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).