Old stone mansion" by Mahesh Elkunchwar

"Old stone mansion", a play, by Mahesh Elkunchwar, translated from original Marathi 'Wada Chirebandi (वाडा चिरेबंदी)' to English by Shanta Gokhale. This book is published by Seagull in 2004 and has 72 pages. This book was recommended by my father. 

Patriarch of a respected, but almost broke, family is dead. His second son and daughter in law arrive from Bombay. The play is about perspectives of family members towards each other, society and their own future, their relationship with each other and their opinions against the harsh reality of dwindling monetary situation and need to spend for the sake of appearances, social status and prestige. It's the story of transformation of a once wealthy Brahman family in a town in Vidarbha staying in a huge 200 year old stone mansion and hollowed economic situation. 

When you read a play, the characters and their relations with other characters are not explained by author like in a novel. Here these things are slowly unveiled through the dialogues. That's the beauty of play.

There are a number of tiffs in the play. Rich and poor, city and town dwellers, deshasta and koknastha, young and old, opportunists and naives etc. There is love between the family members but it is time and again measured with the economic yard stick. 

Characters are rich. Blind and deaf grandmother who is stuck in time and calls her son. Mourning, loving Aai whose opinion does not count, Bhaskar the opportunist elder brother who is not able to retain the lifestyle, Vahini his wife, Parag their son who is in bad company, Ranju their daughter who is dreaming about acting in films, Sudhir the middle son who works in Mumbai, Anjali his Koknastha (A Brahman sub cast) wife, Chandu the youngest son ordered by all and Prabha their sister who has been subjected to injustice. 

The character of Vahini (Eldest daughter in law of the family) is most interesting. She demonstrates a lot of shades. She is responsible, works a lot, keeps her husband in check, adores her brother in law, keeps ordering her youngest brother in law, is blindsided with her love for her children and can't see the inevitable, has taken control of the house. Probably the most developed character.

Translation is OK. In some cases it is a transliteration rather than translation. For example Vahini keeps saying 'pest'. I wondered why she uses the word out of context. Then I realized that probably the original Marathi play used the expression 'jalla (जळ्ळं)'. Also the change in spoken Marathi in Warhad and in Kokan that shows the tiff in family is lost in translation.

It's a powerful play of transitions and lack of adaptability. I have not watched this play on stage but it was one of the classics. It was revived recently and is running currently.

Special mention should go to the title of the play, both original and translation. It's so perfect that there couldn't have been a better name. The name says it all. 

Read the original in Marathi. Or better watch it.

A mysterious death at Sainik farms by Rukmani Anandani

"A mysterious death at Sainik farms" by Rukmani Anandani. This book is published by Rupa publications in 2012 and has 240 pages.

Ugrasen, a wealthy businessman and father of three adult sons, is dead in his house full of family and relatives. There is a typewritten note. Private Investigator Ganapaty Iyer and his side kick Vinayak Verma, luckily, land their first case in Delhi.

Is the death a murder? Can GP successfully investigate? Will police cooperate? Whodunit?

A big rich family, patriarch murderd, lot of suspects, most of them with motives, slow story, meticulous investigations, assembly at the end to reveal the murderer. Sounds familiar? This can be the synopsis of most of Agatha Christie books. So is it for this book. While reading the book you get a feeling that you are reading an Agatha Christie's Indian novel. 

Characters are good. Bossy father, Suppressed and rebellious sons, a femme fatale, jeleous wife, dubious brother, friendly sister-in-law, sharp niece, dependent relatives, impatient police, smart but not that smart side kick and finally logical, deductive, methodological detective.

To add some differentiating factor, here is a detective (GP) who can recite verses from Kural of Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar, at will, appropriate to the occasion.

I was able to recognize the killer half way through the book. GP finds the killer based on other clues, not the one I used for my deduction. Should ask the author if my deduction is also valid.

One thing that escapes the reader is how GP can be so confident, convincing and all knowing in his first case. Reason for missing will is also weak. 

Cover shows an old wooden rocking chair at night, on the background of a wall with peeling paint and plaster. I was not able to determine how exactly is this cover relevant to the story. 

Based on how the novel ends, it is evident that Rukmani is planning to write a series for this lovable private investigator Ganapaty Iyer. Would like to read another one. 

Read if you like Agatha mysteries.

The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

"The Hidden Oracle" by Rick Riordan. This book is published by Puffin in 2016 and has 432 pages. This is Book 1 of 'The trials of Apollo', a new series on Greek mythology. 

Apollo, God of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge, finds himself transformed into Lester Pappadopolus, a 16 year old youngster and to his horror, a mortal. 

Why has he become a mortal? What did he do? What trails await him? Can he survive without his Godly powers?

After dabbling in Egyptian (Kane chronicles) and Norse mythology (Magnus Chase series), Rick is back to his favourite Greek mythology. He has already written two series on Greek mythology, both featuring Percy Jackson. Percy Jackson makes an appearance at the start and towards the end of this book. Here he is in supporting role rather than being the protagonist.

In the first series Cronus was the villain, in second Gia was the villain. In this series, Roman emperor Nero and the Python are the villains. Both have come back from dead.

Apollo and Calypso have acquired a mortal form. Leo is missing after battle with Gia. There are all sort of wierd and fascinating characters like Diaper wearing Peach demon, Gyser God asking to fill customer satisfaction surveys, a demigod who can weaponize garbage, Apollo who had fallen from being a God to a mortal, 100 feet statue turned automaton, talking trees etc. He blends mythology with modern day things seamlessly. He continues with his peculiar and crisp narration and maintains your interest. 

Some of the Heros from previous books make an appearance and come back. However the protagonist is Apollo. Apollo, a big headed and self-important God, starts to identify with human traits like affection for family, responsibility and sacrifice.

The story of this book is weak. If it is to be developed into a full series, there should be more to it. Let's hope that author pulls his socks. Book 1 ends with a prophecy and Book 2 will start with the quest. 

Read only if you intend to read the series.

Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee

"Disgrace" by J. M. Coetzee. This book is published by Vintage in 2000 and has 220 pages. My father recommended this book and gave me a copy to read. 

This is the story of a twice divorced South African professor, David Lurie, who has an affair with one of his student. Her parents lean on her to lodge a complaint of sexual harrasment. An inquiry is set up. 

What will be the outcome of inquiry? Who will be found at fault? Will the proffessor gain his lost respect or will it be a disgrace? Where will he go? What will he encounter? Is the disgrace limited to him?

Character of David is very interesting. He is a proffessor of literature but has to teach communication due to rationalization. His heart is not in it. He loves all things beautiful, especially women. He has a series of affairs. He is a critique of literature and has books on his name. He wants to write about Byron. He actually uses sexual harassment charge to escape the staid life and venture into something new. Reader sympathizes with his restlessness and suffocation when his daughter is raped. Character of Melanie is under developed. Why Lucy wants to stay put despite knowing the eventuality of loosing everything, including honor, is baffling. Character of Bev, who kills animals out of love, is interesting.

Violation of a white lady and robbery of her belongings by black assailants in post aperhhide South Africa is a very powerful sub plot. And if the lady decides not to press charges due to the feeling of disgrace how much would she suffer and how much would her father suffer due to her suffering?

Its a novel describing the grim realities of modern day South Africa where class divide and then the abolishment has destabilized the society. 

David's passion is to write an opera on the life of English poet Byron and his Italian mistress Teresa. While he writes and composes music, does he see himself in Byron? Is there an allegory? Indeed there is. Not only in the opera but also about the dogs that he helps to dispose off respectfully after they are put down. 

David goes from being a proffessor to becoming disgraced to a farmer to a dog undertaker to an opera writer and back as dog undertaker. 

It's a disturbing novel. But powerfully written. It's dark. 

Read if you like the genre.

Can love happen twice by Ravinder Singh

"Can love happen twice" by Ravinder Singh. This book is published by Penguin Random House India  in 2013 and has 224 pages. 

After 'I too had a love story' (See my book review - April 2014), Ravin's story continues. After coming out of shock of Khushi's death, he meets another girl, Simar, in Belgium. Inevitably they fall in love. 

Can Love happen twice? Will Ravin be able to live someone else? Will they marry? Is it a happy ending?

To read and understand this book you must have read the first one titled 'I too had a love story'. This story begins where the previous ended. Ravin's tentativeness about falling in love again. Simar's carefree nature. Their courtship and their life in Belgium makes the story readable. However the turn it takes as the discussion on marriage starts is a bit baffling. Ravin is flabbergasted. 

Author has given a twist to the story but it rather comes as a surprise. There are no hidden hints or clues about Simar's behavior in the earlier part of story. That's why it appears unconvincing. Hard to buy. 

Author has used his succesful formula of distant love i. e. Blossoming of love through phone. He has extended it to fights and reason for a split. It's a story of selfless love by one of the two. 

I wonder why author ended the book, the way he did. It sounds artificial. Though the idea of radio show was good , what a radio show can do, a telephone call could have done as well. 

Although the story is narrated well, one can not help comparing it with the first book. And this one pales in comparison. It does not rouse the emotions in the reader like the first book. 

Not a must read.

A thousand splendid suns by Khaled Hosseini

"A thousand splendid suns" by Khaled Hosseini. This book is published by Bloomsbury publishing in 2013 and has 419 pages.

Mariam is a harami (basterd) daughter of successful businessman in Herat. She is married off to a man from Kabul, much older than her. Laila, almost 20 years younger than Mariam, is a carefree girl in the neighborhood whose two brothers are martryed in fight against Soviets and whose mother hasn't come out of mourning, depression and mood swings. Life takes a turn. 

A quirk of fate coupled with opportunism brings Mariam and Laila under one roof. They come under same roof when the book reaches 50% mark. The relationship between Mariam and Laila is the soul of the story. The relationship is one of pity and empathy, then it changes to animosity, then to fate accompli, then to cooperation, then to commradiery and finally to a deep bond of love and friendship. 

It's a story of relations and relationships between Mariam, Laila, Aziza, the husband Rashid and the way their life is impacted by the upheavals and transitions in Afghanistan starting from rule of Shah to Soviets to Communists to Mujahiddin to Taliban to Northern alliance to Democracy. 

It was a horrible situation for women under Taliban rule. They could not leave the abusive husband, could not stand him and had no option but to suffer the abuses without complaint. But it too has a limit. 

It's the story of Mariam who has no joy, no satisfaction, no happiness in her life. She encounters suffering after suffering. However she clings to the small things in her life and values them very much. Probably that gives her strength to sustain. It's a story of relationship between two women but Mariam is undoubtedly the protagonist. Her ultimate sacrifice is towering example of her selflessness. 

Khaled has written the story lyrically. Though Mariam is absent in the middle portion of the book, reader awaits her return. The Afghan background and Farsi words make the story exotic.  

Recommend reading. 

The taxi ride and other spooky stories by Priyanka and Bhavini

"The taxi ride and other spooky stories" by Priyanka and Bhavini. This book is published by Ms Moochie in 2014 and has 54 pages. Its a collection of spooky stories.

'Nani's secret' is a story of interaction between long dead Nani and her 9-10 year old grandson. 

'You've got mail' is about a chain email. You must forward to 30 persons otherwise bad things will happen. 

In 'The wall' children experience something dangerous, something creepy in the adjacent abandoned property. 

In 'The mist' each of the three school boys has same experience at the same time while other two slept. 

In 'The dark sorcerer', a life size chess board and chess pieces come to life every night. What happens next?

In 'Silence please' Mohit goes to a boarding school that is strangely silent. Why?

'A dangerous sport' is about black magic. Will a tennis ball help?

In 'The taxi ride' Tharunika boards a taxi on a lonely foggy night. The driver is scary. What happens on the ride?

'The bleeding finger' is a story of a couple who give shelter to a man with bleeding finger during a storm. Why is the finger bleeding?

In 'The ouija board' school girls call a spirit. It really comes. What will it do?

In 'The last dream' a boy sees dream about innocuous things and the things appear in his house the next day. What would be his last dream?

'The lucky finger' is a story told by a school girl to her sleepover friends. Why does the TV start on its own?

The book is a Collection of 12 stories. Title does not leave any doubt in reader's mind as to the content of the book.

The stories are spooky but not that spooky. Spookyness in some of the stories is predictable. There are a couple of errors of continuity that could have been avoided. 

Of these 12 stories I liked The mist, The taxi ride and The dark sorcerer, the most. 

It is rare for female authors to write spooky stories. This book has come out good. Although the book title shows only two authors, the stories are written by numerous authors, mostly female.

Do I recommend reading the book? Yes. Do I recommend to purchase the book? No.

Rekhache Kahi (रेखाचे काही) by Rekha Apte (रेखा आपटे)

"Rekhache Kahi (रेखाचे काही)" a Marathi book by Rekha Apte (रेखा आपटे). This book is privately published by Alhad Apte in 2016 and has 104 pages.

This book is a collection of literature by the author and was privately published as part of celebration of her sixtieth birthday. This was a surprise gift to her by her family.

'Mi he karu shaken? (मी हे करु शकेन?)' is about realization of a young boy that there is no work assigned to only males or only females. With nuclear families everyone should contribute.

'Umed (उमेद)' is the story of a physically fit lady's recovery from unexpected paralysis attack. Does it impact only physically?

'Aplyala Kay karaychay? (आपल्याला काय करायचंय?)' is the story of a lady who is criticized for her choice of son in law. What is her opinion about son in law of her friend?

'Agatik (अगतिक)' is story of hunger on the background of riots where the poor does not loose compassion. 

In 'Merit (मेरिट)' Sharda is under immense pressure to make it to the merit list. Pressure of expectations. Can she?

'Katha eka kathechi (कथा एका कथेची)' is just that. Story of a housewife writing a story. 

'Kaku (काकू)' is the story of a wealthy lady who goes from riches to rags. Can she get contentment after that?

'Nisargane nirmilela Ek chamatkar: Acupressure (निसर्गाने निर्मिलेला एक चमत्कार : अॅक्युप्रेशर)' is an article about acupressure therapy. 

In 'Wadi (वाडी)' author becomes nostalgic about the house and village of her grand parents. The good old and carefree days. Don't we all?

In 'Tekdimagche jangal (टेकडीमागचे जंगल)' a small girl takes the challenge to climb a tree. How will she get down? The story appeared a bit hurried in the second half. 

'Adhunik Valmiki (अधुनिक वाल्मिकी)' is a word sketch of Babu, narrated by Ramchandra Harshe and penned (शब्दांकन) by the author. 

'Vivahsanstha (विवाहसंस्था)' is an article that analyzes the root cause of increase in failed marriages from authors point of view. Author puts forth her views very effectively in just two pages. 

'Apt Apte (आप्त आपटे)' is speech she gave on the occasion of publishing of family history of all Apte's. 

'Malaygiri (मलयगिरी)' is author's diary. A longish account of her observations of construction of a large building as viewed from her balcony. The observations are full of curiosity and empathy towards the labor.

'Pushpak (पुष्पक)' is humorous account of a couple's trip to moon and what happens in the space ship. This one is translated from original Hindi piece by G. R. Chakravarty. 

'Mala lawkar ghari jaychay (मला लवकर घरी जायचंय)' is a tongue in cheek account, a monologue full of contradictions, of a working lady returning to her sick daughter from work. 

'Kashasathi? (कशासाठी)' is a philosophical article about creation where author asks 53 questions in two pages. I found some repetition in this article. 

'Shapmukta (शापमुक्त)' is the story of a mother who's son is in a vegetative state and she wants to release him from this curse. How?

'Garditli manuski (गर्दितील माणुसकी)' is the story of a pregnant lady who travels in a train during merciless rush hours. Is there humanity in this rush?

'360 ansh (३६० अंश)' is a perceptive story of how various people look at one incident differently, interpret the meaning and form their own opinion. 

'Satha uttarachi kahani (साठी उत्तराची कहाणी)' is a very small but powerful tale that tells us the importance of empathy. 

'Dohale (डोहाळे)' is a very specific kind of poem sung by a would be mother about her expected baby conveying her vision about future of her child. Here author has Dohale for APJ Abdul Kalam, AR Rehman, Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Jijabai. 

 Every story and article contains a commentary by her loving husband giving background of it and it's approximate time period to readers. Photos from her life adorn the book and give it a personal touch. Some of the literature was previously published, some not. 

The literature was penned over a period of 20 odd years and the change in narration style, names of characters and language; with the passage of time can be made out. But author has managed to retain the freshness over this long period.

The literature consists of short stories, articles, speech, diary entries, translation, poems etc. The variety is impressive for an amature writer. 

All the tales narrated in first person are narrated by a lady, a married lady. The book, in general is a perspective of a middle aged - middle class lady.  It can be expected to see the author narrate the story through a male or child in her next book. That also goes for the point of view.

Author has addressed social issues like poverty, mercy killing, plight of labor, humanity and empathy etc on one hand and incidents that happen in our everyday life, gossiping and humor on the other. The stories can be read with family. In fact I read a number of stories to my daughter. 

A number of stories and articles have long titles. Some titles are questions. Some titles were actually given by the publisher as author had not allocated title to the item. 

I liked Aplyala Kay karaychay, Agatik, Mala lawkar ghari jaychay, Shapmukta, 360 ansh and Satha uttarachi kahani the most.

Size of this book is B5. It's a bit difficult to handle due to this unconventional size. Would I call this book a fiction, non fiction or short story collection? Na! It's a bouquet of her literature.

Those who know the author will like it. Those who don't know her will also like it, but may not get a chance to read it as the book is not commercially available. 

Disclosure: Author is a very close relative. 

Kalyug by R. Sreeram

"Kalyug" by R. Sreeram. This book is published by Westland Ltd. in 2014 and has 388 pages.

Major General Qureshi is given two choices. He takes third and commits suicide. Army is disgruntled. Numerous scams have broken out and the powerless prime minister occupying the seat until Jojo,  party president Mrs. Pandit's son, can take over, is only a figurehead. GK, a wily politician and once hopeful of the top spot, is now the President of India. Sounds familiar?  Major Raghav is an important player. It is INSAF Vs Powerhouse. Kalyug has started. 

Can there be a coup in India?  Such a large country, so many contradictions, strong democracy, so many players. What is INSAF? What is Powerhouse? Who does Raghav represent? What will GK do? What is Kalyug?

The story takes place in 2012. The idea of a patriotic organization taking over the country is simultaneously fascinating and dangerous. The question that remains is 'Is it for good or bad?' Is the subversion of constitution for better governance justified? Does the end justify the means?

The characters in this book are very obviously based on the current politicians from various parties and industrialists. Reader can very easily identify which character is based on which one. That gives this fiction a touch of reality. 

Narration of the story is riveting. Without one's knowledge reader chooses his side. What happens next? The curiosity keeps the reader on tenterhooks. It's a thriller, a political thriller. It has all the right ingredients, plot and sub plots, twists, Patriots, traitors, action, adventure, philosophy and even a bit of romance. From the moment I started reading this gripping novel, I wondered how the author would end it. Although the climax is a bit hurried, author has managed not to make it anti climactic. 

The advocacy of a coup and emergency is very convincing. President's Manifesto after imposing emergency and change of rules, reforms are written brilliantly and find immediate buy-in with the readers fed up with politics and politicians. It's a masterpiece. 

A few questions remain unanswered. Why threaten the American president? How does Gyan fool INSAF easily? Why does Qazi behave uncharacteristiclly? How come the security breach is not plugged before important summit? Why rope in the author? 

The cover shows a pair of boots with blood around them. The picture is good but what is the significance of cover?

Story ends but the saga doesn't end. There is enough for the author if he ever decides to write a sequel. 

A good book. Don't miss it.

The guardians of Halahala by Shtrujit Nath

"The guardians of Halahala" by Shtrujit Nath.  This book is published by Jaico Publishing in 2015 and has 428 pages. This is Book 1 of Vikramaditya trilogy. 

When Samudramanthan was done Halahala emerged. It started killing Devas and Asuras. Mahadev consumed it and saved everyone. But an Asura managed to steal some and seal it in the hilt of a dagger. King Vikramaditya performs Rajasuya yagnya and becomes Samrat. Shakas and Hunas are regrouping again against Avanti. There is trouble from all four directions simultaneously. 

Can Vikramaditya defend Sindhuvarta? Who is the guardian of Halahala? Why does it need to be guarded? Who wants it? Why?

Some say Vikramaditya and his council of nine is a legend. Some say it is part fact part fiction. Some say Vikramaditya was a title and not a name. Whatever it was, here author presents a mythological fiction where Devas, Humans and Rakshasas exist at the same time. They communicate and encounter. Inevitably humans are caught between the fight between Devas and Rakshasas.

Shatrujit has woven a good tale using the mythology and legend. Characters of Righteous Vikramaditya, selfless Vararuchi, Powerful Amarsimha, Best friend Kalidas, Loyal Shanku, Fierce Kshapanaka, Innovative Varahmihir, Wise Vetal Bhatta, Curer Dhanvantri and Enthusiastic Ghatakarpara are well defined and reader connects with them. There are some unanswered questions that will probably be answered in the remaining two books. 

Humans win three battles. One against Asuras and two against Devas. Rakshasas have a spy in Ujjaini. Indra is livid by defeats of his special forces and wants to unleash a potent species on the humans. That is where the book ends. Book 2 is already released. 

Author has used a number of mythological references like Betal, border world, Halahala, Amravati, Demons etc to build the tale. 

It piques your curiosity by you are not under awe.

Recommend reading if you plan to read the trilogy.

Perfect murder by Shakuntala Devi

"Perfect murder" by Shakuntala Devi. This book is published by Orient Publishing in 1976 and has 149 pages.

Kamalesh is a successful lawyer in Banglore trapped in an unhappy marriage with wealthy Seema. He and his beautiful secretary, Pushpa, decide to get rid of Seema and inherit her wealth. A perfect murder is planned. 

What is the plan? What role does Pushpa play? Will the Perfect Murder succeed?

Characterization is good. Kamlakar's obsession for his wife's money and his love. Seema's reluctance to divorce. Pushpa's love and fear. Inspector Govind Raju's forthright attitude. Sarita's strange love. These things make the characters peculiar. 

Story is decently paced. It's a small book and hence the story does not have fillers. It remains crisp. The plot is good.

What's the speciality of this novel? It's not a whodunnit? We know the murderer but there are still a few twists. 

Shakuntala Devi is a very famous mathematician. I did not know that she is also an author. Though she has written many books this is her first fiction.  

However, the end is a bit baffling. Why does Sarita do what she does remains an unanswered question. Apart from that it's a good book.  Author has shown that apart from being a prodigious mathematician she can also write good fiction. 

Read for a change or if you are curious.