Autobiography: Kevin Pietersen

I almost never read autobiographies but this one is an exception. And I don't read much cricket. I had to read this one because a friend loved it and insisted I give it a shot. I can't say he was wrong. Also, I enjoy watching KP play because he makes the game entertaining, like Sehwag and Jayasuriya. 

I must admit that KP's book, like his batting, is one cracker of a read - very entertaining, hilarious and even insightful.

However, the book reads more as a one-sided rant than an autobiography of sorts, packed with gossip and juicy stuff. Kevin Pietersen, or KP as he is called, exposes the sorry state of English cricket and the dysfunctional system that is the ECB. He also rips apart a few select individuals and lays them out to rot in the open, because of the supposedly unfair treatment he got while he was with the English cricket team, so the book might be biased to an extent. We'll never know the truth unless the other side is read and heard. But he doesn't flinch and is brutally honest in his views, most of which makes a lot of sense. Though, I couldn't help whether he omitted one thing or the other. He does try hard and earnestly to banish his “mercenary” persona which he has been described often by the media and team-mates. And he does succeed at garnering some sympathy and even my respect.

One of the best aspects of the book is the humour, mostly sarcastic and acerbic, had me in fits and laughing out loud. The language used is easy to follow and devoid of any jargon. I like the way the words were stringed together. Very simple and yet effective.

The biggest flaw, and it does rear its ugly head not just once but many times, is the constant amount of repitition and character assasinations. Indeed, it sounds like he has sour grapes over the ignominous way he career was put to a full stop. He bashes the same guys one too many times that it starts to get boring towards the second half of the book. It's the same old thing served in a different dish. This alone costs the book two stars.

Yet, there's a lot of saucy details that makes the book unputdownable, even if the overall theme is pedantic and repetitive. I finished it in just two sittings, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Perhaps, the satisfaction was derived from having no expectations whatsover. After all, I detest autobiographies. But this one, even if it doesn't read like one, surprised me.

If there's one thing I learnt from reading this book it is that cricket cannot get any more dysfunctional than the English cricket. It makes even our own BCCI look like a saint! 

And I like KP even more from now.