Yes it can’t get more blatant than that. My next novel “The Mine” (publisher: Westland, 290 pages) is now available for pre-order. (Links to some fine stores on the left-hand-side). For those of you too lazy emm too tired to move your eyes a few pixels to the left, here is a link to the Flipkart order-page.
For those who do not yet know that I have written a second book, I have. After my first novel “May I Hebb Your Attention Pliss”, I felt the need to move as much away as the MIHYAP-RTDM world as possible and try something different. Which is why I put on weight like Vidya Balan did for “Dirty Picture” and explored something totally out of, to use a phrase made popular by Guru Greg, my comfort zone. Thus was born “The Mine”, a psychological-horror thriller, based on an idea I have had for years.
So you ask—what is “The Mine” about? Let me copy-paste the back of book blurb.
At a secret mining facility somewhere in the deserts of Rajasthan, an ancient place of worship, with disturbing carvings on its dome, is discovered buried deep inside the earth. Soon the miners find themselves in the grip of terrifying waking nightmares. One tries to mutilate himself. Worse follows.
Five experts are called in to investigate these strange occurrences. Sucked into a nightmare deep underground, they embark on a perilous journey; a journey that will change them forever, bringing them face-to-face with the most shattering truth of them all…
The greatest evil lies deep inside.
So you once again ask—what is “The Mine” about? Yes. I know. That blurb really does not say much. But that’s unfortunately all I can reveal for now. Kapil Sibal’s orders.
If you want to know more though, may I interest you in an extract from the book, the Prologue, over at the CNN IBN website.
One thing I would like to say about “The Mine” though. It is not a homage to the Ramsay-Harinam Singh-Joginder horror ethos. Many people think that the seriousness that surrounds it is part of the “act” and that any time, Doodhwala Baba or a Khooni Panja will make their appearance on its pages. Let me assure you that there will be nothing of the sort.
The best part of writing a book, at least for me, is the book tour. This time, I will be covering more cities than I did for MIHYAP. Which means I am coming to a book-store near you. Here below is the schedule.
Apologies if you find your city not in the list.
Double apologies if you do find your city there.
January 27, 2012 India International Center, New Delhi.
January 31, 2012 Starmark South City, Kolkata
February 4, 2012 Landmark Infinity Mall, Mumbai
February 7, 2012 Crossword ICC Tower, Pune
February 11, 2012 Reliance Time Out, Cunningham Road, Bangalore
Whatever important you have planned that day, be it a photoshoot with FHM or a Rahul Gandhi rally, please ditch. And come to the event.
What else? Let’s see.
Please follow updates at the Facebook page or alternatively (for those of you who do not like to “Like”) at this blog. Also watch the trailer if not for anything else but for the fantastic musical theme composed by Prateek Dubey. “The Mine” does not have a non-India publisher (I have not looked for one) but will be available on Kindle from February 2012 for all of you outside the country.
Finally, please do spread the word. Twitter. Facebook. The works.
Thank you in advance.
The Greatbong Blog & Podcast 
First and all the best!
All the best!
You know, when I read the book title, I thought of the mine in respect of ‘me, mine’ and not coal-mine. My bad I guess.
Should be an interesting read. Ill look forward to it. Arent you making an effort for Landmark, Infinity Mall, Andheri? It has been visited by some phoren authors from time to time.
I would love to read the book , but what I am worried about is the date . I will be traveling out of India by January 15th . Will it be a safe bet to pre-order by then ?
Yay! :))
Have you read “Ted’s Caving Page” (http://www.angelfire.com/trek/caver/page1.html)?
Oh, and good luck with the book!
My best wishes Arnab sir!
Looking forward to meeting you on the 31st at the Starmark
Dada, congratulations on the publishing of your second book. Will definitely try and make it to the Malad event if I’m in Bombay then.
P.S. Dunno why, but kept thinking of Gollum going “Mine! My own!! My precious!!!” when I read the title of your book. 😀
Congratulations on second book launch.
Will surely read and spread the word as well… all the best, see u on 31st..
“February 11, 2012 Reliance Time Out, Cunningham Road, Bangalore”
Will be there. What time is it ?
Congratulations !!! Will BUY and read 😛
Will Kindle be an option for readers in India or will its price force us to kill a tree more ;-P
Congratulations and all the best….
Arnab, how come Pritish Nandy has already read the book well before its release? Is he part of the publishers, or part of a chosen few who has got a full-preview??
Well, I’ll buy it only for one reason, for being a mining engineer.
I remember how I bunked my B.Tech training in opencast coal mines of Raniganj to romance my girl friend in Kolkata and I would joke with my mates that in the training report I’m just gonna put a pic of hers and tell the professor that she’s ‘mine’.
But Oh!the world which is so cruel to lovers. I got an E and my professor told me that ‘Its a mercy we are not failing you’. Later my girl friend told me something similar but that story I’ll save for another day 🙂
WTH!So many comments in 5 hrs.gud luk arnabda.see u at delhi!
All the best Arnab!!
Great, will order.
BTW – you should read this
http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-articles/Ganguly-s-attack-on-Dravid-most-untimely-could-negatively-impact-Indian-team/9313
Best Wishes.. I’ll surely buy at the traffic signal 🙂
Dip, Just one Landmark please. I might visit some other bookstores though but they wont be public events.
Ranger, Please watch the space for time information. Will be evening of course.
Straight Cut, Before a book is released, opinion-makers are asked if they would be interested in reading a book that is in so-and-so genre and then ask them for blurbs if they like the book. As to “The Mine”, several of my friends (a few of them regular blog-readers and commentators at RTDM) have already read drafts.
Nalin, 🙂
Thanks everyone for the wishes. Hope you like what you read.
So Arnab, who are you selling the movie rights to?
Caught at Silly Point,
Whoever is buying 🙂 But one thing is non-negotiable if it ever gets made. The ending must not be changed.
will surely read the book – best of luck with your book tour !
Superb man! All da best 🙂
If somebody does buy the movie rights….
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/book-extract-the-mine-by-arnab-great-bong-ray/211599-40-102.html
… Tanya ka role kaun play karega? 😉
All the best as you would be up against it. Psychological horror is almost as difficult to write as comedy.
I still want to see medieval court intrigue/fantasy as your third though!
Arnab, thanks for the clarification. All the very best, hope to see you in Bangalore on 11th Feb.
After reading the book, which I am sure will be fantastic, it will be fun trying to conjecture which Star plays which role in the movie version!!!
Lets hope my favorite Akshay Kumar finds a role. 🙂
And a word of advice, in case a movie does get made, please read the contract carefully, including fine-prints, so that you are not in the same predicament as the Great Bhagat. :):)
all the best!
Ordered from IndiaPlaza.. seems to be the cheapest. Congrats Arnab..
okay .. this is awesumm .. see u at Starkmark .. will i get to pose with u and get the picture autographed as well ? and can i send it to rediff and also take part in the comments below ? 😀
Saarji good luck for your endevour,goin by the buzz it seems ur gonna surpass MIHYAP success!
A small off topic notice,found this precious review of our fav classic Gunda
http://radhamania.blogspot.com/2011/06/complete-gunda-experience-intro.html
Guys must say it completes the Gunda experience please give it a read.
GB sir highly recommended.
Good Luck!
Since it is out of your comfort zone, it might be as risky as buying a movie ticket to Don 2 with Saurav dada and Nagma aunty been the lead actors:) pretty risk … so will wait for the reviews before taking the plunge :).
Not coming to chennai?
What about US customers ? If you have a copy to spare then I am in VA over this weekend ! 🙂
February 7, 2012 Landmark ICC Tower, Pune. Arnab, there is no Landmark in ICC tower. There is a Crossword store in ICC. Would you pls. confirm the venue. Will surely come over if it is in ICC.
The Mine? Yours… hmmmm
Vinayak,
You are right. Publishers clarified. Should be Crossword.
Thanks
Arnab
Hey Arnab, U dint come to Pune last time..but as you are coming this time.. ‘February 7, 2012 Crossword ICC Tower, Pune’ this time, please publish the timing also!
And I am buying the book that day only with ur autograph…
yeyyyyy……..!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Arnab, U dint come to Pune last time..but as you are coming this time.. ‘February 7, 2012 Crossword ICC Tower, Pune’ this time, please publish the timing also!
And I am buying the book that day only with ur autograph…
yeyyyyy……..!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just now completed your book. Awesome, Completely Blown away. Never expected such a book from you. This also has strengthened my belief that people who always crack seinfeld like wise jokes on serious issues are those who cannot say what they feel frankly.
The best thing that I loved in this book was the ending. Guts to you for not compromising it.