Book Review- Silent Realities

Silent Realities

            I have high regards for people who have studied literature. I think it is the most under rated degree to achieve. Also short stories excite me. The marriage of many genres in one is what stimulates my reading appetite. A combination like this, is something I would not want to miss.

1) The Handbag- This is a story about a Mother-daughter duo. The entire setup for the main story to unfold has been a delight to read. The winner out here is the climax. It is completely unexpected and a welcome surprise. This one is a gem from the entire collection.

2) Peeping- Another jewel in the crown. Unlike the earlier one, the entire story from the middle takes a very different and an unexpected turn. This one is also a dark story. Its amazing how the author makes the reader feel the shrills of the main protagonist by the sheer use of words. The only downfall in the book is the initial description which honestly is not required at all. But this one surely stays by you till the end.

3) Fish- This one started off brilliantly. It evoked a certain sense of curiosity to read further and understand where this is heading. Also reading the first two ones I had high expectations from this tale. But as a reader I felt lost from the point the story took a different direction. Was a little disappointed reading this one.

4) Lallan- Lallan portrays the expression "Rich wins over poor" very intelligently. It is a very cruel and honest depiction of today's society. The climax was expected but nonetheless it was a good read. The last 2 lines of the narrative just make you pause everything and sit back.

5) The Street Sweeper-  The author has attempted a different style of writing. This might click with some and might not click with some. I have mixed feelings for this one.it captivates you in the beginning, but towards the end I was gaping for more. There should have been more matter in this one.

6) The Toy Car-  Again a fascinating read. The way the author has connected the entire puzzle is mind - boggling. The author aces in giving unexpected climaxes and this one is no different. Still, out of all the tales this one has the best climax. Loved reading The Toy Car.

7) The Slap- A very simple story about a Boy named Hari. The Slap highlights the regressive thinking of our society. It gives an extremely realistic picture. This one was an OK read.

8) The Desk- The author loves writing differently. He has tried to give a very different feel to this one. This has not worked for me. I just did not understand what this story wanted to share or make you feel.

9) The Nest-  The Nest is again a different style of story-telling. I liked the way the entire story unfolded. Also this is the only story that touches on romance. So I had very high expectations,which the story did fulfill. Although climaxes have been winners in most of Ranjan's writing, this climax was a disappointment for me. I found it abrupt. I was hoping for some more. Neverthless a good read.

10) Touch- Another one in which I wanted the climax to be different. I was left wanting more. Though, it starts off splendidly and the emotions are captured well. The depiction of the strong character of Aunty M was a saviour.

            Ranjan Kaul is definitely not an ordinary writer. He is bold, courageous and not afraid to write differently or attempt something out of the box. A definite extra star for this quality! But the downfall of the writing is over description. The reader has to survive through it, to complete the book. Sometimes you just have to scape through certain details, which you realise towards the end that they were absolutely unnecessary. They should have been edited completely. This was my biggest put off with Silent Realities. 

Stars- 2.75/5

 I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

Book Review- Courting Injustice

COURTING INJUSTICE

THE NIRBHAYA CASE AND ITS AFTERMATH

         

        Nirbhaya case was an eye opener. It was a window to the levels of cruelty a human can go upto. It shook the entire nation. It was asif the entire nation had united against the rapists. The dictionary definition of Rape is "This is one of the worst crimes there is". Everyday we hear of atleast 1 rape in one of the daily national. The ferocity with which Nirbhaya was molested was hair-raising and that's why as a reader I was really intrigued to read Rajesh Talwar's take on this one.

       After the atrocities of the Rapists on Nirbhaya, A committee Named The Verma Committee was formed to get modifications in the law that pertains rape and other crimes related to it. I think the author has done a fantastic job in compiling all the information on this and putting it in words in this narative. The author has commented on each and every recommendation put forth by the Verma Committee that got added to the new law and discussed these points at length. Not only that, he has also commented on the 10% recommendations that got left out.

       Yes we all agree that we have a really flawed justice system. Our biggest problem is time.The cases being in the court for the longest time and the verdict taking ages to come through. He has highlighted some very relevant and old cases to prove this point. Some cases have taken as many as 2 decades for their verdict. Inspite of being fast tracked, the Nirbhaya case has taken 9 months for its final verdict and till date, the verdict has not been materialised. The rapists are not yet hanged. These flaws are highlighted beautifully by the author.

       The author has done an in depth research in putting up all of these things together. Not only Nirbhaya case but also everything related to rapes. What Rajesh Talwar fails in, is the solutions. As a reader I was looking for concrete solutions to the problems listed. The questions raised by him are extremely pertinent. As a common man, they are my questions too, but what are the adequate answers for them? As a woman, if I end up facing such an ordeal how do I feel secured that there is a law in place to protect me? I started reading the book with a mindset of reaching the destination and getting my answers but I am just left with more questions.

       This one is definitely not for the faint hearted. Its a very skillful compilation of all the facts and figures. So its not one of the usual books on Nirbhaya. Also its not a one sitting book. Its heavy and will leave you with a lot of questions.

STARS- 2.75/5

 I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

Book Review- U & I

U & I

              Don't we all love romance? Well atleast majority of us!! Teenage love stories are even more special. Seeing a "Happily ever after" to a teenage love story captivates me, precisely why I picked U & I. The essence of love stories, for me, lies in how pure they are. Only purity strikes a chord and in turn helps a book to scale to different heights.

                U & I is the journey of two souls made for each other. It is a story of a studious  boy -Abhishek from Uttar Pradesh and a beautiful girl-Preeti  from Lucknow. Abhishek is an ambitious guy who goes to Lucknow for his studies and infatuated by Preeti the minute he spotted her. "Infatuation at first sight" as the author addresses it. They start of as friends and start spending a lot of time with each other. They eventually fall in love. Abhishek's goals take him away from Preeti but only geographically. They maintain their relationship successfully. Everything goes on smoothly when an accident happens. How will this affect Abhishek's and Preeti's paradise- A paradise they have built with a lot of love and understanding? Does their love have the power to withstand this storm?  DO they really have a "happily ever after"?  The answers to these questions lie in the 260 pages titled U & I.

            The author has tried to write this in the form of a flashback. SO the dates written at the start of the chapters become essential. Flashback is a form most authors want to attempt as its extremely catchy and keeps the reader at the edge of the seat.. But for most it just gets limited to "want". Not many our successful in this. Sadly Abhishek wasn't too bad with it. But initially with the prologue and all it gets a tad bit confusing. When one reads the prologue, you get a very clear picture of how the story will progress. This in turn leaves very less room for the reader to be it at the edge of the seat. In a tale of mostly only 2 charcters, both have to be carved extremely strongly. Over here neither Abhishek nor Preeti get etched in your heart. The journey of Abhishek is shown but what about Preeti? She has only been shown as being a phone support to Abhishek. What does she do for a living? The dates show that they are todays couple so isn't Preeti also inclined towards building a career? Their conversations even at the age of 20 feel as if teenagers are conversing. Being a girl of today, I definitely am aware that couples do not behave this way. There is alot more spark in a relationship. The essence of a true relation just does not get captured.

            The cover page also could have been better. Editors have failed in this one. I don't know how this occurred but everywhere where it was to be "my" it has been written as "mine".

            As a story U & I doesn't really touch your chords, which is expected out of a love story. There is no plot. The characters are weak. Their love story is just limited to words. The depth in their love should have been painted very beautifully as that is what the storyline demands but the author fails to do that completely.

            A futile attempt and a definite miss in this ever growing genre.

STARS-1.5/5

This review was first published on talespensieve.com

Book Review- The Bride Who Would Not Burn

The Bride Who Would Not Burn

     Variety is the spice of Life. I love trying varied and new things. Getting to read a play was a first for me and I latched the opportunity as soon as I got it.

     

      There are basically 2 situations that are enacted here. The play starts off with a Judge, Prosecutor and a Lawyer catching up over a game of cards. They are discussing general things when the story (Scene 2) of the play comes up. That story is about a girl named Poonam. She gets married to Ravinder, and thus begins the age old drama of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law issues over dowry. Does Poonam turn out to be a docile daughter-in-law or she turns out to be "The Bride Who Would Not Burn"? For this you have to read the play ahead.

     

      The conversations between the Judge, Lawyer and Prosecutor (Before Poonam's story comes up) is interesting. They develop some kind of a curiosity to read Poonam's story ahead. It turns out as per expectation because Poonam's story is a delight to read. The characters have been etched perfectly. It goes on at a fast pace and that's the USP of the play. The scenes have been drafted immaculately. The entry and exits of characters, which is difficult to master in writing form, is also aced by the author. Inspite of there being so many characters, there is no confusion. The description of both the houses and the characters dwelling in those houses can be visualised instantly. One almost starts enjoying reading and is at the edge of the seat over what's going to happen next.

     

      The way Poonam's play ended, I was extremely excited and was expecting fireworks for the discussion between the Judge, Lawyer and Prosecutor, that followed thereafter. That is where the disappointment creeps in. The heated arguments, initially, were good to read, seemed asif a heated and an interesting debate will take place. Which does take place also, but the statements about Poonam's character are extremely crass. The comments about "Girls" having only a "certain level of sexual appetite" is extremely regressive and did not go down well with me as a reader.

     

      The author writes really well. His forte is to write with a sense of humour and I love that about him. But these comments about "Girls being only a specific way" are coarse. I think it is high time the world realises that women are humans too. They also have feelings and when it comes to feelings- nothing is right or wrong. Lets stop judging people on the basis of prejudices which are going on since donkey's ears.

     

       Poonam's story is a treat to read. If you pick this one up I would suggest to stop once Poonam's story ends. The comments ahead should be read at your own risk!

STARS- 2.5/5   

 I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

Book Review- Cupidity, Ping me Love

CUPIDITY PING ME,LOVE

                

               Women- We love them, we hate them but we cannot live without them. Whenever I read a synopsis with a woman as the main protagonist, I just want to pick that book up. Also, One of the reasons why I am such a huge fan of Sydney Sheldon. This had 2 women and a transgender. Seemed like a novel concept. So just had to add to this my ever growing shelf (sorry ma!!)

                

                Tara is a married woman and has a child. She faces the same problems that most women, post marriage, feel nowadays- lonely and desolate. Naina's problem is that of an "identity crisis" that one faces post a bitter past. Nihal holds a deep dark secret caged in his heart forever. Will Tara break the shackles of her domesticity? Will Naina get her independence and confidence back? Will Nihal gather the courage to share his secret with his family, let alone the world ? The questions to these answers form the story of Cupidity Ping Me, Love.

                

                As u read you understand that all the characters are interlinked. There are 3 different stories beautifully married into one. The characters are real. The characters are strong. Their insecurities are handled so beautifully that you empathize with them immediately. You know deep down that you have felt these same emotions at some point in time in your life. Someone had told me once (& I firmly believe it also) when it comes to feelings there is nothing as right or wrong. What matters is what you feel and we humans have no control over it. This point forms the USP of this book, because this has been interwoven in the narrative with a lot of ease. Strong  & real characters make the story also extremely real . It is very evident that both the authors have nurtured the story extremely honestly and have not tried to be diplomatic. The feelings, emotions and the flow of the narrative is extremely natural and not superficial at all. This takes the book up by a lot of notches. The relatibility factor also increases. It feels as though a real life story has been picked up and is narrated to us.  The climax, is the cherry on the cake. The authors have taken a very bold step by drafting it this way. I am proud to know that Indian authors have started getting this courageous.  A special mention to "Ginni Xanders" for the cover page. It is sassy, quirky and extremely appealing. They have done a brilliant job with it.

                

               A quick read and I am sure you will not be able to put this one down. You would want to finish it in one sitting. (Just Like Me!!)

STARS- 4.25/5

This was first published on talespensieve.com

Book Review- I keep falling in love with her again and again

I Keep falling in Love with Her again and again

“You know, when it works, love is pretty amazing. It's not overrated. There's a reason for all those songs.” - Sarah Dessen 

               
                 Love is the most interesting topic. To discuss, To feel. Its almost always a favorite genre to read. And stand alone, these novels take you in a dream world, or make you feel emotions that, you, then want to feel in real life too. It gives you a picture of your ideal partner who you want to be with.              

                  I keep falling in love with her again and again is an example of such a love story between Rivaz and Janvee. Their love culminates in an everlasting love but still does the author manage to create some frenzy in reading all the 250 pages? For this you will have to pick this book  up and read it!!

                The language and the flow of the story is very lucid. You know there is a love story in place but still the introduction of the characters and the way the story builds up, has been written well. The plot is interesting. The characters are etched very strongly. Each and every character is important for the story to move forward. The unexpected twist that comes in between takes the novel up by a few notches.

                Inspite of all this I was disappointed with the climax. It seemed too dramatic for my liking. Also I am not happy with the cover page. It doesn't highlight the story or give a sneak peek into the story at all. It doesn't even suit the storyline.

                You can definitely read this one if you are interested in a mushy read. Well if you miss this one there are a lot of other options in this genre as well.

STARS- 3/5

This review was first published on talespensieve.com

                

Book Review- 2 Peg ke Baad

2 PEG KE BAAD

            I have said it so many times that I love reading short stories. It just feels like an opportunity to read 10-15 stories in the same book. I feel its reader's heaven!! That"s why I never leave the opportunity of reviewing Short stories.

1) A Walk With A Call Girl- Simple sweet tale. Perfect "Feel good" kind of a narrative.It was kind of predictable, but nevertheless I enjoyed reading it. (specially the last line.xoxo)

2) My Last Painting- This one is my favourite. I loved the way the entire story unfolds. I just adore this kind of writing. Ananya's character is etched beautifully. Its a regular story but the way it is written, sets it apart. Obviously the end takes away my heart.

3) What Happens in Banaras...Stays for a Lifetime- This story is a love story with the backdrop of Banaras. Banaras has been described beautifully. You can visualize the entire city with this kind of powerful writing. Barring that this tale doesn't touch my heart the way it should, considering the premise of the storyline

4) How We Got Married- Interesting story and thank God the climax turned out this way!! Again a "feel good" tale. Loved Bandita's character. Infact, the tale has been carved very maturedly and realistically, and I like this quality about today's authors. (Nikita Lalwani, here!!)

5) Apology! Sex Pays-  Sex Pays and how!!! I liked the build up of the entire story. The way it has been described, and the climax steals it all (lol- read this story to understand why this)

6) Papier Blanc (The Blank Paper)-  A writer as a main protagonist has always attracted me. This was no different. It makes me a little biased when I write my reviews about such stories. This story is written exceptionally well, so it really deserves all the praise and adulation. Also the poem in the end is a takeaway. The entire story and the character of Kiara gets etched in your heart.Loved it, Loved it,Loved it!!

7) When all that mattered was Gone- I really liked the build up of this one. And once again the climax is superb. It leave you with an exasperated expression that "Like did it really end this way?" But I quiet liked reading this one.

8) Drive-In-Sanity- Birthdays are always special. This story enfolds on the main protagonist's birthday. Really well written. It has its special comical moments, and that is what makes this a fun and light read.

9) Kicking the Butt-  This one is with a social message. This is difficult to write. Also you need to be courageous to write so boldly on social topics like these. Kudos to Nikita Lalwani for this!!

10) Rosita In the Bar- This one touched my heart. A simple love story but differently written. Teaching us the simple message of "Acceptance is the key". Accept all the harsh realities of life and dealing them becomes a cakewalk.

11) Its not a Love Story- A very very different tale and totally not expected. We Indians are known for our culture and rich heritage and we are so easy in forming a bond with someone. This tale depicts that exactly. Another gem out of the bag.

STARS-4.25/5

This review was first published on talespensieve.com