This is going to be a really short post but wanted to review this book simply because it is a 'hatke' book on a topic which we Indians talk about only in a hush hush, conspiratorial way. This is a book of short stories that are erotic in nature with the undercurrent of carnality.
A book review blog that aims to reach out to the average reader and book lover. If you feel strongly about a book you've read and would like to review it, write in to us and we will put your review up on this blog.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Review: Slither
This is going to be a really short post but wanted to review this book simply because it is a 'hatke' book on a topic which we Indians talk about only in a hush hush, conspiratorial way. This is a book of short stories that are erotic in nature with the undercurrent of carnality.
Review: Priya In Incredible Indyaa
Priya In Incredible Indyaa is a book I had read sometime back and absolutely loved. In this book author Namita Gokhale brings back some unforgettable characters from her 1984 cult bestseller Paro. So here’s a brief background of her book Paro - The book is in Priya’s voice, her narrative. Priya starts with an adolescent crush for her boss, the great B.R. He is also attracted to her leading to a brief fling, but within a month, B.R. marries Paro who is a from Delhi and for Priya someone who is larger than life. Priya herself gets married to a small time lawyer from Delhi, Suresh.The two of them try to network with ‘important’ people and make themselves known in ‘VIP circles’ for that Suresh is willing to bend himself backwards for any VIP. Soon enough Paro hits Delhi and Suresh get close since one of his friend Avinendra, or Lenin as he is known to friends, is besotted by her. At the same time Priya on a holiday to Bombay ends up having a fling with BR again leading to lots of fights between the couples. This must have been an explosive book in the 80s for sure!
So Priya returns in the second book, 25 years hence Paro is dead and Priya has grown into a middle-aged woman, her husband, Suresh, has bagged a minister of state portfolio. We see Priya struggling with Delhi's high society, her approaching menopause and finding a suitable wife each for her twins. She is still very much in touch with BR and whenever she is in Bombay makes it a point to meet him for a rendezvous. At the same time she is also struggling with all the pretenses that come along with being a wife of a public figure. She keeps remembering her humble beginnings in Bombay in a 1BHK and where she is now. At times she finds herself an outsider trying to fit in to the chic social set. Out of all the roles she plays she is the happiest being a mother to her two sons Luv and Kush.
Suresh’s friend, Lenin is around and still a Marxist while his wife Geeta is also a powerhouse in the Indian government. They have a daughter Paromita who falls in love with Priya’s son Luv. Also in the picture is the extremely loud spoken, ambitious, pushy Poonam who absolutely has no compunctions in hooking up with anyone in power to climb up the social ladder.
All in all gives the reader a glimpse into the high society life in Delhi-the hypocrisy of it all, the fake laughter, the shallow friendships, selfish alliances, double speak. The book is extremely well paced, funny, sarcastic, and witty at the same time. A satirical look at how the country has progressed not just economically but socially too.
A must read book.
Review: Fault Lines: Shortlisted for English Non-Fiction
We had reviewed the book and put it in our must read list. Happy to note that it makes it in the Vodafone Crossword shortlist for English Non-Fiction. Here's our review:
Friday, August 12, 2011
Review: The Crimson Throne: Shortlisted for English Fiction
This is our review of Sudhir Kakar's 'The Crimson Throne' The book has been shortlisted in the English Fiction category for Vodafone Crossword Awards 2010.
'The Crimson Throne is a book which you look at, and think that ,it is yet another attempt, to understand the dynamics of Mughal era but then you read the story synopsis which begins with these lines ‘Emperor Shah Jahan’s pleasures of the flesh to divert himself from the travails of old age…’ and you are instantly interested in knowing more! This book definitely does not disappoint. An excellent account of the life and times of the period.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Review: Saraswati Park:Shortlisted for English Fiction
We had reviewed Anjali Joseph's debut book Saraswati Park, re-posting it again as the book is on Vodafone Crossword's shortlist for English Fiction. Many congratulations Anjali! Hope to read many more books authored by you.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Vodafone Crossword Book Awards 2010
Hurrah it is that time of the year again where we celebrate our Indian writers and their work. So the shortlisted books for the Vodafone Crossword Awards have been announced. Lots of interesting books were published in 2010 and it must have indeed been a difficult task for the jury to shortlist the books for this year's awards!
We are happy to announce that our blog would be carrying updates, reviews , interviews of authors who have made it in the Vodafone Crossword's shortlist.
We are certain you would all be familiar with these awards that take place every year to recognize our very own desi writers? Here's a small brief about what the awards are all about
http://www.crossword.in/vodafone-books-award-html/vcba_shortlist_2010
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Femina Blogger Bee for Books all this month!
We take great pride in announcing that our blog has been selected by Femina as Blogger Bee for Books. An honour really. Here is the Blogger bee link http://www.facebook.com/feminawoman?sk=app_238672482832803
Do you know how it feels when something/someone you have loved and looked up to ends up acknowledging you for your efforts? That is exactly how I felt when I saw my name up there on the Femina FB page. A very happy feeling also very humbled.
Femina has been a part of my life for years now. My style guide, health guide, relationship guide all rolled into one.
When I started this blog the idea was to share my thoughts on books ,to talk about whatever I had read and give my review as any average reader would want to read a review..
It is amazing how the blog has grown thanks to the encouraging comments and feedback we have received from our readers. Thank you so much to all our readers, the blog is what it is today because of your unstinting support.
Femina, thank you, for selecting the blog as part of your 'For all the Women you are' campaign
And last but not the least - proud to be a Femina Woman :)
Priyanka
And here is more about Femina's new campaign
With "For all the women you are" Femina's new brand campaign, we have chosen to put the spotlight on the modern Indian woman's expanding roles & changing equations at her Home, Workplace, Social space, Personal life & the Online space.
She is the Princess of all things -Shoes, She is Nobody's fool, She is the Wizard of Odds, She is the FeminaWoman!
Here's a video shot by Anurag Basu, featuring Kalki Koechlin celebrating the relaunch campaign.
http://www.facebook.com/