While appreciation for the book and its young author is there, Joy’s debut title left me with many thoughts. Perfect Advisor is a novel that attempts to blend humor, emotion, and moral lessons through the life of its protagonist, Ray Singhania. While the book has moments of charm and depth, it ultimately falls short due to its over-reliance on a one-man-centric narrative, one-dimensional plot resolutions, and underdeveloped supporting characters. The antagonists, while many, are not competent enough to challenge the protagonist. Ray, portrayed as a near-perfect individual, is both the book’s greatest strength and its most significant weakness. His brilliance, moral clarity, and resourcefulness drive the story. However, his lack of flaws and the narrative’s heavy dependence on his intuition and unchallenged solutions make the story feel unrealistic and unbalanced. It attracts the readers with the very same qualities that push them back. It is complex, you see?
The Over-the-Top Protagonist
Ray Singhania is depicted as the epitome of perfection—a perfect brother, businessman, friend, and advisor. While this makes him an inspiring figure, it also makes him difficult to relate to. Readers do love larger-than-life figures in fiction. However, there should be some gaps for error, suffering and setbacks… so that ordinary mortals can feel connected to the characters. Ray is different! His ability to solve every problem with ease, whether it’s acquiring companies, exposing conspiracies, or rescuing kidnapped children, strains his credibility at the same time. For instance, in the case of Mr. Dutta’s hotel dispute, Ray not only outsmarts the greedy moneylender but also teaches him a moral lesson about goodwill. While this showcases Ray’s intelligence and moral compass, it feels too convenient and lacks the tension that comes with real-world problem-solving. Similarly, his ability to buy a company to reinstate an unfairly fired employee, Gautam, feels like an overstretch, even for a character as resourceful as Ray.
Ray’s reliance on intuition and “guesses” further undermines the story’s realism. Though the author may have intended it to be this way, it does not feel just to the other characters and the plot itself. While his sharp observational skills and quick thinking are impressive, the narrative often skips over the logical steps needed to arrive at his conclusions. For example, in the case of minister Mishra’s fabricated assassination attempt, Ray deduces the truth almost instantly, relying more on instinct than evidence. This approach, while highlighting his brilliance, can feel unsatisfying for readers who prefer methodical, evidence-based reasoning.
Weaknesses in Plot and Character Development
One of the book’s most glaring weaknesses is its underdeveloped secondary characters. While Ray is a well-rounded protagonist, the supporting cast often feels one-dimensional, serving primarily to advance the plot or highlight Ray’s abilities. Hope, Ray’s twin sister, is one of the few exceptions, with her playful banter and emotional depth adding warmth to the story. However, characters like Mr. Dutta, Inspector General Sood, and Ronita lack complexity, appearing only as vehicles for Ray’s interventions. Even the antagonist in the revenge subplot remains shrouded in mystery, with no clear motivation or backstory provided. This lack of depth in secondary characters makes the narrative feel unbalanced and reduces the emotional impact of their interactions with Ray.
The plot itself suffers from predictability and convenience. Many of the storylines follow familiar tropes, such as the wronged employee seeking justice or the blackmail scheme unraveled by the protagonist’s brilliance. While these tropes can be effective when executed well, they feel formulaic here, with Ray’s interventions often resolving conflicts too neatly. I could also point out that the revenge subplot, introduced in the final chapter, is particularly underdeveloped. The antagonist’s identity and motivations are never fully explored, leaving readers with unanswered questions and a sense of incompleteness. Yes, it might have been the plan altogether if the author had brought another instalment of Ray’s blistering brilliance. This lack of resolution detracts from the otherwise satisfying conclusion of the preceding chapters.
Tonal Inconsistencies and Emotional Depth
The book’s tone oscillates between serious themes and light-hearted humour, which can be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, the humour, particularly in Ray and Hope’s interactions, adds levity to the narrative and makes the characters more endearing. On the other hand, the abrupt shifts between serious moments, such as the murder of Kaya or the drug racket involving Mr. Raichand, and comedic banter can be jarring. These tonal inconsistencies disrupt the emotional flow of the story, making it difficult for readers to fully immerse themselves in the narrative. May it be the plan and intentional? I cannot guess. I am not as brilliant as the protagonist in making guesses to hit the jackpot all the time!
Despite these shortcomings, the book does have moments of emotional depth that resonate with readers. Ray’s relationship with Hope is an example, showcasing the siblings’ mutual affection and playful dynamic. The decision to adopt Millie, the daughter of a man involved in a drug racket, adds a layer of humanity to Ray’s character, reminding readers that beneath his perfection lies a caring and compassionate individual. These moments of vulnerability and warmth are where the book truly shines, offering a glimpse into the emotional core of the story.
What else could you read?
Though my comparisons might appear wayward to many readers, Joy Garg’s ambition does compel us to peep at the distant possibilities. Perfect Advisor shares similarities with other character-driven novels that focus on a brilliant protagonist solving problems and dispensing moral lessons. One such work is Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. Like Holmes, Ray relies on his intuition and observational skills to solve cases. However, Holmes’ flaws—his arrogance, eccentricity, and occasional missteps—make him a more relatable and compelling character. In contrast, Ray’s perfection can feel alienating, reducing the stakes and tension in the narrative.
Another comparable work is The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma, which also explores themes of morality, justice, and personal growth. While Sharma’s book delves deeper into philosophical and spiritual lessons, Perfect Advisor focuses more on external problem-solving. This difference makes Sharma’s work more introspective and thought-provoking, whereas Garg’s novel leans toward entertainment and surface-level moralising.
Finally, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho offers a similar blend of adventure and moral lessons. However, Coelho’s protagonist, Santiago, undergoes significant personal growth and faces genuine challenges, making his journey more relatable and inspiring. In contrast, Ray’s silver-spoon story, lack of flaws and the convenience of his solutions make his journey feel less impactful.
In the end
Perfect Advisor is a novel with potential, offering a mix of humour, emotion, and moral sermons (could have been euphemised). Ray Singhania is a compelling protagonist, but his perfection and the narrative’s reliance on convenient solutions detract from the story’s realism and emotional depth. The underdeveloped secondary characters, predictable plotlines, and tonal inconsistencies further weaken the narrative and push the story away from the track of realism… almost ensuring your memories are washed off right away. Despite these flaws, the book’s exploration of justice, family, and goodwill makes it a one-time enjoyable read, particularly for fans of character-driven stories. However, it falls short of achieving the depth and nuance found in remotely similar works like Sherlock Holmes, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and The Alchemist. With more balanced character development and tighter plot execution, Perfect Advisor could have been a truly standout novel.
Amit Mishra for Thoughtful Critic
Perfect Advisor by JOY Garg – Book Review
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Thoughtful Critic's Rating
Summary
Read it, admire it, question it, think about it… Ray Singhania is there to impress you with his perfection, embodying the one-dimensional shallowness. An ambitious attempt worth noticing!
