Book Review: Picture Imperfect and other Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries

 

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This is my first read of 2022 and penned by an Indian Author, Saradindu Bandyopadhyay. The original work has been in Bengali and the English Version is a translation by Sreejata Guha. Infact, one of the stories has been made into a movie featuring the late Sushant Singh Rajput.

Our protagonist is Bymokesh Bakshi who prefers to call himself the “The Inquistor” meaning seeker of truth rather than a detective. The Book has 7 short stories and each one of them revolves around a crime and how Byomkesh cleverly seeks out the truth.

The positive is that there are very good plots set against the early 1900s in Calcutta, Bengal. The crime is old but the modus operanda of each crime is succinctly intriguing and different. There are lot of similarities to the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot but honestly it is difficult not to be inspired. Fortunately, the characters have their own unique characteristics and hence although there is familiarity, it does not breed contempt. Also, Byomkesh Bakshi has a writer friend, Ajit Babu, who publishes Byomkesh’s Exploits in the newspapers. So you see, the author clearly has been inspired!.

The drawback is probably the language and the way the book is written. The flow of words does not sync in harmony and it seems to stop and start. Possibly, this is because it is a translation from a different language.

This is not an absolute must read .However, if you are keen to explore and taste the labyrinth of crime stories set against the Indian tapestry, it is definitely worth a go.

 

VERONIKA DECIDES TO DIE-BOOK REVIEW

                      

A review for this book was a challenging task. I say challenging because the scope of interpretation was wide and every time you reflect, one will discover a new meaning. Paulo Coelho is the author of this book. This literary genius is deeply philosophical and the story is a means of presenting his thoughts on life and its its intricate and delicate patterns.

As the title of the book states, it is about a girl who decides to commit suicide and what happens in the aftermath of this event. Veronica who decides to die has no mental health issues or any other problem. Her life is perfect and somehow, therein lies the crux of the dilemma. Apart from Veronica ,there are only a handful of characters and each of them have their own set of visions, ideals, problems and solutions. In fact, as each of them progress through the story, the authors provokes us to think outside the box, challenges our notions and even tries to unlock our own fears. In contrast to the rather turbulent beginning, the ending is happy and predictable but is just as subtly brave and adventurous.

To be honest, It can be a disturbing read as it questions our fundamental ideas about life, suicide and death, why we do what we do, explores our fears and can lay it bare if you are willing. There is a palpable anxiety created for which the author himself a solution and you would be genuinely surprised that it is something we all know but never pays attention to.

I was quite intrigued in the beginning, anxious as the pages turned but inspired at the end. The take home message from the book is to be cherished forever.I would not want to say it as it would be a unforgivable spoiler. To sum it up, it is a really good read and is ideal if you want a mental makeover and a reminder to how beautiful life can be if we are prepared to be a little mad or possibly madder! 

The code of the Woosters-A book review

 

Stories comes in all shapes and shades. I have always thought, be it stories, movies or an act, comedy is probably the most difficult to demonstrate. This story by P.G Wodehouse is one such comedy but beautifully told in the most amusing language and tone.

PG Wodehouse has written many books and is the master creator of fictional characters- Bertram Wooster and his Valet, Jeeves. Bertram Wooster is a wealthy man born to a famous and socially privileged family. With all his education, confidence and abilities, he constantly finds himself in a pickle. His valet ,on the other hand ,is a master brain who devises brilliant solutions to all the holes that his master lands in.

This particular book is about Mr Wooster’s troubles at Totleigh towers where he tries to fix broken relations ships, trying very hard not to steal antiques and helmets and in short wholeheartedly attempts to keep himself safe, yet it is hardly the outcome.

The humour is laced into words and lines which reveals itself only if you actually read and not skim through. It is difficult at first but once your teeth sinks, it is hilarious and throws you into fits of laughter.

The book is a gem as it is a unique take on comedy and the probably, the most wonderful aspect is, the more you read ,the more the love for it.

I can hear many asking what does the title mean!. Patience my comrades!, the pages shall reveal it all. I must say that the title is nothing to do with anything  over- the- moon magical or suspense. But yes, it has a place ,a significant one.

This book is not one for every one. If you like writings that are descriptive, funny and wordy ,you will definitely enjoy. Having said that,you never know unless you give it a try. Who can say what you might discover. Take a peek, live dangerously! 

Purple Hibiscus-A book Review

 

Purple Hibiscus is the very first book of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and was short listed for the Orange Prize. Before, we delve into the multifaceted angles of the book, knowing the Author is a must. She is a Nigerian  and has over the years became a prolific writer and spokesperson for women.

Purple Hibiscus is a testament to her profound ability to describe people and their lives encompassing all its complexities and layers in the most simplest language yet all the while, leaving an indefinable impression on the reader. From page one, till the last word, the pace of the events stays the same but the lows, highs and the turns are felt as intensely as a ruthlessly done ,edge of the seat suspense thriller or a heart breaking tragedy.

Our protagonist is a young school girl  and  the story unravels through her thoughts, actions and interactions. It happens against the backdrop of Nigeria as it goes through civil unrest and  the culture and life of Nigerians permeates stealthily and slowly across the tale. She lives with her family with all the luxuries one could think of. Her Father, who is a  rich and well respected Catholic Priest  is a tyrant at  home and  mercilessly imposes religious ideals on his wife and kids. Her mother is an epitome of love, tolerance and deeply entrenched in the belief systems  that society had created for her. Then there is her brother who is strong, loyal yet there is a storm raging in his heart and head. But our protagonist is silence personified. The book is full of her thoughts and she actually says very few lines which is very unusual considering she is the central character. Their lives goes through unimaginable changes after a short vacation with their cousins. The transformation does not hit you like a tornado but the effects are unmistakable.

The other aspect of the book is it shows how blindly following beliefs can actually do more harm than good. It justifies faith over religious practices and life's worthiness measured in laughter, togetherness and freedom from fear.

The brilliance of the book, i think, is the way it is written that can make you cry, tense, happy and fearful without you knowing it. As you move through events, you learn more about the characters and their changes. It is relatable to a common person because she appeals to people basic desires and interests. The yearning to experience freedom ,respect, joy is universal and that is the crux of it all.

This book is an intense but a beautiful read. Every page is special ,even the title is, as hibiscuses are rarely purple but the reason behind it is symbolic to the depth and range of this book.

Enjoy the read!

 

When Breath Becomes Air-A book review

 I had finally read this book  after a wanting to do so for a really  long time. After a huge hiatus of not reading (!!!) for around 3-4 years, i  finally, after a new year resolution, brought back my reading habit into action last year. This book took a prestige place in my reading list for this year.

It is a very thought provoking autobiography. The author is Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon in residency who sadly dies after succumbing to metastatic lung cancer at age of 37.The book has additions from his friend and his wife as well. This is a life story from  childhood to his death. The picture develops of an young, ambitious, brilliant mind  who throughout his life and career seeks to find answers to questions of identity, life and death. He narrates his experiences as a doctor through its layers of professional, medical and ethical dilemmas. Never does he shy away from voicing the truth or self criticism. At the end, he confronts death in the most honest and graceful manner. The decisions he takes as a husband and doctor is nothing short of absolute grit and fills you with a deep sense of admiration. He writes this book in the last few months of his life and is testament to his resolve in "living until death".

He is an eloquent writer and there is a real expectation to think between the lines. He weaves philosophy into the day to day human life. In short, he creates an undercurrent of value and meaning to the simple things we do in life.

Personally, the questions and answers the book presents demands you to think and rethink one's actions and thoughts. More so as a doctor, it invites to pause and consider our attitudes towards patients and to consider how intricate and sensitive these relationships actually are!. At the end of the day, I truly believe, his words and actions ,if one is willing, can make you a better person.

The book is definitely for a read especially for healthcare professionals and those who aspire to be one. The time that you spent will be worth as you feel a great sense of pride for knowing a fellow human being as wonderful and remarkable as he was.

Imprisoned

Words or knives, the decision too eloquent

Behold the former as nothing too subtle but powerful

 Brimming yet  aloof  akin the glances of a lover ,silent.

A gaziilion thoughts,

A pandemonium of emotions,

A treasure chest of experience,

Screaming, raging and imploding,

To break free and to flight,

 Alas, chains Imprisoned!

Links of doubt,

Links of imperfection,

Links of rejection,

Bind thee, thou and them forever.

Need a nod, Need a pat, Need a helping hand,

For words to flow and leave footprints on sand.

For generations to  Lead and Inspire.

Words or knives, decision eloquent

Befriend the former and from here the tomorrow is born.

A book review-A thousand splendid suns.

 A Thousand Splendid Suns

This is my second read of the year. "A thousand splendid suns" is a beautiful book that is an amalgamation of genres from across the spectrum. It has friendship, love, tragedy, comedy, suspense, strife, cruelty and satire .It relates the life of 2 women and how their friendship and love for each other triumphs over their fears. They are 2 different people in nature, childhood, background, but bond together to live a life and death. Yet both possess a determination and strength of character that surfaces though their tolerance to suffering and revolt. At the end of it all, one feels deep sense of empathy and admiration for them.

The story is set on the background of a war stricken Afghanistan as one regime over another crushes a great nation to an abyss of poverty, destruction and the subjugation of people especially its women. Many of the events in this book, in all probability, is something we have heard of or read about in the comforts and protection of our homes. As the Journey unfolds, it makes you laugh, cry and seethe with anger. The author makes no judgment calls about how women are treated under the mirage of traditions and beliefs but his opinion  is sublime and is hidden behind the satire weaved into the lines.

It's a wonder, almost unbelievable that these women who do nothing but care, love and protect their people get the most cruel treatment in forms of oppression, beatings and ostracisation. This is the grand irony that i felt and troubles me even after i shut the book since a week ago.

The book in its prose and presentation is not as eloquent as "The Kite runner", Mr Hosseini's first book but somehow, the characters in this book are  so real that i am raptured to say the least.