Book Review : ‘A Broken Sun' by Aditya Iyengar

Making a humongous epic, like the Mahabharata into a smaller book is amazing. But does it end up, like the earlier classic is a task, alright. Well, Aditya Iyengar tries alright, but does not do it too well. The classic retelling of the story in the voices of Radheya, Yudhishtira, Arjuna, Ghatotkacha and Sushasana is another story altogether. It deals with another perspective, of each and every one of these people. 

How would they react? How would everything undergo a change? This book deals with all the endeavours of these five characters, on the thirteenth night to the fifteenth night. The Mahabharata war lasted a total of 18 days.

I have never imagined it like this, at all. I mean I have thought of it, of a few characters, of course. But I have definitely enjoyed the difference in perspective. Like for example, Karna or Radheya’s, Sushasana’s or even Ghatotkacha’s. I have always loved reading about the other perspective, too and this book does provide that, with a twist.

This is the sequel to ‘The Thirteenth Day’, which narrated the battle from day 10 to day 13, ending with the death of Abhimanyu in the 'Chakravyuha'. The cousins at war are now looking to avenge the death of one of its heroes.

One thing about the book is its attempt to paint its characters as human beings and not heroes or villains. But also, humanising them. Not as gods, or rakshasas, but human beings! Because there is a time, when one does empathise and there by sympathise with the so-called villains, of the Mahabharata.

We will see how it ends…

You can Buy the Book, right here.

Author Interview : Amitabh Pandey, author of ‘Love in Lutyens' Delhi' (Part 2)

In this part, which has been delayed with all credit to me, we go on with the Interview. Sorry for the delay. In this part of the Interview, Amitabh Pandey, author of 'Love in Lutyens' Delhi' tells us about his own experiences and how it was related to that was written, the most fulfilling part of writing the book, also advice to writers of today, the next book, he has planned along with his favourite authors, Folks...

Could you tell the readers about your experiences and how it was it related to what you wrote?

My generation saw a significant emergence of women as independent, professional persons, but also saw them constrained in many ways from fulfilling their personal and professional ambitions. 

The problem  continues and I feel it should be always in the public domain  to generate awareness and solutions.

Amitabh Pandey from PanMac

Any advice to writers that would like to be published today? How tough is it to be published?

Getting published is difficult. The way to go is to first find an agent who likes your work and then leave it to the agent to find a publisher.

What is the next book that you have planned?

My next book is one on Ecommerce-a business book, based on my professional experience. 

That will, I hope, be followed by a thriller which will be the third in what I call the Himalayan Series, the first two of which have already been published (Himalayan White and Himalayan Hazard).

Lee Child ... Wikipedia

Who are your favourite authors and why?

That will be a long list! Some of my favourite thriller writers are Thomas Perry, Ross Thomas, James Lee Burke and Lee Child.

What else do you do on a daily basis?

I read a great deal, write a little, bake bread and occasionally cook dinner. 

You can Read the Review, here First part of the Interview here and Buy the Book right here, as well.

Book Review : ‘Ladders against the Sky’ by Murli Melwani

Murli Melwani’s 'Ladders Against the Sky' is an apt title for a book, such as this one. As his name suggests, he is a true Indian against many skies, belonging to India, USA, UK, Singapore and Hong Kong. It talks primarily of Sindhis living in different lifestyles, cultures and countries.

‘Water in a Hot Plate’ talks of an older couple, Vivek and Rajni, and a lady, May, and also a younger couple, Anand and Resh. The five get together to end up meeting at a restaurant, the food they share, the conversations they end up having is all a part of making an ‘alliance’. 

‘Writing a Fairy Tale, is an interesting story. Jimmy Ramani is invited to the home of his client, Julian and his wife Carmen, where his wife’s interest in writing is discussed. Carmen, who writes for children, wants her book to be read by Jimmy. How and what happens, that leads to love between the man and the client’s wife is a part of this story.

‘The Bhorwani Marriage’ is a humorous take on the hullabaloo of weddings, whether it is families and horoscopes or their richness and most importantly, photographs or the bride and groom.

‘The Inner Light’ talks of a young boy, who happens to have a gift for foresight. He helps his rural community, as he allows it to come naturally. But when doubt strikes, then would he be able to continue with it?

 

With a foreword by Victor Banerjee, and 23 stories to boot, this novel sure takes out your time. The best thing is that it feels like it never ends, as the book is long and stories are in abundance. The Hindu Sindhis are a survival of people, which is living in a journey, with stories and tales, which would be told again and again. Murli Melwani is an excellent author, who can lure you into the book and its visualisation, at the drop of a hat…

 You can Buy the Book, right here.