I love the discworld series although most of the major plot points are immensely forgettable - though it does not matter in the least. The joy of reading the discworld series is that you read it, you feel good, you chuckle, you grin and sometimes you laugh outright loud and scare whoever is sitting next to you. Terry Pratchett is a treasure and has helped me through many a bad client, grumpy husband, end of mad chaotic day and PMS's. The Unseen University, the witches, trolls, Ankh Morpork, Captain Carrot, the mud river, the magic, the food, the entire world inside his head is so relatable yet so fantastic. I shall wear midnight is my current favourite. It has Tiffany the witch, who is one of my favourite characters. It has the feegles and it has a wedding and funeral together. It doesn't have DEATH, who is another one of my favourites and if you are thoroughly confused by now, read the book, I strongly advice you, and you will be pleasantly confused.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Rendevous with Rama - Arthur C Clarke
Its a classic. What more can I say. Even in the 2011, it takes your breath away. A cylindrical object is seen in the sky and investigations proves its an ET object. The landing on the object and the investigations are detailed so beautifully and the object described with so much imagination and innovation. It's a must read for any sci fi fan. Actually its a must read for anybody with a science background.
9/10
9/10
Faces in the water - Ranjit Lal
It has such a promising plot. A family where girls are never born and a well that keeps them healthy. You can spot the connection. Anyways our protagonist Gurmi is sent to the ancestral house where the well is because his house is undergoing renovation. We are introduced to his immensely unlikable family and then later to his immensely likeable ghost/ parallel universe / spirit sisters who live down in the well. It goes reasonably well for a few chapters and then things turn simperingly holier than thou. The murderers are not taught their lesson, but helped by the eldest in the kitchen (this really rankled me) and the youngest with a series of ghostly hugs and kisses. I could readily believe girls living at the bottom of the well, but I couldn't believe that people who murder young babies by throwing them in a well would change in a few weeks. Plus the girls at the bottom of the well would be all light, love and kitchen help. It all ends well with enough sweetness to cause diabetes.
I know children have to be taught to be patient and good and not retaliate, but this book takes it to extremes.
4/10
I know children have to be taught to be patient and good and not retaliate, but this book takes it to extremes.
4/10
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Hangover 2 -2011
What the F*&%*!! in a bad way.
Bangkok is known for knock offs, as many a stingy Chennai fashionista knows. The perfect copy of that horrendously expensive Vuitton bag at a tenth of the price. The writers of Hangover (1 or 2 doesn't make a difference) have captured that quality perfectly. It's an exact duplicate of the first part, except for the fact that it is made in Bangkok. The same jokes, the same one liners, the same situations. Instead of pulling out a tooth, an extremely irritating Stu gets a tattoo (ha ha) and gets laid by a hooker (with a small expected twist) They loose Teddy( not a bear but a cute 16 yr old brother of the bride) and they find a monkey instead of a tiger and we get to see a lot of penises, including Chows shitake mushroom tasting one. (don't even ask) There were absolutely no laugh out loud moments, no surprises and no 'Alan' moments too. Even the cast didn't look like they were having any fun. Even you wouldn't find it too nice if you were shown only a shitty hotel, the roof of a building and a single beach in the whole of lovely Thailand.Oh - there is a cute monk too who is funny only at the expected final photo montage. Shame on you Hangover writers.
0/10
Bangkok is known for knock offs, as many a stingy Chennai fashionista knows. The perfect copy of that horrendously expensive Vuitton bag at a tenth of the price. The writers of Hangover (1 or 2 doesn't make a difference) have captured that quality perfectly. It's an exact duplicate of the first part, except for the fact that it is made in Bangkok. The same jokes, the same one liners, the same situations. Instead of pulling out a tooth, an extremely irritating Stu gets a tattoo (ha ha) and gets laid by a hooker (with a small expected twist) They loose Teddy( not a bear but a cute 16 yr old brother of the bride) and they find a monkey instead of a tiger and we get to see a lot of penises, including Chows shitake mushroom tasting one. (don't even ask) There were absolutely no laugh out loud moments, no surprises and no 'Alan' moments too. Even the cast didn't look like they were having any fun. Even you wouldn't find it too nice if you were shown only a shitty hotel, the roof of a building and a single beach in the whole of lovely Thailand.Oh - there is a cute monk too who is funny only at the expected final photo montage. Shame on you Hangover writers.
0/10
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
A discovery of witches - Deborah Harkness
The blurb was promising but as I went further and further into the book the promise went further away.
One of the most genetically endowed witches in the world (her parents were powerful witches) chooses to live like normal humans after her parents tragic death and is a history professor. A chance encounter with a mysterious spell bound book attracts every creature in the vicinity towards her and her 'normal' life. Creatures - Witches, Vampires and Daemons ofcourse hate each other and as the story unfolds are forced to co operate. The 'hero' is a vampire genius who has a very low opinion about women. And as the pages unfold, the romance is driven froward and the plot goes downhill. So many possibilities could have been explored but although the writing is above par, the plot provokes curiosity and the romance is carefully portrayed, I came away with a sour feeling. The main cause - the portrayal of women. The heroine witch soon turns into a 'Twilight' vampire pheromone afflicted character. The point of her being the strongest witch around gets lost with the plot soon surrounding the men when it comes to any form of action. I agree women like to be taken care of sometimes but after the word 'wife' is introduced, all our powerful witch does is worry and swoon while the men plan a war.
The book ends in a cliffhanger, which again puts me in a foul mood. So all in all, great plot, great characters doing 'twilghty' things and making you feel like throwing the book away.
4/10
One of the most genetically endowed witches in the world (her parents were powerful witches) chooses to live like normal humans after her parents tragic death and is a history professor. A chance encounter with a mysterious spell bound book attracts every creature in the vicinity towards her and her 'normal' life. Creatures - Witches, Vampires and Daemons ofcourse hate each other and as the story unfolds are forced to co operate. The 'hero' is a vampire genius who has a very low opinion about women. And as the pages unfold, the romance is driven froward and the plot goes downhill. So many possibilities could have been explored but although the writing is above par, the plot provokes curiosity and the romance is carefully portrayed, I came away with a sour feeling. The main cause - the portrayal of women. The heroine witch soon turns into a 'Twilight' vampire pheromone afflicted character. The point of her being the strongest witch around gets lost with the plot soon surrounding the men when it comes to any form of action. I agree women like to be taken care of sometimes but after the word 'wife' is introduced, all our powerful witch does is worry and swoon while the men plan a war.
The book ends in a cliffhanger, which again puts me in a foul mood. So all in all, great plot, great characters doing 'twilghty' things and making you feel like throwing the book away.
4/10
Friday, June 10, 2011
Arrack in the Afternoon - Mathew Vincent Menacherry
The title hooked me. For a debut novel, it's really good, compared to the trash that 'young Indian novelist' seem to be putting out nowadays.
It starts with the Mallu mumbaikar Varghese. Jobless, handsome and about to commit suicide. The story takes off on two tangents, one that traces Varghese's father Kochapu's life and landing in Mumbai and the other follows Varghese and the fantastical journey that follows his attempted suicide. The characters are so well fleshed out, it's like you have met them somewhere. A few tend to become caricatures, but for a first time novelist, I am willing to forgive. The 'manager' Karan, the Irish Indian Patricia, Kochapu, Maria and above all Varghese are characters you will remember long after putting the book down.
It's black mallu humour at its best. Politics, Godmen, Chamchas, filmwallas and anglo indian lovers weave in and out while we read on smirking, sometimes smiling until the end, where like any true blooded malayali artiste, the worst outcome has to happen. (think any movie worth mentioning from kerala, or any major work of literature - Tragic outcomes are a must!)
7/10
It starts with the Mallu mumbaikar Varghese. Jobless, handsome and about to commit suicide. The story takes off on two tangents, one that traces Varghese's father Kochapu's life and landing in Mumbai and the other follows Varghese and the fantastical journey that follows his attempted suicide. The characters are so well fleshed out, it's like you have met them somewhere. A few tend to become caricatures, but for a first time novelist, I am willing to forgive. The 'manager' Karan, the Irish Indian Patricia, Kochapu, Maria and above all Varghese are characters you will remember long after putting the book down.
It's black mallu humour at its best. Politics, Godmen, Chamchas, filmwallas and anglo indian lovers weave in and out while we read on smirking, sometimes smiling until the end, where like any true blooded malayali artiste, the worst outcome has to happen. (think any movie worth mentioning from kerala, or any major work of literature - Tragic outcomes are a must!)
7/10
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
One of those books that are as good as the hype. Kathryn Stockett takes us through America's south - particularly Mississippi during the 60's. In a no holds barred plot that is divided into chapters from the point of view of each of the main characters, the story unfolds. Of the black household help and their white mistresses.
Skeeter, a tall, socially awkward white college graduate fumbles through her painful life while documenting the good and the bad points of a black helps life. She recruits secretly and painfully many of the towns domestic help who tell her stories, most of which involve the closest of her friends. It is so real and sometimes so painful, you have to put the book down for a few moments. Telling it as it is, the story of women divided by racism. I could see traces of similarity between the story and our very own caste divisions. A must read.
PS: Another book I picked up because it was being made into a movie.
8/10
Skeeter, a tall, socially awkward white college graduate fumbles through her painful life while documenting the good and the bad points of a black helps life. She recruits secretly and painfully many of the towns domestic help who tell her stories, most of which involve the closest of her friends. It is so real and sometimes so painful, you have to put the book down for a few moments. Telling it as it is, the story of women divided by racism. I could see traces of similarity between the story and our very own caste divisions. A must read.
PS: Another book I picked up because it was being made into a movie.
8/10
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