Juhi
Contains spoilers
I have mixed opinions about this book.
I was never a fan of Pip. She is the most annoying protagonist I have read in some time now. I still tried my best to understand her, and sometimes admired her for some of her nicer qualities. But this book was the last straw. It made her turn from annoying to straight away hateful. I understand she is suffering from PTSD after the events of the last book. But she felt so out of character in this book that it is ridiculous! Taking drugs? Committing murder? Framing someone else for murder? The pip who is portrayed as a goddess of justice, trying to exonerate the innocent, and fighting against injustice is suddenly not only taking the law into her own hands, but also trying to frame someone else for the acts she committed? I get that we hate Max Hastings, and that he deserved to be in jail - but not for the crime he never committed.
The book started off a little different than the other two, but I persevered because I thought it will catch on eventually. And for a while it did. The first half was still as good as the other two books. But the plot twist at the halfway point was what ruined this series completely for me. Everything that follows after Pip murders Jason Bell is not only highly unrealistic, and improbable in real life, but also completely alters the characters' whole personality and belief systems. Not to mention, it is highly predictable. We all know Pip is going to get away with it. We all know Max Hastings will be punished for a murder he didn't commit. But we are still forced to read 200 pages just to read the conclusion we always knew! Not only was it terribly boring to read, but actually made me physically nauseous. And by the end, I just couldn't care anymore. I was so used to Pip making one sided, extreme decisions and plans, that I could not care when she decides to cut off from EVERYONE until the trial. How ridiculous is that? Wasn't her cutting off more suspicious than her keeping in contact?
Overall, I don't think this book did justice to the series we had all grown fond of. And I wish I could un-read the 2nd half somehow.
This book is different from the other Hercule Poirot mysteries I've read so far due to 3 reasons:
1. There is no Hastings
2. Hercule Poirot does not properly come into the picture until well after 100 pages
3. The bulk of the investigation or questioning suspects falls on the other 3 characters instead of Poirot
Initially, I felt pretty bored in the first half of the book since the other characters did not possess the method with which Poirot investigates and questions. Also, I terribly missed Hasting's narration style and remarks throughout the story. But as it progressed, and as Poirot took the centre stage again, my interest piqued. Of course, the ending was nothing short of what you would expect out of a Agatha Christie book! Absolute thrillfest; and indeed an interesting motive this time.
Plainly put, this is a story of a woman being stalked - told from the stalker's perspective. The narrator follows around the Woman in the Purple Skirt, often recording her whereabouts and routines in her diary, and subtly manipulating her life by leaving behind shampoo samples or magazines with jobs ads encircled with a pen.
I won't lie - the premise was intriguing; and although the whole stalking bit was quite unsettling, it had a degree hilarity and absurdity which made reading the book enjoyable. The book explores the themes of loneliness, and the desire to be seen as is evident from the narrator's intense obsession with the Woman in the Purple Skirt, who she believes to be someone known to everyone, as opposed to herself, who is always in the shadows. The book also explores the theme of power dynamics and politics at play in the workplace, where envy and gossip can often led to adverse consequences, and it also throws light on the plight faced by single woman in the workplace, often manipulated and besmirched by those in power.
While I don't deny the entertainment value, and fast paced nature of the book, I still feel the ending was a little too abrupt. I still have questions I think the author should've answered. And the themes, although interesting, were only superficially explored through the storyline.
3.5 stars
“This is a story of a monster meeting another monster. One of the monsters is me.”
Almond is a book about Yunjae, a boy who cannot identify, express, or experience emotions due to a condition called Alexithymia, and Gon, a child in conflict with the law - both of whom are called “monsters” by those around them for different reasons.
Narrated in first person by Yunjae, the book starts off with a dark tone that immediately hooks you to the story, and progresses beautifully as Yunjae struggles to understand the complexities of human behaviour and emotions, and how to be “normal” or “ordinary” in a world that doesn't accept someone who is different.
Gon, on the other hand presents a stark contrast to Yunjae, as someone who is emotionally volatile, troubled, and greatly misunderstood by all around him. The budding friendship and conversations between the two are a treat to read.
Although, I absolutely love the concept, I'm conflicted whether I really like this book. Perhaps, the ending was a little too optimistic for my taste. “And I truly believe the heart can prevail over the brain” - um, no, sorry, it cannot. While I understand that the author was probably trying to show that human beings are capable of change and reformation, and that love can change everything, I think the whole point of neurodivergence affecting a person's ability to fit into the neurotypical society gets lost somewhere in all the emotional gushiness. I suppose perspective plays a role here.
All in all, still worth the read!
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is everything but what the title says. A 25 year old female protagonist, going through a terrible breakup, moves into her uncle's second hand bookstore and has a “seemingly” life altering experience in the first half. The second half completely revolves around why her aunt left her uncle 5 years ago without so much as a word. Do we care? I don't.
The characters are flat, dull, boring, and lack any depth. The interactions between the characters are boring, and dry. The author tries real hard to put an emotional spin to the whole thing, but honestly, it was really hard to care. The writing is overly simplistic, immature, and the narrative style was so boring, I actually fell asleep twice while reading this book. At some point, it starts to read as a teenager's journal entry, than a novel.
I really wanted to like it. I really did want to like it. I thought this will be my perfect cozy read in between other ‘heavier' works. But it just did not do it for me this time. I just do not see the appeal of this book.
Why 2 stars? Well, the cover is gorgeous! But please, do not judge this book by it's cover!
2.5 stars
This book is a collection of short stories from Sudha Murthy's life. Some of them are inspirational, while some are downright boring and dry; some are humbling, while towards the end it becomes quite braggy. All in all I have mixed feelings about this book. I don't hate it but I don't love it either.
Jane Eyre is the story of an orphan girl, a supposedly feminist character, trying to find love, independence, and self identity. Throughout her childhood, Jane endures struggles, humiliation, and loneliness through sheer will power and strength. As an adult, she faces moral dilemmas, and continues to make difficult choices.
Whether Jane is a feminist heroine or not is debatable. The independent spirit, indomitable character, and courage to speak her mind, coupled with her strong moral compass that helps her make “morally upright” decisions without being influenced by societal circumstances or expectations would make her an arguably strong classic feminist icon in the 19th century. However, her lack of ambition, happiness in confining to gender roles, lack of anger against the injustices of the male protagonist, and ultimate decisions - which inevitably lead her to live a very conventional life would go against the very principles of what modern feminists view as women empowerment.
I, for one, think Jane is a feminist heroine for her times. Afterall, what is feminism but the freedom and the ability to make your own choices in life? Throughout the book, Jane chooses what she wants without being influenced by the people, particularly the males around her. Whether we accept her choices as feminist or not can be debatable, but the mere fact that she makes those choices is what makes her a true feminist.
In terms of morality, the book poses interesting questions. The most important question is the morality of choosing what you love and desire versus what is actually right or wrong as per your principles. This moral dilemma often presents itself in every individual's life at some point or the other, and the way you deal with it decides your morality. Another important question is the role of society in determining your morals. How does social class and societal expectations determine what is moral or immoral for you? Lastly, does an act which was initially immoral become moral due to mere change in circumstances? I think the book beautifully explores these questions.
Ultimately, I think Jane Eyre is a beautifully written book with moral dilemmas, a complex array of questionable characters, an unpredictable storyline, gothic elements, and Jane's indomitable and free spirit. The only turn off was that the book was excessively religious at places, and sometimes morally preachy. However, it doesn't take away from the otherwise enjoyable experience of reading it!
3.5 stars
“...when you cannot force the world to come to its senses, you must settle only for wiping away some of the small evils in front of you.”
This was a pretty cozy and warm read in this gloomy, dark, and rainy weather. The writing was decent, and the characters were likable. There was a certain cuteness in the exchanges between the main characters, which was quite enjoyable to read. From the starting of the book, I was hooked by the story, and flipped through the pages with a rapidity that would put the fastest locomotives to shame. I came to love Dora and Elias and their adorable banter, and kept craving for more of it. As expected, everything works out at the end in this warm, feel-good, heart touching romantic fantasy set in the regency era. Unlike most of fantasy romances, the book goes above and beyond to shed light into the English society of that period, and the plight of the poor, orphaned, and homeless. In fact, the obsession of the protagonists with the conditions of the people in the workhouses forms a central part of the novel.
If not for certain things, I am sure to have rated the book 4 or even 4.5 stars.
The entire premise revolves around the fact that Dora, the protagonist only has half a soul, and as a result cannot feel certain emotions like fear, surprise, embarrassment, etc in a way a human being with a full soul may feel them. Despite this, I felt there was a certain contradiction to this basic premise as the writing progresses. For example, initially it is explained how Dora does not feel startled even when someone addresses her from behind suddenly. However, later in the book, at some point she is startled by something similar. Also, the whole thing about her not being able to feel properly, and yet at places feeling things leave the entire premise sort of hazy and ill thought. Personally, the ending also felt slightly disappointing. I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but it was not what it turned out to be. At the very least, I expected more clarification on the background about how Dora came to lose half of her soul, or even how her belated mother came into contact with the faerie lord who took her soul. Lastly, at times it feels like the author is overdoing the anger the protagonists feel towards poverty and injustice in the society.
At any rate, keeping aside the things mentioned above, there is no denying that overall the book was enjoyable to read, and I do not regret reading it even a bit. In fact, I may even venture to try the other two novels in the trilogy at some point in my life!
“If my view of the world disappears, then everything I see disappears too”
It is brutal living in a world that values you only for your usefulness to the society. But what about those who are forced by circumstances to lead an existence that is not inherently useful to the society? The author executes the idea beautifully through the lens of an ex-convict, an elderly woman with a troubled life, and a lonely teenage girl. Just like Sentaro never imagined he would work in a dorayaki shop; how many of us are not stuck doing things we never thought we would because of circumstances we did not forsee? Amongst the all the ups, and downs in life, there is always a point where we wonder whether our live has any meaning or whether it is worth living at all. The book tells us - it is. Just our existence makes the world what it is. If we never existed, the world as we see it would not exist. I think it's a beautiful idea. And I loved the way the author delivered the message through the story.
The writing is simple and lucid, yet powerful in invoking sentiments that are generally deep buried. It makes you think, and question, and forces you to evaluate the merit in notions the society has about certain people, or categories of people; the prejudices that we blindly hold, or the social stigmas that make life difficult for the people against whom they are held. As sweet as the name is, the book is even sweeter. It makes for a perfect breezy read, and definitely helped me out of my reading slump!
Before I started the book, I read a lot of good reviews, and expected it to be the one that would finally be my first 5 star book of 2024.
However, I was soon disappointed. While writing an entire book in second person narrative sounds like a novel idea, it just did not click with me. The writing felt pretentious, whiny, and overly dramatic for the most part. The characters in the book feel less like characters, and more like sketches and outlines of some vague idea of a character. The second person narrative did not make me feel connected and engaged to the story or the thoughts of the narrator. Instead, it got tiring to read very quickly. At one point, I was dragging myself through the pages just to get something good out of the book by the end.
While I appreciate the theme and the message that the author was trying to convey, I believe it would have been better received if he had told it through the story of the characters. The message seems forced through repeatedly writing scenarios evoking visual imageries that add no value to the story, but just act as sympathy gainers.
The premise was fun, but the writing was so poor.
The main character was simply too bland. There was nothing that evoked any sense of sympathy for her. The first few pages that introduces the readers to her life sound like a teenager whining, even though the protagonist is supposed to be 35 years old.
The ending was also highly predictable. At places, it felt like the author is just stating the obvious for no apparent reason. It feels like the message is being forced down your throat.
The only reason I'm rating it 3 stars is for the idea, and the fact that i could complete it in one sitting without wasting my time.
I've mixed feelings. I know this is supposed to be the best Dan Brown book, but somehow it felt like the worst out of the few I've read. I mean I don't hate it. It was a decent read. I had a hard time putting it down because the writing was engaging, and the historical facts seem to be well researched. The plot is decent, and progresses at a good pace.
But I've too many questions. Why was Fache such a central character when he had no major role in the climax? Why was Fache so good to Bishop Aringarosa? What exactly was their relationship? This remains completely unanswered.
Moreover, I had pretty much guessed that Sophie is a descendant of Mary Magdalene and Jesus Christ long back. But in between there is a scene where the characters at length discuss why she cannot be a descendant just because her surname is different. I mean anyone with common sense can infer that the descendants, if any, would've long back changed their names and gone into hiding, considering they pretty much reveal the truth about Mary Magdalene and would have been constantly threatened by those on the other side?
Coming to the climax, it made absolutely no sense, and seemed like a hasty last minute decision because the author couldn't come up with anything better.
As someone who read the books after watching the movies, I completely devoured each and every Harry Potter book, taking in the details the movies so conveniently left out. In my excitement and emotions to read everything “Harry Potter”, I completely ignored the numerous warnings by my friends to not read this one.
I am not saying it was disappointing because that would be an understatement! This book was completely berserk, to put it mildly. I cannot, for even a second, believe that the same author who wrote the 7 Harry Potter books also wrote this one. It feels like a fan fiction written by a teenager. For starters, there is unnecessary drama, extremely high emotions, the writing is all off. It just gets worse as you progress through the story.
If I started listing everything wrong with the book, it will take me ages and a series of my own to complete this review, but here is a hint of why this book is everything that should not exist -
1. The book is less “magical” and more science fiction for the most part. The entire premise is based on changing the past to bring Cedric Diggory back, and ending up bringing Voldemort back instead, which on the face of it itself is quite stupid, to say the least.
2. The characters are so not themselves. For instance, Harry is an extremely bad father from what I could guess, and that does not sound like Harry at all. At few points he is even rude to McGonagall and Ginny without any justification. Ron is bumbling baboon and a complete and utterly useless idiot. Hermione, in one timeline (yes, there are different timelines) becomes DADA professor instead of Minister for Magic, and is rude, unfair, bitter, and “too eager” to take points from Gryffindor (a house she LOVED).
2. Albus is a spoilt brat. James and Lily (Harry and Ginny's other two kids) have absolutely no role after the first few pages. Rose (Ron and Hermione's daughter) only appears for namesake in few parts, and even ceases to exist in two timelines. Hugo Weasley and Ted Lupin are not so much as mentioned even once.
3. Draco has different sob story. He is suddenly better than Harry (physically, emotionally, as a father, as a person, as a reasonable prudent man). While this itself is hard to digest, he also falls in love with a woman who dies soon after the first few pages, and we never know exactly who she is. Draco has a son - who is funnily enough named Scorpius and who happens to become “best friends” with Albus daughter.
4. Scorpius, who otherwise is a good character, is rumored to be son of Voldemort. And if this doesn't sound bad enough, get this - the exact rumor is that Draco and his wife could not conceive so a time turner was used to send her back and conceive with Voldemort!!!! Who even thinks up this stuff?????? I was genuinely concerned about JKR's sanity at this point.
5. Now Scorpius is only rumored to be Voldemort's son, but guess what? We discover Voldemort actually has a daughter!!! And she is trying to change the past with Albus and Scorpius to bring Voldemort back, and now everyone - Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Draco are trying to prevent her from doing so. I gave up here.
The only positives? Well, there are none. But you could say it was good to see Snape alive in the timeline where Voldemort still exists, and the fact that he was still trying to secretly fight him along with an underground Hermione and Ron, years after Harry died. But the timeline was still ruined because suddenly Cedric Diggory (the most pure hearted boy) is a DEATH EATER!!!!!
Anyway, I do not completely regret reading the book because it gives me a sense of closure. I admit I even got extremely emotional at some points - Snape talking to Scorpius, and Harry talking to Dumbledore's painting, or future Harry seeing his parents being killed all over again.
However, everything aside, I cannot accept this book as part of the series. It just won't do. The author who gave us the previous 7 masterpieces cannot create this.
This was one hell of a weird book from beginning till end. I wonder if it was Agatha Christie who wrote it, or it's one big conspiracy to name her the author of this weird, un-poirot-y, un-agatha book. For starters, the character of Poirot was so off the whole time. Instead of the Poirot, who's known to use his “grey cells” to solve murder mysteries, the Poirot in this book was off fighting and using bombs, and what not to defeat some weird secret organization. It felt like Christie wrote random short stories, and then created some fantastic organization of 4 to thread the stories together, and convert it into a book? Don't even get me started on the climax and the ending where she keeps you wondering if the number 4 is even dead. Was she trying to keep his demise doubtful to bring him in some future novel and kill off Poirot. Now I've not read the last Poirot novel yet, so I'm just left wondering..hmm.
So anyway, the book in short:
1. Poirot calling himself a “triple imbecile” whatever that means.
2. Hastings losing consciousness now and again.
3. Number 4 appearing in each chapter as a new character.
I must say I lost a considerable amount of respect for Agatha Christie after this novel :(
“For every story we hear, there is another side that may be as equally, subjectively true.”
Set in the 1800s in Iceland, the book tells a story of a woman condemned to die for committing the murder of two males. While throughout history, she has been labelled as a cold blooded witch, who planned & murdered two people, the author tries to bring out the narrative of the story from the accused woman's point of view.
History is not infallible, and any narration that is built suffers from inevitable human bias. This being the basic premise, the author never claims to be representing the “correct” story, because when it comes to history, truth in itself is subjective. That being said, I believe the book does justice to the story or the version of it that it tries to bring forth. It evokes just the right amount of sympathy for the accused, while at the same time keeping it open to delibrate the “guilt” of the accused. It also makes you think about the “justice” or “fairness” of death penalty by bring out the thoughts of a person on a death sentence, waiting for execution.
At the end, I couldn't help but question historical representations, and narratives we've been hearing since childhood. While the most popular versions have been accepted as “true”, isn't there still an iota of doubt that history has been corrupted by the bias, prejudices, human selfishness, and prevailing ideologies of the time, and we can never truly know what is true?
Personally, Manto has always been a fascinating author. The first time I was introduced to him was by a senior in a book club meeting in 1st year. In the same year, I happened to watch his biography. Manto was but another person deeply affected and afflicted by the horrible events that followed India's independence and it's partition. The relationship between Manto and Mumbai was unparalleled. Even after being forced to move to Pakistan, he missed and wondered about the city. In Pakistan, Manto drowned himself in alcohol, and perhaps produced some of his greatest work, even if it was but a means to find a way around the poverty prevelant in his new country, which perhaps never felt his own to him.
The book contains 50 sketches and stories of partition by Manto. Most of these he wrote sitting in dimly lit, smelly agencies and offices, in the hopes of earning enough to buy another day of alcohol to drown his sorrows. However, the pain he felt, and the intensity of his emotions are greatly reflected in his stories. The horrifying acts committed by humans against humans that Manto witnessed all around him are presented in a lucid language, with often a great impact towards the climax. Manto, like he is expected, doesn't shy away from telling us the true picture. He never cared about the numerous suits against him for indecency and obscenity, and the same attitude is somewhat reflected in his writings contained in the book.
The book left me with a heavy heart, and with the horrific realisation that hate is the most unifying thing in the universe, and humans are the most inhumane creatures on this planet.
“Past is anything but bygone”.
Only few know the struggles I had with this book since the last one month. Sure, it started off slow; sure, I had to push through it reluctantly for days; sure, I reissued it maybe 5-6 times; but I cannot hate it anymore now that I've finally completed it.
I love how the the book has predominantly female characters, each with a distinct and quirky personality. I love how their stories intermingle in a painfully striking manner. The book doesn't hit you until you've reached the end. But when it does, you're left with a plethora of thoughts.
The best part about the book is that it made me feel deeply connected to a place I've never visited. But then that's what books do, i suppose - take you to places you've never been and make you yearn for them. On many levels, Istanbul (or Turkey) felt like India - similar family values, rich cuisine, rich heritage, culture and a painful past - delibrately erased, slowly forgotten, but ever present ghost of the past.
Still debating whether it's best to forget what happened, to erase it completely, to have no knowledge of it, or to remember it each daily, to have full knowledge, and re-live the pain or the guilt of the past. Is it better to be ignorant and blissful or knowledgeable and ever suffering?
“Past is anything but bygone”. Only few know the struggles I had with this book since the last one month. Sure, it started off slow; sure, I had to push through it reluctantly for days; sure, I reissued it maybe 5-6 times; but I cannot hate it anymore now that I've finally completed it. I love how the the book has predominantly female characters, each with a distinct and quirky personality. I love how their stories intermingle in a painfully striking manner. The book doesn't hit you until you've reached the end. But when it does, you're left with a plethora of thoughts. The best part about the book is that it made me feel deeply connected to a place I've never visited. But then that's what books do, i suppose - take you to places you've never been and make you yearn for them. On many levels, Istanbul (or Turkey) felt like India - similar family values, rich cuisine, rich heritage, culture and a painful past - deliberately erased, slowly forgotten, but ever present ghost of the past. Still debating whether it's best to forget what happened, to erase it completely, to have no knowledge of it, or to remember it each daily, to have full knowledge, and re-live the pain or the guilt of the past. Is it better to be ignorant and blissful or knowledgeable and ever suffering?
“I am fearful of writing about humans; even more fearful of writing about gods...All right, then, let me write about animals...It is forbidden to write about cows or pigs...Goats are problem free, harmless, and above all energetic. Therefore, I chose to write about goats”
Even when I read these lines in the preface of the book, I knew what was to come ahead was a masterful writer, with a deep imagination. Poonachi, for me, was not just a goat, but a reflection of all the human instincts and feelings I've felt as part of growing up. The feminine character of the goat, and the hardships faced by her in a world dominated by humans who both love her, and hurt her strongly mirrors the turbulations, pains, and sufferings of females in the society. The author's satire in unlikely places, challenging the power structure, heirarchies, inequalities, and power abuse makes this book a strong political allegory for the modern times.
Felt slow in the beginning, but I realised it's part of the author's writing style, and the book doesn't lose out on the final message at all.
4.5 stars.
Although I absolutely loved the book and enjoyed reading every bit of it, the climax left me a little disappointed.
For starters, the book became too descriptive towards the end, and seemed to stretch out unnecessarily. The divine ramblings of the camerlengo was frustrating and it could've been cut into half easily.
The writing apart, I believe I would've liked the book more if they had decided to reveal the truth to the world at the end. Truth supercedes faith, and more than trying to preserve a faith built on lies and deceit, the people deserved to know the raw truth.
Wow. Just wow. I've never seen a more honest portrayal of what it means to be a female. It's been years since this book was written, but everything in it stays relevant to this day. What started off as a leisurely read turned out to be one of best feminist literature I've read. There is something saddening and bitter about the brutal honesty of Alice Walker, but that is what makes this book one of a kind. This feels like one of those books that leaves an indelible impact on your life, that touches not just the heart, but also the soul.
Saysha is found dead in her apartment. Her husband, Jai, is the prime suspect in the case. Saysha's long time best friend and criminal lawyer, Naseen, is the only one who believes in his innocence and is ready to do anything to prove it to the world. Written from multiple point of views, the book explores the themes of love, family, friendship, and mental health.
The story starts off pretty slow and is initially confusing as the reader is introduced to the lives of each narrator in the book. It picks up speed slowly after Saysha is found dead and the lives of all the narrators gets interwined through this incident. After the first half, the story gets gripping as the drama unholds and the truth is finally revealed.
I specially liked the ending. It was unpredictable and fresh. While the book elaborately discusses love, marriage, family, and friendship, I believe the much subtle theme of mental health is what makes this book unique. At the same time, the book also points out to the pressure faced by women in a patriarchal system, and how their voices are curbed and buried 6 feets deep into the earth.
The only issue was the book was boring and bland in the first half and one has to push through it to get to the interesting parts. Further, I could not really connect with any of the characters, probably because there wasn't much character development. The switching between the years at the beginning of the book didn't help either since it made it even more confusing to read.
Overall, it is worth a shot, thanks to the brilliantly written ending and the second half of the book. Considering it was a debut book, the author did a commendable job in engaging the reader and keeping them on the edge of their seats (or bed, in my case).