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.

Kane and Abel - Jeffrey Archer (Book)

Kane and Abel - Jeffrey Archer.

I still remember reading this book way back in early 90's as soon as it landed in our school library. Also, this was the book which made me identify with one of its lead character (Abel) big time that I actually started sleeping without a pillow back then and the habit still continues... to my wife and kiddo's amusement nowadays, one wakes me up and tells me to come up to the pillow and other one laughs all the time seeing my weird position sleeping either below the pillow or way out of its reach and at times I actually roll it over to the floor and sleep peacefully :). Such was the connection with the guy that I read, started following it and totally forgot about it. As I read this one again last week and was totally amazed to know that this was the book which is responsible for my weird habit. All thanks to a friend who was not able to read any book and we decided to read it together and exchange views everyday in the evening. The friend is absconding since then and I have already finished the book in flat one week. I am shocked, surprised, sad and what not that how come this book is actually considered one of his best works. I so much tried to like it and get thrilled or entertained and what not but to no avail. Also, it answered a question which was in my mind for quite a while that why "Jeffrey Archer" could never become a "Ken Follett". And why his books will never be called "Classics" not "Timeless Classics" for sure. This was written in 1979 and I am sure it was a rage back then or may be for a decade or more till it reached us. Anyways, it totally doesn't work anymore (Although my loyalty goes a long way with Archer Uncle) but I am going to complete the trilogy.

As the title suggests, its a story of two guys born on the same day in two different parts of the world. Kane is born in a super rich family of bankers and Abel is born somewhere in Poland, an orphan with no roots to look back to. This is actually Abel's story from rags to riches and the cross connection with Kane. I so much assumed or tried to remember if they will become the best of friends or the sworn enemies for life (and why?) or they are actually brothers lost at birth (somehow) that was the only point which kept me hooked to the not so thrilling story which Jeffrey Archer to my shock and sadness so much over did that I just couldn't believe it. He wrote this story in 1979 and it basically covers 60 odd years of their life starting from early 20th century. Every twenty pages, Archer throws a name or an incident that indeed put a smile on my face but he kept on doing it to no end. Imagine a Mr. J P Morgan actually makes an entry. And our rich bankers actually support someone called a Henry Ford who is about to start a car company :). In the background we hear of a Don called Al Capone too and one of the important family members actually dies as Titanic sinks. If that was not enough we have Siberian prisoner camps, Sigmund Freud too gets a hilarious mention. But the cherry on the cake belongs to one of my all time favorite characters from the history of United States of America - JFK. Imagine in early 70's one could actually pay a quarter of a million dollars to get an hour of his time exclusively to yourself :) Wow, that was a little too much. Even when their paths criss-cross (how many times is good enough?) initially its exciting but later it becomes predictable as well as futile too at one point and I couldn't even think of a reason why it was happening at all.

Jeffrey Archer, doesn't specialize in suspense writing but whatever I have read of him in the past and recently too (Clifton Chronicles) was / is able to hold my interest up-to the very end. But in this one, I could actually predict the outcome a mile ahead and lets not even talk about the literary liberties he has taken specially with the banking laws (they cant be that lackluster even in 70's). I expected it to be a joyride of 600 pages but after half the way it just becomes a big drag and tried as hard he did or I wanted to enjoy, just couldn't. Somehow I reached the ending hoping that it's sequel should be good "The Prodigal Daughter" and the end of trilogy "Shall we tell the president". Do let me know if you have read them as I have no memory of this story going anywhere forward after Kane and Abel. I am totally sure that this book will not work for people born either in 70's (like me) or even in 80's. I would really like to know from the people who are born after the 90's if any of them have read this and did they actually like it? Need to find some and ask. Do let me know your thoughts if you have read it recently, how did it work for you?