Pokharan by Uday Singh

​"Pokharan" by Uday Singh - Boom or Fizzle?

This book is published by Bantam Press in 2012 and has 368 pages. 

Pokharan blasts in 1974. Pride for the country. But was there a fallout of the destination on the populace nearby? Chaitanya is born Quadriplegic. But he is sharp and achieves unprecedented success when he joins MIT. What can he do for his home twin Pokharan?

Why is father murdered? Why are seemingly unrelated 6 people kidnapped? What does Chaitanya want? What are the founding principals of Life, Liberty and Level playing field?

The story starts interestingly.  Readers readily connect with Chaitanya. Good journey from birth to MIT is a bit jerky. I mean the narration is jerky. Sometimes author takes his own time and on other occasions he runs through years. Nevertheless, readers remain interested because they know what happened at the end. The book is a flash back. 

But then in the last 100 pages of the book, when one expects the graph to rise and reach crescendo, it kind of fizzles out. Readers rue the missed opportunity. The anticipation that was built up dissipates. The readers ask ‘why?’

If this was the ultimate purpose, then the buildup was more of a red herring. If buildup was correct, then climax was not achieved. 

A lot of unaccounted promise. 

Why did I read this book? Title. 

What did I like? Build-up. 

What I didn't like? Fizzle. 

Give it a miss.

Shiledarache iman (शिलेदाराचं इमान) by Anant Tibile

​"Shiledarache iman (शिलेदाराचं इमान)" by Anant Tibile -Historical fiction!

This book is published by Riya publications in 2013 and has 200 pages. 

Pre-Shivaji period. Yavan riders raid a village, kill all men, rape and then kill all women. They spare Sirajmiya, a fakir, because he is from their faith. A four year boy, Kedar Shelar, survives. Sirajmiya is a good guy loved by all despite being from a different religion. He adopts Kedar and makes him a good man who has ambition to fight against injustice. He gets weapons training from Hambirrao. One day grown up Kedar meets Shivaji raje and his life now has a purpose.

What will Kedar do for Surajya? Is thereA love triangle? What sacrifice will Kedar make?

It’s a historical fiction. Although it happens during periods of Shivaji and Kedar works for Shivaji, it’s not the story of Shivaji, it’s of Kedar. He is an ideal man. Handsome, well built, agile, expert in disguise, has command over all weapons, is intelligent and loyal. Sirajmiya (Chacha) is a good soul. He doesn’t agree with violence on the name of religion promoted by his fellow yavans. He raises Kedar as a Hindu. Makes him a good man. Hambir Rao is an ex soldier who lost both his sons in battle that broke him. Now he gives weapons training to young kids. Manjula is Hambir’s grand daughter. She and Kedar are in love. Salma is daughter of a local rich guy. She is also sweet in Kedar and thinks he is Muslim. Her character is a little underdeveloped. 

It’s a good story. It slows down a little bit in the middle but corrects the course. The involvement of Kedar in Historical incidences like take over of Panhala, attempt to win Miraj etc makes things interesting. 

There are some errors in the book like calling kaka instead of Chacha and Vice versa, some grammatical errors etc. Nothing that could not have been fixed. 

It’s an interesting book. If you like historical fiction, this book is for you.

Why did I read this book? I had purchased it long time ago.

What did I like? Concept. 

What I didn't like? Errors as mentioned above.  

Recommend reading.

The Matarese circle by Robert Ludlum

​"The Matarese circle" by Robert Ludlum - Another Ludlum masterclass !

This book was published by Bantam in 2015 and has 576 pages. 

Russian intelligence operative Vassily Telenyikov & American intelligence operative Brandon Scofield are sworn enemies. One has killed other’s wife and the second one has killed first ones brother. Matarese circle is a deadly organization that worked for high profile jobs. All the covert agencies in the world have used them including CIA and KGB. The organization died few years back. Now they have resurrected but this time they have become autonomous. The only way to stop them is, if Brandon and Vassily can work together and without knowledge of their respective governments. 

Will the arch enemies work together? Why would they do so? What is Matarese Circle planning? What is the end game? Who is the Shepherd Boy? What’s the legend of Baron of Matarese?

Brandon is the best of America and when Vassily approaches, he sees a trap. They hate each other. They respect each other. They know there is no one like them. So when eventually they come together, they are a formidable team. But they are fighting with a thousands headed hydra with seemingly unlimited resources and the world for taking.

The story is interesting and intense. The story of Baron of Matarese is not very credible, but works for the overall story. The rivalry between the two protagonists and the compulsion to work together for the greater good is shown very interestingly. Entry of Antonia complicates the matter further. Plot of the Senator to become President is very good. The climax, however, is a little too fast and little too easy.

This book was written years ago, before the mobile era. However it’s still interesting and makes you sit on the edge of your seat. Credit to author.

A sequel to this book is published.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Plot

What I didn't like? Easy end.

Recommend reading.

Death benefit by Robin Cook

​"Death benefit" by Robin Cook - Start of medical thriller series !

This book is published by Pan Macmillan India in 2019 and has 502 pages. This is Book 1 of Pia Grazdani series. 

Pia Grazdani is a third year medical student. Brilliant, exceptionally gorgeous. She has difficult childhood. She is assisting a difficult professor with stem cell research. Edmond and Russell’s company buys life insurance policies from patients. Jerry Trotter and Higgins run a hedge fund that doesn’t always play by the books. Another hedge fund manager is predicting a big fall and is shorting.

What will Dr. Rothman’s research achieve? What will Edmond do? Who can contain fiery Pia? What is the Albanian connection? Why are there murders and why do they look natural?

Pia is brilliant, beautiful but aloof. Her difficult childhood from one foster care to another and abuse have scarred her. George is her only friend. He is handsome and studies with her. He has feelings for Pia, but she doesn’t have feelings for anyone. Edmond and Russell are hard nosed businessmen, here to make money. Dr. Rothman is a Nobel winning researcher nobody likes but everyone tolerates because of his brilliance. Dr. Yamamoto is his assistant and the one who smooths the ruffled feathers. 

The novel is centered around Pia. This is the first of the series of Pia Grazdani novels. She is someone who you can’t help liking despite her numerous flaws. You also feel for George who can get any girl but has eyes only for Pia.

The idea of the murders is borrowed from a real life murder of an ex KGB spy in London. It’s not original. But the Albanian connection makes the matter interesting. It also makes Pia vulnerable. 

End of the book is a little bit anticlimactic and abrupt. It doesn’t take the graph to the pique. 

It’s a good start. Hopefully subsequent books are to the expectations. 

Why did I read this book? Medical thriller. New series. 

What I didn't like? Abrupt end. 

What did I like? Pia.

Recommend reading.

Dating Dr. Dill by Nisha Sharma

​"Dating Dr. Dill" by Nisha Sharma - Name says it all !

This book is published by Avon in 2022 and has 384 pages.

Kareena turns 30. Still single, taken for granted by her family (father, grandmother, younger sister who is a professor, YouTuber and engaged). Her father decides to retire, sell their house and relocate. Kareena doesn’t want to sell the legacy of her dead mother. She doesn’t have money to buy this Prime property from her father. Her father has set aside a sum for her marriage either to be given as cash or to be spent for marriage expenses. The only way Kareena can get that money to pay her father is by marrying. Dr. Prem mourns his fiancé Gauri’s death for 3 years. He works as a talk show host with nome de plume Dr. Dill. He wants to open a community clinic catering to needs of South Asians. He has investors but is still short of cash for acquiring the dream property for his clinic. His Mom entices him that if he gets married, she will cover the shortfall. 

Will they meet? Will they date? Will they fall in love? Will they marry? Will it work?

It’s a classic love story. They meet. They are attracted. They fall out, a fierce, public spat. They fight. They hate each other. Circumstance brings them together. They agree to work together for mutual benefit. They are attracted to each other. They lust for each other. They fall in love but deny it.

Kareena likes Prem. She thinks he is a perfect match. But he can’t give her the one thing that’s most important to her. Love and commitment. Prem likes Kareena. He can’t stand any other man near her. He is worried for her. He can’t think anything other than her. He doesn’t believe in love. He thinks it’s only the chemistry. He can’t give love to her.

The story undulates between hope and despair. Will they? Won’t they? Although we know how it will end, reader remains interested. The aunties play the background characters in addition to their families. 

A section of this book is erotica. Pure erotica with detailed description of sex scenes. I felt that was not really necessary for the story. 

It’s a dramatic book. It can be made into a movie. Based on the characters. I even casted the lead pair. Sonakshi Sinha will play Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor will play Dr. Dill. 

Why did I read this book? Was on hand. 

What I didn't like? Unnecessary Erotica. 

What did I like? Drama. 

Recommend reading.

Portrait of an unknown woman by Daniel Silva

​"Portrait of an unknown woman" by Daniel Silva - Gabriel Allon continues!

This book is published by Harpercollins in 2022 and has 448 pages. This is Book 9 of Gabriel Allon series. 

Gabriel Allon has retired from espionage and is now living in Venice with wife Chiara and their twins. Julien, a London art gallery owner gets a mysterious letter from Madam Valerie Berangar about Portrait of an unknown woman, attributed to Anthony Van Dyke, that he recently sold. He goes to meet her in France but she is killed in an accident on her way to the meeting. Julien requests Gabriel’s help to determine if he sold a fake to the art fund manager. As Gabriel investigates, he wades into the murky world of art forgery. 

Was the painting fake?  How can Gabriel determine the genuine from fake? How big is the fake business? Which new enemy will he make?

Being a Gabriel Allon thriller, it has two exotic elements. Espionage and art. Gabriel is master of both. His character is likable. Despite being in bad business, he hasn’t lost his goodness. There is customary visit to Don Orsatti at Corsica and the mysterious lady over there. There is Christopher, his ex enemy and now friend. There is Sara, Christopher’s wife and ex CIA. Finally there is Chiara, good wife and mother of his twins. 

It’s an interesting story. You are not distracted. One thing leads to another. Here Gabriel makes acquaintance of and reforms another shady character. 

The climax is anti climactic. With the buildup readers expect a thrilling climax. The very end with the revelation of identity of the forger is also not fully convincing. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What I didn't like? End. 

What did I like? Everything else.  

Recommend reading, even if you haven’t read the series. 

The housekeeper and the professor by Yoko Ogawa

​"The housekeeper and the professor" by Yoko Ogawa - Beautiful ! 

This book is published by Vintage Digital in 2009 and has 191 pages. This book is translated from Japanese to English by Stephen Snider.

The housekeeping agency assigns a house keeper to the house of a mathematics professor who had an accident in 1975, when his memory stopped. All his new memories last 80 minutes. The professor is immersed in numbers and nothing else. Its a small house, no visitors or phone calls, light meals; ideal for a housekeeper. Except for the host who doesn’t remember her next day, who is whimsical, doesn’t have good table manners and who asks her birthdate, shoe size, zip code everyday. But somehow the Professor likes her son.

How can the housekeeper handle the professor? Will Professor accept her the next day as he doesn’t remember her? Why does he call her son Root? How long will it last?

Professor doesn’t remember what he has for lunch but he can solve the most complex mathematical problems easily. He devises riddles for Root. Root and the housekeeper love this fatherly professor who doesn’t remember them the next day. The three persons create a special affection, based in a microcosm of their own. 

Author takes us into a world of her own. A world confined to the interiors of a small house. But a world with limitless possibilities. World with infinite numbers. The professor can express his feelings and affections only through numbers, but house keeper and Root express it normally. Professor doesn’t understand that. Author unveils the relations and relationships between humans in a very delicate and unique manner. It’s beautiful, poetic!

This Book has only four characters. Professor who I talked about above. Housekeeper, a single mother. Her reaction to professor goes from guarded, strange, empathetic, compassionate to looking at him like a family member. Root is 10 years old. He shares interest in baseball with Professor. His interest in mathematics is kindled due to his association with Professor. Sister-in-law is sister-in-law of the Professor who recruits and plays for the housekeeper but she doesn’t help in any other way, observing from the sidelines. 

My collectible sentence from this book:

I wonder why simple words sound so exotic when used in relation to the numbers.

What is the uniqueness of this book? First it’s a first person narration of the housekeeper. Second, none of the characters have name. Professor is Professor. Housekeeper is Housekeeper. Son is Root. Sister-in-law is Sister-in-law. Third it’s good.

This book sold 1 million copies in two months.  This book won Hon’ya Taisho award and was made into a film. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting title.  

What I didn't like? Everything.

What did I like? Umm….

A must read.