Memories of Fire - 4.5*s

Overwhelmed. Intoxicated. In Awe. Giddy with insights. Inspired.  YET Angry. Disturbed. Upset. Overall an extremely heady and satisfying feeling.

These are but a few of the emotions I experienced reading this brilliant brilliant book.

Memories of Fire by Ashok Chopra is one of the most insightful books you will ever read.
Its almost like an encyclopedia more than a book. With numerous references, detailed background information and insightful anecdotes, this is a  treasure trove of a read.

IF one were to judge an author by the book he writes, then surely one would sing praises of the man. His vast knowledge, in-dept research and citations makes this a read beyond just a book.
It's almost like researching about the best poems and literature that one could read in a lifetime.


One of the reasons why I wanted to read the Memories of Fire is the fact that it is set around the partition and early years of India's Independence as well as the formative years of Pakistan.

I have always wanted to know what causes the animosity between the people of the two countries (certainly beyond the obvious).
While I had my own beliefs, they were merely based on the little snippets I have read from here and there. This book describes quite extensively the situation prevalent in both countries around the time of partition and while the focus is around the then state of Punjab it does showcase the mood and sentiment of the people that is even prevalent today.

The story revolves around the life of 5 friends, which in ways represents the unity in diversity that we experience in India and beyond. Coming from different backgrounds, cultures and religious beliefs, yet being the closest of friends, there for each other for life (literally) and is a fulcrum around which revolves this epic book.
Their backgrounds and differences showcases how as individuals we humans may differ but left to our own devices we can find a commonality that bridges any gap provided we don't cave in to external influences.

A brief synopsis of the 5 friends and their life without revealing the actual story:

Shyam Singh : The most gut wrenching life experience of the four in my opinion. If what transpired was true, I wonder why it dint lead to more well defined laws around Euthanasia in India. Would you have the courage to do that we did in his situation?

Vijay Thakur: The larger part of the book involves him. He is like that omnipresent personality who is there for everyone, everywhere almost all the time. Will naturally be amongst everyone's favorite.

Reza Khan: Is a bit of an enigma. There is not a lot written about his personal life but his love for literature will make any ones pale in comparison. He seems to have the most comfortable life amongst the group.

Balbir: Perhaps the highest pain is reserved for Balbir. His entire belief system, upbringing and culture come into serious dilemma. He has to some tough choices in life and how he copes is part of this journey. His choices define his life and while some work out perfectly, does he get a fairy tale ending?

Deepak Kumar: Plays a supporting role in this story. His letters exchanged with Reza Khan are fascinating reads.

Is Balbir's choice tougher or does Shyam have to make the greater sacrifice. Which one would you be able to make if you were confronted with them?

Read the book and let me know. And be rest assured you will feel mentally fulfilled after this.

Book Review: The Nine-Chambered Heart - 4*s

Janice Pariat has set out to do what not too many people could have attempted.

Of deciphering a woman.

Of  enlightening us so that we may truly understand what makes her who she is.

However, like melting mist on a warm winter morning, while the rays of the sun permeate amongst us, our understanding flitters from one facet to another.

The nine chambered heart is written in a very unique style. 

There are No names, no cities mentioned, no direct references to anything that may influence your thoughts or cloud your understanding.

Instead it focuses purely on the subject at hand and takes us through a journey of unraveling the experiences and behavior of the main protagonist. 

Janice Pariat's The Nine Chambered Heart is written purely from the "other person's perspective" and refers to their thoughts, impressions and expressions of what they perceive the protagonist will feel under different situations. The message is open to our interpretation, which is molded by our own experiences in life. The stories can be extremely relatable and helps us connect with the characters in our own unique way which makes reading even more enjoyable. It's a rare perspective to have, of the other side when most stories always focus on the protagonists point of view.  

Written in a simple and evocative style, The Nine Chambered heart is a kind of novel that keeps you guessing and interested to the very end.

You literally would not want to put the down book until you know what happens at the end.

I have always believed that people can experience love in multiple ways with more than one person in life, a concept most people tend to disagree with. Generally people are conditioned to believe that love is largely singular and ought to be eternal.

But in this book we discover how one can find love in different situations, under different circumstances and that love is an emotion that does not have to really last a lifetime.

As it says in the book, one can experience love for as little as 5 days or even an eternity.Some people might dismiss it as infatuation, attraction and what not, but who is to draw a line between emotions.

Love is an emotion that one lives through and may for reasons beyond our control not last forever.Love also comes in different forms.
Some are physical love, some mental, some purely (Platonic) emotional and then there's love that combines every aspect and blossoms into a garden in our hearts.

The nine chambered heart is a book one must read because it also highlights a very important aspect.

That of the uncertainty of life.

Nobody knows whats going to happen next and situations beyond ones control lead to outcomes that may not be what you desire.

But how you accept that and move on with life is perhaps the most important lesson in this story in my opinion.

Read it to infuse new hope in you. A new found sense of wanting to live life to the fullest.

Book Review: A House for Mr. Misra (4*s)

If ever there was a book, that can be described as visually descriptive, this has to take the cake.

The journey begins from the markets of England that are so vividly described, you can almost smell the fresh produce.
Winding its way through the monsoons of Kerala, the traffic, a few tense situations (not revealing the reasons why Mr. Misra had to be hospitalized, however the manner in which he was treated is is an insightful read) and eventually to the house that is supposed to be built.

Do they manage to build it? Does it work out the way they want? Well you have to read the book for that but I can reveal the end leads to a temptation that is extremely hard to resist.

A House for Mr. Misra, by Jaishree Misra is a delightful insight into what goes behind the scenes in Gods own country. And when I say what goes behind the scenes, I am literally referring to insights on how the average Mallu thinks, behaves and interacts with people from within and outside the state.

We discover their way of life, their territorial behavior and through incidents discover what life is like in Kerala.
Is it easy to build a house on the beach you ask? What kind of laws intervene? Can one discover loopholes? How far do you stretch your morals when faced with adversity? All this and more are entwined in the story.

A House for Mr. Misra, by Jaishree Misra is a tongue in cheek, humorous tale of the Misra's attempts to build their dream beach side home. (Why did they consider building a new home when financial challenges were abound is a mystery but they took the adventurous route that had a tale to tell).
Kudos to Jaishree Misra for not getting too critical of the people in the book for she had every opportunity to speak out against them.

What she has done instead is narrate a story that's fast paced, intriguing, a thread bare version of the situation they faced written in a simple, contextual and beautiful manner thats an extremely easy read.

What also stood out is how the laws are drafted in this country. For every clause there is a caveat and for every caveat there is a clause. Like wise, for every person who is honest and helpful there is a someone who doesn't believe he is here to help another soul.

All in all a very good, interesting and insightful read.

Book Review: Murder In Paharganj(2.5*s)

A murder thriller has to leave you gasping to know more.

The anticipation of the progress of the story has to be so riveting that you don't want to put the book down. It has to tease and cajole you into waiting for a twist, the next turn of events.

Instead what Kulpreet Yadav has penned in his novel, Murder in Paharganj is an attempt to turn this around an share details upfront of almost every crucial moment, thereby killing the suspense.

Admittedly this is not a suspense mystery that requires detective style investigation and clearly Vicks Menon is not a detective.

Murder in Paharganj is fast paced in its story line and has some serious potential in the sub plots and credit is due for not sermonizing certain aspects of the book.

It has a variety of characters that have interesting facets of emotions to deal with and yet one wonders if the characters were flushed out further, their could literally be spin off novels on each of them, especially Jalaluddin and ACP Rao.

While the story journeys through the death of Israeli woman Sherry Bing, who had no reason to be murdered and the subsequent investigation into why was she significant to the story, it leads her Killer and investigators from Delhi to Udaipur and off all places Bangkok and subsequently back to India for the tepid climax - no surprises in the book and likewise no surprises in this blog, except for the actual climax for which you better read the book.

Vicks Menon has some way to go before he can be cast into a hero figure. He may be battling for his job (having lost his recently), love (girl friend also left him recently), his drinking which apparently was largely to blame for the loss of job and love and most importantly his self prestige, all at the same time but his journalistic skills are hardly a saving grace in this matter.

There is no great research, investigative piece or stroke of brilliance that really stands out except perhaps his determination to keep going despite his brushes with death.

How an international spy can leave a journalist alive despite being identified by him and being followed around is something that truly beggars belief.

Vicks girl friend is also highly under used in the plot. Her intelligence and contribution could be put to better use. Its like in bollywood movies where the heroine is only around for some eye candy and to throw in some romantic scenes and songs.

Personally I also think Jamie aka Jalaluddin would have made a subject for a normally or indeed ACP Rao.

All in all, its not a book or series I would include in my must read list.

Totally skip able.

Book Review: Column Of Fire by Ken Follet(4*s)

RELIGION.

The most powerful creation of man.

A creation that inspires faith, belief, trust, knowledge yet it can also devastate, Spread hatred, lies, deceit and mislead. 

Oh, and religion also strives for power and control over people and practices and therein lies its greatest peril.

Many may argue that God created religion and not man. Well, you only need to read this book to see why I say that man created religion. 

God may have created divinity, spirituality, knowledge, but not religious acts & denouncements.

A Column of fire, the third book by Ken Follett after the Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, all three stories about the middle ages set in a fictional city called Kingsbridge in England.
A column of Fire is an epic journey that showcases the religious conflict of that era and in many ways is relevant even in today's world.
(I have not read the earlier two books and hence reviewing this individually)

The story takes you through a journey of raw emotion, undying love, loyalty, courage but also showcases hatred, violence, greed, lust for power. There is a kaleidoscope of human emotions and personalities that you will have the pleasure to read about.

Bill Sheehan of The Washington Post summarises the book by commenting: "Like its predecessors in the Kingsbridge series, “A Column of Fire” is absorbing, painlessly educational and a great deal of fun. Follett uses the tools of popular fiction to great effect in these books, illuminating a nation’s gradual progress toward modernity. The central theme of this latest book — the ongoing conflict between tolerance and fanaticism — lends both relevance and resonance to the slowly unfolding story of England’s past.
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Column_of_Fire_ 

I have shared the above quote to illustrate one of the 2 most important aspects from this book. The first being the conflict of religion. Even in the 21st century we have wars, disagreements, debates about religious acceptability and of tolerance. The world is increasingly being divided over religious beliefs and acceptability of various religious laws. Are religious laws and beliefs above national laws? In a secular world how much room exits for differential beliefs. Or do we really live in secular world?
In the Column of Fire, the central plot is of the conflict between Catholics and Protestants.
Your religious belief determines the path of your life, your friends, your social acceptance, your business dealings or even the fact that you are safe and alive. Such is the hatred being spewed that nobody is safe unless they take to the path of God as believed by certain fanatics.

The book plot has wars, the over throwing of Monarchs, plots to kill and kidnap Kings and Queens, the lust for power and social positions and a quest for personal greatness and any cost. Even at the cost of the future of countries.

The Pope himself ostracizes Queen Elizabeth and says God will forgive you for ousting her from her throne and even killing her!
Really, God forgives murderers? Especially even if they believe the same God just in a different manner?

The other important aspect of this book is the treatment of Women. We may live in the 21st century but even today the important  question of women's position in society is being discussed.
They are not given their fair status and that is an undeniable fact.
That man imposes himself over woman is something extreme common in our society and the same is vividly depicted in the Column of Fire.
Woman are controlled, manipulated, raped, murdered, cheated on, used as a tool for self gain all too frequently with no guilt or remorse.
We also see the positive side of Women and their personality, the Iron will to forge their own path, to survive and be more than equal.

The spectrum of human personalities is a treat to read.
To add a very important note - NOT ALL MEN are evil. There are heroes, personalities you cant help but love and admire for their affability, actions and courage. Men that give you faith that they will do the right thing, fight for whats right and never let evil win over.

On the one hand we have Young, Lovelorn, Loyal, Intelligent, Family Man Ned Willard who is part of the first Secret Service set up by Queen Elizabeth to ensure that all early signs of rebellion, invasion or assassination attempts are quelled.

On the other hand we have Pierre Aumande, Ambitious, Ruthless, A smooth talker and vicious thinker who attaches himself to the powerful Guise family in order to raise his own stature in society.

How are their lives connected? Will their paths clash? Who will emerge victorious in this epic saga?
read the book to know more.

Also look at for the following characters who play very pivotal roles on either side:
Rollo Fitzgerald
Sylvie Palot
Another character that you I personally took a liking towards was Ebrima Dabo (the Mandinkan Slave)

P.S. - A small word of caution for those who care - The book has numerous scenes depicting Physical Intimacy. This is just FYI in case you wanted to know before hand.

Book Review: What Kitty Did (5*s)

Oh Dear Kitty. What have you done?

As you read through this roller coast of a book, you will end up asking this question way too many times.

 

It's rare to read a book where you get so emotionally connected to the protagonist that you wish you could get into their life and help them sort their heads. Sure we root for hero's, we cheer their success and many times even cry their sorrows for them but have you ever felt exasperated, annoyed and yet appreciated a protagonist. Kitty is someone who is not a hero, doesn't get things right (perfection is not even in the dictionary), and can be generally perceived as irresponsible, unprofessional and as her family suspects a raging alcoholic.

Often, I had to remind myself that the book and the lead character are not one and the same. Trisha Bora has done a fantastic job on merging the two.

I simply loved the book. It's fast paced, edgy, with a healthy dose of a "murder" mystery mixed with life and lifestyles in the modern era. It's as contemporary as its the year 2017. 

There's a grim reality to the situation that is depicted which resonates with the reader.

 

Extremely well written and referenced, where every character plays an important role that may seem inconsequential initially but impacts the story line eventually. An intricately woven plot with virtually no loose ends that gathers steam and before one realizes heads to an exciting climax. 

Trisha Bora has truly redefined my idea of what a good book should be about. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a true story and not a work of fiction.

We often read about fantasy worlds and imaginary situations. Writers use their creativity to varying degrees to paint a picture. But personally I believe it's a lot tougher to present a reality of today that's virtually impossible to disagree with.

Whether it's the human psyche, the relationships that's highlighted or the entire plot that twists and weaves like an auto rickshaw through the narrow lanes of India, this is one book that is a kaleidoscope of Indian reality.

For this I salute Trisha Bora and am now a fan of her writing. I especially loved the vast references she uses to establish her analogies. It speaks volumes of her own interests and exposure to the wide world of art that's out there and to achieve an amalgamation of it all into her story is tremendous effort.

The story revolves around Kitty and her muddled approach to life. Her ineptness in handling her life and its problems is a stark reminder to us all about how we need to re-visit our approach to things.
Her professional life is no way any better and that's evident in her approach to writing that piece about the death of Roxy Merchant. But credit to her for spirit of never giving up.

She reminds us that we ma never have all the talent in this world but if we stay honest and persistent and with a bit of luck we all may just have a fairy tale ending to life.

.

Book review: The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara

A layered story (akin to a multi layered dessert dish) which has a series of sub plots that all come together with some divine intervention in this fast paced and well written book by SV Sujatha.

The Demon Hunter of Chottanikkara was my first Supernatural Thriller and at the out set I can tell you that hitherto I had not been a fan of this genre of stories.
But their is an intrigue behind each of these stories as was evident in this book. Of Dreams shattered and opportunities snatched away.
Below is an except from the book that I have included to portray that:

Devi smiled sadly. “I suppose we will never be rid of them because they were once like us...men and women who had hopes and dreams. But when they died prematurely and violently, they could not go peacefully into the next cycle of their lives, but had to return to this one as abominations filled with evil. We know they can’t stay away because they lust for what we have, and they also want to exact revenge for the injustices done to them when they were still among the living. They desire not only our flesh and blood but are driven by forces beyond their comprehension, which will allow them no rest, no peace, until they are dispatched once and for all. And their nature being what they are, they will kill and maim, they cannot help themselves.”

As is evident in this 1 paragraph, the story is beautifully narrated and evocative. The book is vivid in its illustration and yet uses an extremely simple style of writing which can resonant with its readers. Each of the characters have been fleshed out wonderfully well and helps the readers connect with their trials and tribulations.

The plot of the story itself is relatively simple, however what makes this worth reading is the portrayal and nuances of each of the characters. Sujatha has marvelously captured a kaleidoscope of human traits in this thriller that showcases to whats ends people can go to achieve what they want, in both positive and negative forms. The story deals with Love, Sacrifice, Valor, Cruelty, Greed and above all sacrifice for the greater good.

The book will question your belief in the greater good, The Ultimate Sacrifice and will ask you - What would be your choice if you were faced with the same situation as Devi?

If you have read the book, comment on what would be your choice...