Kissing the Demon by Amrita Kumar

It wasn't since 'On writing' by Stephen King that I read any book on the craft of writing. It is not just for writers but for reviewers too that it is important to understand what goes into writing a good book. A deep understanding of the craft also helps to form your opinion on how a book should be talked about rather that just giving them shallow stars at the end of a shallow review. It is the exact reason I picked up the book. Although it may not be very different from Stephen King's 'On writing' this one should be read by all those who want to improve their writing.

DNF: Saraswati's Intelligence by Vamsee Juluri

I was actually looking forward to reading this book and hate myself for DNFing it. I wouldn't say it is a bad one but just wasn't for me.

It is the story of Hanuman while he is an adolescent. 

The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad by Twinkle Khanna

Twinkle Khanna came into the spotlight last year when Mrs. Funnybones released her first book of non-fiction. Just a couple of incidents coated with funny remarks and hilarious derivations the book was good enough to make you smile. After reading the book I made a mental note of reading more from her. Not a great fan of the columns, it was a relief when her next book of fictional stories was announced. Fiction I always believed would be her greatest strength if she went on to write one. And God, I was so right! 

Finding Juliet by Toffee

'Finding Juliet', as the name suggests is a book about a boy constantly in search for 'the one'. It makes a good book for when you are bogged down with all the heavy books and want to delve into something light. After a heavy overdose of history, the one felt like a decent pick. It may not be the best of books but it did its job well, gave a good break. 

Cover page 

Srishti publishers have been coming out with some really simple and easy to read novels. Same with their cover pages. The cover page here too is very simple and direct. The main character needs no introduction after seeing the cover. The composition is stunning. The red spine sets this book apart on the shelf. The font compliments and imagery. 

It is simple yet pleasing cover page. 

Characters 

The book is essentially about Arjun who is a self-proclaimed geek. He starts out from being a small town regular guy from Hyderabad and moves to Metropolitan Bangalore. There is not much depth in the character as such. He looks like a regular guy who thinks every girl is alike. He cannot think beyond the pretty face and other pretty things, even when he claims to be in love with a girl. 

If the author was planning to portray Arjun shallow throughout the book, then he has achieved the goal but I clearly felt a bit more depth would have helped. Arjun doesn't make you like him or even hate him. Which is worse. 

Other than the random girls in every chapter there are not many characters. They, also sort of, justify the generalization of girls.

Krish is the only character who was fun knowing throughout the book. The self-promoted love guru gives all the gyan about women. He is fun to listen to. I found myself liking this side kick more than I liked any of the other characters. Enough was known about Krish to like him and not enough to dislike him. 

Content 

The entire book is about Arjun and his failed relationships. Arjun falls in love thrice, but it takes losing his parents to make him realize that he is chasing wrong ducks. He moves to Bangalore and finds Krish as his romance mentor. Krish is a cool guy who wears t-shirts with fancy quotes. Krish grooms him to be fun but Arjun slowly turns into a playboy. 

There are eight different girls in the book out of which the romance/fun is described in details with six of them. The interludes are fun to read about in the beginning but later you find yourself knocking Arjun's head and push him pages forward. 

There is a constant generalization of women in the book ie, they take long to dress up, they like teddy bears, etc. The author has complete liberty of designing his own characters but Arjun just started boring us with less than smart comments on girls. 

I just wished there was more diversity in situations Arjun was put in, even the way he thought. The content got repetitive at times where you will find skipping paragraphs and counting pages left to finish the chapter. 

The book is filled with the usual substance that any youth-oriented book contains ie, parties, beautiful women, drunk driving, sexcapades etc. It was fun in the beginning but towards the end, the overdose felt suffocating. 

Language 

Language is simple. It is crude at places. There are sentences that could have been better written. Arjun's poetry also sounds like nursery rhymes. Language isn't the best part of this book. 

Good points 

The cover page is beautiful. The book is fun at certain places. Krish is a great character to listen too. 

Bad points 

He characters lacked depth. The content got repetitive at places. The language fails to stir your emotions. It is not gripping enough. 

Overall 

I did not dislike the book altogether but I didn't like it much too. The absence of this book in my life wouldn't have made any difference. 

Whom do I recommend this to 

This is a light read recommended to those who wouldn't like to delve too much into details while reading. It is a fun read for those who have not read a book on the similar theme before. 

Quotable quotes 

Looks don't matter is the greatest lie ever told.

The book was sent by writersmelon for review. The opinions here are my own, completely uninfluenced. 

The Princess of a Whorehouse: The Story of a Swamp Lotus by Mayank Sharma

'The princess of a whore house' title itself says a lot about the book. This book is about a girl from the whore house. She has seen the worst of the life and is determined to make the best of it even in the most unfavorable situations. Or at least this is how it seemed from the blurb. Unfortunately, the book is not what it looks like from the blurb. It is quite different and not in a good way. 

Cover page 

This is probably the only thing I admired in the book. It is a great composition. The font and the picture compliment each other. It shows the vision of a girl from the street which is quite apt considering the story line. There is some positivity in the book which aligns itself with the content. 

Characters 

There are multiple characters in the book and from the way the book is written, it seems like all the characters are crucially important to the story. 

Ramya is married off to Ramesh while she is quite young. After loosing her husband, the responsibility of raising her daughter comes on to her. She is an innocent, helpless woman, who finds herself in an unfortunate situation. A woman not educated enough, she is quite brace when it comes to life. It is primarily her story. At least in the beginning. 

Aparajita is Ramya's daughter. She is a smart young child. She is good at her studies, brilliant actually. She wants to make it big in life and she is determined at that. It is Aparajita who takes over the book from the second half. 

Raj is a social worker who, as it looks like in the book, falls in love with Ramya and takes her as a wife, in turn giving her a fresh start. He is benevolent and loves Aparajita as his own daughter. 

Content 

The book begins with Raj, Ramya and Aparajita going out to get Aparajita enrolled in a school which is one of the bests in Delhi. The author begins well, describing Lutyen's Delhi and colonial architecture. The architect in me was enjoying it till it lasted, which was hardly two pages. He painted the picture of the city well. 

The trio reach the school and narration of the past begins. 

Ramya explains her background explaining why the admission to the school was that important to them. The story is quite heart touching. Ramya's plight is well decorated throughout. 

While the content is quite different from other books, there is a problem with structuring of the story. The narration jumps from Ramya's past to Aparajita's past and then fast forwards into the future without any clear demarcation. It takes reading a page to actually understand the time frame in which the story is based. There is a disconnect throughout, which is like sour grapes while you are reading the story. As much as I was intrigued with the concept, I was more disappointed with the content inside. 

There are plenty of situations which look like an outsider's view. Independence Day celebration with the social workers and children introducing themselves with what their parents did, seemed like being described by someone who is not a part of the story.

Language 

A sour content is made worse with the unpolished narration. There are sentences like 'You should not be emotional….' which could have been written better. There are places where Ramya 'thought to myself' which makes you wonder if someone can 'think to others' and if not then why is it made specific. Language is definitely not the best part of the book. 

Good points 

The cover page is beautiful. It narrated the story inside by itself. There are some great ideals in the book. The author talks about the restrained society. It is interesting to read about. It was definitely a point which could have been harnessed more. 

Bad points 

The characters are unrelatable. The content is confusing. The narration is unconvincing. A book addressing sex trade could have been so much better. 

Overall 

I did not like the book at all. It makes me wary of books with diverse topics now. 

Whom do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who would like to learn a bit about the secret sex trade that happens in our society. But those who have already read on this topic are going to be disappointed. 

Quotable quotes 

My body could not feel and my soul became numb.

A restrained society restricts life based on centuries-old social and cultural norms, which may or may not be fully applicable in today's capitalistic world.

I received this book from 'writersmelon' for review. The opinions are my own, completely uninfluenced. 

These Circuses That Sweep Through the Landscape by Tejaswini Apte-Rahm

Samsa woke up from sleep one day and found himself to be turned into an eight-legged bug. The novella by Fraz Kafka began a sensation. Then began multiple retellings of the same story. But I haven't read anyone like 'Home Coleoptera' inspired by 'The Metamorphosis'. 

'These circuses that sweep through the landscape is a beautiful collection of short stories that show us the extraordinary in life. All comprising of beautiful endings this one is a good book in he said genre. 

Cover page 

The cover page comprises of illustrations taken out of different stories in the book. The illustrations compliment the stories inside. The simple composition is subtle relevant graphic. The white cover just says what the book is. A simple writing with the complications of a circus. 

I liked the cover. It is a book I am glad to have received a physical copy of. 

Characters 

The stories consist of very distinct characters. They are interesting to read about. 

Mr Ghosh had won most of his prized possessions in contests. 'When it came to contests, he had the willpower of a bull.' Early on in life, he realised that all he had to do, once he had filled the form and cut along the dotted line, was send he entry and then simply will the prizes his way.' He believes he can achieve anything if he wills it. It does not exclude his wife either. 

There is a woman who is obsessed with shopping. So much so that she gets stuck in a shopping mall only to find her way out of the mall after months together! 

Diana is in love with a musician who is dead. No, she is not a fan, she is really in love with the dead musician. 

There are other brilliant characters in the book. One can read the book just for the stories of these characters but there is so much more to the book! 

Content 

The collection consists of some whimsical and some realistic stories. Some dark with funny bits and some complicated ones, this book is a cocktail of great stories. Extraordinary heady cocktail. These stories are out of ordinary just with their subject.

The author writes about a man who can win any contest with his will power. He tried to turn his wife into a bug just so that he can teach her a lesson. 'Homo Coleoptera' is inspired from 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka but a lot different from it. 

In 'Cotton', a woman on her birthday decides to bake herself a cake and in the process realized that she is made up of cotton. 

In 'Sandalwood', a housewife is asked by husband to leave their family because he just realized that he is gay and he would like to spend the rest of his life with the gay partner. The children do no want to give up the comfort of their large house and decide to live with their dad. The psychology of the woman is explored in the story with again a great ending. 

'Drinks at seven' and 'These circuses that sweep through the landscape' are also well-written stories with surprising ends. There are several others worth reading.

Language 

The author is an amazing storyteller. The style of writing is extraordinary. The concept is interesting and it is carried out well in the narration. The story flows smooth like honey. The pace is viscous. 

Good points 

The cover page is subtle yet memorable. The characters are one of their own kind. The stories inside are beautiful. They are meant to read and reread and relish from time to time. He narration takes the cake away. The author has a way with words. 

Bad points 

Some stories were better than a couple of others. But as is always the case in a collection, I do not hold it against the author. 

Overall 

It is the first and a wonderful collection of short stories that I have read this year. A great beginning for the genre. 

Whom do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who like short whimsical tales. Those who like out of ordinary endings are going to like this one too. 

Quotable quotes 

One evening, after dinner, he decided he would do it. He would use the full night of his willpower to shrink his wife. She would be his in every way. 

I'm in love with Dean Martin, I repeat. I am not a crazy fan, do you hear? I do not live in a room plastered with his posters. I love him. Now can we drop the subject of men forever? 

The things you hear about nowadays, all this new-fangled technology is beyond me, I tell you. In another twenty years we'll be flying around our houses, not walking. Human ingenuity is a remarkable thing, really. 

I laughed. Laughter came easily to me that morning. Looking back, I think in some weird way it felt like foreplay.

I received this book from the publicity team in exchange for an honest review. Opinions here are my own, completely uninfluenced.  

Lanka's Princess by Kavita Kané

'Those who love you always find you beautiful.' Shrupnakha was neither loved nor beautiful. What she was though was a determined woman. This book is a story of Meenakshi who later became Shupranakha. It is the first of its kind that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. 

Cover page 

On the cover is the lady herself. She is wearing a lot of gold as befits the princess of Lanka and she is looking over a burning palace. The illustration tells a tale of a woman who was the cause of the downfall of the richest city at one time and she does not look very regretful about it. 

The cover is a beautiful composition. Yellow and gold dominate cover, depicting the richness of Lanka very well. The illustration is a little off-centred though. The black patch right in the middle is a little disturbing but one gets over it quickly. The font below compliments the illustration. The red spine stands out of the shelf. 

As always Rupa publication has brought out a great product. The inside is as beautiful as the outside. 

Characters 

Meenakshi's birth shattered all her mother's dreams. It ought to be a boy but sadly it was a girl. Dark asura girl. Her fate was decided as soon as she was born. She was to stay single and lonely. No one would marry asura girl. She would always be an eye sore to her mother who lost Lanka even before she planned her moves. A girl would not help to achieve the goal. She was just a burden. 

Shurpnakha turned out to be just the opposite. She soon learned magic and the art of seduction. She was goodself-defenseense and her mind was as sharp as her older brothers'. A feminist by her own right she understood the difference between exuberance and class. 

On Lanka she says, 'There was a lot of wealth but a little sign of culture; the luxury in the chamber was senseless, haphazard, and ill-fitting. The marble floor shone with brilliant polish and the sparkle of the chandelier irritated her.' 

She was the woman portrayed a vamp in Ramayan. The author here has given her another life in the book. 

The other characters are same as any version of Ramayan. But those closer to Shupranakha are given more importance such as Ravan, Kumbha, Vishravas etc. They are quite interesting to read about. 

Content 

Krishna recites the story of Shurpnakha to Trivarka, herself in older life. The story begins when a girl is born to Vishravas and Kaikesi. The father is delighted to welcome a girl into the family but mother hates her right from the beginning. Shurpnakha grows up to become a beautiful voluptuous woman but always doubting her self worth. She is constantly questioning the love her family possesses for her, her father especially. As a child, she develops a constant frown which seldom leaves her face while she lives with her family in the ashram. The boys are protective of her but she cannot help but doubt their love for her too. 

Shurpnakha grows up to feel lonely and inadequate. She is often reminded what an unwanted daughter her was. 

The story progresses same as Ramayan but this one is from Shurpnakha's point of view. She is often seen justifying her actions but they do not help in cleaning her image. A lustful woman as herself seeking unmindful revenge, she lands herself in trouble all the time.

There is also a confusion throughout the book. Ravan is a protective brother but he does not like his sister much, too. Kaikesi sometimes a sweet mother but often hates her daughter for no good reason. Vishravas loves his daughter but not more than his sons. No one can blame Shurpnakha for turning out the way she did. 

The story gives the losers a chance at explaining themselves. It should be read for this very reason. 

Language 

It is a simple modern-day narration. There is a lot of lust in the book which may not have been narrated very well. The characters were described well, which keeps one's interest in the book. 

Good points 

The cover page is a beautiful composition. The book is a great product design. The characters are interesting to read about. The story brings forward a different angle altogether. The story is fast paced. Language is simple to read. 

Bad points 

There is a lot of confusion throughout the book about who hates who and who love whom and when. 

Overall 

It was the first book of its kind that I have read and I am definitely picking more books by the author. This one should be read just for another perspective. 

Whom do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who like retellings from different perspectives. Those who may be interested in Ramayan will like this one too. 

Quotable quotes

The men needed their women, and often they did not know it.

There was no respect in death, no dignity for the fallen. There was no hero in battle, just corpses. Honour meant nothing once dead: honour was a merit for the living.

Words once spoken could not be redeemed, they were like inflicted wounds, the imminent scars lingering long.

I received this book from writersmelon for review. The opinions are my own, comlpetely uninfluenced.  

The Four Patriots by Sumit Agarwal

There is an island in the middle of the Pacific which is submerged completely in water during the high tides. This island is also a place where vampire bats come every full moon night and stay for a week. It is also fabled that if someone somehow survives the water he will not survive the vampire bats. Looks like we have found our own fabled kala pani! 

It has been a wonderful start to the new year. A beautiful book by our own Indian author. Sumit Agarwal is an author to look out for. 

Cover page 

Rupa publishers have slowly climbed up to become one of my favourite publishers. They not only produce good covers but a great product in all. This book is no different. The cover page is a beautiful composition. From front cover to spine to the back cover, this book is a stunning work of graphic art. The font of the outside compliments the imagery. 

But the most important of all is the text inside. The intelligent planning of the font and the spacing and everything inside just eases the reading experience. 

A great product design, truly. 

Characters 

As the books suggests the story is about four patriots. They are Varun, Aditya, Salman and Raghav. Varun is a sly man who knows to twists his ways when the problems are not solved with straight approaches. He is an ardent Anil Kapoor fan, jhakkas! Aditya is a man who likes to understand his area of work and for which he likes to start small. His zeal to get the work done, dirtying his own hands is quite extraordinary. Salman is a hunk with a distinct style. His short tempered tone is evident throughout he book. He is a man who wants to clean the system and bring about a revolution. He strongly believes in jutice served as prasaad! Raghav is royalty. His family politics did not work out for him so he walked out and joined another party which intended towards a clean government. 

These four form the chakravyuh. The author has kept in mind the detailing that makes the characters so impactful and yet relatable. 

Content 

Have we all not met people who believe that India cannot be a clean country. That it cannot be corruption free. That the education system is going to dogs. That healthcare is a joke. Yes, we have. And while we all know the answer to how we can better the scenario, no one dares to take a step towards it. 

This book is a step. A small step but still a step. 

The story is about four young men who have the following things in common: 

1. They all have seen the bad governance and want to change it by personal involvement in the field. 
2. They all have women who have inspired them towards it. 

While the second might just be a plot the first stands important. They start small and make it big eventually. 

The book starts with the prime minister of the country being assassinated and a frenzy in the ground. And then it takes us back to the individual heroes and their lives, eventually moving on to their participation in politics. While in the first part of the book can be seen as a slow transformation of the four patriots, it is the second part where the story truly picks up pace. 

The author quite smartly infuses the problems of the nation into the plot and weaves a story which aims at problem solving. Now we all may think that the author is probably answering a million dollar question about how to improve the state of the affairs in this book of 298 pages, which he is not. The author has addressed issues like corruption, poverty, education etc by simple solutions that are being discussed on Facebook and twitter everyday. The solutions range from Janlokpal bill, de-privatisation of some sectors, rehabilitation of the poor to another place etc. 

Even though the author provided the solution which is often debated on every platform the core of the book remains the same throughout. 'Be a part of the system to better it. Dekhna nahi karna hai.' 

The styling of the prose is one thing that is worth looking forward to. the authors beings from the history and takes us to the future in 2022. The idea of showing the future when you work on the present is quite intelligent. 

I enjoyed the story and have definitely been inspired by it. The active political participation is what is the need of the day. 

Language 

It is hard to believe that it is the work of a debutante author. The language is simple yet compelling. There elements of thrill and surprise at places where you hardly expect them to be. The humour is quite appealing. It is a well narrated fast paced story. 

Good points 

The cover page is stunning. The characters are relatable. There is a distinct flow to the story which is quite gripping. The language is simple yet engrossing. 

Bad points 

There are some editing errors in the book which spoils the flow at few places, nothing grave. 

Overall 

It has been a great start to the new year. This is the first an a good read. 

Whom do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who enjoy a great story with a message. Those who might be interested in politics, in general, are going to love this one too. Though it is for all the citizens of India who want to see a better future. 

Quotable quotes 

Be evil to some if you have to, for the greater good.

I received this book for review from the publicity team. The opinions are my own, completely unbiased.  

DNF: Colorful Notions (The Roadtrippers 1.0) by Mohit Goyal

I tried to like this book, I really did! Reading the blurb I was really excited to pick this book up to read. It seemed to have everything I love about life. Travel and food! But sadly the first time I picked this one up I gave up on the 7th page and the second time at 42nd. I will be brief about why I DNFed this book and a short review. 

Colorful Notions was going to be a reading treat for anyone. Just anyone. Or at least that's what the blurb appeared to say. Travel, food and youth were a great combination to spin a story around. But sadly things started tumbling down right from the beginning.
The cover page is rather average. It does not stand out or does nothing to appeal to you as a reader. The dull combination of colors and some caricature does not work at all. The characters are rather cliched. They have been spoken about in numerous books and watched in many movies. The characters had nothing to offer. No depth. The content seemed to be interesting in the book but went from bad to worse as the journey progressed. The author could have made a list of places he visited and a food he ate and it would have not made any difference. 

The narration was the most annoying part. It was quite dull. It was devoid of any feelings at all. The language was crude to the core. 

I would say the concept was quite interesting but it lacked in detailing. 

It was a bad pick for me. I have decided not to pick this book up again to read. I DNFed it.

Confused Bastards by Manav Vigg

Indian literature scenario has changed completely with the arrival of new age author's who want to write something personal in their own way. One such author is Manav Vigg. Juggling between his day job and a writing career, he has presented a fine work of fiction. This book is going to agitate the intellectual book lovers and entertain others. 

Cover page 

The cover page of any book plays a huge role in the presentation. It not only gives a good image to the book but also helps in the sales. The cover page is generally ignored when it comes to new age Indian literature. 

The publishers have understood the importance of the cover and I am glad they did. The minutest details are kept in mind while designing it, save the spine which is quite boring against the peppy wiry cover page. 

Definitely, a job well done. 

Characters 

The characters of the book are not very different from people you meet everyday. They are all frustrated with their lives. 

Akash is the son of an IAS officer. He hates the double standards and wants to run away from it. He is a rebel but he loves his family too. Vivek used to be a nerd who topped all the top colleges in India only to fail in his relationships. And there is Jai who's middle-class upbringing is stopping him up from following his own heart. He is a person who is so scared of tripping and falling that he doesn't even take a step. 

Content 

The story is about three friends who break free from the corporate perks to start a venture of their own. While Aakash sees it as his life long dream the others are influenced and then pushed into it by others. Reluctantly they decide to start an online platform where the normal crowd vents out their frustrations through videos. 

As much as the idea sounds interesting, it lands them into great trouble leading to shutting off their website. 

It is a story of finding yourself and learning from your own mistakes. It can be a great book for those who want to start something on their own. The engaging plot and narration only makes it more interesting. The Hindi speaking public is going to love the narration. 

The book is filled with quirky experiences and dialogues. The ardent feminist in me was offended at some parts but if you decide to ignore those portions the book is smooth. Towards the end the story may feel a bit draggy but it does not harm the book enough to not want you reading it. 

Language 

The language adopted is quite simple with drum full of colloquial Hindi. The narration is splendid. The use of pauses and emotions makes it more relatable. 

Good points 

The cover design is thoughtful. It was a delight receiving a paperback of the book for review. The content is engaging. The characters are very relatable. But it is narration that takes the cake away. It flows like a dream. 

Bad points 

The last part of the book may seem a little draggy. There are some female unfriendly lines too which does not go down well while reading.

Overall 

It was fun reading this book. It shows that modern literature is not going to drains really. 

Whom do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who enjoy a good light read. This should be definitely read by all those who are thinking about a new venture.

Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag, translated by Srinath Perur

It is quite natural for joint families to pretend to love what is thrust upon them. It is not only natural it is inevitable. This can be seen as one of their strengths. 

Ghachar Ghochar is a story of one such joint family. The threads of the family are intertwined to form an ugly unbearable mess but they stick together to uphold the sanctity of joint families. Each of them, during the process, losing individual conscience behind the protectiveness of the other members of the family.

Cover page 

The cover page depicts author's past which is an adamant part of his present. The chai stain on the plate and the ants crawling describes the days at the ant infested home of the author before they get rich. The cover is simple and classy, also apt. 

Characters

The story is about a family of six of which every member is an important part. The author is a happy go lucky man. A visit to the nearby coffee shop is a part of his daily ritual. His wife is from a humble background and finds it sorry that her husband does not proactively take part in the running of the family business. She often gets into arguments with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. The house is a mess. Chikappa is given the most respect since it's his money and business that is running the family even though they are all part owners of the company. The characters are unique in their own way. Each character is bound by the circumstances. 

But what is most noticeable is the volatile relationship existing between each member of the family. 

Content 

The author grew up in a joint family in the suburbs of Bangalore. Due to the upbringing and stringent control over the money the household was not very lavish. Money was spent only on necessities and indulgence was considered to be a sin. 

Like many middle class houses this family was happy too. Then one fine day they were visited by a colony of ants. These ants were found everywhere, especially near food. Initially it was a menace. Everyone in the house was annoyed by the visitors. All the eatables were kept out of reach and soiled vessels were dumped in water right after their use. Slowly it became a part of life. Children started enjoying drowning a spoonful of ants into water and watching them while they struggled to stay afloat. The life went on. 

Then one day Chikkappa proposed a business deal. Sona masala slowly became the lifeline of the family making them rich. And their fates changed. 

'It's true what they say - it's not we who control money, it is money that controls us. When there's only a little, it behaves meekly; when it grows, it becomes brash and has its way with us.' 

It is a story of this family and how money changes their lives for good and bad. The story is like a breeze in which one can smell the authenticity of old Bangalore, rusticity of a joint middle class family the stench of arrogant richness that the money brings along. The content is engrossing till the last page.

Language 

The author has kept the narration quite simple. The no flowery language or fascinating revelations. It is a simple story which hits the psychological heights and keeps one wondering about it even when it is over. The author also paints a rustic Bangalore in front of readers, like a glimpse into the past. 

Good points 

The cover page is beautiful. It describes the ethnicity of a suburban residence like a memory. The characters are interesting to read about. Their morals hiding behind the cover of a joint family can be seen quite clearly. The content strips different aspects of each member of the family and lays it bear for everyone to see. The greed, the misery, the anguish, the unspoken irritation, the insecurities; the author reveals the ugly side of each person like a trail of thought. 

Bad points 

The book is quite a short read. It leaves you thirsty for more. 

Overall 

The ants creeping all over your body and then you are woken up from the dream. This is how the book feels. It is seldom that you get to describe your feelings precisely. Like the ants who crawl up your arms persistently and refuses to shake off, no matter how many times you try to brush them off. The book is one of the best translations I have read in some time. The author and the translator both have earned their due respects via this book. 

Who do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who enjoy short stories and good literature. Those who like to have something to think about once the book is over are also going to enjoy this one. This book is also going to please those who continuously look for translated stories. 

Quotable quotes

The result was that we simply did not desire what we couldn't afford. When you have no choice, you have to discontent either. 

'They're not ants. They're evil spirits come here in disguise.'

My Father is a Hero by Nishant Kaushik

Vaibhav was nothing out of ordinary. In fact, if you pass him by, at a not so busy road, you may not even notice him. His ordinary face complimented his bogged down personality. But he is the hero of his own life. 

This is a simple heart touching story everyone must read. 

Cover page 

I was watching the book wandering amongst the bloggers but I did not intend to pick it up, just for its cover. The cover is highly uninteresting. It gives away the gist of the story. So does the title. But all in a boring way. All I want to say is the cover does not do justice to the text inside. I liked the legible big font inside, though. That makes it an easy read. 

Characters 

It is a character-centric novel. The two main characters are the Vaibhav and his daughter. 

'Vaibhav was by no stretch of imagination, a good looking man. His fair excuse could have been that he hardly had time or motivation to stand before the mirror and work on his appearance. But then he was not particularly charming prince when he was eighteen and had more time on hand.' 

Vaibhav is a regular man belonging to the middle class. His hair is always oiled a bit too much and falling on the wrong side. He is always measuring his expenses like anyone from middle-class background does. Despite all these struggles, Vaibhav possesses a pure heart and a strong conscience. 

Nisha is the only family Vaibhav knows. She is a charming girl who is always topping her class. An ideal daughter that Vaibhav is proud of. 

The characters are cliché but in a good way. They touch your heart and make you beam with pride for your middle-class upbringing. They connect with people. 

Vaibhav possesses a strange self-mocking sense of humor which is all the more appealing. The author has done a fantastic job with both his main characters. But the devil is in details. His boss, Bhandari, and his ardent nemesis are beautifully portrayed. 

Content 

It is the story of a father and his daughter and the relationship they share. 

Vaibhav is always insecure when it comes to Nisha. Of not providing for her enough or providing her way too much that she gets spoilt. He is doing everything in his power to keep Nisha happy and content and she knows it. But the devils from past seldom leave you. They come back to haunt you and more the time passes the more they hurt. 

Nisha is having a great life until one day after her birthday party things start going downhill. Her scores drop and she is always sad. 

Vaibhav seeing her this way decides to make one dream come true for his daughter. 

The price he pays for that and the beautiful journey they share is worth looking forward too. 

For a story which moves really slow in the beginning, this one is going to introduce you to new surprises. 

Language 

The language is simple. There are no jazzy words which will make you run for a dictionary. But the narration is what takes the cake away. The story is told with a great grip on the emotions. The author is quite inventive while giving his clichéd characters and extra edge. The pacing of the story is well planned too. There is enough commotion and speed. 

Good points 

The publishers have taken a bold decision by using large enough font for reading comfort. It is definitely easy on eyes. The characters are beautiful. The content is well paced. The narration is what fills life into the story. 

Bad points 

The cover is not catchy enough. It is easy to miss on the bookshelf. Vaibhav keeps reminding readers of his background which feels a lot like asking for pity at times. This may not go well with some of the readers. 

Overall 

This one is definitely a surprise. Definitely worth reading at least once. 

Whom do I recommend this to 

This one is for those who enjoy short and simple stories. Those who feel saturated with heavy books might want to pick this one up. 

Quotable quotes 

Her father was never the handsomest man in the room, but he wore the most honest smile.

I received this book for review. It did not influence the review at all. 

The Peshwa: The Lion And the Stallion by Ram Sivasankaran

The epic tale of Bajirao Bhat is worth telling and retelling for generations to come. The name Bajirao and Mastani go hand in hand. But very few people know the tale of the conquests of Bajirao. The man who never lost a battle but surrendered to life towards the end. The author has written a historical fiction of Bajirao's conquests and how he came about fighting wars. It may entice few readers but maybe not those who already know quite a deal about the legend. 

Cover page

The Peshwa army was known for its cavalrymen. The horses and their riders were the strength of the army. Bajirao himself on his horse is an apt cover art. The font compliments the picture. It is definitely a great cover for a historical fiction of this kind. It is a great composition too.

Characters 

Balaji Bajirao Bhat is the prime character of the story as it can be concluded from the title. Except here he is not the fearless great warrior as we all know him. Here he is still a boy who is learning the trade. Bajirao is often tested by his father for the wit and wisdom. A great Peshwa himself Balaji is training his son to be the next Peshwa in line. Bajirao is a man who fears for his family and military. He is vulnerable when he is about to go to the war. He makes mistakes and apologizes for them. He understands the cost of his deeds but does not possess the tact for politics. Bajirao in the book is going to break all the imagines of the sword of the Chhatrapati as we know him. 

There are other characters in the book such as Kasibai - Bajirao's wife and companion; his father - Balaji; the great Senapati and traitor - Dabhade, etc. All the characters are interesting to read about. 

Content 

It is the tale of Bajirao. He is still a young boy who is about to enter adulthood when he is promised to Kashibai. Bajirao is a young man still learning the ways of court and war. He is trained in the military, unlike earlier Peshwas. The story begins when he comes face to face with the Mughals in an entourage to free Chhatrapati's mother from the Mughals. It is his first diplomatic encounter with the Mughals. The book primarily talks about the slow initiation which leads to the first Great War against the Mughals. 

The story starts with an interesting plot but it gets over before the thirst for the history is quenched. The author asks readers not to compare the book with actual history but the wrong facts irritate history lovers no less. The facts are completely off track but at the same time, it's not helping build the story. The content may be disappointing for those who look for a bit of history in a historical fiction. 

Language 

The author definitely possesses the art of story-telling or so it may seem initially. The narration begins well but there is a flat tone throughout the book. There are no paragraphs that excite you or fill you will anger. 

The descriptions, too, gets tedious. The need to describe the attire of each person every time throughout the scenes in the book may seem necessary initially; but towards the end, it feels like too much work to read those paragraphs. That being said, the author possesses a flair for writing. It is the composition and the toning that needs to be worked on. 

Good points 

The cover page is a great work of art. It does a great work of segregation the book into the genre and highlighting it on the shelf, both. The characters are interesting to read about. The book portrays the Peshwa in a new light which may interest many. The book talks about the first few years of the Peshwa when he is just ascending to the seat next to the Chhatrapati. It is not the epic story of the legendary warrior that we all know of. 

Bad points 

The writing is great but it gets tedious after a few pages. The descriptions are too many which throw the story out of focus at times. The entire tone of the book is quite flat. The epilogue towards the end about Mastani does not invite readers to read the sequel. 

Overall 

I have mixed feelings about this book. This may not be the best book in the genre but it has some good points. The book may not be a complete disappointment for those who are new to the genre but those who have been reading historical fiction may find it to be lame. 

Who do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who want to read some historical fiction or are new to the genre. 

Quotable quotes

Men will always be delighted to see reasons in your negotiations and proposals, as long as you put a sword to their throats first.

A man may be loved and respected but he must also be feared. That is the recipe for strength.For power.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. The review is my own, completely uninfluenced. 

A Forgotten Affair by Kanchana Banerjee

'There's only one thing worse than being treated as an object of sexual desire: not being seen as one by the guy you like.' Kanchana Banerjee gives a channel for the volcanoes inside the soul to erupt in an elegant flow. The book here exposes the innermost desires and hurt, however ugly faced they are. 

Cover page 

On the cover are beautiful flowers intertwined with the text. The flower has a significance in the story and the typography is elegant. It makes one of those covers that you come around to love for their simple and elegant design. The spine is divided in half by two colors. It comes out to be a little dull as compared to the top and end covers. But overall it is an elegant design nevertheless.

Characters 

The book dictates the story of Sagarika. Her life turned into a blank screen after Mumbai suffered a series of bomb blasts, of which she is a victim. She loses her memory and a lot more. She now looks frail with her tall and broad frame. Her face is pale and eyes sunken. She is now dependent on someone or the other all the time. Rishab, her husband, is one of them. 

After going through several hardships in the relationship, he wants a fresh start now. He is a calm person with a hurricane in his demeanour. He never shouts but his tone is enough to send a chill down the spine. There is something that he doesn't want Sagarika to find out, but slowly it's slipping away for everyone to see. 

Akash is thirty-eight-year-old bachelor who loves his life. A lively person liked by everyone he met. Not traffic stopping handsome, but pleasant-faced, with straight silly hair cut short and black eyes that had a naughty shine in them.

These three distinct characters come together to weave a thrilling, heart-wrenching story of love, deception and realisation. The characters are easy to read about. The author has done a stunning job of giving each of them their uniqueness with all their flaws and goodness. 

Content 

The story begins with Sagarika in a hospital recovering from the head injury and memory wipe-out after the bomb blast in Mumbai. While she is annoyed with her brain's resistance to let any memory in, she is intrigued by how everyone who comes to meet her praises Rishab. It is like shoving down a portrait of Rishab, dissolved in a concoction of an ideal man, down her resistive throat. She is trying hard to remember everything that she was before the blast, but all in vain. Memories come back but in flashes. 

During the course of the story, things start to fall in place. Sagarika realised that Rishab is not the husband everyone wants her to believe he is. But she was happy earlier. With someone else. She is determined to find that happiness but someone doesn't want her memories to be back. 

The story is thrilling. Each chapter leaves you with an astonishing revelation and you are left craving for more. All goes well until towards the last 50 pages of the book where the soul of a dead beat movie script seems to take over a pious body of a self-contained novel. 

The grand escape Sagarika makes lands her right into the arms of her saviour. He beats up the goons and saves her. Everything after this gets predictable.

Thus a good story gasps for air towards the last quarter of the book but eventually succumbs to a painful death. 

Language 

The author has a way with words, that's quite clear. Her descriptions let you wander in her world enjoying every bit. She conveys the feelings like an ace. Here is a glimpse. 

Laughter filled the air. The room was warm enough to allow pashmina stoles and leather jackets to be casually thrown aside. The scent of faint perfume and the aroma of fine wine mingled merrily with the sound of amicable, light-hearted banter. Well-manicured fingers held delicate stems of Murano wine glasses while finely cut scotch tumblers swirled in some others. Muted mood lighting threw shadows of figurines, statues on the walls. Men gaily flirted with the women and the latter sportingly returned the favour. The sharp bitter cold outside didn't bother anyone. Central heating and the company of friends kept it at bay. 

The graceful description of the mood of the evening is enchanting here but sadly the obsessive use of passive voice and unnecessary usage of the redundant words kill the narration towards the end. The book appears to have suffered a shift in the mood of the author, which irks. 

Good points 

The cover page is beautiful. It's subtle as if it is reminiscent of a sweet memory. The characters are very interesting to read about. They all have their dark sides, making them human. The content seems to have a flow. The language is simple. It makes the book easy to read.

Bad points 

The book seems to be a little rushed towards the end. A shift in the temperament of the story can be clearly seen. The narration starts out to be engrossing but towards the end feels like a drag. The story starts getting unrealistic. 

Overall 

Overall, the book is engrossing. It is a great first attempt by the author. Definitely, puts her on the map. I will be waiting to see what she writes next. 

Who do I recommend this to 

This book is for those who enjoy a quick read with lots of drama. Those who like strong female characters are going to love this too.

Quotable quotes 

Years went by. The ceramic plates lost their sheen, like everything else. Especially the love between them. Coping with disease, spiralling medical expenses, Sunita's hectic life of running from school to home to tuitions to keep money trickling in, love was something that stood no chance. 

Sometimes you need to lose everything to recognise what matters the most.

A copy of the book was provided by the author for review. The opinion here is my own, uninfluenced. 

Broken Pieces by Dr. Gowher Yusuf

When a dear person asked me to review this book, I was only delighted to be doing a review of a book written by someone in my close circles. The Author was kind enough to provide a copy of her book for the purpose of this review. This fifty odd page book is  a documentation of a few of her poems written two decades back.

 

Cover

The cover is a mixed palette of pinkish purple, probably depicting the dusk, with a bush with flowers confined by a wall. The entire hazy image is overlay-ed with a shattered glass. With the title of the book written in bold white letters on the lower right side, followed by the Author’s name in smaller letters, the cover page sways between average and unpleasant. The cover would have notched up on the positive side, had the shattered glass not been there.

Though I do understand that the cover is trying to portray a person who has been confined, who’s dreams and hopes have been shattered, it is all forced into the cover page making it a mishmash of one too many ideas.

Characters

It is a book that documents poetry written by the Author over two decades back, she has written about herself and her struggles, and a few poems talk about her daughter, Sana.

Content

This collection of poems written by this amateur writer two decades back was published by Educreation Publishing in 2016. The Poetess mentions that these poems were written at a time of emotional distraught , and how she found relief in these words.

The poems encompass varied emotions and notions like hopes ,and shattered hopes, dreams and broken dreams, pondering over life, loneliness, faith etc. Some of the poems also showcase her love for her daughter, and talk about revived hope.

Language

Written in first person’s perspective, the poems have been written in a simple poetic  manner, that is easy to grasp and relate to. However, the language needs more refining and the grammatical errors irk you some and awaken the grammar Nazi in you.

Good Points

Unlike some poetry that uses complex language and intricate words leaving the reader a little confused, the writing is simple and direct and easy to relate and comprehend. The poems convey whatever they wish to in a very direct manner, and yet leave you contemplating, trying to dwell a little deeper.

I for one believe that poetry should be read in small doses, and then analysed word by word, peeling away each layer and revealing another dimension, and the size of the poems and the book are perfect for it. It is not very long or exhaustive, and you can finish it at one go and gives you enough fodder to mull over, without emotionally exhausting you.

Bad points

The language and the grammar needs immediate attention. Though I personally believe that the grammatical rules adhered to for prose, don't hold good for poetry, it irks me just the same that some sentences need to be reworked on. It is also a little expensive for the size, and any poetry enthusiast might be apprehensive to spend that much on a Poet(ess) he hasn't read before. Last of all, the cover needs some re-configuring ( you’ve already read all about it).

Overall

I really enjoyed reading this book in spite of the few glitches. The content is raw and worthy of appreciation. It is very relatable and the simple writing really helps. Having said that, dwelling a little deeper displays many more emotions than what’s just printed.

Who do I recommend this to ?

Anyone who is looking for food for thought, snippets about life and all its ups and downs might enjoy this. It is thought provoking, and simple and someone who is confused and feels let down by the trails in his life might find solace in these words.

Quotable Quotes

Somewhere beyond the stars,

there is another world,

the world of our dreams.

Where love forms the sky; clouds outpour blessings on us,

rainbow depicts the various colours of life,

where life blends with love at the rising horizon.

Today, I carry my own dead body on my shoulders,

to the burial ground, with my very own hands

I dig my grave and lay my poor body to rest.

One day she was gone with the wind,

taking away the light from his life,

darkening his world forever

the pain of separation makes him,

weep in solitude and spend sleepless nights.

World's Best Boyfriend by Durjoy Datta

Durjoy Datta is quickly climbing the charts to be one of the most loved authors in Indian literature. Durjoy Datta is known to explore different aspects of modern love stories. These love stories are not simple. Things here get messy, ugly, irreparable, and according to Mr. Datta, this is how love works. The author possesses a flair of writing. He can make you stop eating and drinking till you finish the book. I have come to hear similar praises from other book bloggers. Durjoy Datta has missed the mark slightly in this particular book of his.

Cover-page 

The image in the cover is quiet uninteresting. The jig-saw heart could be used for on cover of any love story. The lack of specificity of the cover is quite disappointing. The typography and the Color combination further worsen the art. The description at the back of the book feels cheesy. 

Characters 

The author has a knack for creating interesting characters. His characters are like their own. In this book one will get to see two more such characters. 

Aranya has a skin condition. There is no cure for the same. For this specific reason she becomes the most hated among the siblings. Her parents blame her for all the bad things that happen to her. Her ultimate dream is to rise high in her career, fly abroad and live out her life alone. 

Dhruv is a reckless son of divorced parents. His mother left his father for another man. His father turns to alcoholism for respite. Dhruv is left on his own. His only goal in his life is to not turn out like his mother, or father. 

Both the characters are portrayed with immense depth in the book. Both of them are wounded in their own way. That is what brings them closer and repels them too. 

Content 

The book follows the life of Aranya and Dhruv from the time they are in school. They find solace in each other and then get separated. Hate brews in their hearts for each other which means they have to meet each other again at some point in their lives.

That is what college is for. They are admitted in the same college which gives them opportunity to start their revenge plot. But what they don't know is they do not hate each other. They are actually in love with each other and they are afraid to admit it. 

The beginning of the book showed a lot of promise. The story started out well but it went on to stretch out for no particular reason. Both the characters are clueless about what they are doing with their lives. The author has command over writing emotions. This time he has just exploited it till you want to put down the book because there is no story in the book. 

Aranya is a self pitying woman. But there is really no need of two whole pages of self criticism in the book. Often while reading the book you will find yourself wondering where the story is going. And when it ends, it ends abruptly. 

The book is a sad attempt at story writing. 

Language 

Durjoy Datta has written the book like he usually writes it, how we speak English. There are some great lines in the book which set it apart otherwise the book is no literary wonder. 

Good points 

The characters in the book are unique. They have a lot of potential. Durjoy Datta has given us some quotable lines in the book. 

Bad points 

The cover-page is unappealing. So is the title. Gone are the days with quirky titles which caught attention. The publishers have resolved to using the author's name for sale of the books. There is no meat in the story. It starts well in the beginning but that is all. 

Overall

Durjoy Datta gave an illusion of raising the bar if I were to believe the media but after reading the book it hardly seems so. He has a long way to go. This is definitely not his best work.

Who do I recommend this to 

The book is for those who are starting out to read. The writing being simple is not going to intimidate readers. It is also for those who enjoy cheesy romance and some good quotable lines.

Quotable Quotes

Maybe love was nothing more than finding someone who loved the exact things that you did.

That's the cliché about love. You don't choose it. It chooses you.

Rainbow by Aman Jassal

The famous saying “The pen is mightier than the sword” has been proved right time and again. Though used in a different and a more critical  context otherwise , it rightly signifies how  powerful words are and how significant they are in molding and shaping minds.

Having read different genres by different writers, I for one strongly believe that each word that is read by an individual is consciously or subconsciously shaping his thoughts, and hence the person who intends to write is shouldering a massive responsibility of shaping the mind of his readers and it is simply unfair to feed bookworms with nothing but the finest content, language and emotions.

However, Rainbow by Aman Jassal is one of those books that make me grateful for books that are considered even borderline mediocre by most standards.

Cover

The white backdrop is  adorned with plenty of graphics that signify love and romance. Right from the colors to the  images used, it screams ROMANCE.  The graphics makes me wonder that maybe the designer could not decide what was more romantic - entwined hands or a love-filled hug completed with balloons so he decided to use both, and in addition to that the title is  written across the front in “kum-kum” red, yet another colour signifying love.

The cover is rather unappealing as it is neither pleasant nor is it drawing me to it enough to want to know what the book is about, on the contrary it screams desperation-desperation to be the next romance that the masses would swear by.

Characters

A love story gone wrong , this is a story of Yuvi, a young man in love, who does not seem to have any control over his sexual drive and Simran, his love interest. This girl next door (no, not the phrase, she actually lives next door!) has Yuvi floored by her flawless beauty, right from the moment he sets eyes on her.

The story revolves around these two characters along with annoyingly loud friends who seem to have nothing more significant to do than have lewd conversations, an over protective girl pal of the leading lady, her parents, his work mates and the ladies who seem to have no difficulty in seducing the lead character, and of course the landlord-the Aunty-ji.

Content

As the summary says, it is not a love story but more of an insight on how things can go severely wrong when love is overshadowed by temporary and shallow priorities like lust and attraction.

An engineer living in another town leading a very mundane life sets eyes on his very beautiful neighbor who comes home  occasionally from a neighboring town where she studies at.  Wooing her into falling in love with him all for a bet, Yuvi himself falls for her simple ways and flawless beauty.

However, this apparent love of his does not seem to be a reason enough  for him to be loyal, and he goes on to give in to women who seduce him into infidelity rather easily.

What follows is a tale of him being in love, cheating on the woman he loves due to his lack of resolve, the guilt trip to repentance, only to do it again and to finally lose her and realize the enormity of his loss and drowning in self pity after having been confronted with the truth.

Language

I have always been vary of reading the new generation Indian authors simply due to the pathetic language most writers feel is “cool” to use, and this book would be the right example to defend my stand.

Written from Yuvi’s perspective, the language and tone of the book is extremely annoying. Lousy translations of phrases from Hindi to misspelt words, badly framed sentences to trashy, mindless conversations-this book covers it all.

He is very much frustated, and I got feared if he got any hint about Anita’s adultery? Naaaa…she is that smart, can even do that every day without Mr.Gandhi doubting her once…

I made a few excuses to calm her down. It’s not that difficult to put a girl in bottle especially when she thinks that she is the boss….

I kept silent on that, still the age gap and all, stopped me from getting fully open with her.

Good points

Though as I read the book I was convinced that I had nothing to mention in this category, but on retrospection there surely is. The lead character Yuvi , and his weak resolve are rather realistic.

His philandering ways represent to us that one guy who we all know  that has next to no self control or enough sensibility to value and cherish the love and trust he is bestowed with.

Bad points

Starting from the very unappealing cover page, the book is more of an example of how books should not be written or made. The basic idea of bringing to fore the after effects of infidelity is rather interesting but the plot is a mere fabric of different over-dramatic scenes straight out of movies woven together.

From the dramatically gorgeous Simran, to falling in love with her after wooing her over a bet, from being seduced by a boring boss’s very hot wife to making out with the friend’s ex-girlfriend who always had a thing for the “hero”, every incident aspires to be the perfect movie scene that makes up most cheesy movies in Bollywood (No offence, grew up on them!).

What could’ve  been a portrayal of the turmoil one goes through when torn between love and lust or the thought process of the one who cheats without much thought, this book is a lousy attempt at capturing how it is so easy for a man to give in to his temptations, regret for a while only to do it again without a second thought and then drown in self loathing and regret when caught in the act.

It wouldn't be exaggerating, if I claim this to be a very thoughtless portrayal of how easy it is to cheat, followed by shallow and temporary regret only to do it again. Having said that I  do not mean that all books on this subject are so, in fact many books written on betrayal and infidelity explore depths of the situation, give insights on the minds of the people and help us understand why a person chose that course of action, rather than just portraying infidelity like a cool thing to do, without thinking too much about the consequence.

The highlight of the book remains the language, and having covered that already I am sure you have a fair idea about what I mean.

Overall

Most of us would agree that at some point of time in our lives we feel either our lives or situations around us are dramatic enough to be written about. Most of us let go of the idea as quickly as it came to us.

However, Rainbow seems like one of those ideas that was taken rather seriously. From the language to the content  to the impact you intend to have on the audience, each element is more significant than the other in order to give a wholesome  & enriching experience to the readers, at which this book fails miserably!

As a writer, one is not only penning his story he is also shaping the minds of the individuals reading the book and it is simply unfair to the readers to give to them characters that lack character, badly formed sentences and content that looks more like a wannabe movie script, a bad one at that.

Who do I recommend it to ?

Editors, proof-readers and all aspiring writers, just to understand how to not write a book.

She by Dr.Shayan Haq & Santosh Avvannavar

Set in 1990, in the City of Calcutta "She" is a small insight into the life of Kusum, and the struggles she endures due to her blurred sexuality. 

Cover

Enveloped in a crimson jacket , which may be signifying womanhood and the sexuality of a woman which is frequently represented using this color in India, "She" has a plain cover page with the title , with a reversed S maybe signifying that she is unlike others, and is superimposed with the Howrah Bridge- which is often used as a symbolic representation of the city in which it is set.

With the aim of the story and the name of the author etc mentioned in bold white letters, the cover doesn’t appeal to me too much as it is neither thought provoking nor raising any curiosity in me , & on the contrary the white bold lettering are rather putting off. 

Character

The book revolves around three significant characters – Kusum - the protagonist, Raj – a professor she meets and Debu her love interest. Other characters in the book mainly comprise of the family members of these three, who play small yet significant parts in the story. 

Content

"She" is the story of Kusum, who recites her saga of love and betrayal and how the narrow mindedness of our society takes from her everything that she once belonged with and leaves her in the lurch to fend for herself.

It is a documentation of her life – trails and tribulations, and how she battles them all and slowly walks on, constantly inspired by Tagore’s “ekla cholo re” at different stages of her life. 

Raj, a Professor finds her stranded on a deserted road, and there begins their friendship. He is an audience to Kusum while she confides in this stranger her life, her journey of love and loss of not just the man she adored, but her family and her identity and how she trods on, paving a path for herself, even if it meant walking alone.

If they answer not to your call walk alone 

If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall, 

O thou unlucky one, 

open your mind and speak out alone.

If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,

O thou unlucky one,

trample the thorns under thy tread, 

and along the blood-lined track travel alone.

If they shut doors and do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm, 

O thou unlucky one,

with the thunder flame of pain ignite your own heart, 

and let it burn alone.

"She" is inspired from this very famous poem written by Tagore. 

Language

Simple & clean English is used, with a hint of Bengali here and there to add a more intimate feel to the content. Mostly seen from Kusum’s perspective, it is predominantly a first person narrative. 

Good points

The attempt by the authors to write on such a sensitive topic is worthy of appreciation. The loss and grievances of Kusum are relate-able not just for someone who is haunted by their sexuality but also any other person who is constantly brought down by the narrow minded society we belong to. 

The map of her journey of growth, from discovering herself to becoming Kusum, and making small but noteworthy attempts to better her life are inspirational.

Bad points

As much as I am pleasantly surprised by the topic covered in the book , I for one am saddened by the sheer length of the book. We are talking about a journey, the trails, struggles, and victories of this brave woman, all confided to a mere 50 pages?

Every genre demands a certain pace, some plots demand it to be fast paced and some others are meant to be savored and contemplated on, and for me she would fit in the latter category. 

This book covers a myriad of emotions, but merely touches upon each.The reader is not even allowed the time to taste a certain emotion before the plot already trudges along. A story like this, and the thought from which it is born deserved a little more analysis . 

Constantly mentioned as Kusum is neither a he nor a she, it seems like the rest of the society the authors themselves dread Kusum’s sexuality. Why is it called blurred sexuality? It is almost like the authors , who want to portray Kusum as a brave-heart are shying away from who she is. 

Overall

As earlier mentioned, "She" was probably conceived with a great intention. The aim of the story is to bring to us the struggles faced by her, but that intention seems to have gotten lost somewhere along the way.

A story on a topic like this, a topic that is barely written about should have shown a greater depth and insight on her life. After all, how often do we get to read about the lives and struggles of these innocents?

Who do I recommend this to

It is a rather short read, and hence the people who like reading a more concentrated version of life events and drama might find this interesting.

However, bibliophiles seeking the true joy of book reading- the journey of laughing and crying with the characters would not find it here.

The book was provided by the author for review. It has not influenced the review at all.

Quotable Quotes

After accepting the bitter truth of society, I set myself out to lead a life for myself entirely. I realized that the poisonous tentacles of society does not spare anyone, especially people like us. Once I realized that, I became strong from within.

I kept throwing different sized pebbles, the larger one created more impact by creating larger ripples. If the same pebble was thrown at an angle, slightly horizontal it would touch the superficial layer of water. Some pebbles made their way to the shore. This repetitive task gave me answers to all my questions.These questions were raised because I am like a pebble that fell deep into the society (water) that would know to sallow through making noise and creating disturbance ( ripples ) on ones choices. But I forgot in fostering trust with loved ones that destiny is in my own head like the same pebble that did get touched by water, passed through the hurdles of ripples without sinking easily to make a way to the shore.

It wasn’t just heartbreaking but it broke my identity! All that anguish that was deep hidden in me because rejections from family and friends started to pour out like a current in the sea that would seem destructive.

For us, life is very simple as we only acknowledge two categories- male and female – and we mock and rebuke someone stuck in between. We hardly understand the pain of remaining trapped in someone else’s body- a boy trapped in a woman’s body and/or vice versa.

We are mere puppets in the hands of our social conditioning.