Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 28

Amma by Rajjan Singhal- Review

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After reading Amma, readers will have ray hope that innocence is still there in this world. The plot is simple yet emotionally challenging.

A story book in Hindi जब एक बच्ची को माँ त्याग देती है, तो क्या वह हमेशा के लिए अनाथ बन जाती है ? कोख जन्म की नही होती, पालने वाले की होती है देवकी का जाया, यशोदा ने पाला संस्कार भी जाये के नही होते, पालने वाले के होते हैं लेखक ने कहानी "अम्मा" मे दिखाया है कि कुछ सम्बंध जन्म से होने चाहिए, पर होते नहीं है ऐसे सम्बंध अगर एक जगह टूट जाते हैं, तो प्रभु कृपा से कहीं और जुड़ भी जाते हैं, क्योंकि समाज में सौभाग्यवश कुछ व्यक्ति हैं जो इन सम्बंधों में संतुलन बनाए रखते हैं हरिद्वार और उसके पास के इलाक़ों की प्रष्ठ भूमि वाली इस कहानी में पात्रों और सीनो का जीता जागता चित्रण है आशा है कि पाठको को यह कहानी पसंद आएगी

Radha is a school teacher in  village school. She lives with Kaki Maa. On her way back, she meets Shibbu who runs a shop. He helps Radha in carrying her luggage home. He proposes marriage for his brother. The plot takes off from the point. Radha discloses that she is an orphan and  explains how she ended up with Guruma and from there how she reached Kaki Ma's house. Further the past of Kakima, Gurma and Amma comes out before the readers.  The sub plots are the the USP of the book. They are representative of the pain that women go through and the stories of sacrifices are palpable and heart touching.

The give and take between Amma and her sons wherein she supports her Daughter-in-laws brings smile to the readers. Despite the title, the book is as much Kaki Ma, Guru Ma and Radhas story as it is Amma's.

The base plot is simple and doesn't have anything new to  contribute but the subplots make up for the inadequacy of the main plot. The style of narration switches from normal novel style to a play style when there are more dialogues. The language is simple and hence even a Malayali like me could comprehend it easily.

Overall the book innocent, emotional and enchanting piece of literature.

Upon the burning throne part-2 by Ashok K.Banker

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After the first part of the book Upon the Burning Throne, it was more or less obvious that it will take more than two books to finish the saga. Adri and Shvate are childless. The book is concentrating primarily on the journey of Karna, Mayla and Shvate as well as the triangle relationship of Adri with Geldry and the housemaid. The book delves deeply into the connections at the emotional level, that is often looked over in Mahabharata. The depth of the turbulence in the families before the birth of the sons has been an un-reaped area so far and hence the author has an important role to play.

The powerful demon lord Jarsun has declared war on the vast burnt empire.

The names of the characters are chosen thoughtfully. The second book in comparison with the first excels as a literary piece. Author has proved that it is indeed possible to write a high quality book without using incomprehensible vocabulary and twisted plots. Author has given a new definition to the characters Adri, Geldry and Karni. The character of the Jarsun, though a major lead in the plot, lacked ambiguity.

The three ambitious and courageous queens, Karni, may LA and geldry, devise tortuous ways of holding on to power as the men they are married to, the princes a Dr I and shvate, struggle to keep the burning throne which they inherited from their illustrious forefathers. But how and at what cost?

Author has a major advantage and disadvantage in taking Mahabharat as the reference for the book. The advantage is to have a exemplary base plot which has everything that is needed for a bestselling book. The disadvantage would be that the complexity of the plot makes it exhausting for the readers but author has carefully delved into the plot and extracted that which is interesting for the readers.

About the author
Ashok K. Banker is the author of more than sixty books, including the internationally acclaimed Ramayana series. His works have all been best‑sellers in India and have sold around the world. He lives in Los Angeles and Mumbai.

Meant To Be Together by Faraaz Kazi- Review

To fight the inner demons is not as easy as it seems. We have had many books that tell the story of protagonists who fight the past and end up in a relationship that itself helps them overcome the trauma and simultaneously trouble them as they are unable to get past what happened. But, when it comes to a real life incident with the same backstory, it is different. 

Inspired by the true story of an artist who found that love was the only color missing from the palette of her life, Meant to be together is a tale of love, friendship, courage, determination and above all, hope.

Meant to be together is the real life story of the artist Preeti Thaker, who comes to Mumbai to escape from her troublesome past. Mumbai has a whole new life experience for her. She meets Sameer and a strong friendship binds them together. Sameer, with his friends, welcomes Preeti to their crazy world. Slowly she realises the she has started falling for this no nonsense guy. Further the readers get to feel a different foray into the world of romance. The most beautiful moment changes to a nightmare when there is a shocking revelation. What will happen thenceforth is the crux of the story.

 The fact that it is a real life story has contributed to the realistic approach of the author.

The plot takes off with Preeti's journal which gives a glimpse of her childhood and teenage which is affected by her father's physical disability and her brother's demise. Further the scenario changes when she reaches Mumbai and acquaints her neighbour Sameer. The moments with Sameer's friends are so realistic and their bond is quite palpable. The fact that it is a real life story has contributed to the realistic approach of the author. The narration also has an important role to play. Preeti's past and her experience with Sameer has chances of being exaggerated but author has managed to stay within the line. 

Further when Preeti sets out in search of Sameer, it seems quite unrealistic but the fact that it is a real life story forces the readers to believe the plot. Nonetheless the length of this suspense could have been curtailed so as not to make the readers want to skip a few pages. Usually, the making out sequences being squeezed into the plot sticks out like a sore thumb but here, since it is the watershed moment, justifies the same. The cover image could have been better. It fails to represent the book in the depth.

Overall the book is a feel good experience.

About the author
The winner of the 2013 National Debut Youth Fiction Award and also the recipient of the YCOF National Excellence award in Creative Writing apart from being the first Indian author to win the coveted ‘Best Debut (Romance)’ title at the international Goodreads choice awards, Faraaz Kazi has been tagged as the 'Nicholas Sparks of India’ by many and is rated amongst the top male romance writers in the country.
Kazi is known for his exploits in the digital marketing world and currently heads an agency in Mumbai. Felicitated by numerous institutes, bodies and organizations alike, Kazi is a well-known name in the social media and literary fraternity. He is fondly referred to as 'The Young Marketer' and operates a revolutionary blog with the same name.
Kazi is a fellow member of the esteemed 'Film Writers Association of India.' Truly Madly Deeply, his debut mainstream romance novel is the only Indian book to have seven category nominations in the Goodreads annual readers' choice awards and is also the only Indian book in the 'Top 100 YA Global Fiction' list. Kazi is a voracious reader and counts singing as his second love.
You can connect with him here- http://www.facebook.com/FaruKazi
You can interact with him here- http://www.twitter.com/FaruKazi
Or here- http://www.instagram.com/farukazi

Me by Elton John - Cover Reveal

Oct 15, 2019 Coming in October 2019, the first and only official autobiography of a much-loved global icon. Me by Elton John

We are extremely happy to be a part of the Cover Reveal

Abour the book 

In his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life, which is also the subject of the upcoming film Rocketman. The result is Me - the joyously funny, honest and moving story of the most enduringly successful singer/songwriter of all time.

Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.

His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with song-writing partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.

In ME Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you, by a living legend.

 

Author Bio

Sir Elton John, CBE, is a multi-award winning solo artist who has achieved 38 gold and 31 platinum or multi-platinum albums, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, 'Candle in the Wind 1997'. In August 2018 Elton was named the most successful male solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 chart history, having logged 67 entries, including nine Number 1s and 27 Top 10s. Elton launched his first tour in 1970 and since then has performed over 4,000 times in more than 80 countries. When not recording or touring, Elton devotes his time to a number of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $300 million and funded programmes across four continents in the twenty-four years it has existed. He is married to David Furnish, and they have two sons. Me is his first and only official autobiography.

My daughter reviews Way of the Warrior Kid by Jocko Willink

Hey my Outsetians. You have all supported me in every step of mine. Today you are not going to read my review but something else.Pan MacMillan sent me "Way of the Warrior Kid" by Jocko Willink. My daughter was so blown away by the cover of the book, that she started reading it and gave me updates about the book and started giving me her opinion as well. So I thought I will let her review the book this time.
The following is the review by my eight year old daughter Kamala Jayashankar. The review is in her own words. I just corrected the grammar. Also she narrated the whole story while telling me her opinion. I'm not giving the whole story lest there would be spoiler. So here we go



Kamala's review 
There is boy called Marc. This boy is in fifth standard. He hates to go to sixth standard. His fifth standard was bad then how could sixth standard be.There is a bully boy who fights with him. They fought and Marc cried. Marc wants to be smart. One day when he woke up , he saw that his uncle Jack and his mother were sitting on the dining table. He was very happy to see his uncle. He cried because he could not swim. His uncle taught him swimming, pull ups and all to make him smart.
I loved Uncle Jack but I didn't like the bully. He is so bad. His mother is so good. The front of the book has the picture of Marc doing pull ups. It is very nice. There are a lot of nice pictures in the book . Some are so funny like 0×0=Marc's face, and also the picture of tortoise and hotdog.
 I could easily read the book. Some words were tough for me and I asked my mother.
The book is amazing. I really liked it and will read it once again. 

The Troubled Life And Death of Sunanda Pushkar by Sunanda Mehta

One of the most shocking news in this decade is the unexpected demise of Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Shashi Taroor. Even after her death, very less has Ben known about the early lives of Sunanda. It's known to the masses that Shashi Taroor was her third husband and the people often judged her for marrying again and again. But noone really tried to think and learn why she did so. 
Sunanda Mehta, who is the schoolmate of Sunanda Pushkar, portrays the unapologetic life of one of the strongest women in the century. From the beginning itself, the strength of Sunanda's character prominent. A headstrong woman who decides for herself and stands her ground is a rarity in those times. The splurge of feminism was not very prevalent then. Hence, her being opinionated, and free is something that might not be digestible for many. 

But noone really tried to think and learn why she did so.

The circumstances around her early marriage with Sanjay and the divorce is anecdoted without any prejudice and it is depicted with such a fashion that the readers would be able to relate to why she ended up divorcing him. Her marriage with Sujith, whom she claims to be the only man she truly loved and with whom she had her only son Shiv also turned sour but before things got our of hand , Sujith died in an accident in Mumbai while Sunanda was in Dubai. Further she relocated to Canada where her phase 2 started. The woman who started off as a front office executive in a hotel in Srinagar, later grows to a business tycoon. She comes to the limelight when she married Shashi Taroor. The book is as much a character portrayal of Taroor as that of Sunanda. Author describes Taroor as a soft spoke, gracious, composed and patient husband. 

The book , despite being written by Sunanda's friend is not biased towards her.

Sunanda's relation with her Son Shiv and younger brother Ashish is the most authentic one as they were th closest to her and their own version as well as third person's version about their relation could be seen in the book. However, the real reason behind the estrangement between Ashish and Sunanda could not be seen.
The book , despite being written by Sunanda's friend is not biased towards her. In every point, author points out the flaws in her character. While writing the book, the author interviewed Sunanda's family and group of friends and still she hasn't mincing the words while laying bare the reality of Sunanda. At several points, the book will leave you wondering if it's indeed her friends whom the author talked to because, Sunanda's drawbacks are unveiled without any inhibition wherein my opinion no close friends would do that to a dead friend. Author herself was Sunanda's friend but the book doesn't have any chapter where the author's interaction with  Sunanda could be seen.

This definitive biography is the account of her phenomenal life and its turbulent end.

Author has carefully maneuvered the death of the most talked about woman in country without inviting any controversies. Will she conclude the reason behind her death is something that has to be seen from the book.
The narrative of the author is the highlight of the book. Author's portrayal is so flamboyant that the thin line between reality and fiction could not be seen. As it is Sunanda's life was stranger than fiction.
If you are someone who is intrigued about who the real Sunanda Pushkar was, this book would give you the answer.

About the Author
Sunanda Mehta is a journalist with over twenty-five years of experience. She began her career at Femina and soon moved on to Magna Publishing, where she became the founding editor of the Pune magazine Citadel at the age of twenty-five. After this, she worked for the Indian Express for two decades, breaking many stories throughout her tenure. From 2010 to 2017, she was Resident Editor of the newspaper’s Pune edition, which made her the first woman editor of a national English daily in the city. A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College for Women where she studied History, Sunanda also has degrees in Education and Journalism. A former Chevening fellow, she has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Pune. Sunanda divides her time between Pune and Mumbai.

YOUR TRUTH OR MINE BY TRISHA SAKHLECHA-- REVIEW

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A relationship is based on trust. It is the bridge that connects two hearts. Once the trust is broken everything will fall apart. Your truth or mine is a tale of trust, betrayal, love and hatred . It is the tale of love between Roy and Mia but it is not and love story. The book is an out an out thriller with brimful of emotions.

Your truth or mine? is about the dark secrets couples keep from one another and how a marriage unravels, perfect for fans of Lauren North's The Perfect Betrayal and Lisa Jewell's Then She was Gone.

The plot unravels when Roy is questioned for the missing of a woman. As the investigation proceeds, Mia realises that she doesn't know the man who she loved madly loved. She realises that while she took all the preparations to give him a warm and sensuous welcome post his business trips, he was not truthful her. On the other hand Roy loves Mia and considers her the priced possession in his life. The matters gets further complicated as Mia had her demons to fight with, those that she had hidden from even Roy. What changed the equation between the two of them? What happened to the young woman?

The plot develops in different levels. There is Roy's childhood, his family that is difficult to cope with, there is Mia's scary childhood, her inability to cope with her father's death. The book explains deftly how the lack of communications and inability to be honest with each other spoils relationships and author has taken it a step ahead by the mystery and suspense. It could not be counted as a far fetched one as we have witnessed several murders wherein the background lies infidelity and secrets that are uncalled for.

As Roy and Mia’s life unravels, they must question everything they know about each other if their marriage is to survive. But what if the real truth is not what they, or you, think?

Too many twists is something that is risky for an author for it could end up confusing the reader thereby dropping the interest. But here the author has placed each sub plot carefully such that the shift to the past is seamless and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Characters hold an important role in holding the interest of the reader. All characters are complete. There is not miss goody two shoes. There are no irresistible handsome hunks. The twist in the climax is completely unexpected which justifies the lag in the first half.

Mia's part is given more space in the plot. While Mia succumbs to whatever happens in her life, readers would not be able to help feeling empathetic to her but the part where she in a psychological hollow seems a bit long, and hence the plot ends up losing the proportion of the pace. Barring this, the books is a treat to the literature lovers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Trisha Sakhlecha grew up in New Delhi and now lives in London. She works in fashion and is a graduate of the acclaimed Faber Academy writing course. In the past, Trisha has worked as a designer, trend forecaster, and lecturer. Your Truth or Mine? is her first novel.

Adrift by Para H- Review

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Natural calamities have become unpredictable these days. Continental drift that we have heard about and learned in our Geography books has become something that is not far fetched as the pace with which the nature changes lately has been unbelievable. Be it floods, hurricanes or burning of Amazon Rainforest.

Adrift is a metaphysical adventure thriller that takes on a journey you will never forget.

Adrift is the tale of one such drift. South California is shook by the earthquake. Kate, a spirited woman after dealing with the chaos in her office sets out to return home and ends up on the verge of the Pacific Ocean. In order to have a first hand knowledge of what is happening, she enters the military center under the disguise of Mayor's secretary. No-one is able to cross check the same as the phone lines are dysfunctional and nobody cared. Since the region started floating away it had to be declared the nation of hope and Kate, by coincidence, becomes the President. What happens later is the crux of the story. Where do they land after floating?

Read on and join the roller coaster ride to discover for yourself.

The plot is unique. Something that  is unheard of and hence makes the book stand out. The theme is handled with utmost professionalism by the author. The style of narration is exemplary. The different instances throughout the book, fuses seamlessly. Author has deftly kept Kate's past brief yet comprehensible to the readers. Kate becoming the President of the new Nation of Hope is a little farfetched. Nonetheless the background of the plot could justify the same.

The characters are not the strong point of the book but the protagonist definitely is. None of the other characters are given the due space but acts their role in putting everything together. Kate's relationship with Hari is depicted with conviction. Their discussions are spiritual and simultaneously conveys their romantic indulgence. Author has kept the balance between the  romance, duty and decisiveness of Kate's character.

Overall the book is an engaging read with an enchanting plotline.

Cover Reveal- Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

JEFFREY ARCHER is back! NOTHING VENTURED  is not a detective story, it’s a story of a detective .   
September 05, 2019
NOTHING VENTURED heralds the start of a brand new series in the style ofJeffrey Archer’s #1 Sunday Times bestselling THE CLIFTON CHRONICLES:telling the story of the life of William Warwick – as a family man and a detective who will battle throughout his career against a powerful criminal nemesis.
Through twists, triumph and tragedy, this series will show that William Warwick is destined to become one of Jeffrey Archer’s most enduring legacies.


NOTHING VENTURED: Book #1 of William Warwick SeriesJeffrey Archer
Nothing Ventured is the incredible and thrilling novel by the master storyteller and bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles andKane and Abel, Jeffrey Archer.
This is not a detective story, this is a story about the making of a detective . . .
William Warwick has always wanted to be a detective, and decides, much to his father’s dismay, that rather than become a barrister like his father, Sir Julian Warwick QC, and his sister Grace, he will join London’s Metropolitan Police Force.
After graduating from university, William begins a career that will define his life: from his early months on the beat under the watchful eye of his first mentor, Constable Fred Yates, to his first high-stakes case as a fledgling detective in Scotland Yard’s arts and antiquities squad. Investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery who he falls hopelessly in love with, even as Beth guards a secret of her own that she’s terrified will come to light.
While William follows the trail of the missing masterpiece, he comes up against suave art collector Miles Faulkner and his brilliant lawyer, Booth Watson QC, who are willing to bend the law to breaking point to stay one step ahead of William. Meanwhile, Miles Faulkner’s wife, Christina, befriends William, but whose side is she really on?
'Probably the greatest storyteller of our age' MAIL ON SUNDAY'If there was a Nobel Prize for storytelling, Archer would win' DAILY TELEGRAPH

Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O' Nine Tales, has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries). A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

THE HIDDEN ONE BY RUCHIR KHANNA

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Mughal history has been the most happening one to pursue. Father executing son, son imprisoning father, siblings betraying each other. It is a quintessential lesson of how power and money could tarnish relations. Mughal history is one of the best management lesson for it has everything about politics in managing.

Ruchira Gupta, with her fictional adaptation brings the Mughal history quite interesting to read. It is an unputdownable account of the era of Aurengzeb, son of Shah Jahan, who imprisoned his father and executed his brother so that he could be the emperor. The story is about Zebunissa, the favorite daughter of Aurengzeb- How she admired and worshipped her father? How her loyalties changed later? How her poems were used in an effort to overthrow him?

Part fiction and part history, The Hidden One brings a tear to the eye while thrilling the heart as we witness 17th century India through the eyes of an unsuspected character – a Muslim princess.

The book is about the strength of a woman. The gaps in historical backing of Zebunisa's tale is covered seamlessly with the fictional adaptation. How the author connected the different characters with her imagination is exemplary. The characters Zebunisa, Rushanara and Jani are connected in such a way that the readers would not be able to distinguish fiction and reality.

The interview posted in the end of the book explains how ineptly author has developed the plot. The style of narration is stupendous. Being a historical fiction, author has made sure to use the language that was supposedly used in that era, without losing the interest of the readers. The suspense as well as the twits have accentuated the acceptability of the book.

It narrates the powerful story of Zebunissa, and the Makhfi – the secret society that has been lost over time but deserves its rightful place in history for its role during one of India’s darkest eras.

However, the development of the connection between Zebunisa and Akbar  could have been avoided. In order to avoid a spoiler, more details on this could not be revealed but while developing history, varying the whole existence of the characters could be avoided.

Overall the book is a quite interesting read. If you are a historical fiction lover, this book will surely be you most favorite one.

AUTHOR
Ruchir Gupta is a graduate of Upstate Medical University and currently practicing medicine in Long Island, NY, where he lives with his wife and daughter. He has authored several books on anesthesiology. His interests include reading, blogging, traveling, and learning history. Mistress of the Throne is his debut novel.