Magic in Errors is a poignant novella that delves into the intricate workings of the universe, all sparked by a neon-colored hair tie. Over the course of a few fateful days, this seemingly insignificant accessory travels through the hands of six individuals from diverse walks of life- strangers, lovers, friends, and enemies; each embodying a distinct societal evil. Every encounter sets off a chain reaction of events, forever altering their lives in ways they never could have imagined.
Amidst their unique struggles, a slum boy, musician, policeman, celebrity, movie agent, and businesswoman grapple with the struggle to truly live rather than merely survive. Their lives intertwine in intricate ways, as they confront devastating choices, experience powerful emotions, and endure lasting tragedies, even long after one of them murders another.
Magic in Errors is a poignant novella that delves into the intricate workings of the universe, all sparked by a neon-colored hair tie. Over the course of a few fateful days, this seemingly insignificant accessory travels through the hands of six individuals from diverse walks of life- strangers, lovers, friends, and enemies; each embodying a distinct societal evil. Every encounter sets off a chain reaction of events, forever altering their lives in ways they never could have imagined.
Amidst their unique struggles, a slum boy, musician, policeman, celebrity, movie agent, and businesswoman grapple with the struggle to truly live rather than merely survive. Their lives intertwine in intricate ways, as they confront devastating choices, experience powerful emotions, and endure lasting tragedies, even long after one of them murders another.
14 July 2023
8:00 a.m.
Aanjaney
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Following a siren blazing ambulance, a truckload of policemen arrives at St. Lukeâs Hospital, with paparazzi meandering outside ever since. As someoneâs grandmother once said, âThe worldâs going to hell in a handbasket.âÂ
âSheâs got pinpoint pupils and blue skin,â Dr. Irwin says, looking over the patient.Â
âDamn. Another one? This is the third OD this week,â Forman says, not bothering to hide his surprise.Â
âShut up, Forman. Get Narcan. Hurry.â
âErratic rhythms, apneic at the scene, last BP 80 over 40,â Forman informs Dr. Irwin, as they take the patient to the intensive care unit.
The doctor takes a deep breath, cracks a few knuckles, and puts on his gloves and mask.
Thirty-five minutes later, Dr. Irwin comes out of the ICU and makes his way back outside to the front of the hospital to meet the swarming paparazzi and journalists. He walks up to the cameras and with a dramatic pause says, âWe couldnât save her.â Â
Soon after the doctor left, relentless journalists surround the officer in charge for a whiff of the juiciest celebrity death in years, and without waiting to hear the answers, they begin firing their questions one by one.Â
âInspector Iyer!â
âAaanjaney! Sir.â
âDo you think her substance abuse from the past had caught up to her?â
âWhat are the coronerâs initial findings?â
âWas this a suicide?â
âWhy was she lying near railway tracks?â
âI am not entitled to say anything. Youâll know once we know, alright? This is a hospital. Have some decency and back the hell off,â Aanjaney Iyer, the inspector assigned to this case, says. He would have to answer for that comment, but right now, he doesnât care. Instead, he puts his focus on fighting away the tears threatening to leave his eyes. Everybody knows the legendary Evelyn Charles, the patient who Dr. Irwin just announced didnât make it. But Aanjaney, on the other hand, more than just knew her. Therein lies the problem.Â
Debut author Sneha Babu has an unusual story to tell and it features a neon hair tie. In her novella Magic in Errors, this flashy object passes through the hands of no less than six people, a startlingly bright visual marker amidst a story that is otherwise bleak. Exploring the themes of love and unhealthy relationships, this novella has a unique premise at its heart.Â
The story starts with the death of a celebrity, Evelyn Charles, who is found to have a neon hair tie lodged down her throat. The reader is then brought through the lives of six different characters: Evelyn, Aanjaney, Ayaana, Raahil, Raphael and Layla. All of them have held the neon hair tie at some point in time and have been instrumental in passing it on. Initially recalling the idea of six degrees of separation, the novella soon reveals that most of these six individuals are also connected through familial, friendship, business and romantic ties. In that sense, the neon hair tie does not necessarily bring their stories together; it provides a visual layer of interest and acts as a catalyst for some actions in their intertwined lives.Â
It is often the case with stories giving different perspectives that it becomes easy for the reader to confuse various characters. In that regard, credit goes to the author for ensuring that the various charactersâ stories are clearly delineated, largely through her choice of a novella which prevents each character from being too detailed or complex. The novella also succeeds in holding the readerâs attention as we follow the neon hair tie on its journey.Â
However, the novella is bogged down by excessive typographical and formatting errors, as well as its unrestrained use of purple prose. The former gives the impression of an unpolished manuscript and does not make for a seamless reading experience. These errors even appear in the headings, which are essential markers of the novellaâs timeline and character perspectives. As for the latter, while purple prose does add a poetic flow when used in moderation, its uncontrolled use renders all characters flat and prevents them from having realistic dialogues or unique voices. That said, the subject evoked within this prose and themes explored in this novella (murder notwithstanding) are more suggestive of romance fiction than mystery or crime, so its current categorisation may prevent it from reaching a more appreciative audience.
The novella has a riveting premise and the author is capable of telling a good story. As such, I recommend it as worth a read. However, it is unfortunate that the novella has not been refined further to do justice to the story.