Book Review Edition 2.0

July and August have been reader friendly months, a time where every book I read, I read with sincerity, chomping down word after word. Before this period, I was very blog-centered and the reviewing, book blogging and bookstagramming had created a muddle in my mind. To me, reading is a very private hobby, I enjoy it and I love the intimacy of it. For example, 'Harry Potter', which is of course a worldwide phenomenon, but back when I was a wee little reader I believed that Harry Potter - so precious to me, existed only in the recesses of my mind and was my magical world alone. It was a rude shock to realize that my blissful bubble was actually privy to a billion other minds, other minds claiming to be as blue-blooded as me and some more vehemently so. I was shattered, how could my Harry and our world be a part of so many other lives? Surely, I was the only one who felt so deeply connected? Anyway, I eventually got over that cranky phase and started celebrating Potter with the rest, but the point being, that the recent events of blogging - the task of writing about books that I read, constantly updating and being on a schedule to read-review-write started feeling intrusive. The books I picked up during that period felt forced, like I was reading merely to fulfill my blog duties. But then that's what this blog is all about isn't it? How can I chicken out of my own book blog? It's laughable :D. My inference is that, of course I will keep writing, but without a timetable block in my head, without the baggage of trying to keep up, without feeling the need to churn out interesting content. With ease in my mind and breeze in my face, I will write about books, social issues that catch my fancy and the occasional cheesy sleaze too. Right now, after spacing out for 2 months I feel a lot of energy to write such a lengthy gibberish as an introduction , but it feels great.

So now, without further ado allow me to blow the gaff on the books that I was huddled up with all this time.

1. The Ibis Trilogy by Amitav Ghosh

Genre: Historical fiction. The Ibis Trilogy is a 3 part book series - 1st - Sea of Poppies; 2nd - River of Smoke; 3rd - Flood of Fire.

Plot: The Year is 1838, the East India Co. has cemented itself in India. The company is building its strength and filling its coffers by exploiting the opium cultivation in India. On one end, the Indian soil is forced to grow only cash crops, on the other end China is being force-fed opium. India is too deeply subdued by the EIC, the freedom movement has a good two decades and more to take off, and China fears the safety of its people. The EIC straddles between the two lands, forcing one to grow crops while forcing the other to consume it. It is a battle of wills that culminate in the opium wars of 1839-1842. While the premise is the mighty backdrop of power struggle, the story is told through the lives of a cohort of characters, all hailing from these three countries. Their paths eventually cross on the mighty ship the 'Ibis' - the vessel intended for opium passage and this is where the drama unfolds, resulting in tumultuous repercussions felt across the length and breadth of the book. Each individual and his actions spawn a legacy for generations to come.

My Take: If it isn't already evident by the amount of loving detail with which I surmised the plot, then let me make it clear, this is a book that simply cannot be avoided. Historical fiction + Love story + Insane character arcs + 100% sensible and addictive narrative. The writer, Amitav Ghosh has penned a saga, an epic. His lucidity and word prowess is enough to hook you from the first word and will keep echoing even after the last page has been turned. A story that takes on a massive historical subject but details it via the tales of this motley crew of a cast, each with their own deeply human stories. A tale of their greed, passion, cunning, love and hope.

I recommend: A TV mini series or web series be made on the 'Ibis Trilogy'. A visionary director + the right technical team + Amitav Ghosh himself writing or aiding the screenplay + a cast of solid performance oriented actors + a trusting and selfless producer = 3 brilliant seasons of web series! This one will be talked about for ages.

2. Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: The immediate days following the brutal partition of 1947. Set in a fictional village - Mano Majra lying on the Indo-Pak border near present day Punjab. The village far-removed from the politics and the freedom struggles was a place of idyllic peace, prior to the Independence of both India and Pakistan. A small village with only 3 buildings - a gurudwara, a mosque and a Hindu moneylender's house, all three adjacent to each other, sharing the same compound walls. Surrounding the buildings are small huts and catchments of the villagers who identify themselves as Mano Majran's. Until, the partition forces them to bring forth their religious identities. What was previously unimaginable becomes the reality as neighbors turn foes. What and how do the bewildered villagers of Mano Majra do amidst such frenzied violence is the story.

My Take: A fast and easy read. Although this deals with India and Pakistan's history, the story is above politics, it is about human emotions and what one does or does not do when faced with horrifying adversity. And though, this particular story may be an imagination of the writer, it is obviously inspired by true events and it is not hard to imagine what the people in that time and situation felt. Just imagine, their daily life was not any different from ours. And to be displaced, killed and violated because of the instrumentation of powers beyond their reach and control, with which they had absolutely nothing to do is how senselessly chilling it was. Read the book, to once again witness the many follies of the erstwhile British empire. The trains which, ironically is considered one of the many boons of their rotten rule, became the actual vessel for the scene of carnage and passage of the dead bodies of millions of innocents.

3. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Genre: Fictional Romance.

Plot: Toro Watanabe is now 37 years, but certain incidents of his past still have the power to occasionally jolt him. The novel is a flashback of his recollections of the years of 1960s in Tokyo, when he was in his late teen and early twenties. A time when friendship and love blossoms for normal young adults, but these two emotions are exactly what mars Toro's life. The death of a friend and the constant coming to terms with the reality of it, and his newfound feelings of love for his dead friend's girlfriend form the crux of the story.

My Take: Although projected as a love story, this book is more that just that. It is a story of the coping mechanism of people who have been subjected to harsh circumstances and realities. Through Toro and his memories, we meet individuals each with their personal baggage. What remains to be seen is who succumbs to the pressure and who emerges wounded yet unbent. It is a story of will and courage. Though harrowing and sad in parts, it is also rich in its description of emotional complexities, the human frailty and the jumble that is life. The book has a reverse effect, though it delves so deep into sensitive issues, by the end you come away feeling cleansed, it is as though Toro's journey sweeps you along and liberates you with him. It is a very easy and straightforward read - realistic and relevant.

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Happy Reading!