Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Book)

Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

This is my second Chimamanda book and I must say that I am now, big time (hugest huge time) in love with her, especially her writing(s), her stories and with her terrific characters. And again, a big thanks to a Friend for the generosity who gifted me this book but wants to remain unnamed :). Cheers to you. I so much want to visit Afghanistan after reading Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" because the way he has shown his country is simply amazing. Exactly the same way, after reading two Chimamanda books back to back, Nigeria is my current dream destination :). I read it in one of the review on her books by someone who claimed that Chimamanda carves out her characters in stories in a way that you just can't hate any of them. While reading "Americanah" I actually kept an eye on almost all the characters and Bingo!! It is so superbly said, I realized, almost all her characters are so simply written that I was actually in love with all of them at one point or the other. That's totally magical at least in Fiction. Although I must say this, as we readers keep comparing the works :), this one doesn't come any closer to her first book "Purple Hibiscus" which still remains my favorite Chimamanda book for sure. Americanah is great but not as fantastic as Purple Hibiscus or may be because that was the first book that I read and it made a certain impression and raised the bar of expectations from her which this one doesn't fulfill but works on a lot of counts. Her point of view on Racism (in America) is simply mind-blowing, I really wondered while going through the book as how an American will take this one? May be I will recommend it to a few of my American friends and see what they have to say about it.

Americanah is the story of two friends (amazing) Ifemelu and (terrific) Obinze. Childhood friends from Nigeria, who grow up together but later get separated. She goes to America to make something out of her life as she is the only one who gets a proper opportunity to do that. You've got to read the book to see how others struggle to cross the border but couldn't do it, their stories are so similar to ours that it reminded me of my own first US Visa rejection :) way back in early 2000 and the reason for rejection is simply hilarious but so damn true. How she stays in US, becomes an American, struggles for survival, survives, succeeds yet her heart remains in Nigeria where she wants to return even after being in USA for a decade or more is the rest of the story. Parallel track of her friend Obinze too is simply amazing, his journey from rags to riches and back to square one was so smooth, touching, heartening that I totally fell in love with the amazing guy. And exactly like Khaled Hosseini does in his "Kite Runner", Chimamanda too did it in the last line of the book, put a big huge smile on my face by that superb ending. The entire story written from the perspective of an immigrant is so true and realistic that I just couldn't believe what I was reading. After working in an American Consulting firm for two decades, I have seen these stories in real life, day in day out. Struggle for Visa, after that Career, money, building up a life, losing it again, at times deportation from the country, humiliation, the pain, a life of a criminal and so much more. Once I am done with all of her books, I would really look forward to some research on the Author to know how she researched everything, this just cannot be plain Fiction.

There is so much to talk about the book and the story that I can go on and on like I do that all the time in my posts :). I totally loved the way and why the protagonist is called "Americanah" and the title, you've got to read the book to know the reason. Also, every-time Ifemelu's braids are mentioned, for some reason I kept visualizing the face of Academy Award Winning actress Lupita Nyong'o :) with those thick braids and awesome looks. Heart touching was the scene and the reason why she breaks up from her boy friend for life, I so much prayed and wished that the Author will make them meet by the end of the book. Like it is the case for all of us, who stay away and distant from all of our home towns craving to go back given an opportunity, the feelings the story arouses were so genuine and life like that it is very hard for me to explain how I felt when she talks about leaving everything and going back to Nigeria. I will say Americanah is one of the most brutally honest books that I have read in a long long time and that too Fiction. And it is totally life like, not one percent exaggeration, life as it is. Author's love for books and music is so much evident from the story that both of her leads are not only voracious readers and into music too but Ifemelu loves "Graham Greene" big time. Now I know what I am reading as my next book in very near future for sure :).

Have you read Americanah? Do let me know if you loved it the way I did and if you haven't read it, you've got to read this one without fail.

Chekhov Omnibus - Anton Chekhov (Book)

Chekhov Omnibus - Anton Chekhov.

As long as my memory goes back in time, we as a family of booklovers have always loved Russian books. I can never forget those days, when our school Principal will declare at the very start of assembly that "we are going to have a Russian Book Fair" organized at the later half of the day. As soon as the assembly will be over, I will barge in her room and give her two options :), Number one, to call my mom from her office phone or Number two, lend me a coin so I can use the pay phone outside to call her and let her know :). Princy happened to be my mom's best friend (Kitty party and all), would always oblige with the first option. And my mom, the less said the better, will always (without fail) will walk in way before the school is over and will have a cotton bag full of her choice of books with an empty bag waiting for me :) to be filled with my choice of books. During those days, we may get only one pair of brand new cloths each, that too only on Diwali but there was no stopping or any such rule applied to books. The only condition she did put in before buying the books was that, we have to give her the summary of the book (verbally) as soon as we finished. The names that I could recollect of what all we read during those days were Tolstoy (her favorite), Gogol (my favorite), Dostoyevsky (common), Gorky etc (I do not remember the rest of the names). I have no idea or memory as how much sense their books made to me at that time, but I loved reading them. I still cannot forget that thick black book, full of Ghost stories, (forgot the name and the writer too, but the only thing I remember about it is that the stories were mostly based in, or around Kiev) which was cherished by almost all my friends back then as there was only one copy available, and was priced very steeply, yet we end up getting it :). Russian writers were simply magic for us and we loved them big time, till life happened :) and I moved on.

Chekhov Omnibus I landed accidentally at Crosswords last year, when I noticed that they had an offer going on, something like 40% on First book, 50% on Second and 60% on Third :). I let my wifey and kiddo pick up one book each and myself, I picked up this thick Omnibus at the hugest discount possible. It's been quite a few years that I have / had read anything from that part of the world. Tolstoy's "Confessions" was an exception that I read last year, quite a gloomy read, totally philosophical and takes you on a ride to search the meaning of your life (rather Tolstoy's). So, Chekhov not only surprised me with his dozen odd stories, he rather shocked me with the deep philosophy that each story took me on. It was actually a "Oh My God - Not Anton Chekhov" moment for me. If only I hadn't read (and loved Murakami), I would have never finished this book and half of these stories which were not only gloomy but also very painful, and at times have no set endings, open endings, broken narratives as well as quite a few times - No Closure. I was like WHOA!! What did I just read? Is this what Chekhov is famous for? but each and every story, kept taking me deeper into the journey with the amazing man that he was (if only the translation was any better, more on that later). The majority of the characters in almost all the stories were either poor peasants, teachers, doctors or totally down trodden people with almost no life and no future to look forward to.

It took me close to 11 days to finish this giant of a book with more then a dozen odd stories. Some were as big as 50-60 pages and then some were as small as 8-10 pages only, but the impact of all of them were exactly same. Unfortunately I haven't read a Russian book in a long time so I guess I have totally lost touch. But on the positive side, this one so much reminded me of my favorite Writer cum Movie maker - Satyajit Ray, that I just can't describe it in words. On your face reality shown just as it is. No judgments. I never expected these kind of stories from Chekhov, I thought he would be more like light heart, humorous writer. Although his terrific sense of humor too is pretty much visible through these stories but they are way heart-touching than what I expected. As I mentioned that almost all the stories have an open ending or no ending at all. Imagine, a forty page story where a man is big time in love with a married female, who too in turn loves him but the situation is such that they just can't continue the relationship any longer, much to the hopes of readers that they should get reunited. The story suddenly ends saying "I never met that guy after that day and have no idea what happened next" :). I mean, can you believe that? I just couldn't believe how many stories had an extra marital angle to them plus most of them had a broken family with no support from anywhere. Is this what Chekhov was famous for? One more thing that I loved most about these stories is that almost all of them are told in first person, with a narrator telling it to a friend or a relative. That actually keeps it very interesting for the reader. I really need to get some more of him and read them soon to know if all his books are like that. Do let me know if you have read these stories or any other works of Chekhov that you believe were similar to these. Which one book that you would recommend big time as his best work? I would really like to read it asap.

A word on World's worst translator: Constance Garnett: If you ever see a book (especially Russian) with that name as the translator, I will say, DO NOT even touch it with a barge pole, rather run for your life and never enter that book shop. What a terrible terrible translation. The language and the choice of words that she has for this one, initially at least 100+ pages I thought I was reading a British book and not a Russian. Plus, I want to mention this that, this actually became a first book from Russia where I have read words like "Slut", "C*** and so many similar cringe-worthy terms. That I will refuse to accept that Russian writers will every use in their stories or will accept even in translation. I am now too keen to pick up the same Omnibus from a better translator and read it again soon to actually know if the stories ended the same way Constance has translated them or she changed that too. It was such a heart-break and on top of that, dime a dozen grammatical mistakes, spelling mistakes were such a big turn off. Although I am no expert on language but it was quite shocking for me to be able to notice so many sad mistakes. It totally looked like a half heart effort from her and I really wonder why someone will ever take these kind of classical stories that casually.

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini (Book)

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini.

I read and loved "The Kite Runner" last week. Fortunately a friend had a spare copy of this one and she immediately mailed it to me (Thank you so much for it). I wanted to take a break of at-least a couple of weeks before picking up a book from Khaled as Kite Runner had made me so emotional, touching a chord deep down my heart. But the book kept staring at me from the book-rack as if jumping and shouting "pick me, pick me" as soon as I finished the last one. Comparisons are inevitable, but as I was warned by so many who had read it in the past, I actually knew what to expect from this one (and it turned out totally unpredictable). If Kite Runner was the account of a guy, who not only loses his country and best friend, but also it was about superb friendship cum father son relationship story from Afghanistan. This one turns out to be exactly the same thing and almost from the same period, but told from the perspective of a female and is based on a Mother Daughter relationship. Story is based on the outskirts of Kabul while the country goes through not only external attacks but civil war and so much more. This became one of those very few books which made me so sad and made me feel so helpless, that the thought of tearing the book apart and throwing it out of the window came to my mind multiple times (if only I owned the book), but also, if that helped the story in anyways. Hoping against the hope, I was so afraid to love any character, thinking that he or she may be blown up in pieces or raped and killed in the very next page. Kite Runner basically prepared me well for this one, yet this one left a big, huge lump, the size of a basket-ball inside my throat and (happy) tears in my eyes (in the end).

Heart-touching story of Mariam, from her birth as a bastard child to the next three generations as Afghanistan goes through so much, finally getting liberated to enter into a (slightly) better future. This book and story is not about what happens but it is about how it happens especially the pain and suffering of Afghan females from the last three decades. Khaled Hosseini is no doubt a master of his art and it was terrific the way he weaved this story from the point of view of a child (Mariam) to how she grows up. Her dreams, aspirations versus what life throws on her path. My heart cried out a million times to see what all she goes through when all she wanted was a little love and affection from her illegitimate father. Even after getting warned ample of times by her own mother, she never agrees with her, believing that her father actually loves her. You've got to read it to see how far she takes it and what she realizes by the end of her life and how. It was such an amazing story which took me back in time into our own past and childhood, it made me thank my stars to have this beautiful life where in comparison to her or them (even in fiction), we are actually having a rocking life. The way this story captures the life of girls and women in particular from Afghanistan is quite an eye opener. The way Mariam was forced into marriage to a much older shoemaker and the way all hell breaks loose on her, with no respite in any near future, was totally heart breaking. And then, if that was not enough, unfortunately their childless life makes the man marry a second time to another terrific parallel character "Laila", whose story is no different than Mariam but more painful.

I totally loved the way the Khaled Hosseini has carved out two parallel and amazing characters of Mariam and Laila. Especially the way they criss-cross each others life and what the future enfolds in front of not only them but the reader too. I also loved the way he has carved out Jalil's character (Mariam's Father) who actually loves his daughter but is pretty helpless to do anything. Like there was "Hassan" in Kite Runner that one can just not help, but fall in love with, here we have fantastic one legged "Tariq" that I so much loved but I kept expecting my happiness to be short lived (you really need to read to know more if he kept me happy or made me sad). Not everything is so gloomy about Afghanistan as there is some love, music, movies and so much more too. I loved the book references that he has given especially the one's that I believe he himself loves big time. Like, "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway and "Titanic" the movie. And so many more on poets and writers from the country that he has spoken about in the story, was simply superb. I loved the way he spoke about the city's past where the story is taking place saying back then "if you kicked with your eyes closed, chances were that you will hit a poet for sure". The book and the entire story is a delight to read as it may be gloomy and sad at times but it gives so much hope to the reader to look forward to a better future. Also, the way the main characters fight back for their own life and their children's is quite heart touching. Also, the way it ends is totally commendable. It actually made me quite curious to read something about the country's current affairs to know if it is having any better time right now as we speak. Starting from Russian invasion to Mujahideen to Taliban and then finally to America after 9/11, their troubles had no end.

Another thing that I love about a Khaled Hosseini books is that the way he uses Urdu and Hindi words, and the way he explains them immediately as what they mean. They not only actually change the meaning but also provide so much depth to his story. Like, for example using the word "harami" in place of "Bastard" makes so much sense in the story that the reader actually understands the gravity of the situation, or how a child must feel who is being called like that. Totally terrific. It is also pretty much evident by his books that how much he loves his country and how he craves to see a better future for his nation.

Have you read "A Thousand Splendid Suns"? Do let me know how you like it and if you haven't, you really need to read it ASAP. I totally loved it and will recommend it very highly to everyone. If it won't do nothing else, it will make you love your own life in a better way, trust me.

Iacocca An Autobiography - Lee Iacocca with William Novak (Book)

Iacocca An Autobiography - Lee Iacocca with William Novak.

February 2018, I completed 20 years of my driving career :) and I realized that as my first drivers license finally expired. Even after driving a plethora of cars in last 20 odd years, I still haven't laid my hands on my dream car which happens to be a Ford Mustang (without any doubts). A couple of years back as soon as it was launched in India, I had a very light tinkle in my eyes and I end up buying the "Autobiography" of Mustang's Dad - Lee Iacocca, the guy who made it possible. It has been my favorite for last three decades, loved Mustang in so many western movies that I must have seen in last as many years. Unfortunately it is so steeply priced in India that it happens to be way more expensive than the price of the house I live in currently. So there goes my dream out of the window, I haven't yet touched one, let alone sitting in one or driving it. This book also reminded me of my first job back in Delhi in the mid 90's when I joined my cousin, who had a four year old son back then. Throughout the day, the only thing we did was talk about Cars, Bikes and Movies. We spoke so much about Cars (mostly Mustang) and after they moved to US of A, we totally lost contact for a decade or more. But, one fine day I got a call from my Sister in Law on the first day of his college, she asked me a simple question to guess which car he picked up for his big day :) and I replied without blinking an eye within a fraction of a second "Mustang?" and she was like "How do you know?". Heck! Even the main character from the last book I read owned and cherished a Mustang (Amir's dad from "The Kite Runner").

Lee Iacocca's Dad moved from Italy to United States in the year 1902 and this is their story from rags to riches. A simple migrant who lived a hand to mouth life, yet had big dreams. How they make it big and fail again because of the first world war for the first time and then again because of the great depression. Before he finally makes it big by landing a job in Ford Motor company and works under Henry Ford (II) for as good as 32 years. During his tenure with the company, Ford actually witnessed the best profitable years in the history of their car manufacturing, yet Henry Ford fired him just because of his own whims and fancies. You've got to read the book to know the details of the unbelievable turn of events when the Chairman of an empire feels threatened by his own President of all of eight years in the company. On top of that, how Henry Ford actually ran the company like a private business, even after having five hundred thousand employees at one point of time. I loved the way the whole book is narrated in first person, it actually feels like you are hearing Lee's life story from his own mouth, sitting right in front of you. William Novak has done a commendable job, usually Biographies are full of information yet they are pretty boring but this one is totally class apart. I must add that an Autobiography like this, can only be written in America which has so much truth, facts and name calling that in any other country they must have got sued and book debarred from selling. On top of that this was a best seller to even Iacocca's surprise.

Ford Mustang chapter, the history and the making of the Car is the high point of the book. I anyways love that car so much and this book has upped it further couple of notches in my eyes. The way he has written the Mustang story, his excitement is pretty visible in the writing especially the way he has narrated the little episodes that he himself could never forget. Like the story of a Fan of Mustang, who bought the sample car in an auction done by a super excited dealer to make more money before its officially launched. The guy not only out-bid all his competitors but as it was late in the night when he finally won it. He proposed to the dealer to spend the night in the showroom so he can take the car home next morning as soon as his check gets cleared by the bank :). He not only spent the night in the showroom but slept inside the car, making sure that no one else gets it. Now you see? that is the following this car had back then and even today as I am about to buy my next car, which could probably be a Ford (now), I am looking for a dealer who has a Mustang on display before finalizing my booking with them :). That ways at least I get to touch one, sit inside one and at least get to feel it once in my life time. No ways, I am looking forward to a test drive as you see my DL has already expired :D and in India, it still is way beyond my league.

Lee Iacocca has not only Mustang to his credit, but Ford Mark (III) and Fiesta too as more accomplished brands famous all over the world. After working and taking Ford to greater heights and after getting kicked out by Henry Ford, he took Chrysler from Bankruptcy to superb heights. The guy was a magician, no doubt on that. The story of Chrysler from shutting shop to profitable in only three years and paying back all the loans to the Govt funding, was one unbelievable story. While reading the book and after finishing it, I was actually thinking that he had everything that USA needed in a man, who should have very well become their next President. Especially the last 3-4 chapters, where he talks about why and what they should do to make America a great country again and that too when this book was written in the year 1984. His knowledge of not only economy, defense, education, social security, heath-care and so much more was totally commendable.

I bought my first iPhone after I read Steve Job's excellent biography by Walter Isacsson and looks like I am going to buy my first Ford after this one :), unless I lay my hands on Ratan Tata's biography to save some bucks. Which is your favorite Biography / Autobiography? And have you read this one? if not, you've got to read it, just shouldn't be missed by anyone.

Baaghi 2 (Movie)

We just came out of a Single screen theater hardly a mile from my home after watching "Baaghi 2", and I must say that I have decoded why Tiger Shroff's movie is doing good, making so much money and getting a good word of mouth too. After a long-long time, I have seen a movie where the crowd is just going crazy hooting, shouting, cheering, whistling and so much more. Unbelievable experience at a small theater which was almost house-full on a Sunday afternoon. Director Ahmed Khan has left no stone upturned in making it an amazing movie to entertain the masses. If you are one of those people who consider himself "Super Elite" shhh shhhing people in theater to make you listen to the dialogues, stay away from a cinema running this movie but if you are the other kinds, who can actually shout out loud enjoying a movie, do not miss this at any cost.

Anyone born in the 70's or 80s who have grown up watching Rambo series or JCVD hand to hand or leg to leg combat, shouldn't miss this either. I am doubly sure that Ahmed Khan has seen the Rambo (Part 1 & 2) a dozen times before making this and he just loves them the way I do as that is pretty much evident as the way he has presented us our own Rambo (in the making). Also, this became one of those very few movies in the recent past which made my wifey nudge me "thrice" to say "I wish I knew how to whistle" and she is now determined to learn it before we watch "Baaghi 2" again in the same theater a second time. On top of that neither I nor she could control our excitement and emotion after the movie, so much that we actually called one of our very close friend (A professional Film reviewer) and told him that "This is not done, how could you rate this movie any lower?".

I am super glad that we didn't depend on any reviews and went ahead and saw it ourselves. If I have to rate this movie on the basis of how many stars we are going to give it, it will be as follows:
A half star for superb overall performance of Tiger.
A half star for Deepak Dobriyal.
A half star for Randeep Hooda.
A half star for Manoj Vajpaye.
A half star for Pratiek Babbar (yes).
A half star for Action and terrific camera work.
A half star for Bosco (he deserves it big time).
A half star for the crazy crowd which made our evening super kool.

That makes it a total of 4 Stars out of 5 and hence its a must watch for all movie lovers whose definition of Movies is Entertainment. I can only imagine how my favorite Jaggu dada (Tiger's dad) must have loved this movie. He should be super proud to have a son like Tiger to take his legacy forward and the way crowd is loving him.

We are definitely going to watch it again. You shouldn't miss this either but if you do miss, please do not watch it on TV too, rather skip it totally (your loss).

Sita's Sister - Kavita Kane (Book)

Sita's Sister - Kavita Kane.

Who says Santa Claus doesn't exist? I haven't met him but I know he is there. And yes yes, it's a He and his name is Solomon Manoj :). Couple of weeks back, I sighed on someone's terrific review of Sita's Sister that I will be getting this one on my next haul and since I have taken a vow of not buying books at least till July, this will have to wait. Bang on!! Three days later a courier arrives at my place with the brand new book inside and no sender's details :) can you believe that? I tried harder to guess who may have sent this but no answer comes to my mind and I couldn't even find the review where I commented. 24 hrs later Santa himself comes to my rescue and says "Remember? I told you to be ready for a surprise?". How kool is that. Thank you so much Solomon, you just rock! And just like her last book that I read and so much loved (Karna's Wife), this one is no different but what an amazing retelling of epic, it works only if you could ignore its misleading title and that it is from the point of view of Urmila (Sita's Sister and Lakshman's wife). Palace of Illusions still remains my favorite mytho fiction even now and Karna's wife comes a super second but this one even after my wishes couldn't come any closer to the third spot nonetheless remains a superb one time read no doubts on that.

The biggest challenge I guess the new generation of Authors face must be how to re-tell a story which is already beaten to death by so many in the past. We the readers, keep expecting magic in all the upcoming books with a keen eye and when we see the same story is told in almost the same way but just a little different point of view, it just fails. In my personal opinion that is exactly what happened (with me) with this book. I just couldn't identify with Urmila at all as she was always the second lead and even the treatment offered by Author here is the same, so much limelight is taken away by the happenings more than how she was taking it all and what was her reaction to it. Barring one outburst that she had while the entire clan visits Ram, Lakshman and Sita after the death of King Dashrath is the high point of the book after that it totally derails and never comes up to the mark and my expectations. The only good thing this book did was that it made me love Lakshman big time, you just can't help but fall in love with the man who is totally devoted to his brother. Ram and Lakshman are like one soul in two bodies, his dedication to Ram and Sita is just unparalleled. Also the character of Bharat gets some due which was over due, his reaction to his mother's decision and the way that scene unfolds in Chitrakoot is the high point of the story as I said and simply mind-blowing. But the unfortunate thing is that the book just doesn't do justice to the title and the main protagonist which it should have done. Ironically to the half point of the book the lead pair isn't even separated to take the story any forward.

Coming back to retelling of the epic of Ramayan and Mahabharat in our part of the world, we have a barrage of books and Authors doing the duty of churning out books non stop at a break neck pace in today's time. What I expected from this one and what it turns out in the end was like totally poles apart. After reading a lot of books in last couple of years and fortunately interacting with some superb writers myself, I have learned that what they want, rather try to do with their books is to "Show and don't tell" here Ms. Kane to my shock, surprise and heartbreak has totally depended on telling rather than showing the reader anything of the era from a different point of view and that is where it failed for me. I kept expecting so much from it but that was not to be. The limelight keeps going away from Urmila to Lakshman to other important characters of epic and keeps going out of her hands. I wish the narrator of the story was actually Urmila against how Kavita decided to tell the story through a third person narration. One another thing which actually made me cringe throughout the book, again to my shock was everyone calling each other by their first names. Which unfortunately even in Fictionalized account of these much loved epic(s) is totally unacceptable to me. Think of Lakshman calling Ram as "Ram" and not "Ram Bhaiya" even Sita calling Ram as Ram or Lakshman calling Kaikeyi by her first name and not "Maa Kaikeyi", C'mon, it was little too much. Also, Sita's own younger sister Urmila full time calls her by her first name and even their other two cousins keep calling Urmila and Sita by their first name. I just couldn't digest it and that one thing kept spoiling it big time for me throughout the story. And please, do not tell me that the book is written for an International audience and they wont know the titles, they can very well Google them if they want to as we do all the time when it comes to throwing Latin, French and German phrases by so many foreign Authors. On top of that she has used so many Hindi words without any issues.

Yes, originally the epic of Ramayan is an amazing story which we all are told by our own parents and grand parents to no count. This is no different yet it gave me some new pointers like "Shanta", I didn't know much about (Ram's elder sister). And I am not even going to do any research on the Historical accuracy of the story as that is totally futile. But yes, the way she has written or shall I say re-written is totally amazing, it did grip me to an extent and making me go forward plus it did made me emotional at so many points, even after knowing what is going to come next, I had tears in my eyes specially the way she explained the scene. Total credit to her writing prowess where due but this was a over-stretch from imagination point of view. The book becomes quite challenging once you cross the 200 page mark (309 total) as she actually ran out of data on Urmila and had to actually stoop to the level of Urmila trying to pacify the cat fights her two mother-in-laws were having in the palace as Ram struggled to free Sita from the clutches of dreaded Ravan. Or the regular story of Ramayan will go on but every three or four pages later she will mention Urmila just like that. Unnecessarily everyone turning to Urmila and dragging her in conversation became so boring that for once I thought of abandoning it and moving to the next book in waiting. But somehow, as I never do that to a book, I kept going forward and finished it. This is the shortest of the book that I have taken the longest to finish (almost 7 days). Such a heart-break and let down for me.

At the most it just works like an average love story of Lakshman and Urmila, nothing special.
If you have read "Sita's Sister", do let me know if you like it.

Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Book)

Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Disclaimer: I am totally incapable of reviewing this terrific book so do not go by my review. I just want to say two things: One, this isn't for the faint-hearted and Two, No one and I mean No ONE should miss this at any cost as it is our own life told by someone else from some other part of the world thats all. I could so much identify with the whole story so very well.

My first Chimamanda Adichie Book and I am totally bowled over by the way she has put this story across from a teenager's point of view of life in Nigeria around mid to late 70's I believe. I mentioned on someone's review of the same book that I am looking forward to it and a terrific friend gifted me not one but two Chimamanda Books (Americanah is the other one). I was totally floored by the gesture and the speed with which they came to and God bless these friends, they are my life as the miser me is on a book buying break for now (till July at least). I recently read a book with story based in Afghanistan and instantly fell in love with the country, its people, their traditions, language and so much more. Now this became a first of its own kind of book based in Nigeria (Africa), as I have never read one on that country and it was quite an amazing sneak peak. Co-incidentally I saw "Black Panther" last week only, a fantastic movie based out of South-Africa with so much of African culture and stuff thrown in, totally loved that too. It sort of helped in making me understand this story, the words they spoke, the names, the visuals and so much more that I was totally amazed. Especially the way they pronounced names and those one words meaning a lot, I had a jolly good time reading them again and again as they should be called out :) it was simply too good. My own Nigerian connection is that an Uncle of mine worked there as a Prof. long back and he used to tell us so many tid-bits of a Nigerian life back then as exactly that was the time even this story was taking place.

The story is told by a teenaged girl "Kambili", who belongs to an upper class family, her dad (Eugene) is a devout Catholic, super strict about everything (almost like Hitler, exactly like my dad). He owns the biggest news paper of the time and have some fruit juice factories and all that. Now, judging Eugene's character is a tough cookie, he is good, he is great, he is awesome, almost God like for people he cares about and helps a lot too. But he turns a villain at times when it comes to religion being followed by his own kith and kin, especially his own daughter, son, wife and Dad (who is a non believer) or his poor sister who works in the university as a lecturer (Terrific parallel track, almost better than the original). The story is told from two angles, the super rich angle of Kambili's family and their luxurious life verses her Aunt "Ifeona's", a widow with three kids Kambili's age. How things turn from one side to another is what makes up for an amazing yet simple down to earth story. Whereas the country is going through economic turmoil and is on the verge of civil war of sorts in the 70's. I said this isn't for the faint hearted as the way Eugene treats his children when they "Sin" as per him and the punishments that they go through. It was a piece of cake for me as our Dad wasn't any different, a devout Hindu who would take off his "Kolhapuri Chappal" at ease when we didn't qualify for a scholarship just like Kambili comes second in class and her dad takes off his leather belt, later cries himself but that doesnt change anything. The way her brother Jaja defies their dad by not being a part of communion and the price he pays reminded me of my own brother who walked out of the "thread ceremony" and Dad declared that my brother will not be a part of his funeral till he wears the thread :) (he still doesn't) and what Jaja does for his parents, later in return, is what you need to read about.

Life of Kambili and Jaja (her brother) and in comparison to them life of their cousins life in a nearby small town are so contrasting yet it is nobody's guess where the life is better or which side has more more love flowing around. It was terrific to read from the her point of view and I was totally bowled over, by the way she puts it forward. No judgments, no right or wrongs, just the way things happen. For me, the winner of this story and the character who I totally fell in love with is Aunt Ifeona and her philosophy of life. Especially the way she handle's her life with three kids on toe and an ageing father in law too to take care at times and no secure well paying job. You've really got to read the book to know why Eugene who stands up for everyone needing help doesn't comes to his own sister's rescue and how it all ends. And for the little heart-touching love story of little Kambili too which was so amazing and the Purple Hibiscus connection. The book does leaves a couple of questions unanswered but I guess that is exactly what Chimamanda wanted to do with this story, to leave so much food for our thoughts and she achieves it in great style.

Another thing that on and off keeps coming back to my mind after reading so many books from earlier 20th century to the second half is "America is a country full of refugees?" Almost every book, every story whenever whoever is running from his own past seeks an asylum in United States and they did oblige them (not anymore I believe).

If you have read this one, do let me know how it worked for you or not. And if you haven't, you better get it like NOW and read it soon. I am looking forward big time to "Americanah" now as I have it already.

The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini (Book)

The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini.

I always wanted to read this gem of a book for quite a long time. Last month a dear friend actually gave me her copy to read and another coaxed me to read it sooner :) thanks to both of them that I had such a nice time travel yet again with a book. It took me back in time around 1984, when the then Prime-minister of India was shot dead by her own security guards (unfortunately both turban wearing Sikh). I was in sixth standard and one of my close friends, who would do anything for me (he loved me so much) actually called a Military Man (a turban wearing uniformed Sikh) "Aatankwaadi" (Terrorist) on his face and we cycled away as fast as we could but were caught and he got thrashed big time by the hunk of a man for calling him that. As almost every Sikh during those days overnight became a Terrorist just because the one who killed her belonged to that particular religion. Later I was so ashamed and sorry for myself that my bloody provocation and testing almost got him rusticated from school which I believe my mom saved. He loved me so much that he would always go to any extent to do anything, he would pick me up everyday from my home to school and drop me back as well. Will always stand in theater ques and get beaten by the cops to buy those precious cheap tickets to the movies that we could afford but never complained. In one word, he was my "Kite-Runner" that I actually lost in due course of time and it's been three decades that I haven't seen him, just like Amir in this heart-touching story loses Hassan but at least tries to amend it by getting him back in life again.

As I picked up the book to read it over the weekend, unto the 30% mark the story was a breezy read with so much "Afghani" material and so many details about life in "Afghanistan" not so long ago that it was a superb read. But beyond that point as the story develops and reader just gets a little glimpse as where the story was heading, it becomes a pretty tough read. My hands are still shaking as I type this and I am sure if you have read it, you would know my situation. Almost every five pages, I had to take a break to digest what I just read and as I kept ploughing forward, I had to actually turn off the book to control my tears by not letting them roll as I was travelling in a Bus to Mumbai and back during the course of the weekend. It became so hard to take beyond one point that every page will well up my eyes and I will tell myself to control my own emotion as it was "just a story" it wasn't happening with anyone in real time, was it? Heart-touching and gut wrenching is the story of two kids "Amir" and "Hassan". Born and brought up in Kabul in the 60's when "Afghanistan" was still a peaceful country. How their life changes as the country goes to war with not only enemies but the internal war too between the various sects was simply unbelievable. As the two friends friendship gets tested, one who is living for the friend verses the one who never standbys his own best friend. How he betrays the friendship and doesn't even realize what he was doing much to the shock of the reader, I actually wanted to get inside the book and shake him big time to wake him up from what he was doing (to no avail of-course).

Their childhood stories were no different then our own in so many ways that I could identify with it and the characters so very well. It is too brave of Khaled Hosseini to make his lead character such a vulnerable yet a true soul who confesses to his own faults but what I wanted (rather hoped against all hopes) was to see whether he would be able to make amends? You really need to read the book to know how and what he does. A riveting turn of events, some may find it too filmy that even I at one point of time realized that he did indeed went a bit overboard (but only once) in twisting the story but otherwise it worked beautifully like a charm. A book which is sure to last your memory for a life time. This story had so much to keep me grinning from ear to ear in equal measure to the tears it gave me. Like the Car that Agha drives to the way he travels out while the country goes in war, watch out for the contrast. The songs, music, books and movie references were simply too good, it was all happening right at the time all around the world. But the best part of the whole story is the "Kite Runner", you've got to read it for the Kite-Runner it talks about and how he does it in style is to die for. One heck of an story and I was so delighted to read it for the reason that I myself could never fly a kite on my own without my friends help :), not even today I can raise a kite on my own to the sky.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the very few books which I will call the best on a "Father Son" relationship as well as "Best Buddies" too. The way the characters of "Agha" Amir's dad is carved out, it was simply brilliant, the uptight Afghan who would take a bullet more than keeping his head down. What an amazing life they had (pre-war), it was simply superb, this is almost my first read from the region and country and I am totally amazed with the references and stories. Especially the Afghani jokes, Mulla Nasruddin stories, the way they speak with so much Hindi(sh) words being used in such beautiful ways. I am delighted that they actually used them just like that in an English book as the impact is totally amazing. The non-believer, super rich, upper class- Afghani Muslim (Agha), his best friend Rahim Khan and his servant (a Hazara, the lowest of the low) Ali (Hassan's Dad), are the main characters around which the story is woven. From Afghanistan to Pakistan to United States of America, life and changing times is captured so beautifully that I was totally shocked and amazed. I haven't read a better piece of literature then this for sure and I am now too inclined to read what he wrote next.

If you have read this, do let me know how you loved the characters of AmirJaan and Hassan. But if you haven't read this, high time that you read it soon. But if you share a different opinion about the book and the story, do let me know what didn't work for you, I would be very glad to know your thoughts. I totally loved it.

The Fragile Thread of Hope - Pankaj Giri (Book)

The Fragile Thread of Hope - Pankaj Giri.

Like I said earlier in one of my posts that sometimes it is not us who is picking up a book but at times a book too can pick you up. And when you read it, love it, finish it, sit back and think about it, you realize that you were destined to read it for so many reasons. This book invoked so many of these feelings in me as it just came to me or shall I say the Author somehow found me and sent me this book to be read and reviewed. As usual, I had no idea of neither the Writer nor the book so what and how it clicked? The Author happens to be from one of my all time favorite city "Gangtok", now that is one piece of heaven that I've decided to settle down as and when the right time comes and one of my besties is from the city and is still there, who've been calling me for a visit for ages now. Co-incidentally Author's and my own ancestors belonged to Nepal. Not going too much back in time, my Grandpa and Grandma were from Nepal as well as my Dad who was actually born in Kathmandu before they migrated to India around mid 40's. Until my granny was alive, we used to follow all the traditional Nepali customs, functions, festivals and what not, even for communication the official language of our household back then was Nepali :). I still do remember so many words and sentences that I try to impress a Nepali as and when I come across one. This book had so many of those terms, rituals, festivities beliefs and specially the words that he used in the narrative were simply too good and put a big huge smile on my face throughout.

The book starts with a shocking accident and breaking of the sad news to the two main characters who have got nothing to do with each other and are miles apart. But as the story goes in flashback some thirty odd years to the very start, develops and covers the three decades of their lives full of Love, Loss, Pain, Betrayal, Philosophy, of-course some Hope and so many other emotions that I got totally engrossed in it. Soham is recovering from the loss of his much loved (and hated) elder brother "Dada", who he loved as well as was jealous too. How his dad hates his elder brother who is good for nothing as per him and curses him big time, it felt so real (even in fiction) that it reminded me of our own time when it wasn't too uncommon for a parent to tell a kid that they should have dumped them right after the birth and shouldn't have taken any pains of raising them. And so is the life of Fiona on the other hand, abusive childhood, drunkard of a father who leaves his loving wife and a very young kid to survive on their own with nothing to look forward to. How they survive, struggle and yet try to live a dignified life is the rest of the story and twists. The majority of the story takes shape in Gangtok and that is why the Nepali connection too as there are so many people who speak in that language. Beautiful scenic city of Gangtok, its cruel weather which looks so good from outside specially to us who crave to be there and how the locals survive and live with it is so well told, amalgamated in the story which adds up some shock value too to it.

The way Soham's life and character is carved out is so damn real life like. A typical life in a metro where we slog nine to five and have no social life to look forward to. Our parents did the same too to make our lives beautiful and at the end of the day there is no one to enjoy the fruits of their hard-work or even ours. Whereas Fiona's life is totally different than his, a small town girl with no big dreams, just to stand on her own two feet and live a normal life, forget about the painful past, look forward to the better future. Born in a Hindu family, how religion comes to her mother's rescue in trying times is a heart touching story.

Not comparing it with Danielle Steel's "The Long Road Home" but it so much reminded me of the story of Gabriella, as the pain in her life never comes to an end, it made me so much emotional and my heart cried out for her big time. Exactly like that here too, Fiona's troubles seems like never going to come to an end but I hoped they would eventually. I loved the way Pankaj has carved out his characters, exceptionally well and kept me on toes with both of them, their hobbies, their lives, thinking, achievements, regrets, differences with parents and all that. It is so real and written so efficiently well and in great details not hurrying the narrative at all. Since this isn't a thriller or a suspense saga it takes its own sweet time to take story ahead. Some people may find it slow or may be lengthy too but I totally loved it. Even the philosophy and meaning behind the story and the way he told it through the twists and turns in the lives of his two main characters was mind-blowing. The music references, cricket connection, songs and bands, books and what not is so terrifically submerged that it always felt like as if I knew this guy personally. Or that the main characters could have been so easily any of us telling their own story.

It is a must must read for all and specially for those who enjoy and cherish a meaningful book with so much positive philosophy of life and times. Plus an effort like this should be praised and recommended big time, in today's time when so much of trashy literature is making up the bestseller list whereas a deserving story(s) get no fame.

PS: Today I actually messaged the Author and asked him his age too :). Going by his Facebook profile I just couldn't believe that such a young man follows such beautiful philosophy. He is definitely going places and I would keep following him now for his upcoming works for more enlightenment.

Carthik's Unfairy Tales - T F Carthik (Book)

Carthik's Unfairy Tales - T F Carthik.

My wife still calls me my "Mamma's Boy" and I don't mind it even at this age as I am what I am :). Now what has my Mamma got to do with this book? You ask? A lot. I always love and cherish a book or a story which sends me more closer to my mom (don't worry she is all healthy and awesome). This book sent me back in time when I was in sixth standard or something, back then as soon as I usually start my walk back to home from school, I would pray that "God, please I want to have Halwa today". And as soon as I will hit home my nasal senses will tell me that my wish was actually granted (always). But the moment I would look at the quantity she has made, I used to be sad and hurt to say "Why so less? why would you not make a bucket of this?" To which she will always calmly reply with a smile on her face "Bete, if I would make a load of it, it won't be this good no?". And that was always and still the case even today. The bestest dishes that she still makes always make me keep asking for more but to no avail. So this Mr. T F Karthik has actually served me the best tasted "Halwa" in the form of his Unfairy Tales that I kept asking more and the book gets over flat in 2 hours and a little more. But leaves a huge huge grin on my face that my kiddo gives me one look and says "Ok That's it, now don't tell me that I really need to read this book (too)". And I give her a wink as she actually doesn't know what she will be missing if she isn't going to read this one.

Haven't we all grown up reading so many fairy tales, still we crave for more but this is the first time that I have come across an "Unfairy" tale and I am forced to ask for more. Wow!! Simply Wow!! Hats off and take a bow Karthik for the beautiful retelling of the much loved stories from the days of yore like you call it. What is different in these stories is the way they are (re) told. Simple, Sweet but the most important and the damn good thing about them is the "point of view" from whose point of view the stories are told. Mind-blowing idea, concept and what an amazing execution. Now, imagine that you are reading a story from the point of view of a Rat, who was a horse a while ago and as he narrates it to his friend, it is actually unbelievable but true. And by the time he discloses whose horse he was while still being a Rat and how he craves to get back to that role to no avail, the reader is actually laughing out loud and hitting his palms on his own feet realizing "How could I not get it in the first place" And trust me, this is one example. I had no idea of sidey characters from any story from any of the much loved fairy tales and this books comes like a breath of fresh air giving us their accounts. Imagine what happened to the guy who sends Aladdin down the hole to fetch the magic Lamp was it? or to the witch who keeps Rapunzel in the tower? It is Hahalarious to say the least. I don't want to disclose the stories that he has re-told hence will not talk about any characters, you've got to read this "one hell of a piece of literature" to know it yourself but I guarantee you, that you have not read anything like this before in your past.

What I loved about the entire book (as short it was) was his sense of humor and philosophy which he kept brief but never ignore-able especially when his characters talked about us humans and what we do (mostly wrong things). Also, impeccable English, which so much reminded me of two of my all time favorite Authors "Dickens and Wodehouse" but never overdoing it. Although my daughter just read the first page and found it too tough to her taste (she is 11) but now after reading it myself, I am going to force it down her throat as I know that once she reads the first five pages, she will not be able to put it down as it becomes so engrossing and interesting and simple too.

The only grudge that I hold against the Author is "Why so short man?" but I know, my mom would have again said calmly with a smile "Son, it won't be this beautiful otherwise, No?". So there, I give him benefit of doubt and look forward to his upcoming work as and when he comes out. If dreams were to come true, I would really love to read the account of the Landlady of Mr. Holmes :) may be in a short story format but would love to read it especially the way Karthik has told these stories.

Einstein: His Life and Universe - Walter Isaacson (Book)

Einstein: His Life and Universe - Walter Isaacson.

Einstein I guess is no more a name, it's a title given to someone who stands out from the crowd as long as the science and knowledge is concerned. We all have that one "Einstein" in our groups of all kinds where a man behaves exactly like him and owes the title. One such Einstein I am delighted to know, who happens to be my colleague, a couple of years junior who gifted this Biography to my 11 year old daughter :). Guess he deserves the title isn't it? :). I have no idea why I delayed reading this one heck of an amazing book for so long. It's been a part of profile picture for more than a year now and it was high time that I read it. Also, this happened to my second book from Walter Isaacson, which I totally end up loving big time. I am so looking forward to his other works, especially Biographies, guess he is the master of Biographies. The years that this book covers from 1879 to 1955 was one amazing time when so much was happening and making history. So many historical figures and people that Einstein shared his time and space with was totally amazing. I was totally grinning to read those fundoo literary names having a ball with Einstein. One that I need to mention big time was "Franz Kafka" and Einstein together, just imagine :) and Sigmund Freud making faces on the men talking :) can that moment be beaten. The man himself became bigger than the Nobel Prize :) and was so casual that he traveled to Japan while they wanted to felicitate him and didn't even postpone his plan even after knowing :), although gave his speech later and received the award.

I had no idea before reading this mammoth of a book (680+ pages) with at least 120 page long glossary :) just imagine. And Einstein to my amazement, shock, surprise and Awe was an amazing character with a very colorful life. I am sure a lot of you guys must have read "A Man Called Ove", if you take Mr. Ove and make him a scientist - he will be the perfect "Albert Einstein". Brooding, grumpy old man yet a hardcore romantic with a solid sense of humor, who throws punchlines after punchlines without a break on all his students, colleagues, family members and even on some renowned politicians. Another thing that I didn't have the vaguest idea about his origin was that he was actually a Jew born in Germany who end up holding as many as three countries citizenship by the time he died (Germany, Swiss as well as American). On top of that, he actually got an offer to be the President of Israel that he willingly declined as he knew (not) that he wasn't cut out for the role but the role didn't actually deserved a guy like him (you really need to read the book to more on it, hilarious it is). He was one of the most famous Jew at that time and Israeli politicians had no option but to offer him the post, dreading what if he accepted :).

What I most loved about the book or let me say about this Biography is that Walter Isaacson has written so smartly, never made it boring. It rather feels like a superb fiction with so much of thrill and a terrific sense of humor. It will not be an exaggeration if I say that at least half of the book (200+ pages) are actually the lines written by Einstein (German translated in English) and they are simply mind-blowing. I had no idea that a guy of his caliber have that kind of sense of humor especially the way he was romantically involved with so many females, had two unsuccessful marriages and a couple of live-in's too. The way he wrote love letters in "Physics" was totally hilarious but yet they were such poignant and meaningful reads. Who would believe if I say that he was an excellent Poet and had actually written some real good one's to his then lovers. Hilarious is the way how he settled his divorce with his first wife and how his Nobel Prize was involved in the whole situation was a laugh out loud moment but the way he did it was commendable.

The way his entire life from childhood to graduation, his struggle for a stable job to citizenship, it all is so well covered in small chapters that it actually never gets boring. Shockingly simple life that he always lived, doesn't even feels like we are actually talking about a giant of a man called Einstein. I guess that is the reason that it appealed so much to me and why I was able to identify with the little nuances. His kindness with strangers, the way he handled his students and kept forgetting things. He actually had to call his office once to ask his own home address as he used to forget the directions :). His accidental role in making of the Atom Bomb, his views against Nationalism and making a World Government (totally unsuccessful) was something that multiplied the respect for the man multi-folds but unfortunately he couldn't achieve it in his life time and remained a dream. He totally didn't like the idea of a powerless "United Nations" which gradually came out after his movement but was able to do nothing. The guy was so smart and could actually predict the future too. Imagine 70 years back someone asked him "How would you think the Third World War be fought?" to which he so aptly replies "I do not know about the third but I can tell you that Fourth will be fought by stones". WOW!!! So damn right, he was as it will actually come true (pray not in our life-time).

The only grudge with his book that I have is the Indian connection. I don't know where but somewhere I have seen a picture of Einstein sitting in front of the Taj Mahal. But as per this book he never came to India. Also the only Indian connection is the theory that he made in partnership with Satyendra Nath Bose which was later referred to as "Bose-Einstein Condensate". Another mention of an Indian was the one who makes a straw hat for him taking six months time :) and he used to keep a picture of Gandhiji in the later stages of his life with a picture of "Newton" that he always carried with himself. What I actually wanted to know was his views, if ever he had any on the "Theory of Evolution" by Charles Darwin, it must have been a very interesting take from the man.

Undoubtedly, this will be one of my all time favorite Biographies for sure, for a long long time to come. As I can go on and on talking about Einstein :) as there is so much to talk about the man, his life, his times and Universe. I am not even getting into his achievements in Physics :) as its futile. As he himself said that to a majority of the people "The Theory of Relativity" made no sense yet they all praised it and him big time :). He never believed in "chance" or "God" and always believed that "God never played Dice". If you have read this, do let me know if you loved it the way I did and if you have not read this yet :O Boss!! Big time, you have no idea what amazing book and piece of history you are missing. And watch out for those precious pictures in the book.