Sweet dreams by Sunny Leone

"Sweet dreams" by Sunny Leone - Predictably, erotica!

This book is published by Juggernaut in 2016 and has 200 pages. This is Sunny's debut venture. 

It's a collection of 12 stories of erotica genre. One can guess that much from the name of author.

The stories are fantasy come true encounters.  The stories have variety in backdrop, if not content. There is a story of a couple who is losing zing in their life after 10 years of marriage. Another one is of an American Indian house wife seducing a 19 year old student. There is a chance passionate encounter in a tailoring shop. There is a story of a terminally ill lady preparing her final resting place with the help of a stranger. There is a tryst in an aeroplane. There is a story of a an Indian bar dancer in New York. The is a story of an overweight girl made fun of by the guy she likes. There is a one night stand at call center. There are teenagers who, surprisingly, don't have sex. Story of a peeping tom divorcee lady and the handsome neighbour she watches secretly. There is even a ghost love story. A story of an executive and a masseuse. 

At times, author suggests that couples discover love through sex. In some stories it's just sex, just fling. In some cases sex is combination of love and in some it's the start of love. Most of them are one time encounters. Little love and lot of passion.

3-4 stories are narrated by Male narrator. All other stories are narrated by female protagonist.

The stories are ok. Some even unrealistic like tryst in aeroplane. Some stories are outright shallow. Author had a chance to make some of the stories meaningful, more than carnal pleasure. But author mostly squandered the opportunities. 

The writing style is good. There is no mention of a co- writer,  so it's a good debut effort. Don't look for literary value in the book. Just that it's one of the very few erotic Indian books.

When I first came across this book, I was surprised. I did not know that Sunny was a writer. So I picked it up.

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about Sunny's writing. 

What I didn't like? Shallowness

What did I like? Erotica in Indian literature. 

Read if the review interests you. 

Raavan: enemy of Aryavarta by Amish

"Raavan: enemy of Aryavarta" by Amish -  Good, not great!

This book is published by Westland publications private limited in 2019 and has 400 pages. This is Book 3 of Ram Chandra series. 

First two books took us through the story of Ram and Sita up to the kidnapping of Sita. This book takes us through the story of Raavan up to the kidnapping of Sita. This style of narration is called Hyperlinking.

Who was Raavan? What ticked him? How did Lanka become most wealthy nation in the world? What were his limitations and capabilities? Why did he kidnap Sita?

So are there surprises and twists? Yes. Author has given an interesting twist to the story of rape and murder of Vedavati. Ravan and Kumbhakarna are shown as Nagas. Vishwamitra is the real string puller. There is a competition between Vayuputras (Tribe left by previous Mahadev, Lord Rudra) and Malayputras (Tribe left by previous Vishnu, Parshuram). Author also reveals biological Parentage of Sita and real reason for her kidnap. He gives some good philosophical anecdotes too. 

Raavan hates his father, Rishi Vishrawas. His family (He, brother, mother and uncle Marich) was abandoned by his mother's family. He is in love with Vedavati since childhood but is livid by the way Sapt Sindhu (ancient India) treats her. He is very capable, intelligent, powerful and has flexible morals. He has very low opinion about females. He loves Kumbhakarna and Indrajit.He hates Sapt Sindhu and becomes her sworn enemy. Raavan is a complicated character and lack of influence of elder in his life is detrimental. He makes all choices on his own, many of them wrong. 

This book was originally titled "Raavan: orphan of Aryavarta" but author changed orphan to enemy when the book was published. However, I think that with a little creativity the original title might have suited more. Showing Raavan as victim of circumstances would have made a greater impact. 

Author uses current names of places in this period story (Mumbadevi, Nicobar, Asia, Africa etc.), except for the ones where he has used ancient names earlier (e.g. Karchappa for Karachi). He also makes a comment on Shabarimala female entry ban, but in the context of story. 

So how was the book? It was good, but not great. Are there twists? Yes, but nothing that hits you hard. Are there revelations? Yes but nothing that surprises you to the end of your wits. So in short, it's good, but not as good as Book 2: Sita. Sita still remains best of the series.

This book of the series was delayed a lot due to some personal issues in authors life. Readers were patient. 

Why did I read this book? Author and series 

What did I like? Vedavati angle.  

What I didn't like? Lack of wow factor!

Read if you are reading the series. 

Five point someone by Chetan Bhagat

"Five point someone" by Chetan Bhagat - Finally read it!

This book is published by Rupa Publications India in 2004. Second edition was published in 2014 and has 267 pages. This is Chetan's debut novel. 

Hari, Alok and Rayan meet during their ragging in 1st year at IIT Delhi and become fast friends. Their friendship flourishes but it's not without trouble. They get a GPA of five point something, hence they are five point someone. Lowest in the class. 

What troubles will they face? Is there a love story? What are their aspirations? Why are they five point someones? Are their careers at risk?

Author takes us through the life of IITians. What ticks them? What do they do? How do they live? It also comments on the education system of IIT and criticises too many assignments and lack of practical work & research.

Readers sympathise with the three protagonists and worry about their future looking at the way they jump from one trouble to another. It takes the reader back to some part if their college life. Author succeeds to create emotions in readers. 

While narrating the fiction, author makes some important comments about education system, in general, and that of IIT, in particular. However, he does not try to provide solutions. 

Character of Rayan remains mysterious. Character of Hari, the narrator, is not complete,  there is hardly any mention of his family. Author alludes that this was on purpose through another character. Alok gets due space for character development and so does Neha.

End of the book is not satisfactory. It appears a bit hurried and tentative. I had a feeling that author was unsure about, at which turn he wants to conclude the story.

3 idiots was the movie based on this book. Generally any movie differs from the book for many reasons like format, visual effects, artistic liberty etc. This film also has numerous differences with the book. I will list the major ones as most of you must have watched the movie. Neha is girlfriend of Hari in the book, she is Rancho's (Rayan) girlfriend in the movie. She has a sister in movie, not in book. Consequently the book doesn't have sister's delivery either. Phunsuk Wangdu is invention of the movie. So, there is no search for Rayan (Rancho) in the book. Character played by Rajesh Vaidya is a very minor character in the book. 

This book was the start of Chetan's career as author. Chetan was responsible to re-inculcate reading culture in India and attract the youngsters to reading books. He started the golden age of Indian English fiction writers, many of who came from IIT and/or IIM.

Why did I read this book? Author.

What I didn't like? The end. 

What did I like? Recreation of hostel life. 

Read, if you have not already watched the movie. 

House of stars by Keya Ghosh

"House of stars" by Keya Ghosh - It's different!

This book is published by Penguin Metro Reads in 2019 and has 240 pages. 

Kabir is following a beautiful girl, Diya. She enters a mall, Kabir follows her there. Terrorists take over this mall and take them hostage. Diya is terrified of her autocratic father even in the hostage situation. Kabir is working up courage to approach her. 

Why does Kabir follow Diya? What are his real intentions? Can they survive the hostage situation? What is House of Stars?

This is not a boy meets girl love story, but it has a lot of love in it. For the first part, reader is unclear about where the story is going. Is it a love story? Is it a hostage story? Is it something else? It remains so until Aman's entry. Then it suddenly becomes interesting and things start to fall in place. 

Characters of Diya and Kabir are good, though Diya appears to be underdeveloped. However, character of Aman is complete. He is an unusual individual with convictions and resolve. A rare character in today's age. Your heart goes out for him. 

The story is delivered by Kabir and Diya alternately. Author has an interesting style. Every time the narrator changes, he/she narrates a tiny portion already narrated from other's view point as a cue. 

The story also raises a few questions, which when unanswered, look like flaws. Why go to a mall? Tactically it's a nightmare for terrorists. Large space, multiple egress, lot of hiding spots, large crowd to control. Why they did not choose a smaller establishment? Why is Diya called Diya? How come Kabir does not know Diya's name but still manages to find her in Mumbai?

So what is house of stars? House of stars is a metaphor for free, open, natural abode without limitations, without boundaries, free of shackles. An ideal abode. Something Kabir dreams and strives for. 

Keya was a teacher and took early retirement for this new career. She deserves praise for imagining this tale. It's different!

Why did I read this book? By chance

What did I like? Concept and story. 

What I didn't like? Kabir's love and very fast end. 

Recommend reading.

McMafia by Misha Gleny

"McMafia" by Misha Gleny - Huge scope!

This edition of book is published by Vintage in 2018 and has 448 pages. This book was recommended and gifted by Rajendra Roplekar (Raju kaka).

Book summary

Part 1: Fall of communism. 

If the testosterone oozing young are not gainfully employed after the fall of regime, they transform themselves into criminal enterprise. Author explains how the Balkan and former Soviet states became hot bed for criminal activities after fall of USSR. Illegal cigarette trade from factories of Europe and America was recycled through Monte Negro, with the blessing of it's Prime Minister. Author blames UN sanctions that cut- off legitimate businesses that left no choice but to turn to illegal businesses. He elaborates how eastern Europe became conduit for Afghan drugs to western Europe. Illegal and organized Caviar business in Caspian sea has engendered Caspian Sturgeon (fish species) which was a source of foreign currency. How oligarchs and mafia established themselves abroad. He laments that no organized criminal is as successful as the one that receives state support. Ukraine became hub for Caspian and Middle Eastern illegal oil and gas transport to Europe. 

Part 2: Gold, money, diamonds, and banks.

Israel became a hub of Mafia,  starting with immigration of Russian Jews to Israel, human trafficking, drug distribution, money laundering. He covers Dawood Ibrahim's rise and rule in Mumbai. His criminal empire. His flight to Dubai, close relations with ISI, fall out with Chota Rajan. He brands Dubai as washing machine of the world, laundering dirty money.  He identifies human trafficking and possible labour unrest as main issues of Dubai. He then goes on to explain first mega Nigerian scam that happened in 1990s to a Brazilian bank, and then Nigerian scams of all kinds. He also covers African and South African mafia dealing in drugs,  diamonds,  minerals etc. 

Part 3 - Drugs and Cyber Crime

Marijuana trade from Canada to USA. Drug business within USA. Drug cartels of Columbia. Mafia of Brazil and Brazilian cyber criminals. Author says Brazil has 3 important key ingredients to create cyber criminals i.e. poverty, good education and existence of organized crime. Chinese government does not differentiate between its global wandering work force working in legitimate and illegitimate sectors. 

Part 4: Future of organized crime

Japanese land sharks, acquiring apartments for redevelopment The Yakuza and Yamaguchi mafia and their history. Chinese mafia in China, Hong Kong, Macau and its transformation after Mao's revolution and later after reforms in 1990s. China's mega industry of counterfeiting that counterfeits anything and everything. Illegal tobacco trade. Entry of North Korea's in counterfeiting. 

End of Book summary

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran are completely ignored. Does author think that these countries are so chaotic that nothing organized, even organized crime, is possible there? Chinese mafia in America, Korean mafia in Japan, Russian mafia in middle east only get a passing mention. Contract killing (Professional hits) also does not get much page space. The gamut of the subject is so vast that something is bound to be overlooked or left out. 

This is an insightful book on organized crime. How the organized crime spots opportunities, how they exploit them, how the former Soviet block turned out to be 'useful' etc.

In all cases, sudden dismantling of existing structure led to large job losses (USSR breakup,  Mumbai cotton mill closure,  Canadian lumber industry, African dictatorship change etc.). Suddenly out of work youth took to illegal activities like drugs,  arms,  prostitution, precious metals and minerals. And in all cases they were overtly or covertly assisted by law enforcement and politicians. It sheds light on how organized crime cuts into globalization.

This book was published around 2006. Since then a lot has happened in illegal trades all over the world. Probably an update of this book is in order. 

Why did I read this book? Recommended and gifted by Rajukaka.    

What did I like? Coverage of an important subject. 

What I didn't like? Some missed things. 

Read if the subject interests you. 

Upon a burning throne by Ashok Banker

"Upon a burning throne" by Ashok Banker - Ancient retelling of the epic!

This book was published by Simon & Schuster India in 2019 and has 352 pages. This is Book 1 of The burnt empire saga.

Author has used names of characters that are similar to the Mahabharata. Thus the reader comes to know while reading Dramatis Personae that it is a retelling of Mahabharata. If author had used different names, readers would have noticed the similarities in the story while reading the book. 

However it's not a ditto story. Author uses the Mahabharata story and characters but adds his own twists and turns as well as characters abs less his imagination flourish. He has also given thought to the construction of characters and has given attention to details. Author even manages to bring in zombies. Ashok does iall this deftly. Thus he makes it re-imagining rather than retelling.

Mahabharata, any time any where, in any form, by anyone is always interesting. Here an accomplished author like Ashok choses to retell the epic in his unique way, targeted for American audience. 

Some of his twists are interesting. Bhim (Brum) and Nakul (Kula) are females. Jarasandh (Jarsun) has a very prominent role. He is also estranged brother of Sha'ant (Shantanu). Vyas (Vessa) plays a very active role.

It was fun reading it. This is first book of the series and author does not specify how many will there be in the series. So readers have to wait for the subsequent books. 

Wait for books of some series like Ramchandra series of Amish, Vikramadity veergatha series of Shatrujeet Nath and Kaal trilogy of Sangeeta Bahadur was long, years. This book will be the same. 

Why did I read this book? Author. New series. 

What did I like? Author's touches   

What I didn't like? Length, at times.

Read, if you want to read the series.

The man who knew infinity by Robert Kanigel

"The man who knew infinity" by Robert Kanigel - Ramajujan or Hardy?

This edition of the book is published by Little, Brown Book Group in 1992 and has 448 pages. 

This book is the biography of great Indian mathematician Ramanujan. The book takes us through his school and college days where he excelled in mathematics but flunked in other subjects, his struggle to find work and sustenance, his stay in England, his success as mathematician and eventually his demise at a very young age.

Author determines that a combination of staying away from his family & country, lack of proper Indian food leading to lack of nourishment, impact of war leading to scarcity of already scarce Indian food items, not having someone to take care of his health while he dedicated all his time to mathematics led to Ramanujan's prolonged illness that eventually led to his premature death. 

Many of Ramanujan's early mathematical discoveries were actually rediscovered i.e. they have been discovered earlier by someone else. He realized it upon coming to England. If he had formal education in mathematics, he would have studied them. 

Author spends a lot of time on tuberculosis (TB), situations conducive for TB and how Ramajujan was a sitting duck due to the circumstances, issues on family front, disagreements between his wife and mother and not meeting his family and friends for years. He was lonely and although Hardy was his closest and they interacted a lot on mathematics, Hardy hardly knew him as a person. This and rejection of his candidature for the fellowship of Trinity - Cambridge, on racial grounds, led to his attempted suicide. Eventually fellowship of Royal Society and fellowship of Trinity were deservedly awarded. 

He then returned to India, already sick. He continued his work despite being sick and invented 'Mock Theta' function, a ground breaking work. He died at young age of 32,  in 1920. Differences between his wife and mother remained even after his death. 

55 years after his death, American mathematician  George Andrews discovered his notebook, his final contribution to mathematics in his last year of life, full of formulae without proofs. He published it as 'Lost notebook'. This notebook and it's contents created a lot if interest and excitement in mathematical world and gave Ramanujan more popularity and recognition than when he lived. Several books have been published in last 10 years to give proofs of Ramanujan's formulae in the lost notebook. 

Ramanujam did a lot of maths in his head. So what others did in 10 steps, he did in 2. He also used different symbols (as compared to conventional symbols). Hence even today some of the theorems in his notebook are being studied. His two notebooks have become legendary and are studied to this date.

There are a number of geniuses in this world who go unnoticed and whose work or potential work is not recognized simply due to lack of opportunity. Ramanujan was on the precipice of such anonymity but Hardy recognized the talent and provided the opportunity and Ramanujan or rather the world of mathematics wasn't deprived of wealth of knowledge. This may be one of the rare occasions where British tried to help an Indian and went out of the way to facilitate expansion of his intellectual horizons for the greater good of mathematics.

I could draw some parallels between the lives of Ramanujan and Anandibai Joshi (India's first lady doctor). Both went abroad. Both succeeded academically. Both had TB. Both returned to India ill. Both died in youth. 

It's one thing to write a biography of a mathematician and its another to try to explain his mathematical work in simple language in the biography. Author does a commendable job in both, but those who don't understand or are not interested in mathematics would be out of depth. 

A lot of page space is allocated to G. H. Hardy, Ramanujan's mentor, one who recognized his talent and was instrumental in bringing him to England. The book has one of the longest epilogue mostly dedicated to Hardy. Although Hardy's contribution in Ramanujan's life is immense, some times one wonders if it's Ramanujan's biography or Hardy's?

Author occasionally refers to Ramanujan's Indian biographies and biographers. Since I have not read those biographies, can't compare them with this. In a number of places he also uses conjecture to state what would have happened. This book is made into a movie in 2015, but I haven't watched it. 

Author also raises some important questions like was Ramanujan lucky to have born in brahmin cast known for nurturing education? Why did it take British to discover Ramajujan? Why is Indian education system so rigid that some one like Ramanujan, specialist of one subject and without a formal degree, does not get scholarship?

Author attributes the openness of Ramanujan's mind to the relaxed tolerance of Hinduism that allowed him a lot of creativity. He also lists a number of mathematicians who had a religious streak or were deeply religious. Hardy was an atheist. 

Why did I read this book? Wanted to know about the genius. 

What I didn't like? Too much Hardy. 

What did I like? Mathematics explained easily. 

Read to know about the genius. 

Payjamas are forgiving by Twinkle Khanna

"Payjamas are forgiving" by Twinkle Khanna -  Its different!

This book is published by Juggernaut in 2018 and has 221 pages. This is Twinkle's third book. 

Anshu, a middle aged divorcee, checks-in in an ayurveda clinic (Shanthaamaya) in Kerala to cure her sleep disorder. In the strict, pure and serene atmosphere she gets a jolt when her ex-husband and his current wife check-in.

What will Anshu do? Fight or flight? What will the sojourn in clinic do to her? Why are payjamas forgiving?

This book is subtle. Some readers may lose interest because nothing dramatic happens. The story is slow. But there is a gradual build up. The characters are there to support the main character Anshu (who was broken after divorce, who runs a school and who still can't completely forget her ex-husband) and her ex-husband (an ambitious man, married to a younger wife, a man who is not sure if he is better off now, who wants to start his business).

The book is a journey of self discovery or rather rediscovery. It's all about human relations, choices you make and how much you can let go. This book shows a different side of author. We have known her as light, hilarious and witty author. Here she proves that she is not just that but can peel the layers and display nuances of human nature too. 

So,  what about title? It's an allegory. Payjama, in this story, alludes to many things like simplicity, desires, notions. Forgiving is accommodating, letting go. She says payjamas are forgiving (because of adjustability accorded by draw strings), it's jeans that hold grudge. I liked this allegory. 

End of the book is a bit tentative. Had it been firmer, it would have made more impact. Or was Twinkle afraid of making heroine look biased?

The book has no foreword and no author's note. I would have liked to read why Twinkle  thought this subject and story. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? The pregnancy. It was unnecessary

What did I like? Diversification by author. 

Read if you like this review.