A world of shadows and brutality

If Only They Knew by Madhavi N Gunasheela features a young man, Alagavel, and his descent into crime. The story has some elements of a bildungsroman and also has, at its core, secrets, lies, deception, and a dive into the many hazards of the drug trade.

First up, the novel introduces Alagavel’s parents and grandfather, offering a glimpse into the lives of these intriguing characters. And so you meet Sundaramani, Pandi, and the secretive Doresami, who is the father of Sundaramani. All these individuals have challenges to face, and life isn’t easy. And yet, they are inextricably bound to each other in myriad ways that go far beyond simple family bonds.

Alagavel, the protagonist of this tale, is ambitious, street-smart, and a tad ruthless. He establishes Trailblazers, a travel company with an eye on foreigners. His friends, the gentle Berlin, Karthi, and Meena, form the rest of the group, and they follow the dynamic Alagavel without question. Usually.

However, with ambition also comes greed, and Alagavel, not content with the profits Trailblazers makes, throws himself into the company of a certain Sarnoff. Plans are made, confidants are roped in, villagers are told of marvellous ways to make money, and a certain plant is grown.

This plan, devious as it is, brings in the cash. But Sarnoff has some requirements and demands, all of it directed at a young woman named Selvi. Alcohol, cigarettes, and darkness follow. For Alagavel, Selvi’s life is just another way for him to fuel his dreams. His friends, especially Berlin, have their reservations, particularly when they watch Selvi descend further and further into a life she should never have been thrown into.

Murder and mayhem

What follows, however, are events that even Alagavel does not anticipate. Murder and mayhem, with him at the centre of it. And then, someone close to him also goes missing; there is a suicide attempt, and secrets come tumbling out — particularly when it comes to who’s related to whom. Alagavel’s cultivation plans are burned down, his life is in danger, and multiple skeletons spill out of closets.

If Only They Knew is slow-paced and takes its time to introduce characters, set them up, and put them in trouble. Familial ties, politics, and crimes are interwoven into the story, and there are moments when the prose is verbose. The cast of characters is vivid, however, especially Alagavel, and each of them struggles with trials and tribulations, secrets, and their desire to make something of their lives. For Alagavel, this means unwavering ambition and slight cynicism — these are traits that his friends do not completely agree with, and yet, they still look up to him as a leader.

As the novel goes on, crimes occur, and the characters are in the dark about what exactly happens. None of them can piece together the full story that is made clear to the reader — and this technique works. The story is engaging, if a tad too slow. Sometimes, the sheer humdrum of village life is shown — in sharp contrast to Alagavel’s antics, of which there are many. This is a world of shadows and brutality, and not one person comes out of it unscathed, not even Alagavel. There are consequences to the decisions he makes, and what seemed like a fantastic idea at first might not be the most intelligent decision he’s taken when seen in hindsight.

And for Berlin, the gentlest of them all, something just snaps. This also leads to more questions than answers for the bewildered Alagavel. As Sundaramani, Pandi, and Doreswami find themselves deeper and deeper in the muck, harsh truths surface.  

Overall, If Only They Knew is well-written, albeit slow and sometimes a little ponderous. There is a lot of buildup and mystery, but at the same time, the narrative makes it clear that the reader knows what’s happening even when the characters are struggling to find answers. As Alagavel tries to climb his way out of situations he skilfully created himself, he drags others down with him, and not everyone is willing to play his games. This is a lesson he learns a little too late.