Gone girl by Gilian Flynn

"Gone girl" by Gilian Flynn. This book is published by Crown Publishing Group in Apr 2014 and has 422 pages.

Nick Dunn & Emmie are married and then laid off during recession. They relocate to Missouri from New York to be close to Nick's parents. Nick opens a bar with his twin sister by borrowing money from Emmie and Emmie becomes a home maker. On their 5th anniversary Emmie disappears.

There is evidence of scuffle and blood loss. Police start investigation. A number of credit cards are taken on Nick's name and overdrawn. Nick is suspected of killing his wife.

Is Emmie alive? Is she kidnapped? Did he kill her? Is Nick guilty? Will he be arrested? Where is the gone girl?

The book tells us how husband and wife look differently at the same thing or incident. How they can not read each others expectations and feel miserable because the spouse does not behave the way they expect.

Narration is somewhat drab. There are two to three major twists in the tale that keeps reader interested. Character of Emmie is an enigma. Her intelligence, planning and ability to get what she wants by whichever means is amazing. Character of Nick is of an easy going husband. It's intriguing.

The story is centered around Emmie's disappearance and what really happened. Characters like Go (Margo, Nick's twin sister), Boney, Andy, Daisy etc play their part but it is essentially the story of two protagonists.

The end of book was an anti climax. Readers are baffled as to why Nick does what he does. It appeared like the 'sudden death' of the story. If length of this book was shorter, it would have become more effective and interesting.

I understand that this book is being made into a motion picture.

Not a must read.

Delhi stopover by Tulika Mehrotra

Completed "Delhi stopover" debut novel of Tulika Mehrotra. This book is published by Penguin Metro Reads in 2012 and has 393 pages.

Lila, an American of Indian origin, is a struggling actress in USA playing inconsequential roles. She is frustrated because her career is going nowhere and because her fiancee does not respect her profession. She decides to break her engagement and heads for India for a much needed vacation.

She accompanies her cousin for assisting to dress up models for a fashion show and ends up being a last minute replacement model. Fate draws her in the Delhi fashion world although she is not thin or anorexic. In a matter of days she becomes a professional model doing advertisements.

Will she remain in India? Will she remain a model or become an actress? Will she reunite with her fiancé?

The artificial world of fashion. Free use of booze, drugs and sex. The dirty and cut throat competition. Uncertainties and insecurities. One sided contracts. Abilities to make or break careers. All these facts about fashion world make the book colorful.

Tulika has written OK for a first timer. She has used the backdrop of fashion industry for the story. However what has happened is that the fashion industry has taken over the story and the story has taken a back seat. It may be either because the story is weak or the author has not taken enough efforts to develop it.

After about half way mark, the story goes into tailspin. Author seems to have lost control. Many illogical things happen. Readers are confused as to what is author is trying to convey. Author has found it very difficult to try to converge and close the story.

Lila's character comes out as shallow girl who does not know what she wants. Even the readers are not sure what is happening between her and Arman. Romantic angle with Dev remains an open point. It remains unexplained why her cousin mourns death of her father so much?

I took me six months to complete reading this book and could complete it only through sheer determination, otherwise I would have abandoned it.

AVOID.

Valay (वलय) by Va. Pu. Kale (व. पु. काळे)

"Valay (वलय)" by Va. Pu. Kale (व. पु. काळे). This edition of the book is published by  Mehta Publishing House in 2012 (First publication 1966) and has 146 pages. This is a collection of twelve short stories. Interestingly author has dedicated this book to the production of song 'Mera kuch saman (मेरा कुछ सामान)' from film 'Ijazat (इजाज़त)'.

'Swapnawedi (स्वप्नवेडी)' is about a young girl who travels by train in Mumbai for her job. 'Nar Madi (नरमादी)' is a incredible love story of a husband towards his wife. 'Vishwas (विश्वास)' is a story of a person who can not stand unfaithful behavior but has tremendous empathy. 'Sukh vikne ahe (सुख विकणे आहे)' tells us about a person trying to sell happiness and loses everything in the process. 'Ardhyawar virle geet (अर्ध्यावर विरले गीत)' is a story of a husband who does not consummate his marriage till his wife is cured of ill health. 'Laat (लाट)' is a story of a lady who loves, adores and worships an actor selflessly. 'Shekhar wargat basla ahe (शेखर वर्गात बसला आहे)' shows us how guilty conscious can change everything. 'Dishabhul (दिशाभूल)' talks about issues created by money in a friendship. 'Piun vij mi, phule phulawli (पिऊन वीज मी, फुले फुलवली)' is about a lady who refuses to be defeated by impending death.

Three of the stories have female protagonist who turns out to have lost her mind. Five stories have or are related to death. But all the stories are eventually about human emotions.

The thoughts of the characters take various motions. Sometimes they are in simple harmonic motion, some times in a zigzag, sometimes like waves, sometimes like ripples and sometimes like a mud slide. Author has written very well.

What do I think is the central theme of the book? I think it is the uniqueness within the normal. Although all characters are normal human beings, thay have a steak of uniqueness that makes them stand apart from the crowd.

This book was written in 1966. Almost 50 years ago. However the stories have not become irrelevant with time. Except the sums of money, which seem paltry today, the stories could have happened in today's world.

A good book. Recommend reading.

Raanmitra (रानमित्र)" by Padmashree Dr. Prakash Amte (डॉ. प्रकाश आमटे)

"Raanmitra (रानमित्र)", a Marathi book by Padmashree Dr. Prakash Amte (डॉ. प्रकाश आमटे). This book is published by Samakalin Prakashan  (समकालीन प्रकाशन) in 2013 and has 117 pages.

Dr. Prakash Amte, based in Hemalkasa (हेमलकसा), is well known for his social work for the upliftment of Aadivasis (आदिवासी) of eastern Maharashtra. His work for improving the hygiene, quality of life and education of the of native tribes is unparalleled. However he is also known for his love of wild animals. He runs an orphanage for younglings of wild animals. This book is about his experiences with these animals, how it started and his observations. The book also contains lot of photos of these animals.

Author has very tender feelings towards these animals. Most of them were either brought to Hemalkasa as baby orphans or were born in the orphanage. He and his colleagues have raised them with great love and affection and the animals have reciprocated. He talks about his first guests -monkeys (माकड) and has dedicated a chapter each for leopards (बिबट्या), lion (सिंह), bears(अस्वल), snakes (सर्प) and a chapter for crocodiles (मगर), foxes (कोल्हे), wolves (लांडगे), hyenas (तरस) etc.

All these animals were raised like their own children rather than pets. Sometimes they have even injured him, but not with the intention to harm but as their way of demonstrating their love. The only feeling that author has for the animals is empathy and love. The book is sprinkled with photographs of animals. The paper quality used for this book is also superior, probably with the intention of making it a collectors item.

Author has also busted a number of myths in the book. Bears like rice with milk. They are possessive. A lion and a leopard share a female leopard for mating. Swallowing tobacco kills snakes (poisonous as well as non poisonous) within minutes. Python never swallows any animal alive, it swallows after killing. Crocodile is not cruel and does not drag man in water and swallow. Fox never eats animal killed by someone else. The book is informative and entertaining at the same time. Success of the book is that, readers feel urge of visiting Hemalkasa.

What could have been better? Photo quality. It is not professional quality. It should have been better. The photos should have been annotated or atleast titled. It would have been easier to correlate to relevant text easily.

The length of book is just right. Shorter and it would have looked like pamphlet or booklet. Any longer and it would have appeared stretched.

A good book. Recommend reading.

Back in time by Andaleeb Wajid

"Back in time" by Andaleeb Wajid. This book is published by Bloomsbury India in 2014 and has 162 pages. This is the second book of Tamanna trilogy. (I had posted a review of first book 'No time for goodbyes' last month).

Tamanna is back in past using a sepia photograph and meets Manoj in Madras. The camera which also doubles up as time machine is stolen. A cousin of ajji's husband, nicknamed 'dragon amma' by Manoj, is scheming to kick ajji and her daughters out of their house. Tamanna is in a life threatening road accident in 1983.

Can she go back to present? Will Manoj accompany her? Why does a sepia photograph cause her time travel? Does any one else know the secret of time travel?

Andaleeb has kept it simple and straight. Love story and time travel is a potent combination. Author has handled both deftly without compromising one for other or letting one overpower other.

If you have read first book, you can not resist reading this one and can't wait for the third one. The story moves on and readers are hooked. There are hilarious, dramatic and emotional situations in past and Tamanna responds to them with the experience of present.

This is a small book but it packs the punch. End of the book is again interesting and readers are sure to see another time travel in next book, but this time it will be to the future, not past.

A very good book. Must read if you have read the first one.

Sidney Sheldon's "Chasing tomorrow" by Tilly Bagshawe

Sidney Sheldon's "Chasing tomorrow" by Tilly Bagshawe. This book is published by Harper in Oct 2014 and has 496 pages. Sidney Sheldon's 'If tomorrow comes' introduced readers to Tracey Whitney, the lovely and lovable rogue. Tilly Bagshawe has now written a sequel that picks up from where the previous book left.

This book starts with marriage of Tracy and Jeff, former competitors and later partners in crime, who have pulled up numerous heists and con jobs together. They retire from their careers and decide to go straight. Jeff wants to pursue his hobby of working as curator of museum. Tracy wants to become a mother and also misses the heists and con jobs.

A crater comes up between Jeff and Tracy. They are estranged. Tracy finds a reason to live. She chooses a life of anonymity. But Daniel Cooper, her ex nemesis and Jeff come back in her life indirectly.

Will Tracy come out of retirement? Will she confront Jeff? Will Daniel be able to avenge himself? What is the reason of Tracy's new life?

The story takes place in America and Europe. Tracy and Jeff have become legend. Interpol is looking for them, but can not find any evidence to arrest them for years. Surprising, isn't it?

Tracy as a mother is completely different from Tracy the thief. Tilly had tried to write like Sidney Sheldon, but can not imitate him. Start and middle portion of book is good. Buildup to the climax is good. The climax actually, is in reality, an anti climax. A wasted buildup.

I read this book because it was a sequel of 'If tomorrow comes'. Although it's not a wow book, I was not disappointed either except for the end. You must have read the original otherwise you will not get the references in this book.

An OK book. Read if you have time. If you have not read the original, give it miss.

Look who's back by Timur Vermes

"Look who's back", debut novel of Timur Vermes, translated from German by Jamie Bulloch. This book is published by Maclehose press Quercus in Apr 2014 and has 352 pages.

This is a fiction with fantastical theme, an outrageous idea. What's the idea? Hitler wakes up ..... in 2011, in Berlin. He finds his country changed completely. Nobody recognizes or salutes him. Everyone thinks that he is an actor impersonating Hitler.

Hitler realizes that he woke up after more than 60 years and realizes that destiny has chosen him over everyone else because he is the only one capable of bringing the revolution single handedly. He keeps behaving like Hitler and other keep thinking that he is deliberately taking the impersonation to the limit. He is offered a TV show. Hitler takes it as an opportunity to mobilize support for the revolution that he is destined to bring. His first telecast goes viral on YouTube. The TV channel creates Hitler's webpage. That attracts millions of hits. He becomes a celebrity, loved and hated at the same time. Some see his racial insinuations as humor, some find it in poor taste, some are outraged and some are enamored.

Can Hitler bring another revolution? Will people take him seriously? Why did he come back?

The book is narrated by Adolf Hitler in first person. Author has depicted him as a self centered and pompous chap who thinks for the good of Volk, but HE decides what is good. Hitler's amusement at volk picking up the crap of their dogs, internet, computer, modern language etc is humorous.

When a man wakes up after more than half a century without knowing it, he is expected to be in denial mode for a longer duration and is expected not to accept reality easily. In this book Hitler comes out of denial mode and accepts reality within minutes of waking up. A bit strange! Author has also not explained why and how he wakes up after more than 60 years.

The book has flashes of brilliance. Hitler's interpretation of modern day world, behavior and reactions of modern people is too good. However some of the parts are boring like the one when Hitler surfs the TV channels or visits national party headquarters. The book becomes uninteresting on a number of occasions.

While reading this book I was always curious of how author would end it. When I reached the end, it appeared incomplete. The book should have been shorter by about 50-100 pages. Then it would have become more effective. A fantastic idea not executed equally well.

An OK book. Read it for a change.

The Kite runner by Khaled Hosseini

"The Kite runner" debut novel of Khaled Hosseini. This edition of the book is published by Bloomsbury Publishing in 2013 and has 352 pages. Khaled Hosseini Is an Afghan-born American novelist and physician. This is his debut novel and he has written two more after this

This is the story of Aamir, a motherless child born in 1964-65, to a wealthy father. They live in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ali and his son Hasan are Hazara's and are their servants. Hasan is also a close friend and confidant of Amir. Amir is also close to Ibrahim Khan, business partner of his father. One day there is a kite tournament and timid Amir unexpectedly wins it. Hasan is a kite runner and he runs the last kite Amir cuts for him. But something terrible happens and they do not remain friends anymore.

After Russian occupation, Amir and his father flee to America and start a new life. Ibrahim Khan calls Amir to meet him one last time in Pakistan after 15 years. A secret is revealed.

What marked the end of their friendship? Is Amir repentant? Does he marry? What career does he choose? Who had betrayed whom? Can he reunite with Hasan? What was the secret? Will there be a redemption?

Character of Amir is the most important character. His refusal to acknowledge Hasan as friend when confronted, his possessiveness about Hasan, his repentance about not standing by him in his hour of need, his anger at his own cowardice, his attempts to forget everything, his return to his roots and his attempt at redemption is all captured beautifully.

Khaled's description of war ravaged Afghanistan, the destruction it has caused, the resultant loss of business, loss of jobs, consequent poverty and level to which human beings stoop when defeated by hunger melts your heart but it is also objective at the same time. Readers start thinking 'what have the poor Afghans done to deserve this treatment'. When economy, way of living and life comes to a standstill, hollowness occupies all the spaces. There is no future, no destiny and no hope.

Afghanistan before and after war and the difference of life is depicted powerfully. The period in America is relatively slow and less interesting. Hearts of the readers goes out for Sohrab and they wish him well.

Why Amir's father leaves Hasan behind, why Hasan's letters never reach Amir and why there is little to no control on Afghanistan Pakistan border remains unanswered. I was surprised to find that there are a lot of words common in Hindi, Urdu and Farsi.

A very good book. A must read.

Scandal Point by Fahad Samar

"Scandal Point" debut novel by Fahad Samar. This book is published by HarperCollins publishers India in 2013 and has 289 pages. Fahad is a filmmaker. He has directed TV shows like BPL Oye! , Superhit Muqabla and The Poppudam Show.

Kapil Kumar, is a yesteryear superstar, well known for his brash language, his penchant for bedding his female co-stars and his ego. He decides to launch his handsome and attractive son, Ricky Kumar, as a hero in Bollywood film that he will right, produce and direct. It would be a remake of his super hit film. Gautam Goyal, is a handsome, arrogant and drug addict son of billionaire NRI Mr. Goyal, who owns a chain of Indian restaurants. He comes to Mumbai for detoxification. Paths of Ricky and Gautam cross. Not once, not twice but many times.

Ricky hates Gautam. Why? What happens to the movie? What about rehabilitation? Who are Sheena and Meneka? How does Bollywood, business and politics interact? Where will the story go?

This is a tale of film industry. An industry that is vengeful, slutty, partial, ruthless and extravagant. All the masala ingredients are present in this book. It has affairs, sex, oneupmanship, corruption, film making, hidden agenda, sibling rivalry, drug scandal and revenge. It is a web of deceit, lies, lack of trust and scandals. All the characters are entangled in this web.

The story is scattered all over the place. Although it has all the ingredients what is missing is order. It appears that everything is thrown in together without the unified and homogeneous effect. Author has tried to put too many spices in the pot pourri hoping that the recipe will come out trumps, but none of the spices has had the desired effect resulting in a confused taste. In the end Fahad outdid himself in making it unbelievably scandalous in an attempt to bring the story to conclusion and close the loop.

Fahad should have chosen a smaller canvas to make the novel more effective. He knows how to  captivate audience should have kept it up through out the book. Many incidents are taken from real life of the film personalities and knowledgeable readers can recognize the origin.

It is more of a nude rendition of film industry than a tasteful and artistic portrait. What is the significance of 'Scandal Point'? It's only the name of a pub where the story starts. More appropriate name for the book would have been 'Scandal'.

An OK book. Read if scandals interest you.