Ministry of utmost happiness by Arundhati Roy

"Ministry of utmost happiness" by Arundhati Roy - A lyrical prose. 

This book is published by Penguin Random house India in 2017 and has 464 pages. This book was recently at number 6 in the best sellers list at Kinokuniya, Dubai mall.

This book tells us two stories. Story of Anjum, a hermaphrodite, who was born as Aftab. Her internal struggles of a female trapped in a male body. Her beauty and fame. Her wish to become a mother. Her accumulation of characters to Jannat guest house. Story of Tilottama, a character eternally drifting from one thing to another. Her love for a Kashmiri. What she observes and imbibes in Kashmir. Both stories span several years. 

Is Anjum happy? Is Tilo happy? Do they meet? What is the common thread? What is ministry of utmost happiness?

Anjum's story is narrated on  the backdrop of India's changing political landscape ranging from emergency, unstable governments, Gujarat riots, meek Prime Minister's government, Lokpal satyagraha and emergence of the man from Gujarat.

Tilo's story begins half way down the book narrated by the character in first person. It's the story of S. Tilottama, a Malyali, beedi smoking girl who is loved by a Kashmiri, a Bengali/Oriya and a half south Indian half north Indian boy, since they were in college. It takes us through the life of Tilo on the backdrop of Kashmir issue. She tells us numerous stories of sufferings and atrocities on Kashmiri Muslim population.

Start of the book is lilting and poetic. In fact entire book has a lyrical quality. Feels good to read this kind of narration. Sounds special. You have to read it to know it. Author soaks readers in sights and sounds of the city and seeps the readers in the atmosphere of Kashmir. She sees what many fail to notice.

  

Author's views on some things are very different from common folks like us e.g.: TV anchors had a longer mourning period than the victims. Kashmiri's are businessmen by nature and businessmen want status quo, that's why Kashmir has not deteriorated like Pakistan. Sleep came to them as readily as money comes to the millionaire. The boy squatted like a comma. Etc.

This novel has two stories. Both of them are powerful stories. One addressing issues of eunuch and other addressing Kashmir issue. The two could have made independent novels, but author has preferred to combine them. Although it doesn't look like a forced convergence, it does not sound imperative either. 

It's a big book. Author veers off the main story to tell us numerous small tales. Although it appears like a dilution or digression, it's not. This book is not about the main story and it's conclusion, it's about the journey. The experience. That's what you enjoy. 

Author's left leaning tendencies are evident. She does not miss a chance to take a dig at right wingers. Is it acceptable to let your political views interfere in an otherwise good story? Author tells about sufferings of Kashmiri people at the hands of army but fails to tell the other side of story, atrocities on Kashmiri Hindus and exodus of Kashmiri pundits, world's largest religious displacement. That's why the account sounds one sided and biased.

Why did I read this book? Good feedback. 

What I didn't like?  Interference of author's political views. One sided story. 

What did I like? Lyrical delivery.

Read if you liked this review. 

No safe zone by Adite Banerjie

"No safe zone" by Adite Banerjie - Not as good as the name. 

This book is published by Harlequin in 2016 and has 176 pages. 

Qiara Rana works for an NGO, abroad, specializing in Girl welfare. Situation makes her travel to Delhi where she has worst memories of her life. Kabir, An investigator with IB, is trying to investigate a money laundering racket. 

What is the connection between Qiara, money laundering, child trade, Kabir and the Prince? What is the meaning of tattoo on Qiara? Why does her father behave so badly? Does Qiara dislike Kabir?

The story revolves around money laundering, child adoption racket, sibling rivalry, horse polo and lost love. It takes place in Delhi and Rajasthan. 

Characterization is not very mature. In reality although there are many characters, there are only two important ones. Qiara despite being grown up behaves like a child. Kabir behaves in a mature manner but is not developed enough as a character. Qiara's father is also an important character but does not get due page space. He is a nobody for the entire book and suddenly comes to predominance in the end.

Why does Kabir let Qiara wander alone? Why does Munim marry the girl? Why does villain want to send the child for adoption? Such question come to mind but are not satisfactorily answered. 

The climax was expected to be full of action. But it turns out to be a placid affair and concludes almost without any action. Author relies on trickery rather than action. So it is not very effective. 

Author has not been able to decide if it's a love story on a thriller background or a thriller laced with love. In reality neither gets prominence. 

The book title looks interesting. What is the significance of no safe zone? Well not much other than the fact that trouble follows Qiara after the story starts.

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What I didn't like?  Character maturity.

What did I like? A bit different story.

 Not a must read. 

Vince Flynn - Enemy of the state by Kyle Mills

"Vince Flynn - Enemy of the state" by Kyle Mills - Recycle of characters. 

This book is published by Atria/Emily Nestled books in  2017 and has 400 pages. This is Book 16 of Mitch Rapp series. 

ISIS, headed by Mulla Halabi, is becoming stronger. It wants to incite American Muslims against America. A Saudi Prince decides to provide financial assistance. American President sends Rapp on blackest of black operations. Rapp assembles a team of his ex nemesis. He is chased by intelligence agencies in the world. Chief of Saudi intelligence has an agenda. 

Will ISIS succeed? What does Mulla Halabi want? What is the black operation? Who constitutes Rapp's team? Who is he pitted against? Will Mitch Rapp deliver?

The characters are reassembled with fan fare. They play their part. However, when the main job is done, these characters depart meekly. However, we might not have heard the end of them. 

The black operation opens floodgates for a bigger conspiracy. But why Rapp decides to follow it up instead of handing it over to CIA is beyond comprehension. President Alexander's new personality trait comes to light.  Bond between Mitch and Irene strengthens further. 

Rather than creating new characters, author has reused characters that played their part in previous books and went into oblivion. These recycled characters are: Grisha Azarov, Mitch's nemesis who injured Scott Coleman in previous book. Kent Black, in who Mitch had instilled fear of life. Donatella, An ex assassin with whom Mitch had a brief relationship. Claudia, wife of Louis who killed Mitch's wife. They form his team. His American enemy is FBI man Joel Wilson whose life he just spared and who was demoted as a favour. Saudi intelligence chief Nasser is his main enemy.

This story sows seeds of two stories for the subsequent books. One is capture or killing of Mulla Halabi and second is of someone from Russia trying to kill Grisha Azarov and Mitch standing by him. Possibility of other recycled characters making a reappearance is also there. 

Kyle Mills has taken the mantle to carry on this highly successful series after death of Vince Flynn. He is doing a decent job. The character of Rapp has undergone subtle changes under new author. The character has become even more reckless and impertinent but a little more tactful. On the whole Kyle has maintained the integrity and balance.

Why did I read this book?  Mitch Rapp series.

What I didn't like?  Character recycle. 

What did I like? Tactful  Mitch.

Read if you have read the series. 

Robert Ludlum's Bourne initiative by Eric Van Lustbader

"Robert Ludlum's Bourne initiative" by Eric Van Lustbader - A waste of time. 

This book is published by Head of Zeus in 2017 and has 352 pages.

Boris Karpov, head of Russia's FSB and best friend of Jason Bourne, was killed in last book. He has initiated a secret project, a Cyber weapon, with a complex algorithm before he was killed. A shard of it has appeared on dark web. American intelligence agencies think that the initiative of Karpov is now Bourne initiative. Bourne is unaware of it. 

What is the Bourne initiative? Who is after it? How can Bourne find out what it is? Is the clock ticking?

Bourne teams up with his enemy Keyre, Somali pirate and the girl he possesses, Mala. Soraya Moore has inserted an unlikely agent in the field. Russians are in it up to their neck. 

Characterization  of this Book is shallow. The characters lack depth and conviction. A desk agent suddenly turns into a successful field agent. A number of important characters are killed. Bourne suddenly trusts Russian minister and tells him what he knows. Mala takes Bourne to Keyre. Head of NSA is easily snagged. 

The story is not Compact. It's scattered all over the place. Bourne is chasing the Bourne initiative to know what it is. Others are chasing Bourne to find out what it is. Two brothers are fighting for power in Russia. FSB is going after NSA. A desk jockey suddenly becomes an experienced field agent overnight. Everyone knows where to find Bourne. Keyre sends Bourne, he kills many people to find out that what he is seeking is in Somalia.

It appears as if the entire cast of the story is running around like a headless chicken. I understand that a thriller should have action but it should also have story.  Otherwise it appears more like a circus. 

This is third book in last two months that I read which pursues the idea of stealing from terrorist's bank account for counter terrorism activities. Its a good idea if it is really applied by intelligence agencies. Is it?

This book is a waste of time. No story, poor execution, senseless bloodshed and no logic. 

Why did I read this book? Bourne series.

What I didn't like? Everything. 

What did I like?  Umm.....

Stay a mile away from this book. 

The king within by Nandini Sengupta

"The king within" by Nandini Sengupta - A promising debut.

This book is published by HarperCollins publishers India in 2017 and has 216 pages. 

Its year 373 CE. Darshini, a beautiful courtesan actress, is rescued by Deva from bandits. Both of them, Virasena and Kalidas form a beautiful friendship. Deva is destined to be remembered for generations. 

Who is Deva? What is his destiny? Will the friendship last the threat of time? Who is the king?

The story is set in the period of Gupta dynasty. Samudragupta is the reigning king. The tussle for succession ensues. New king wants to bring in reforms and leave a lasting legacy. He will be a King without. But will he be the king within?

Characters are resplendent. They are varied, colourful, fierce, wise. Samudragupta, undisputed Emperor of India

Ramgupta, first born of emperor and heir apparent. Chandragupta (Deva), second born of the emperor, the protagonist who is in love with his brother's wife. Darshini, Nagar Nati and protagonist who loves Deva. Virasena, the warrior. Kalidas, the famous poet. Dhruvasena, wife of Deva and later Queen.

The build-up of the story is very interesting. Narration is also interesting. The story remains fluid for almost three fourth of the book. However, there after it suddenly slows down to crawling pace. The reference of 'KIng within' comes in the very last pages. If the author has chosen this title, she should have given more emphasis and page space for this subject. It comes almost as an afterthought. 

Nandini Sengupta is a journalist and currently works for Times of India. She seems to be a promising prospect. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What I didn't like? Minimum space for the king within. 

What did I like? Story, delivery. 

Read if you have time.