Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, Illustrated by John Tenniel

Alice in Wonderland is a book that is often quoted, made idiom of and has multiple retellings to its credit. It is one of the most loved books amongst those who enjoy reading. It was during my childhood years when ‘A mad tea party’ was a compulsory read in our English course.

After years when I again come across the chapter, the memory goes back to the time when I finished the chapter and it felt like a task accomplished. Now after two decades I glided through the book. And was reminded of how time flies. A task which felt like a major accomplishment and a story that stuck with me still resonates with me.

Only now I understand it with another perspective, not of a child.

This is the first book I have ever re-read.

This book was picked up as a group read for April for a booktube reading group I have recently come across.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

It is a novel of intimacy. Intimacy felt in the ruffle of fabric and of passion looking at the lady you are in love with while she is looking away at the waves of the sea. The horse drawn carriages are mere evidence of the era and classism is the notorious ex who will not feel like your own but will not let you be with the woman you are pining for. 

'The Age of Innocence' caught my fancy while I was still unemployed and new to the city. While I was binging on Gossip Girl for the mindless entertainment I came across an episode where a bunch of high school students enact 'The Age of Innocence'. If it hadn't have been for Vanessa's description of the novel I would have let it slide. But Vanessa can be quite convincing. 

So here I am, reviewing 'The Age of Innocence', a classic. It has renewed my interest in classic and aren't we glad! 

Beloved by Toni Morrison

'Dearly Beloved' is what she wanted on the headstone. But 'Beloved' is all she got. The price of which was ten minutes of sex with the engraver. Later she thought she might have got 'Dearly' too or maybe the entire preaching for twenty minutes or forty. But she managed to get what mattered to most. She was 'Beloved' whether anyone one believed it or not. 

Toni Morrison is the voice of African-American literature. Beloved won her Pulitzer and when you read the book you are not surprised at all. A genius by her own right Toni Morrison shows the complexity of being a Black where whitefolks are the only bad luck. 

Alternate Opinion: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

It was during the different kinds of work done during the Great War where the author had decided that he was going to write a story about a fisherman and a boat. He was quite fascinated with the idea but never got around to writing the story until towards the end of his writing career. This short novella won him the Pulitzer Prize and a year later Nobel prize for his career in literature. Hemingway found a lot of admiration for this short fiction which is still read decades after it was published first. 

This is a story of an old fisherman who has run out of luck. He has gone 83 days without catching a fish. The boy who used to accompany the old man was also ordered by his family to work for other fishermen. The man is all alone patiently waiting for his next capture. It is true that in old age you are always lonely. It is inevitable. But he refuses to lose hope and prepares for the next capture. The next day he sets sail again to capture a marlin and the way he does it! It is a marvelous narration. The heart goes to the fisherman for his determination. The next task is to bring the fish in and this too while he is lost in the sea. His Marlin gets eaten by the sharks on the way while he fights for the last piece of its meat. 

The highlight of the story is the portrayal of the emotions. The undulations are deep. There are also psychological shadows seen during the story. The never staggering determination wins the story. 

The need to talk to someone, to be one's own guide and well-wisher, the constant need to share a relationship with someone are all that makes the story worth Reading. It is also a depiction of changing faith in the face of adversity. A parallel of drawn with Jesus quite often. There is also an iron heart of a fisherman who respects his kill and does not let it go easily. A mutilated marlin is ugly to look at but it is still his kill. 

This is definitely one of the best books I have read, ever. It reminds you of the simplicity of Kafka and the narration of Gabriel Garcia Marques. I resolved to at least read one classic a month and this is definitely a great start! Read the detailed review of the book by Pooja here. 

November Haul

I’m sure most of you reading this can relate to the feeling of not having enough books to read which keep you company every other day, having become a vital part of your being and to go through a phase of the hoarder syndrome every now and then (guilty pleasures I say!)

The month of November has been that way for me off lately. Finally got my hands on some interesting reads, some of which have been on my wish list for quite a long time and some of which have been recommendations by fellow bibliophiles.

The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky are of the genres I’ve always wanted to acquaint myself with. And then comes Thus Spoke Zarathustra, which I figured would be the best one to start exploring Nietzsche’s work.

The next set of books which I have wanted to read for a long time but haven’t been able to and therefore haven’t got myself to sit through the movies either are The Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. It has seriously taken me quite a lot of effort to keep myself from watching this particular thriller though. And talking about thrillers there’s In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Having gifted a copy of it to a friend of mine (thanks to her staying away from the city, I didn’t fall prey to the urge of keeping it to myself but ordered two copies instead), this story has always got me fascinated and I’m waiting to read it all.

Murakami’s The Wind up Bird Chronicle is the next one, and yes thanks to another friend of mine, an intense blogger and bibliophile, I was introduced to Murakami’s work with the Norwegian Wood after which it’s no stopping to get your hands on his novels. Albert Camus’ The Stranger, which I finally did add to my library after reading A Happy Death, had me thinking for a couple of days about his call of the meaning of life (This post is a little too late since the review of The Stranger is going to be up soon).

Then there’s my first travel novel On The Road by Jack Kerouac and lastly Mottled Dawn by Saadat Hasan Manto which is a collection of short stories revolving around the Partition. Gripping right? So that’s the deal for the next couple of months to come.

Be awesome. Be a book nut!

Bookhaul - September 2016

Yes, we are well into October, am late in posting this one! Better late than never right!? Considering the growing piles of unread books in my room, I really need to stop buying books (No, am just joking!). So , here is my very loved September haul!

Firstly, I decided to try and buy books around the theme for The Biblio Box, as it helps me organize my book buying. This time around the theme was Classics, and so I decided to buy Vinegar Girl, which is a retelling of one of Shakespeare’s books. Apart from this, I bought the entire series of books that feature Anne, of Anne of Green Gables. This  set of books by Puffin is simply adorable and was on my list for a very long time!

The month of September also brought to me some lovely used books from UK, sent by a very dear friend. Harvesting the heart, Rebecca, An impossible Marriage were some among them.

The biblio box had  Elligible (I already had one of the books they had in the box, hence I replaced it with this), Hemingway in Love and I upgraded it with The Great Gatsby- another book that I’ve been wanting for a while now!

Apart from these, I received some interesting titles like Dark Matter, Rau etc for review from the Publisher,  which have been getting amazing reviews from the readers. I also received two books from the authors themselves. One being, The Memory of Lost Dreams which is a dystopian novel  and the other is The Morning tree- a retelling of a fairytale. Lastly, I finally WON A GIVEAWAY! (do the capital letters show my excitement enough!?)  hosted by a friend and fellow blogger, I won the giveaway he hosted and got Shattered Dreams, and All yours, stranger.

Overall, September has left my room with a little hurricane of books that I am only too glad to clean up.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

'Sometimes I think these scarves aren't sent to the Angels at all, but unraveled and turned back into balls of yarn, to be knitted again in their turn. Maybe it's just something to keep the wives busy, to give them a sense of purpose. But I envy the commander's wife her knitting. It's good to have small goals that can be easily attained.' 

Such are the thoughts of Offred. Her days are comprised of demeaning activities, and nights. Of course, nights which are sometimes less eventful than the others, but still, eventful. Margaret Atwood scored a nomination for Booker prize for this book in 1987 and since then it has become probably the most read book of her. A modern classic, as often bracketed in, this book is a great amalgamation of theories such as feminism, war fiction and science fiction. 

Cover page 

Vintage's future edition is the copy I posses. These editions have a common cover designs. There is an image on the cover which is maligned by the continuous lines through in one direction as seen through a futuristic scope. This image looks like a peek into the future which is continuously haunting. The back cover is swirl into the darkness. The spine is clean. It is where the information is, such as the title, publisher's name and bar-code. There are, seemingly, nine books in the editions. I intend to acquire some more of these soon, not just for their cover but clean typography. 

Characters 

The book is story of Offred during wartime. It is time where each citizen is required to be useful and it is what is expected of Offred too. Offred is expected to make use of her breeding ability to grant her commander and his wife a child. Male preferably, but child more so. Offred is a calm woman who has a tornado swirling inside of her. She wants to be loved, to be teased and hopes for a future other than what she is bestowed upon. She is trying to understand the difference between 'freedom to and freedom from' and finding the silver lining where she could be happy in her state. She has also lost her own identity. She wants all of it back. 

There is Commander in whose household Offred works. Commander is a sly male who secretly hates the current regime where women are either boring or sacrificial. He is looking for a tinge of tease in life. Just a spark enough to light a fire but not burn his house down.

Selena Joy is the wife of the commander. Selena is jealous of the handmaids who come to her house and get to lie naked in front of the commander once a month. This is when she is not busy with pointless activities such as tending the plants in her garden and knitting. These activities must have been meant for bored housewives who wanted to distract themselves from their preoccupied cheating husbands and a houseful of maids who talk behind their backs. And so they found a perfect fit in each other. 

Content 

There was a time where the birth rate was in huge decline. These maybe due to the recorded increase in the birth control measures, the nuclear plants accidents, leakages from different biological sites and extensive use of insecticides and other sprays. Several states began reacting to these by shutting down abortion clinics and use of birth controls. The fertility and births were proportional to the wages one received. Several resorted to polygamy but certain sects disobeyed it completely citing religious reasons. 

History changes. Government topples. Women lose their jobs. Second marriages, live-in relationships de-recognized, same sex marriages were scorned upon. Women were used by the upper class to breed. 

All this, was a slow jolt to Offred who used to be an independent woman who made choices for her own life. She was in denial for a long time but when she planned her escape is when she got caught. Now she finds herself in the house of her Commander and his wife, dressed in red and sent for, once a month, to conceive a child. 

This is Offred's story. And many others like her. This is a story of women whose worth were measured by their fertility. 

Language 

Offred is not meant to say much. Or anything. So she thinks. She thinks a lot in her head. Her thoughts wander. And so does Atwood's writing. The writing is spilled all over like how thoughts are. There are too many descriptions. Too many feelings. Too many inferences. There are also alternate scenarios which the character imagine in her head and then the line of reality and imagination blurs till she doesn't quite know which version of it in her head is the real one. 

Overall the language is dreamy. It is coming directly from someone's head, therefore its viscous. 

Good points 

Everything. The cover page is thoughtful. Vintage segregates the genre with its covers beautifully. The characters are multidimensional. They all possess a need for something else and this drives them into action. The concept is as close to reality as it could be. The narration is hauntingly beautiful. 

Bad points

The end could appear a little abrupt but the historical significance towards the end explains the sudden end. But there is definitely an eagerness to know more. 

Overall 

The book is a classic, true to the word. 

Who do I recommend this to 

This book is for classic lovers. Those who like unusual narration are going to enjoy this. Those who like dystopian novels but are tired of young adult fiction are going to enjoy this one. Feminists are going to find this book appealing. 

Quotable quotes 

There is more than one kind of freedom, said aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don't underrate it. 

It gave us more freedom. When we lived in the gaps between the stories. 

Even his singing worries me. We've been warned not to look too happy. 

But remember that forgiveness too is power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest. 

We are two-legged wombs, that's all: sacred vessels, ambulatory chalices. 

For him, I must remember, I am only a whim. 

It's over, in seconds, and the traffic on the street resumes as if nothing had happened.
What I feel is relief. It wasn't me. 

I'm sorry there is so much pain in this story. I'm sorry it's in fragments, like a body caught in crossfire or pulled apart by force. But there is nothing I can do to change it.

August additions to my bookshelf

As fellow Meraki post members say, I go a little crazy when it comes to buying books, but as I always correct them – it is crazy and broke! But buying books is so wonderful, I’d happily be broke. Thanks to The Biblio Box, I now try to buy books around the theme so that my book buying is a little more organised and not too random.

At the start of the month, I stumbled upon some beautiful hard bound classics from Crossword bookstore , made for them by Penguin Publishers. I own a tattered copy of Black Beauty, and was looking for a nicer one as I love the book, and I just seem to have found one. Hence I bought this one and bought The secret Garden, because I have heard wonderful things about the book, and had to have it on my shelf!

Coming to my upgraded box! The theme for August was Crime fiction, and I chose to upgrade it with a bunch of used books by varied authors. The box itself had The Trap by Melanie Raabe, and The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Apart from which they had a hoard of crime themed bookmarks, a hand cuff bracelet, a key-chain with a quote from Sherlock and a BIBLIO scarf, which is again inspired by Sherlock Holmes! I got Three act tragedy, Mrs.Mcginty's dead, Problem at Pollensa Bay, Murder is easy- all by Agatha Christie, and Prophecy by Peter James. I picked  Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde from a local bookstore as it was another book that was listed by them and I wanted for myself.

Apart from these, I got some lovely books by Pan Macmillan India.  I got The Muse, The thing about Jellyfish and What lies between us from them. I just love how wonderful these books sound, and I have been very very excited about The Muse and look forward to reading it soon.

Overall, I love how diverse my bookish purchases have been this month, and to make myself feel it wasn't a very expensive affair, as most books are used (but in very good condition), and the hardbacks came at a great price, and I got some to review. The only flip-side is – I DO NOT HAVE SHELF SPACE!

Happy birthday to…

Starting this month, we will be listing out birthdays of some of the Author’s we have read, want to read and have loved. The literary world is a mighty world with names known and unknown, and there might be many writer’s who’s work we may not encounter in an entire lifetime! But hey, lets get wishing already.

Charles Bukowski

One of those Authors born this month , and with whom most of us are acquainted with, mostly due to the memorable quotes brought to us, courtesy THE INTERNET. He happens to be on my TBR for this year. I have heard so much about his unique writing style that I cannot help but love his quotes and look forward to books by him.

We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn't. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.

                                           ― Charles Bukowski

John Green

An author loved for this contribution to Young-Adult fiction. Green also born in August, is absolutely adorned by the younger bibliophiles in particular. Right from leaving us teary eyed with The fault in our stars to showing us a strange girl, and unusual relationships  in a new light in Finding Alaska, he has given plenty to contemplate on. We sure look forward to all the other books that this young Author will be penning in the course of time.

There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There's .1 and .12 and .112 and an infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I'm likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful.

                                             ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Ray Bradbury

Remembered for his books like Farenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles, he left memorable pieces of writing for book lovers for a long time to come. Yet another book that I have on my shelves waiting to be read is Farenheit 451. Apart from this, many quotes by this Author born in August continue to be food for thought, and will be so for many more years.

You must write every single day of your life... You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads... may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.

                                                           ― Ray Bradbury

Photo courtesy : Gazala and Veena 

Cinderella by Charles Perrault, illustrated by Arthur Rackham

What can I say that is not already said about fairy tales. We all have grown up with them. Their tellings and retellings have been etched in our minds. My latest new obsession with fairy tales has taken me back to the good old days of fairy tales. As I visit the land once again I hereby bring the refreshed memories of Cinderella. I read an edition available on Amazon. This is a beautiful book authored by Charles Perrault, of course, and illustrated by Arthur Rackham. 

Cover

The cover contains a silhouette illustration by Arthur Rackham. It is a beautiful scene from the story where the fairy god mother is turning the pumpkin into a carriage for the wonderful night at the palace. There are lizards and rats all over. These tiny pretty illustrations depict the characters in the story. This makes a good cover for the fairy tale collections.😍 

Characters

Cinderella is a story of an orphan girl who lives with her stepmother and two step sisters. The girl is very kind and gentle. Her stepmother and stepsisters are hardly family since they often mistreat her and make her do all the chores in the house. The author has refrained from ghastly portraying any character evil. There are also other characters such as the prince, the mice, the lizards etc who help to build the story splendidly.

Content 

Cinderella lives with her stepmother and stepsisters. She is constantly being mistreated in her own house. Quoting one of my friends: 'Cinderella is a horrific story about a rich girl whose evil stepmother forced her to live as though she were a member of the working class.'

There is a twist in the sob worthy life of Cinderella when she hears of this ball that is taking place at the king's palace. The prince has invited all the maidens in the kingdom but Cinderella is not allowed to go. As the night approached Cinderella feels terrible and cries. 

The fairy godmother sees her and magically turns her night into an unforgettable experience.

The story ends with the prince coming to find her and marry her. And of course, they live happily ever after.

The story is magical. It has everything positive about it. It makes you believe in everything nice. 

Language 

The language is very simple. It refrains from too much negativity. The focus is on the magical element of the story which is bewitching. Picking up of small elements like mice and lizards and blending them into the story is exceptional. 

Good points

The illustrations are just beautiful. It makes me want to do another post featuring all the illustrations in the book. The story is a classic by itself. The more you read the story the more you want to read it. The characters want to make you believe in magic and they succeed too. Language is simple yet beautiful. 

Bad points 

Cinderella as a character is often debated to be shallow even when towards the end the author calls her 'as good as she was beautiful'.  

Overall 

It is a classic fairy tale. It is beautiful story. A definite must read. 

Who do I recommend this to 

This is for everyone. Boys, girls, feminists, realists, fantasy fanatics.. Everyone.. Just everyone..

Quotable quotes 

Once upone a time there was a gentleman whose second wife was the proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen. 

She told Cinderella to lift the sort of the mouse trap a little, and as each mouse came out, she gave a tap with her wand, whereupon it was transformed into a fine horse. And so the six mice made a fine set of six horses of a beautiful mouse-colored dapple grey.

Cinderella, who was as good as she was beautiful, gave her two sisters a home in the palace and that very same day married them off to two great lords of the Court. 

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Bees have power over death. They are understood to be the halo of life in the melancholy of darkness. Albert Einstein rightly predicted that the entire human population would disappear in four years should all the bees in the world decide to die or get killed. A set of creatures this small possessing massive amount of power over the existence of life on earth gives some important lessons of life to Lily too. This book which brought the author 'Sue Monk Kidd' into the limelight is the story of Lily during the great civil rights movement in United States. The book went on to win a number of awards and was made into a film. 

It turned out to be a great book to come around to reading 10 books this year that I have always wanted to but kept procrastinating.

Cover page 

I am lucky enough to come across an ancient edition of this book in a used book store in my city. This is the hardback edition published in hardback by 'Review'. The cover page features the beehive and some objects that feature in the story. The entire book is purple in color which is the color of the honey when bees start ducking in elderberries. The cover page is rich with content and significance. A dust jacket like this one makes the books beautiful outside. 

The words inside are large enough to read. This is what is most appealing about the book. Especially when the story is great you do not want to deal with small fonts that make your reading troublesome.

Characters 

Lily is suffering from ever present guilt. She killed her mother accidentally when she was four and now she lives on wishing things turned out different, namely her mother not dying, T-Ray loving her just a little bit more and her classmates inviting her to parties that they attended. Lily's dreams of being a professor or a writer. 

Lily is the central character in the book. She is surprisingly strong and hopeful. There are other characters in the book who have their own uniqueness. Every new character that you meet is written with the freshness of the raindrop.

Content 

Lily lives at her farmhouse with Rosaleen and T-Ray.

T-Ray is her family but he hardly feels like it. In the entire book Lily is chasing the ghost of her mother. She is constantly driven by a guilt. The only thing that she thinks about is the hope of an alternate reality. She wants to live in peace and make something out of her life but before that she has to clarify few things. 

So one fine day when she can no longer be with T-Ray she runs away from the house. The story that follows is the series of events that happen to her on the run and living with three African American sisters who may have know her mother in the past. She feels at home with them, but forgets it's hardly so. T-Ray is searching for her. And them comes the real revelation. It may not help Lily but she now for sure knows what her next step is going to be. 

The story is beautiful. Lily is a brave girl and so are others in the story. The tale of bees is interesting too. There is a revolution happening in the background which adds flavor to the saga. 

Language

The story is narrated by Lily. It is a little childish but still too deep. The perspective is quite interesting. The slow transformation of the characters is notable too. 

Good points

The book cover is beautiful. I own a worn out copy but I plan to gift it to a couple of friends who might like it. I am surely going to try and get this edition. The characters are way too deep and there evolution is well seen during the course of the story. 

Bad points 

I was not fully satisfied with the ending. I was expecting something drastic like a bang! But I guess I was wrong in expecting it altogether. The language itself is very calm and surreal. An end with a bang would be out of place. But still….. 

Overall

Overall, I am elated to have reviewed the first book that I have finished in my TBR shelf. I am happy to have read it this year. 

Who do I recommend it to

This books of for literary fiction readers. Those who love strong characters will find it interesting.

Quotable quotes

Someone who thinks death is the scariest thing doesn't know a thing about life.

Knowing can be a curse on a person's life. I'd traded in a pack of lies for a pack of truth, and I didn't know which one was heavier. Which one took the most strength to carry around? It was a ridiculous question, though, because once you know the truth, you can't ever go back and pick up your suitcase of lies. Heavier or not, the truth is yours now.

It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening.

There is nothing perfect...only life.

Sunset is the saddest light there is.

And when you get down to it, Lily, that is the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to love but to persist in love.

There's nothing like a song about lost love to remind you how everything precious can slip from the hinges where you've hung it so careful.

Clisson and Eugénie by Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte, known for his military conquests, possessed an exceptional skill when it came to writing. A man of 26 who had lived to know nothing but war, his entire life, found refuge. And then, 'during the years 1794 and 1795, the period following Napoleon's ventures into literary and political writing, he was to experience the love affair that would inspire the creation of his most ambitious work, Clisson and Eugénie.' Napoleon wrote this part fiction love story but never went ahead to publish it. Later the fragments were found in different parts of the world. Clisson and Eugénie, here, is translated by Peter Hicks and published by Gallic Books London. The book contains a forward and explanatory notes in the beginning and the end, respectively. These help in understanding the background of the story and the mind of the writer. I would like to thank the publisher for sending me the review copy of this book. 

Cover page 

The kindle copy I received does not have a cover page but for the readers who intend to buy a copy for their own personal library will not be disappointed. The cover page contains the image of Napoleon Bonaparte and some silver tassels on the cover. This seems to be the approach all the publications take for historical novels. 

Since this is not a conventional historical fiction I would have loved to see any other approach to the design of the cover. In spite of this, the cover page is a balanced composition. It is appealing visibly.

Characters 

The book is about Clisson, a general who is fascinated by war. The first sentence itself gives away the dark side of the brilliant general, 'From birth Clisson was strongly attracted to war'. The entire book is about the confusing love of life, and fascination with death. This is the plot of the book here. 

Clisson decides to let go of the melancholy in his heart and give himself up to the woman he finds his soul drawn to. During the course of the story Clisson changes from a man looking for a quite and meaningful life to being a soldier without a purpose again. The gradual development of the character is not only interesting but also intriguing. It will keep you wanting to know what happens to our hero who had decided to give up violence once. 

Content 

The story is about Clisson, a man who wanted to be happy but found glory instead. The story follows the life of Clisson who is a general. His heart is filled with melancholy. He is looking out for the beauty that life is and finds himself in love with a girl. What follows is a tragic love story. Napoleon Bonaparte was a brilliant soldier who found solace in reading and writing. Clisson and Eugénie is one of the most well known works of his. 

The translation by the publisher is a apt. The background information helps in understanding the story much better, giving the story a context. 

Language

The writing is to the point, short and deep. Many readers like it this way. There is a lot of historical and cultural significance to the story. It is a simple short story no less brilliant than Shakespearean tragedy, this story is well translated by the publishers. 

Good points

The content is creatively enriched. The characters are distinguished. The language is simple and to the point.

Bad points 

The cover page could have been better. There is a lot of explanation in the beginning about the book and the context which may be helpful to some readers while others may dislike it completely. 

Overall 

The book is a brilliant read for those who enjoy tragedies, more so in historical context. 

Who do I recommend this to

This book is for the romance readers who enjoy historical fiction. Shakespeare fans are going to love this short story by another significant identity in the history. 

Quotable quotes 

Like all men, he desired happiness, but he found only glory. 

'Come the morning, this place will be soaked in blood! But as for you, Eugene, what will you say, what will you do, what will become of you? Rejoice in my death, curse my memory, and live happily.'

A dozen damsels we love.

One of the things a bibliophile is guilty of is falling in love with characters who have been brought to life by our favorite authors. While some are irrevocably in love with that ideal man/woman from their favorite books, some others seek inspiration from some memorable characters who give us useful insights on life and the like.

Celebrating the spirit of womanhood this entire month, here is our  pick of our favorite dozen of women straight out of  the books that we absolutely adore. While some are symbols of inspiration and bravery, some others though not extraordinary in the true sense of it still give us life-lessons and  their journey and growth is extremely relatable in the most elemental way.

Jean Louise Finch (Scout)- To kill a Mockingbird / Go set a Watchman

Harper Lee has created a very impacting character in Jean Louise a.k.a Scout. Apart from being a courageous  and curious one, she has an adventurous and humorous side too, which makes her even more appealing to the readers and a definite look-out.

Scout has portrayed, in numerous incidents, that she can definitely take care of herself but her otherwise  romantic streak makes her all the more adorable. A compassionate one too, which we can see in her  behavior towards her father, her small town and her people, Scout has always given me the hope that  no matter what changes in one's life, one should always stay connected to his roots and his self.

Scarlett O’Hara – Gone With the Wind

Life during a civil war calls for choices to be made. These choices define us. While Rhett Butler maybe infamous for the choices he made during the war, he is has decide to love a woman fiercely, and Scarlett doesn’t deserve anything less than the uproar of ‘Aphrodite’ himself. Scarlett is naive. She is spoilt and stupidly in love with a boy who will soon go off to war. Civil wars are not for the ones like her but she is meant to survive it, any which way. Married to three men in her life, she seems to cast a spell. Men seem to fall for her every time she walks past but she craves for only one- The one she can never have. She is strong when she needs to be and a flower when she craves. Scarlett O’Hara is one of her kind.

The author died before she realized she has given a book to be remembered for generations to come. Scarlett was a female lead that everyone anticipated for during that time and the author fulfilled the wish, and how!

Anne Shirley -Anne of Green Gables.

Anne  was introduced to the world in 1908  as the lead of the novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. At the age of eleven, Anne was sent from the Hopetown orphanage to the neighbouring province. Unfortunately, she was sent there by mistake as her sponsors, the siblings duo she ends up living with wanted to adopt a boy to help them on their farm.

Thus begins the journey of this innocent girl who has zeal for life that will make you fall in love with her instantly. She is everything you and I are – quirky, naive, prone to mistakes, and holding on to dreams & working on them tirelessly while growing affectionate bonds with people around her which might be another reason why one can relate to her instantly.

From a naive orphan blending into the town to growing into a fine lady, and her journey all the way, Anne is a lead  in Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne of Ingleside. All these books trace the life and journey of this girl which touches one’s heart in the most gentle ways as every phase that is documented in these books is very relatable in the most intimate way.

Margo Roth Spiegelman – Paper Towns

Quentin believes that everyone gets one miracle in their life. While he may not land in outer space or become a pop star, he has Margo Roth Spiegelman living next door, which is his miracle. Margo is an enigmatic character. Her life is filled with epic adventures. She has spent three weeks with a circus and could have been the girlfriend of a bassist of a popular band. Margo reads. She quotes Whitman. She wants to live her whole life like today is the last day. She is a great friend to have. She rains fire on her enemies and leaves her signature after every attack. She might as well be a ninja.

John green is known for his epic characters and this particular book has been no disappointment. Thank you Mr. Green for giving us Margo. We shall always cherish her!

Laila-The Thousand Splendid Suns

 

One of the protagonists in "The Thousand Splendid Suns", Laila is another character that takes us through her journey and how sometimes  accepting the situations we are in, and making the best of it seems to be the best option.

The absence of both of Laila's older brothers, who have gone to war makes her a smart and sensible girl for her age and  fills her with a sense of purpose.

Laila wishes to use her intelligence and education to for the betterment of the world around her. Falling in love with her best friend at the age of 15, she loses him too as he flees the country due to the war. Continuing to lose her loved ones to war, Laila's parents are also a victim of a rocket attack which leaves her wounded after which she is nursed  back to health by a childless couple.

Laila's idealism and independence are challenged when she decides to marry Rasheed in order to give her unborn child by Tariq a father. The book takes us on a journey of the growth of  this young girl and how the war and the situations she is thrown into, change her. It throws light on how motherhood changes Laila, and how  she is willing to accept limitations  she once would have  mocked. While this character  ranges between varied frequencies which are not necessarily progressive, it shows how in life often the situations we are in bring us down, change our course and make us question every action we take.

Sabina-The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Individuality. That is the perfect description of the character woven by Milan Kundera in his novel "The Unbearable Lightness of Being". Sabina is the one who sees beyond what a common man can see, who perceives notions which the average cannot. Her artistic nature gives her character an added depth that gets to your soul and at the same time leaves you abandoned with her queries about the betrayal hidden behind the concept of idealism.

Every decision she made, and every move  she chose got her closer to her longing for betrayal, or let's say, her longing to not cast away her thoughts to the oblivion existence of idealism. Her journey of and to this spiritual realm, is what got to me.

Jenny – Love Story

Jenny is a commoner. She is smart, witty and passionate. She loves music and despises men who don't. Jenny is everything Oliver with a roman number behind him,  shouldn't fall for. But he does and then begins an epic love saga. Jenny is easily the most loved female character in a love story. She provides the backbone for the entire story and teaches us what love means- never having to say that your are sorry. 

Jenny makes the book a classic and Eric Segal immortalized her.

Katniss Everdeen - Hunger Games Series

Katniss Everdeen here has a great responsibility on her shoulders. She is the sole breadwinner in her family and a life support for her little sister. As a heroine Katniss is very different from other characters that we read about. She is a regular teenager in a dystopian world where she is trying to live by. And one picking changes her life altogether. She is commanded by the fierce instinct to protect her sister. She is brave, she can shoot a bird in the eye and she can fight for survival.

Katniss Everdeen is one of the strongest women in literature. She evolves during the course of the story which makes her all the more interesting. The world of literature owes to Suzanne Collins.

Nancy Drew- Nancy Drew Mystery Stories

She’s the daughter of famous mystery case attorney and it looks like flair for crime runs in the family. This daring 16 year old  has from the very beginning posed a fine  challenge to gender stereotypes as she has to criminals that she goes after.

A University of Iowa conference devoted to Nancy Drew declared that she was a true role model for young girls, citing her 'physical courage' as one particularly positive.She is not just brave, confident and daring but also polite, caring, sensitive and kind. In addition, she is a thoughtful daughter.

Be it tackling situations usually reserved  for her male literary counterparts, or showing her sharp intuitive skills as a crime solver, Nancy Drew is one of those female crime solvers who has inspired the likes of me to fall in love with mysteries and thrillers.  She is a fine mix of characters and traits, and she is portrayed as a girl skilled with auto mechanics as well as cooking, horseback riding, dancing, sewing and athletics.  She is a lead character in the Nancy Drew Series by  Edward Stratemeyer, and remains an inspiration for little girls getting hooked to stories dedicated to her field of interest.

Dominique Francon-The Fountainhead

 

When Ayn Rand introduces and character to her novel, they depict the path the  entire novel progresses through. Dominique, is a dark and mysterious character. Her idea of living, of shielding  herself from being hurt or disappointed and her fear of losing things or people  that make her happy is what intrigued me while reading the novel.

Although the  novel has set a certain frame for the protagonist, Howard Roark (a definite  favorite character again), Dominique's journey to self-discovery eventually  leads the reader to the another exceptional concept behind this novel. From surrounding herself with bitter people and memories so as to keep herself from being hurt if she loses  the people she actually loves, Dominique's ways definitely stand out in this novel, which  has managed to grow around so many other characters.

Hermione Jean Granger - Harry Potter series.

Hermione is a fictional character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

She is one of the most famous and loved character in this fantasy fiction. A person with in-born magical abilities born to normal humans, she is chosen for her abilities to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hermione does show us that being smart is not only cool but desirable.

She is everything that we seek in a friend, like when Harry is overwhelmed by the pressure  surrounding him, it is Hermione that never gives up nor does she let her friends give up.It is Hermione that is the constant source of 'we can do this - we can survive'.

Another significant feature is that Hermione is flawed, she is ruthless, casts reckless spells with no remorse  etc but these are the qualities that make her likable and relatable as nobody real has ever been a perfect person. It is not only unrealistic, but unfair, to create the idealistically perfect character and hence it is characters like Hermione that make us realize that every one is flawed, every one makes mistakes and how one must gracefully accept their moments of shortcomings. All in all, she is one of those magical characters who casts a spell on us with not only how extra ordinary she is,  but how truly ordinary she can be which nonetheless does not stop her from being the ideal girl who is our hero (err…heroine).

Arjumand Banu a.k.a Mumtaz Mahal- Taj

Arjumand is the love interest of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and among many novels, Taj by Timeri Murari is a winner for me. The sheer intensity of this love story set in the royal Mughal household amidst politics, rebellion and greed for power is very gripping.

She is no warrior but a woman to reckon with nevertheless. It always intrigued me to understand how intense could love be, if it manifested itself into a building that is the greatest symbol of love, and it is Arjumand, later known as Mumtaz Mahal who answers my questions.

This pretty lass revolted for love, her faith in love for her Prince even when he is married off is commendable. The determination and dedication with which she loves unites her with her King. The book takes us on the journey of this innocent girl who falls in love with the Prince, waits for him to wed her against the very will of the king , and continues to love him intensely through her lifetime.

She may have never waged a war in the battlefield, but she always accompanied her King to most of his wars, as unpleasant as the conditions would be due to war and also due to her constantly bearing children.

Her journey, all for the sake of love often makes me ponder on the significance of it. Is love truly so consuming that one could go all the way for it? and Arjumand here answers for me, that yes love is all consuming and everything that is done for love, and with love is never an ordeal. Often when one says that behind every successful man is a woman and Arjumand’s life proves this.

P.S: The pictures used are either artist impressions or actors immortalizing the characters and are used for representation purpose only!

The Happy Prince & Other Tales by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is known for his expansive body of work spanning across different genres that have made him a favorite among bibliophiles with diverse palettes. First published in 1888, The Happy Prince & Other Tales is a compilation of short stories appealing to the child in everyone.

With life infused into inanimate objects and voicing the thoughts of birds and animals, my copy of The Happy Prince & Other Tales  was a compilation of five short stories.

Cover

My kindle copy has a simple maroon and beige cover that is standard to most Public Domain Books . However,  The Happy Prince & Other Tales  has been published with many  different cover pages over the years, most of which are depicting the Prince and his companion.

Characters

The book – a compilation of short stories has many different characters in it. ‘The Happy Prince’ has the Prince and the swallow as its main characters. The next story is of ‘The Selfish Gaint’, where the protagonists are the Gaint and a child. The third story is of ‘The Devoted Friend', where the story of Hans and the Miller is narrated.  The next one is of ‘The Remarkable Rocket’ which is a tale about  fireworks brought to life. The last one is ‘The Nightingale and The Rose’, which is a tale about a love struck boy, a rose and a Nightingale.

While there are some characters that you will love, there are some others that are plain annoying and hate-able, and though most characters are whimsical the conversations and insights they have make them rather realistic and humane.

Content

With animals and birds talking and inanimate objects brought to life, The Happy Prince & Other Tales  comprises of stories that explore varied emotions that we are  subject to. Each story comes with a moral – a thought conveyed in a very crisp manner making one question his actions.

These stories touch upon how we often manipulate others to our benefit,  how self-patronizing some of us can be and how we often oversee the sufferings and pain that one endures, and how our actions influence others.

My favorite would be ‘The Happy Prince’ out of the five.

Language

Though written many years ago, the simplicity of the language comes as a surprise to me. With whimsical dialogues between inanimate objects which are sometimes endearing and sometimes displaying the ironic humor of Wilde, the language is simple and engaging and written very crisply  and the message is conveyed in simple words without beating around the bush.

Good points

The Happy Prince & Other Tales  has stories have an appeal to a wide age group. Anyone from a child to an adult can read this book. While it might work as a way of setting an example to children, these stories come as a reminder to adults that  time and again our actions need to be retrospected on , and such books work as gentle reminders that good always wins over evil and that good deeds go a long way in benefiting us and the people around us.

Bad Points

Though the stories are not age specific and can be read by all age groups, for some people who find it silly to read about talking birds and crackers  this book might seem far from reality (which it is) and boring as compared to realistic non-fiction.

Overall

It is necessary that from time to time we seek reminders and lessons from the most unreal and whimsical sources.Whether it is from  that favorite cartoon show that you loved as a child, or from a song that talks about another world or maybe its from a book like this that gives us life lessons through these short stories, each of these leaves a part of it in us shaping us into who we are.

Who do I recommend this to?

Whether you are a serious book lover, or have an occasional fling with reading, pick up this book, forget about the reality of it all and dive in for a light read.

Quotable Quotes

Surely Love is a wonderful thing. It is more precious than emeralds, and dearer than fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it, nor is it set forth in the marketplace. It may not be purchased of the merchants, nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold.

I often have long conversations all by myself, and I am so clever that I sometimes don't understand a single word of what I am saying.

Friendship never forgets.That is the wonderful thing about it, but I am afraid you do not understand the poetry of life .

I am very glad I have traveled. Travel improves the mind wonderfully, and does away with one’s prejudices.

But love is not fashionable anymore, the poets have killed it. They wrote so much about it that nobody believed them, and  I am not surprised. True love suffers, and is silent .

As he is no longer beautiful, he is no longer useful.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

It was during the Victorian times where everyone seemed to lose the essence of Christmas. Due to some massive economic changes where the money was concentrating on some hands, some didn't possess any money to celebrate Christmas as they intended to spend. This was the time when Dickens decided to write the book on Christmas and the essence of this Christian festival. The book which consists of a bad villain, a few good-natured ghosts and a happy ending made a huge impact at that time. There were plays being staged and movies being made out of this novella. Dickens left an impact of which traces can be seen even today. The novel is a masterpiece not just because of the Christmas theme but also for literature.

Cover page

I picked up rupa publisher's edition. Rupa is a great publication to read books of. Even though the cover page is not very appealing, the font inside is suitable for eyes. It is neither too small nor too light. I finished the book in one sitting and the credit goes both to the author as well as the publisher.

Characters

There are too many characters in the book but I will make it concise and list five main characters. The lead character is Ebenezer scrooge who is a business man. Scrooge is a miser and he hates Christmas as much as he hates poor people. Scrooge is a character which is easy to hate in the beginning and who undergoes a transformation during the course of time. The slow transition is what makes the character interesting. 

The next character is Marley or his ghost. Marley was scrooge's business after but he died few years back, doing no good and earning nothing intangible. Marley's ghost is now destined to roam around burdened with chains. The ghost cannot escape his fate now, therefore, he has come down to meet scrooge to warn about this, if he doesn't make amends. Marley's ghost is an adorable character. The description is slightly fantasised but it makes the character far more interesting. 

Marley assures scrooge that he can escape Marley's fate if he starts making changes in his conduct. He asks scrooge to anticipate a visit from three ghosts who will enlighten him of his future.

The ghost of Christmas past is a ghost from the past who shows scrooge his life in the past, the ghost of Christmas present realises him of the present Christmas and the ghost of the future shows him a glimpse of Christmas future. 

All the characters are blown life into by the character sketching and the scene setting. The characters are unique in their own way. They are all lovable, at least by the end of the book hence keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. 

Content 

Scrooge is a miser who hates poor for their vanity. He is left alone by the only family that he has since he despises them too. Christmas is a very hard time for him because, with it, it brings along an unnecessary holiday and undesired people at his door looking for a penny to spend. The ridiculousness of the festival amuses him. This happens until he is visited by the ghost of Marley, who is roaming around burdened with chains, money box and other things. He has a groan in his voice which is painful and terrifying at the same time. 

Marley warns scrooge that he would share the same fate as him if he follows the same path. There is redemption, for which he will be cities by three ghosts. They will show him the way and he can escape the disappointing fate. 

The entry of all the three ghost brings transformation in scrooge's vision. He vows to live his life differently from now on. 

The book has been made into movies, musicals, plays and cartoons. There is probably no one who speaks English and does not know of this story of Christmas. Therefore, it is hardly a spoiler! 

The content is hard hitting and enjoyable at the same time. The release of the novella brought in a great change in the time and beyond. Every year the story is retold to remind people of the spirit of Christmas. 

Language 

Charles Dickens rightfully earned his place in the literature due to his enticing stories and compelling narration. Dickens here too has left a mark. The book is brought to life by using personification. The narration takes you back to the 1800's when the book was released. A whiff of time is ever-present in the book. The character sketching is brilliant. 

Good points 

The characters are much loved. They remind you of the spirit of Christmas. The narration is alluring. The content is very fun and ends with a moral message.

Bad points 

The book maybe a little too difficult to understand. The Victorian references may be little intimidating for someone who has not read dickens before. 

Overall 

Overall the book is an excellent read. A classic that everyone should read.

Who do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who find classics intimidating. They are going to find this easy to read and fun. This is probably the thinnest book by dickens. Those who want to read his other books might want to start here to get a whiff of his writing style.

Quotable Quotes

There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.

It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.

No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused.

You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!

Marley was dead: to begin with.

“Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead," said Scrooge. "But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change.”

“If they would rather die, . . . they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

“He was consious of a thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares, long, long, forgotten.”

Bidding adieu: Harper Lee

This Pulitzer Prize-winning author bid us her final goodbye, and we are a little heartbroken ( No , make that VERY!). Harper Lee shot to fame with her book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ which was written in 1960. She very recently published her second book ‘Go Set a Watchman’ which reader world over welcomed with open arms.

Shaking the world with just one book, Lee gave to us a book, a thought process and very lovable characters who will, I am sure, be cherished for a long time.

Here are ten quotes from two of her books that give us a little more to think about, a little more to get inspired from and a little more to remember her by.