About the Book
Book: Out of Madness
Author: Rithwik Aryan
Publisher: Occam (an imprint of BluOne Ink)
Price: Rs 499
Rithwik Aryan’s Out of Madness is a riveting debut that masterfully intertwines themes of mental health, love, loss and the fragility of human sanity. It is a novel born from an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, research and lived experience, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the complexities of the human psyche.
Aryan’s path to writing Out of Madness is as unconventional as the book itself. A dropout from Harvard Extension School, Aryan chose the unpredictable path of storytelling over academia, immersing himself for over a year in the raw and unsettling environment of India’s most notorious mental asylums. This decision infuses the novel with an authenticity that is rare and striking.
The narrative follows Mason Moron, a psychology professor at Nalanda University who stages his death after discovering his wife’s infidelity. He and Bahubali, an eccentric politician who is bent on shooting a cult adult film, get sucked into the tornado of insanity that compels their trip to a mental hospital, alongside a man blighted by normalisation, Mr. Staci, who is also trying to face her inner demons.
Critiques of Aryan are equally accompanied by Aryan’s own ability to navigate through and critique Aryan’s anguish, the same sheds light on how men are coerced into hiding their feelings. Using Aryan masculinity and its portrayal through the character of Mason and Barbrugio, Aryan contemplates on how masculinity comes with grief and vulnerability, wherein, Aryan poses those males do not have to stoically conform to societal gender norms. Aryan in a more sensitive manner showcases the effect of societal pressures and expectations in suppressing feelings in men.
What can be termed as one of Aryan’s strongest suit shines in this very novel, the other novels that Aryan has penned encapsulate emotion through an extremely fact-based and observational lens. Aryan unlike many others who idealistically view and comment on other’s pain, stayed in a mental asylum while conducting empirical research, the combination of these two polarising views helped him stably sit in the middle.
Aryan’s characters are multifaceted, each grappling with their own struggles. Mason’s existential crisis, Bahubali’s delusional ambition and Staci’s haunting past create a web of intersecting narratives that challenge readers to reflect on the nature of obsession, love, and redemption.
The book’s philosophical undertones deepen its impact, as Aryan delves into profound questions about freedom, identity and the human condition. The interplay of grief and desire, sanity and insanity, creates a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally charged.
The novel is not without its quirks. Its wild plot twists, dark humor and sometimes surreal narrative might alienate readers seeking a more conventional storyline. However, these elements make Out of Madness stand out as a fearless work that refuses to conform.
Out of Madness is a bold debut that challenges societal norms and delves deep into the human psyche. Aryan’s unflinching honesty, coupled with his evocative prose, makes this a must-read for those interested in mental health, emotional complexity, and the chaos of human existence.
Rithwik Aryan has crafted a tale that is as much a reflection of his own journey as it is a story of his characters. With its raw emotion, intricate storytelling, and philosophical depth, Out of Madness cements Aryan’s place as a writer to watch.
