Ruskin Bond, is one of those vintage writers who needs no introduction. I think he is everyone’s favorite (Specially the students from the ISC and ICSE school board, I was one of them)! Bond was born in Kasauli, Punjab State Agency, British India. For all those who don’t know what Punjab State Agency is, Punjab being one of the princely states had come under the relationship in which region controls the foreign policy and relations of a tributary state, while allowing them to have an internal law of the British crown after the 1814-16 Anglo-Nepalese War.
Bond did his schooling from a school in Mussourie. He never had a happy childhood being a son to the Divorced parents was always difficult. However, he was close to his father and mostly describes the days he spent with his father as the best time of his life.
Born and brought up in the hills has influenced his work at the great extent. “The Room On The Roof”, was his first novel, that got published when he was 21. Being a writer for almost 50 years Bond has blessed his readers with his book that are experimented in all the genres.
Book Review #8
A beautiful book that educate it’s readers about the rivers in India and the infrastructure which is naturally and manually created around them. Written in simple English, the book is easy to connect with and imagine the visual.
Easy going yet informative, short yet detailed this book is recommended specially for the children in the age group, 10-15 and to those who have never set their foot here, this book serves as a love-filled invitation. Accept it! This is my Niece’s first ever read and she loved it as much as I did. The legacy has been forwarded!
Always remember, THE KIDS NEVER LISTEN, THEY IMITATE! (The is My observatory line, not copied 😉 )
A Scottish historian and a writer Dalrymple was born on 20th March 1965, in Scotland. In his lifetime Dalrymple has won several prestigious awards for his work. Few of those include “Sunday Times Young British Writer Of The Year Award”, and “The Wolfson Prizes”. Till the recent times he has written eight books on topics like the history and art of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Muslim world , Hinduism etc.
Anita Anand
Anand a British-Indian radio and television representative is an alumni of the King’s College London, UK. Born to the Punjabi Sikh parents Anand worked for the BBC Radio 5 Live. Anita has been recognized for her first book “Sophia:Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary” which got published in 2015. In 2005 she won the “Nazia Hassan” Award as an Upcoming Television Broadcaster.
Book Review #7
Kohinoor, needless to say is considered a prized possession for the both the countries India and The United Kingdom. In spite of it’s not so big size the diamond has managed to make it’s reputation in one of the costliest jewels in the world. In the book, Dalrymple and Anand tried to gather all the facts regarding the history and sovereignty of the Kohinoor. From emerging out of the alluvial deposit somewhere in India to “surrender” the diamond to Queen Victoria, everything has been written in detail.
The book has been divided into two halves, the first includes the History of Kohinoor and the second includes the (not so predicted) future of the diamond. It includes whether the diamond should be returned to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iran, Or it will rest on the crown of future Queen Camilla.
At the end, I would recommend this book to everyone, the people who have the slightest idea of Kohinoor and to those who have no idea. Written in an easy way the book can keep you stuck to a place. (At least it happened with me), It is a history in detail, which leaves you with a thought that whether the Kohinoor is a curse Diamond or played a personified victim.
“Roxana Gay” is an American Author and Editor. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Gay attended her high school at Philips Exeter Academy. After completing her Phd, Gay joined Eastern Illinois University as an Assistant Professor of English. Her first novel “An Untamed State” was published in 2014, which received an average success.
Book Review #6
“Bad Feminist” is a collection of essays, which addresses both the political and cultural issues. Being a feminist, Gay in her book has been both funny and blunt with no sugar coating of facts. It is a book about the Black women, with all the taboo and hypocrisies she goes through. It also, explains the negative impact of media and the people of colour.
Bad Feminist made me believe in myself and accepting the fact that I cannot be perfect and know everything. On one hand the women are aware about feminism, but are scared to be the part of one themselves. Coming back to my job of reviewing the book, all the essays within are spot on. Writer tells us what need to be heard even if it is difficult for us to bear. The book is inclusive, thoughtful and filling a gap in cultural critique.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough to all the ladies out there, specially the ones who believe in natural equals of men and deserving the equal treatment. And the ones who have faced the racism, sexism and homophobia.
“Life is about making Right things and going on……..”
– R.K. Narayan
About the Author
Born on October 10th, 1906 a third child in seven brothers and two sister. Narayan was a reader and a book lover since childhood, it would not be incorrect to say he got this quality inherited from his father who was a headmaster at a local school in Madras. In one of his interviews Krishnaswamy, nephew of Narayan told the media that R.K along with his younger brother had privileges of staying long in the school library. During the summer breaks when no student was allowed to enter the school, the library clerk threw open the shelves at all hours for both of them.
Narayan’s reading habits were taken over by pen, when one of his father’s closest friends died. That was the first time when Narayan wrote a ten pages long essay on Friendship, Death and Grief. Rest as it says is history.
In 1935, Narayan’s grandmother gifted him a notebook on graduating as a Bachelor in Arts, little did she know that it will lead to a birth of fictional town called “MALGUDI”. The series of the book “SWAMI AND HIS FRIENDS” became the first book of Narayan. Due to it’s huge success soon became an entire T.V. Series that was aired on Doordarshan in 1986.
Narayan’s second novel “Bachelor of Arts” was published in 1938, which bought him fame in England and was awarded as the bestseller of times. However, in 1939 Narayan went through a tough phase of life which left him devastated, his wife died of Typhoid. In 1945, Narayan got his forth book published which is also considered his partly autobiography, “THE ENGLISH TEACHER” had a subject a struggle of an English teacher to cope up with his wife’s death. This book bought him an international fame, and eventually became one of the prestigious writers.
His memorable and best works included “GUIDE”, a success novel which soon took an adaptation of a movie starrer “Dev Anand” saab.
Book Review #5
Malgudi is a collection of 32 stories which is a great amalgamation of fun and wit. An imaginary village Malgudi has always been a fantasy dreamland for the 90’s kids in India including myself. While writing this review I am both happy and nostalgic. Each story revolves around the valuable relationships in the family, friends and the acquaintance. This book is like a fresh breath in today’s busy life.
Although seems like faintly similar stories, but they are vastly different from each other. The stories about the ordinary men and women makes this book extraordinarily beautiful. It will take you on a roller coaster ride where you laugh, cry and connect to each character so easily.
Highly recommended for all the age groups, beginners, non readers and anyone who wants to smile in their busy schedule. This book will always carry a special place in my book shelve and heart.
“For the girls becoming women was inevitability;for boys becoming men was ambition”
Book Review #4
“Home Fire” is a novel written by Kamila Shamsie who is considered to be one of the finest writers in today’s era. The story begins with Isma who after being free from the all the responsibilities of her siblings moves to America (after being detained and questioned by the airport officer for hours) for further studies, and stays with her former tutor Hira Shah. Isma, after getting settled at her tutor’s house joins a morning cafe to manage her expenses.
On one of the usual days at the cafe, she encounters a young man Eamonn Lone the son of a politician Karamat Lone. For some reason, which is still not known to the readers, Isma has a huge disliking for the man. However, unknown who’s son Eamonn was a sudden friendship strikes between the two of them. Eamonn who was from a wealthy background, eventually gets to know about the hatred Isma has for his father and leaves the cafe abruptly.
Isma gets emotionally effected by this and seeks for an advise from Hira, who tells her to open her heart our to Eamonn. Isma is initially reluctant, before she receives a call from her sister (Aneeka) in regards to their brother (Parvaiz) who is not allowed to go back home by the police as Isma had reviled information about him, during the detention at airport. (Parvaiz got involved with ISIS) Parvaiz left his home to work for ISIS as a media arm for the America.
Home Fire is a story of sacrifice, love, identity, loyalty and is absolute evocative and elegant. It will make you sympathize for the characters and on the other hand will make you shake your head with disappointment. However, not to be considered one of the finest works of Shamsie. Home fire will at times keep you sticked and at the same time will make you put the book down and not continue reading.
Could fit in the bookshelves of those people who are manageable readers and can get over the stress of reading a book like this, not recommended for the beginners.
Bitter Fruit The Very Best Of Saadat Hasan Manto, Translated By Khalid Hasan
Quote
by Saad Saab (Saadat Hasan Manto)
“अगर आप इन अफ़सानों को बर्दाश्त नहीं कर सकते तो ये ज़माना नाक़ाबिल-ए-बर्दाश्त है
मैं तहज़ीब, तमद्दुन, और सोसाइटी की चोली क्या उतारुंगा, जो है ही नंगी। मैं उसे कपड़े पहनाने की कोशिश भी नहीं करता, क्योंकि यह मेरा काम नहीं, दर्ज़ियों का काम है।
मैं अफ़साना नहीं लिखता, अफ़साना मुझे लिखता है, कभी-कभी हैरत होती है कि यह कौन है जिसने इतने अच्छे अफ़साने लिखे हैं?
आप नेहरू हैं, मैं मंटो… कश्मीरी होने का दूसरा मतलब ख़ूबसूरती और ख़ूबसूरती का मतलब जो मैंने अभी तक नहीं देखा।
मेरा कलम उठाना एक बहुत बड़ी घटना थी, जिससे ‘शिष्ट’ लेखकों को भी दुख हुआ और ‘शिष्ट’ पाठकों को भी”
Book Review #3
(Bitter Fruit The Very Best Of Saadat Hasan Manto, Translated By Khalid Hasan)
About the book
Bitter Fruit is an exciting collection of Manto’s work. Khalid Hasan has tried to include what he and others consider Manto’s best. The editor has been translating the writer for the last 20 years, with a desire to make available as much of Manto’s work to the maximum audience.
Review
Before I could begin writing the review for this book, let me inform all my reader that I have acted really partial to this one, Manto being my favorite writer. Manto was best known as a short story writer. In fact this was the genre which shaped his controversial literary reputation which has suffered intensive debate from both sides of the literary and moral divide. Born on May 11th, 1912 in British India Manto spent his initial years in Amritsar, Punjab. At the age of 24, he got his first collection of short stories published. After receiving the immense success he moved to Bombay where he worked as a scriptwriter for many well known movies. He also worked for the All India Radio (AIR) in Delhi, marking the beginning of the very productive period of his life. During the Partition in 1948, Manto moved to Lahore, Pakistan. Though he was in touch with many prominent intellectuals in Pakistan, his work was never appreciated. There was absolutely no one who dared to share their opinions on the subjects like military or the decision of partition. However, the trauma of partition had impacted Manto to an extent which was also shown in his stories.
Manto had to face the legal action against his writings, both in India and Pakistan. For, (“Dhuan”, “Bu”, and “Kali Salwar”) before 1947, in India, and for (“Khol Do”, “Thanda Gosht”, and “Upar Neeche Darmiyan”) after 1947, in Pakistan, which in later years and recent times in also considered his best work. Manto in my opinion was a writer, whose work was read under the blankets of darkness and no one dared to read it in day light because people couldn’t face the dark reality of there society. Manto brings in light the men’s participation, in sex, violence, rape, misogyny and the pursuit of power.
His stories are vivid and a honest accounts of people who often goes unseen, the prostitutes, the pimps and the criminals. Khalid, has brought Manto back to life through his works, his unique story telling and honest writings with no holds. The book has been translated beautifully, all the characters and themes are simple to understand and are highly communicative. Bitter Fruit is for all those who love reading the accounts of reality and want to experience the pain of partition.
by Mallanaga Vatsyayana (The Creator of Kama Sutra)
“Love when it is pure has a revitalizing effect upon others; and in the presence of a truly loving person others grow and expand into a healthier state of being. Without deep reverence for the beloved, such a refreshing stream cannot flow from the heart of the lover.”
Book Review #2
(Kama The Story Of The Kama Sutra by Jaya Mishra)
About the book (Main Characters)
It took me a quite some time to gather the words to write a review of this beautiful book. It begins with a description of the Gupta Dynasty, which is considered to be one of the worst times of the period. The times of Snakes and Serpents, Kings Battles and Betrayal, Love and Lust, Politics and Assassination. To begin with Mishra portrayed “Vatsyayana” as a young, imaginative, and sexually profuse man brought up at the royal household of Guptas. An adopted son of “Ramanna” an eunuch who is a chief of Royal Harem.
The other main characters of the story are “Ratnavati” the “moon queen” and Vatsyayana’s secret lover, “Nayantara” a “snake goddess”, “Kali” a mugger king, “Narasimhagupta” the ruthless king, “Mann” the king’s homosexual brother; and “Ajyut” Mann’s gay lover and secret adviser.
Review
To begin with this book is not about the sexual positions or the pleasures you get from sex. It is a story of Vatsyayana and how he created an amazing context called “Kama Sutra”. Everything about the novel is bold and unapologetic in every way. The cover and name of the book are enough to make you pick it up. Mishra doesn’t shy away from writing about sex. Whether in her descriptions of oral pleasure, homosexual anal sex, marital rape, royal orgies, ritualistic tantric sex, adulterous sex, or heterosexual coupling, the author is unflinching.
In a society where Kamasutra is still a topic spoken of only in whispers & giggles Kama is a book which presents us with an unconventional hero Vatsyayana. He holds key to every woman’s heart and her desires. Kama is a fascinating attempt to challenge the notion that Kamasutra is a book for men and sex. At the end I want to suggest everyone specially the women to read this amazing and an erotic account of pleasure.
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free HUMAN BEING with an independent WILL”
Book Review #1
(Jane Eyre by Charlette Bronte).
About the book (Summary)
I am one of those adults who love or at least realize the importance of classics, credit goes to the eccentric and a highly elite school curricular. My first ever book review is dedicated to one such classic which will never go out of fashion and is a clear proof of excellence. “JANE EYRE” It is a story about an orphan, who lost her parents at the age when she was too little to remember them. Her paternal uncle took her to his house, and dies not to long after this. Before, he takes his last breathe, he makes his wife promise that she will take care of his niece as her own child. Unfortunately, for Jane her aunt doesn’t keep her promise, and did everything she could to make her life miserable. She considered Jane as a burden and disliked her for being below par. Her children were no less, under their mother’s assuagement, they mistreated and making her clear that she will never be the part of their family.
At the age of ten, Jane was sent to a school where her life was no better. A charity school run under the savage director Mr. Brocklehurst. He considered, punishing the students physically a chance to cure and save their souls. Jane remains at the school for eight years, six as a student and later as a teacher. After that she decides to look for a new service, for which she gives an advertisement in the news papers offering her services as a teacher. She eventually get a job (at Thornfield) to be a governess of an only child, who soon becomes very fond of her. Jane gets to know Mr. Rochester, the owner of the Thornfield and with time falls in love with him. In this time she realizes that social status and age difference are not the obstacles to get married. On the day of their wedding a terrible and an unexpected secret comes out, which tears her apart.
Review
It is a book, you don’t want to keep down. My heart went out to the main character Jane Eyre, her emotions are so beautifully penned that you can feel it in your own heart. Charlette Bronte had truly created a master piece, which a lot of today’s writer fails to do.
Every character in the book is detailed, and you can relate to them. From the struggles of an Orpan child to the love of story of an adult is one of the bests I have ever read. So, it is to everyone who’s looking for something worthy and powerful with a great story line to read “THIS IS THE BOOK”. I highly recommend this book to the CLASSIC BOOK lovers.
Readavorous (Dastan-e-Kitaab) 