Invictus: The Jungle that Made Me

It's an account of an amazing and frightening adventure, six army kids had during their summer vacation. It's about how a fun picnic turned into a disaster- a day of choices, timing, resilience, power of the mighty jungle, courage, lessons for lifetime and survival against all odds. The oldest was thirteen, the youngest six. Author was the oldest one.She recounts her harrowing experiences with remarkable clarity. The jungle descriptions are so alive and make you feel part of the survival adventure. She does well in transporting you to the jungle and making your skin crawl with leeches. Every scene is very easy to imagine and credit goes to her story telling skills.Her honesty, sense of wonder, a pinch of humour, fluent writing style and icing on the cake is poetic writing carry the reader along like the fast flowing water, beautiful mountains and thick jungle she encounters along with her kiddie gang. Many writers dismiss poetic expression as some don’t understand it and others don’t have the patience for it but Nidhie didn't disappoint me.I can see why - after reading the story, you might find yourself drawn to a trip to Tawang, the area so stunningly beautiful, and due to the diverse flora and fauna. A few daring persons would like to visit the area where it happened.You find yourself incidentally learning about survival techniques, what to do if in that situation - and what not to do. Very well described and the story is true so it makes it all the more interesting.I suggest not reading too many reviews, and definitely not Googling the book as it can give parts of the story away. The fact that the book is a bestseller and has sold many copies suggests that it is worth reading.Thank you Nidhie, for sharing your story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would love to read more books by you. Lotsa luck for your future endeavours. Cheers!!!

A real story of 6 kids who entered the jungles of Arunachal not by choice but by chance and the story of their survival.The author writes so beautifully that one can compliment her for making it feel like a movie u can read at your own speed .Having served in the same area I can relate to the terrain and the difficulties I have faced to survive. It’s tough to phantom how as kids they would have survived and for that u need to read it to know that’s how treacherous and tough the Jungles are.Must read ! must buy !

A deeply gripping narrative with entrancing diction pulling the readers in from the beginning! A poignant story of survival, courage and friendship. Recommended, indeed!

Author displays a craftsmanship rarely seen in nonfiction books. This book is a must read adventure thriller of survival in the wild . Kept me on tenterhooks till the very end. Beautifully written real life young adult adventure set in India's north east. Inspirational. Fresh narrative style and very visual. Highly recommended.

There is magical quality to the innocence of childhood that makes you do things that the shackles of age stop one from attempting the same things. There is a mystical touch that wisdom brings along with experience that is understandably missing in the rawness of younger days. And it is a gift to be able to process all of that and express its eloquently.Nidhie Sharma, a writer and film-maker, shares a harrowing experience in a tale that takes the reader to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. It riveting narrates a day in the life of six army children, between 13 and six years. A vehicle breakdown sparks a change of route through the jungles on the hills in the area, leading to a series of events that threaten the six lives..........It takes great courage to title the book Invictus (Roman for undefeated or unconquered). Not only is it identified strongly by the 1875 poem William Ernest Henley but made more contemporary by the 2009 film on South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victory at home 14 years earlier, with Nelson Mandela sharing the poem with the team captain Francois Pienaar.Suffice to say: Nidhie Sharma’s story and story-telling justify her choice of the title.(Full review on my blogsite)

The author gives an electrifying account of an adventure with her buddies in the vast jungles of Arunachal Pradesh. It is very well written and the story unfolds at a good pace to keep the reader hooked. I highly recommend reading this book mainly for two reasons - simple and enjoyable to read and loads of life takeaways!

Invictus. This is life as we know it; as it should be. The deeply gripping narrative, with its philosophic asides and journal style, elucidates a peculiar legacy: life in the cantonment. And for those of us who have lived it, it's a reaffirmation; a going back in memory to simplicity, elegance, loyalty, courage and honour. All in a day's work.

One book which you cannot stop reading until it's finished and thereafter you start flipping and hoping that there were a few more pages....

If you are looking for something different, I would recommend Invictus.This book contains a lot : how 6 children survived after getting lost in a Jungle, a coming-of-age story for the main protagonist, a description of the landscape of Tawang in India and and some funny stories from the author's upbringing on Army basesI found it a unique and enjoyable read!