Archive for March 2014

Tigers for Dinner

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When I was buying it I never expected it to turn out what it did! This book went way beyond my assumption. Initially, I thought it would be a fat volume that would include comedy, which it did include, and was meant for book worms. The fact turned out to be that, the book was meant to turn normal children into book worms. What I mean by this strange sentence of mine is that this book with seven chapters is meant to be read by children and get them interested into reading. More than 3\4th of this copy includes coloured illustrations by Sunaina Coelho. Ruskin Bond's imaginations know no bounds when he is wrinting for children. He brings in seven intriguing strories narrated by Jim Corbett's <i>Khansama</i>(cook), Mehmoud, who describes his experiences and encounters with animals of all sorts while preparing the tasty lamb chops for young Ruskin. I loved the fact that the sub-title on the cover page is 'Tall Tales by Jim Corbett's <i>Khansama</i>', not short tales.<br />Tussling with a cobra to hairy demons under the pillow, being carried away by a <i>muggermuch</i>(crocodile) to hunting down a cheetah, being blown by a wild boar to tackling a hungry man eating tiger; the stories urge it's readers to give a thought to the possibility of events.<br />The very thought of the aromas of delicious food floating by Mehmoud's kitchen with his voice humming an enchanting tale bring both, water to my mouth and anxiety in my mind. So, join me to this world of <i>Carpet sahib's</i> (Mehmoud's way of referring to Jim Corbett) company and Runskin's transfixing imaginations. I'm sure that this book can turn anybody into a little child.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTlbEPC2ErdxWplTFC82sbmAfzj3-KC6AksIEIa1tiLp9ZI5YGIXFPQYSmW8w0nqEcCs_pUEbxQOjz2F5qxB8-zzgq3fxUVyVJim0X5DgOMPwRgmrewW4GBOCsizKXMijncAEhNLJkwQi/s1600/Tigers_for_dinner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTlbEPC2ErdxWplTFC82sbmAfzj3-KC6AksIEIa1tiLp9ZI5YGIXFPQYSmW8w0nqEcCs_pUEbxQOjz2F5qxB8-zzgq3fxUVyVJim0X5DgOMPwRgmrewW4GBOCsizKXMijncAEhNLJkwQi/s1600/Tigers_for_dinner.jpeg" width="205" /></a></div><br /></div>

Tigers for Dinner

When I was buying it I never expected it to turn out what it did! This book went way beyond my assumption. Initially, I thought it would be ...

Wise and Otherwise

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">An intriguing set of fifty one real life encounters that leave the reader pondering on the contrasting shades of India. Sudha Murty brings out the best from her life experiences with her vivid writing that captivate the readers. Human nature and psychology is showcased through these twinkling tales where there are illustrations of honesty, humility, wisdom, greed, wretchedness, sorrow, cruelty and what not. The stories highlight human nature at it's best and worst. What interests me best in this book is the impact it creates through the simplicity of language. The stories reflect irony and are caramelized by subtle humour. Just like her other book, 'The day I stopped Drinking Milk', this book too manages to touch the deepest corners of one's heart. The author has dedicated this work of art to "the shirtless people of India" who have taught her so much about her country.<br />Strong variations in the societal effects on humans are showcased wonderfully. This universal book will surely leave a change in the outlooks of it's readers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWJfPikdeIqZ1UVTNx7voz_nblDgDvftt_CRoeHgpfg12JX9tdDBrYXAt2rL9a_svmP0guaNF45a9BlKfQvLg8-n5EsMSVVPvfMeFF0BuLtkgzmKcsalvav6YpvBgHYZIJ_kcENV6VaEa/s1600/wise_and_otherwise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWJfPikdeIqZ1UVTNx7voz_nblDgDvftt_CRoeHgpfg12JX9tdDBrYXAt2rL9a_svmP0guaNF45a9BlKfQvLg8-n5EsMSVVPvfMeFF0BuLtkgzmKcsalvav6YpvBgHYZIJ_kcENV6VaEa/s1600/wise_and_otherwise.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>

Wise and Otherwise

An intriguing set of fifty one real life encounters that leave the reader pondering on the contrasting shades of India. Sudha Murty brings o...

Mahashweta

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I think I fell in love with a certain "parijata" flowers even without actually knowing which flowers they referred to after reading this novel. Well now I've Googled it and come to know :) . That is the speciality of this book and I would rate it as the best book I've ever read until now.<br />Such is Sudha Murty's enchanting style of writing which has left me awe-inspired and spellbound. The best part is that I could not contain my curiosity to know the whole story and was complled to finish the book within one day and that too the day before my Mathematics examination!<br />The story starts off just like a fairy tale where there is a dream marriage of the main character, Anupama, who belongs to a poor background, to a rich and handsome Anand (whom we'll later discover is not at all rich at heart and commitment). Everything is perfect and then, just a little white spot discovered on Anupama's foot bombards Anupama's life entirely. Having leukoderma is considered to be a bad omen in India and also leaves the victims totally ostracized.<br />Forced to return to her paternal house without any sign of concern or sympathy from her wealthy in-laws,  Anupama tolerates all sorts of taunts from her stepmother and also bears with the social stigma of a married woman living with her parents just in the hope of some support from her beloved. She makes up her mind, committing suicide at the point would be the best potion available to her when she comes to know that her husband is remarrying. But she is driven by  courage and determination to face life as it comes, moves to Bombay to her childhood friend, Sumithra's place. Discover how Anupama weaves her painful life into one where she is independent, successful and supported by the storng walls of friendship and love.<br />I feel the title of the book is apt in the true sense- 'Mahashweta', the absolute white. I don't remember how many times the contents of the pages made me cry. I could not manage to keep my cheeks dry. After Rabindranath Tagore, I think Sudha Murty is the only person who managed to portray the human psychology and emotions so well.<br />"Mahashweta is an inspiring story of courage and resilience in a world marred by illusions and betrayals. The poignant tale offers hope and solace to the victims of the prejudices that govern society even today." This is given at the back of the book and I really feel that something existing deep within me has changed since I've read this book. The success of the book is defined when one reads the postscript which is a real life story where a girl's life and marriage is saved due to this eye-opener book read by the fiance.<br />Go ahead, wait for nothing to propel you and experience this heart rending story.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIGjUMmJkm5h1F1QdAVNQDYQP9oBJVEcALcUDLnVhiKTu4th20TZp3b5ZAJmfLvtcW891FVZTXa2NHv9fI0Z4z1TzvyhU0686tGHMJh72U4bWmv9qddrAkx44uVENtOPYLjlwRVzgpWHv/s1600/Mahasweta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIGjUMmJkm5h1F1QdAVNQDYQP9oBJVEcALcUDLnVhiKTu4th20TZp3b5ZAJmfLvtcW891FVZTXa2NHv9fI0Z4z1TzvyhU0686tGHMJh72U4bWmv9qddrAkx44uVENtOPYLjlwRVzgpWHv/s1600/Mahasweta.jpg" width="201" /></a></div></div>

Mahashweta

I think I fell in love with a certain "parijata" flowers even without actually knowing which flowers they referred to after readin...

Vendor of sweets

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Up with the review of another R.K. Narayan book. The vendor of sweets is a novel that revolves around the emotions and attachments of a father towards his son. It reveals the unspoken and unexpressed love and affection of a father towards such a son who according to me only knows to use his father. The ideas of modern world and the traditional Indian ideology subtly blend together in this story and give the reader a story with some depth. Some amount of maturity is needed to analyze and understand the book thoroughly so the book is not suitable for children. I did not experience any sort of entertainment while I turned page after page but a certain amount of anxiety grew in me and it urged me to read on. The climax unveils itself as unexpectedly and suddenly as can be.<br />The biggest specialty of  Narayan's writing is that he manages to add a new flavor to each and every novel, inspite of the simplicity  and vividness which they carry. Though I did not enjoy the novel very much I would like to suggest hard core bookworms to go through it to experience a swish into the delicious pond of gripping events.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhsdTCBkX5bgBlrhp_I5GUgt_8tBQ3drDHtTMmyIa6UJ1Mp4rOHUI4Q7jq1A9d8vdFBf1NpIRAZB-C3JHbqxgXTR0C4WhtJzG0RP0DY37LQ3uNXxCapqw-EwP5cz5GN6Jy8Q_ny3HWNbP/s1600/vendorOfSweets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhsdTCBkX5bgBlrhp_I5GUgt_8tBQ3drDHtTMmyIa6UJ1Mp4rOHUI4Q7jq1A9d8vdFBf1NpIRAZB-C3JHbqxgXTR0C4WhtJzG0RP0DY37LQ3uNXxCapqw-EwP5cz5GN6Jy8Q_ny3HWNbP/s1600/vendorOfSweets.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>

Vendor of sweets

Up with the review of another R.K. Narayan book. The vendor of sweets is a novel that revolves around the emotions and attachments of a fath...