When the snow melts by Vinod Joseph

"When the snow melts" debut novel of Vinod Joseph. This book is published by Amaryllis in 2012 and has 202 pages.

Ritwik Kumar, a son Maharashtrian father and Punjabi mother is an Indian spy. He is ex RAW and is currently working with IAG (Intelligence assessment group), a multinational anti terrorism organization based in London. He developes a drinking and gambling problem. He becomes irregular in office, sinks further in his problems and steals money from his office funds. The situation is so desperate that he is forced to defect to pro Al Qaeda section of ISI (Inter service intelligence of Pakistan) in London.

This is a big catch for ISI, or is it? What secrets will he spill? Will he embrace the terrorist ideology? Will he convert? What is the big game? Is there an angle of love?

This is a thriller alright but it's not an action thriller. It's a psychological thriller. The story is full of plots and counterplots, twists and turns, ups and downs, loyalties and deception; all with little to no action.

Various elements of ISI have conflicting objectives. Even individual participants have varying motives. Some are driven by money, some by power, some by religion, some by ideology and some by love for country.

Vinod's narration is systematic and entertaining. Although it's about India, Pakistan and America in the context of war on terror, entire story takes place in England. World of ruthless supremacy comes to the fore.

I would have preferred a more entertaining end to the book. Epilogue was almost unnecessary. I think we can expect more good work from Vinod in future.

Although it's not a wow book, you don't get bored and enjoy reading. I read it in one day.

Amchya aayushyatil kahi athawani (आमच्या आयुष्यातील काही आठवणी) by Shrimati Ramabai Ranade (श्रीमती रमाबाई रानडे)

"Amchya aayushyatil kahi athawani (आमच्या आयुष्यातील काही आठवणी)", a Marathi book by Shrimati Ramabai Ranade (श्रीमती रमाबाई रानडे). This edition of the book is published by Samanvay prakashan in Nov 2012 and has 272 pages. Original book was written in early twentieth century.

Ramabai Ranade was second wife of Mahadevrao (Madhav) Ranade, who was a judge, great thinker and social activist. He was a champion of women's education and was firmly in favor of remarriage of widows which was considered a taboo in those days (Second half of 19th century). He was also the cofounder of Prarthana Samaj (प्रार्थना समाज). He married little Rama, almost 20 years younger than him, upon insistence and tantrums from his father instead of marrying a widow. (And this is considered as biggest blemish on his career)

Ramabai was illiterate at the time of marriage. Mahadeorao taught her and appointed tutor to teach her Marathi, English & Bengali. Ramabai was impressed and awestruck by him, his thoughts and personality. She also loved him unconditionally.

She tells us that despite having an excellent salary, he never carried any money on him. All the household expenses were handled by ladies of the house and later by Ramabai. Rama traveled all over India with her husband, from Lahore to Kolkata and from Amritsar to Madras. This was unusual for a typical brahmin lady of that time.

This book is written in the format of memoir or a diary, though the entries are not dated. If the author had not kept the notes then we have to acknowledge that she had tremendous memory because everything is written in great detail.

Although both Rama and Madhav were active in public life and are celebrities of their time, this book is about their personal life and their public life appears only in reference to private life only when necessary.

Madhavrao had a very delicate health. Rama took great care of him playing various roles. Sometimes she played his disciple, sometimes care taker, sometimes his nurse, sometimes his mother and mostly his wife. She idolized him, revered him and loved him.

The narration is simple, language is ancient and author had preferred not to dramatize and kept it factual. Her whole life was her husband, until his death. He was her first priority and she considered herself blessed to have such a husband.

The book ends with the death of Madhavrao in year 1900. Although Rama carried on with the social work of Madhavrao after his death, it doesn't form part of this book.

A good book. If you  are interested in the personalities, read it.

Madhyanh (मध्यान्ह) by Hari Narayan Apte (हरी नारायण आपटे)

"Madhyanh (मध्यान्ह)", a Marathi novel by Hari Narayan Apte (हरी नारायण आपटे). This edition of the book is published by Samanway Prakashan (समन्वय प्रकाशन) in Sept 2013 and has 416 pages. This book was originally written and published around year 1900. Meaning of Madhyanh is Noon.

This is the novel in times of Peshwai (पेशवाई). This novel captures the changes and realignments in Peshwai after Raghobadada (राघोबादादा) assassinates the reigning Peshwa Narayanrao (नारायणराव). Raghobadada becomes Peshwa but his conscience doesn't let him stay in capital Pune and he leaves to attack the neighbors and expand the boundaries. Narayarao's widow was pregnant when he was killed.

Twelve administrators (कारभारी) of Peshwai led by Sakharambapu Bokil (सखारामबापू बोकील) and Nana Phadnis (नाना फडणीस) do not approve of Raghobadada's illegal capture of throne of Peshwai. They come together to conspire (बारभाईचे कारस्थान) against Raghoba and take over the charge of Swarajya (स्वराज्य) in the name of still to be born son of Narayanrao, hoping that it would be a son. Anandibai (आनंदीबाई), the brain behind, Narayanrao's assassination and wife of Raghobadada, tries to kill the phoetus, the mother and then the new born. Nana ensures that all these attempts are foiled. The newborn, a son, is declared Peshwa. He is called Sawai Madhavrao (सवाई माधवराव), which means better than Madhavrao, his uncle.

Nana and the administrators ensure that all internal and external enemies are silenced. Nana also ensures that all administrators stay on track of their objective of protecting and increasing Swarajya, dispite their differences. He breaks the back of the opposition by a combination of spying, negotiating, threatening, cajoling and emotional blackmailing.

The objective is to bring the sun of Peshwai high above head like noon (मध्यान्ह), of reestablishing the Peaswai to the pinnacle of old glory that was achieved in the times of Madhavrao Peshwe.

Initial part of novel is very interesting. The story slows down in the middle and picks up speed at the end. Some of the historical instances are covered in very few pages. I felt that the book should have had another 70-80 pages.

The analysis of events, way of thinking of characters, the mental combat, the strategies are all impeccably presented. At the end of the book the reader wants to know what happens next and doesn't want the book to end.

Hari Narayan Apte, the author, is famous Marathi writer known for his historical as well as social novels. He is also the author of ground breaking novel 'Pan lakshat non gheto (पण लक्षात कोण घेतो)', a novel based on Women Empowerment narrated by a female character.

This book was written more than 100 years ago, so the Marathi language used is ancient. On one hand this can be an exotic angle for some readers and on the other hand the readers can shun the book for this very reason.

If you can stand ancient Marathi and if you know and are interested in the history of Peshwai, this book is for you.

Disclaimer: I am not related to the author.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

"Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse. The book is published by Random House in 2006 and has 129 pages. This book is translated into English by Susan Bernofsky.

The story is set in fifth and sixth century BC. During the times of Gautam Buddha. Although Buddha's original name was Siddhartha, the protagonist of this book is another Siddhartha. He was son of a brahmin and was loved by all. But he was not happy. He was searching something and he did not know what. He thinks that he wants to search Atman and Brahman.

One day he takes permission of his father and leaves home. He becomes an ascetic, a samana, learns fasting, control over breathing and masters samadhi.  But he is not satisfied. Then he goes to listen to the sermon of Sakyamuni or Gautam Buddha. Here he is intrigued. He refuses to become his disciple and is truly awakened. He understands what he was searching. He was searching himself, Siddhartha. He wantes to know himself without the context of being a brahmin or a ascetic or being amongst friends or people like him. It was discovery of Self. So he decides to become a commoner and wants to learn art of love making from a very beautiful courtesan, Kamla. In order to afford her, he becomes a merchant. Earns and enjoys wealth. Becomes a sinner. Again one day he realizes that his search is not over, so he leaves all his wealth, friends and Kamla behind to become a boatman, helping people to cross the river. Here the river becomes his companion, guide, tutor and friend. It talks to him. This is where he finds what he was looking for.

Siddhartha's journey is like a caledoscope in search of something. He is a happy child but leaves his childhood to become an intelligent brahmin youth. He then leaves his home to become a samana. Then he leaves the ascetics to listen to Gautam Buddha. He leaves him to becom a commoner who wants to learn art of loving . Leaves the life of commoner to become a rich merchant and lives extravagant life. Then leaves all the wealth behind to become a boatman.

I found the writing style of Herman Hesse spiritual and mystique like that of Paulo Coelho. The book gives a different perspective of life. It is an allegorical novel.

Various stages of life, various stages of physical belongings and various friends are not enough for Siddhartha. His quest is insatiable. His journey continues. He yearns for something, everything, nothing.

The book is written in a sublime manner. It has a story but is spiritual. It even contradicts Goutam Buddha on a few occasions. Siddhartha sums up everything in one sentence "What interests me is being able to love the world, not scorn it, not to hate it and hate myself, but to look at it and myself and all beings with love and admiration and reverence."

Those who have spiritual inclination or are interested in the unknown would like it. But this book is not for casual readers.

In an antique land by Amitav Ghosh

"In an antique land" by Amitav Ghosh. This book is published by Penguin in 2009 and has 336 pages. This book is dubbed as 'History in the guise of traveler's tale'.

Amitav Ghosh, a social anthropologist, became interested in a the mention of a slave in ancient documents from catalog MSH6. He was presumably an Indian slave of a Jewish merchant Abraham Ben Yijû who stayed in Indian port city of Mangalore for about 30 years between 1450 - 1500 AD. Author became interested in the history of middle Eastern Jews and started his research. He did not even know the name of slave.

Amitav learned Arabic in Tunisia. Dr. Issa of University of Alexandria Placed him in a small Egyptian hamlet of Lataîfa. Here he interacted with local folk. Understood their beliefs, language, there way of thinking and areas of interest. Then he shifted to another hamlet Nashâwy and interacted with the inhabitants. Damanhour was the nearest town.

He researched documents, retrieved from a synagogue years ago and now scattered all over the world, to retrace the lives of Ben Yijû and his slave. His quest took him to Mangalore and he was successful in finding the name of slave. Where he came from. Where did Ben Yijû go from Mangalore. What happened to his family. What happened to his slave etc.

Author also formed a bond with people of Lataîfa and Nashâwy. He became one of them. He kept in touch with them through letters even after leaving Egypt and visited them twice in subsequent years.

This book can not be categorized in any particular genre. The story toggles between author's stay in Egypt and story of the slave unearthed from ancient documents. Both narratives are fascinating. I started this book with a doubt in my mind. Will I like this unusual off beat book. But I liked it.

Author's writing about his stay in Egypt is factual and unbiased. He simply states the things as they are and as they appear to him without being judgmental. His writing about the slave is factual where document evidence is available and speculative in absence of it, however he declares that this is a speculation.

This book is enchanting. Non fiction readers should read it.

The Accidental Apprentice by Vikas Swarup

"The Accidental Apprentice" by Vikas Swarup. This book is published by Minotaur books in 2014 and has 448 pages. Famous movie Slumdog Millionaire was based on Vikas Swarup's book Q&A.

Sapna Sinha, the only bread winner in her house, works as a salesgirl in an electronic showroom. One day while she has gone to a temple a sudden opportunity presents. Sapna is offered the position of CEO of 8th biggest conglomerate of India by its current CEO Vinay Mohan Acharya. The condition is that she should pass seven tests. If she fails any one, she is out of contention. Six or seven candidates have already failed before her.

Is this a prank? Is this part of aTV show? Is the offer genuine? Will she agree? Will she fail? Would she have to make a deal with devil? How does the story unravel? Who is murdered?

Author has attempted to package this book as much more than entertainment. It contains a story. It has lessons of management and it also tackles the social issues.

The book takes issues like khap panchayats, child labor, corruption, exploitation of women, acid attacks, human organs racket etc.. It also give lesson in soft skills like leadership, integrity, courage, foresight, resourcefulness & decisiveness. Author should be congratulated for this bold attempt.

Only regret is that while trying to balance all three aspects, he has fallen just short on all of them landing in 'Jack of all trades' situation. There were also a few lose ends that should have been tidied up like how does the killer know that Sapna will purchase a knife? How does the killer know that Sapna will go to his house?

Look at it as a social novel disguised as thriller and then you will like it. Not for those who want only fun reading.

Private India by Ashwin Sanghi & James Patterson

"Private India" by Ashwin Sanghi & James Patterson. This book is published by Random House India in Jul 2014 and has 448 pages. This is 8th book in the 'Private' series of Patterson and his first collaboration with Ashwin Sanghi.

Private is world's finest PI agency. Private India is located in Mumbai. Santosh Wagh, ex RAW agent, is head of India office, Private India.  He is a brilliant investigator with encyclopedia like knowledge. He is also an alcoholic since the death of his wife and only child.

A serial killer is killing females by strangulating them with yellow hand woven silk scarves. Private India is asked to investigate the case on behalf of police with a tacit agreement of police assistance in lieu of credit for solving the case.

Are the murders connected? Is this the work of a psychopath killer? Is he a female hater? Is there a common thread to murders? Or there is more to it? Has it anything to do with a cult that dates back 500 years?

Authors don't waste page space for the buildup to the story or to introduce the characters or to create the background. Readers jump into the story headlong from the world go. The background of the characters is provided on the fly.

The characters, the events and the storyline are neatly woven into a fabric that is cohesive, attractive and interesting. Nine murders on nine days of navratri and murderer leaving clues relating to Goddess Durga add another dimension to the story.

Although two writers have written the book, it is uniform and reader can not differentiate the writing styles. Character of Jack Morgan, Head of Private, appeares in the story only to emphasize that this is the book in Private series. Hari's running away seems unjustified and his character was wasted unnecessarily.

The story and narration is gripping. Make sure you have continuous time to read this as you would not like to break. A sequel to this book seems to be in order.

A very good book. Recommend reading.