-
Book Review: The Fork, the Witch and the Worm by Christopher Paolini
The Fork, the Witch and the WormAuthor: Christopher PaoliniPublisher: Penguin PublishersRating: 3/5 Tales of Eragon have always fascinated me and when this book came all the way to my doorstep, I could not wait to read it. A sequel to the Eragon series, ‘The Fork, the Witch and the Worm’ comprises of tales of Alagaesia. The book has three short stories and amidst those stories, the readers can also read about Eragon’s quest to build Dragon hold for the unhatched dragon eggs. After a long haul, the joy of reading about Paulini’s imaginative world is boundless. The stable, extensive epic fantasy spreads across acres of land and also transports the…
-
Book Review: Murder in the Monastery by Barun Chanda
Murder in the MonasteryAuthor: Barun ChandaPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 3.5/5 (Spoilers ahead) When Avinash Roy, an adroit detective from Kolkata, sets his foot in Sikkim, he is welcomed by unadulterated beauty and fresh air. Along with the natural miracles, he is also greeted by the series of mysteries that have been swept under the rug in Dengziang Monastery. Lama Phunsok requests Roy to investigate the case of the missing Issah Manuscript and urges him to stay back in the monastery. Bidding adieu to his wife, Roy decides to look behind the veil of unspoken secrets and embarks on a life-threatening journey that takes him to the far corners of Sikkim. A…
-
Book Review: Ramayana versus Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik
Ramayana versus MahabharataAuthor: Devdutt PattanaikPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 3.5/5 “Fate is inevitable. But it is our actions and the perception that pave our path for success.”Much has been read and talked about the Ramayan and the Mahabharata. Much has been hypothesized. There are beliefs and there are myths. And every single version tells the story from a different point of view. When I watched Devdutt Pattanaik’s video on Rules vs Principles last year, I was in awe of the ease with which he explained the concept of Dharma and Karma. Fast forward some months- his new book- Ramayan versus Mahabharat-lands in my house. Witty yet honest, this comparison of the two…
-
Book Review: Magic in Mussoorie by Atul Sethi
Magic in MussoorieAuthor: Atul SethiGenre: Children’s bookPublishers: Penguin Publishers Plot summaryHellen Keller believes that life is nothing but an adventure! And so does Nakul Sahej, the protagonist of the story. ‘Magic in Mussoorie’ is set in the greater Himalayas where the mountains do their bit of magic and the eerie surrounding adds to the ambience. This entrapping and enticing story (read comic) book is the first in the series. The story focuses on the adventures of Nakul and his friend, Kuku, who embark on a journey back in time when Mt. Everest was still to be named. Engaging and a complete package of thrilling adventure, ‘Magic in Mussoorie’ capitalizes on…
-
Book Review: Wonder Words by Rituparna Sarkar
Wonder WordsAuthor: Rituparna SarkarGenre: Non-fictionPublishers: Penguin Publishers Being a linguaphile, I eat, sleep and breathe new words. When ‘Wonder Words’ landed on my doorstep in a package, I knew I had found my kefi (the feeling of everything that is positive). ‘Wonder Words’ truly holds the essence! It gives us a list of words that depict an action or an emotion that is literally untranslatable in English. Have you ever wondered what the stain left by your coffee mug is called? Or what a face that deserves to be slapped is called? Well, this small- sized book plays with the letters and brings to us some of the unheard and…
-
Book Review: Amma, Take Me to the Dargah of Salim Chishti by Bhakti Mathur
Amma, Take Me to the Dargah of Salim ChishtiAuthor: Bhakti MathurGenre: Children’s bookPublisher: Penguin Publishers Plot Summary:‘Amma, Take Me to the Dargah of Salim Chishti’ is a children’s book that narrates the story of two young boys who explore the secrets of the past- the ones associated with the Mughal Emperors. Written in form of a travelogue, this book throws light on the essence of our existence, stressing on the fact that no religion is greater than humanity. The story also helps in understanding the importance and relevance of all religions and teaches the children to respect all faiths irrespective of colour, caste, creed and sex. On their journey to…
