Keep off the Grass has been extensively reviewed in press and on the internet. A few reviews fall in the “excellent” category; a few in the “terrible” category, but mostly, reviews have been in the “decent” or “good” range. This is in line with my own assessment of the novel when I view it now with the benefit of time and wisdom. Its reasonably fast paced and engaging, but lacks both plotting and nuance—areas I’ve consciously tried to improve on in Johnny Gone Down.
Here are a few, selected snippets from the decent reviews of Keep off the Grass. I will let you search for the terrible ones yourself (you don’t expect me to be objective and unbiased on my own website, do you?)
‘A racy and entertaining account of a romp through an ever-changing yet timeless India…wild, witty and wicked!’
- Ruskin Bond
‘An unlikely, remarkable story…It's well worth following Ratan on his journey from New York's high life to incarceration in India’
- Publishers Weekly, US
‘A most interesting and unusual pursuit… a fascinating and entertaining look at life in India’
- Amazon Top Reviewer, US
‘Pacy, Unpretentious and great fun to read!’
-Outlook
‘Astonishingly likeable…Great authenticity, humor and more than a touch of irreverence’
-Harmony India
‘A remarkably easy read with a self-deprecating, endearing style”
-Business Standard
‘Absolutely infectious and well-crafted read’
-Financial Express
