Clear line of fire by Badrinath Nuggehalli

Mandar's book review (24th April 2014)

Completed reading "Clear line of fire", debut novel of Badrinath Nuggehalli. This book is published by Rupa and has 232 pages.

Czech republic has an agreement to provide Howitzer guns to India. America leans on Russia (after the break up of USSR) and Russia leans on Czech republic to cancel the deal.

There is no gun better suited for mountain terrain as it can fire from steep slopes. Uzbekistan has the technology to make the gun but does not have the requisite software (Fire control unit - FCU). A niche Indian software company headed by Satyan Sharma can develop the technology. Indian defense ministry ties up with Satyan to develop it. This joint Uzbek - Indian gun will be the best in the world. The gun is close to prototype testing. It will then be produced en mass and inducted in Indian army. The big contractors will lose out.

Now America wants it. Russia wants it too. Covert operatives from these countries are pressed into action. Politicians  want to  discredit the indigenously developed gun as there would be no kick backs from local contractors. Other gun manufacturers and Pentagon is also interested. There are attempts of sabotage, threats, physical violence, kidnapping.

Satyan doesn't know who to trust. Who is a friend and who's the foe. The only person he can trust is his fiancé and TV journalist Rubita. Can he save his software from bad guys? Can he save his company? Will he get caught up in red tape? Who is behind all this? Is there a traitor? Are the politicians really patriots? Is the army corrupt?

Author has tried to create a spectacular story with unimaginable twists and turns and make it grand. However in this what has come out is only an unsuccessful attempt at everything and success in only a few. Author has tried to cram in a lot of things thereby either not justifying them or making them unrealistic (even more unrealistic than fiction writers freedom)

He had not been able to decide if the protagonist Satyan Sharma should be portrayed as a technocrat, a hero or a businessman who does heroic deeds in a particular situation.

Politicians are all corrupt and traitors. So are the bureaucrats. Russians and Americans operate freely in India and Indian intelligence does not even know it. Satyan is backed by some powerful persons but acts alone as if he is the sole savior.

The end of this book baffled me.  Completely out of synch. It had little to do with the story and could have been avoided completely.

It would have been a good book if author had not tried to do too much. Avoid.

Oleander girl by Chitra Banerjee Divakarun

"Oleander girl", latest novel of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. This book has about 300 pages.

This is the story of a girl called Korobi derived from Bengali word for Oleander (कण्हेर or कणेर), a flower bearing poisonous plant.

Korobi, an orphan, is raised by her maternal grand parents. They are one of the important khandans in Kolkata. Korobi shares a special bond with her stubborn grandfather. She is engaged to Rajat, who comes from a rich family that owns art galleries in Kolkata and America.

Her grandfather suffers a heart attack on the day of her engagement and dies, thereby releasing her grandmother from the oath of secrecy. When Korobi learns the secret, her world turns upside down. She doesn't know who to trust and embarks on a quest to America.

What was the secret? Why is she confused? Why does she go to America? Why everyone is trying to discourage her from traveling? How will she raise money? What will she face in America? Will she get what she desires? What realization dawns on her? Can she digest the shock? Will her love stand test of time? Will Rajat go back to his old flame?

Author has shown the differences and similarities between Korobi's family and Rajat's family, between India and America, between the nuovo-rich and the khandani's. The pendulum in Korobi's mind, how she is torn between two lives, how she wants both and almost loses both.

Korobi demonstrates the qualities of Oleander, fragrant & beautiful but sturdy and capable of taking care of herself in hostile surroundings. Exactly what her mother wanted her to be.

Author has shown her versatility in portraying emotions and action in traditional Indian as well as American surroundings.  Some of the things in the book look either unrealistic or probably they lack the requisite justification like the financial status of Korobi's grandfather or Bose's, Korobi's America attraction, personality change of Bhattacharya etc.

Apart from these, the book keeps you interested, although you can guess the end. This book is not a thriller. It's a family drama but it had enough twists, excitement and emotions to hook the reader.

A good book. Recommend reading.

I too had a love story by Ravinder Singh

"I too had a love story"  debut novel by Ravinder Singh. This book is based on true story of authors life. The book is 213 pages long.

This is the love story of Ravin (narrated in first person) & Khushi. They meet online on a matrimonial website. Start talking to each other on phone as they stay in different cities. Strike a friendship, fall in love and decide to get married; without meeting even once in person.

Then they meet. There nervousness, anxiety, eagerness and even stupidity. There expectations and reassurances. Their  desperation when Ravin has to go out of the country. All the silly things the love struck couple does. All the minor things that suddenly become so important. The lies to others in order to be in each others company for a few minutes. The changes in them. All these things are captured very honestly and effectively without making them too complicated.

Then comes a major twist that shakes you completely. Reader starts thinking why did this happen? They don't deserve it. It's unfair.

Ravinder has kept it simple and straight. He has avoided the temptation to make it dramatic or melodramatic. That's why it connects as a true story. Author's narration is simple and realistic. Romantic moments are presented beautifully. The story loses the flow a little bit after the twist, but recovers later.

You like the book. You feel joy and sorrow with the characters. You connect with them. But you do not become a character in the story while reading. I agree with Mr. Narayanmurthy that it's a simple book. We should expect more from Ravinder Singh after this.

A very good book, though not a fabulous one. Recommend reading.

In a free state" by V. S. (Vidyadhar Surajprasad) Naipaul

"In a free state" by V. S. (Vidyadhar Surajprasad) Naipaul. This book was winner of 1971 booker prize. Mr. Naipaul is Trininad born Nobel prize winning British writer of Indian origin. The book has 256 pages.

This book consists of a prologue, three stories (third bears the title of the book) & an epilogue. The three stories are unrelated. This book is advertised as a novel with two supporting narratives.

First story 'One out of many' is of a person who goes from India to America as a domestic help. Then escapes the deemed slavery of his master and becomes a citizen by less than honorable means and gains freedom.

Second story 'Tell me who to kill' is of a person from Caribbean who goes to England to support his brother's education. Earns a lot and losses it along with his brother. He does not understand who to blame.

Third story 'In a free state' is set in a fictitious African country that has become independent from British rule. The country has a King and a President, each from different tribe. The President takes over the country with the help of white governments. During this turmoil Bobby, a homosexual white civil servant, travels from one city to another with the wife of his colleague, in his car. The story is of the changes he sees and experiences during this journey.

Although all the stories are unrelated, the overriding theme seems to be freedom and  transition.

Writing style of each story differs considerably. First story is narrated by an Indian and is written in brown man's perspective. Second story is narrated by a black man and is written in Caribbean style. Third story is  about an English man in white man's perspective. Author has carried these styles ably.

The stories are not straight forward. At times they are cryptic, at times convoluted, at times uncomprehending and often boring. Reader has to concentrate hard to understand and extract the essence.

I was not able to decipher the connection between the prologue & epilogue with the stories. They seemed totally unrlated. It remained an unsolved puzzle.

You can complete the book only through sheer grit and determination otherwise you will abandon it. AVOID.

The Wrecker by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

"The Wrecker" by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott. This is the second book of Isaac Bell series.

Issac Bell works for Van Dorn detective agency. He is tall, handsome and comes from a wealthy family. Unlike other Cussler thrillers which revolve around the theme of water, Issac Bell series revolve around automobiles. The story takes place in 1906-07.

Southern Pacific rail road company engages Van Dorn detective agency to investigate the series of sabotages, to their rail roads, resulting in accidents caused by a person known only as 'The Wrecker'. Isaac Bell is in charge of the investigation.

The wrecker is an expert and master of disguise. He has left no eye witness alive to reveal his identity. Isaac Bell is working with very little to no information. Osgood Henessey, the president of railroad, is a demanding man with a very beautiful daughter, Lilian. Bell is already engaged.

It appears that the wrecker is targeting the cascade cutoff and does not want the railroad to reach the cascade canyon bridge.

Why is the wrecker targeting Southern Pacific rail road company? Who is the wrecker? Is he anarchist, union leader, a bitter person? Is there a bigger transcontinental conspiracy?

Identity of The Wrecker is revealed to the readers when the story is at 25%. The cat and mouse game between wrecker and Bell is played out very well. Wrecker knows that Bell is hunting him but Bell does not know who the wrecker is. This wrecker is always a few steps ahead. Bell's approach to the case, his dedication to the job and his deduction is supplemented by vast resources of his agency and  authorization to travel on any train or charter any train for this case. In absence of phones all matters are handled by wires (telegrams).

There are high speed travels and locomotive chases. Trains run at 110 kmph speed. Train connections are obtained by reversing travel direction, by chartering an engine or a train, by chasing train with car and so on.  The book also has a down hill, down river dash in a dug out canoe In the climax. The book is full of speed thrills.

Van Dorn detective agency has offices and agents in every American city. This sounds improbable more than 100 years ago. It's said that Cussler has based the agency on a real outfit of that time.

Although the story is of old times, it's still a thriller and is full of action. It includes sabotage, spy, accidents, murders, investigation, high stakes poker, knives, swords, gun fight, love, lust and betrayal. Although the book is 576 pages long, you don't get bored.

It's a period thriller. Recommend reading.

Pavankhind (पावनखिंड) by Ranjeet Desai

"Pavankhind (पावनखिंड)" a Marathi novel by Ranjeet Desai. This book was first published in 1981.

Everyone who knows Maratha history and Chatrapati Shivaji's achievements also knows the story of Bajiprabhu Deshpande (बाजीप्रभू देशपांडे). This novel is on the legendry battle of Pavankind (पावन खिंड) where Bajiprabhu made his last stand. Pavan means sacred and khind means pass. This was the battle at a mountain pass called Pavan Khind (The sacred pass).

The story starts showing Bajiprabhu's sense of justice and ability to identify and encourage talent. Baji is the Pradhan (Prime minister) of Bandal Deshmukh of Mawal. Shivaji wants them to join him against Mughals. Baji rejects. A war ensues and Shivaji wins. Baji challenges him for a duel. Shivaji refuses, appeals to his patriotism and emotions and recruits him. He is handed the responsibility of reconstruction and fortification of fort Jaslod. Baji completes the job beyond expectation.

Afzalkhan, Adilshah's military commander, attacks Maratha territory. Shivaji kills Afzal. Vijapur's Adilshah can not digest the defeat and sends Siddhi Johar on Swarajya (स्वराज्य) Onus is on Shivaji, assisted by his trusted aids including Bajiprabhu Deshpande, to save the Swarajya (स्वराज्य). Siddhi Johar attacks and lays siege to Panhala (पन्हाळा). Shivaji is at Panhala with Baji. Shahistekhan attacks and captures Pune. This is a double whammy.

Shivaji decides to escape thru the siege on foot. He and Baji select 600 soldiers and escape. Shivaji's barber acts as decoy and sacrifices his life. Siddhi Johar's knight Masood chases Shivaji on horses. Masood would catch up before Shivaji reaches Khelna (खेळणा).

When they reach Gajakhind, a mountain pass, Bajiprabhu asks Shivaji to take 300 soldiers with him to Khelna and promises that not a single enemy soldier will cross the pass until Shivaji's arrival at Khelna is confirmed by canon fire.

This is where Baji along with his elder brother Fulaji and 300 soldiers made their last stand. Baji fought like a typhoon. No one could kill him. Enemy was terrified by his bravery. Finally he was shot from long distance. However he did not take his last breath until he heard canon fire. He died after fulfilling his promise.

The epic battle of Pavankhind alone can not become a novel. Hence novel starts with the recruitment of Bajiprabhu, how he worked with Shivaji and how the relationship was built and then takes us to the events that led to Shivaji breaking through the siege of Panhala to reach Khelna, later renamed Vishalgad. How he was chased and how Bajiprabhu made his last stand with 300 people against more than a thousand and defended the pass till the canon fire confirmed that Shivaji had reached Khelna.

Bajiprabhu's contribution does not stop at one battle. If he had not succeeded in stopping the enemy at Pavankhind, Shivaji might have been captured and / or killed. The dream of self rule (स्वराज्य) would have remained a dream.

Although this is a small book, the author has developed the characters well. The human element is captured crisply. He has demonstrated that a small but important event can be converted to a novel.

Downside is that actual battle starts after 140 pages out of 157. There are also some errors. The pass is mostly called gajakhind sometimes it's called ghodkhind.

It's a small  and interesting book. You will enjoy it only if you know Maratha history.

The case of the man who died laughing by Tarquin Hall

"The case of the man who died laughing" by Tarquin Hall. This is the second book of Vish Puri mysteries and is 320 pages long.

Dr. Jha, an ex professor and a well known personality, also called 'Guru buster', who has exposed a number of gurus and God men as frauds; is killed while laughing with his 'laughing club' mates. The killer is none other than 20 ft tall goddess Kali floating in air and the murder weapon, a sword, turns to dust after the killing. Dr. Jha was trying to expose a politically connected guru Maharaj Swami.

Vish Puri is called by Inspector in charge for investigating the murder in an unofficial capacity. Puri is convinced that illusion, rather than divine intervention, was used for the murder. But he is short of evidence. His assistants facecream and tubelight are pressed into service. Facecream, a beautiful young woman and reformed Maoist from Nepal, goes undercover.

There are two more murders. A conspiracy comes to light. What is it? Who is the murderer? Can Vish Puri live up to his reputation and solve the case? Will the political interference stop him? Is Maharaj Swami a fake?

The story has  steady pace. Vish Puri's characteristics have  similarities to Hercule Poirot. Again the author, who is not an Indian, has demonstrated his power of observation while creating an Indian set up by using details of everyday life, Indian English and attitude towards everything. In this book he has gone to the extent of describing god bharai (गोद भराई) ceremony in detail.

A parallel investigation by Vish Puri's mummyji appears in this story as well. I am not sure why author choose to add a side story that has no relevance to main story. The side story dilutes the main story.  More page space should have been given to the character of Maharaj Swami. Otherwise the story is OK.

The character of Dr. Jha seems to be based on real life figure of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar of Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (अंधश्रद्धा निर्मूलन समिती). This book was, however, written before the real murder of Dr. Dabholkar.

It's a decent book. Read for fun if you have time.

The third world war by Humphrey Hawksley

"The third world war" by  Humphrey Hawksley.

As the name of this book suggests, it's a fiction thriller. Book opens with an attack on Indian parliament on ground and by air. Pro US president of Pakistan is assassinated. There is Islamic uprising in South Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei. North Korean conventional missile strikes American airbase in Japan. An attempt is made on the life of Prime Minister of India. North Korea is in possession of nuclear warheads and biological weapons.

This book does not waste time in preamble. There is action from the word go. Characters are developed during the action and crisis. This is something new.

The author has demonstrated very good understanding of global politics, it's intricacies and fine balance required while making important decisions. He has predicted how each country and it's leadership will react in extreme situation. The book shows how world leaders think only about their country but still call themselves world leader. The speech of Russian President at the informal summit of important head of state is marvelous and sums up world politics precisely.

Some things however seem strange like president of Pakistan deciding to drop bomb on India in person or easy murder of America's national security advisor or character of Lazaro Campbell that acts as field operative and emissary of US president simultaneously or character of Hasan Muda who can breach the security of any country at will.

However the author seems to have lost the control some what after the nuclear war starts. The buildup to the nuclear war is excellent but the actual nuclear war is covered very quickly and author has given a miss to the opportunity to make it more interesting and dramatic. Readers wonder why the author chose to miss this opportunity and preferred to keep it vague, leaving so much to readers imagination.

Behavior of head of states during war sums up authors views on respective societies. American president comes out as unimaginative. Indian Prime Minister as most humane and nonaggressive. Chinese president as intelligent but who does not have absolute power. Russian president as wily. English prime minister as surprisingly firm. Japanese Prime Minister looking to regain pride. Pakistani and North Korean presidents demonstrate brinkmanship.

First  half of this 514 pages long book is unputdownable, second half is good but not unputdownable.  Recommend reading.