Gold diggers by Sanjena Sathian

"Gold diggers" by Sanjena Sathian - It's different!

This book was published by HarperCollins India in 2021 and has 352 pages. This is Sanjena's debut novel. 

Neil Narayan is friends with Anita Dayal and is close to her mother Anjali Dayal (Joshi), who runs a catering business for Indian community in America. One day Neil stumbles on a secret of Anita and Anjali and becomes a party to it.

What is the secret? Why does Neil become a party to it? What's in it for him? Who is the gold digger?

This is a novel of and about Indian Americans from the perspective of a second generation Indian American boy. On one hand Indian Americans try to retain their Indian identity and culture and on other hand they try to assimilate into American lifestyle. Point to be noted is that this is true even for second generation Americans. It's a constant comparison between what their parents strive and where they are. It's identity crisis. Are they Americans or are they Indians? Are they different? Are they always outsiders? What are they after?

Chemically, Gold is a noble metal. Financially, Gold is precious metal. Aesthetically, Gold is beautiful metal. However, in this book Gold signifies ambitions and aspirations of the owner and maker. When it is brewed, the ingestor inherits the ambitions of the owner & the maker. It's an interesting angle. With this concept, the story gains an altogether different perspective. Alchemy has enticed many for generations. This book is another foray into it.

Who is ambitious in America? Who is intelligent in America? Who works very hard to achieve their dreams? Who uses pure gold in America? Of course the Indian Americans. 

Then, there is a side story of a Hindu gold digger who came to America from Bombay and achieved some success. He was the only one of his kind, an aberration. He wanted to succeed but the whites castigated him as thief.

Neil, Anita and Anjali's story is a curious story. It keeps the reader interested. Then there is a time leap when Neel and Anita move away, until they meet again after 10 years. The story then takes absurd turn with weed, heist and what not. It appears as if the story is caught by an eddy and is carried to unintended destination. However author manages to pull it back to sense towards the end. 

Some aspects of this story are plain and simple, some aspects are mystic, some aspects are meta physical. So it's a mix of all with gold at the heart of it. 

Neil meets Ramesh Uncle, a retired professor from Calcutta. Ramesh uncle appears to be an important and mysterious character, but he suddenly disappears from the story to come back only at the end. 

It's a first person account of a male character written by a female author. The story is narrated by Neil Narayan.

This novel falls in the genre of 'Magical realism'. Its being adapted into a TV series by Kaling International. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting title. 

What did I like? The fresh take. 

What I didn't like? Dip after time leap. 

Read if you liked the review.

Haveli by Zeenat Mahal

"Haveli" by Zeenat Mahal - Quick read!

This book is published by Indiareads Incorporated in 2013 and has 90 pages. It's a novella. 

Chandani, granddaughter of widow of Nawab of Jalalabad (Begum) is in love with a person 20 years older. Begum still lives in world of Nawabs. An England educated handsome, sexy, alpha male (Taimur) is introduced to Chandani. Taimur and Chandani can't see eye to eye. Enter her absent father.

Who is Chandani in love with? Is it love? Can she and Taimur ever become friends? What's the real motive of her father's return? How will Chandani cope up to the upheaval?

Chandani and Taimur call each other Satan and Medusa. They can't stand each other and don't miss an opportunity to trade insults. These sparks between the two are adorable and enjoyable. She calls him by a variety of names, all characters from English movies or fairytales. I liked this idea. It's a novelty. 

Character of Chandani is a curious case study. She is beautiful, confident, well read, pampered. However her behaviour after father's entry, her denial to see reason, her hurting the ones close to her goes against the character. Suddenly she appears shallow, naive and becomes a little girl lost in the world of adults, although she is almost 21. These characteristics are incongruous with her character until then.

 Its like a Hindi movie plot. It has hate, love, conspiracy, emotional scenes and happy ending. The end comes little abruptly. Her father and Faisal suddenly disappear. Her mother's will suddenly appears. But all in all you enjoy. 

Why is the book titled Haveli? Because she's rich, she's had a sheltered life, she's a brat, wealth hasn't gone to her head? Only author can answer that. 

From the political and Bollywood references one can infer that the story happens in Pakistan of late sixties, early seventies. It appears a little bold for the time period, although for today's reader it's nothing. 

There are a lot of similarities about these Pakistani characters and Indians. Big family, a matriarch, pampered daughter, love for food and parties, big family etc. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about Pakistan and Pakistani author. 

What I didn't like? Loose threads.

What did I like? Sparks between Chandani and Taimur.

Recommend reading. 

Karachi Halwa by Prabhu Dayal

"Karachi Halwa" by Prabhu Dayal -  Reminiscing Pakistan!

This book is published by Zorba Books in 2015 and has 205 pages.

Author was posted to Indian consulate in Karachi during reign of Zia. This book is about author's memories and observations of his Karachi days. Karachi was Pakistan's capital till 1957, it was then shifted to Rawalpindi and then to Islamabad. 

Zia is described as wily and deceitful person with steely determination and ruthlessness. He calls Zia and Musharraf highly ambitious, scheming and unscrupulous. His theory is that Zulfilar Ali Butto's nationalization of Nawaz Sharif's steel mill was the reason Sharif came into politics. The rest is history.  

Zia won over Morarji Desai (who had a pathological hatred for RAW and who denied refueling permission to Israeli aircraft that was going to attack Pakistani nuclear facility, Kahuta) completely by his guile. No wonder he was conferred Pakistan's highest civilian award.

Madarasas received state sponsorship for first time under Zia. By censoring film industry he did irreparable damage. Pakistan's existence is tied to its Kashmir policy. He enumerates how India accorded MFN status to Pakistan and how Pakistan neither reciprocated not cooperated, on the contrary created obstacles for import of Indian goods and artists.

Author is very critical of American policy of providing aid to Pakistan, knowing that Pakistan is developing nuclear weapons. He squarely blames Pakistan for fanning, aiding and abetting the Kalistani terrorists.

Great Pakistani poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Ahmad Faraz went into self exile rather than living under martial law. Author fondly remembers poetry and music concerts he attended in Pakistan. He laments that discontinuing teaching Urdu in India was a mistake. 

Author narrates a few Pakistani jokes about Zia, army and bureaucracy. The jokes not only bring smile to readers face but also give a profound insight about how Pakistanis had a low opinion about them. Each chapter of the book  starts with a cartoon and a one liner to accompany it.

Author justifies withdrawing our troops back to LOC after 1971 war with a laughable argument that Pakistan would have still created trouble in J&K. Very unconvincing. 

Although this book paints a bleak picture of Pakistan as failed state beyond repair, author ends the book with a hopeful epilogue. He recommends non-first use of nuclear weapons treaty. He also supports converting LOC to international border and ends the book on a hopeful note. 

As a common Hindustani, there is a curiosity about Pakistan and about our similarities and differences with them. This book provides good insights without becoming sour. It's a wonder how the two counties that became independent simultaneously charted such diverse paths economically, socially and religiously. 

The book isn't too lengthy. Author has succinctly captured the essence of Pakistan during his time. It's a take in lighter vein, so the book, despite being non-fiction, becomes enjoyable. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity. 

What I didn't like? Justification of going back to LOC in 1971.

What did I like? The book, in general. 

Recommend reading.

Karaluvian Fale by Cat Rambo

"Karaluvian Fale" by Cat Rambo -  Fantasy series concludes!

This e-book has 31 pages. It's a single short story. It's Book 3 of 'Women of Zalanthas' series. 

Karaluvian Fale (Kara) is from House of Fale. Financial situation of the house is precarious. Her brother has gambled away everything. 

Lakesander Oash of rival House of Oash doesn't spare an opportunity to show Kara down. Gracchus Kasix, a noble, has shown interest in her indirectly. He requests Kara to assist him organize a festival. 

Will Kara agree? Is Kara the chirpy lady he thinks she is? Can Kara improve her financial situation? Can she escape Lakesander?

Like the first two books, this too is a small book. The tale has to be thus rushed and a lot of things have to be inferred. Author simply doesn't have time and space to create background. 

The story happens in Allanak, a land with red sand and with two moons, set in undefined time and location, an alternative world with exotic names for people, positions and places. This gives a feel of fantasy land and mystic atmosphere.

The plot is simple. It's about Kara and her intelligence. Will she be able to keep the appearances or will she be destroyed and shamed? The book ends but the story doesn't end. The challenge is not over. However, there is no 4th book in this series. 

Why did I read this book? Quick read. Have read the first two. 

What I didn't like? Length. 

What did I like? The end.

Read of you don't mind quirky tales.

Sweet sweet revenge Ltd. by Jonas Jonasson

"Sweet sweet revenge Ltd." by Jonas Jonasson - Author is back!

This book is published by HarperVia in 2021 and has 336 pages. 

Victor Svensson works as a manager of art gallery. He is a fraud. He has an illegitimate son (Kevin) from a black prostitute. After her death, he pays for son's sustenance and when he turns 18 takes him to Massai savanna in Kenya and leaves him there to die. Victor marries daughter of art gallery owner and after the owner dies, takes all the property and divorces his wife. In Kenya, Kevin doesn't die and is adopted by a Maasai warrior cum medicine man. Years later, Kevin runs away from Africa and reaches Sweden. His adopted father, who knows nothing about the ways of modern world, follows him from the Savannah. 

Why does Victor leave Kevin to die? Why does Kevin run away from Africa? Who does he meet in Sweden? What's about Irma Stern paintings? What is Sweet sweet revenge Ltd.?

An African, untouched by modern things, is a fountain of humor. Add to it situational comedy. Add to it a crazy and absurd plot. Add to it author's dry humor & black humor and you have a very good recipe. This heady mixture creates a lot of hilarious situations. It's author's USP. While reading the book you smile many times. Sometimes you even laugh out loud. That counts for something!

The story develops nicely, you expect more.  Then there is a death. From this point on the author suddenly loses interest in elevating the graph and starts to wind down. The story basically fizzles out after that. As if that wasn't enough, author drags the end so much that it leaves a bad after taste. Much of last few pages could have been deleted straightaway. It would have improved the book. 

Concept of Sweet sweet revenge Ltd. is novel but it comes with inherent limitations. Author realizes it and winds it down before the book ends.

This book is better than author's previous book, but not in the league of "100 year old man...."

Like all Jonas Jonasson books, this book cover too has single prominent colour and shows a walking person. Another USP?

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Irish angle. Humor. 

What I didn't like? Dragged end.

Recommend reading.

Palm beach murders by James Patterson - 3 in 1

"Palm beach murders" by James Patterson - 3 in 1!

This book is published by Grand central publishing in 2021 and had 384 pages. 

This book is a collection of three thrillers. 

Let's play make believe. 

Christie Moore, a beautiful lady undergoing divorce, meets Warren Hawking, also a divorcee and an architect, and they hit off. Warren executes crazy stuff for fun like Dine-n-Dash, Pharmaceutically induced orgie, Trespassing, Thievery etc.

How far will he go? Will Christie be in trouble? Who is murdered?

Nooners

Tim McGhee is an ex marine and now senior ad agency executive. He is loved by all and is about to hop jobs. Then there is a murder at his ad agency. Then there are two more.

Who is murdered? Are the murders connected? Who is the murderer?

Stingrays

Matthew Quinn assembles his team (Stingrays) of Jenna (an actress), Kate (ex army), Theo (an ex grifter) and Otto to investigate disappearance of beautiful and lovely Page Rairson and either find her or her body. There are many suspects; a trust fund kid, a captain of a yacht, a life guard, victim's twin friends and a cop.

Who engages Stingrays? Is Page dead? Can the Stingrays solve the case?

First story is interesting and has surprise element. Second story is very predictable. It was so predictable that I was hoping against hope that I would get a surprise. It never came. Third story has a mild surprise at the end. 

First two stories are narrated in first person singular. Third story is narrated in first person singular when it comes to the team. Only Matthew's portion is delivered in third person. 

Since this book had three distinct stories, each story can be read with interval in between. The stories are ok, you don't dislike them. 

Why did I read this book? It was available.

What did I like? First story.

What I didn't like? Second story.

Ok to read while travelling. 

Escape to nowhere by Amar Bhushan

"Escape to nowhere" by Amar Bhushan - Uninteresting spy thriller!

This book is published by Konark Publishers Pvt. Ltd. in 2019 and has 336 pages. This book is being made into a Netflix movie. 

Ravi Mohan, an intelligence officer and senior analyst of Agency (read RAW), comes under suspicion for espionage. He invites officers not belonging to his division, talks to them on matters not related to him, fishing for information and takes them to expensive restaurants. Jeevanathan, Security Head of Agency, assigns the surveillance to KM Kamat, head of CEU. An elaborate surveillance is mounted but ....

Can they establish that Ravi is a traitor? Can they find Ravi's handler? Can they apprehend Ravi?

As is the case for any intelligence operation, or any operation for that matter, a lot of time is spent doing mundane things. Here author has avoided dramatization or making things spicy. Thus the story becomes very slow,  even less interesting and sounds like a report. It doesn't generate interest, doesn't excite you and at the end doesn't give you the satisfaction of accomplishment. 

How come so many persons not related to his assigned desk brief Ravi Mohan about sensitive matters? This guy regularly sleeps in office during office hours, spends a lot of time chatting with people not directly related to his work. It appears that RAW operates like any other government organization and lacks professionalism. A supposedly master spy agency works like a bureaucratic organization. 

It's said that this novel is loosely based on 2004 scandal involving RAW joint secretary Rabinder Singh. So it's possible to identify some real life characters based on their position, with Google's help. 

The chapters are, rather unimaginably, titled Day1, Day2 etc.. The story happens in about 3 months.

I started to read this book after reading a news report that Vishal Bharadwaj will be directing a Netflix film based on this book starring Tabu. After Redding the book, I wonder what role Tabu will play? There is no strong female character in the book!

Why did I read this book? It's being made into Netflix film. 

What I didn't like? Lack of thrill. 

What did I like? Peek into working of RAW. 

Not a must read.