Antisocial network by Piyush Jha

"Antisocial network" by Piyush Jha. This book is published by Rupa Publications in 2014 and has 200 pages.

Inspector Virkar returns with another murder mystery. This time it's a series of murders with a different body part missing from each victim. As it turns out there is an outfit who call themselves Antisocial network. Virkar takes help of a beautiful psychology professor and a young hacker to solve the case.

Who is the murderer? Who is the mastermind? What is Antisocial network? Why the murders? Can Inspector Virkar find them?

Over the three books of Piyush Jha, a pattern has emerged. Inspector Virkar fights a lone battle. Can't tolerate injustice to women. Gets little or no support from superiors. Spends his own money to solve cases. Continues investigation on his own when department wants him to close the case that is deemed solved. Gets external help. Rides a bullet. Travels on the boat called 'Koli Queen' for a night with his favourite dish Jhinga Koliwada and Godfather beer to clear his thoughts. Beds a beautiful lady.

This book uses the background of cyber crime, blackmail, hacking and social networking. But really speaking it has nothing new to offer. The book does not demonstrate the expected evolution of the writer.

After the mastermind behind the murders is revealed, the reason given for the functioning of Antisocial network is also unconvincing, inadequate and unsatisfactory. The story drifts in the general direction of conclusion without a clear cut path or purpose. That's why it appears loosely knit.

The end of this book and the culprit was very similar to Piyush's two previous Virkar stories viz. Injectionwala and Compass box killer. This repetition of idea is frustrating and intriguing. Has the author run out of good ideas? He should have offered something new.

Give it a miss.

Sita's sister by Kavita Kane

"Sita's sister" by Kavita Kane. This book is published by Rupa & Co in Mar 2014 and has 320 pages.

Everyone knows Ramayan. How Kaikeyi sent Ram to forest for Vanvas (वनवास) and how Sita and Lakshman voluntarily spent 14 years with Ram in the forest. But very little is known about Urmila, Lakshman's wife and Sita's sister; who spent all those years alone in Ayodhya.

Kavita has highlighted a character that is mostly ignored by history. How was Urmila? What did she feel when Lakshman left her? How did she cope? What did she do for 14 years? What was her contribution?

The book is about Urmila. Her life was divided distinctly in three parts. One before marriage, One during Ram's Vanvas and one after their return to Ayodhya. Author has covered first in detail, second in time leaps and third in epilogue. Second part should have got more page space.

Urmila is one of the most unfortunate characters of Ramayan. Sita was with her husband, Urmila was away from Lakshman. It was very easy to portray her as a tragedy queen and cry horse about the injustice meted out to her by making the book melodramatic. However author has commendably avoided such temptation and portrayed her in a different light.

Author has portrayed Urmila as the binding force of the house. She is fiercely loyal to her loved ones, has quick temper, is a learned pandit, is a good painter, is hopelessly in love with Lakshman, doesn't shy from speaking out her mind and has firm opinions.

Urmila asks some difficult questions to Raghuvanshi's and gurus on Chitrakoot (चित्रकुट) parvat, when Bharat and everyone else goes to request Ram to come back to Ayodhya. This section is a masterpiece of argument. Author has put forth arguments by Urmila that have no answers. Her anguish and anger are genuine.

Author has glorified Kaikeyi and her actions in the book unnecessarily. Unnecessarily not because I did not like it, but because it digresses from the topic of Urmila. The story or its impact would not have altered without it.

Characters of four sisters Sita, Urmila, Mandavi, Shutkirti and Lakshman, Kaikeyi, Kausalya, Sumitra are very well developed. Bharat and Shatrughna remain under developed. The story is nicely paced with occasional slow down. End seemed a little hastened.

Sita plays a very small part in the story of Urmila in this book, but still the book is called Sita's sister. Probably only because Sita is more famous, but it's unfair to Urmila. It appears to be a populist, rather than meaningful, title. Was it done to match with her previous book 'Karna's wife'?

Good book. Recommend reading.

For complete review, please visit:
Mandar's Book reviews
http://mandarbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Quantum siege by Brijesh Singh

"Quantum siege" by Brijesh Singh. This book is published by Penguin books and Blue salt in 2014 and has 246 pages.

Pakistani terror group LeT conducts bomb blasts on patrolling ship INS Sudarshan off Mumbai coast. They have acquired a nuclear bomb. Their demand: Declare plebiscite in Kashmir within two days; Independence for Kashmir.

How did they get hold of a nuke? What is the target? What will India do? Will it annihilate Pakistan? ATC chief Rudra Pratap is released from jail and pressed into action. Can he save the world from a nuclear war?

First 150 pages of the book is a thriller. It's action packed, fast paced and tantalizing. After that it becomes a tech thriller with a lot of technological jargon. There are two climaxes for the two thrillers. It's an interesting way of writing a book. Very unconventional but well executed.

The story is fast, characterization is interesting. The characters connect with the readers. Capable Rudra, Foul mouthed beauty Sana, Willy commissioner, efficient Quazi, the brilliant hacker; all of them make an impression. The electric chemistry between Rudra and Sana is tantalizing.

Brijesh has written a good book. His police background has helped him in this story. Narration and characterization is also good. The very end of the book, though, does not keep up with the book. I read the book in one day.

A good book. Read if you have time.

Mi Changez boltoy (मी चंगेझ बोलतोय) by Mohsin Hamid (मोहसीन हमीद)

"Mi Changez boltoy (मी चंगेझ बोलतोय)" by Mohsin Hamid (मोहसीन हमीद), translated in Marathi by Hemangi Naniwdekar (हेमांगी नानीवडेकर). This book is published by Penguin India in 2008 and has 186 pages.  Mohsin Hamid is a well known Pakistani writer. His original English novel is titled 'Reluctant fundamentalist'.

A Pakistani man meets an American in a restaurant in Lahore. They start talking or rather the Pakistani starts talking about a number of things.

What do they talk? Who is the Pakistani? Why does he want to talk?

This book highlights the transitions that happened in American view of Muslims after the demolition of twin towers and how it affected the innocent Muslims living in America, how a general Pakistani perceives American attitude and what happens when a Pakistani loves an American, who can not forget her first love.

The book is interesting in patches and boring in otherwise. Readers do not get the drift of where it is headed. Initially I thought it will cover the post 9/11 impact but then it inclined towards the love story and at the very end it leaned towards anti American protests in Pakistan.

I had a feeling that this book could have had more literary value. Author could have made it more profound and meaningful. But the opportunity was lost.

Although this book is a discussion between two men, it's written as a monologue. Would it have been more effective as a dialogue? Well, the author must have pondered on this before making a decision. However it is not clear why the Pakistani guy tells the story of his life to an American stranger who may or may not be a secret agent and why the American listens to it.

Translation of the book, though accurate, does not always convert the crux of the matter. Rather than translating word by word (example अरे गुराख्या for o cowboy), the translator should have tried to translate the matter of the soul to convey the meaning.

Not a must read. Give it a miss.

Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी) by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील)

"Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील). This edition of the book is published by Mehta Publishing House (मेहता पब्लिशिंग हाऊस) in 2013 (first edition 1964) and has 148 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of short stories.

'Inga (इंगा)' is the story of politics in a rural highschool. It's the tug of war between Anna (Chairman) and Mr. Kamire (Principal).
'Hyoch Maza Shilon (ह्योच माझा शिलोन)' is the story of Nama tailor who wants his father in-law to gift him a radio, but he won't. What will Nama do?
In 'Dohale (डोहाळे)', Nargis likes to eat a variety of food but her mother in-law, a miser, won't allow her. How can she make it happen?
In 'Don kami pandav (दोन कमी पांडव)', three friends have affair with same girl at the same time. She is then married to another man in another village. What will the three do?
'Dhula (धुळा)' is the story of a loyal but unintelligent servant who will do anything for his master.
In 'Tol bhairav (टोळ भैरव)' Manuhar wants to have an affair with a school teacher but she already has a boy friend. What will happen?
In 'Kombdi (कोंबडी)' four policeman are bored to their bones while guarding a railway station and insipid food. They want chicken, but how?
In 'Potdukhi (पोटदुखी)', Mhadu Khot wins a substantial word puzzle prize. But many in the village cannot digest it. What do they do?
In 'Padarmod (पदरमोड)' a fourty year old peasant marries a girl after long celibacy. She seems to be young. When will he consummate his marriage?
In 'Vilayti pik (विलायती पीक)' Digambarpant decides to grow kobi, a foreign vegetable. He grows a big crop. What happens next?
On 'Gom (गोम)' an old man is distressed because his son in law beats his daughter. He implements a fantastic plan. Will the plan succeed?
'Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी)' is the story of Tatoba and Sakhu who's son is very very ill, or is he...?
'Bhujang (भुजंग)' is the story of Janai who's husband is useless and has developed abnormal appetite. She sees a cobra in her field frequently. Will it bite?
'Uun (ऊन)' is the story of a person, who has lost his wife and has little say in a joint family, and his unadulterated love for his son.

Like all Shankar Patil stories, these stories also have a rural backdrop. Marathi language used in the book is rural Marathi. Most stories happen in one imaginary village near Kolhapur. The stories cover various aspects of village life ranging from village politics, scandals, illicit affairs, individual issues, cheating, lack of education, hunger etc. When not much happens in a small village, even minor and seemingly unimportant things become important and interesting. Villagers get something to chew on for a while.

Of these stories Don kami pandav, Kombdi, Potdukhi and Vilayti pik were the better ones but Bhujang & Uun were the best. I remember having seen a Marathi movie based on story Bhujang starring Nilu Phule (निळू फुले). Reference of some of these stories also appear in Shankar Patil's other books.

Although some of the stories handle serious issues like domestic violence and death, Shankar Patil has presented the stories in a lighter vein. He has inclined towards hilarity rather than philosophy. This is his preferred genre.

This book contains fourteen short stories. Average length of each story is about ten to eleven pages.

Read if you like rural stories and rural Marathi.

Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा) by Jaywant Dalvi (जयवंत दळवी)

"Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Jaywant Dalvi (जयवंत दळवी). This edition of the book is published by Saket prakashan (साकेत प्रकाशन) in 2014 (first edition 1961) and has 120 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of 12 short stories.

'Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा)' is the story of a lonely old Catholic man who can not forget Milinda, a salesgirl, who spent a night with him twenty years ago.
In 'Anolkhi (अनोळखी)', Appa attends college function of his daughter and meets a lady who looks much like his deceased wife.
'Vyatha (व्यथा)', middle aged Anuradha has taken Sanyas but had she really dissociated herself from the material things?
'Mangu (मंगू)' is the story of a boy in 2nd standard and his antics during the absence of his parents, one Sunday.
'Anamikachi kshanchitre (अनामिकाची क्षणचित्रे)' are highlights of the life of a man who is ugly, deformed and unsuccessful.
In 'Smrutishesh (स्मृतिशेष)' a man visits his widowed ex lover for a purpose after a gap of 25 years. What's the purpose?
In 'Indrayani (इंद्रायणी)', Devdatta an invalid husband doubts that his wife has an illicit relationship with her boss. Does she?
In 'Jagan (जगन)' school children decide to publish a handwritten Diwali magazine. How much politics and plagiarism can there be?
'Kalya ani paklya (कळ्या आणि पाकळ्या)' is the depiction of mind, emotions & romanticism of a young girl and her parents; her reference of love.
Gopi (गोपी), a priest, lusts Kalindi. He wants her, wants to marry her. When the opportunity knocks, is he ready?
In 'Sasa (ससा)' a man meets a beautiful young lady in a railway compartment. He wants to say a lot, can he?
'Anarsa (अनरसा)' is the story of delivery of a lady who has eaten Anarsa (an Indian sweet) during solar eclipse against the tradition.

I liked Indrayani, Jagan and Smrutishesh however Gopi was the best from this book. Average length of each story is about ten pages.

Nine out of twelve stories have a strong but implied undercurrent of sex or physical attraction. Two stories have children protagonists.

All the stories are abstract and handle one specific instance in the life of the protagonist. Most stories end at a point which leaves the reader hanging. I had a feeling of something missing in most of the stories. Was it by design?

It's a small book, I completed it in two days.

Not a must read. Give it a miss.

State of emergency by Mark Cameron

"State of emergency" by Mark Cameron. This book is published by Pinnacle. This edition was published in 2013 and has 416 pages. This is Book 3 of the Jericho Quinn series.

Dirty atomic bombs (very low intensity) explode in America and Russia simultaneously. College students are used as mule to carry radioactive material. Shady arms dealer Ivan Zamora gets hold of a Russian nuke. Jericho Quinn and Jacque Tibido are pressed into action by NSA, assisted by buxom Veronica Garcia and with support of the enigmatic Emico Miyagi.

What is Babayaga? Who will acquire the bomb? What is the target? Can Jericho save the day?

Marc has written a decent story for most part. However the pace is on the slowish side. With a nuclear bomb in question one would expect a more frantic pace. The climax also does not keep up with the story and turns out inadequate.

Motorbikes are constant feature of Jericho Quinn novels. This one has them too. To make matters interesting here Jericho and Ivan participate in Dakar really.

The story takes place mostly in America and Bolivia / Mexico. A new character of a female Russian spy has been introduced but if I remember correctly she does not appear in the fourth book. This books end is the start of next one.

You can give it a miss.

I bought the Monks Ferrari by Ravi Subramanian

"I bought the Monks Ferrari" by Ravi Subramanian. This book is published by Rupa & Co in Mar 2007 and has 174 pages.

Ravi is known for his fictions. However this book falls in non fiction genre. It's a motivational cum management cum self help book. The title has obvious reference to Robin Sharma's 'The Monk who sold his Ferrari'. Going by name this book should be a sequel to Robin's, but in reality it could be a prequel.

In this book Ferrari is a symbol of all that is best, all that is desired and all that everyone doesn't get. In first section he tells his story where he longed for a Ferrari. In the second section he lays down ten commandments to achieve the goal. In the final section he explains what is a Ferrari. The book ends with two poems and a final anecdote from his life.

A few quotes of Ravi, that I liked are:
In order to give up something you first need to possess it.
This book is about achieving success at your own terms.
Aim for the stars and reach them.
The Ferrari is a dream... a desire.... a passion.
Work-life balance is nothing more than just an idle topic for café gossip.
The Ferrari can be yours only if you are absolutely unwilling to compromise on integrity and ethics.
Work expands itself to completely fill in the available time.

His ten commandments are:
To acquire a Ferrari you need to aspire.
A positive frame of mind will surely get you closer to your Ferrari.
Be the winner, not the wimp.
Set and follow the highest standard of integrity in your personal and professional life.
Value your own time and that of others.
Earning the Ferrari is all about constantly upgrading yourself, improving your skill sets and equipping yourself for the future.
If you are in the company of successful people their success will rub off on you.
Share your success with others.
Remain fighting fit and be in perfect shape.
Target your audience and announce your achievements.

Ravi has written this book with small incidents in his personal life and anecdotes from the lives of other successful people (Naina Lal Kidwai, Jayakumar, Raj Khosla, Tony Singh, Graham Thorpe etc..) Since he comes from banking industry, most of these personalities, though not all, are from banking.

He has also used a couple of fables to make his point. The book is also laced with quotations from various known and unknown personalities. These things make the book more like a dialogue than a sermon and thus more readable.

Ravi is especially severe on the concept of work life balance. He says if you are thinking of work life balance, you will never own a Ferrari.

As for the ten commandments, although all of them are important, they could well have been seven or eight. Did he expand them to make 'Ten commandments'? Just for the sound of it?

It was after a while that I read this genre and enjoyed it. The book is not lengthy and that makes it crisp.

Good book. Recommend reading.

Resonance by Ajay

"Resonance" by Ajay. This book is published by Westland Ltd. in 2014 and has 377 pages.

A group of corrupt officers from various Indian government agencies decides to collude with Pakistani terrorists and ISI to realize project Tupac II. Son of ex chief of ISI is in love with daughter of India's ambassador to USA.

What is the plot? What is Tupac II? What is the target? Who are the Indian traitors? Is there a mole? What would be the consequences?

It's a long & complex plot, one year in making, but the Indian intelligence agencies fail to unravel the plot almost for the entire duration. There are a number of actors like various Indian Intelligence agencies, ISI, LeT, Pakistan government, FBI, American intelligence, politicians etc.

The story revolves around hydrology, fault lines, water body movement and resonance. The plot is elaborate, consequences are devastating & impact is far reaching. Is that really possible? Hope not.

Ajay has written a good, tech intensive, apocalyptic story however his noviceness is not masked, especially in the build up of the climax and the climax. Characterization is a bit sketchy. The oneupmanship between ISI and Pakistani government is harrowing. Will the real Prime minister of Pakistan do what he does in this book? Improbable though not impossible.

Book cover is good. The intensity in the eyes of the terrorist attracts you to it.

Recommend reading.