Tukayachi Awli (तुकयाची आवली) by Manjushree Gokhle

"Tukayachi Awli (तुकयाची आवली)" a Marathi novel by Manjushree Gokhle.

Jijabai, better known as Awli, was Sant Tukaram's (संत तुकाराम) second wife. Very little information is available about her and what kind of a person she was. She is considered as a women opposed to Tukaram, always insulting him without appreciation and a loud mouth. This fictional novel tries to dispel the notion and tries to portray her in a different light.

The book starts from the childhood of Awli, passes through her engagement, marriage, wifehood and motherhood, Tukaram's sadeh waikuntha gaman (सदेह वैकुंठ गमन) and till the end of her life.

Her relationship with Vithoba is presented beautifully. Rather than being that of bhakt / god it is sometime that of a child who has right to complain about the behavior of his parents or that of an outright enemy or envy. Manjushree tries to convey, rather successfully, that general public could not understand the hardships Awli had to go through due to Tukaram's Vitthal bhakti and his general ignorance of wife / children & how a mother can threaten even 'The God' when it comes to the matter of life and death of her children.

Awli loves Tukaram but is livid about his inaction and not carrying out his responsibilities towards his family. Actually Awli makes Vithoba a medium to convey her anger and feelings to Tukaram who has gone beyond earthly pleasures. The world branded her as anti Vithoba, mannerless and a loud mouth but no one tried to understand her feelings, the hardships she went through to make the ends meet.

Vitthal-Rakhumai, the Gods, are important characters in this story, mostly silent observers. Vithoba is shown repenting for taking Tukaram away from her.

Author had spent a third of the book until Awli and Tukaram's marriage. But it was worth it. Awli's outbursts against Vithoba and the words used by author have become repetative and thus become a sour note.

Manjushree has captured all the minute things and behaviors of the rural life of those times in great details, as if she was there during the period.

It's a good book, but at the end I had a feeling that it could have been better.

Read for the novelty.

One amazing thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

"One amazing thing", by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Chitra is an award winning Indian-American writer. She is better known as author of 'Mistress of spice'.

A number of people are waiting in the Consulate of India, in USA, to get their Indian visa. Uma - a second generation Indian-American, Tariq -  a Muslim Indian-American who has turned towards religion after 9/11, Mrs & Mr Pritchett an aged American couple, Jiang an old Chinese lady (who's forefathers had migrated to India and who has inturn migrated to USA) with her grand daughter Lily and a black American ex army officer Cameron; along with embassy staff of receptionist Malathi and  visa officer Mangalam.

While they are waiting for their turn an earthquake strikes. Outer building collapses trapping them in the visa office. There is no electricity, very limited food, no supplies and no tools. A section of ceiling collapses, there are injuries. Water starts seeping. Minor arguments turn into fist fights. Each person forms opinion about others based on their experience, what they have read and preconceived notions.

The situation appears gloomy and desperate. Hope is waning. This is when Uma comes up with idea of each one telling a story from their life. These seemingly normal looking people have a special and amazing stories to tell. Stories of love, betrayal, anguish,  delusion, stupidity, reconciliation and hope.

What are their stories? Who's story is the best? Does this storytelling bring peace between them? Does some one try to help them? Are they rescued?

Chitra is a very good story teller. All the stories are short and sweet, although initial stories are better than later ones. You remain interested in the book till end as it's not a lengthy book. This was first book of Chitra that I read and I would like to read more of her books.

Good book. Recommend reading.

House of Hedes - Heros of Olympus by Rick Riordan

"House of Hedes - Heros of Olympus" by Rick Riordan. This is the fourth book of the Heroes of Olympus series.

In the previous book demigods Percy and Annabeth have fallen into Tartarus, the bottomless pit. This book shows their journey through Tartarus and towards doors of death. The friends, enemies they meet there and challenges they face.

While at the same time other five demigods Leo, Hazel, Frank, Jason and Piper along with Nico are traveling in a flying ship (Argo II) towards House of Hedes, to the other side of doors of death. They too encounter numerous challenges.

Calypso makes a come back after appearing in 'Sea of monsters' from first series of Percy Jackson. Giants and earthborns have awaken and are marching for The feast of hope.

Will Percy and Annabeth cross Tartarus and stay alive? Who is the unexpected friend they meet there? How does Calypso come into the picture? What challenges await demigods on Argo II? Who do they meet at the doors of death? What next?

Rick Riordan has maintained his style and interest in the story. He has milked Greek and Roman mythology to the fullest. The wait for next book begins.

Read if you are a teenager or if you are a teenager at heart.

Taras Bulba and other tales by Nikolai Gogol

"Taras Bulba and other tales" by Nikolai Gogol.

Nikolai Gogol is considered one of the most brilliant Russian writers. My curiosity in Gogol was kindled after reading Jhumpa Lahiri's Namesake and I decided to read this book.

Taras Bulba is the first story (actually it's a novella) and occupies almost half the book. Taras Bulba is a Ukrenian cossack chieftian. The story paints the uninhabited lives of cossacks (Orthodox Christians) vividly. How women had no standing in their society, how they drank, how they waged brutal wars (against Catholics) etc. The story takes turn when one of Taras' son falls in love with a noble girl from enemy camp while in war. How Taras keeps fighting for his land and cause, dispite losing all the beloved ones, one by one. His cruelty and revenge. All for a cause. This story has many racial expletives, but such was the language of that time.

I could not comprehend what the author wanted to say in the second story 'St. John's eve'. 'The cloak' portrays life of a very simple and timid man, 'How two Ivans quarreled' shows how human ego can destroy a friendship, 'The mysterious portrait' is a dark tale and 'The calash' is an attempt at comedy.

In general the book has a very dark mood and there is little optimism in it.

Read if you want to know what Gogol wrote. Otherwise give it a miss.

The hope factory by Lavanya Sankaran

"The hope factory", by Lavanya Sankaran. This is her second book and first novel.

Two story's run more or less parallel in this book mingling frequently. Anand, an entrepreneur, who is on the cusp of acquiring a large order from a Japanese auto company (looking to expand) and Kamala, a cleaner in his house.

Anand's story portrays the upgraded lifestyle, entrepreneurship, high society, cosmopolitan culture, fantasies and politics of Benglore. Kavika is the portrayal of all that is desirable and human, what you long but know is unachievable and dream. Vidya is the  annoying and at times irritating reality that you live with and you also love. Lawanya has been able to tap the pulse of the city and capture it for the readers.

Kamala's story is of a fiercely proud and poor mother who's only ambition is to give good education to her son and make him a good man. She is ready to toil for his better future but would not tolerate accusations.

There are problems in both the stories, that will impact the lives of the concerned, and there are solutions. Though the solutions may not be permanent there is always a hope.

Lawanya has shown two faces of striving city and how they intertwine. She has shown human emotions and tested them  with the yardstick of reality. Lawanya has a very different style of narration. She has shown the cosmopolitan nature of Bangalore while at the same time has shown that Kannada atmosphere is not smothered.

A decent book. One can read.

The Ekkos Clan by Sudipto Das.

"The Ekkos Clan" a debut novel by Sudipto Das.

Story starts in Senpara, a village now in Bangladesh, before partition. How a family is devastated by the inhuman atrocities during partition and how a mother, Kubha, makes ultimate sacrifice to save 2 of her 4 children. This account is riveting.

Then there is a time leap to present time. Protagonist is grand son of Kubha. Kubha's family had migrated from Hindu kush region to Senpara long time ago. Kubha tells stories to her children that have been passed to her orally through generations. The same stories are passed on to the present generation.

There is a deep meaning in these stories. What is it? Are the stories very similar to Rig Ved? What does it mean? Someone is trying to kill Kubha's family and decendants. Why? Who is murdering? Is there a bigger conspiracy? What has Russia or a young and beautiful linguist of Pakistani origin to do with it? Who are Kalash people in Pakistan?

Scientific name of horse is Equus caballus.
It is said that before the arrival of Aryans (some say they never arrived, they were always here), India did not know the animal called horse. Hence the title of the book.

Sudipto has done a decent job in narration. The expectations and excitement is set high in the first few chapters during partition, but author could not maintain the same tempo in the rest of the book. Story gets boring at times. Sometimes  characters find very old information very easily which is far from reality. Although the seed of this book is brilliant the execution could have been better.

Chetan Bhagat has started trend of IITans writing books and Sudipto had continued the tradition. We can expect more from his next book.

An OK book. Read if you have time and patience or for a change.

The Partner by John Grisham

"The Partner", by John Grisham.

This is the story of Patrick Lanigan, a brilliant attorney and partner in law firm, with a beautiful but unfaithful wife.

Patrick learns about a conspiracy by his partners to get 30 million $ in fees and removing him before the money comes. He hatches a brilliant plan and steals 90 million $ by faking his death and is on a run.

He is captured. Who captures him? How did he plan all this? Does he have any more surprises up his sleeve?  Who is his partner? Do they succed?

The story is set up in US and Brazil. Its a brilliant plan. Execution is flawless but then he is captured. Grisham has kept up the pace and excitement till the end. Book starts with Patrick's capture and flash back is used liberally. This book is not a lengthy one and does not allow you to get bored.

This being a John Grisham book is a legal thriller alright, but there is hardly any court room drama. World of legal settlements is presented well. The social, political, publicity & reputation considerations are shown in detail and without being sarcastic.

Patrick does everthing right, however book ends on a very very sad note and you feel really bad.

Recommend reading.