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.

Lanka's Princess" by Kavita Kané

"Lanka's Princess" by Kavita Kané - The unloved one!

This  book is published by Rupa publications India in 2016 and has 280 pages. 

Story starts with the birth of Surpanakha, real name Meenakshi, to Rishi Vishrawas, grand son of Lord Brahma, and Kekasi, daughter of Asura Sumali and Taraka. Meenakshi and her three elder brothers had Brahmin father and Asura mother but they were more Asura than Brahmin. She had strong nails and used it in fights in childhood. Name Surpanakha was given by Ravan after one such fight and it stuck.

Who was Surpanakha? What kind of a person was she? Who was she? What role did she play in Ramayana?

Author portrays Surpanakha as an unwanted girl child for mother, ignored by father, not taken into confidence by brothers, considered not beautiful, loved by grand mother Taraka, cloistered in Lanka, lonely without friends, vicious, bored and vengeful.

There is a special bond between Surpanakha and her nephew Meghnad, Ravan's first born. She is his second mother and he is her first son. 

Meenakshi falls in love with Vidyujiva, king of Kalkeyas and Rawan's nemesis. She blackmails Rawan to agree for their marriage. Against her wish her husband and brothers decide that the couple will stay in Lanka and Vidyujiva will be a predominant courtier of Rawan. Many years later Rawan kills Vidyujiva. Surpanakha refuses to believe that Vidyujiva was a philanderer and was conspiring to overthrow Ravan. Later in Dandaka she loses her only son.

Surpanakha wanted revenge on Ravan and wanted him dead because he killed her husband. First she wanted to seduce Ram and Lakshman. When it did not work and she was disfigured, she uses her condition and Ravan's unfulfilled desire for Sita to instigate the war. Where she went wrong was assuming that Ram and Ravan will fight as soon as war begins and Ravan will die. Instead they fought last and before that she lost all her family. Her brother, her cousins, her nephews and uncle.

She was always an outcast. While in Brahminic culture of her father's ashram, she was considered unfriendly, too aggressive and uninterested in education. When she came to Lanka she did not like the excesses and talk of war and wealth of Asuras.

She is angry at her mother, Rawan, Ram and Lakshman. In reality she is angry at the whole world. She yearns for acceptance that she never gets. She is burning with desire to see Rawan dead. She is ready to bring war on her family and country to get her revenge. She goes to Ayodhya after the war to exact her revenge on Ram and Lakshman as well. But finally she repents and wishes to go back to her family.

In the initial part, Surpanakha gets a marginal role, but later she comes into predominance. In the early part you feel sorry for her and sympathize with her need of recognition and attention. In later part of the book she is consumed with only pine thing. Revenge! Pace of the story is patchy. Surpanakha is shown in a different light. Good thing is that the book has no war. It is covered briefly as news arriving from battlefield.

Surpanakha manipulates Vibhishan to join Ram. Although that scene is a fine piece of literature, is Vibhishan fool enough to not see through Surpanakha, who actually instigated all this?

Why did Vidyujiva agree to become Rawan's vassal? Why Surpanakha never met her beloved Nani, Taraka, after she was cursed? Why did Malyavan, Vibhishan, Mandodari, Kumbhakarna, Indrajit and Surpanakha individually think that they were fighting a losing war? This book shows that they lost the war psychologically even before it started.

Surpanakha's ultimate revenge on Ram appears far fetched and shallow. Author should have made it more authentic and convincing.

Kavita has made a niche for herself with her portrayal of historical but less important characters and narrating the story from their view point. She started with Uruvi in Karna's wife, Menaka in Menaka's choice, Urmila in Sita's sister and now Surpanakha in this Book. From the stories that we have heard in our childhood we know very little of these characters. Kavita delivers stories through them.

Although it's a good book, it's not as good as previous ones of the author.

Why did I read this book? Kavita Kane. 

What I didn't like? Patchy pace, revenge on Ram. 

What did I like? Story of lesser character.

Not a must read. Read if you have time. 

Operation Jinnah by Shiv Aroor

"Operation Jinnah" by Shiv Aroor - A military thriller. 

This book is published by Juggernaut books in 2017 and has 295 pages.

India conducts a covert operation inside enemy territory and no one is the wiser. An operation by Indian navy, to destroy Pakistan's Jinnah naval base, is aborted seconds before missiles were to strike. Ten years later daughter of navy chief Rana is abducted in Kashmir.

Why was Operation Jinnah aborted? What was the covert mission? Why daughter of navy chief, and not of any minister, was kidnapped? Will India strike back?

Its a military thriller with a lot of action, high octane scenes, international tension, mission inside enemy territory, national pride, nail biting sequences and a decent story.

This book is a very good thriller. The thrill, enticing events, nail biting climaxes, technical knowledge of weapons and aircrafts, crisp story, authentic narration and adrenaline pumping action make this a pleasurable reading experience.

Characterization is good.  Admiral Nirbhai Rana, the maverick patriot. Varuna, his only daughter. Lieutenant Commander Akeela Thomas, an orphan girl turned navy commando. Lieutenant Vikramaditya Singh, another navy commando. Lieutenant Saraswati Subramanian, born as a boy but transformed to a girl and navy commando. Prime minister, who wants to give a fitting reply to Pakistan and is ready to handle international pressure. Each of them add value to the story. 

Author has given rough sketches of various weapons and flying machines for the reader in This book. This is a novelty, welcome change and the USP.

Author, however, fails to tie some loose ends like why does the 'contact' assists Indians? How was the contact recruited? Why India did not go all the way when opportunity presented? Had he tied the loose ends it would have eliminated this flaw. 

Shiv Aroor is a well known TV journalist and anchor. This is his debut novel.  He has displayed finess that does not betray that this is a debut novel. We should see more of Shiv Aroor in future.

Why did I read this book? Title and blurb. 

What I didn't like? Loose ends. 

What did I like? Delivery, knowledge.

 A very good book. Recommend reading.