{"product_id":"9780099457039","title":"The Hippopotamus","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is adult fiction with sharp wit and a touch of magical realism. It follows a sour, self‑absorbed journalist and drama critic who travels to a country mansion seeking quiet and a drink, only to become entangled in miraculous happenings. The central thread probes belief, vanity, and the possibility that grace can arrive where it’s least expected. The intended reader is someone who enjoys literary fiction with dark humor, a hint of mystery, and a dash of the surreal.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe story is driven by a story‑led, character‑focused voice, brought to life with crisp, witty prose and vivid, cinematic scenes. Miracles, healings, and inexplicable phenomena unfold as episodic encounters, each nudging the narrator toward self‑awareness while the estate itself seems to breathe with its own secrets. The reading experience blends sharp dialogue with atmospheric description to keep you engaged from start to finish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReaders move through rooms and conversations, watching skepticism loosen as the extraordinary intrudes into ordinary life. The book balances humor with wonder, inviting reflection on belief, cynicism, and human connection without surrendering its sly, entertaining edge.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eCentral, acerbic narrator who gradually encounters wonder and growth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eOpulent country estate as an atmospheric setting that becomes a character\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGenre blend of humor, satire, mystery, and magical realism\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCrisp dialogue, vivid imagery, and cinematic, accessible prose\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEpisode‑like encounters that unfold with curiosity and texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter finishing, readers gain a refreshed sense of wonder, a tempered cynicism, and a deeper appreciation for the strange connections between people, belief, and everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Crossword.in","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540371452121,"sku":"9780099457039","price":950.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0648\/3066\/9017\/files\/91lv7ngmaaL._SL1500.jpg?v=1776664812","url":"https:\/\/www.crossword.in\/products\/9780099457039","provider":"Crossword.in ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}