Debjeet Mukherjee's Blog, page 2
April 6, 2020
BR #119 | The Chronicle of Golgotha Days | Sujith Balakrishnan | Frog Books | ★★★★
Book - The Chronicle of Golgotha DaysAuthor - Sujith BalakrishnanPublisher - Frog BooksRating - ★★★★
Author Bio: (from book) Sujith Balakrishnan was born in Kerala, India. An engineer by profession, he lives in UAE. This is his Debut Novel. He can be contacted at - sujithwriter2018@gmail.com
Book Review: "The Chronicle of Golgotha Days" by Sujith Balakrishnan is a novel that shakes the readers from inside. It is based on actual events that took place many years ago and is a retelling in the first-person narrative of the horrific rape of a 16-year-old girl that happened almost two decades ago. The author has written this novel to highlight the helplessness of Abhaya (a fictional name given to the victim of Suryanelli rape horror) and her family. It exposes the shams in the judiciary as people keep on waiting while years keep passing. Justice gets delayed and at times denied too.
The novel begins abruptly as Abhaya boards a bus taking the readers to her world of wishes and hope. She loves a bus conductor who in turn loves her gold and silver. She decides to elope with her greedy lover, unknown from his intentions. However, she is betrayed and left alone in the world to survive. She was lured into the trap and then pushed into prostitution. Abhaya tells the readers how she was regularly raped by 40 people in 26 days at different destinations. There were people from different walks of life – politicians, advocates, officers, and others. She died within herself because she put her trust in someone in the name of love. The novel powerfully unmasks the perverse mindset of people in power, possession, and luxury. Other than exposing the people with a lust for the body, the novel also exposes how people use the purity of the idea of love to grind their axes.
This novel will appeal to readers who want to read fiction with a purpose. The author has used the narrative wonderfully to rewrite the pain and horror through which the girl might have gone. Though written by a person who is just letting the world know the story, the novel seems more like coming from the victim herself. It is all about a chronicle of the days spent in horror and pain by Abhaya. Written from her perspective only, the story further connects the readers as they can easily feel the pain of a victim once in love.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
Author Bio: (from book) Sujith Balakrishnan was born in Kerala, India. An engineer by profession, he lives in UAE. This is his Debut Novel. He can be contacted at - sujithwriter2018@gmail.com
Book Review: "The Chronicle of Golgotha Days" by Sujith Balakrishnan is a novel that shakes the readers from inside. It is based on actual events that took place many years ago and is a retelling in the first-person narrative of the horrific rape of a 16-year-old girl that happened almost two decades ago. The author has written this novel to highlight the helplessness of Abhaya (a fictional name given to the victim of Suryanelli rape horror) and her family. It exposes the shams in the judiciary as people keep on waiting while years keep passing. Justice gets delayed and at times denied too.
The novel begins abruptly as Abhaya boards a bus taking the readers to her world of wishes and hope. She loves a bus conductor who in turn loves her gold and silver. She decides to elope with her greedy lover, unknown from his intentions. However, she is betrayed and left alone in the world to survive. She was lured into the trap and then pushed into prostitution. Abhaya tells the readers how she was regularly raped by 40 people in 26 days at different destinations. There were people from different walks of life – politicians, advocates, officers, and others. She died within herself because she put her trust in someone in the name of love. The novel powerfully unmasks the perverse mindset of people in power, possession, and luxury. Other than exposing the people with a lust for the body, the novel also exposes how people use the purity of the idea of love to grind their axes.
This novel will appeal to readers who want to read fiction with a purpose. The author has used the narrative wonderfully to rewrite the pain and horror through which the girl might have gone. Though written by a person who is just letting the world know the story, the novel seems more like coming from the victim herself. It is all about a chronicle of the days spent in horror and pain by Abhaya. Written from her perspective only, the story further connects the readers as they can easily feel the pain of a victim once in love.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
April 5, 2020
BR #118 | 2047 The Unifier | Rashmi Trivedi | Blue Rose Publishers | ★★★★
Book - 2047 The UnifierAuthor - Rashmi TrivediPublisher - Blue Rose PublishersRating - ★★★★
Author Bio: (from book) Rashmi Trivedi is an author, poet and an explorer, working at a middle Management level in a leading PSU. She entered the literary world in May 2016 with her first book, Woman, Everything Will Be Fine, which became a bestseller in its genre. She then came out with her poetry collection titled Handful of Sunshine, Pocketful of Rain, in December2017. Many of her poems went viral on the social media.
Her subsequent novel, From Ashes to Dreams, published in August 2018, climbed to the no.2 spot on the Amazon hot-seller list within a few days, and went on to sell more than 15,000 Copies.
Her latest book is a romanic thriller which explores the sensitive topic of India Pakistan relation.
Book Review: "2047 The Unifier" by Rashmi Trivedi is a romantic thriller based on politics, drama, love, crime, excitement, and suspense. 2047 marks one hundred years of India and Pakistan gaining freedom from the British Rule, although with a shattered economy and territorial claims divided between the nations. The book, while solely challenging an impossible question - will these two countries ever be united again, gives us hope.
Karan and Fiza, hailing from India and Pakistan respectively, meet at the unlikely of places, Chandni Chowk in 2030 where a notorious ploy had just been averted. However, no communication ensues as such from then on until 2046 when both of them met again at London, immediately recognizing each other and germinating the seeds of love. The question of marriage naturally pops up but Karan's father, an ex-serviceman, is dead against the concept of marrying a Pakistani girl and puts forth a condition that he’ll consent if somehow both countries unite in the 100th year of Independence. The plot then traces ahead to Karan’s quest of doing the impossible and create history. While he gathers some friends, enemies are plotting too and putting roadblocks en route Karan's success. Will people accept his crazy idea? What about the political parties? Will he succeed?
This book will appeal to romance and fiction lovers since it is a tale written from the heart. The author has been successful in expressing her message of always being against any war. That is why this plot about love and peace is not just another cross border love story, but a unique amalgamation of dreamy and ambitious coincidences. There are parallel stories of Sooraj and Anu too, whose chance meeting with Karan changed the course of the book. Did Fiza and Karan ultimately succeed in unifying the two nations? What price they had to pay for it? One must read to find out.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
Author Bio: (from book) Rashmi Trivedi is an author, poet and an explorer, working at a middle Management level in a leading PSU. She entered the literary world in May 2016 with her first book, Woman, Everything Will Be Fine, which became a bestseller in its genre. She then came out with her poetry collection titled Handful of Sunshine, Pocketful of Rain, in December2017. Many of her poems went viral on the social media.
Her subsequent novel, From Ashes to Dreams, published in August 2018, climbed to the no.2 spot on the Amazon hot-seller list within a few days, and went on to sell more than 15,000 Copies.
Her latest book is a romanic thriller which explores the sensitive topic of India Pakistan relation.
Book Review: "2047 The Unifier" by Rashmi Trivedi is a romantic thriller based on politics, drama, love, crime, excitement, and suspense. 2047 marks one hundred years of India and Pakistan gaining freedom from the British Rule, although with a shattered economy and territorial claims divided between the nations. The book, while solely challenging an impossible question - will these two countries ever be united again, gives us hope.
Karan and Fiza, hailing from India and Pakistan respectively, meet at the unlikely of places, Chandni Chowk in 2030 where a notorious ploy had just been averted. However, no communication ensues as such from then on until 2046 when both of them met again at London, immediately recognizing each other and germinating the seeds of love. The question of marriage naturally pops up but Karan's father, an ex-serviceman, is dead against the concept of marrying a Pakistani girl and puts forth a condition that he’ll consent if somehow both countries unite in the 100th year of Independence. The plot then traces ahead to Karan’s quest of doing the impossible and create history. While he gathers some friends, enemies are plotting too and putting roadblocks en route Karan's success. Will people accept his crazy idea? What about the political parties? Will he succeed?
This book will appeal to romance and fiction lovers since it is a tale written from the heart. The author has been successful in expressing her message of always being against any war. That is why this plot about love and peace is not just another cross border love story, but a unique amalgamation of dreamy and ambitious coincidences. There are parallel stories of Sooraj and Anu too, whose chance meeting with Karan changed the course of the book. Did Fiza and Karan ultimately succeed in unifying the two nations? What price they had to pay for it? One must read to find out.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
April 3, 2020
BR #117 | Backstage: The Story Behind India’s High Growth Years | Montek Singh Ahluwalia | Rupa Publications | ★★★★★
Book - Backstage: The Story Behind India’s High Growth YearsAuthor - Montek Singh AhluwaliaPublisher - Rupa PublicationsRating - ★★★★★
Author Bio: (from book) Montek Singh Ahluwalia served as one of India’s senior economic policymakers for three decades, and played a crucial role in the country’s turn from a state-run to a market-based economy. He was special secretary to Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and V.P. Singh in the 1980s, and commerce secretary and finance secretary in the 1990s. He took a break from government in 2001, when he was selected by the IMF as the first director of their newly created Independent Evaluation Office. He returned in 2004 to the Government of India as the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, with the rank of cabinet minister, a position he held up till May 2014. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour, by the President of India in 2011 for his outstanding contribution to economic policy and public service.
Book Review: "Backstage: The Story Behind India’s High Growth Years" by Montek Singh Ahluwalia is a travelogue of India’s journey of economic transformation. The book traverses the politics, personalities, events, and crises in India's recent history. It goes behind the numbers to bring alive the politics of reform when the opportunity provided by a severe balance of payments crisis was seized for wide-ranging reform.
This book is divided into four parts which cover the journey of India's growth rate. The author himself has played a major part in the transformation of India. Part one mostly shows his life, from part two we come across what steps the government had taken to make India's growth rate so high. Some important points are shown in this book which was unknown to date. The rise of the UPA government and its fall has also been discussed in detail. Lastly, the inside view of the Planning Commission has been explained. There are some beautiful pictures which make this book much more interesting to read. A well-crafted biography tells us how Ahluwalia played an important role in the transformation of India into a market-based economy.
The author has discussed the story behind India's economic growth under the UPA government nicely. Narration is witty and humorous with a language that can be grasped easily. The book talks about Indian history, politics, and the economy. It also shows how policy change was pushed through - at first, slowly, under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and then much more boldly in 1991. The narration is good and engaging. Overall, it is an informative book.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
Author Bio: (from book) Montek Singh Ahluwalia served as one of India’s senior economic policymakers for three decades, and played a crucial role in the country’s turn from a state-run to a market-based economy. He was special secretary to Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and V.P. Singh in the 1980s, and commerce secretary and finance secretary in the 1990s. He took a break from government in 2001, when he was selected by the IMF as the first director of their newly created Independent Evaluation Office. He returned in 2004 to the Government of India as the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, with the rank of cabinet minister, a position he held up till May 2014. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour, by the President of India in 2011 for his outstanding contribution to economic policy and public service.
Book Review: "Backstage: The Story Behind India’s High Growth Years" by Montek Singh Ahluwalia is a travelogue of India’s journey of economic transformation. The book traverses the politics, personalities, events, and crises in India's recent history. It goes behind the numbers to bring alive the politics of reform when the opportunity provided by a severe balance of payments crisis was seized for wide-ranging reform.
This book is divided into four parts which cover the journey of India's growth rate. The author himself has played a major part in the transformation of India. Part one mostly shows his life, from part two we come across what steps the government had taken to make India's growth rate so high. Some important points are shown in this book which was unknown to date. The rise of the UPA government and its fall has also been discussed in detail. Lastly, the inside view of the Planning Commission has been explained. There are some beautiful pictures which make this book much more interesting to read. A well-crafted biography tells us how Ahluwalia played an important role in the transformation of India into a market-based economy.
The author has discussed the story behind India's economic growth under the UPA government nicely. Narration is witty and humorous with a language that can be grasped easily. The book talks about Indian history, politics, and the economy. It also shows how policy change was pushed through - at first, slowly, under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and then much more boldly in 1991. The narration is good and engaging. Overall, it is an informative book.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
April 2, 2020
BR #116 | Dangling Gandhi and Other Short Stories | Jayanthi Sankar | Zero Degree Publishing | ★★★★★
Book - Dangling Gandhi and Other Short StoriesAuthor - Jayanthi SankarPublisher - Zero Degree PublishingRating - ★★★★★
Author Bio: (from book) Jayanthi Sankar, born and brought up in India, lives in Singapore since 1990. She has been creatively active for the past twenty-five years. She has been published in several magazines and e-zines like Museindia, The Wagon, inOpinion, the Indianruminations. Her short stories have found places in various Anthologies including 'the Other'. Also a watercolour artist, she has edited and translated Unwinding: a Global Anthology of Contemporary Tamil Short Stories in English, with 43 contributions from 10 countries.
Book Review: "Dangling Gandhi and Other Short Stories" by Jayanthi Sankar is a collection of 12 short stories based on life in Singapore, India, and Asia during colonial rule. The author has given a voice to each of the characters in all her stories. The observations made, and the feelings felt are heartwarming to read. She has been successful in preserving the essence of an era through her works, a time period where the affluent ruled, poor suffered, and women had little say.
There is no protagonist in any of the stories as far as goals or beliefs are concerned. Each of the stories has a different tone and theme. This book of short stories is an inspiring read that, although some stories are more engaging than others, they all teach about how people lived their lives in countries in Asia, such as India and Singapore. The short stories are replete with ironies and metaphors with quite a few having a surprise ending. Such twists and turns leave readers surprised in a pleasant way with deep prolific language that immediately hooks readers into the story. Short stories like 'Did Churchill Know?', 'Punkah Wallah, 'Dangling Gandhi', and 'My mother is a feminist' are classy examples of the message that life won’t always go the way one expects it to.
This book will appeal to short story lovers as it gives readers a look at how different people live their unique lives. Readers need to read the book slowly and with an open mind. The title is catchy, immediately attracts attention and the short stories enliven readers with the cultural aspects of colonial times through a multitude of characters that will educate and inspire for generations to come. A dozen little tales to mesmerize travelers across a colorful dimension of life, this book will grant one the freedom of thought which had its seeds buried in the past!
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
Author Bio: (from book) Jayanthi Sankar, born and brought up in India, lives in Singapore since 1990. She has been creatively active for the past twenty-five years. She has been published in several magazines and e-zines like Museindia, The Wagon, inOpinion, the Indianruminations. Her short stories have found places in various Anthologies including 'the Other'. Also a watercolour artist, she has edited and translated Unwinding: a Global Anthology of Contemporary Tamil Short Stories in English, with 43 contributions from 10 countries.
Book Review: "Dangling Gandhi and Other Short Stories" by Jayanthi Sankar is a collection of 12 short stories based on life in Singapore, India, and Asia during colonial rule. The author has given a voice to each of the characters in all her stories. The observations made, and the feelings felt are heartwarming to read. She has been successful in preserving the essence of an era through her works, a time period where the affluent ruled, poor suffered, and women had little say.
There is no protagonist in any of the stories as far as goals or beliefs are concerned. Each of the stories has a different tone and theme. This book of short stories is an inspiring read that, although some stories are more engaging than others, they all teach about how people lived their lives in countries in Asia, such as India and Singapore. The short stories are replete with ironies and metaphors with quite a few having a surprise ending. Such twists and turns leave readers surprised in a pleasant way with deep prolific language that immediately hooks readers into the story. Short stories like 'Did Churchill Know?', 'Punkah Wallah, 'Dangling Gandhi', and 'My mother is a feminist' are classy examples of the message that life won’t always go the way one expects it to.
This book will appeal to short story lovers as it gives readers a look at how different people live their unique lives. Readers need to read the book slowly and with an open mind. The title is catchy, immediately attracts attention and the short stories enliven readers with the cultural aspects of colonial times through a multitude of characters that will educate and inspire for generations to come. A dozen little tales to mesmerize travelers across a colorful dimension of life, this book will grant one the freedom of thought which had its seeds buried in the past!
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
March 31, 2020
BR #115 | Kailash Dwara | Vishesh | Notion Press | ★★★★
Book - Kailash DwaraAuthor - VisheshPublisher - Notion PressRating - ★★★★
Author Bio: (from book) Vishesh is a thirty-year-old alumnus of MIT Manipal, currently working as a software engineer in Bengaluru. In his maiden attempt, he has written a thrilling novel, which is of the mythological genre. He spends most of his free time researching about mythological mysteries. He practices yoga to keep himself healthy, and his favorite pastime is to read books and watch Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Book Review: "Kailash Dwara" by Vishesh is a work of science fiction based on mythological references set in contemporary times. It is a gripping account of enigma surrounding the Kailash, the doors of which were closed for Danavas around five thousand years ago by Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Taking two timelines running parallel to each other, the author tries to bridge the gap of eons and bring a mysteriously thrilling story. The plot has friendship, family values, and betrayal at its core along with facts, fantasy, and philosophy to intrigue the readers.
Krishna, Balram, and Adhishesh give glimpses of a deep secret, that has been buried in the past, from their conversation at the starting of the book. Coming to modern times, significant research has been carried out by Dr. Vishwanath on Mt. Kailash who is curious about revealing its mysteries. The protagonists, Vivaant and Sukheshni set out on a journey to Mt. Kailash from Bangalore but there are differences between them which can be seen while reading the book. What is the importance of this journey and why was it undertaken? Meanwhile, Mr. Tarak, the CEO of Dhithi Research Lab, has his own evil plans and hence sends men behind the two youngsters. Who will help them in their mission? What is Mr. Tarak in search of? Is there any personal revelation for the protagonists? One must read to find out.
This book will appeal to mythology and science fiction lovers. The plot has all the elements of an entertaining read - two college rivals, a trip that went wrong, a hidden treasure, a family reunion, and a whole lot of revelations. The author has incorporated various stories from Indian mythology into the main plot, sumptuously building up the climax. In a parallel universe, we are also revealed about various Mahavishnu avatars and what happened to each person who opposed and tried to destroy our universe. Overall, it is a well-researched book with an intriguing plot for the perfect weekend read.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
Author Bio: (from book) Vishesh is a thirty-year-old alumnus of MIT Manipal, currently working as a software engineer in Bengaluru. In his maiden attempt, he has written a thrilling novel, which is of the mythological genre. He spends most of his free time researching about mythological mysteries. He practices yoga to keep himself healthy, and his favorite pastime is to read books and watch Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Book Review: "Kailash Dwara" by Vishesh is a work of science fiction based on mythological references set in contemporary times. It is a gripping account of enigma surrounding the Kailash, the doors of which were closed for Danavas around five thousand years ago by Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Taking two timelines running parallel to each other, the author tries to bridge the gap of eons and bring a mysteriously thrilling story. The plot has friendship, family values, and betrayal at its core along with facts, fantasy, and philosophy to intrigue the readers.
Krishna, Balram, and Adhishesh give glimpses of a deep secret, that has been buried in the past, from their conversation at the starting of the book. Coming to modern times, significant research has been carried out by Dr. Vishwanath on Mt. Kailash who is curious about revealing its mysteries. The protagonists, Vivaant and Sukheshni set out on a journey to Mt. Kailash from Bangalore but there are differences between them which can be seen while reading the book. What is the importance of this journey and why was it undertaken? Meanwhile, Mr. Tarak, the CEO of Dhithi Research Lab, has his own evil plans and hence sends men behind the two youngsters. Who will help them in their mission? What is Mr. Tarak in search of? Is there any personal revelation for the protagonists? One must read to find out.
This book will appeal to mythology and science fiction lovers. The plot has all the elements of an entertaining read - two college rivals, a trip that went wrong, a hidden treasure, a family reunion, and a whole lot of revelations. The author has incorporated various stories from Indian mythology into the main plot, sumptuously building up the climax. In a parallel universe, we are also revealed about various Mahavishnu avatars and what happened to each person who opposed and tried to destroy our universe. Overall, it is a well-researched book with an intriguing plot for the perfect weekend read.
Grab your copy:
(Paperback)
amazon.in
flipkart
(e-Book)
amazon.in
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
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