A Vigilante Is Born by Babur Sheikh – Book Review

Posted by On September 02, 2025 0 Comment
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A Vigilante Is Born -Book Review

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A Vigilante Is Born is a dark, atmospheric thriller set in Bangalore that explores grief, injustice, and the dangerous allure of revenge. The novel follows Rajesh Saha, a broken man haunted by the loss of his wife, who finds himself drawn into another family’s tragedy.

What begins as empathy for a desperate father transforms into a journey that redefines his identity and morality.

Plot -A Vigilante Is Born

The story opens with Rajesh, isolated in his grief, unable to move on after his wife Usha’s death in a hit-and-run incident where justice was denied. His quiet existence is disrupted when his neighbour, Ravi Kamath, seeks help to find his missing daughter, Nisha. The trail leads to Anil Salian, the powerful and corrupt son of a local MLA.

As Rajesh faces stonewalled police officers and systemic apathy, old wounds resurface. He channels his engineering expertise into crafting a violent solution—a bomb to bring down the untouchable. The plot escalates from despair to calculated vengeance, culminating in an explosive act that leaves readers questioning justice, morality, and the thin line between victim and executioner.

Premise – A Vigilante Is Born

At its core, A Vigilante Is Born examines what happens when systems meant to protect the vulnerable instead shield the guilty. The premise is chillingly relevant: when justice fails repeatedly, ordinary people may be driven toward extraordinary—and dangerous—acts. The narrative blurs the line between justice and vengeance, asking whether one man’s act of destruction can be seen as retribution or simply another crime.

Character Development -A Vigilante Is Born

Rajesh Saha: A deeply layered protagonist. His transformation from grieving widower to meticulous avenger is gradual, believable, and unsettling. His engineering background is not just a detail but a vehicle for his metamorphosis into a vigilante.

Usha: Though absent, her memory and values haunt every decision Rajesh makes, providing a moral counterpoint to his descent.

Ravi Kamath: Embodies desperation and helplessness, reflecting the torment of powerless parents in a broken system.

Anil Salian: Charismatic yet corrupt, a figure who personifies privilege, hypocrisy, and unchecked power.

The supporting cast—neighbours, police, and bystanders—add depth by highlighting how society rationalises or ignores systemic injustice.

Writing Style -A Vigilante Is Born

The writing is cinematic and atmospheric, with rain-soaked streets, dim apartments, and neon-lit clubs serving as metaphors for Rajesh’s inner turmoil. The prose balances emotional intimacy with procedural detail, especially when describing Rajesh’s methodical process of building the bomb. The pace is deliberate, echoing the weight of grief, then sharpens into tense precision as the climax nears.

Notably, motifs like Usha’s cactus—symbolising resilience, patience, and unexpected renewal—provide a haunting counterbalance to the violence brewing in Rajesh’s heart.

Final Verdict -A Vigilante Is Born

A Vigilante Is Born is a powerful and morally complex thriller that compels readers to confront uncomfortable questions: Can personal vengeance ever be justified? What happens when ordinary men decide to take justice into their own hands? The book succeeds both as a suspenseful narrative and as a meditation on grief, systemic corruption, and the fragile line between justice and violence.

For me it is a 4.5/5 – A haunting, thought-provoking debut that lingers long after the final page.

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