Dork by Sidin Vadukut

"Dork" by Sidin Vadukut. This book is published by Penguin books in 2010 and has 239 pages. It's Book 1 of Dork trilogy. 

Robin 'Einstein' Varghese is an utterly stupid IIM-A graduate (is that an oxymoron?). He is recruited at campus by a mediocre firm Dufresne Partners. His first year at job is full of mishaps, goof ups and blunders.

Will he be terminated? Or will he survive?

The book is a 1st person narrative of Einstein. It is written as diary entries by Einstein, addressed to - none other than - the diary itself. He narrates what happened in his life to the diary. LOL. 

Einstein has a very innocent and impractical view towards everything. Where people see him as stupid he assumes they find him funny and intelligent. When they make fun of him, he thinks they appreciate him. When his stupidity costs him, he blames it on luck. He is utterly stupid, extremely lucky, rates himself very highly, has a inflated hubris and is even pompous. 

The book is written in an uncomplicated, humorous and sometimes even hilarious style. Readers come to know the character of Einstein through the diary entries and his self proclamations. Reader is exasperated and empathetic at the same time. Robin faces numerous problems of his own making but eventually survives to see another day. 

The book also criticizes consulting business, objective of consultants to milk the clients, billing the five star expenses to client, over charging, smart ass attitude and general disregard for everyone else. Einstein's treatment of Gouri is a very good example.

All in all, you become a fellow traveler in Einsteins first year journey in corporate world. Some times you curse him, some times you get frustrated, sometimes you hate him and some times you pray for him. 

Why did I read this book? Ravi recommended it. 

What I didn't like? Length. 

What did I like? Author's take on corporate world.

Recommend reading. 

An iron rose by Peter Temple

'An iron rose' by Peter Temple. This book is published by Quercus in 2011 and has 384 pages.

McArthur John Faraday, a cop is on to a drug smuggler and about to bust the entire operation when everything goes wrong and he is terminated. He turns black smith. Best friend of his father, an aboriginal, and also his good friend, Ned, commits suicide by hanging. 

Is it a suicide? Mac is suspicious. A doctor Ned visited, commits suicide in same fashion. Mac investigates. What will he find?

The story is set in rural Australia. The laid back life style, sparse population and Australian toughness are on display. It's probably my first Australian novel. Everything sounded different. A good change. Mac, divorced, is a blacksmith, plays ball, enjoys life until Ned dies. He finds clues in Ned's belongings and starts investigating. A facility run for women comes into question.

Narration is decent. It's a foregone conclusion that Ned's murder and Mac's termination, years ago, has to converge. And so they do converge at the end of book. The culprit behind it is identified. 

Is it a thriller? Well, may be a mild one. It involves murder, investigation, double cross, falsification, love and sport. It mainly depicts the rural Australian life.

Why is it called Iron Rose? No idea. Probably because the protagonist is a black smith.

Why did I read this book? To try something different. 

What I didn't like? Pace. 

What did I like? Rural Australian life.

Give it a miss.

Unreal Aliens by Karthik Lakshman

"Unreal Aliens" by Karthik Lakshman. This book is published by Penguin Random house India in 2016 and has 240 pages. It's second fiction of Unreal series after 'Unreal elections' by same author. 

Aliens have landed in Delhi. Modi charms the aliens with his showmanship, signs a number of agreements, involves them in Swacch Bharat Abhiyan but refuses to give them what they are looking for. Pakistan conspires with Aliens and Aliens take control of India. 

What will India do? What is China's position? What are Aliens looking for? What will Modi do?

Modi forms a motley crew comprising of trusted Amit Shah, Smart Subramanium Swamy, unreliable Kejriwal, Dozing Devegouda and loud Arnab Goswami to fight and defeat Aliens by watching a movie and copying the trick. It's a race against time and fight for survival. Rahul Gandhi once again plays a key role.

Modi, again, is the larger than life figure and protagonist. Modi's speeach to the audience made up of his accessories in walk in closet, response of various news channels to arrival of aliens, Ajit Doval's cameo, Arvind Kejriwal's histrionics and the double twist at the end of book are too good. 

Keen observation of famous personalities and correct use of it for the story is the key to success of this book. Kejriwal's anti Modi rant, Swamy's proximity to Supreme Court as he needs to go their daily, Badass Amit Shah, Arnab who can't stop talking, Dhoni who emphasizes process, swearing Kohli, Rajdeep Sardesai's anti Modi campaign and aversion to the word prestitute, compulsive sleeper Devegowda and many more are shrewdly captured and wittily used.

One of the best part of the book was Arvind Kejriwal's performance at 'India has got talent' show where he successfully blames everything on Modi, including something that happened before he was born. A masterpiece. 

The only section of book that slows down the story is the cricket match. Cricket match was entertaining but largely unnecessary and not in line with the story. The book fictionalizes real life figures, so those who don't know these figures will not find the book amusing. Another shortcoming is that author has used Hindi dialogues in the book verbatim. The readers who don't understand Hindi will not understand it. Thus the book will be deprived of international audience. 

It's a witty book. Readers can't help smiling multiple times and laughing out loud a few times. It tickles you, pricks you, makes you smile, amazes you and fully entertains you. 

Why did I read this book? Previous book by same author was too good.

What I didn't like? Cricket match. 

What did I like? Everything else and the end. 

Recommend reading. It's a must read.

The drum tower by Farnoosh Moshiri

"The drum tower" by Farnoosh Moshiri. This book is published by Sandstone Press Ltd in 2014 and has 320 pages.

This is a first person narration of tale by a young girl Talkhoon who's mother has disappeared and father is absconding. She is not quite right in head. She lives with her grand parents, sister, other relatives and servants in a family mansion called The Drum Tower. It's an aristocratic family of ministers. Talkhoon tells the story of transition. 

What's changing? What is the tale? What has it got to do with Simorgh?

The characterization is rich. Baba-ji, Talkhoon's grandfather, who is obsessed with Simorgh. Simorgh is an Iranian mystical benevolent creature equated with Griffin, Phoenix or Garuda. It's the bird of knowledge. Khanum jaan, Talkhoon's grandmother, who runs the house and hates Talkhoon and her deceased mother. Taara, Talkhoon's beautiful setarist sister, who elopes. Vafa, Talkhoon's paternal uncle, who turns revolutionary. Sina, Talkhoon's absentee father, who is a leftist. Soraya, Talkhoon's dead mother, who is surrounded in numerous rumors. Talkhoon, a neglected and unloved girl, in who's head, wind blows. Asad, Talkhoon's step uncle, who's status is only slightly above a servant. Drum tower, the ancestral ancient palatial mansion of generations of ministers including war minister of Shah. 

Although it's the story of Talkhoon and Drum Tower, it shows the transformations (political, social and religious) in Iran before and after the Islamic Revolution. Pre revolution Iran wasn't very different than Europe. Freedom to all, no restrictions, liquor culture etc. Post revolution everything changes. The novel is, thus, largely allegorical. We read the story of Talkhoon but it's pretty much the story of Iran. The crumbling Drum Tower, it's state of disrepair and neglect is also allegorical. 

The story is slow. Talkhoon's attempts of escape from Drum Tower always bring her back to Drum tower. She is always in a circular flight, like Simorgh, that brings her back. Last flight is the biggest. Will it be circular? She meets a number of people. Good, bad, greedy, innocent, caring, careless and through them she and reader understand Iran and transition. 

Character of Assad is a special one. He obsessively loves Talkhoon's mother. His obsession turns to Talkhoon who has a lot of similarities to her mother. This obsession turns to possessiveness blended with care. He is unreasonable and considerate at the same time.  Tyrant and loving at the same time. Vicious and forgiving at the same time. 

Reading this book is similar to viewing old Sepia photographs. Graphic but very different from today's times. End of the book is a bit strange, hurried and forcefully brought together. Author has also made it mystic and symbolic. 

Farnoosh Moshiri, the author, fled Iran in 1983. She lived in Afghanistan and Iran for 4 years before emigrating to USA. This book won Black Heron press award for Social Fiction in 2014. 

Why did I read this book? Raj recommended it. 

What I didn't like? Length. 

What did I like? Characterization, allegory.

Recommend reading if you like social fiction. 

A Himalayan love story by Namita Gokhale

"A Himalayan love story" by Namita Gokhale. This revised edition of the book is published by Penguin books in 2002 and has 207 pages. 

Parvati grows up with her maternal uncle, a head master. He refuses to marry her to one of his favourite student, Mukul, and instead marries her to another favourite student for cast reasons. Years later head master dies and bequeaths his estate to Mukul. Mukul returns to find Parvati in asylum. 

What does the will say? What is Mukul's reaction after seeing his first love? How will he fulfil his responsibilities?

The book starts as a 1st person narrative of Parvati. Midway it changes to first person narrative of Mukul. In Parvati's narrative, Mukul only has a passing reference. It appears that Mukul's love was one sided. Parvati did not love him or any other person but she has multiple affairs. 

Author has used Heavy English words normally not seen in books of Indian English authors. I also found Continuity issues. Ramsingh dies but he helps Mukul pack his bag a few pages later. Avoidable.

Mukul is attracted to a Tibetan girl who sells trinkets. He visits her and sleeps with her. Why? What was the significance of this girl in the story and why does she agree? Unnecessary. 

The book is titled 'A Himalayan love story'. If it's the love story of Mukul, he fails. If it is of Parvati, she never loved. If it's about the hill people, there is no love story. At the end the solution agreed could have been agreed on the first day of Mukul's arrival. So why the story? Is it a story of rediscovery? Not really. The story sounds more like drivel. 

Cover shows black silhouette of trees on blackish red background. Gives it a spooky appearance. But the story isn't. 

I have been reading this book for about one month and half, which by my standards in interminably long. I did not abandon reading only because I don't like to abandon. But it was a test of my patience. 

AVOID

The new one minute manager by Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson

"The new one minute manager" by Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson. This book is published by Harpercollins in 2014 and has 112 pages. 

Ken Blanchard is a famous author of books like Gung Ho!, Full Steam ahead! He has developed Situational Leadership model with Paul Hersay. Spencer Johnson is author of legendary book 'Who moved my cheese?'. The duo has co-authored the original 'One minute manager'.

This is the updated modern version of the famous book 'One minute manager'. In the message from authors they explain why they wrote this book. The world has changed from the times of previous book. Organizations have to respond faster, with fewer resources, to keep up with ever changing technology and globalization. In short it's a modern retelling of previous story making it current.

Three secrets of one minute management as per this book are:

1. Setting one minute goals - Set clear goals at the start of an assignment, write them on one page, review frequently and adjust your actions. 
2. One minute praisings - Catch them doing something right. Praise and encourage. 
3. One minute re-directs - Specify what went wrong and reaffirm trust in said employee. 

This retelling of the story changes the management style to suit present times. It was a directive or telling style of management in former avatar, this one is proponent of a participative style of management. The spirit of collaboration is prominent. Here you involve your charges in decision making. The reprimands in previous book have become re-directs.

Simple recommendations of this book are that People who feel good about themselves produce good results. Be people AND result oriented. Provide regular feedback. 

This avatar of the book is more people oriented. In the feedback from manager how the manager 'feels' is emphasized. Human angle is prominent. Even the example of pigeon is replaced by that of a child.

Authors have provided 'The new one minute manager's game plan' towards the end of book. It's a simple flowchart on one page that captures the essence if this book. The book is interspersed with important quotes. The quotes pack the punch by saying a lot in few words. 

It's a good idea to write a modern retelling of hugely popular old book. It thus remains current, addresses present situation & does not become an obsolete classic. It also makes a great commercial sense as good sales are guaranteed. Every person who read previous one will read this one too. In fact I read previous one again with this one to determine what the changes were. 

Although the authors do not say it explicitly, it appears that the seeker in previous book has now become New One Minute Manager and now there is a new seeker. The chain continues. One can't help but wonder how the book ends so quickly. 

A must read.

Pirate by Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell

"Pirate" by Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell. This book is published by Penguin UK in 2016 and has 400 pages. This is Book 8 of 'Fargo adventures' series. 

Hundreds of years ago the treasure of the King John of England is declared lost but in reality it's hidden to prevent it from falling in the hands of French Prince who has usurped the power. Cut to present times. Sam and Remi Fargo decide to take a week off and venture in a rare books shop. There is a robbery. 

Why rob a book shop? How are Fargo's involved? Who are they up against?

Sam and Remi's vacation plans go for a toss once again. Here they encounter same enemy numerous times and survive death at least ten times. How the enemy manages to be where they go remains a mystery.

The couple goes after the treasure tracking one clue that leads to another. These clues were not found by anyone in 200 years but Fargo's find them without sweat. Legend of Robin Hood is also strung in this adventure. 

Narration is OK, but not in the league of other Cussler books. Of all the Cussler series, this one is my least favorite. 

Although the book is not boring, it's nothing to write about either. 

Give it a miss.

The narrow road to Palem by Sharath Komarraju

"The narrow road to Palem" by Sharath Komarraju. This book has 114 pages.

Rudrakshapalem is a small sleepy village in Andhra on the banks of Godavari. During the day it's a normal village, but during night all sorts of wierd things happen. This book is a collection of such stories in this village. 

In 'The ace of clubs', Subbaiya comes in possession of a card, the ace of club. It changes his fortune, but at what cost?

Yenki starts seeing ghost of her husbands first wife 'Malli'. Why is she back three days after her death?

In 'Round and round', 17 year old Raji and middle aged Chander meet at the lake, when they try to return, some how, the come back to the same spot. Why?

In 'The milk is sour', 5 year old Sanjay thinks his mother is a demon and his mother thinks that he is jealous of his newborn sister and is a danger to her. Who's right?

On 'The narrow road to Palem' Vikas and Ritu meet a man selling mirrors. What does Ritu see in it? Why don't they remember where they left their car?

In 'The Sitarist of Palem', Lata comes to a shelter run by missionaries. When she plays Sitar, only she hears tabla. What is the significance?

'Peaceful are the dead' is story of Ramashastri's family that comes into possession of a lingam that will fulfil three wishes. What would they wish?

'The barber and the milkmaid' is a strange story of Gopal and ghost of his wife, who agree that their kids are the reason for their poverty and loss of love. What will he do?

In 'Dear house', a family lives in 20 different haunted houses in 20 years. Or is it the other way round?

'No yellow in my rainbow' is the story of an old woman whose grand daughter goes missing. Local landlord is suspected but not apprehended. What can an old woman do?

Author has created a village called Palem. It has a money lender, a land lord, a priest, a barber, shopkeepers, missionaries, a prostitute, general public and many more. This book is a collection of stories that happen in Palem but with a twist. All the stories are horror stories. It's a novel idea to write horror stories with a theme binding them, in this case Palem, the village. 

None of the stories makes you skip a beat or two of you heart. They don't tell you something beyond your imagination. Most of them are mild horror stories. The shock is gentle. 

Unfortunately the author becomes predictable as you read the book. So in later stories one can guess where the story is headed and how it may end. Reader can fairly accurately predict the twist. And this is the undoing of book. 

Sharath is a good author. I have read few of his books and have liked them. This one, though good, is not one of his better creations. He has also authored another book about this village Palem. I haven't read that. 

Read for a change, if you like horror stories.

The last mile by David Baldacci

"The last mile" by David Baldacci. This book is published by Pan Macmillan India in 2016 and has 352 pages. This is book 2 of Amos Decker series.

Melwin Mars, a man with white father and black mother, is on the verge of entering NFL and becoming very rich. He is arrested and then convicted for murder of his parents. 20 years in prison, when he is about to be executed, his execution is stopped. Amos Decker joins a task force. He comes to know of Mars case. 

Why is the execution stopped? How is Amos involved? What will he discover? Are there parallels?

Readers of the first book 'Memory man' know that Amos suffered accident in a NFL football match that caused injury to his brain and a condition called Hyperthymesia. Thus he does not forget anything. He is recruited to a task force that is set up to investigate cases gone cold. The task force is headed by special agent Bogard and consists of his ex-colleague Alex Jamison, criminal psychologist Lisa Davenport and another FBI agent Milligan whose character shows potential but makes a quiet exit and then re enters. 

Character of Mars is interesting. He is a giant but extremely agile. A meticulous planner and his ability to take in the situation and knowing exactly the positions of those around him make him a force to recon with. Being black he is subject to prejudices, white father not withstanding. He is confounded upon his release and does not know why his parents were murdered and by who and why was he set up. Amos starts investigation to find truth, not to save Mars. Mars doesn't trust him initially, but it changes gradually. 

Narration is good. The story has customory twists and turns. It keeps you interested. On several occasions you think the story is nearing end, but another thing comes up and story continues. 

Bogart's entries and exits seem unnecessary. It makes reader think that he is s double agent. Character of Roy is under developed. His explaintion to Melwin about his actions is lame. Author should have spent some more time on this character. 

Story ends but the author gives clear hint that we have not seen the last of Melwin Mars. He will make an appearance in the series in future.  

Not a must read.

The little old lady who broke all the rules by Catharina Ingleman-Sundberg

"The little old lady who broke all the rules" by Catharina Ingleman-Sundberg. This book is published by Pan in 2014 and has 300 pages.

A group of Old age home clients Rake-Sailor turned Gardner, Brains-Inventor, Christina-Millionaire, Anna Greta-Banker, lead by Martha-a former teacher, (All more than a decade past their retirement ages) decide to rebel against the oppressive management in an incredible way. By plotting to kidnap paintings to bring zest in their staid lives. 

Can they even get their old and tired bodies to move? Can they escape the home? Can they succeed in their crime?

It's a crazy idea. Walkers and walking sticks wielding septunagenarians getting bored, longing for glamorous prison, pulling off crimes and still remaining free at the end. As crazy as it sounds, it's a fantastic idea. 

Author pulls off first crime very well. But then the book becomes stagnant when the oldies surrender and are imprisoned. I was close to abandoning it during that period. But then they are released and pull off another one. This one is a bit hurrirledly written.  The book ends with a seed for a sequel. Btw: the sequel is already released recently. 

Author has a Swedish Dry humor. She does not go overboard with it. Narration is very good in patches. The story looses its tempo due to the jail term. She should have avoided the jail term and gone to Crime 2 straight away. That way the flow would not be lost and book would have become shorter and crisp.

There are a number of books by Swedish authors released in English in last few years. Jonas Jonasson's 3 books '100 year old ....', Girl who saved ...' & 'Hitman Andres ....', Romain Puertolas' 'The Fakir ...', Millenium trilogy by Stieglitz Larsson are some examples. The first two authors have also displayed Swedish dry humor. Sweden is known for its book culture and affordable book prices. Catharina continues the tradition. 

Read if it sounds interesting.

The unexpected inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan

"The unexpected inheritance of Inspector Chopra" by Vaseem Khan. This book is published by Hodder And Stoughton in 2015 and has 304 pages. This book is Book 1 of Baby Ganesh agency series. 

Inspector Ashwin Chopra retires early due to his heart condition. On the day of his retirement two things happen. One, his uncle sends a baby elephant to him as a gift. Two, dead body of a young man is found and his superior asks him to close this 'accidental drowning' case. More surprises are in store for Inspector Chopra. 

What will Inspector Chopra do with the elephant? Can he go against his gut feeling and close the case? Can he really retire and live a peaceful life?

Inspector Chopra is a considerate, old school, straight forward and honest man. His family migrated to Maharashtra from Punjab three generations ago. So he is as good as a Maharashtrian and is married to a Maharashtrian.

The story is not fast paced and has little action. The narration is elaborate and covers the life of Inspector his relatives and his wife in addition to the murder mystery. Author has built up a lot of seeds and possibilities in the first book that will allow him the continuity in subsequent books. Second book of the series is already released. 

From the story and social details, it appears that the author has not stayed in Maharashtra enough. 

Name of the villain is Arun Jaitley. Why use the name Arun Jaitley for villan? Arun Jaitley is the name of current finance minister of India. Generally even when the character is based on a real life figure, use of the real name is avoided. Here the character is not even based on the real life figure. Why use the name then? Perplexing!

Read if you plan to read the series, else give it a miss. 

Harry Potter and the cursed child by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorn & John Tiffany

"Harry Potter and the cursed child", a play, by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorn & John Tiffany. This book is published by Little Brown in 2016 and has 352 pages. This is 8th book of Harry Potter series. 

19 years have passed since the battle of Hogwarts. Harry is Head of magical law enforcement and Hermione is Minister of magic. Harry's son Albus Severus is growing under pressure of his father's achievements and all is not well between them. His best friend is Scorpius, son of Draco Malfoy. They decide to right a historical wrong by using an illegal time bender, confiscated by ministry of magic. 

By going back in time, what will they change? How will it impact? What will be the consequences? Will it end with their adventure? Who is the cursed child?

Readers are taken back to the world of magic and spells. Albus and Scorpius find an ally in Delphi, cousin of Cedric Diggery. They travel to past and try to change the course of time only to find that their supposedly innocuous and well intentioned actions have had major repercussions on the history. They realize it, but is it too late?

Although author had publicly said that this book will not be a repetition of previous Harry Potter stories, since the characters are same, repetition occurs. Hogwarts appears again, sorting hat happens again, the same subjects are taught, the same map and invisibility cloak are used, Voldermot is there and so on.

However it gives a nostalgic feeling to the readers and they go down the memory lane to remember and refresh the details of the story. 

Harry has a difficult task of not changing the past (that he would have liked to) and not allowing others to change it either. The narration is decent but not as good as the original series. It lacks the detailing. This may be because it is a comparatively small book written as a stage play.

Who is the cursed child? Well it can be Harry, Albus, Scorpius or Delphi. Any or all of them are cursed children.

Harry, Hermione and Ron call Ms McGonagall by her first name, Minerva. Some times Harry calls Prof. Dumbledore as Dumbledore. One doesn't do that to one's teacher. 

The important question is Why a play? Especially when the series of novels and movies have done so well and after watching the movies with special effects, watching a stage play might seem bland. 

Those who have read the Harry Potter series will read it, those who haven't won't. 

The treasure of Kafur by Aroon Raman

"The treasure of Kafur" by Aroon Raman. This book is published by Pan Macmillan in 2013 and has 400 pages.

The story starts in 1312 AD when Malik Kafur, slave & commander-in-chief of Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Dilli, hides a priceless treasure plundered from South India in a river near Deogiri. Time leap to 1580 AD Sillod. Asaf Baig Farruqi, King of Khandesh, is cobbling up a grand alliance against the Mughals of Akbar. He needs two aces. One is secured and one is sought. Future of Hindustan is in balance. One wrong move and everything will be lost. 

What are the aces? Who is Ambu, the guardian? Can her grandson, Datta, save the treasure with the help of talking animals; a cow Aditi, a Tortoise Manas, Ravens Kanaka and Shukra and a parrot, Sheherazad, for guide?

The story is narrated with ease and the curiosity and interest is retained till the end. Author has probably invented Taraks, the cult of Thataka, the demoness Ram killed. But author does not elaborate about the superhuman agility of the Taraks. He also does not say if Taraks realize that the treasure was gone?

Characterization is good. Ahilya, fiercely independent, longs freedom, the best archer, beautiful and spirited. Akbar, larger than life, expert at disguise, languages and fighting, big hearted. In this book Akbar leads a covert mission of three in person. He even meets Rana Pratap. Ambu, old but very solid in mind, has foresight. Dilawar, brave, good friend and loyal. Datta, compassionate, hates violence, brave, to an extent naive. Band of talking and thinking animals.

Comrediery between Datta and Dilawar, Datta and Ahilya, Akbar and his advisors, Datta and his animals is beautifully depicted. Readers become part of Dattas friends while reading the novel. 

Author has used the entry of characters at the opportune time to tilt the out come of fight in the favor of protagonists repeatedly and very effectively. It gives reader adrenaline shot. 

Towards the end of book, another quest looks imminent. But the book ends on the eve of the quest. If author plans to write a sequel, it's a great ending. If he doesn't, still it's a great end. Full marks to the way author concludes the book. 

There are number of novels that include hunt, in present times, of a treasure hidden in ancient times. This book is different on two counts. One it's not a hunt for treasure, rather avoiding the discovery of treasure. Two it doesn't happen in present time but in the times of Mughal ruler Akbar. I enjoyed it more, thus.

A must read.