Book Review: Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal | The Narasimha Trilogy Book 2

Book Review

Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal

Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal

Author: Kevin Missal

ISBN: 978-9353578190

Genre: Myths, Legends and Sagas (Religious Fiction)

Length:  260 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins India (15^th July 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2DeWCPr

About the author:

Kevin Missal wrote his first book at the age of 14, and at 22, the St Stephens graduate is a bestselling author and a fulltime writer, with the first two books in his Kalki series being runaway successes. Dharmayoddha Kalki: Avatar of Vishnu and its sequel Satyayoddha Kalki: Eye of Brahma have sold one lakh copies in under a year.

Kevin Missal

Kevin loves fantasy fiction and has always been a fan of mythology. His books have been featured in publications like The Sunday Guardian, The New Indian Express, and Millennium Post.

Follow him on Instagram: @kevin_9695

Check out his Facebook Page: Kevin Missal

Twitter Handle: @kevin_missal

Read my review of Narasimha by Kevin Missal (Book #1 of this trilogy) here.

REVIEW

Summary

Hiranyakashyap by Kevin Missal is the second book in The Narasimha Trilogy (previously called, The Mahaavatar Trilogy) – the reimagining of the legend Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu; depicts the constant conflicts between the father-son duo where Hiranyakashyap – now an invincible Asura king, is all set to win over anything and everything by the means of violence, war, aggression, and destruction using his military forces and the Brahmastra, while Prahlad with his completely opposite ideology has decided to rid his land of scum and evil using the least violence possible; the book addresses several issues that are very relatable in the modern times such as abusive relationships, resistance, bully parents, types of terrorism, etc and also states the importance of having faith in God; while developing and enhancing the well-established characters, the author introduces new characters also; with these legendary figures and a riveting plot, this adventurous book sets out to create an everlasting impression on readers that of unforgettable outlooks.

Narration

Hiranyakashyap is written in third-person narrative, where the chapters are narrated through different POV characters. POV characters for this book include Hiranyakashyap, Prahlad, Narasimha, Holika, and Chenchen (Narasimha’s romantic partner). The writing style absolutely suits the thrilling and mysterious narration with a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. The language is easy to comprehend, so it can be enjoyed by children also. Kevin Missal has brilliantly illustrated the action scenes, which is one of the best characteristics of this text.

Location and Setting

The story takes place in Satya Yuga, a century after the Samudra Manthana (The Churning of the Ocean) in the world of Illavarti. Illavarti (originally ruled by Devas) is the fictionalized version of the Vedic Age, where Swarg and Pataal are two different islands. Meanwhile, Asura from Pataal migrate to Illavarti and the truce is formed between Devas and Asura. Devlok and Kashyapuri, two major cities of Illavarti are ruled by Indra and Hiranyakashyap respectively. Indra worsens the tension between Devas and Asura by breaking the truce, not once but twice. While the first book revolves around Kashyapuri, Yakshlok, and Sonitpur, this second installment focuses on Naglok, Kashyapuri, and wilderness on the outskirts of Kashyapuri. Again, the magnificent places portrayed by the author make you feel the grandeur of its architecture, be it palaces or sewers.

Theme

Hiranyakashyap is shorter than Narasimha (the books, not characters), but has a lot going on around simultaneously, which really contributes to the ever-progressive plotline. The book involves several themes that make the book what it is – a thriller, relatable saga. Kevin Missal has given a sci-fi touch to it by including various scientific elements such as the extraction of tetrodotoxin from pufferfish, the aircraft, hydrokinesis, and a lot more. On the other hand, there are mystical elements also that demonstrate the magic in ancient India. The Brahmastra makes Hiranyakashyap a superhero-like figure. Just like Narasimha, where Kevin Missal talked about consent, bully parents, and religion, he draws special attention to abusive relationships, terrorism, and the power of art in Hiranyakashyap. There is this outstanding conversation between Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap, which is of course a little dramatic but highlights some of the rhetorical devices very effectively and I shall cherish it forever.

Characters

The author has introduced many new characters besides Hiranya, Holika, Anuhrad, Andhaka, Narasimha, Chenchen, Narada, Prahlad, and Dhriti. The new character cast consists of Parvati – Lord Bhairav’s wife (who plays a major role in the current book), Asamanja – new leader of Vishnusena, Garuda – Narasimha’s long-lost companion (belongs to the Suparn tribe), Matrikas – an all-female mercenary group, and Lord Varuna. There are some majestic characters like a trickster and the goddess of death who may have little roles to play but are critical for the story. Talking about the character arcs, the well-established characters from the first book continue to grow in the second book. Andhaka, being the most mysterious and complex character never fails to surprise you every single time. My favorite character – Holika has the most dynamic character arc. Relationships (romantic and otherwise) between different characters are carried out with utmost care because they define the very objectives of each character involved in this novel.

Plot

The plot is really progressive in the sense, that you will discover something new and mesmerizing in every chapter. There is not a single excerpt from the book, which would make you feel bored. The author has provided all the details that a reader really cares for. Revealing anything from the storyline would mean spoilers. So, if you want me to do a separate spoiler review, then let me know in the comment section below.

"One cannot justify hitting your partner as a form of love. It's not an expression of anything but violence."

My Views

Firstly, the things I loved about the book. I loved how advanced the world of Illavarti has been portrayed. I loved how the book brings to your attention some of the prevailing issues. I find it just and only appropriate of him incorporating these subjects, highly relevant to modern times. Apart from these obvious elements, one thing that stood apart was the revolutionary art.

Having said that, let us move towards the things I disliked. This artistic movement is as clear as mud for the effect it had on people. The book doesn’t give you time nor the details to savor it or even apprehend this movement. Secondly, the book felt really short for the type of content it holds. (Or maybe because of its fast-paced nature, who knows!)

Happy Reading!

========================

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Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: Once There Was Me by Bobby Sachdeva | Changing Perceptions

Book Review

Once There Was Me: The Extraordinary Life of an Unknown Indian by Bobby Sachdeva

Once There Was Me by Bobby Sachdeva

Author: Bobby Sachdeva

ISBN: 978-9389109559

Genre: Semi-autobiography (Fiction)

Length: 420 Pages

Publisher: PanMacmillan India (30^th June 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3kP7k0d

About the author: 

Bobby Sachdeva is a storyteller and a businessman based in Amritsar. While his profession and his circle of interaction marks him out as an outsider in literary circles, his radical views on religion, society and tradition make him stand out as an unconventional writer from among the non-literary common people. Several of his short stories are under consideration by media houses. He is currently producing short films based on these short stories in Punjabi and Hindi. Apart from 'Once There Was Me', he has a short story collection titled 'Stories of Us' to his name.

Bobby Sachdeva

Instagram: @ibobbysachdeva

Twitter: @iBobbySachdeva

Facebook: iBobbySachdeva

Check out my review of 'Stories of Us', a short story collection by the same author, here.

REVIEW

Summary

Once There Was Me by Bobby Sachdeva is a semi-autobiography sharing the candid-est account of the true events, long and short battles against disgraceful circumstances and some victorious and joyful moments that are entrenched in the author’s heart; narrated with a touch of fiction, it directs your attention to the more serious problems of the Indian society and exterminates the silly notions we are holding on to for so long unnecessarily; exposing the ruthless & corrupt institutions, leaders and con men, it brings us closer to the idea of rationalism; this truly extraordinary journey of a commoner will entertain you and more importantly, will help you as a mirror to this world.

***

Once There Was Me is obviously narrated in first-person POV by Bobby AKA Gurvinder Singh Sachdeva. The language is very simple and consistent throughout the book. The writing style is densely informative, evocative and funny at the moments. The events in the author’s life are portrayed chronologically, divided into plenty of chapters with appropriate titles.

***

The story starts with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. It gives you a closer look at the lives of Sikh people in Delhi at that time. What all it took for innocent people to survive. The mass murders, burning of the properties owned by Sikh people, sexual assault, lootings and acid attacks. This all brings back memories associated with one of the darkest times that India has witnessed, the partition 1947. Jasbir Singh, Bobby’s father recounts the horrors of the partition.

The author narrates his life before 31^st October, 1984; his school life in Delhi and Amritsar and the kind of treatment he received there; categorically for being a Sikh, financial crisis and the gentle Harbir (one of my most favorite chapters), his friend. After the riots, restoration of self-esteem becomes a prime necessity. Hence, Bobby gets influenced by the Sikh hardliners and believes that the extremist Sikh movement will bring back the dignity and identity of his community.

The mental conflicts begin when in his teenage years, Bobby notices that the caste system is prevalent in every community including his own but he also knows that Sikh gurus always preached oneness and love for all. The author send across this profound message that the true meaning of any religion can only be attained by learning its history and origins.

The perceptions change and the hatred offered by the preachers and the separatists find no space in the author’s heart anymore. On the other hand, militancy is at its peak in Punjab and has made it very difficult for businesses. And to top everyone’s miseries, politicians decide NOT to end this violence. Divisive politics is nothing new to India; it has been in practice since British Raj and quite recently we have seen the repercussions that how commoners, especially the poor ones fall prey to this filthy politics and the fight between two ideologies (mostly the religious polarization).

Bribery

We may cry at the top of our voices that corruption needs to end but somewhere deep down we all know the reality. Currently, we often see the media exposing government officials, police and so on, but is that all? Sometimes, people (especially the ones who can afford it) feel the need to get things done via such means because they don’t find it feasible to abide by the rules. As the author encourages you to ask questions, why is it like that? What about the people belonging to the lower socioeconomic classes? Apart from bribery, what about the big scandals of rich people? We know enough causes and consequences of the corruption to start contributing towards the lower Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

The American Episode

Here, Bobby has narrated his journey to the US quite elaborately. America might seem to be more acceptable, but even there discrimination existed on the basis of race. Although, on the other hand, people are treated more equally at the workplace irrespective of their role. The author frequently compares and highlights the major differences between the US and India and their citizens based on his experiences, which help us determine what are our collective strengths and weaknesses as being Indians.

Unethical Medical Practices

This one is a very important subject that the author has addressed. As there are always some defaulters in every profession, medicine is not an exception. There are a lot such doctors who run their hospitals just for money and patients’ health is their last concern. They hide the real situation and keep hoarding money until you run out of cash. This is scary enough that you won’t want to trust doctors so easily. As we are in the middle of this pandemic, several cases have surfaced where the reports were manipulated so that they can loot and mentally torture the families to death, just because they’ve got enough money to pay the bills? Just imagine what all could be going on right now as you read this, how many lives would be lost by now unnecessarily?

Obviously, all doctors are not the same. It’s just a few greedy people who are generally evil-minded. I totally respect all the Covid-19 frontliners who at the risk of their lives, are working hard and fighting against all odds. And I would request you all that don’t add to their difficulties. Stay Safe.

Fraudulent Godmen

Last but not least. I completely agree with the author when he says ‘Where there’s money, there’s a Guru.’ We all are aware of these types of fake babas who have accumulated a large sum of money over the span of a few years, who have neither done well to their followers nor the underprivileged. The author proposes that this excess money should be used for the country’s development. However, there’s another concern that the leaders to whom they help create vote banks; how to trust them with this money?

***

Bobby Sachdeva has successfully sent across the message. All the above-mentioned issues badly impacted the author’s life, but he never gave up. The book comprises a lot of intimidating details (including financial details), which makes you think why are we not getting taught this in academics. The book has the potential to initiate discussions on numerous social issues. I would recommend this book to every Indian, for it will change your perceptions. This book really brings about a good change and encourages you to ask questions, which is the most important take away from the book. Besides, it’s too adventurous to miss out on.

PS: All 'the author' and 'his life' pointers in the above article represent the fictional character and events.

Happy Reading!

========================

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Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: Azrar and the Tale of the Curse by AKR | High Fantasy | Indian Author

Book Review

Azrar and the Tale of the Curse by AKR

Azrar and the Tale of the Curse by AKR

Author: AKR (Ayush Kumar Rajput)

ISBN: 978-9385440540

Genre: Fantasy

Length:  232 Pages

Publisher: Petals Publishers (30^th September 2018)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2WT19wX

About the author: 

Ayush Kumar Rajput writes under the pen name AKR. He is currently pursuing his MBA and has completed his graduation from KCMT. Besides studying, he loves reading about various mythologies of the world and wishes to present them with a seasoning of fantasy. AKR lives in Bareilly and is presently working on the next book in the Azrar series.

AKR (Ayush Kumar Rajput)

Instagram: @i.am_a_k_r/
Twitter: @AKR8395

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorakr/

REVIEW

Summary

Azrar and the Tale of the Curse is a fantasy novel, set in the small village of the Leothe ─ perfect reflection of the Earth─ a world wonderfully created by the author, where the protagonist from the Earth becomes the guardian of Azrar; an ingenious and creatively plotted story about bravery and determination of the main character who selflessly sacrifices everything to protect Azrarians and reinstate power and splendor of the Azrar; that will fire your imagination and would excite you at times.

Narration

Azrar is actually a diary written by Henry Smith, containing his adventurous life story. It is narrated in first-person POV and follows the lead character, Henry. The writing style is pretty fantastic, which is compatible with the setting and the environment. The novel is divided into 21 chapters, where the reader gradually explores the world of Leothe. The language is simple and comprehensible including a lot of author-invented and strange-sounding nouns.

Location and Setting

Azrar is, well, set in a small village called Azrar, the residents of which are suffering from a curse. The story takes place in the year 2016 when Henry unknowingly travels from the Earth to the Leothe. The infrastructure and functioning of this kingdom are portrayed elaborately. Currently, it’s in ruins and indicates very little of what it used to be. Watchtowers, a cave protected with a password, enormous and beautiful castle, sculptures, royal gardens, ponds and a magical forest are some remarkable places you can find in this book. The Derindoras forest is visibly the source of magic for this land that possesses mystifying creatures and unfathomable structures and it is what sets Earth and Leothe apart.

Theme

It is commendable how seamlessly the author AKR has narrated the sequence about Henry finding himself in the whole new world. Indeed, it comes with shocks and surprises. As the story progresses, Henry comes to know about Azrar, the residents, their culture and most importantly, why he is supposed to be there. Every day is a new adventure for him until he sets Azrar free from the curse. Macwood, an important supporting character helps him through this. Henry learns fighting with the sword, gets familiarized with Azrar, fights massive saber-toothed cats called Narzies, becomes more knowledgeable about Azrarians and the curse, fights horned fiery monsters and gets to know more of the secrets concealed from him. Each chapter is packed with absolutely new things and a fresh adventure.

Plot

Children began to born dead in Azrar due to the curse. While some availed the privilege of life, but none could survive beyond the age of 20. There only remain 9 youngsters now who are waiting for their death. Although, when Henry came, Azrarians developed faith in him, as he could be the possible guardian according to the prophecy. He shares an intimate relationship with Meriul, daughter of Macwood. Meriul is one of those nine youngsters, which motivates him further to conquer anything that stood between them.

My Opinion

I personally loved this book and the world of Leothe. I have never read such high fantasy by an Indian author. The mechanism and functioning of this world are what captivated my attention, that not everything is magic-driven. You may find syntax errors here and there in this edition. Otherwise, it’s completely fine. The idea of this story becomes very clear after a certain point and delivers a strong message. The otherworldly setting and creatures don’t overshadow the human feelings and the accomplishment of the protagonist. Narzies are my favorites from Azrar.

Lastly, I would say, this could have been better. It lacks something. The bond between Henry and others seemed illusory. I wish there were other prominent supporting and opposing characters.

Happy Reading!

========================

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Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: The King of the Sea by Nandan Gautam | A Metaphysical Novel & Musical Odyssey

Book Review

The King of the Sea by Nandan Gautam

The King of the Sea by Nandan Gautam

Author: Nandan Gautam

ISBN: 978-9952834802

Genre: Spiritual Fiction

Length:  348 Pages

Publisher: Notion Press Publishing (8^th January 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2KK6lxp

About the author: 

Nandan Gautam grew up in Bangalore, India. He completed his Liberal Arts degree from McDaniel College, Maryland, USA and worked at newspaper USA Today for a few years. He returned to India to study yoga and meditation for the next twenty years under spiritual master Bharat Thakur.

His journey of self-discovery led him back to his first love – music, where he infuses his raw but ethereal vocals with hypnotic rhythms and harmonies specifically designed to calm, heal and transform the self.

A Lie and a Truth, an anthology of conversations and life experiences with his master, was his first book. The King of the Sea is his first novel and music album. He lives in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Nandan Gautam

Instagram: @nandangautamofficial
Website: https://www.nandangautam.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nandangautamofficial/

REVIEW

The King of the Sea, a work of spiritual fiction, is the rawest composition of a fictional tale revolving around sailor of his life, the King himself; narrated by different voices that deliver you the concepts of metaphysics including existence and purpose, through the well-written proses that emerge as exceptional quotes throughout the book.

The King of the Sea is a metaphysical novel, rhythmically written as a part of the spiritual quest; which is also paired with two companion music albums by the author. The book is further divided into 41 volumes, where the author brings in light several topics related to love, death, knowledge, God and so on. The author has kept the book as it was written rather than editing and transforming it into the traditional form of storytelling. The story is narrated in both first and third-person, by more than two different voices. The writing style resembles more of a classic style, although it is very easy to interpret. I’ll discuss more of this in the latter part of the review.

The very fictional part of this book contains many diverse characters who drive the main character through the process of self-exploration. Characters don’t have a name in this book, they are identified by their roles and relationship with the main character. His father died in a forest fire and his mother awaits for his return. He meets his half-brother and attends his marriage. He finds love who loves him back, but of course, there are complications. The main character can be seen working in farmland at the beginning from where he escapes looking for magical land. He meets a Butcher, Village Palm Reader and later he gets aboard the ship of desires along with other 135 shipmen. Lead Shipman, the Captain, Winemaker. Boy with green eyes, Leaper, Lute Player and Madman are some of the characters who play important roles in the King’s spiritual quest.

The information I provided might not be accurate, given that it is very hard to derive facts even after reading the whole book. It might require a revision to completely understand the entire picture. Well, this fictional journey is analogous to the author’s mental and spiritual process he goes through while writing this book. At some instances, the author Nandan Gautam directly talks to the reader regarding this book, which makes it self-referential.

Besides, each and every sentence, prose, poetry from this book individually makes a lot of sense, which is quite incredible, for it’s a reliable and unwavering source of knowledge. Whereas, if we consider the whole text, it doesn’t really make sense. The reason may be the voices that speak in riddles. There is frequent switching between these voices. The editor suggests that you read this book without trying to connect dots until they connect themselves. That’s what I did and it’s a pretty useful tip. The more you try to make something out from the text, the more you get confused. How this text assembles as a book is literally a secondary thing because there is a lot more this book has to offer.

"White is the color of death, not black. For when you pass through this door, you will come out clean of everything."

The most important and compelling part of this book is its content. Particularly, the abstract concepts that Nandan Gautam has adapted in this musical odyssey are surprisingly effective and mind-blowing. I loved how the story progressed despite multiple narratives running simultaneously. There are plenty of subjects addressed in this book that will simply fascinate you. After spending significant time with this book and closely studying the story, I must confess that every bit of this book ensures some value and is worth reading. Also, the book contains several chapters in those 41 sections, which the author has titled very aptly. The dialogues may be confusing, otherwise, the writing style is what makes it stand out.

"It is not pain that one carries, it is the burden of guilt and anger with the self that can haunt a man past his own lifetime."

All in all, The King of the Sea is an exceptional, unique and quite fascinating piece of literature in the genre of metaphysical fiction with the touch of postmodernism.

Happy Reading!

========================

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Book Review: Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman by Mehool Parekh | Crime, Thriller & Suspense

Book Review

Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman by Mehool Parekh

Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman by Mehool Parekh

Author: Mehool Parekh

ISBN: 978-9352019830

Genre: Crime, Thriller & Suspense

Length: 317 Pages

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. (15 January 2020)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/39QiCeD

About the author: 

A finance professional, Mehool has, over time, worked as a management consultant, equity research head and a fund manager. He ran a successful venture capital fund and is currently a private equity investor in growth companies. In between these, he has dabbled in film finance and production and owns a well-known media company. He lives in Mumbai with his family.

Mehool Parekh

Instagram: @mehoolparekh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhootbhavishbartaman/
Twitter: @parekhm

REVIEW

Summary of the Book

Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman, particularly a whodunit story, is surely an absorbing and finely written novel revolving around a striking main character’s complex life that boldly confronts the corporal and lucrative desires of human beings.

Narration

The book is written in third person POV that produces accurate information at the right time for readers. The narration is perfect in a way; profound details and flawless writing style altogether makes it a fruitful read for any type of reader. It is precisely a well-structured novel comprising a narration rocking back and forth on the timeline, maintaining balance with suspense at every step.

Location, Setting & Theme

The story is set in Mumbai ─ India’s largest city and Pune ─ “Oxford and Cambridge of India” as our former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru referred to it. The narration covers two decades of time starting from the year 1996. Apart from Pune where the murder has been reported, mostly the story represents western suburbs of Mumbai such as Vasai, Kandivali, Lokhandwala, etc. Locations depicted in the book are very well researched by the author it seems. The book deals with many subjects along with the investigation of a murder that took place in an apartment where initially the house help is the prime suspect. The book also explores dark sides of some industries including film and financial industries.

Characters

The author has certainly developed alluring characters that readers would not want to leave them, not even after the end. What really adds to these characters is the dialogues, which are thoroughly carried out corresponding to each character’s personalities. Dialogues make them animated and put life into them.

Rupali, a beautiful lady in her early thirties who has been found dead, lying in a pool of blood on her bed. Rupali’s character is dramatically captivating with the most dynamic character arc; her life’s journey had been quite intimidating. Ravi Lokhande is the Senior Inspector at Deccan Gymkhana Police Station where the murder has been reported. Lokhandeji is one and only comical character in this novel, who has got almost all the laughter and funny moments to his account. Major Bartaman Bhowmick or ‘Batty’, Southern Command of the Indian Army, whose passion is crime detection. His critical thinking and examining skills attribute to his investigative talent, unlike Lokhandeji who depends on personal prejudices and opinions. Robin Chowdhury, a crime beat reporter at Pune City Times with her keen intellect helps Batty solve this case.

Plot

It is difficult to disclose anything regarding the plot without giving away spoilers. No doubt, this book is unputdownable and really fast-paced. The interesting thing about this book is how Mehool Parekh has included such pressing subjects into the plot. It makes you aware of the reality which is unbelievable. Meanwhile, there is a lot that you got to consume from this book.

Subjects

Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman significantly addresses a sensational topic, a culture that normalizes the use of women’s assets for whatever reason, which was and is being abused willingly or unwillingly by both men and women. It shows, how this culture is conveniently accommodated in several business models. The author Mehool Parekh has made a unique remark, putting in a different perspective. Still, it is the harsh reality of human desires that turns you completely blind and you’re left wanting more and more.

My views

It is amusing how the author has depicted this complex and critical puzzle very easily and much creatively. The duo of Batty and Robin has emerged as an intelligent detective squad. The character of Rupali outshines every other character because the book is tremendously seemed to be focused on her only or maybe I’m just too fascinated by her character. There are a few essay-like expositions which are mind-numbing and requires more energy to comprehend. Lastly, the author criticizes people with self-limiting attitude, who don’t further inspect what they consider unnecessary work or too much than required. It is hard to believe that it is a debut work and I will definitely wish to read more from the author. I would highly recommend this book to everyone because it is full of surprises and information.

Happy Reading!

========================

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Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Book Review: Afsaane by Ameya Bondre | Short Stories

Book Review

Afsaane by Ameya Bondre

Afsaane by Ameya Bondre | Collection of Short Stories

Author: Ameya Bondre

ISBN: 978-9389763072

Genre: Short Stories

Length: 191 Pages

Publisher: BlueRose Publishers (27 December 2019)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2TcHVR9

About the author: 

Ameya is a physician and public health researcher, currently working with a healthcare technology start-up associated with IIT-Bombay. Born and raised in Mumbai, he studied at KEM Hospital, and later at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Ameya’s professional life has been rewarding with honours from Johns Hopkins, MIT, Yale and TEDx, and several research publications. Creative writing has been a constant companion over the years, with multiple rounds of writing and editing back and forth, periodic workshops, and continued learning from editors and readers alike. He formally started writing short stories in the winter of 2017, to put them into ‘Afsaane’, his first book.

Ameya Bondre

Follow him on Instagram: @authorameya

Facebook: Author-Ameya-Bondre

REVIEW

Narration

Afsaane is a collection of short stories narrated in a very unique way, represents the intricacy of human relationships combined with a bunch of other subjects that challenge millennials’ anxieties in current dating culture. The writing style is comprehensive and mysterious at the same time accompanied by analogies and the soul of the book I believe, expositions that intensify the feelings. All the stories are narrated in first-person POV except for one. One of the stories is narrated by a drug, fascinating right?

Setting and Characters

All stories take place at different premises, cities, and countries. As I mentioned before, Ameya Bondre has succeeded in creating reliable settings for each story with well-written expositions. For example, in ‘Distances’ author has created a paradise of memories using wooden shelves which helped brilliantly to bring forth reminiscence. There are a good amount of pivotal and critical scenes, executed not perfectly but effective enough; scenes that remain vivid for a lifetime in your memories. There are weddings, break-ups, divorces, child adoption, meetings, and dates. The evocative narration makes them striking and astounding.

What make these stories unique, are the unconventional characters who all stand for reality and connect with young readers. At this time, when a celibate chief of right-wing organization projects divorce as something shameful, it is noticeable that Ameya’s characters are fearless in a way, putting the welfare of their loved ones before sanctions of the society; proves that the newness and uncertainty of the matter don’t make it shameful.

Theme

Firstly, it is necessary to understand that human relations have always been intricate, no matter the time, but times have changed since the last few years. Times and circumstances always offered a choice so unconventional for the society, but now the idea of ‘acceptance’ has made society less intolerant (although there are places where it is exactly opposite for some reasons). There is one story about divorce after many years of togetherness, for better of course and the reasons fair enough. Ameya Bondre has covered all the aspects and perspectives that matter in each story. There is adoption of a child, one attending marriage of his ex, getting over the death of your loved one and moving on, a tale of infidelity that sows the seed for newfound love and reunion of a long lost pair. A few of these stories are incredible and stand out from the others.

My Opinion

Now it’s time for my favorites. I loved how Ameya came up with perspectives of both, the parents and the grandparents regarding adoption. Sensing the gravity of the subject, it is great, how the big picture is compacted in a short story ‘Blinkers on’. ‘Trapped’ is an exceptional story, for its narration through the drug itself about its addict. It gets a bit comical when you realize that. However, it tells not to lose hope that it will be fine. Meanwhile, for drugs, they hope that one snort them soon. After reading ‘A Healthy Home’ one realizes how difficult it would be for Dalit women to raise cranky and physically weak children. In a detached village and home rooted in restricted beliefs, far from newer ideas. Here author sharply remarks and I quote ‘No one had impacted her. Not her family. Not those relatives who got excited about the birth of a male child. Not the health worker.’

I think this review is not enough for what all the book contains. If you will try to look for a meaning, you’ll surely find a few which will fascinate you.

Happy Reading!

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10 Popular Books I Want to Read in 2020 | Book Blogger | India

Hello readers' fam! We have been together for more than one year and I'm back with another Top 10!

10 Books I Want to Read in 2020

10 Books I Want to Read in 2020 | Book Blogger | India

I read many books this year, more than I expected I could read. All these books were review copies I got this year and most were debuts. For some reason, I couldn't read more popular books so these are 10 books I'm gonna read in 2020.

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1. An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India by Shashi Tharoor

An Era of Darkness by Shashi Tharoor

It's been a few months that I am planning to read Shashi Tharoor books but didn't get to get my hands on any of it. So, my first goal would be to read Shashi Tharoor, and for that, I have selected this one title which I think can be my good first read by Shashi Tharoor.

Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India (published in India as An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India) is a historical text by Shashi Tharoor, an Indian politician and diplomat, about the effects of British Colonialism on India.


Buy An Era of Darkness from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZC4wsQ

2. Rebel Sultans: The Deccan from Khilji to Shivaji by Manu S. Pillai

Rebel Sultans by Manu S. Pillai

Manu S. Pillai is an Indian historian and author known for his debut non-fiction The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore for which he won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2017. This year I listened to his interviews and talks and speeches, I was just amazed by this personality. The knowledge he shared with his audience was perspicacious and I couldn't stop listening to his interviews. He changed my perspective about 'history' and now all I want to do is explore more.

In Rebel Sultans, Manu S. Pillai narrates the story of the Deccan from the close of the thirteenth century to the dawn of the eighteenth. Packed with riveting tales and compelling characters, this book takes us from the age of Alauddin Khilji to the ascent of Shivaji.

Buy Rebel Sultans from Amazon: HERE

3. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

While talking about popular Indian authors, we cannot overlook Suzanna Arundhati Roy, best known for her novel The God of Small Things (1997), which won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997 and became the biggest-selling book by a non-expatriate Indian author. She is also a political activist involved in human rights and environmental causes.

2019 has been a very different reading year for me, I mostly read review copies and could not read the books which I really wanted to read. One of my friends recommended this book right after he finished reading this book, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, her second novel published in 2017, twenty years after her debut. Also, I would be reading The God of Small Things, but this is my first pick.

Buy The Ministry of Utmost Happiness from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QxkaSm

4. Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattnaik

Jaya by Devdutt Pattnaik

I have been reading the first few pages of this book whenever I get a chance, in the library or in Crossword stores, but now I want to just dig into it and read the whole book. Jaya is one of the best modern adaptations of Mahabharata and as I said I have already started reading, I wish to continue. Devdutt's retellings are the way to go if you are looking for mythological retellings.

Devdutt Pattanaik is an Indian mythologist, speaker, illustrator and author, known for his prolific writing on sacred lore, legends, folklore, fables and parables, and for challenging wilful misinterpretations of ancient Indian scriptures, stories, symbols and rituals.

Buy Jaya from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MKdBuv

5. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

As you all know by reading the post: Top 10 Favorite Books of 2018, Erin Morgenstern and her  The Night Circus has charmed all the readers with the phantasmagorical tale of the two empowered magicians. Now after so long wait of six years, she is back with another (her second) captivating novel. The Starless Sea will be following a character named Zachary Ezra who finds an unusual book in the library in which he encounters his own childhood. Strange right? Intriguing. There is much more in the synopsis. Have a look at the Goodreads page. It is going to be as fantastic as The Night Circus. I am craving more of Erin Morgenstern's 'fairytale in one way or another'.

Buy The Starless Sea from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2rDK2Dw

6. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

Legacy of Orisha was declared a trilogy by Tomi Adeyemi. The first in the series Children of Blood and Bone was completely successful and made it to #1 on The New York Times Bestsellers List. The story follows the character Zelie Adebola whose mother was killed by a brutal King Saran who rules over the land of Orisha. The second in the trilogy was released late this year on 3rd December. After reading the Children of Blood and Bone, I was waiting for second release desperately because this is the story you cannot wait to explore.


Buy Children of Virtue and Vengeance from Amazon: https://amzn.to/36izvNq

7. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid's Tale, originally published in 1985, is a dystopian novel written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. It is set in a near-future New England, in a totalitarian state resembling a theonomy that overthrows the United States government.

Margaret Atwood is such a phenomenal writer, I adore her writing. I recently signed up for her MASTERCLASS and I'm loving it so far and as a pre-requisite, I have to have a sound knowledge about her literary works so that would be my first step towards learning to write from her. 

Buy The Handmaid's Tale from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2F4p7gd

8. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Among all these non-fiction, fantasy, dystopian novels I wanted to include historical fiction and I could not come up with a better idea than reading this one. All the Light We Cannot See is a war novel written by American author Anthony Doerr, published by Scribner on May 6, 2014. It won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Set in occupied France during World War II, the novel centers on a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths eventually cross. I'm am really eager to read this book.

Buy All The Light We Cannot See from Amazon: https://amzn.to/39s4oka

9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This book doesn't need any introduction but here we go. The Book Thief is a historical novel by Australian author Markus Zusak and is his most popular work. Published in 2005, The Book Thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. Recently I bought The Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak during the BookChor sale. But I think it would be really unaesthetic to not read The Book Thief before I read anything from Markus.

Markus Zusak is an Australian writer of German origin. He is best known for The Book Thief and The Messenger (US title: I Am the Messenger), two novels which became international bestsellers. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award in 2014.


Buy The Book Thief from Amazon: https://amzn.to/37lKiq3

10. Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I was very excited to read this book when it was launched. I got the audiobook of this and I have already started reading it, few chapters in and I am loving this. No doubt this book is going to be the best book I'll be reading next decade. I hope so.

Becoming is the memoir of former United States first lady Michelle Obama published in 2018. Described by the author as a deeply personal experience, the book talks about her roots and how she found her voice, as well as her time in the White House, her public health campaign, and her role as a mother.

Buy Becoming from Amazon: https://amzn.to/35cZu7w

I hope, you guys enjoyed this 'End of the Year Series'. So these are all the books I want to read. I wish you all the readers a Very Happy New Year, have a great reading/writing year ahead. Thank you so much for sticking with me throughout the journey of this blog.

FIN

If you have survived through this, please give it a chance! Holly crap. I wrote a book! (Sorry Superwoman for stealing the line.)

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(Click on above image to buy Winged Sisters)

Thank you so much for reading y'all. I hope you enjoyed and got some recommendations.

Comment below if you have read any of this and tell me your views on it.


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