Spot girl by Komal Mehta

"Spot girl" by Komal Mehta - Story behind the screen!

This book is published by Penguin metro reads in 2014 and has 274 pages. This book was recommended by Ravikiran.

Jiya, a Gujju MBA, has chosen unconventional career. She is manager of Bollywood star Shehzad Khan, who she is in love since she was 11. Shehzad is completely dependent on her to manage his schedule, career and finances. She calls herself spot girl. His association with a new starlet is the beginning of change.

Will Jiya express her love to Shehzad? What feelings does Shehzad have for Jiya? Does the spot girl have any other ambitions?

The novel has four main characters. Shehzad is handsome, lovable, impulsive, vein and one who keeps getting into trouble. Jiya is his woman Friday, trying to keep him out of trouble, managing his business affairs, concealing his love affairs, setting a defined career path for him, making him chose roles that make career and business sense and managing the endorsement deals. Ayesha is the new girl and wants to use Shehzad to further her career. Falak is Ayesha's manager, Bollywood encyclopedia and an aspiring director.

This book gives readers a peek into the working of Mumbai film industry. The world of equations, politics, affairs, dropping hints, speculation and gossip opens up for the readers. 

Jiya appears like a super woman, multitasking, managing things and satisfying whims of Shehzad and covering up his impulsive acts. Shehzad appears pompous and loves himself. Author gives a shade to his character towards the end that does not fit his character until then. It's a flaw. While reading the book one feels that Shehzad doesn't deserve a good girl like Jiya. But love is blind!

Most of the story happens in Mumbai but later part takes place in Cannes, France. Then the story returns to Mumbai.

Story is not pacy, but enough to keep readers interested. It's narrated in flashback and slows down considerably at times. Although the book is not exciting, it could not be abandoned either. I started reading the book in Oct 2018 and completed in Nov 2019. Phew!

Komal used to be a spot girl. Now she is author, script writer and works in the industry. Is Jiya's character based on her? Shehzad's character had similarities to Shahrukh Khan.

Why did I read this book? Ravi's recommendation. 

What I didn't like?  Inconsistent pace. Predictability. 

What did I like? Working of film industry. 

Read of you have spare time.

Beauchamp hall by Danielle Steel

"Beauchamp hall" by Danielle Steele  - TV show fantasy!

This book was published by Pan in 2018 and has 288 pages. 

Winnie, a dreamer, works in her home town. Now at 39 she is in relationship with Rob for 11 years, but she doesn't love him and marriage is not in consideration. One day her world comes crashing down with triple jeopardy. The only solace she finds is in a British TV show, a period drama, "Beauchamp hall". On a spur, she decides to visit England, where the show is being shot.

What will she find in England? Can a TV show heal her wounds? How long can Beauchamp hall run? Will Winnie run out of money? What role will she play?

At first glance the story appears absurd. A girl who has lost everything finding solace in a TV show, travelling to the location of shooting, no future plans. However, author breathes life in this apparently weak plot. She takes us on a unknown ride with Winnie. We get to know the people she meets, the happiness, the sorrow and romance she experiences and how her life takes twists and turns. Readers associate with Winnie. Another author might have messed it up, but not Danielle. She handles the story delicately, maintains decent pace and ensures that readers remain interested. 

The cast supports the story. Nigel, the tender but jealous lover. Margaret, the famous actress in love with a married man. Haversham siblings, all aristocracy and expensive lifestyle but no equivalent income. Her sister, nephew etc. However, Winnie is the central and most prominent character.

It's a story that you read, feel good about and forget. It won't remain in your literary memory for long. Kind of feel good family drama. 

There are no surprises or major twists in this story. It runs on expected lines. Final pairings are a little too convenient. Readers can smell the end from far away and as the story starts to taper off, readers simply know the end. 

Danielle Steele is one of the rare authors who does not write series or sequels to capitalize on past success. Each of her novel is a standalone novel. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What I didn't like?  Lack of major twists and surprises. 

What did I like? Easy flow, steady pace. 

Recommend reading.

The gilded wolves by Roshani Chokshi

"The gilded wolves" by Roshani Chokshi -  A new old-world!

This book is published by Macmillan in 2019 and has 400 pages. 

The art of forging, powered by fragment of Babel in France is with House of Nyx & House of Kore. Severine, heir to House of Vanth, was declared as not a descendant of the house when he was 10-11 and the house was dissolved. Fourth house was dissolved much earlier because they tried to do what was forbidden. Now Severine runs a hotel and specialises in acquisitions (read theft) with the help of Tristan, Enrique, Zofiya and Laila. One day he is offered an assignment that can restore his inheritance. 

What will Severine do? Will he accept the assignment? Will he make a deal? Will Hypnos betray? Can Laila find the book? Can she become complete?

The cast is interesting. Severine who thinks he is robbed off his inheritance by the matriarch of House Kore and who wants it back at any cost. Laila, an Indian Cabaret dancer who is not complete and is looking for a book whose name she does not know. Enrique, a Historian with Filipina mother and Spanish father who wants to make it big. Tristan, Severin's brother (no blood relation), whose behaviour is somewhat strange. Hypnos, patriarch of House Nyx and Severin's childhood friend, who Severin doesn't trust any more. Zofiya, a brilliant Engineer who is kicked out of school. 

The novel is set in 1878 Paris. Exposition Universelle, for which Eiffel Tower was built, is about to be inaugurated. There are two worlds. One is the world of normal people and another of those who have forging affinity. These worlds coexist. There are two kind of forging affinities: Matter- Influence one of the material states like solid, liquid, gas and Mind - which is banned. Forging is existence hammered into being in the furnace of time. 

It takes some time to get used to this new old-world and understand what forging is. The story is interesting. Readers take Severin's side at the outset. They connect with Laila and also feel for Zofiya. Key to success of this book is in this connection with readers. The old Paris is enticing. Backdrop of inauguration of Eiffel Tower is exciting. There are side stories for Laila, Enrique, Hypnos & Zofiya that the author does not conclude. These may be taken up in the sequel. Severin's story reaches a milestone but will continue in sequel. Author also gives a shock in the very end to pique the readers' curiosity and want them to wait for sequel. 

It's a good book, a little on slower side, but the concept is good and development is also good. It's designed for young readers. 

Roshani, daughter of Filipino mother and Indian father, is an American author. I have read her book 'Aru Shah and the end of time' a few months ago and published book review on my blog. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity. 

What I didn't like? Pace. 

What did I like? Characters and end. 

Recommend reading. 

Narasimha by Kevin Missal

"Narasimha" by Kevin Missal - Not gripping!

This book is published by HarperCollins India in 2019 and has 320 pages. This is Book 1 of Mahaavtar trilogy. 

Nara was the leader of Simha Tribe (half lion half men) that sided with Deva Tribe against Asura Tribe for control over Illavarti. He comes out of self imposed retirement to save a potent weapon from Andhaka, nephew of Hiranya. Meanwhile, Hiranya is searching for world's greatest weapon. Pralhad is functioning as temporary king when Vishnusena wrecks havoc. 

Why did Narasimha retire? Why did he come back? Which is the greatest weapon? Who is the leader of Vishnusena? What happened to Pashupatastra?

Author has taken the story of Narasimha from mythology and created a story very different from known tale. He has created a new world with Simha tribe, kingdom of Illavarti, the armour etc. Some of these things are contrary to known story like Narad being guru of Asuras, Prahlad being a grown up man etc...

Characterization is decent. Virtuous Nara, deceiving Indra, confused Pralhad, scheming Andhaka, driven Hiranya, meek Narad, cruel Hiloka etc.. Author brings varied characteristics through these characters. Hiranya does not come out as a villain but as one who's situation makes him do things. Objective of characters of Anuhrad, Holika's daughter and her boyfriend remains nebulous. 

The narration is mildly interesting. At times the story slows down and at times things happen too fast. The story does not make you sit on the edge of chair. Reader does not get restless to read remaining book. Dil doesn't mange more.

This is a trilogy and a good amount of story is covered in first book. Is there enough strength left in the story for two more books? Only time will tell. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Attempt

What I didn't like? Execution

Not a must read.

The stars shine down by Sidney Sheldon

"The stars shine down" by Sidney Sheldon - World of real estate!

This edition of book is published by Harper in 2005 and has 448 pages. 

Lara Cameron is beautiful and successful business woman who has achieved everything in her life. She has created everything from nothing. On her 40th birthday, she is standing on the brink of financial crisis.

What drives her? What sacrifices did she make? Who helped her? Why is she in financial crisis? Is there a way out?

The story starts with Lara's arrival for birthday party and then takes us back into flash back starting from her childhood to present day. It takes us through the life of this ambitious lady, her aspirations, her techniques, her modus operandi. It shows a very interesting character. She makes a name for herself in a man's world. However, at times this ruthless business woman also looks naive and vulnerable. 

The story has a flow. Characterization is good, however, most of the space is occupied by Lara and what remains is shared by Howard Keller, Paul Martin and Philip Adler. The book raises some questions like even if a lady becomes successful, will her beauty and body will be perceived more important than her intelligence,  by the world?

The book also takes us through the world of construction. Leverage, borrowing, making deals, land acquisition, regulatory hurdles, junk bonds (all the words we repeatedly heard during subprime crisis) are integral to the story. 

The convergence towards end, however, appears a bit convenient. Some threads, like Howard's memory loss & Lack of checks and balances in orders etc, remain loose. Nevertheless author ends the book on a fantastic note. Can't imagine any other ending. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Lose ends. Convenient convergence. 

What did I like? Flow. 

Recommend reading.

The Girl in room 105 by Chetan Bhagat

"The Girl in room 105" by Chetan Bhagat - A murder mystery!

This book is published by Westland in 2018 and has 304 pages. 

Keshav has broken up with his beautiful Kashmiri girlfriend Zara. One day he gets a text message from her on the eve of her birthday and enters drunk in Room 105 of IIT Delhi hostel through window.

How does Zara receive him? Why did they break up? Which world does Keshav enter when he enters room 105? Does Zara miss him? Does she want to leave Raghu, her current boyfriend?

The story is built nicely. What appeared to be a hearty break and romance, quickly turns into a murder mystery. Amature detectives persist, don't give up, encounter dead ends, perceiver and eventually succeeded. Character of Zara Lone unfolds through other characters. 

It's a good plot. Development of story is good. Characterization is also good. The story is on the slower side. However, there are some weaknesses. Reason for Zara and Keshav's breakup appears flimsy. Killer's confession comes too soon etc.

Author ends with Keshav opening a detective agency. Does Chetan intend to write a sequel or a series? Only time will tell. 

The book has a subtitle 'an unlove story'. Concept of unlove is imaginative and interesting. It's love equivalent of unfriend. I was impressed by this concept. 

This book is out of typical Chetan Bhagat cast. If you have read his previous books then don't expect anything similar in this book. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What I didn't like? Some weak points. 

What did I like? Author's attempt in new genre. 

Recommend reading. 

The walls of Delhi by Uday Prakash

"The walls of Delhi" by Uday Prakash, translated into English by Kason Grunebaum - Noir !

This book is published by UWA Publishing in 2012 and has 235 pages.

This book is a collection of three stories. 

Story 1 - The walls of Delhi

Ramnivas, the sanitation worker, starts an affair with Sushma, the domestic worker. One day he finds cash hidden by someone in a hollow wall in Saket (a rich locality), where he cleans. What happens next?

Author paints the life on road. Small time vendors, beggars, leaper, smackheads, chaiwalla, bicycle repairman, panwalla, cobbler, astrologer, sanitation worker, domestic worker and their relations and relationships. The story is allegorical in nature on one hand and starkly realistic on the other. What happens when one finds easy money and what happens when someone else finds that? 

Story  2 - Mohandas 

Mohandas, a bright young man from weaver community, who stood second in university is selected for a job that never materializes. He does not find another job and manages to survive on a small piece of land, somehow. One day he gets a shock of his life about the job he was selected for. What's it?

This story numbs your mind. The story happens after year 2000. Basically it tells that although India has progressed, it has not come out of the clutches of cast system and the lower casts are still deprived. Author narratesboois story in contrast. On one side India is developing rapidly taking big strides and close to be counted as a superpower and on the other hand some do not have food to eat, place for a toilet and roof over head. The established have usurped what rightfully begins to poor. 

Author clarifies that this is not some symbolic story or allegory or coded fable although the name of protagonist, his family members and his village are same or eerily similar to that of Mahatma Gandhi.

Story 3 - Mangosil

Shobha, wife of Ramakant, is abused and sexually assaulted regularly by an inspector and a contractor. She can't take it and runs away with Chandrakant. Chandrakant Thorat's son with Shobha has a decease that he calls Mangosil, where the head becomes big and is continuously getting bigger. There is no cure. He has red eyes and almost never sleeps. But was he a kid or was his brain more developed and all knowing?

Chandrakant's son, who was not expected to live, but survives and has strange tangled thoughts. He lives until he doesn't. But how does he die? Author takes us through the life of Shobha, her escape, sufferings. General discomfort of parents and neighbours towards the strange child. Unusual life and death of the child. 

All the three stories are noir. There is a continuous ache and suffering. Poverty is the main issue, sometimes exacerbated by cast. All the three stories have a protagonist couple and there is scene of passion between them. 

All three stories are on a serious subjects and exploitation of the poor by established is the common theme running through these stories. Author's style of narration is somewhat abstract.

Translation looks decent. In some instances if translator had given the hindi words and translation in brackets, it would have been more appropriate because some things simply can't be translated. As an example Mai hoon na (title of a movie) can't be translated as You can count on me. You don't get the same effect. 

Cover of the book is fantastic. It shows an electric socket with a number of adaptors and a bulb plugged in. Additionally there is a switch Jerry rigged to it. Classic Jugad!

Why did I read this book? Goodreads rating.

What I didn't like? Abstract narration is hard to follow for common readers. 

What did I like? Contrast, realistic. 

Read if you like the genre.