gratitude towards many great things happening with us. I liked the simplicity with which this book has been written which helps you as a reader understand the unrealistic beginning and accept it eventually. The character of Vivek is built up nicely and I believe almost every reader will be able to relate with him. If not now, eventually you will when you face the same mid-life crisis like him at 35-40. Haha!
  
  Manoj’s intent is very evident as he tries to display how egoistic and self-centered, we eventually become that we never take care of giving any kind of relevance to our family and friends. We end up blaming them without ever talking with the person we see every morning in the mirror and ask what we have done for others. The way Vivek realizes these small facts about himself and how he starts feeling bad about not being able to live forever with these amazing people makes you cheer for him to live and avoid being killed by the Hitman. This makes you keep on reading and turning the pages until you finish the book. You just expect the story to end happily. I would not reveal what happens in the end – you need to pick up the book to know this.
  
  This is a feel-good novel which can be read when you are feeling sad or demotivated. It is a kind of self-help book which will throw lights upon the fact about how simple life is and how complicated we make it. I would also like to mention a fact here that the story doesn’t have lots of elements or twists-and-turns hence from this aspect, there’s a disappointment too. Also, I believe that there could have been lot that could have been done with this plot but Manoj expected his readers to understand the emotions between the lines which Vivek was going through rather than deep-diving into it and getting spiritual about those events. I missed that because that is how I identify Manoj- an author who speaks about spirituality through fiction stories. He could have easily added 50-odd pages and weave magic to the story.
  
  Overall, the book has a lesson and few quotes that you would love to read whenever you are feeling down. I give the book 3.25* out of 5. Definitely, not Manoj’s best but a one-time read, indeed.
  
  Thanks!
  
  WRITING BUDDHA
  
• 
  Namrata Bhagtani-Sadhvani

  Author Manoj Jain's books always have a sort of otherworldly quality to them and having read his previous books I was expecting something similar in his latest offering - The Hitman.
  
  While the story does reflect that, there's also something so deep and profoundly meaningful about this book that will leave you thinking long after you finish reading it. It's a book borne out of conversations in the Covid era, so there's a lot of growing up done by the main character which in a lot of ways reflects the coping mechanisms people sought during different stages of lockdowns.
  
  Vivek, the hero in the book, has been leading a pretty nondescript life with a corporate job that keeps him busy, a failed relationship that hit him hard, staying far away from his parents & no real connections or friendships in day to day life. On the eve of his 40th birthday, he ponders over his life & decides there isn't much worth living for, so he makes a pact with an anonymous stranger at a bar who offers to put him out of his misery.
  
  The stranger 'Brahmaan' offers to kill him for a price, at a pre-decided date and time (100 days from Vivek's birthday) & our hero takes up the offer. However, he has no direct way of contacting the hit man during this duration & has to lie in wait for him, at the stipulated time.
  
  Thereafter, a series of coincidences happen which make Vivek question his decision & his reactions towards people he comes into contact with. He is now living life with a set duration, so aims to do all he can to make it an interesting one.
  
  He is guided on the way by an unknown force that appears in different situations & forms and he learns to love his life and the people that make it up, while resolving some childhood trauma along the way.
  
  This story is filled with hope, confidence, warmth & a quiet support from all the different characters that flit through Vivek's life. A beacon of guidance when one is down & out, it is a wonderful look at life & the reasons we have for living it to the fullest.
  
  Loved it!
• 
  Solitude and books

  "Hitman" by Manoj V Jain takes readers on a meaningful and thought-provoking journey. The story revolves around Vivek, a desolate man who strikes a life-changing agreement with a stranger at a bar on the eve of his fortieth birthday. What follows is a hundred-day journey filled with unexpected coincidences that challenge Vivek's perception of life.
  
  Jain's writing style is captivating, drawing readers into the mind of a lonely and desperate protagonist. He delicately explores sensitive topics such as despair and hope, offering a poignant reflection on the human experience. The book serves as a gentle pick-me-up for those troubled or feeling low, providing solace and introspection.
  
  One of the book's strengths lies in its relevance to contemporary society. In a world that often leaves individuals questioning their existence, "Hitman" prompts readers to ponder the meaning of life. Jain's exploration of this profound question is both engaging and enlightening, leaving readers with a sense of fulfillment and a renewed perspective.
  
  The character development in "Hitman" is commendable, as Vivek undergoes significant personal growth throughout the narrative. Readers witness his transformation from a desolate man to someone who embraces the challenges and opportunities life presents.
  
  In conclusion, "Hitman" is a captivating novel that offers readers a meaningful journey filled with hope, despair, and ultimately, self-discovery. Manoj V Jain's insightful writing style and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience make this book a must-read for those seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of life's purpose.
• 
  BookClickDeo (Deotima)

  Life at times seems desperate, desolate, lonely and in these moments, we often forget what we need to be thankful for!
  .
  In Manoj V Jain's eighth book he tells us about Vivek, celebrating his fortieth birthday alone. He's at a bar and going over his life experiences looking over at the people in the bar. As he is going through these emotional pangs, he is approached by a stranger and strikes up a deadly bargain with him - a bargain of life.
  .
  When he walks out having stepped into 40 and in a drunk stupor he does wonder what he actually did. The man he struck a bargain with is illusive, unreachable but seems to be caught on the seriousness of the deed.
  .
  Starting on that day and over the next few months leading up to fulfillment of the deal, Vivek finds company in the office, discovers a dog, develops a bond over the dog with a neighbouring couple, reconnects with his family, progresses in his work and most importantly learns to see himself with hope.
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  Each chapter starts with a quote and shows us about the little positives in life. Even if you believe you have no purpose, you never know when that craved ' acknowledgement, appreciation and relevance' will be attained.
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  As Vivek and we as the readers learn of many things and re-visit Buddha's middle path of life sermon, Vivek does not want anymore to go forward with the fatal deal!
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  Without any spoilers -you have to read this one to find out about the deal and about the interesting title of the book!
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  I loved the simplicity of the tale and how in its predictability it also teaches us something valuable.
• 
  Bibliophillic1997

  In Manoj Jain's gripping novel, "The Hitman," readers are transported into the life of Vivek, a desolate man on the cusp of his fortieth birthday. The chance encounter with a stranger at a bar sets off a chain of events that will test Vivek's resilience and confront him with the fragility of life itself. As Vivek strikes a life-and-death agreement with the enigmatic hitman, he embarks on a journey filled with unexpected coincidences and profound introspection.
  
  Jain skillfully weaves together a plot that captivates and engages readers from beginning to end. Through Vivek's experiences, the author explores themes of despair and hope, showcasing the depths of human emotions and the lengths one may go to find meaning in their existence. The characters are meticulously crafted, each carrying their own burdens and desires, making them relatable and adding depth to the narrative.
  
  "The Hitman" is a thought-provoking tale that encourages introspection and contemplation. It serves as a gentle pick-me-up for those troubled or feeling low, reminding readers of the resilience of the human spirit. Jain's writing style is both poignant and evocative, painting vivid images of Vivek's journey and the transformative power of unexpected encounters.
• 
  Siddhi Palande

  The hitman is Manoj Jain's eighth book and the author has used his psychological expertise in giving an impeccable glimpse into a man's psyche who's been struck down by mid-life crisis.
  
  Struck by a mid-life crisis, Vivek celebrates his 40th birthday at a strange bar in an unknown city. Despite being devoid of any lively spirit, Vivek continues to live on this drudgery of a life. In that bar, he meets a Hitman who offers him a 100 days deal. Vivek promptly agrees to his offer and promises to pay the price that comes with the deal. At the end of hundred days, the Hitman will kill Vivek— a painless death. Though he agrees to the pact under alcoholic influence, Vivek questions his decision later on. ©
  
  Read the entire book review here 👇
  
  https://ofbookbabiesandmore.wordpress...
  
• 
  bookswithsakshi

  "The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for." ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  
  As humans, we are always thinking about the purpose of our existence, the "why" and "what" of life. We are born and we all shall die but what happens between our birth and death defines who we are.
  
  The Hitman by Manoj V Jain is an introspective story of a 40 year old Man who is lonely and hopeless. On his 40th birthday, while he is drunk and not in his senses, he crosses paths with a strange man named Brahmaan. After a few exchanges of conversation, Vivek makes a deal with Brahmaan. Oblivious to the fact that the deal is going to cost a lot to Vivek, he walks away from that night and they decide to make the deal come true after a hundred days.
  
  In the course of a hundred days, significant changes take place in Vivek's life. He finds it difficult to show his emotions to his family because of lack of attachment and closeness, due to which he ignores visiting his home and tries to come up with excuses every once in a while.
  
  Gradually, he starts seeing good in his life and learns to appreciate the small joys of life. It's a beautiful reminder to enjoy our existence while we are here and be with people who care for us unconditionally, no matter how much we have wronged them in the past. Vivek's character is easy to relate to because at some point or the other, we have been Vivek who has questioned about everything wrong that's happening in his life.
  
  While he is slowly finding balance in his life, one thing is eating him from inside. A deal! Would he be able to take it back? He obviously wasn't conscious while striking that deal but now, he doesn't want to continue it either. What will happen to him? Will he lose everything?
  
  This was such an exceptional read which I finished faster than I had imagined. It was a short and quick read and there was so much to resonate with. I highly recommend it if you are also struggling to find the purpose of your existence. Even if you are not, at this point, I would still suggest reading it as it offers a fresh perspective on life.
• 
  MNJ

  I loved this book - and i did not want it to end. I travelled with the protagonist in his journey and was hooping for a positive ending... and was on slight tenterhooks till the end. It was a short book but very impactful
  Different from the author's previous works yet in the same lines of highlighting the human condition and the permanent search for happiness...this books goes subtly a bit further on day to day hacks, without being too preachy