Rajat Narula's Blog, page 10
January 23, 2020
Rumpole and the Penge Bunglow Murders: John Mortimer
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Rumpole reminisces about his first case. I read it as I remembered my first Rumpole book fondly for its stand-out humor. There was some of that in this one, but not enough.
Not worth your time.
January 17, 2020
Tinderbox: M. J. Akbar
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A remarkable account of Pakistan’s history – starting from the Mughal times to the present . Akbar’s knowledge of the history is excellent and he presents it in an engaging way. The book doesn’t start too well – it seems a rambling of facts in no serious order – but towards the end it all comes together to close on the tinderbox Pakistan has become.
Read.
January 10, 2020
Another World: Pat Barker
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Past and present overlap for two families. The interaction between kids of a family – from their parents’ many marriages makes a great context but doesn’t quite live up to the promise. Barker, a winner of Booker Prize, is not at her best in this. The characters are really done very well though.
Don’t bother.
October 5, 2019
The 5 elements of effective thinking: Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird
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Think deeply, make mistakes, ask questions and embrace change. An interesting book.
Read.
September 28, 2019
Dialog Tips and Traps: Brent Spencer
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A short book on dialog writing in fiction. Fairly basic – and yet useful information. The ideas of combining action, exposition, dialog and narration were interesting.
Read
September 21, 2019
Writing Tools: Roy Peter Clark
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A well-written book that provides useful tips on writing. Simply written and helpful.
Read, if you are looking for writing advice.
September 14, 2019
The Ocean at the End of the Lane: Neil Gaiman
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Creatures that morph into human beings but are in reality from the other world were never my thing and hence the book was a mistake. Lettie Hempstock, her mother and grandmother are benevolent witches that save our protagonist from Ursula Monkton, an other world creatures-turned-babysitter. A story that ends tragically. Not my thing, I said, but as writing skills go, Gaiman is great. If ever I get into the genre, Gaiman it will be.
September 7, 2019
The Garden of Evening Mists: Tan Twang Eng
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Exquisite setting, multiple conflicts and multi-layered. Yun Ling, imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese in their occupation of Malaya ends up falling for a Japanese man, full of mystery and intrigue. Good narration, though you do see the disadvantage of people for whom English is not the first language.
Read.
August 31, 2019
Bring Up the Bodies: Hilary Mantel
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Two Bookers for Ms. Mantel and well deserved too. Cromwell carried on from where he left at Wolf Hall. And this time, it’s even better, as we recognize the characters. British history is not something I am particularly interested in, but the writing is so beautiful she makes you care. She draws you in and you can’t put it down.
A must read.
August 18, 2019
The Faster I Walk The Smaller I Am: Kjerti A. Skomsuold
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Funny speakers don’t necessarily make funny writers. The writer was impressive in Ubud Writers festival and described her book as funny. Well, it isn’t. It’s the story of an old woman living alone, coping with people ignoring her. Well written, sensitive, realistic and depressing.
Read.
