Satori by Nimit Oza

 

Hi there from here,

Today I want to talk about a book that left me thinking long after I turned the last page  Satori by Dr. Nimit Oza. As a student of literature, I always try to go beyond the story, into the layers that make a book powerful or problematic. Satori is one such book emotional, controversial, deeply relevant, and filled with moments that made me pause and reflect.

The story revolves around Swikruti, a young girl struggling with ADHD, depression, and a string of unsuccessful relationships. Her academic career in medicine suffers, and so does her personal life. But the root of her pain lies much deeper  in her childhood, shaped by an overprotective mother and an emotionally absent father. What touched me was how real her emotional struggle felt. Mental health is often ignored or misunderstood, especially when it happens in families that look “normal” from the outside.

Her only true companion is her best friend Dhruvi a strong, balanced, and supportive friend who is everything Swikruti is not. Dhruvi’s presence is like oxygen for Swikruti, and their bond is one of the most beautiful parts of the novel. It’s rare to see female friendships portrayed with such honesty and strength in Indian literature.

But the biggest twist comes with the character of Mr. Pathak, a man nearly double her age who enters Swikruti’s life not just as a romantic figure but as an emotional anchor. He guides her, listens to her, and helps her accept herself. Later in the story, it is revealed that he is actually her biological father who disguised his identity to be near her and help her come out of her depression. This moment hits hard and questions the traditional ideas of love, truth, and what it means to protect someone.

Now, here’s where my literary mind couldn’t stay quiet. I found myself asking: Why is it always a female character who is shown craving love, broken, searching for validation? Is it because women are expected to be emotionally dependent? Couldn’t this story be told through a male character too? It’s something worth questioning.

Another point that stood out to me was how the novel, at times, dismisses the Arts stream, suggesting it has low value. And yet, it is writing a core part of the Arts that brings Swikruti back to life. Isn’t that a contradiction? As someone who studies literature, I know the power of words, stories, and creativity. So why do we still look down on Arts when it’s often the path to healing and expression?

Despite these questions, I really appreciated the novel’s contemporary relevance. It talks about social media addiction, identity crises, and the silent suffering of mental illness. These are real issues that many young people face today. Swikruti’s journey isn’t just personal it’s also a reflection of the chaos many of us carry inside.

In the end, Satori is not perfect, but it’s honest. It gives voice to emotions we often silence. It reminds us that healing is messy, truth is complicated, and sometimes, we need to break completely before we find ourselves again.

If you’ve read Satori, I’d love to hear your thoughts too. Did it move you? Did it make you question the world around youor within you?

Until next time.

Thank you.