The Psychopath, The Cannibal, The Lover - Tejaswi Priyadarshi (Book)

The Psychopath, The Cannibal, The Lover - Tejaswi Priyadarshi. 

Another addition to my collection of Author sent books which I finished last night which blew my mind off. To keep the record straight of (almost) never abandoning a book once I start, I kept chugging through and somehow finished this one. Going by the title and on top of that a debut book, I should have kept my expectations low from this one. But unfortunately the hopeless positive expecting person I am, I thought it will get better as the story progresses. Right from the very first murder which was gruesome (but not too bad as I have read and seen much worst earlier which have given me sleepless nights and refuse to go off my memories), the story keeps going downhill to a very predictable ending with a twist which gives hints of a sequel (I will probably stay away from). I was excited when Tejaswi approached me to read his book, looking at his background (an XLRI pass out) I was very hopeful of at least a heart touching story but he had something else in his mind for his characters. And on top of that his editors have let him down big time too, of-course the book is published online only so far hence the outcome. I will not get into details but repeatedly same mistakes and on top of that narrative shifting from first person to third too was confusing. And I really dislike the Chetan Bhagatesque idea of two people meeting and one telling the story to second person (who is supposed to write it). 

Going by the title I thought there will be a psycho lover who for sure will not get love of his life, in the end he will end up killing one and all to get her, only to eat her in the end :) if that is how this story would have gone, I am sure I would liked it as that would have given it the correct "whys" but what Author has done with his story as I said earlier I didn't find it very convincing. Writing is too advanced as far as Indian standards go, even in this jet age it was too hard for me to digest school going kids doing something his characters were doing (even in fiction). A very straight forward story of a kid being bullied all his life who takes up to take revenge on the people who've been bullying, betraying or letting him down throughout his life. How it all happens and how he takes revenge coming across a Cannibal and a lover in his stride is the story all about. Unfortunately neither I could connect with the psychopath nor with the Cannibal and the lover's character hardly gets much attention from his own created that the reader in me felt betrayed for that part. The only good part was that the books length isn't too long and I was able to finish it in flat three sittings but whatever I could quote from the ongoing story to my wife and kiddo, they were shocked that I was still reading it. 

Shockingly other than me, everyone else who has read the book and posted their thoughts on Goodreads have somehow liked the book. If you have read The Psychopath, The Cannibal, The Lover - do let me know how you like it but if you haven't yet read it, I highly suggest you stay away. 

PS: I guess Tejaswi has read a little too much of Surendra Mohan Pathak or James Hadley Chase kind of books and decided to dedicate his first book to the master himself. 

 

The Brass Verdict - Michael Connelly (Book)

The Brass Verdict - Michael Connelly.

I have a weird habit of picking up and reading the "filler" books that I go through on and off 🙂. I never read a Michael Connelly book before I picked this one up 🙂, what made me pick this one was its super glossy cover with a courtroom in background, its size (550+ pages) and that last name Connelly. I've been a Jennifer Connelly fan all my life (you've got to see her in leather) so I thought how bad a book can be with that similar last name 🙂. On top of that I have read a few Grishams and Jodi Picoults with superb courtroom dramas in the recent past. And on top of that I recently finished a Thomas Hardy so I wanted unwind a little before I pick up my first Kafka next. But what a terrific heartbreak this one was, totally predictable with almost no character development, I could feel nothing for none of the characters, almost no thrill element even after multiple murders and an unknown killer roaming around looking for his / her next target. Lackluster courtroom scene and dialogues, almost good for nothing detectives totally clueless as what is happening and unfortunately they do not uncover anything as I said that the ending was totally predictable. I was able to guess the killer in the first 50 pages only 🙁. Some of my favorite names from Hollywood too weren't able to make it any better for me like Johny Depp, Angelina Jolie and Mickey Rourke 🙂. 

Started reading this on Sunday morning and finished it on Tuesday afternoon, was a breeze of an easy read but just about a very average story (much against my expectations). Perfect setting of an out of work lawyer taking break from his practice recovering from drug addiction. No work and family to look forward to, his fortune changes as one of his close buddy (another lawyer) is shot dead with a high profile Hollywood producers case hanging in-between. The producer is a suspect himself of a dual murder (his wife & her lover). Two ex wives with one of them working with him (and her boy friend) and a daughter in toes, his father's best buddy as the detective helping him solve the case, imagine it had so much scope of being a fantastic novel but I guess Mr. Connelly has read too much of Christie, Grisham and Conan Doyle but learned nothing, as it all falls flat on the reader. Even for a person like who reads books for pleasure, this didn't had almost nothing for me in it, still I kept going forward thinking it may shock me somewhere down the line and may have a different ending than how I imagined but even that wasn't the case. The only good thing about the book was that it kept reminding me of the terrific movie Lincoln Lawyer that I watched and loved a few years ago, based on Michael Connelly's most successful book I guess. 

After a long time I guess I found a book which I won't be recommending much to my own heart-break. But do let me know if you have read "The Brass Verdict" and liked it too. If not, do let me know if you have a favorite Michael Connelly book, I would like to give the Author a second chance.

 

Far from the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy (Book)

Far from the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy.

Disclaimer: If you have read my earlier posts saying that I have found my all time favorite Author, this post makes those posts Null & Void and finally I have found my all time favorite Author and Thomas Hardy is now my permanent favorite.

I still very well remember by FYJC days when I was smitten in love (now I call it infatuation) with a girl whose name even was so rich that I couldn't dare dream of ever having her in my life but that never stopped me from being in love with her. Although we were as different as chalk & cheese, she was rich I was poor, she was beautiful and most of you have seen my pictures she was bubbly in a group of admirers and I usually had my lunch alone sitting on a puliya. But what has that got to do with the book in question? if you want to ask me that, it means you haven't read this one or any of the Hardy books. Wonder why is he so cruel to his characters, especially to his men, women he is still at times fines and gives them some leverage but he is brutal to his men, I tell you that in advance. Also, I started this while travelling and as I boarded an Aircraft this Sunday morning holding the book in my hand, even the air-hostess who welcomed me in quickly added pointing to the book "Depressing, is it?" and while she made coffee to me I dared asked her "Why is he so hard on his men?" to which she retorted "He isn't easy on his women too, especially in this one". And I must tell you that this story and the book again invoked so many unbelievable emotions that I can't properly put them in words, I had to race to the end to know if it would be any better than his last that I read "Jude the Obscure".

Love (and life) story of a shepherd who faces severe hardship because of his sheer bad luck, a gem of a man from all angles but God (mean Hardy) has some different plans for him. Initially I was totally in love with the man Gabriel as I can bet my life that you will not find a better character than him even if you search with the help of Aladin's lamp. Falls in love at first sight but as I know Thomas Hardy so much better going though his second book that I could predict, it ain't be easy for Gabriel to get the love of his life. But how he goes through after his rejection and where his destiny takes him especially when the reader hopes that his path should cross again with the love of his life, like I said earlier once you love someone, you just can't unlove it and so is the case of Gabriel. How he goes through in life still in shadows of love of Bathsheba Everdene is the rest of the story. But by the time I hit the halfway mark, Mr. Hardy plays with my loyalty so royally that it is very hard to explain. Just when I thought he was too cruel to his Men he changes gears and we have a second story, and just when I thought that was that, he decides to give me another twist but with so much heart and emotions in it that he very ably swiped me off my feat and not only made me fall in love with a few of the characters but the Author himself too. You've got to keep trust on your Author to know more and feel the depth that he actually wants you to feel. Throughout the 320+ pages I was totally clueless as what would be the right way to judge the things the way they were going.

Undoubtedly Far from the Madding Crowd I will always remember for the amazing characters carved out by Mr Hardy so beautifully. And his prose is so poetic that it flows like a smooth river which flows without making any noise or ripples, if you know what I mean. This is ultimate story in poetry I should say. I am dead sure that I will never read a book ever from any other writer which will come any close (in prose) to Thomas Hardy's work(s). Also, if you are into collection fantastic one liners, t his is the book which will give you at least a good dozen for your collection. Thomas Hardy's philosophies are simply incomparable. And If you ever want to know the meaning of a word called Selfless, you've got to read this book for the same. And this will always show up on the top of my list now onward whenever a discussion on the best love stories will ever start. Oh! and before I forget I must mention that it has some BEAUTIFUL illustrations, and they are so true to life that I could never imagine a more beautiful (and fragile) face for Bathsheba, and farmer Gabriel Oak or the two men that I shouldn't mention here .

Have you read Far from the Madding Crowd? if you have read it, do let me know how you like it and if you haven't, I must say that you've got to read it ASAP. Also, do let me know which one is your favorite Thomas Hardy book.

PS: I so much wish that I run into the same Air-hostess on my way back to Pune this weekend so I could tell her whether this was depressing or not .

Tara Road - Maeve Binchy (Book)

Tara Road - Maeve Binchy

My very first Maeve Binchy and what an amazing heart touching story this one turns out to be. A huge thanks to whoever sent this one my way :) since I received the book so long ago that have totally forgotten who gifted me :) apologies and thanks from the bottom of my heart. Now that I have finished my first Binchy :) I've got to make a list of her best works and pick them up in my next haul (sometime in next 6 months depending how long my current stock lasts). Surprisingly Maeve Binchy's writing is totally my cup of tea, straight forward, no hard hitting words, flawless writing, totally life like and believable characters with their own set of struggles, aspirations, dreams and desires for which at times some of them betray the same people who in turn totally love them and still keep their faith on them. The story has so much heart in it that it made big time emotional, gave me so many lumps in my throat but it equally inspired, made me smile as well as made me laugh quite a few times. On top of that my search just returned me an amazing result that a movie was made on the same with Andy McDowell playing one of the lead characters with the same guy who played Sir Jorah Mormont in much loved Game of Thrones TV series :) tempting me big time to get hold of the movie and watch it tonight. 

As the title suggests "Tara Road" is the story of one posh locality from Dublin (Ireland) where the lead pair of Danny Lynch and his amazing wife Ria (Maria) make their home. How that get that house and how heavenly she turns it out with some amazing set of friends, relatives and neighbors which always kept the reader in me all delighted. But not everything remains always as good as we expect them to be and Binchy hit me hard with that unexpected twist, giving another set of amazing characters from thousands of miles away who gets in touch with Ria out of sheer co-incidence and they end up doing a house exchange for two months, both recovering from their own set of set-backs. How they help each other from miles away, never have met and with no clue about each other's lives makes up for an amazing cliff hanger story with so much going around that I just couldn't resist and end up reading the whole 600+ pages as fast as I could to get to the end :). Author has done an amazing job of showing two poles apart cultures from Ireland and United States in such an amazing way that it adds up so much value to the whole narrative. It indeed was so amazing to grasp that how different yet how same we all are, wherever we may be living. Ria and Danny's cute kids especially Brian the younger one who is always annoying his teenage sister make up for two super entertaining characters with their own set of problems. You've got to read this wholesome family entertainer as I kept updating my own teenage daughter and wifey with the going on story that I was loving big time. 

As I mentioned earlier this is my first Binchy book but I must say she has a mastery on relationships. This was one superb example of Husband Wife relationship, how different we all are. A perfect story for Father Son and Sibling chemistry (or rivalry). Mother Daughter relationship (two sets) totally amazed me especially the ease with which the story develops and how the characters are carved out and handled, loved it. I have read a lot of books in the recent few years but none comes any close to this one when it comes to talking about depths in relationships, trust, love and even betrayal too. Unbelievably amazing this story is and like I said totally life like. 

Unfortunately I had no idea of Binchy's writing but I must say she is one heck of a writer. I guess I read it at the right time as it has given me some terrific food for my thoughts on teenage life and how to handle them (or set them free). If you have read Tara Road or seen the movie version, do let me know how you liked it :) and if you haven't read this one, I suggest you take a break and grab it ASAP. Also, do let me know if you have a favorite Binchy, I would love to lay my hands on it at the earliest. 

The Mind Whisperer - Rajesh M Iyer (Book)

The Mind Whisperer - Rajesh M Iyer.

I must have read at least a dozen odd books from the Mythological Fiction genre in the last few years and for sure half of them were either based on Karna's life or revolving around it. And I must also add that almost all of them have worked with some that have such beautiful memories in my mind that I will for sure read them again in very near future. I don't know why but Karna's character is totally mesmerizing for me from Mytho stories and every story adds up more to the enigma called Karna for me. So, a few months back as soon as I came to know that one of my favorite authors from our part of the world was writing a book on another chapter of the much loved character, I was totally excited to lay my hands on the book. Last week I got my own fresh baked copy of the book with a superb signed note by the Author himself :) Can anyone be more luckier than me when it comes to reading :). The title was so intriguing that I almost abandoned a Stephen King book to start this one but then realized it will be a blasphemy (King being my all time favorite) so waited another few days to finish that one. Look at that beautiful cover and the note by the Author himself, although I am going to complain about the length (or lack of it) for sure that my heart kept asking for more whereas the writer had different ideas :) (may be a sequel in future or another chapter from his life).

As soon as I started this one, my daughter after knowing who this one was based on commented that I am going to give her further more gyan on Karna's life once I finish this one :). Unfortunately she hasn't yet read neither the epic Ramayan or Mahabharat, although we are watching the TV series based on the first one and will start the one on latter shortly. The book as I said earlier is based on the last few days of Karna's life, starts almost while the last of the great war is taking place and he is about to kill is own brothers because of the call of the dharma. Although because of the much read and adored epic, we already know the ending still it was fantastic the way Author has waved his magic wand and given us another terrific chapter from the much loved man's life in making his character a few notches more deeper. To know who the actual Mind Whisperer in the story and what changes those whisperers bring to Karna's life (or shall I say death), you've got to read the book which is simply too good but too short too. Hardly 160 pages and the pace is so fast and suspenseful that I had to finish it in two days with no respite. Super thanks to him but it was great to read further more about lesser known characters from the epic especially about Karna's charioteer who competes with the best ever charioteer Krishna himself. Visually it is beautifully told that I had no option but to bring those characters back to my mind from the much loved TV series and see them in a new light from Rajesh's pen.

Although it takes nothing away from the book or the story but I believe it would have done wonders if he had added a few pages from Epic's background especially for those who haven't yet read the original story in full. My kiddo actually started the book but had so many questions to ask about different characters and stories that I had to tell her to read the original full story first before attempting a book like this one based on one character's one particular period from his own life. This one will not work like a stand alone book but will be much enjoyed by people like me who love reading more reference stories based on that era. 

The Perfect Murder - Ruskin Bond (Book)

The Perfect Murder - Ruskin Bond.

What happens when one of your all time favorite Author not only writes a murder mystery but also compiles some of his favorite Writer's stories in one concise book :) - what you get out of this kind of a situation is basically a sleepless Saturday night. It so happened last Saturday that we had an impromptu slumber party at my nephew's place who is not much of a reader anyways (how some people spoil my name I tell you) even when I have given him a few easy to read books and all. Since the night out wasn't planned I was neither carrying any book nor my laptop so was totally clueless as how to spend the night once the party got over. Surprisingly he had this gem of a small book lying on his center table which he picked up few months back as he had heard of the legendary name from me only (guess to impress me maybe). I gladly picked up the book and gorged on it and was done next morning by breakfast before moving back to our place. Imagine a book having not only a terrific story from Ruskin Bond but also from the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Allan Edgar Poe, Wilkie Collins etc :). I must confess that at least two of the stories were so mind-blowing that I had to go back a few pages to catch up again to come to a conclusion as how that happened. I tell you these guys are not at all easy on their readers.

I don't want to give away anything as you have to read this book and the amazing stories but I must say that the title story was my favorite. If you look at the beautiful cover, and read it, it is sure to put a smile on my face as how two brothers dependent on their widowed aunt for their day to day affairs. How she sits on the their uncles money and they get the meager cut till she survives. The amicable planning of a perfect murder, jealousy between the brothers and the final outcome was totally mind-blowing. The way story goes forward stretches to an unbelievable extent and the final blow which I can guarantee that none will be able to predict. And then there is Ruskin Bond's own superb story which he gives out so easily even with no murder involved it brought my heart to my mouth by the audacity of the murderer and the victim :) and again (can't control myself) the ending. And how can I not love a story told by Mr. Watson of his much loved friend Mr. Holmes :) who is always at-least ten steps ahead of a criminal he is going after. I must sadly confess that I have hardly read anything by Allan Edgar Poe and Wilkie Collins in a long long time and this book helped me correct that mistake to an extent.

I so much wished that this had a Christie story too :) that would have made this a super perfect book. Have you read a book with collection of murder mysteries? or which one is your favorite Murder mystery? And if you haven't read this collection, you must not miss it at any cost.

Bag of Bones - Stephen King (Book)

Bag of Bones - Stephen King. I actually feel double proud to declare after finishing another Stephen King that I lived to tell the tale :). Again as it always is the case with King books and stories, last fifteen days had been harrowing for me to say the least. Almost a little short of 750 pages it was a total fun read (in my case it is always the longer, the thicker the better). But I wonder why the entire universe goes head over heels to support Mr. King. I not only felt someone patting me on my back very lightly almost like by a feather fan or something and I woke up a few times to find my bedroom empty and door locked from inside. Right on the very second day of me reading this book my bedroom curtain started playing games with me by making shapes as if someone was hiding behind them, so far last two weeks I have kept them totally open even while taking my afternoon siesta :). I strictly warned my kiddo to make noise while walking in to the living room or kitchen especially while I am reading or washing utensils. Even then, she has given me shocks a few times innocently and unknowingly of-course and I was coaxed not to read anymore horror in near future till I grow up a little more :). I have heard someone whispers in my ears while I was sleeping, asking for help in the Lord Voldemort's snake voice (the greatest ever fictional villain from Harry Potter series). Yet I finished the book and here I am sharing it with you guys.

Every-time I read one of his books and come here blabbering about the same stuff that he is my all time favorite Author and all that. Still this must be one of his weakest stories so far, although it had its own impact on me but from his standards it was way below the average mark. Bag of Bones is a very straight forward story of an Author going through a writer's block after his wife's untimely death in strange circumstances. He goes back to his vacation home which they call "Sara Laughs", and that house too has its own painful story of its past to tell us in a most shocking, surprising and horrific way, which is further explored by the author while he tries to write his next book amidst the happenings in his life. A little love story with a twist and lots of spooky moments with a three year old kid in toes kept me jumping on my reading chair :) and made me pray for the happy ending. You've got to read the book to know if it has a happy ending or not but no doubt, it worked like a proper thriller and quite a page turner. His writing and prose is so amazing that I actually end up Googling the town's name (TR90) to find if it exists in the map of United States of America or not :). The book is visually so strong (just like all his other works I have read so far) that I was actually able to visualize the whole scenes in the back of my head. If this is already or will be adapted as a movie or a TV series in future, I will have to gather my guts again to watch it but it will for sure make up for a superb onscreen experience.

Have you read Bag of Bones or any other Stephen King which has scared you big time? Do let me know which one is your favorite King book, I would love to give it a read.

PS: Now that I have run out of King books, I am about to pick up my first Maeve Binchy (Tara Road) right after I finish two Author sent (one unpublished and one published respectively) books back to back from my Friendly writers :).

Climax - Gaspar Noe Movie.

Climax - Gaspar Noe Movie.

Gaspar Noe is not a new name when we talk about some seriously unique and Mindf*** movies. One movie that I will never ever forget in my life (Irreversible) that too with one of my all time favorite Monica Belluci in lead (of-course she goes through something unbelievable that I can't even talk in details here). That movie gave me nightmares for the most brutal way it all is done taking a serious toll on my mind and heart. Then came his "Love" I guess a few years back which was almost considered to be a soft-porn by a lot of critics, I loved it as told the story and clear mindset of one fine man (what's wrong in that I still ask). And now last night, I end up seeing this movie so aptly titled "Climax". As it's very start gives you a superb hint as what to expect (by climax).

Imagine a night with two dozen dancers from various walks of life, shapes, sizes, sexuality, political views inside one campus secluded from the world. One of them plays a sort of prank on them by mixing something in their drinks and what happens next is something which blew my mind off, especially the superb music and dance sequences which soared my hopes skyrocketing high for Gaspar Noe that he may be a little easy on me this time. What follows is the story of Violence, Sex, Drugs and Abuse, totally apt in the way world is moving towards. On top of that Gaspar has his own way of philosophizing the same, you've got to watch it to know and dissect more. I loved the Camera work too as his typical never stopping camera with amazingly long cuts take you on a totally killer journey. So much happening at a break-neck speed and before I could realize whats going to happen, it hits the ending (Unbelievable).

Have you seen Climax? If you are into Mindf*** movies, do watch this one and let me know your thoughts. Also, do tell me which one is your Favorite Gaspar Noe movie if one can have a favorite like that :). My favorite will of-course be "Love". :) if you haven't see that either, go ahead check it out but be warned that Gaspar Noe movies should be seen alone especially one no one else is at home.

Four Past Midnight - Stephen King (Book)

Four Past Midnight - Stephen King.
Another day, another Stephen King :) and with that I add another 930 pages to the data inside my brain or call it inside my heart :) as Stephen King stories straight go to heart to scare the hell out of me. As much I am scared to pick any of his books it actually excites me big time to keep picking his books again and again. Quite a few of them have given me scary sleepless nights and weeks at times but now that I have graduated to his stuff, I am finding them super entertaining to say the least. As the title suggests I expected it to be a horror story but it turns out to be a milder funny one from his standards at least. Won't even go on to call it a proper thriller but nevertheless a superb time pass worth spending ten days of my lock-down life with. Four Past Midnight is basically a collection of four novellas from King with the very first starts one past midnight, second one at two past midnight and so on so forth. On an average each story lasts about 250 pages making it a perfect length, I wished he has written all these stories separately making them longer the better :). I must also add that these four were almost at par with the best mysteries that I have read and loved in the recent past.

The very first story of a pilot taking a red eye flight as a passenger sets the pace of the book in one heck of its own way. He is travelling from west coast to east coast, right after landing his own aircraft from an international destination which almost crashed midways to America. He gets a bad news and had to travel immediately but have no idea what kind of adventure this flight is going to take him on with a dozen odd passengers as survivors of a mid air mysterious accident (kind of an end of the world scenario). I must say the very first story is the best of the lot. Mr. King has a thing about other Authors, I have noticed that in his previous works too as he doesn't shy away from name calling in his stories :) and the very second story is about an Author who is being pursued by a stalker who blames him for plagiarizing his own original story and getting success too on the same. How this guy takes revenge on the Author and the mystery behind whose story was first published and who should get the real credit makes up for a superb cat and mouse chase game, but the big secret in the end totally caught me off guard and made me smile big time on Mr. King's terrific thinking. Third story was superb too especially because it was based on a Librarian who will go to any extent to catch those people who do not return the book on timely manner :) and if someone loses the book :) dude! Those are totally done for life, you've got to read this story if you love reading books and if you rent books from a library, I suggest you stay away from this story if you do not return the books on time :).

Fourth and the shortest of the story is about a teenage kid who gets a Polaroid Camera as his birthday gift from his parents but is not able to take one single photograph from the same. Although an instant picture camera, he has no idea whose pictures he is clicking even after he ends up taking the a dozen of them in the single day. The big mystery enfolds when he starts connecting the pictures :) and what comes out of it was not only nerve wrecking but the way finale is told, it gave me goosebumps, I am certainly not going anywhere near a Camera or a black big dog on the road for the next seven to ten days for sure :). And the best part is that the first and second stories are adapted as TV Movie and a proper movie respectively :) the one with the Author is played by my favorite Johnny Depp :). Right after posting this, I gotta go and find which platform those movies are available and watch them back to back.

Have you read Four Past Midnight? Do let me know how you like it and which one was your favorite story from the four. Also, do let me know if you have any other recommendation of collection of stories or novellas from Mr. King, I would love to get it in my next haul. And since this one has excited me so much and rocked my last 10 days, I am going to pick up one last book from him from my collection and start it today only (Bag of Bones). 

A Falcon Flies - Wilbur Smith (Book)

A Falcon Flies - Wilbur Smith. I find it very hard to believe that I have actually read two Wilbur Smith's back to back (including The Diamond Hunters) and found them way below par from his own standards. Just about very average story telling with not one character which I will cherish any longer than the time it took me to actually put the books back in my book rack. I guess either something is seriously wrong with Mr. Smith or with his fan in me :( who totally loved his previous works especially The River God series which I am yet to read completely). And it is terribly upsetting for me to not to like a book in the first place which I picked up to love big time. 700 pages which were supposed to be super fun with awesome premise of two brother sister of African origin going back to their country in search of not only their lost father but also some treasures. Initial 50 pages made me assume it will be as much fun as McKenna's Gold or something of Indiana Jones type adventure. It could have been an out and out adventure on Atlantic Ocean while the pirates are being chased by British naval fleet to discover what they hide below the decks of their super awesome ships. And on top of that imagine this all happening around the same time while Indian mutiny runs in the background. The whole idea, concept and plot had so much of scope yet Wilbur Smith's prose does no justice to it in totality hence derailing the fun but as I am a huge fan of his works, I somehow plough through to the end as I didn't want to add any of his works to show up in my super short list of abandoned books. The whole story revolves around two important characters Zouga Ballantine and his beautiful sister (a Doctor) Robyn. Both have their own agenda of visiting their country of origin. Zouga is in search of his lost father and his treasures (you can a wild guess as what could be in the treasure around mid 19th century) and his sister Robyn is looking out to uncover the story behind the American pirate who is smuggling slaves from Africa to America (of-course illegally) and tends to write a book on the same too. They get a little help from another important character in the form of Clinton Codrington, a captain in British Naval Force who in the first place has the same agenda of capturing the dreaded pirate. Another thing which was totally against my taste was the killing of animals with super gory details, of-course that was the case some 100 years ago in the name of man's adventure but reading all that now was totally heart-breaking. And last but not the least, the love triangle too wasn't so convincing for me and I found it pretty much forced unnecessarily and even the final out-come wasn't something that I would agree on. All in all, this was almost the first disastrous experience for me from Wilbur Smith as I guess I have huge expectations whenever I see that name with letters on the top of any book. Next time onward, I will keep my expectations in the right place to make it a little easy on me and see if that works. Till then, do let me know if there a Wilbur Smith book which didn't work for you :) I would love to know that now. And having said all that, I am sort of ready for brick-bats too from Wilbur fans :) and I will go back to at least two Stephen King books back to back now to pull me out of depression. King in my thinking can never go wrong. Looking forward to starting Four Past Midnight and Bag of Bones :).

SpiderMan: Far From Home (Movie)

SpiderMan: Far From Home.

A few months back I wasn't a superhero fan and my all time favorite movie was "The Dark Knight" it still is but a lot has changed since a very dear friend of mine gave me the list of Marvel movies and that too in the perfect order as they should have been seen. THAT changed it all for me and my kiddo, we have become huge huge fans of almost all these amazing superheroes. We have laughed with them, we have cried with them and now we cried a lot on a few of them which we have lost in the last few months (refer to Infinity War and EndGame). Just when I thought they will change it a bit and will put the story in new gear with SpiderMan Far From Home, how wrong I was. They suck you back again into what we had come out of (not happily) but Bravo to Team Marvel, the way this one starts and made us all emotional, choked but with a huge smile on our faces was totally amazing. We had almost missed the movie on big screen but last night on a whim I booked the last show and I am super-glad that I did that, this is not one of those movies that any Marvel / Super Hero fan should miss at any cost.

SpiderMan was never my favorite (especially after the firing of Toby McGuire) I had no hopes but with Tom Holland and Spiderman's upgrade as an Avenger has changed it all for me. On top of that in the last few movies they have taken Zendaya has his love interest who happens to be my kiddo's favorite so we have like half a dozen reasons to watch their movies on repeat mode :). Now that the Avengers have gone, at least a majority of them, a lot of pressure has come on the feeble shoulders of Spiderman :) but Tony Stark didn't leave just like that, he did leave something behind for the little guy. One thing is for sure that we just can't get over Tony Stark as he so clearly leaves a message for Spiderman too "Even Dead I'm The Hero" you've got to see the movie to know more of that message as how beautifully and brilliantly it is executed. If Spiderman, his love interest, his friends and Stark's legacy wasn't enough, they still have fuming hot Aunt May even in this part, which was like totally Wow factor. I mean I really wonder how she keeps getting younger by the movie :) she is another reason why I will watch this movie a few more times for sure :) and Happy Hogan - I love that guy. Jake Gyllenhal's Mysterio gives another dimension to the series and was a total revelation of sorts, we've gotta go back to old movies and keep an eye for him now :) another reason why Marvel movies will be watched again and again by their fans.

All in all, it was a terrific experience watching this 2 hours and a little more wonderful movie which is a perfect start over of the things for Marvel Universe, if end credits are to be believed - we are expecting something seriously amazing coming up soon in next few months I should say. Another superb thing about Marvel and its fans is that we were hardly 15 odd people that too in the very last show of the a weekday, yet not one person got up till the screen went blank after ending of all the credits :)

Have you seen Spiderman Far from Home? If you have, do let me know how you like it and if you haven't, Dude! I tell you, do not miss it at any cost, guess its still there for a few more days.

A Dangerous Fortune - Ken Follett (Book)

A Dangerous Fortune - Ken Follett. The days of lock-down are not coming to an end any sooner :) and with that I have changed or rather slowed down my reading speed a bit so the remaining books should last me a while longer than usual. I have decided going forward to not to read more than 10% of a book in a day and while following that rule I was able to stretch this one (a mere 600 pages) to almost 10 days ;). That too my first of its own kind Ken Follett drama, I didn't know he wrote dramas too. Title-wise it sounds like a proper thriller and as almost all Follett's go, once you start, they usually take you on a thrilling journey at a break-neck pace and make you relax only after you finished the very last page. But this one was totally a different ball game, written in a very easy way with few romantic angles in between with a banking family in the front, all happening around late 19th century. Hence I was able to go easy not only on myself but also on the book and totally enjoyed the story of family rivalry, cousins and friends leaving no stone upturned in cutting each others throats for a few million dollars fortune. I totally love the way Follett develops his characters, like in this book too right from the teenage till they become through professionals (or crooks) running a financial empire with so much happening from their school days (a few murders), treacheries, plotting, political connections, betrayals, lost loves, lost families and so much more. I can almost make a list of half a dozen characters that I actually loved. And with the story developing in mid to late 19th century, city of London plays a super amazing character on its own and loved the way it is portrayed, hansoms, carriages, restaurants, lives of rich and famous, mansions and not to forget the families finding it hard to survive when their investments go bust. The two lead characters (cousins) my favorite Hugh (Kane) and Edward (Abel), one whose father loses it all when he moves out of the family business of Banking to other's gain but the other is not capable enough to run the empire to success. How they fight with each other for their own rights and the way their families take it on themselves with friends coming to their rescue on their own dangerous ways is the story all about. Again, Follett's women are simply terrific and her reconfirms my belief on the same with two amazing women, a mother who will go to any extent to make her son a super success to a friend who will support hers to the end of time, simply too good. I never expected this one to have a love story of a different kind which kept me hooked to their fates to the very end. It was total fun to read two Ken Follett's back to back (Night Over the Water). Now I need to pick up another Wilbur Smith to call it even before I go back to my favorite King :). Have you read A Dangerous Fortune? Do let me know how you like it and who was your favorite character (if not Hugh). Any other Follett you would like to recommend with a love story in the background, do let me know as I would love to lay my hands on it.

More Unfairy Tales - TF Carthik (Book)

More Unfairy Tales - TF Carthik.

What happens when an avid reader or call him a sort of a Bookaholic turns into a writer? A man with a wildest imagination or a man with a mission to even further better the characters that not only he himself loved or still loves since childhood but we also love the same characters. In my wildest imagination I have dreamed of seeing a fight sequence between Batman and Superman and the best thing is that the makers actually delivered it to us a few years back. I have even imagined how the discussion will go if John Galt meets Howard Roark someday :) can you beat that. And guess what, Author has fulfilled that imagination through his Unfairy tales, not exactly the same characters but the Fairy characters and how beautifully :). These days there comes hardly a book which is able to keep a smile on my face throughout its length (barely 140 pages in this case) and makes me stare in blank space thinking about it. And on top of that Author's way of story telling is so beautiful, simple, philosophical and what not that I felt as if he was talking to me sitting right in front of me and not that I was reading the printed words. He has already proved his mettle with his first book which was totally awesome and so is the prequel but again I have serious complains about this that it is too too short and no ways writers like Carthik should be allowed to come out with a book with only 140 pages, they should be forced to not to come out with anything less than 300 in one outing, if only that was in my powers.

Not to give out any spoilers but if you have read his previous book, you already know that all these Unfairy Tales are told from the point of view of the oddest characters that we could ever imagine :) and that is the beauty of it, as we really need to read carefully to know who the person is who is telling the story :) I wish I could tell you more about it. On top of that Mr. Carthik is climbing the ladder quite fast to become my favorite Author from the current times by not giving anything away not in Index or the story titles - can you beat that? I hate those books where the chapter titles gives away at least half of it but here he has done it so smartly that I was left guessing as what could the story be about? Like I said that Roark and Galt connection, imagine a character from this story tries to shoot down the other character from other story on the ground that his or her is way better than the other one's :) Hahalarious it was and such a unique idea. And I want to stand up and clap for the supremely talented man for the choice of character names :) I am craving to tell you but won't as that will spoil the fun for you people. Have you heart of a Nazi shoemaker? You will love him if you get to read his story.

We all love the Fairies but is there a story which makes you fall in love with a Witch? Please tell me about it, I would love to read it and you need to read this as I just told you about the same. Although he calls them the Unfairy Tales :) but you get a hang why he calls them that. One line which stuck with me big time in one of his stories was so beautiful that I will never ever forget in my life meaning "Hope is such big betrayer". And there are so many little gems thrown to a very good measure in every story especially when non humans talk about us humans. Oh! and before I end this and forget the most important part, you've got to read the Acknowledgement section in the end, even that will put a big smile on your face especially if you belong to any Book-reader's community in the online world.

Have you read "Carthik's Unfairy Tales" or "More Unfairy Tales", if not, you've got to get both and read them back to back and I so much wish that the Author takes Writing as his full-time job in the very near future and write a full fledged Novel with at-least 500 pages if not more.

PS: Do not miss that terrific short story cum futuristic upcoming book (hoping) on an "Indian Religion" that will put a big smile on your face by the time you decode what it is about.

The Diamond Hunters - Wilbur Smith (Book)

The Diamond Hunters - Wilbur Smith. The first book of Wilbur Smith Omnibus that I picked up last year after reading first of his "River God" series which I totally loved. Although I am yet to read the remaining five of the series and looking forward to the same very eagerly in near future. I am now totally sure his period dramas are way better than contemporary fiction that he has written, guess I can say that after reading this one which didn't excite me much. First heart-break for me was its size, only 250+ pages :( as that is something which excited me very much thinking how much one can wrap in that short size and I wasn't wrong enough. On top of that the title is pretty intriguing as my imagination started working while I was making my first mug of tea for the day before starting the office work (I usually read first 50 pages on day 1 of any book that I pick before starting my regular day). I assumed it to be based out of Africa (not wrong there) with a good guy finding some awesome diamonds and bad guys chasing him not only for those precious stones but for the love of his life too :). But on horses with some wild dogs and our good guy leaving no stone upturned in beating them, killing them with his sword or some sort of period weapon before living the rest of his life full of love, laughter and lot of diamonds to spare :). Although a few facts and figures thrown about diamonds, the entire extraction process and where to find them was pretty interesting but even that wasn't enough for me to love this book. And the actually story turns out not totally different from my imagination but more modern touches (which were a turn off from Wilbur Smith's standards). An orphan trying to prove his love and devotion towards the one who takes care of his childhood needs after he loses his parents. Falling in love with the man's daughter and making her brother jealous right from the start when it comes to taking over the family business of Diamond extraction from family mines, acquiring new business. It all turns out fiercely competitive once our good guy designs and amazing titanic kind of ship which will find diamonds from the depth of the sea and which promises to make them rich at the drop of a hat. As expected, it doesn't turn out to be a cakewalk for the man who is about to not only lose his own wife but his love interest too in the quest of proving his loyalty to the big man after an earlier misunderstanding which screws his life almost for good. The story although revolves around the three lead characters, brother, sister and her lover but never becomes a great story from any standard but just about remains a good. Wilbur Smith's detailing of the Diamond extractor too was just about average and not at all thrilling and I found that heart which is always there in all his stories totally missing from this one. Totally forced love triangle of sorts which wasn't needed but was a pretty lame attempt at proving some twist that too at a time when its already too late. Or may be I had too high an expectations based on his earlier books that this one didn't work for me the way I expected. Have you read "The Diamond Hunters"? or any other contemporary fiction from Wilbur Smith which worked for you. I love his period dramas already so I guess I will stick to them only and hope that the second of the Omnibus works for me big time (A Falcon Flies). Do let me know which one is your favorite Wilbur Smith book.

Shopaholic & Sister - Sophie Kinsella (Book)

Shopaholic & Sister - Sophie Kinsella.

Finally, I have read my first Sophie Kinsella :) and I lived to tell the tale. All credits go to Mr. John Steinbeck for making me read a Kinsella after-all but I have no regrets. 368 pages of sheer fun, mad as she sounds being a Shopaholic who has to have almost everything she lays her eyes on, space where she is going to keep them or money as how she is going to pay for it is almost a no concern for her. Of-course a Kinsella is no PGW or anywhere near it but laugh it did made me throughout and especially the way it ends put a big wide grin on my face with expectations of another outing with her. I am not sure but there may be a sequel already out after this one as it is this one was a fourth of a series. I think I had bought this book from a sale (Bookchor or Bookthela for sure) as I wanted to get a hang of the Author in question. Thick book but a breeze to read as I guess I finished it in three sittings after a hard hitting book as I needed a break. And Sophie is an amazing writer I must say as almost a majority of her characters are super rich with no dearth of money and they very well know how to spend their money, making it way more hilarious for the readers, keeping me totally glued to it with new surprises in every chapter.

Protagonist Rebecca (another of my all time favorite names) is loving referred as Becky :) is of-course a Shopaholic, recently married and on a year long honeymoon with her husband, can you beat that? Imagine what all she ends up buying while travelling around 15 countries (including India and they do visit my hometown too which was totally unbelievable). Life takes big turn for Ms Becky Bloomwood as her parents give her a huge surprise after she returns from her long Honeymoon in the form of a (half) Sister which she never knew existed. Becky goes on a dream sequence as her life is definitely going to get better with a sister of her own with who she is going to go further wild, shopping, movies, chit-chat and what not. You've got to read the book to know how (kool) her sister turns out to be. Her best friend ditches her for another friend and Becky takes it up on herself to prove that she is way better than anyone else. Ground breaking is the way she stops herself from shopping (or at-least she tries) I had a laughing great time reading that and swiping my own credit card as I had to shop a few things for my office and kiddo this week myself. Every-time I took out my card to swipe for some reason Becky's face kept coming to my mind (Reese Witherspoon in blonde avatar).

I can't say I loved the book or going to read the prequels or its sequels but I must say that I loved the Sisters and Friends bonding big time in this one and really missed not bonding with my own brother(s) anymore. The way Becky tries to keep up with her half sister and prove her love and support for her was totally amazing. I was shocked to see to what extent she goes and tries to work it out was unbelievably beautiful and I must confess that I didn't expect that much depth from Sophie Kinsella, I am all Respect for her now. On top of that, I have exactly one person in my mind (my nephew) who must read this book as that guy I tell you, cannot stay away from a Shopping mall almost every weekend. I am going to force this book down his throat and I am totally sure that he is going to love it and will see himself in it as how we see him, not that we don't love him or anything.

Other than the fantastic story from the point of view of Becky where she keeps talking to herself, one must read this book for the letters that she writes to various banks, shopping mall managements and the brands :) and their responses, they are totally laugh out loud on floor stuff. Have you read Shopaholic & Sister or any of its prequels or sequels? Do let me know which is your favorite Sophie Kinsella.

Night Over Water - Ken Follett (Book)

Night Over Water - Ken Follett. Another book which was collecting dust for almost a year or longer :) I get to finish it this week, all thanks to Lock-down still not lifting. I bought two Omnibuses @ 150/- each from Blossoms, one of Ken Follett and another from Wilbur Smith, both my favorite writers of their own genres. Since March mid, I have finished two of the fattest of my reading career this year :) and these two Omnibuses are no petite beauties :) I decided to read them back to back, one of Ken Follett to start with, followed by one from Wilbur Smith followed by second from Follett and finishing it with Wilbur's second :) isn't it fun when you have all the time in the world to read so many books without much disturbance (call it going to office and working). The only disturbance in today's time is number of times wifey wants me to make my special tea for her and a few rounds of washing utensils a day :) I tell you, it isn't much in comparison to travelling to office and spending half a day at work. "Night Over Water" was just about 650+ pages and as we all know what kind of books and stories Follett is famous for :), it was no cake walk. He almost kept me going through the dead of the night to uncover the suspense that too the story starts at the very start of second world war when Hitler declares war on England. A dozen odd characters trying to go as far away from England as possible that too in the very last flight of a Seaplane Boeing B314, luxury wise it was a perfect match to Titanic with wings. The entire description of Cabins, sitting area, dining area, bunks to sleep and the walk around aircraft given by crew to anyone interested was totally amazing. I have read a few Ken Follett's books in recent times and I must say that his books may not have break neck pace or thrilling right from the word go but his stories have so much heart in them that the readers takes away so much from each one of them. And his women are way more stronger than his men for sure :) this is the second book in a row where he made me fall for his amazing women. I guess Follett has a mastery in writing stories from early to mid 20th century, especially revolving around second world war. "Night Over Water" is an incredible story of a transatlantic flight in 1939 taking a little over 30 hours time from Southampton (Britain) via Foynes (Ireland), Newfoundland to New York. The last flight from Britain to USA after Hitler declares war on the country. All the characters taking flight have their own reasons to catch the flight without fail with their own challenges. A German nuclear physicist has to get so far away from country so Nazi forces don't catch him to make their bombs. A half heart Nazi has to catch the flight to save himself and his family from the tough times as he doesn't have the guts to join neither Germans nor British in defying. Although his two daughters have their own agendas against him and how they take him was totally amazing. A local crook who dreams of making it big from millionaires travelling in the last flight with a fake ID to steal what he can to make his future. A runaway wife with her boyfriend being chased by her Husband who tries his level best to board the flight to win her back. A women running a multi-million dollar American company being shot down by her own brother on vacation in London as he plans a hostile takeover while she is stuck. An FBI agent extracting a gangster from Britain, but his friends have a totally different plan for him before the aircraft lands in New York. An Airline engineer whose wife's life is in line and what he is forced to do to save her was something that kept me totally hooked to the developing story at its own sweet pace. If you think all that makes up for a superb thriller only, think again when I tell you there were a few love stories too developing amidst all that chaos. What I loved most about this book as I said earlier other than of-course having so much heart in the characters was the entire description of the luxurious Airplane. Especially in the year 1939, I couldn't imagine that something of this sort could actually exist back then and in the very end how Follett discloses the facts, totally shocked me. And not to forget the incredible lifestyles of a few rich and famous from the days including a film actress were a treat to read. Have you read "Night Over Water"? If you have, do let me know who was your favorite character. And do you have a favorite Ken Follett? Do let me know that too as I would love to give it a read as soon as possible. Eagerly waiting to finish my first Wilbur Smith from his Omnibus before picking up another Follett :).

The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck (Book).

The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck.

My first Steinbeck was "Of Mice and Men" and let me tell you that I was totally in love not only with the man, his stories, the way he weaved it so beautifully but also he gave me a character whose memory I will take to my grave. Big Sam. A most innocent man (not by the look) and totally misunderstood character who pays for someone else's crimes but the way his terrific friend (whose name I forgot) keeps up with him and tries to keep him away from harm's way was incredible. I am huge huge fan of Stephen King too and after reading his "The Green Mile" I just couldn't not draw parallels between Big Sam and King's John Coffee, so much so that I even wrote an email to Mr. King (Of-course I got no response) asking if he was inspired Steinbeck's character as John Coffee was an exact replica of Big Sam and even their stories had an uncanny resemblance. On top of that, let me state this too that if you haven't read a Steinbeck, you have no idea what you are missing, as one Steinbeck is good for life and to get the impression of one of the most gifted writers of all times. I just finished the my second from him and totally clueless as how to tell you about the book that I finished. Although the book was published in the mid or late 30's yet it is so relevant in today's time. As if he actually saw the future and wrote it 90 years back.

I have read a few travel books in the last couple of years but no story comes any closer to the Joad's journey from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life. Simple farmers by profession living a day to day life toiling someone else's land taking it as their own, how it all changes with the industrial revolution when one Tractor makes the entire generation go jobless in no time. With a family of a dozen to feed, a daughter on the verge of having her first child, a son who is just out of prison after serving his sentence for a murder he did commit (but how and why), a recluse preacher who is no more a preacher in toes with them, a rickety truck to take them across the thousands of miles of journey which may conk off anytime. It is no less than a perfect thriller but the way their story touched my heart, gut wrenching scenes totally choked me up and the only thing which kept me going was the inevitable predictable ending which I kept hoping against all my hopes that it would never come. I will not call it a sad ending or a depressing book from any standard but it was indeed one of the most eye opening books I ever read.

Grandfather Joad with his two sons and their kids has only one dream to reach the land of the future (California) which will solve all their problems and give them a superb life. His dream is to just to have a bathtub full of water, do nothing but sit on it all day and eat grapes (so aptly justifies the title in the end). Exactly same story in today's time when we see thousands of people moving to big cities in hopes of a better future is no different than the story of Joads. But its not all bad let me tell you as I was so touched to read in between the lines as Steinbeck so clearly says that if you ever need help go to poor people as they will certainly take you in and help you to the best of their abilities. The kind of help they get, the little dreams, luxuries of life they witness and the pains they go through, throughout the journey and the incredible ending that I am so craving to tell but can't. If you have read The Grapes of Wrath, I am sure you will be able to understand but if you haven't, you've got to read this without fail that too at the earliest. One of the most incredible stories and a book that I will never forget ever in my life-time.

OK! After so much praise I must say that Steinbeck is not at all easy on his readers as he refuses to give the timeline neither the location where they are or from where they are moving and who exactly are the Joads. There are a lot of clues that I had to gather and put a two and two together still there was a few characters whose stories he deliberately refuses to divulge i.e. Uncle John, what happens to his wife? what was his sin?. And as I said he is not easy on his readers that includes the way his characters talk :), initially it was tuff for me to follow as it hampered my speed (I am no speed reader but he made me read his book fast) but a few chapters down the line it works so beautifully that I started enjoying the way they spoke. And the way they talk, told a lot about who the Joads were and where they belonged - how smart of Mr. Steinbeck :).

Have you read The Grapes of Wrath? who is your favorite character? I am going to get a few more Steinbeck's shortly, do let me know if you have a favorite too. Also, let me mention this too that my next was a Thomas Hardy but now that I have read this one, Sir Hardy will have to wait as I need a little break from heavy stuff and read something lighter.