Category: Book Reviews

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Book Reviews Books Reading / Read Mythology Spirituality Stories/storification

Ramayana – The Game of Life : Shattered Dreams – a book review

Ramayana – The Game of Life -Shattered Dreams

I think we are a nation built on mythology going by what you see today on twitter and slang matching happening online. But before these internet rage took centerstage, Doordarshan in early days of 80s had the nation in charms with the two worlds greatest epic on screen, the Ramayana and Mahabharath! Those days it meant Sundays were meant for Ramayana and Mahabharath. The charm wore on with the whole generation so much so, some of the character actors made their presence to the parliament.

As regards retelling of the epics, its been happening for long and this century is not an exception.

The book in review is an excellent series if you ask me and what a debut it was by the author Shubha Vilas. Rooted in the treatment of the epic for what it matters most, the interpretation of the same to add values to the life around us is perhaps the significant take away from this book or series.

Continuing from the last epic of the childhood days of the Rama, this one is the retelling of the Dasaratha’s shattered dreams. You might also take a literal working of getting your boon claimed, unlike the words and gift vouchers which come in with a expiry. The boon that was given by Dasaratha in a war time long long years ago is revived by Kaikeyi, aided by his maid to make Bharatha the King just hours before the coronation of the Prince Rama. Not that Rama is not the apple of all the three mothers, but this is the way it got to be.

If you thought there was any way modern day classic writers could come close to the twist in the tale, well sorry this was greatly done right from the Valmiki days and Shubha Vilas captures the moments especially the way anxious Dasaratha is portrayed is unparalleled. The teaching impact of those moments are a treat to read as always.

So if you love to really watch the Ramayana happen in front of you especially going through the minds of the characters and then stop over to think and digest what those tales and moments in the tales means for you in life, then this is the book you need to read. I was transported to Dasaratha’s kingdom with pomp and the cries of the whole kingdom when King makes an announcement and also walk alongside Rama if you want.

The nuggets of side stories make for an excellent read and keeps you gripped to the happenings and is almost like the  mind reading of the characters that you are reading about.

If you thought that your life’s problems are big, imagine a prince who would be king tomorrow morning and then you see a email saying you are fired and then not just that you got to go into exile. How do you maintain your poise that you are known for. Rama is that character who will tell you how to react or sometimes how not to react.

I am sure you will experience the words crafted beautifully and the retelling has the impact of Valmiki and the rendering of Kambar making it a delight to read.

I am waiting for the next in the series and see how the story unfolds especially with some of the nuggets that we don’t know or not exposed to and ofcourse how we should apply these to our everyday lives.

A word of gratitude to both the author – a revered friend now and folks at blogadda.com for the book.

Senthilkumar

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

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Book Reviews Branding (personal) Motivation

Coca Cola International Day of Happiness

rsenthilkumar.com

There is a very simple way to happiness, the easiest way is to not depend on anything to be happy but is that really practically possible. Yes in a way making ourselves happy because these will be steps that will take me through the day and week together.

So here goes some of the things that bring happiness:

On a crowded day after work, getting into the bus and finding a seat vacant is happiness, and being able to vacate that for much deserved elder person is then the happiness doubles.

My bike ride is one of happiness, never has given me a problem and more so I can rely on and the kick to start is a sign of happiness. Been on long rides and short ones, but its a nirvana riding the bike.

Rain makes me happy. When heavens open up its a big smile for me. Love to watch the rain. Love to ride my bike on the road happy and unfettered, and sometimes take a walk. Like the feeling of the rain drops on me that’s absolute happiness

Chai – the tea is another one of my happiness moments, It has the ability to make you just get up and make it happen, something like Coca Cola, which is the cold equivalent of tea for me. Never a time to turn down, I driven long and walks distances to get some chai.

Books make me  happy, the smell of the new print is a happiness moment. Time to read and time to sleep are things that go together. They say books are friends who don’t speak back but yeah they do all the speaking in a way.

Getting on the road to a green corridor in my city is a happiness moment, in one of the arterial roads, you get to drive clearly across the traffic lights if you clear the first one on green and you could go all the way some 7 km straight at an average speed of 60kmph.

Well there are things online which make me happy some likes on the FB post not really behind the likes for all the posts, some RTs from the followers. Sometimes a mention from a celebrity or a RT will be a happy moment.

Some times the messages from friends and loved ones on the text  messengers or the whatapp sometimes. the most valued ones are those when they deposit money into your account. Well that’s always there.  There are more occasions when I see someone make great strides makes me happy. Things that way are an inspiration in more ways than one.

Sometimes when you are congratulated for your role which you deserve are some of the other moments when I am happy and this is most of the times in my career!

 

Now tell me what makes you happy?

Senthilkumar

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Book Reviews Books Reading / Read

When she smiled – by Ritoban Chakrabarti #bookreview

 

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Publisher Notion Press
Publication Year 2015
ISBN-13 9789384878252
ISBN-10 9384878251
Language English
Edition 1
Binding Paperback
Number of Pages 225 Pages

I was happy that it was a debut novel, but along the way I missed the speed and pace that could have been better.

It is a story of school crush and how life changes for one Mrutunjoy the hero in his class 11 to be precise and his lady love Akanksha makes an entry into his life. Things are not the same for a guy when a girl enters his life. Or even at least when he thinks it to be. This has to be the best of all the novels that we come up with. Its quite a school boy falling in for a girl and how they go to the next step of their relationship, its like a bit cinematic, may be we are used to more movies showing this relationship in a way that we all seem to approve not knowing how it will end up.

The story could have been fast paced with the characters getting on, but it has too many description that lead us to nowhere. The language could have been polished in the sense there were instances for moderation of the usage.

The days in school is almost common place and there is not the special feeling effect on you and there is this going forth and back that doesn’t gel with the narrative at times. The author has been harsh on himself unnecessary if I have to look at this in a semi autobiographical way.

May be its because of the school boyish stuff that we were reading but I am sure we can expect much more than the cinematic narrative that we were placed with. Some places seems to touch a nerve but the momentum doesn’t last long enough for your to get them on you.

The language could have been a help especially in the days when we are overloaded with so many romantic and first love stories from all over. The vivid background of Shimla would have made for some scenic narratives if you ask me. The author sometimes gets on to be clueless as much as the characters presented are.

I know this being a debut has a bit of Chetan Bhagat effect on the storyline and the way of narration but the thing is it was a different world when Chetan Bhagat started writing and now there are enough and more of authors spinning tale after tale on the same names and you can have a series of social media led love stories. Here’s where I believe the author missed a great chance to live the romance sans these media interruptions and weave a nostalgic story. The story is a easy read but had a lot of potential if you ask me. Simply because you could take them on a memory down lane those times. Will wait and see how the author  takes up the next book.

My rating : 2.5 / 5 stars

Senthilkumar

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Categories
Book Reviews Books Reading / Read Mythology Stories/storification

The Mahabharata Quest – the Alexander Secret by Christopher C Doyle #bookreview

the-mahabharata-quest-400x400-im

 

Publisher Westland
ISBN-10 9384030597
Edition 1st Edition
Book Type Fiction Book
Number of Pages 308 Pages
Publication Year 2014
Language English
ISBN-13 9789384030599
Binding Paperback

I have been lucky to be reading the Mahabharata or its connections in a way or other. Looks like I will take to mythology as much as the debut authors in a sense for revieweing books.

This is a great effort from the author Christopher C Doyle connecting the ancient Mahabharata and the Alexander’s search for immortality and the present day Order. I am sure a lot of things go unnoticed when you read between the lines. The never so obvious language and the interpretation of the Sanskrit Shlokas in the Mahabharata and how they have a bearing in the medical science is a intriguing aspect of this story.

The author churns out a nice moving tale across times zones and also has a nice flash back for the Alexanders’ days to keep the rationale intact. A fast paced and has woven on a lot of research and presented in a very lucid style to keep the reader’s interest till the last page.

The characterizations are very well done and has all the ingredients of making of a movie, I believe this could well be a possible script which can be well executed in a way. Why I am saying this is the visual narration of the scenes is absolutely great and that makes it a great read.

The characters, Vijay, Imran, Radha, Alice, Collin and Shukla apart from the Coopers on the other side make for nice well knit team.

The books makes for a nice reading with Mahabharata and Alexander’s quest and modern day Order in a very complex web of secrets dating back to the Mahabharata’s churning of the milky ocean. The link being well the nectar and immortality associated with it. And do you know Alexander wanted to be God. Read this book as it takes you on a trip to his hey days and how he lost the plot.

In the present day scenario, the best part is the way the both sides try to outwit each other. Though we have to wait and see how it ends up. Six months to know and probably the doctor would also know if the trial is working out.

Well the author has handled it pretty fast paced and you know in the end this is a book with sequel.

Now have to wait to know what happened.

As you wait please check out the trailer…

About the author: Christopher C. Doyle is an author who transports the reader into a fascinating world where ancient secrets buried in legends blend with science and history to create a gripping story. Along the way to publishing his debut novel, The Mahabharata Secret, Christopher pursued a career in the corporate world after graduating from St. Stephens College, Delhi with a degree in Economics and studying business management at IIM Calcutta. Over the course of his corporate career, Christopher has written articles on management and business for Indian and international publications and is also a regular invited speaker for international conventions and conferences. He is a certified Executive Coach and now works with senior executives to help them achieve success and better results in their organizations.

PS: Thanks to folks at Clea Public Relations for sending in a e-book to read and review…

Categories
Bhagavad Gita Book Reviews Books Reading / Read Politics

Kurukshetra – the Aryavarta Chronicles Book 3 by Krishna Udayasankar #BookReview

Epic Retelling of an Epic!
Epic Retelling of an Epic!
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher Hachette India
ISBN-10 9350097184
Imprint Hachette India
Number of Pages 384 Pages
Publication Year 2014
Language English
ISBN-13 9789350097182
Binding Paperback

Indian Mythologies have this rare distinction that the more you rewrite the more livelier they become and its one of the innate characters that they continue to be retold and perhaps this will continue for the days to come.

Each in its own context and setting and more perhaps suited to the times that the author is in the retelling takes the course with impact of the generation that it touches and communicates. That way this book will be remembered for the retelling of the kind that has never been attempted before.

This is a book to be read – a retelling redefined perhaps. You knew Mahabharatha, now know it from a parts of the forts that you have never been to. The graphic and gory retelling, and sometimes walking and talking through the minds of the characters sends you a chill down your spine, quite often we took them for granted without any investigation.

The scene is set for the war and how the allies on the part of Pandavas and Kauravas get ready to fight it out and the way it ends.

Aptly titled and well written with details, this book is sure to get you riveted to the last page. The way the book takes turns to reach into the mental realms of all the characters as they speak out their mind and sometimes something else being so graphically described takes you so much inside the forts and places that they walk and talk about.

You will feel the eerie sounds when you actually read through the pages and feel those moments along with the characters.

I loved the naming and the family tree part and its time I go back to the first two books to make it complete.

Its not just the war but what goes into the minds of each of the characters that’s the best part. I am sure the author has done a great deal of mind reading the characters and bringing them alive with such precision requires a tactful reading and delving deeper into the psyche and also the setting of the events that take place in the epic of all times.

I must mention that the author Krishna Udayasankar has taken us on a treacherous journey and the machinations of the characters. The portrayal of Govinda is an absolutely unravelling of the mystique behind his political wizardry is just an example.

I am sure this Mahabharata re-imagined and retold in many ways will be a game changer for many people to look at the epic and draw inspiration for retelling.

So if you come across this book take it and you will be happy that you did. You will watch the Mahabharata’s war stream live in front of you word by word.

A fast paced and yet a deep dive in great sense, this will leave you with scenes of the war right infront of your eyes. The narrative and graphic storytelling ability of the author will keep you awake to finish the book.

Personally I feel this riveting and fast paced a story telling of the Mahabharatha probably was destined.

Great writing, narrative, story telling all in a package that you will not skip a beat through the book.

For once apart from the Books Review category this forms a part of Politics in my blog!

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

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Book Reviews Books Reading / Read digital Internet Motivation Online e-Commerce Stories/storification

The Mouse Charmers – Digital Pioneers of India by Anuradha Goyal #Bookreview

the mouse charmers

A nice classic if I can call it for the start-up community and the entrepreneur in you. I know the author as the quintessential blogger and this is a nice compilation of the stories that have impacted our life.  With the impact of internet and the mobile only going to go higher in our lives we need to know these companies from the inside out. And this book achieves that.

The story and the narration of the companies and the business model and the technology being laid thread bare makes you appreciate the nuances with ease and may be kindle the entrepreneur in you.

After reading this I felt we need more stories like this should be introduced to the young people so they can take the risks and look at the entrepreneurial journey at an young age.

The author has taken the 3 Cs – Commerce, Content and Connectors as the theme and woven a nice story around the customer and the company in question. This will surely be an eyeopener for the readers in a way they are introduced to these companies.

She has got it with the three Cs. Obviously we have more players and I am sure the constraint in the space would be the reason for not getting others in here. Nevertheless it has achieved the purpose.

I would recommend this to any one who is thinking about entrepreneurship especially in the technology domain. Though the times and technologies have changed, the inherent spirit of the entrepreneur and the way he goes about will remain the same.

I am sure you would be able to find your calling or niche and also sometimes make judgement about your business plan when you read this book. You would easily find the answers at ease.

I don’t want to write in with each companies specified here but I am sure these will serve as lessons on both sides, success becuase they have and for us how not to do it.

One thing I must mention is that Indiblogger is also a part of this stories under the connectors. Thanks Indiblogger for sending in this book!

A nice read and highly recommended one at that – startups and those starting up, the time you invest here in this book will be doubly rewarded.

Senthilkumar

This is a part of Indiblogger Book Reviews

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Book Reviews Books Reading / Read

Girl from Fatehpur by Sarita Varma #bookreview

Girl from Fatehpur by Sarita Varma

This is a story of Sanjana fondly called as Sana hailing from Fatehpur a town in Uttar Pradesh, and thats where the title comes from. A very simply and well narrated story in the confines of her world, a bit of it from Mumbai and the days to her trip to her hometown Fatehpur for her cousins wedding, there is a lot of travelling with her in real as the author takes you around the Allahabad Maha Kumb and some drives during the big fat Indian Wedding.

This is a story of Sana, her childhood crush Rajan and her office colleague turned admirer Krish. The plot is a simple one in the sense leading to a love triangle, but the way the author has treated it from the perspective of Sanjana is excellent, the character who develops cold feet with her colleague and suddenly finds herself in a bubbly character after she meets her childhood crush and first time turned down love, Rajan.

There is a wedding that happens which only makes her get close to her heart throb, and the unexpected presence of Krish makes it a twist. She has to now be tight rope walk with two men vying for her attention in myriad ways they seem to suggest.

A forgetful incident later and back to Mumbai and her heart still longing to see her crush and her friend Zoya all make this novel a nice crisp one. So does she end up with her childhood crush or will she get on with her office knight in arms! Read it up to know what happens to Sana.

Loved the narrative and there is a rural charm to the characters and its quite easy on you and you could identify them easily around you. Its a fast read and it takes you on a easy ride, along with Sana, her friend Zoya, Krish and Rajan and hold your attention with their strenght and human weaknesses.

I sometimes think it was very short period in all, though we could have had a better glimpse of Rajan / Sana’s  past and ended too soon.

Sarita has a fine narrating style and takes you on a journey across the Maha Kumb and a portrayal of Sana that makes you sit through the pages in one shot. Its an easy read and concise read too.

My rating: 3.5 stars 

Senthilkumar Rajappan

Categories
Book Reviews Books Reading / Read Internet Management Online e-Commerce

Fraudster by R V Raman #bookreview

fraudster-400x400-imadxgqamnyax4hf

Publisher Hachette India
ISBN-10 9350098008
Imprint Hachette India
Book Type Fiction Book
Number of Pages 272 Pages
Publication Year 2014 July
Language English
ISBN-13 9789350098004
Binding Paperback

Absolutely a great financial thriller which goes with a a nice plot and gets to a very logical and befitting end. The author’s background in finance and his experience perhaps are key to the plot and he takes the readers on a roller coaster ride with the happenings and a wonderful Police Inspector in Ranade.

The story has all the detailing to make it a last page thriller and a page turner. The incidents are very well thought out and the pace at which it moves makes for a delightful read. There are no bumps and the characters are well etched out. Only feel that so many people have had to die. The technology angle is presented in a very easy way for the readers to understand and relate to. In a way the reader is equipped to see a lot of the happening around him though not in exact circumstances.

The characterization of Varsha stand out. I loved the part that a female character is central to the story. Especially the part that she can defend herself physically being a martial artisit in Karate. The story has the father daughter relationship well intertwined in the plot.

The plot with real estate and the benami cartel companies are a documentation in itself. There is a heady mix of corporate, fraud, political and police in a cocktail. I am sure makes for a nice movie in some time wont be surprised.

The way the perpetrators go about with easy calm demeanor is a highlight and keeps up the suspense till the end.

The author has taken minute details into account in weaving a nice thriller and keep you hooked till the end. Right from the start with the murder of the employee till the knot is untied its a racy story.

Some nice attempts like the sending of message from the mobile by a character are pretty small, but I think the ccharacterizationwas absolutely stunning.

A great work from an author who I believe will continue to churn out more novels and looking forward to many more titles from him. I am sure this would be one of the finest thrillers and would go to become a best seller.

My rating: 4/5 Fast read! 

“This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com“

Senthilkumar R

Categories
Book Reviews Books Reading / Read

Love lasts forever… only if you don’t marry your love by Vikrant Khanna #bookreview

lovelastsforever

 

 

Publisher Srishti Publishers & Distributors
ISBN-10 938266517X
Edition 1st
Book Type Fiction Book
Number of Pages 256 Pages
Publication Year 2014 June
Language English
ISBN-13 9789382665175
Binding Paperback

 

The book Love is forever only if you are not married by Vikrant Khanna is a nice attempt to portray how love life and married life are different for the characters in question. Perhaps all the movies should do a sequel to all the love stories that they show on screen with a ‘they lived happily ever after’, that would give a new twist to the song and dance sequence that we are subjected to.

The story set in a background of the seas and pirates and the story telling of the author and also the story of his boss the captain makes for an interesting read. There are two tracks to it and how an aged mentor would retell the story so that the people get the best advise or learn from his experience.

In a way that you come to think of it the before marriage and after marriage episodes reveal the sorry state of individualistic thinking or that of the man woman up manship in a marriage.

The story in the seas with a narration and flash back could have been a bit faster. The story in a story of the captain interspersed with the pirates wandering the ship which has been captured.

The story has all the cinematic visualisation of the pre marriage courtships and how it s all very happy and the world means to me things happen to the couple be it a simple walk down the beach or having an ice cream.

The concept of having space and getting adjusted to in a matrimonial home and more so after a courtship of seven long years I think they never spoke about the families they were going to deal with or never expected to share space with. It looked a little odd given that it was going to happen. Anyways to each his own and that’s how probably it was meant to be.

You will see how they change ways after knowing what is love and how they should have treated it.

There is a nice twist in the end though the Captain’s story was very sad and probably its nature’s way to punish true lovers.

Watch a video promo of the book here:

Read to know the end how they look at it and change the perspective of true love.

“This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program and Blog Tours.  To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com“

Get your copy here at Flipkart: http://www.flipkart.com/love-lasts-forever-only-if-you-don-t-marry-your-english/p/itmdw2qfemzfkd2r?pid=9789382665175

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Book Reviews Books Reading / Read Spirituality

7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik #bookreview

7-secrets-of-the-goddess

Publisher Westland
ISBN-10 9384030589
Edition 1st Edition
Book Type Non Fiction Book
Number of Pages 270 Pages
Publication Year 2014 October
Language English
ISBN-13 9789384030582
Binding Paperback

Once again the master mythologist, comes up with a great story telling with facts and illustrations that support every word that he writes on.

The third in the series of 7 secrets – of Vishnu, Siva and now the Goddess, the author takes us through the historical evidence that suggests how the society had turned itself from matriarchy to patriarchy.

Add to that the influence of islam and Christianity the need to be seen as a patriarchal in the context of subservient women characters and other factors when the invasion happened.

Perhaps it’s the keen eye to detail and the ardous task of seeking our definitive evidences which make Devdutt Pattanaik the man he is as he revels in his unravelling the myths and making meaning out of them.

The structure of the book and the layout should make it easy for the reader to assimilate each idea and also appreciate the way how things have turned around and the interpretations have started happening.

Quite a few times it is the story lost in translation and quite a few times its interpretation that mattered according to the context and the times they were in.

The way how the once fierce and independent womanhood has now given way to a submissive and more enslavend being is very well captured and the best part is all how they got into these submissive overtones simply because its in the nature of human beings to be seen as controlling rather than be the likes of animals which have just their wants and need fulfilled to the extent they are required not a penny more or a penny less in financial terms.

The journey into the grama devi concept is worth remembering since they give a nice understanding of folk way of celebrating womanhood and they are going strong day by day.

I think this was a long overdue in the way that he has put things in perspective the ideal situation of stories being a mirror to the context and how it has to be interpreted and how it has long lost it to chanting tradition and more so people just chanting them even without knowing their meaning.

Apart from that he also has taken on the Western philosophers for their very minimalistic view of the Hinduism that they talk of and never having tried to read the real meaning of the rituals and festivals.

A lot of specifics on the southern traditions being discussed is welcome addition and the Mahabharata character of Draupadi being accorded an Amman Devi status is an interesting one.

A must read for everyone interested to know the significance of Goddesses in the Hindu tradition. The many stories of Brahma not being accorded the temple status is a revealing one. The relationships with the trinity and the devis are a great read.

My only addition if I could suggest would have been the pointers  to look at the picture with a subscript when they are discussed in the opposite pages would have had a nice way to add to the flow, otherwise they pictures are read at my convenience and paragraph breaks.

As in all his works this will be read again and again for the insights that his subject revels on, and a one time reading of a topic is like the tip of an iceberg.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!