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Book Review: The Prophet Party by Ashish Bhardwaj & Dipti Patel
The Prophet PartyAuthor: Ashish Bhardwaj & Dipti PatelPublisher: Rumour BooksRating: 3.5/5 Finally, another blunt approach at understanding and decoding religion and religious views. ‘The Prophet Party’ uses allegory as a tool to address the common problems that plague the world. Using Pema as the pivot and spokesperson, the authors deftly picture a world devoid of baseless rules and norms but a place that thrives on love alone. This short story begins with the end. When Pema dies, he meets the lord and unravels several mysteries associated with the world of the Prophets. Following that, the inquisitive soul that he is, Pema manages to ask the Prophet Party several other questions…
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Book Review: In Loving Memory by Daniel Paul Singh
In Loving MemoryAuthor: Daniel Paul SinghPublisher: Leadstart PublishersRating: 3.5/5 Often love makes one go to such extremes that coming back from that limbo almost seems impossible. Such is the story of ‘In Loving Memory’ that begins with a romantic setting but soon transforms into a psychological thriller. Unanticipated twists, unfathomable characters and intriguing plot line-all form some of the critical elements of this novel. The story revolves around Rimi and Nivas’s love story and Dhruv and Nisha’s love story. While the former couldn’t come to fruition owing to sudden drift in one of the character’s viewpoint, the latter encountered several roadblocks. Both the love stories eventually lead to a series…
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Book Review: You Don’t Love Me the Way I Love You by Ekta Chandna
You Don’t Love Me the Way I Love YouAuthor: Ekta Renu ChandnaPublisher: Blue Rose PublishersRating: 3/5 Let me get straight to the point! This is a college romance that aims to end on a cliffhanger and deals with the emotional turmoil and the tumultuous state of mind the youngsters have when they fall in love for the first time. You Don’t Love Me the Way I Love You is a story that revolves around Shreya, Aarav and Meera. While Shreya believes in going with the flow and enjoying every moment of her journey with Aarav, Meera is sceptical about her love life. Emotional yet quirky at times, this story is…
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Book Review: Gurgaon to Gurugram by Suptendu Biswas
Gurgaon to GurugramAuthor: Suptendu P. BiswasPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 3.5/5 Most of us have either a direct or an indirect connection with the Cyber City of India, Gurugram. It is one of the fastest developing cities that houses youngsters who land in this place with the dream of giving their ambition wings! In Gurgaon to Gurugram, the author traces the city’s journey from its inception to its rise to glory! Gurgaon, which was once a city where people dreamt of owning land and building beautiful houses, has now transformed into a city that now has connections with the world. The author deftly includes the name of several landmarks that defined this…
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Book Review: Sufi Lyrics Translated by Christopher Shackle
Sufi LyricsTranslated by: Christopher ShacklePublisher: Harper Collins PublishersRating: 4/5 Syed Abdullah Shah Gilani, known as Bulleh Shah, was a Punjabi philosopher and Sufi poet during 17th-century Punjab. His works have been translated widely and the lyrics of his Sufi poems have been used in Bollywood songs like Bandeya, Bulla ke Jana, etc. Known for his liberating verses, Bulle Shah’s poetry is often the most sought option when it comes to finding solace in words and thoughts. Since Punjabi is a biscriptal language that can be inscribed in Gurmukhi in Indian Punjab and in Shahmukhi in Pakistan Punjab, the Sufi poets like Bulle Shah made an evident effort to erase the…
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Book Review: The Archer by Paulo Coelho
The ArcherAuthor: Paulo CoelhoPublisher: Penguin VikingRating: 3/5 Paulo Coelho is known for his allegories and insightful stories that emphasize finding the real purpose of life and giving your life meaning. Whether it is The Alchemist or The Pilgrimage, each of his books has the potential to touch the heart and make the readers introspect. However, his new work, The Archer, is not everyone’s cup of tea. Why- you might ask! Well, for two reasons: one, it is repetitive and offers nothing that we don’t know in our sub-conscious mind already; two, it comprises umpteen analogies which need time and patience to be understood. The Archer is mainly focused on finding…
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Book Review: Plan Sea by S. E. Ansley
Plan SeaAuthor: S. E. AnsleyPublisher: Self- publishedRating: 4/5 To some people, travelling is the only means to reset their minds and set forth on the path of self-discovery. Whether it is the misty mountains or the pristine beaches, each place makes a spot in the heart and the lifestyle of a vagabond teaches so many new lessons that the mundane, chaotic life fails to teach. ‘Plan Sea’ is such a book. It houses the anecdotes, first-hand experiences, learnings and strategems to outwit boredom- all in one book! The author derives his inspiration from the real world where opportunities are plenty but the choice is way too difficult. In his quest…
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Book Review: Punisher by Sarah Weir
PunisherAuthor: Sarah WeirPublisher: Coach House Press This book derives its inspiration from an indi-rock album with the same title ‘Punisher’. With overwhelming lyrics, the songs touch upon the themes of detachment, missing links/ connections with self, despondency and loneliness. The book in question, Punisher, comprises the verses that reek of emotional trauma that comes along with distanced communication and unclear expression. Punisher offers some very genuine moments of introspection when the readers might be urged to think of the umpteen possibilities that a human mind has! Right in the very beginning, the poet quotes Julia Kristeva, the author of Life and Death of Speech, and explains how the speech of…
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Book Review: Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus
Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-JésusAnonymousPublisher: Coach House Press Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus translates to Twenty Visions of Infant Jesus. In Western classical music and jazz, a collection of ordered pieces of instrumental pieces is called a suite. Hence, Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus is a suite of 20 such pieces. The book in question is based on the same pieces of music. It comprises essays on the themes of God, the magic of love, joyful spirit and the creativity of the divine. The composition of one of the toughest single piano pieces was done after the second world war and that inspired several poets to put their creative brains to work. Borrowing…
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Book Review: Be You by Chris Cirak
Be You: The Journey of Self-realizationAuthor: Chris CirakPublisher: Chris CirakRating: 3/5 Quite similar to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, Be You is a self-help book that helps the readers identify the barriers that prevent them from opening up their mind to a more progressive and enriching transition. It employs simple strategies that can help one achieve a clear headspace, maintain calm and invite peaceful thoughts into the mind. Divided into several chapters that deal with smaller issues one at a time, this book offers a simple narrative that often sounds repetitive as it would have been read in another book about mindfulness. Sadly, no new concepts are…
