Meghant Parmar's Blog, page 18
November 21, 2013
Review: Touch of Mist by Deepika Muthusamy
Volatile nature of relationships is nothing new in today's world. Petty issues can cause a lot of distrust and uproar in a healthy relationship. The pressure of work and family together is not that easy to handle nowadays. Author Deepika Muthuswamy in her book "Touch of Mist" has penned down one such story on relationships. So is this in sync with the real life scenario? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and both the things won't give an out of place feeling. In fact it's a beautiful cover image to go with a novel. The blurb talks about a woman and her life's woes and what all happens to her during her entire journey. The blurb is a good blurb considering the fact that the book talks about relationship and issues in it.
The story is of Reena & Gautham two I.T employees who meet by chance, become friends by chance and by chance their love story clicks and culminates into marriage. Reena is a shy woman whereas Gautham is an extrovert personality. They face a few hurdles before marriage when Reena's father fix her her marriage to Sandy one of their known ones. Gautham somehow wins back his love and together they start a new life. But things go haywire from the 1st day after marriage when small fights become big arguments and the trust and compatibility issues crop up. Behaviors and tempers are on a rise and even after a lot of cajoling their mutual friend Kishore nothing seems to get their marriage back on track. So will they be able to get back together? What role Akshitha plays in their lives? What will happen to Reena? What will be the end of this love story? That's what the story is all about.
The make and break relationships, the instant love stories and the trust issues afterwards are the flavor of the book. This book can be easily related to real life scenarios nowadays where newly weds are at each other's throats for small-small things. The beauty of the story lies in the various aspects covered under this story be it love, nature, emotions like trust, temperament etc. The second half of the book is enthralling and first half holds the charm of the story equally well.
The downside of the book is editing which goes for a toss towards the end of the book. The character name Akshitha has been goofed up many times, spelling mistakes,grammatical errors made it very shabby towards the end. The end could have been done in a much beautiful manner. It looks quite incomplete and doesn't fits well with the entire story. Translation of regional language words in English should have been there too in the book.
Overall it's a good experience for the readers and there's a touch of both joy and sorrow in the book. For most part it'll remain on track but will waiver off suddenly. It's a combination of today's relationship plights and a beautiful love story.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
Reena was distraught. It seemed unbelievable that she too had succumbed to this rat race of life. The consequences had been dire: a marriage that had broken even before the profundity of those three magical words, I Love You could sink in. Touch of Mist is a glitzy, modern-day love story of two young, sophisticated, IT professionals, Gautham and Reena, who meet by chance, sparks ignite and they fall head over heels in love with each other. They tie the knot and start a new life. But no sooner do they do that that fights erupt and egos clash. The first casualty is love, which plummets and marriage turns miserable; break-up beckons and the relationship dies. Aftermath. Does Reena commit suicide or fall in love with another person? Does she reconcile with her first love Gautham? This story meanders through different emotions that touch the lives of the protagonists such as love, friendship, marriage, heartbreak, grief, anticipation, humor, disgust, joy, fear and ends with a heart-warming credo that Life is to Live.
First look at the title and the cover and both the things won't give an out of place feeling. In fact it's a beautiful cover image to go with a novel. The blurb talks about a woman and her life's woes and what all happens to her during her entire journey. The blurb is a good blurb considering the fact that the book talks about relationship and issues in it.
The story is of Reena & Gautham two I.T employees who meet by chance, become friends by chance and by chance their love story clicks and culminates into marriage. Reena is a shy woman whereas Gautham is an extrovert personality. They face a few hurdles before marriage when Reena's father fix her her marriage to Sandy one of their known ones. Gautham somehow wins back his love and together they start a new life. But things go haywire from the 1st day after marriage when small fights become big arguments and the trust and compatibility issues crop up. Behaviors and tempers are on a rise and even after a lot of cajoling their mutual friend Kishore nothing seems to get their marriage back on track. So will they be able to get back together? What role Akshitha plays in their lives? What will happen to Reena? What will be the end of this love story? That's what the story is all about.
The make and break relationships, the instant love stories and the trust issues afterwards are the flavor of the book. This book can be easily related to real life scenarios nowadays where newly weds are at each other's throats for small-small things. The beauty of the story lies in the various aspects covered under this story be it love, nature, emotions like trust, temperament etc. The second half of the book is enthralling and first half holds the charm of the story equally well.
The downside of the book is editing which goes for a toss towards the end of the book. The character name Akshitha has been goofed up many times, spelling mistakes,grammatical errors made it very shabby towards the end. The end could have been done in a much beautiful manner. It looks quite incomplete and doesn't fits well with the entire story. Translation of regional language words in English should have been there too in the book.
Overall it's a good experience for the readers and there's a touch of both joy and sorrow in the book. For most part it'll remain on track but will waiver off suddenly. It's a combination of today's relationship plights and a beautiful love story.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
November 20, 2013
Review: Aisle Be Damned by Rishi Pipariya
Getting a sneak peek into an industry through a book is a great means. Many untold and unseen aspects are covered through it. Author Rishi Pipariya in his debut novel "Aisle Be Damned" tries to give the readers some first hand experience of aviation industry. So is he successful in becoming a perfect aviation tour guide? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and the readers will be confused for a moment. The cover image of a girl matches the tagline of swaying hips and the other words in the tagline gives more of a scandal book incoming. But that's not the case. It's a pretty attractive cover. The blurb talks about air travel and everything related to it. The bullet points are really a help in covering the facts regarding air travel and for the readers too.
This is no love story. It revolves around all the big and small facts associated with air travel and is kind of a user guide and first hand experiences of the author and some examples to follow it up with for reader's comfort. From the ground level to the sky the author tries to uncover the facts which a normal everyday traveler can't get hold of. It's more of a guide book and that too a handy one for your future travels.
The narration of the story is fluid and simple. The facts and figures make it more easy to understand the nuances of air travel. The helpful insights and humor is present in parts throughout the book. The first half of the book is captivating. The information relating to each and every aspect of air travel showcases the amount of research and experience that comes into this book.
The humor element goes missing quite a lot of times in the second half. The book goes dull towards the end. It gives a little dragged feeling in the last few pages.
The book is a perfect air travel guide for any user who has less experience when it comes to air travelling. The illustrations and real life scenarios make it handy for the people to understand. Humor is there but in bits and pieces. It's a perfect handbook cum guide for first time and frequent air travelers.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
P.S: The book was received as part of "Reviewers Programme" on "The Tales Pensieve".
Swaying hips, praying lips and flying tips! A Hilarious Take on just about Everything Associated with Air Travel.
Getting seamlessly upgraded to Business Class. The hows and whys of micromanaging the pilots. Action plans to counter the airlines Technical Snag routine. Sure shot strategies for winning the affections of flight attendants. Awesome icebreakers to start conversations with attractive co-passengers. How smart executives deal with the Walk of Shame to the economy section. How a water bottle dramatically improves flight safety. Breezing through immigration and customs, always making your flight connections and a whole lot more
Rest assured, your flying experience will never be the same again!
First look at the title and the cover and the readers will be confused for a moment. The cover image of a girl matches the tagline of swaying hips and the other words in the tagline gives more of a scandal book incoming. But that's not the case. It's a pretty attractive cover. The blurb talks about air travel and everything related to it. The bullet points are really a help in covering the facts regarding air travel and for the readers too.
This is no love story. It revolves around all the big and small facts associated with air travel and is kind of a user guide and first hand experiences of the author and some examples to follow it up with for reader's comfort. From the ground level to the sky the author tries to uncover the facts which a normal everyday traveler can't get hold of. It's more of a guide book and that too a handy one for your future travels.
The narration of the story is fluid and simple. The facts and figures make it more easy to understand the nuances of air travel. The helpful insights and humor is present in parts throughout the book. The first half of the book is captivating. The information relating to each and every aspect of air travel showcases the amount of research and experience that comes into this book.
The humor element goes missing quite a lot of times in the second half. The book goes dull towards the end. It gives a little dragged feeling in the last few pages.
The book is a perfect air travel guide for any user who has less experience when it comes to air travelling. The illustrations and real life scenarios make it handy for the people to understand. Humor is there but in bits and pieces. It's a perfect handbook cum guide for first time and frequent air travelers.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
P.S: The book was received as part of "Reviewers Programme" on "The Tales Pensieve".
November 19, 2013
Review: Kashi by Terin Miller
There is only 1 book out of 10 which makes you drool over it for a very long time. At times the everything from the start till the end is just like alcohol which makes people loose their senses and dance their way around in ignorance. Author Terin Miller in his novel "Kashi" has tried his hand on making readers drool over a story churned out of the heart of religion and emotions. So is it a picture perfect novel? Let's find out.
First look at the cover and the title and it'll leave the readers spell bound. The backdrop and the effect along with the woman in red makes it a mesmerizing experience for the readers. The blurb talks about older India and a woman and various other aspects of India at that time. It's a good blurb but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.
The story is narrated by an American John Colson who arrives in Varanasi and is working for the Wire Service. He writes and files articles depicting the culture, values and other things of importance of India. Along this journey he makes some friends in form of Chet Bardus, Rajan, Liz Aven & Meetha Sharma. He is attracted towards Meetha in his first meeting but he is unable to express it. The story moves from the religious city to the pompous of Delhi and then to the picturesque setup of Darjeeling from where there is a lot on stake for Meetha, Liz, Chet & John. It all gets messed up and in the end it leads from incident to another. So will John be able to confess his love to Meetha? What will happen to Liz & Chet? What role Rajan has to play in the story? What will happen at the end of it? That's what the story is all about.
The uniqueness of the story can be gauged from the fact that it spans over 3 different cities and mesmerizes all throughout. The set up and the characterization and the narration all suits the taste of the readers. The story is not pacy at all. It takes time to grasp the surroundings and the happenings around the characters. The second half is full of confusions and surprises which will make your eyes pop out in amazement. The enchanting experience of Banaras is an added beauty to the whole novel.
The downside of the book are spelling mistakes occurring at few places. The first half is pretty slow but it could have been spiced up a bit more.
The book is a mix of love and culture and the rigid old system of 80's in India which made it tough for the people to express themselves. It's not a single person story. It's everyone's story be it John or Meetha or anybody else. It has elements of variety and a freshness in idea which makes it quite different from the others. It's worth going on a ride full of excitement, color, vigor and in the end a tale of love which will leave you with a lot to think about.
RATINGS:
4 OUT OF 5
Kashi is a tale of clashes of cultures, relationship experiments and religious and moral differences in the holiest of Hindu cities, just at the time India's second generation of independence comes to adulthood in the form of Sumita Meetha Sharma.
Meetha Sharma, educated, attractive, worldly, the daughter of a wealthy import-export businessman in the nascent new Indian middle - class, desires to be like her American and other expatriate friends. She chafes at old world ideas of behavior and conformity and longs to be seen as an equal in society. But her desires have consequences she doesn't fully realize, especially for the traditional Hindu musician to whom she was promised when she was 13.
A story of a generation of Indians unlike any that has come before them born in a free and independent country, a country only granted its freedom after much effort and sacrifice by their forebears, a country only granted the opportunity to rise in the world as its former colonial status fades into history.
First look at the cover and the title and it'll leave the readers spell bound. The backdrop and the effect along with the woman in red makes it a mesmerizing experience for the readers. The blurb talks about older India and a woman and various other aspects of India at that time. It's a good blurb but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.
The story is narrated by an American John Colson who arrives in Varanasi and is working for the Wire Service. He writes and files articles depicting the culture, values and other things of importance of India. Along this journey he makes some friends in form of Chet Bardus, Rajan, Liz Aven & Meetha Sharma. He is attracted towards Meetha in his first meeting but he is unable to express it. The story moves from the religious city to the pompous of Delhi and then to the picturesque setup of Darjeeling from where there is a lot on stake for Meetha, Liz, Chet & John. It all gets messed up and in the end it leads from incident to another. So will John be able to confess his love to Meetha? What will happen to Liz & Chet? What role Rajan has to play in the story? What will happen at the end of it? That's what the story is all about.
The uniqueness of the story can be gauged from the fact that it spans over 3 different cities and mesmerizes all throughout. The set up and the characterization and the narration all suits the taste of the readers. The story is not pacy at all. It takes time to grasp the surroundings and the happenings around the characters. The second half is full of confusions and surprises which will make your eyes pop out in amazement. The enchanting experience of Banaras is an added beauty to the whole novel.
The downside of the book are spelling mistakes occurring at few places. The first half is pretty slow but it could have been spiced up a bit more.
The book is a mix of love and culture and the rigid old system of 80's in India which made it tough for the people to express themselves. It's not a single person story. It's everyone's story be it John or Meetha or anybody else. It has elements of variety and a freshness in idea which makes it quite different from the others. It's worth going on a ride full of excitement, color, vigor and in the end a tale of love which will leave you with a lot to think about.
RATINGS:
4 OUT OF 5
November 16, 2013
Review: Dinner Date by Ishaan Lalit
A light read is always recommended after the stressful life we read nowadays. Those who are in to reading understand this proposition very well. It makes your mood and sets up the day beautifully. Author Ishaan Lalit in his latest book "Dinner Date" dishes out to you a light read in form of a unique narration. So does it works for the readers? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover image and readers will fall in love with it. It has a catchy title and the uniqueness of the cover image sets it apart from the other books in the same genre. The brightened up colors enhance the experience for the readers. The blurb talks about a person's life and which way it is headed. The blurb is good considering the title and the look at the image which will tend to confuse the readers at first but everything will be clear at the end of the story.
The story revolves around Samuel Thomas who is confused since his childhood. His first kiss ends up in a disaster and he gets a sound thrashing for that in the school. But over the years he has become quite a charmer. Now he sit in front of Malika who with him has come on a dinner date and he wants to narrate his story to her. When he goes back to visit his past the memories of Simla Law School from where he graduated with his best friends Ram & Rohit and the love of his life Aditi to the mischievous and casual attitude to his godfather Alex and his altercations with Ravi Ahuja his arch nemesis and from the Aziz Ansari and then growing up to work in one of the biggest law firms of Delhi but there are lot of other things which need his attention in life. What all are these things? Will he be able to hold on to Aditi and his career? Will his friends be there till the end? What will he become: A bad boy or a good boy? That's what the story is all about.
The slapstick humor, the hilarious goof ups and court room encounters and a messed up college life and confused souls in love and career are all the USP of the story. There's not a dull moment from the start till the end. The first half is a fun filled ride but the second part is a family melodrama and a good one too. Emotions are mixed and mingled up pretty well all throughout the story. The characters most of them have played their part very well in the story. Friendship, love, family & career are the central point of the story. A fluid and a compelling and a unique way of narrating one's own life makes it an interesting prospect.
Few spelling and grammatical mistakes are there in the book. The court show down could have been enforced more and made compelling in the book. It was little too easy and predictable in Sam's case.
The uncertain ride is a joy to be on. There are lot of secrets, loads of fun and not to forget Sam Thomas who makes it hilarious for the readers. It won't bore you a bit and at the end you'll feel like all the money spent on it is worth. It's light on the nerves and the mind.
RATINGS:
4 OUT OF 5
Sam Thomas, today he is a charming, well-dressed, successful lawyer, but he was not always so. He was a goofy, clueless, awkward young man. The first time a beautiful girl kissed him, he ran away screaming, which led to the rumours that he was gay. When he tried to put the rumours to sleep, he only ended up getting into worse trouble and got beaten up by the schools gymnastics team. Dinner Date is the story of one evening, when Sam recounts his story and tells of how he and his friends, Ram and Rohit, go from one fiasco to another in their law school, from almost getting expelled to meeting his estranged godfather, to falling in love with the Deans daughter. The trio fumbles through all the obstacles comically. Dinner Date is a love caper, set a midst moot courts, law school, politics and family secrets.
First look at the title and the cover image and readers will fall in love with it. It has a catchy title and the uniqueness of the cover image sets it apart from the other books in the same genre. The brightened up colors enhance the experience for the readers. The blurb talks about a person's life and which way it is headed. The blurb is good considering the title and the look at the image which will tend to confuse the readers at first but everything will be clear at the end of the story.
The story revolves around Samuel Thomas who is confused since his childhood. His first kiss ends up in a disaster and he gets a sound thrashing for that in the school. But over the years he has become quite a charmer. Now he sit in front of Malika who with him has come on a dinner date and he wants to narrate his story to her. When he goes back to visit his past the memories of Simla Law School from where he graduated with his best friends Ram & Rohit and the love of his life Aditi to the mischievous and casual attitude to his godfather Alex and his altercations with Ravi Ahuja his arch nemesis and from the Aziz Ansari and then growing up to work in one of the biggest law firms of Delhi but there are lot of other things which need his attention in life. What all are these things? Will he be able to hold on to Aditi and his career? Will his friends be there till the end? What will he become: A bad boy or a good boy? That's what the story is all about.
The slapstick humor, the hilarious goof ups and court room encounters and a messed up college life and confused souls in love and career are all the USP of the story. There's not a dull moment from the start till the end. The first half is a fun filled ride but the second part is a family melodrama and a good one too. Emotions are mixed and mingled up pretty well all throughout the story. The characters most of them have played their part very well in the story. Friendship, love, family & career are the central point of the story. A fluid and a compelling and a unique way of narrating one's own life makes it an interesting prospect.
Few spelling and grammatical mistakes are there in the book. The court show down could have been enforced more and made compelling in the book. It was little too easy and predictable in Sam's case.
The uncertain ride is a joy to be on. There are lot of secrets, loads of fun and not to forget Sam Thomas who makes it hilarious for the readers. It won't bore you a bit and at the end you'll feel like all the money spent on it is worth. It's light on the nerves and the mind.
RATINGS:
4 OUT OF 5
November 12, 2013
Review: Chapter 11 by Amit Shankar
Corporate giants are a mystery entity. There are lot of things hidden behind the shine and the sheen. Many who have tried to raise their voice against the system have bore the brunt of selfish and ruthless managements. Author Amit Shankar in his latest offering 'Chapter 11" talks about one such organization and one such person who is torn between a lot of things. So will this corporate melodrama create a furor? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and the readers can get the feel of a corporate set up novel on cards. The tagline is enough to give an overview of what holds in the book. The blurb talks about one person's ambitions and how it shapes up. It's a short blurb but an effective one not giving much about the plot of the book.
The story revolved around Virendra Vikram Singh a.k.a VVS who works in a shady web company in Udaipur and dreams of working in a big MNC. His dreams are fulfilled when he joins Comm Tech one of the Fortune 500 companies under the wings of Sandy his senior in college and from there on life takes an ugly turn for him. The company files for Chapter 11 i.e Bankruptcy, his love for his wife Rajeswari diminishes and his newly found love in Ambica the charming PR agency flatmate and one help for his friend Harsh lands up in a big time mess. The whole corporate melodrama and restructuring leaves his chances of doing something good in his life goes for a toss as everything runs on a path of bad. So in the end will VVS be able to fulfill his dreams? Will he remain faithful to his wife? What is the future of Comm Tech? What lies in the future for him? This is what the story is all about.
The story is a perfect recipe for a corporate sleaze and behind the scenes happening in an organization. There's a lot of drama when the company files for bankruptcy, when VVS's dreams are crushed and when loyalties goes for a toss. There's enough meat in the story to keep the readers hooked to it all the time. The strength lies in the fact that the detailing of the whole working of an organization along with fluid narration. There are a few twists and turns too to spice up the story. Emotions run up very high towards the end which is an added attraction.
The downside of the book is the predictable Ambica's portion towards the end.The Harsh part was not at all required in the book.
The book is one roller coaster ride for the readers as it takes you from the shady corporate lanes to the topsy turvy personal life of a professional. The book though weak at some places yet promises a lot of thrill and unexpected happenings and portrayal of reality to an extent. It's a fun ride for the readers.
RATINGS:
4 OUT OF 5
Feeling suffocated within the confines of Udaipur, his past and inconsequential job, Virendra Vikram Singh aspires to be a part of an MNC. However, with dreams having a nasty habit of going haywire, the day he joins his dream company, it files for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy. First of its kind, Chapter Eleven is a bold and honest portrayal of corporate sleaze, dejection, love and self-discovery.
First look at the title and the cover and the readers can get the feel of a corporate set up novel on cards. The tagline is enough to give an overview of what holds in the book. The blurb talks about one person's ambitions and how it shapes up. It's a short blurb but an effective one not giving much about the plot of the book.
The story revolved around Virendra Vikram Singh a.k.a VVS who works in a shady web company in Udaipur and dreams of working in a big MNC. His dreams are fulfilled when he joins Comm Tech one of the Fortune 500 companies under the wings of Sandy his senior in college and from there on life takes an ugly turn for him. The company files for Chapter 11 i.e Bankruptcy, his love for his wife Rajeswari diminishes and his newly found love in Ambica the charming PR agency flatmate and one help for his friend Harsh lands up in a big time mess. The whole corporate melodrama and restructuring leaves his chances of doing something good in his life goes for a toss as everything runs on a path of bad. So in the end will VVS be able to fulfill his dreams? Will he remain faithful to his wife? What is the future of Comm Tech? What lies in the future for him? This is what the story is all about.
The story is a perfect recipe for a corporate sleaze and behind the scenes happening in an organization. There's a lot of drama when the company files for bankruptcy, when VVS's dreams are crushed and when loyalties goes for a toss. There's enough meat in the story to keep the readers hooked to it all the time. The strength lies in the fact that the detailing of the whole working of an organization along with fluid narration. There are a few twists and turns too to spice up the story. Emotions run up very high towards the end which is an added attraction.
The downside of the book is the predictable Ambica's portion towards the end.The Harsh part was not at all required in the book.
The book is one roller coaster ride for the readers as it takes you from the shady corporate lanes to the topsy turvy personal life of a professional. The book though weak at some places yet promises a lot of thrill and unexpected happenings and portrayal of reality to an extent. It's a fun ride for the readers.
RATINGS:
4 OUT OF 5
November 9, 2013
Review: The Mountain of Light by Indu Sundaresan
History has a deep marking engraved on the minds of people. Every story it has in it gives a detailed outline of what happened or what might have happened at that moment of time. What remains of it are the writings and the narratives which has been passed on from one generation to the other. Author Indu Sundaresan in her latest venture "The Mountain of Light" traverses a road which in has a strong bearing on the history of mankind. So is this history alluring enough to quench the thirst of readers? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and the court of the king and an attractive title makes it a perfect set up for history buffs. The blurb talks about Kohinoor and it's journey throughout the world and it's impact on the history. It's a good blurb considering the fact that the book is a historical narration.
The story revolves around Kohinoor diamond how it is passed on from Shah Suja and his wife Wafa Begum when they are imprisoned by Ranjit Singh the king of Punjab and then he goes on to have it in his possession for years before his empire breaks and disintegrates into pieces. The diamond attracts a lot of attention as Britishers end up seeking it from Dalip Singh the youngest heir to the throne of Ranjit Singh and after that how it reaches to Queen Victoria, the queen of England. In the whole process a lot of incidents and happenings revive the old myth and legends surrounding the precious diamond. This is what the story is all about.
The historical tell tale in the book is marvelous and the freshness in narration and the theme of the book makes it a different offering for the readers. The Punjab empire has his presence felt in the book which is also a new experience for the readers. The absorbing narration and intricate details make it a bonus for the readers to enjoy till it lasts. First part of the book can be strongly related to the theme of the book.
The downside of the book are certain characters like Emily & Fanny Eden. Their part taking away the story from it's original track. The Kohinoor diamond goes amiss in between chapters which takes the charm away from the story. Few characters could have been done away with very easily.
The story though an enlightening one and with a strong narration has a lot to reveal about the most precious ornament in the history of mankind has some loose ends too. Some parts exciting and some dragged make it a mixture of good and dull moments. But there is a lot to rejoice for history buffs in the book.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
By the time Queen Victoria slipped the Kohinoor on her wrist, the gem had traveled around the world, changing hands over the centuries from one ruler to another in Persia, Afghanistan and India. The fascinating story of this 105 carat diamond opens in 1830, when the Indian Maharajah and founder of the Sikh empire, Ranjit Singh, takes possession of the massive jewel that has been passed from man to man, king to king and emperor to emperor, through blood shed and destruction, since the 1200's. When Ranjit Singh dies, four of his sons are slaughtered in wars with the British and the diamond is left to Prince Dalip Singh, a six year old child. The British governor general orders that the mountain of Light be secreted out of India in 1850 and the teenage king Dalip Singh follows the diamond to London to officially present it to the queen as a spoil of the Sikh War. He is feted and petted by the British monarchy for a long while until he realizes that all that Britain gives him cannot make up for the loss of his country and its celebrated diamond. Told in her inimitable trademark style, Indu Sundaresan's The Mountain of Light is a wondrous and historically rich tale, as clear and as dazzling as a diamond itself.
First look at the title and the cover and the court of the king and an attractive title makes it a perfect set up for history buffs. The blurb talks about Kohinoor and it's journey throughout the world and it's impact on the history. It's a good blurb considering the fact that the book is a historical narration.
The story revolves around Kohinoor diamond how it is passed on from Shah Suja and his wife Wafa Begum when they are imprisoned by Ranjit Singh the king of Punjab and then he goes on to have it in his possession for years before his empire breaks and disintegrates into pieces. The diamond attracts a lot of attention as Britishers end up seeking it from Dalip Singh the youngest heir to the throne of Ranjit Singh and after that how it reaches to Queen Victoria, the queen of England. In the whole process a lot of incidents and happenings revive the old myth and legends surrounding the precious diamond. This is what the story is all about.
The historical tell tale in the book is marvelous and the freshness in narration and the theme of the book makes it a different offering for the readers. The Punjab empire has his presence felt in the book which is also a new experience for the readers. The absorbing narration and intricate details make it a bonus for the readers to enjoy till it lasts. First part of the book can be strongly related to the theme of the book.
The downside of the book are certain characters like Emily & Fanny Eden. Their part taking away the story from it's original track. The Kohinoor diamond goes amiss in between chapters which takes the charm away from the story. Few characters could have been done away with very easily.
The story though an enlightening one and with a strong narration has a lot to reveal about the most precious ornament in the history of mankind has some loose ends too. Some parts exciting and some dragged make it a mixture of good and dull moments. But there is a lot to rejoice for history buffs in the book.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
October 29, 2013
Review: Pitfalls & Parachutes by Durgesh Shastri
Anthology has been in a constant demand this season. Readers have enjoyed a variety in one single book. The genre freedom in anthology has made it for the readers to enjoy all of it at one place. Author Durgesh Shastri in his book "Pitfalls and Parachutes" has penned down an anthology from his own experiences. So will the variety offered in the book suit the taste of the readers? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and a reader won't be able to make out the exact theme of the book. The title is justified as the book progresses on. The cover image is apt to go with the title but it's relevance with the book will be revealed slowly and steadily. The blurb highlights about anthology as the theme of the book and a brief one line description of all the stories. The blurb could have been summarized generally rather than giving one liners about the story. The suspense could have been maintained for the readers.
There are 15 short stories covering the day to day life, incidents around us and numerous situations and circumstances which can compel a person to think, to react and to stand up for it in their own way. Each story has something or the other to offer to a reader in terms of experience.
Story No. 1:
It's a simple twisted story of two people who are together by fate and end up in a dramatic mix up. It's a good story considering the fact that it has a bit of spice in it for the readers.
Story No. 2:
Reality being shown on any electronic medium acts as an eye opener for the society most of the times. It's just that somebody has to take the first step. This is what this story is all about. It's an average story with the main catch towards the end.
Story No. 3:
When things spiral out of control in a person's life it becomes way too difficult to get it back on track. This is what the story is all about. It's a nice story with a touch of surprise in it.
Story No. 4:
This is a story about college life and it's implications and the first hand experiences when it concerns lecturers. It could have been a better story. It's one of the weak links of the book.
Story No. 5:
It's a story of beliefs, religion and spiritual connection of a man with a god. The story has an essence of purity in it. It's a wonderful story with quite a surprise for the readers in store.
Story No. 6:
The story is about blind superstitions and how people get spoil their lives by following them regularly. It's a funny story and with an abrupt and a happy end to it.
Story No. 7:
Some things are just not meant to happen in one's life. This is what the story is all about. It's the wishes and desires which are left incomplete. It's an amazing story with the right mix of emotions in it.
Story No. 8:
One should not be stubborn in life at times and listen to the elders too. Some advises work as tonic and a cure for the rest of your life. It's a good story of realization and the feeling of helplessness at the end of it.
Story No. 9:
It's the story of frustration and unwanted attention and few assumptions which leads to numerous other outcomes. It's a funny and an unexpected story and keeps the readers engaged.
Story No. 10:
One truth can change the lives of many. Destiny sometimes takes a course which is not in anybody's hands. It's a marvelous story with a touch of deceit, happiness, anger and shock and realization.
Story No. 11:
Some vows from the past are never meant to be broken. It's the story of staunch determination of a person and then the results of breaking it. It's an average story with not much to excite while reading it.
Story No. 12:
When it comes to a girl's respect the man who stood up for it is the one who deserves her completely. This is what the story is all about. The story has a moral and a message in it for the society which makes it interesting.
Story No. 13:
It's a vivid imagination of the future and when resources will be limited then how would humans adjust to it. The story is a mix of present scenario in the future giving few insights as to what to expect in the coming time. It's not one of those exciting ones in the book.
Story No. 14:
It's a story with a lot of unanswered queries at the end. It has twist in it, love and something shocking which will baffle the readers a lot. It can make an intelligent one look silly. It's one of the best stories of the lot.
Story No. 15:
The arrogant always take a mighty fall and this is what happens in this story. It's a story of revenge and dignity of a person. It's a very good story considering the narration and the way it has been penned down.
The stories which I liked the most are story no. 5, 7 ,9, 10, 14 and 15. The weak links of the book are story no. 2,4, 6 and 13. The anthology is a good attempt at observing the day to day happenings around us. Flavor of life is an added charm in the book.
The book is a decent attempt at penning down an anthology for the readers. It has been balanced out well for the readers to enjoy but few of them might not click with the readers too. It's unraveling various human emotions in different circumstances under one book.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5.
Pitfalls and Parachutes is a collection of fifteen short stories. The stories are youthful and lively. Entertainment is at the core of each of the stories. Watch out for exciting endings. A glimpse of the collection: 1. The protagonist's decision to help a lost lady might cost him his job. 2. Television news becomes a reality in the life of Cyrus. 3. Pramanik's reputation is at an all-time low. Someone can make it worse. 4. Can anything other than ragging make one's first day of college hell? 5. Why does an anonymous donation trouble Kanha so much that he hires goons to hurt an old man? 6. Deepak decides to overcome his superstitions; will they leave him so easily? 7. Michael sets out to fulfill his wife's last wish. What's his last wish? 8. Can a kick change somebody's life? 9. Does Sumit land a job in spite of a disastrous interview? No recommendation is entertained. 10. Kanchan has to choose between her lover and husband. Her son holds a dark secret. 11. Rishi has vowed never to fly kites again. What if he breaks it? 12. Valentine's Day and fanatics ultimatum. Will love Blossom?
First look at the title and the cover and a reader won't be able to make out the exact theme of the book. The title is justified as the book progresses on. The cover image is apt to go with the title but it's relevance with the book will be revealed slowly and steadily. The blurb highlights about anthology as the theme of the book and a brief one line description of all the stories. The blurb could have been summarized generally rather than giving one liners about the story. The suspense could have been maintained for the readers.
There are 15 short stories covering the day to day life, incidents around us and numerous situations and circumstances which can compel a person to think, to react and to stand up for it in their own way. Each story has something or the other to offer to a reader in terms of experience.
Story No. 1:
It's a simple twisted story of two people who are together by fate and end up in a dramatic mix up. It's a good story considering the fact that it has a bit of spice in it for the readers.
Story No. 2:
Reality being shown on any electronic medium acts as an eye opener for the society most of the times. It's just that somebody has to take the first step. This is what this story is all about. It's an average story with the main catch towards the end.
Story No. 3:
When things spiral out of control in a person's life it becomes way too difficult to get it back on track. This is what the story is all about. It's a nice story with a touch of surprise in it.
Story No. 4:
This is a story about college life and it's implications and the first hand experiences when it concerns lecturers. It could have been a better story. It's one of the weak links of the book.
Story No. 5:
It's a story of beliefs, religion and spiritual connection of a man with a god. The story has an essence of purity in it. It's a wonderful story with quite a surprise for the readers in store.
Story No. 6:
The story is about blind superstitions and how people get spoil their lives by following them regularly. It's a funny story and with an abrupt and a happy end to it.
Story No. 7:
Some things are just not meant to happen in one's life. This is what the story is all about. It's the wishes and desires which are left incomplete. It's an amazing story with the right mix of emotions in it.
Story No. 8:
One should not be stubborn in life at times and listen to the elders too. Some advises work as tonic and a cure for the rest of your life. It's a good story of realization and the feeling of helplessness at the end of it.
Story No. 9:
It's the story of frustration and unwanted attention and few assumptions which leads to numerous other outcomes. It's a funny and an unexpected story and keeps the readers engaged.
Story No. 10:
One truth can change the lives of many. Destiny sometimes takes a course which is not in anybody's hands. It's a marvelous story with a touch of deceit, happiness, anger and shock and realization.
Story No. 11:
Some vows from the past are never meant to be broken. It's the story of staunch determination of a person and then the results of breaking it. It's an average story with not much to excite while reading it.
Story No. 12:
When it comes to a girl's respect the man who stood up for it is the one who deserves her completely. This is what the story is all about. The story has a moral and a message in it for the society which makes it interesting.
Story No. 13:
It's a vivid imagination of the future and when resources will be limited then how would humans adjust to it. The story is a mix of present scenario in the future giving few insights as to what to expect in the coming time. It's not one of those exciting ones in the book.
Story No. 14:
It's a story with a lot of unanswered queries at the end. It has twist in it, love and something shocking which will baffle the readers a lot. It can make an intelligent one look silly. It's one of the best stories of the lot.
Story No. 15:
The arrogant always take a mighty fall and this is what happens in this story. It's a story of revenge and dignity of a person. It's a very good story considering the narration and the way it has been penned down.
The stories which I liked the most are story no. 5, 7 ,9, 10, 14 and 15. The weak links of the book are story no. 2,4, 6 and 13. The anthology is a good attempt at observing the day to day happenings around us. Flavor of life is an added charm in the book.
The book is a decent attempt at penning down an anthology for the readers. It has been balanced out well for the readers to enjoy but few of them might not click with the readers too. It's unraveling various human emotions in different circumstances under one book.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5.
October 28, 2013
Review: Love Is Vodka: One Shot Ain't Enough by Amit Shankar
Teenage is a time when a boy or a girl undergoes a lot of changes in the characters. The choices they make for themselves not only affect them but also the people around them too. Author Amit Shankar in his latest offering "Love Is Vodka: One Shot Ain't Enough" has tried to pen down a journey of one such teenager. So is the appropriate message conveyed by the author? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and glimpses of a chick lit novel hovers in the mind of the readers. The cover could have been much better than what it is right now. The title is catchy and the tagline goes with the title very well. The blurb talks about a person and her life's endeavors. The blurb has a lot of questions which will be answered by the end of the book. It's a good blurb giving out less to the readers and keeping the curiosity alive.
The story is of a young teenager Moon who is raised by her powerful news maker mother Payal Malik single handedly and she is devoid of father's love all the time. Moon makes some choices for herself in life and ends up being the puppet of her mother's decisions and joins an advertising agency as an intern. Her not so happening love life with Ash her current boyfriend leads her to find solace first in the company of Adi whom she meets my chance and then D a.k.a Devil who happens to be the boss of her company and also her mother's best friend. With some startling revelations she gets attracted to D and ends up loving a person 25 years elder to him. After a series of shocking incidents in her life she is left stranded alone and she's again on a crossroad as to tread on which path. Will she be able to correct the wrongs in her life? Will she find love? What will life teach her? This is what the story is all about.
The depiction of love between mother and daughter and few failed relationships in the first half makes the book worthy of giving a shot. The emotions in the first half binds and holds the plot together. Moon and her teenage melodrama is an apt portrayal of a wavered teenage life and few wrong decisions. The plot is strong in a few parts which is a plus.
The downside of the book is the start stop narration of few events and sudden shift in the story line in the second half moving on a different path altogether. The end not quite in sync with the complete theme of the story line. Some parts in the book seemed to be rushed off too much and lacked details. It lacked excitement and some surprises in the second half making it duller with every page.
The book with its catchy title and engaging story line in the first half is a good prospect but later on takes a journey which is not an ideal set up for the book. It could have been a better prospect but left high and dry towards the end. But the teenage times of Moon speak volumes of how to approach teens in the volatile times.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
If love is all about freedom and honest expression then how can one associate it with loyalty?
Being a love child; Moon, the protagonist is anything but a conventional teen. With a leading TV news anchor as her mother, an aspiring entrepreneur as her boy friend, the word LOVE baffles her. The whole idea of having one partner and love being eternal is beyond her comprehension.
Life turns upside down when she falls for the CEO, who happens to be her mother's boyfriend too. Destiny further complicates things by blessing her with a big time modelling assignment and she becomes famous and popular overnight.
A war starts waging between her head & heart on a lot of issues exposing her to various forms of love online & offline.
Will she decipher the true meaning of love? Embark on an exhilarating rendezvous with Moon and discover love like never before.
First look at the title and the cover and glimpses of a chick lit novel hovers in the mind of the readers. The cover could have been much better than what it is right now. The title is catchy and the tagline goes with the title very well. The blurb talks about a person and her life's endeavors. The blurb has a lot of questions which will be answered by the end of the book. It's a good blurb giving out less to the readers and keeping the curiosity alive.
The story is of a young teenager Moon who is raised by her powerful news maker mother Payal Malik single handedly and she is devoid of father's love all the time. Moon makes some choices for herself in life and ends up being the puppet of her mother's decisions and joins an advertising agency as an intern. Her not so happening love life with Ash her current boyfriend leads her to find solace first in the company of Adi whom she meets my chance and then D a.k.a Devil who happens to be the boss of her company and also her mother's best friend. With some startling revelations she gets attracted to D and ends up loving a person 25 years elder to him. After a series of shocking incidents in her life she is left stranded alone and she's again on a crossroad as to tread on which path. Will she be able to correct the wrongs in her life? Will she find love? What will life teach her? This is what the story is all about.
The depiction of love between mother and daughter and few failed relationships in the first half makes the book worthy of giving a shot. The emotions in the first half binds and holds the plot together. Moon and her teenage melodrama is an apt portrayal of a wavered teenage life and few wrong decisions. The plot is strong in a few parts which is a plus.
The downside of the book is the start stop narration of few events and sudden shift in the story line in the second half moving on a different path altogether. The end not quite in sync with the complete theme of the story line. Some parts in the book seemed to be rushed off too much and lacked details. It lacked excitement and some surprises in the second half making it duller with every page.
The book with its catchy title and engaging story line in the first half is a good prospect but later on takes a journey which is not an ideal set up for the book. It could have been a better prospect but left high and dry towards the end. But the teenage times of Moon speak volumes of how to approach teens in the volatile times.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
October 24, 2013
Review: Ex...A Twisted Love Story By Novoneel Chakraborty
Have you experienced love with equal amount of pleasure and pain? Have you always been loyal towards the person you love the most? Have you been able to carve out a niche for yourself and be someone's pride? There are endless questions to love and it's repercussions and one cant only think of endless possibilities. Author Novoneel Chakraborty in his latest book "Ex...A Twisted Love Story" takes you on a journey for love where nothing is straight as it looks. So is the twisted story magnetic enough? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and the thing which attracts the most is the tagline beneath the title. It's a twisted love story as suggested by the author which is more than enough to arouse the curiosity pangs of the readers. The title is simple and adds a touch of resemblance to some love stories but that's not the case in this book. The blurb has been kept short and simple and mysterious and talks about a boy's story who is about to encounter some of life's most unaccepted experiences. It's a good blurb considering the story line.
The story is about Neel who quits his boring bank job and aspires to be an author. He has a perfect love life and is in a live in relationship with Titiksha. One of his visits to Jaipur Literature Festival spells a new angle to his life with the advent of Nivrita who makes a tempting offer to Neel which he is not able resist and fans his dreams of becoming a big author one day. But things start getting complicated with Titiksha and her possible love affair with someone which gradually leads up to the point from where there is no going back. So will he able to salvage his relationship? What is it between Nivrita & Neel? What is in store for him? This is what the story is all about.
If one word is needed to describe the book it will be "Twisted". It's a book which will catch readers off guard with it's mesmerizing story line and alluring tell tale of Neel and his life. There are surprises ate regular intervals in the book and the command over the narration and vocabulary is fabulous. It's a book which cannot be put down even for a moment for the simplest of the things will make sense later on towards the end.. The emotions of love, betrayal, loneliness, infidelity and perhaps life's problems has been projected in the perfect manner. It has both dark and bright sides of love in one to make the readers dance to it's tunes.
There are no faults in the book neither there's a dull moment in the book.
If as a reader you are looking for a love story with a feel of newness and a fresh flavor to it, then without any second thoughts you can pick up the book. The mind of the readers will be churned to a maximum and in the end it'll leave you in a state of trance from where there is no coming back so easily. It mesmerizes, makes you high, makes you jump and shout & cry and in the end leaves you baffled.
RATINGS:
5 OUT OF 5
To get to his heart, she seduced his mind.
What will you do if one day a svelte and sexy girl comes up to you and says she is your ex ? And the only thing you know about her is that you don't know anything about her.
Neel, an aspiring author, meets Nivrita at the Jaipur Literary Festival. Though Nivrita says she is his ex, he remembers nothing and yet everything about her seems to lure him to unravel the mystery she personifies. The more he is drawn to her, the more Neel feels guilty because he is already in a steady relationship with Titiksha, the love of his life.
When Nivrita makes a tempting offer to Neel, which he accepts for his own good, his life slowly begins to spiral out of control while Titiksha starts turning into a stranger until Neel realizes there's much more than his eyes can see and mind can recollect.
First look at the title and the cover and the thing which attracts the most is the tagline beneath the title. It's a twisted love story as suggested by the author which is more than enough to arouse the curiosity pangs of the readers. The title is simple and adds a touch of resemblance to some love stories but that's not the case in this book. The blurb has been kept short and simple and mysterious and talks about a boy's story who is about to encounter some of life's most unaccepted experiences. It's a good blurb considering the story line.
The story is about Neel who quits his boring bank job and aspires to be an author. He has a perfect love life and is in a live in relationship with Titiksha. One of his visits to Jaipur Literature Festival spells a new angle to his life with the advent of Nivrita who makes a tempting offer to Neel which he is not able resist and fans his dreams of becoming a big author one day. But things start getting complicated with Titiksha and her possible love affair with someone which gradually leads up to the point from where there is no going back. So will he able to salvage his relationship? What is it between Nivrita & Neel? What is in store for him? This is what the story is all about.
If one word is needed to describe the book it will be "Twisted". It's a book which will catch readers off guard with it's mesmerizing story line and alluring tell tale of Neel and his life. There are surprises ate regular intervals in the book and the command over the narration and vocabulary is fabulous. It's a book which cannot be put down even for a moment for the simplest of the things will make sense later on towards the end.. The emotions of love, betrayal, loneliness, infidelity and perhaps life's problems has been projected in the perfect manner. It has both dark and bright sides of love in one to make the readers dance to it's tunes.
There are no faults in the book neither there's a dull moment in the book.
If as a reader you are looking for a love story with a feel of newness and a fresh flavor to it, then without any second thoughts you can pick up the book. The mind of the readers will be churned to a maximum and in the end it'll leave you in a state of trance from where there is no coming back so easily. It mesmerizes, makes you high, makes you jump and shout & cry and in the end leaves you baffled.
RATINGS:
5 OUT OF 5
October 23, 2013
Review: Because...Every Raindrop Is A Hope by Sankalp Kohli & Mansi Sharma
Life has been a teacher for all the living beings on earth since the advent of time. Not many have been able to decipher the correct path to lead their life in peace. There's always a turmoil or a phase where you tend to fall out of favor or waiver off in a wrong direction. Author Sankalp Kohli & Mansi Sharma in their debut book "Because...Every Raindrop Is A Hope" have tried to decipher the right mix to live a happy and a peaceful life. So is the book powerful enough to leave an impression on the readers? Let's find out.
First look at the title and the cover and the highlighted word of the title "Hope" raises a lot of hope in a readers mind. The curiosity to read the book is aroused and the cover image is a cherry on the top of it. The blurb talks about a boy and his struggles to adapt and change according to the life's pace has been mentioned. The blurb could have been cut short a bit. It's unusually lengthy.
The story revolves around a small town boy from Kanpur i.e Raj and his life's adventures through his eyes as he lives his past and tries to recollect the good and the bad which happened to him in a strange sort of occurrences and took away most of the angel side away from him and made him the devil which he didn't intended to be. His friendship, his love and & his inability to stand up to life's challenges is a best way to realize once own's mistakes. But will he be able to take control of the situation? What will happen to his love life? What will happen to his friends? What will happen to Raj in the end is what is the story is all about.
The life's important lessons always to keep your head steady and never let ego or arrogance take control of your personality is a pretty strong idea in the book. The emotional turmoil and the struggle to get out of the mess self created by Raj has been beautifully crafted. Friendship & love are high in this story and the message and the impact it leaves on the readers makes it an interesting book for the readers. The simple narration is an added plus to it.
The downside of the book is no difference in the story line from the other books. The story could have been made more interesting and few things happened or ended out of the blue which is an eye sore. The story in the middle could have been more compelling.
The book though no different from the others in terms of the story line yet leaves a deep impression on the mind of the readers. The choices you make and the cautious you are towards life, the rich the rewards will be is the important message throughout the book. It lets you relive the good old college days through the eyes of the protagonist and the mistakes which you committed and not realized it that time.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
Because... Every Raindrop Is A Hope chronicles the life of Raj as he grapples with love, loss, consequences of wrong choices and his efforts to emerge victorious a midst adversity.Raj, a small town boy from Kanpur, is a big dreamer, who after a series of twists and turns, ends up at an impasse in life. Because... Every Raindrop Is A Hope portrays his story with a series of nostalgic references about his past mixed with his present. Essentially a love story, the love triangle between Raj, Mahek and Shruti often leads the protagonist to make crucial life changing decisions. Subjected to the cruel realities of life, Raj loses more than he bargained for and ends up paying the price for his carelessness. At his wits end, Raj thinks about giving up when in a serendipitous moment he finds a note from his beloved professor, which tells him not to give up as every raindrop is a hope. Because... Every Raindrop is a Hope deals realistically with the issues of life, love and friendship. Raj’s relationship with his two best friends, Rahul and Rohan, defines a solid part of his identity. The breakdown of his friendship spirals Raj into a life of seclusion and despair. The crowded city of Mumbai offers no solace to Raj as he seems to be destined to walk through its streets in loneliness and agony.Raj’s life is supposed to act as an inspiration for readers to endure hardships and not give up, as hope will always shine no matter how dark circumstances may be at the moment. Through various instances like love, tests of friendship, politics in college, betrayal, manipulation and survival, the theme of hope is brought out. Mumbai has been described with painstaking detail, making the crowded city a stark background to Raj’s eventual isolation. An element of mysticism is brought in with the mysterious man who guides Raj whenever he veers too far off the right track.
First look at the title and the cover and the highlighted word of the title "Hope" raises a lot of hope in a readers mind. The curiosity to read the book is aroused and the cover image is a cherry on the top of it. The blurb talks about a boy and his struggles to adapt and change according to the life's pace has been mentioned. The blurb could have been cut short a bit. It's unusually lengthy.
The story revolves around a small town boy from Kanpur i.e Raj and his life's adventures through his eyes as he lives his past and tries to recollect the good and the bad which happened to him in a strange sort of occurrences and took away most of the angel side away from him and made him the devil which he didn't intended to be. His friendship, his love and & his inability to stand up to life's challenges is a best way to realize once own's mistakes. But will he be able to take control of the situation? What will happen to his love life? What will happen to his friends? What will happen to Raj in the end is what is the story is all about.
The life's important lessons always to keep your head steady and never let ego or arrogance take control of your personality is a pretty strong idea in the book. The emotional turmoil and the struggle to get out of the mess self created by Raj has been beautifully crafted. Friendship & love are high in this story and the message and the impact it leaves on the readers makes it an interesting book for the readers. The simple narration is an added plus to it.
The downside of the book is no difference in the story line from the other books. The story could have been made more interesting and few things happened or ended out of the blue which is an eye sore. The story in the middle could have been more compelling.
The book though no different from the others in terms of the story line yet leaves a deep impression on the mind of the readers. The choices you make and the cautious you are towards life, the rich the rewards will be is the important message throughout the book. It lets you relive the good old college days through the eyes of the protagonist and the mistakes which you committed and not realized it that time.
RATINGS:
3 OUT OF 5
