Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro

"Never let me go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. This edition of the book is published by Faber in 2010 and has 304 pages. This book was shortlisted for Man Booker prize in 2005. 

Cathy and her friends grow up in a Hailsham facility and are tutored by guardians. They do not have parents but are well taken care of. When their educations ends, they will either becom carers or do donations.

What is the facility? What is a carer? Why donate?

Looking outwardly, it's an innicuous story of a set of orphan, but well cared, children, their interrelations and their relationship with the outer world. However something forbidden, something sinister, something dangerous is always lurking beneath the surface. It's revealed bit by bit.

For most part the story is innocuous. Little tiffs, one up man ship, love, sex, child conspiracies etc. The real stuff comes in bits and pieces and makes the reading of apparently trivial things worth it. 

The story is narrated in first person by Cathy. Ruth, her best friend, and Tommy, Ruth's boyfriend and her good friend, are the main characters along with a couple of guardians. Story is narrated in present and in memories.

It's not the text of the book that disturbs you. It's the sub text. It's what's not written rather than what is written that matters. 

The idea of facility, if students and their destiny is very bold. Without it the story would have become unreadable. 

Read if you have lots of patience.

Land of five rivers by Khushwant Singh

"Land of five rivers" by Khushwant Singh. This book is published by Orient paperbacks in 2006 and has 200 pages. This book is a collection of translated short stories.     

'Exchange of lunatics by Sadat Hasan Manto' is the story of what happens in an asylum when India and Pakistan decide to exchange lunatics of other's religion. The original story is titled 'Toba Tek Singh'. 

'Stench of kerosene by Amrita Pritam' is story of Manak who doesn't want his dear wife Guleri to make her annual trip to her parents this year. Why?

'Lajwanti by Rajinder Singh Bedi' is the story of rehabilitation of abducted Lajwanti, during partition, upon her return. 

'A hundred mile race by Balwant Gargi' is tale of Boota Sing who can run hundred miles and is hopeful of going to international sports meet. Will he?

'The night of the full moon by Kartar Singh Duggal' is a hair raising story of hidden desires of a mother. 

'Hunger by Krishen Singh Dhodi' is story of a teenager whose ambition is to eat a loaf of bread and a pat of butter. Can he?

'Gods on trial by Gulzar Singh Sandhu' is the story of conversion of Muslims to Sikhisam and they being slaughtered despite. Who's Gods are powerful?

'The death of Shaikh Burhanuddin by K A Abbas' is a touching story of a Sardar who protects his Sikh hating Muslim neighbour. Why? Original story was titled 'Sardarji'. 

'The Mahabharata retold by Satindra Singh' is the story of little boys who force their parents to take them to watch the play Mahabharata. Something strange happens. What?

'Tai eesree by Krishen Chander' is a word sketch of Aunt Eesree, a kind and benevolent lady. 

'The blind alley by Gurmukh Singh Jeet' is story of a clerk who wants to revolt. Can he?

In 'Sadaat by Yashpal' a man goes to meet extremely beautiful Sadaat, baby sitter of his sister. What does he find? Is Sadaat immortal?

'Soorma Singh by Balwant Singh' is the story of a blind man who sings in a Gurudwara. Could not understand what author wanted to say. 

In 'The nuptial bed by Upendra Nath Ashk' a man cannot consummate his marriage on his mother's bed. What will he do?

'Happy new year by Ajeet Caur' is the story of Mr. Kapoor, a clerk who suddenly became PA of a minister, and his new year celebration. How will his wife react?

'One passenger, Ho! by Santok Singh Dhir' is story of a Tongawalla and his efforts to take as many passengers as possible, always looking for one more.  

'Breaking point by Usha Mahajan' is the story of a liaison between a woman (with invalid husband) and a successful (and married) doctor and the truth. 

'Strange new world by Kulwant Singh Virk' is the tale of a thief who is not balked by danger or fear of law. What defeats him?

'A Punjab pastorale by Khushwant Singh' tells us about a missionary in Punjab and how he tries to 'improve' unclean locals. What fascinates him?

Only the last story was written originally in English. All others are translated. Majority of the stories are translated by Khushwant Singh, some are translated by others. 

As the title suggests most of the stories are from Punjab and all are written by writers from Punjab.  A number of stories are from the era of partition and talk about the pains of Partition. All of them depict the life in Punjab. 

The stories smell the earth of Punjab. The loud life, the big heart, human emotions and relationships are expertly captured. 

Of all the stories, I liked 'The night of the full moon' & 'Breaking point' most. The shock in first and realization in second stirs the reader.

Toba Tek Singh and Sardarji are well known and famous stories. 

Good book. Recommend reading.

"Skyserpents" by Jash Sen. This book is published by Duckbill in 2013 and has 268 pages. This is Book 2 of Wordkeepers trilogy. 

Anya and Bilal enter red plant of Kali, Vishasha, on Yaksha's back. They have an unexpected, unknown friend on the hostile planet who doesn't reveal his identity.  Their objective is to rescue their mother and retrieve the captured amulets. 

Will they survive? Will they succeed? Who are the sky serpents? What is Kali's objective? Who is the mysterious friend? Does Kali have a master? How is Kuber involved? Is Anya killed?

The story picks up from where Book1 ended. It obviously keeps you interesting. Author has used some very good ideas in the book like storing the amulets in ones subconscious, having secret discudsions in someone's memory instead of any of three loks etc. 

Sky serpents are unleashed. They have made their first two kills. Bilal has acquired his full potential. Anya has decided to do the supreme sacrifice. Alkapuri is discovered. By the end of he book stage is set for the epic battle between good and bad. The twist of Kali having another master is very interesting. 

Despite being Book 2, author has managed to maintain the momentum generated by Book 1. New characters enter while some characters make exit.

Cover illustration is interesting.

A good continuation. Recommend reading. But read it in order.

The Sialkot saga by Ashwin Sanghi

"The Sialkot saga" by Ashwin Sanghi. This book is published by Westland in Apr 2016 and has 588 pages.

This is the story of two men. Arvind, son of a Marwari businessman in Calcutta & Arbaz, son of a coolie working in Mumbai docks. Both are intelligent, daring, entrepreneurial in their own way, ruthless, capable and have flexible morals. They rise in their own chosen profession and meet one day. Most ancient secret society, Samrat Ashoka's "Nine unknowns", is still active. 

What happens then? Where will it lead? What is the connection with partition of India? What is the connection of Ashoka's legend of Nine Unknowns? What is Tirritopsis dohrnii?

The story starts with partition of India and arrival of last train, full of dead bodies, from Sialkot to Amritsar. It also ends with a flashback of same event, hence the book name. 

Ashoka's legend of Nine Unknowns seems tone very famous within Indian authors. This is fifth or sixth book on the legend that I have read. Author has however diverged from popular belief that it contained nine sciences. He has chosen just two. Alchemy and Immortality. 

It's a big book and takes us from childhood of Arvind & Arbaz, their struggle, their rise, their affluence and dealings, their old age, death and their kids and grand child. It's a long time span to cover. So it seems like you are looking at documentary rather than reading a book. The events are presented in bits and pieces forming the story. However I felt a disconnection. Story is not fluid. 

Author has used real life figures in the story like Atal Bihari Vajpeyi, Rajeev Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao etc and a number of real events that happened at that time like assassination of Indira Gandhi, anti Sikh riots, release of movies, Sachin Tendulkar's test debut, Mumbai blasts, entry of private TV channels, 9/11 attacks, 26/11 Mumbai attacks, ICL & IPL etc. It gives the reader feeling of nostalgia. 

Initially the book is uninteresting, then it becomes slightly interesting, it is good, not so good, boring, curious and ok in patches. The book grows on you as you read it. However the death of protagonists is abrupt and author goes too far when he brings in Cheeranjivi. 

Although the book is good, it does not qualify to Ashwin's reputation. 

Read if you have time.

Sea witch by Alistair Maclean

"Sea witch" by Alistair Maclean. This book is published by Collins in 1977 and has 192 pages.

 

Lord Worth is a billionaire oil producer. He operates the only TLP (Tension leg platform) in the world at that time named 'Sea witch'. TLP is more cost effective than jack up or drillship. Moreover he is drilling in international waters, in Gulf of Mexico, making him extremely cost effective. A group of 10 oil producers from various countries decides to take remedial action and employ services if John Cronkite who has a grudge against Lord Worth.

 

What will Cronkite do? How will Lord Worth defend? What roles would Mitch and Rumor, private detectives who are also friends of Lord Worth's daughters, play? What would be the future of Sea Witch?

 

The story has the background of oil industry. More specifically offshore oil industry. Those who are not familiar will have some difficulty in understanding the technical jargon which author has tried to keep to essential minimum.

 

Characterization is good. Arrogant and shrewd Lord Worth. His daughters who do not care for his money. Extremely competent private detectives. Devious Cronkite. Band of goons on both sides. Politicians. Etc. 

 

What is not convincing is that a lot of gun fights and explosives are used on and around the TLP,  but there is no incident with oil. The battle takes place on Sea Witch. Also it is unconvincing that  theft of nuclear devices Is so easy and that the government will declare theft on news media. 

 

Although you don't abandon the book, you do not enjoy it very much. 

 

Give it a miss.

 

Seduction of Shiva by A. N. D. Haskar

"Seduction of Shiva" by A. N. D. Haskar. This book is published by Penguin India in 2014 and has 256 pages.

This book is translation of Sanskrit stories written by various writers between BCE 12th century and CE 4th century that is over a period of 1500 years. These stories are from Purana, Jaiminiya, Mahabharata, Kathasaritsagara, Brihatathaslokasamgraha, Ramayana, Divyavandana, Dasa Kumara Charitram, Shuka saptati, Harivamsa etc. 

'The seduction of Shiva' is the tale of Samudramanthan and how Shiva gets smitten by Mohini. 

'Life and love: An allegory' is just that. Allegorical tale of Prince Puranjan. 

'Mukti and Viveka: The dialectic of intercourse' is also an allegorical tale of Prince Sudhanva, who decides to challenge Ashwamedh horse of Pandav, and his wife Prabhavati. 

'The sons of Vichitravirya' is story of birth of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur. 

'An appointment with Upakosha' is story of a beautiful married woman, Upakosha, who's husband has gone for penance and who is hounded by four men. What will she do?

'The barber's tale' is the story of a barber who's wife has become object of carnal pleasure of the King? What will barber do?

'A stupid demon' is story of a Brahman who propitiates a pishacha to heal his wound and how his daughter helps him get rid of it. 

In 'Man or woman' Bhishma answers the question of who gets greater pleasure in intercourse, man or woman, through the story of King Bhangasvana. 

'History of a marriage' is the story of Kundamalika who marries a handsome young imposter standing in for a hideous one eyed ugly. Can she save herself?

'Agastya and Lopamudra' is a bit strange tale of their marriage and birth of their son. 

In 'Vriddha kanya', a virgin ascetic can attain salvation only if she marries. Who will marry her. 

'The rape of Rambha' answers why Ravan did not force himself on Sita. 

'The life and love of a Bodhisattva' is the love story if Prince Sudhana of Hastinapur and Nymph Manohara. 

'Of husbands and wives' is a tale of importance of wife in a man's life. 

'Arjuna and Urvashi' is the story where Arjuna rejects amorous advances if Nymph Urvashi and she curses him. What was the curse?

'The wedding of Radha and Krishna' is an unheard story of Radha Krishna wedding performed by Brahma. 

In 'The sage and the siren' a courtesan Kama Manjari approaches Sage Marichi for help. He allows her to stay in the ashram. What happens next? What is her problem?

'The story of Devayani' starts from Kacha, moves to Sanjeevani, goes on to Sharmishtha and ends at marriage with Yayati. 

'Shriya devi's ordeal' is the tale of how an adulteress passes a chastity test. 

'In quest of a consort' tells us how Usha, grand daughter of Demon King Bali, found her divine husband, Aniruddha, grandson of Krishna. 

All the stories are very brief, as was the norm in those days when written literature was sparse and oral traditions were strong.  

The storIes talk about relations and relationships. It includes love, desire, duty, need, responsibility, seduction, restraint, sex, marriage etc. However a large number of stories are about love, lust, sex, seduction and adultry. 

It's a mix of story types. Some are racy, some finely cultivated, some romantic, some erotic, some cynical, some satirical and some edifying. The geographical area covered by the stories ranges from present day Kashmir to Tamilnadu. 

Many of the stories are known stories and hence nostalgic. Some were unknown and hence interesting. Since they are from various authors and from different time periods, narration style differs from story to story.

Penguin should be applauded for bringing the translation of Sanskrit literature to modern readers through Penguin Classics. Cover, though not eye catching, portrays the theme of the book depicted by outline of a lady, a blooming bud and a wing. 

Recommend reading. 

Curfewed night by Basharat Peer.

"Curfewed night" by Basharat Peer. This book is published by RHI in 2009 and has 256 pages. This is author's debut novel.              

The cover says that this book is an account of life, love and war in Kashmir by a Kashmiri journalist. Basharat has written an account of life in Kashmir from his childhood to his adulthood.

Author talks about the relatives, neighbours, acquiatances and friends but has hardly anything on love and nothing to say on his love life.

Author tells us about the life in Kashmir before the rise of terrorism, the general sympathy towards Pakistan, fun part of childhood. Then he tells us how the life transformed irrevocably after the rise of terrorism, how atmosphere became conducive for anti India sentiments, how identity card became extension of body and check posts and barricades part of daily life under the scrutiny of Indian army. He also tells us about the Geelani case, Delhi university professor accused of aiding Parliament attack, tried and later acquitted. 

He also talks about army excesses, oppression, torture, rape, disappeared persons and half widows. He rues the state of neglect and disrepair of infrastructure and is saddened to look at dying monuments. He also tells us how Kashmiri's were historically oppressed by various rulers. There is a brief mention of Ikhawani counter insurgents, Kashmiri's who kill the terrorists. This was new information to me. In short he laments destruction of the fabric of society. 

However author has chosen to only make a passing reference to one important fall out of this situation. The eviction of Kashmiri Pundits from their homeland. It was the largest exodus in Indian history that turned it's citizens into refugees in their own country. Appropriation of their assets by those who evicted them, killings, rapes and other atrocities. Plight of those Kashmiris who had to live a life of refugees in their own country. He talks about targeting of one community by army but remains mostly silent about targeting of another community by terrorists. In short the other side of this coin is largely missing.

The book is written more like a report or an account rather than a novel. Although it won the crossword book award for nonfiction and though it contains important information and stories, I felt that it fell short in literary content. 

Appreciably author's tone is neither angry nor bitter. He appears to be wistful and sad at the lost way of life. He misses the old life. 

Epilogue of this book is probably the best part in this book. It gives an all encompassing view of the author where he gets philosophical.  

Read for a change.