Book Review: The Sialkot Saga

When I like two books by an author, I try to read all his works. Having read Ashwin Sanghi’s Krishna Key and Rozabal Line, and liking it, I was sure to buy the Sialkot Saga. I did buy it and finished reading it last week. Ashwin Sanghi is a celebrity author now and his book creates a lot of buzz even before its release. That was true with his latest book too. So does Sialkot Saga meet the expectations of a Sanghi book?

Plot

Sialkot Saga has mainly two plots. One involving Arvind and Arbazz and the other one is half mythical and half historical. First about Arvind and Arbazz. They are both businessmen who want to become richer than what they are now (like all other businessmen). While Arbazz is a Muslim from Bombay, Arvind is a Hindu from Culcutta. Arbazz’s father was a poor daily wage labourer. He always stood straight and lived with whatever he earned. But Arbazz was not like his father. For him it was the end that mattered and not the means.

Arvind’s father was a Marwari businessman. So business was in Arvind’s blood from childhood itself. Compared to Arbazz, things were a lot easier for Arvind. He had good schooling, nice house, car and above all a businessman as his father. The major part of the book is about them. They break all the rules in the book on their way to reach the top. Money is the only factor that guides them.

The second plot involves Emperor Ashoka’s research team finding out a secret that could change the world. The secret is passed through generations through the chosen one. Arvind’s and Arbazz ‘s last fight is to get hold of the secret.

Review

The Sialkot Saga is divided into seven parts or seven books. Each book tells the story of a decade. It begins with Book 1 telling the stories from 1950-1960 and ends in Book 7 in 2010. Different incidents that happened in the history from 1947 to 2010 become a (small) part of the tale. This includes the partition, Emergency, Sikh riots, 9/11, 2002 riots, 26/11 etc. And many political figures like Indira Gandhi, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee are also used factiously. So Sialkot Saga also provides a brief political history of India. All that is good and enjoyable.

As I said earlier The Sialkot Saga has two plots- business plot and the mythical plot. The major short coming of Sialkot Saga is that these two plots are not blended well. Both of them exist separately until they are tied together in the epilogue. The first five parts of the book involve the business plot and the last two parts, the mythical plot. After the fifth part the story completely deviates from the initial plot. The book would have been better if it involved only one of the plots (preferably the mythical plot).

And then there are too many puns strewn here and there throughout the story. Some of them are good but most of them felt like being forced into the dialogues of the characters. If you see the book cover, trailer and all the main characters’ religion is highlighted. Their religion hasn’t got much role to play. But Hindu vs. Muslim tag in the trailer and book cover may have helped in marketing. For those of you who don’t know about shares and the share market most of the business transactions are just boring time pass. That was another major problem with me.

The only chapter I loved in the book was the epilogue. The epilogue ties together all the loose threads brilliantly, even though in a hurry, and brings the book to an end. Epilogue also creates an interest in the readers for Indian myth. (That’s what I expect from a Ashwin Sanghi book.) Epilogue saves the book from a complete crash landing and smoothens the fall somewhat.

Conclusion

The Sialkot Saga is not a business thriller as it claims. There is business, but it doesn’t thrill. By a thriller I mean a fast paced, adrenalin pumping book. The Sialkot Saga is no such book. Its just an average book meant only for Sanghi fans. My favourite Ashwin Sanghi book still remains the Krishna Key. That book introduced me to Ashwin Sanghi. Hope he writes another book like The Krishna Key- a mythological thriller that actually thrills.

My rating for The Sialkot Saga by Ashwin Sanghi is 2/5.

Share your views of The Sialkot Saga and my review in the comments section below.

Publisher: Prakash Srinad - 19:34:00

Book Review: Half of a Yellow Sun

Haven’t read African fiction before so ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ is my introduction to African writing. ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ is a historical fiction set in the nineteen sixties in Nigeria. The backdrop of the novel is the Nigeria-Biafran war. When it is about war; poverty, selfishness, love and above all merciless killings are sure to be a part of the plot. ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ has all this and much more. The author touches most of the incidents that are prone to happen in a war. There is an instance when a woman is forced to kill her pet dog and eat its meat, signifying the extent of poverty. There are many more such instances. The book is authored by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Plot and Summary

The novel begins when Ugwu, a 13 year old boy from a poor village, is appointed as the houseboy at Master Odenigbo’s house. Odenigbo is a radical professor at the Nsukka University. He raises his voice against the oppression of the Black Africans. He is a ‘revolutionary lover’. Olanna is Odenigbo’s lover. She too is a strong, educated woman. She might be called a softer version of Odenigbo. Olanna has a twin sister Kainene. They are non-identical twins. Then there is Richard, a British journalist cum writer. Riichard is impressed by Kainene at their first meeting itself and very soon falls in love with her.
For Ugwu after 13 years of near poverty, life in Master’s house is like a dream come true. He serves his Master and Olanna well and life is almost perfect. For Odenigbo and Olanna, and Richard and Kainene too life is perfect. There are a few instances that test their mutual trust and loyalties, but they overcome them together.
But the Biafran war is nothing like that. The coup, counter coup and the following ethnic cleansing of the Igbo community from the North of Nigeria, leaves them completely shattered. Their loved ones are killed in the riots and Biafra is asking for secession which leads to the civil war. Olanna, Odenigbo and their daughter along with Ugwu are forced to leave Nsukka to safer, remote places. Same happens with Richard and Ka too. They are forced to live in Orlu. How they survive in the war and overcome the death of their loved ones forms the rest of the story.

Characters

Adichie has chosen her characters real well. She has also managed to put forth all their point of views, even though conflicting. Though Adichie talks from the Igbo people’s side, she doesn’t over-sympathize with them. She also includes conscription and how people were mercilessly conscripted; rapes by army men; thefts and attacks by army etc.
Adichie’s narration is so good that we feel pity for Richard, cry for Olanna and respect the strong woman in Kainene. Kainene and Olanna are both strong women but at the same time they are completely different. Olanna is strong but her strength comes from her husband, whereas Kainene’s strength is her own. She is not influenced by anyone and her views are her own. Odenigbo is an extremist for whom all whites are oppressors and he doesn’t hide his irritation for Richard.

So this is a great work of historical fiction and worth a read. This book is a fight against oppression as well as war. Hope to read more about Africa. Divided by war, but are they finally united by love?

Publisher: Prakash Srinad - 06:00:00

Book Review: Tales from a Vending Machine

Tales from a Vending Machine is the third novel by Anees Sallim. My introduction to Anees Salim was through ‘The Blind Lady’s Descendants’. ‘The Blind Lady’s Descendants’ was an exceptional family saga and that had encouraged me to buy Vanity Bagh. But Vanity Bagh was just a plain novel and I was disappointed. Then I came across ‘Tales from a Vending Machine’ in my library. There is nothing on the cover that attracts you except for the author's name (if you are familiar with him). But I decided to read it because it was from the author of ‘The Blind Lady’s Descendants’.

Plot And Summary

‘Tales from a Vending Machine’ is the story of Hasina Mansoor. It couldn't exactly be called a story, rather, like a serial it is several episodes from Hasina's life. Hasina is a vending machine attendant at the Airport Department Lounge, who sells tea at 40 Rs. Even though she sells costly tea, she isn’t any rich. With just Rs 1800 per month, she has to pay for the graduation of her twin sister Shamla and also look after her younger brother Ali. Her father owns the ‘Mustafa Stores’, which he is thinking of selling, for repaying his debts. Hasina’s parents are more concerned about the ongoing feud with the upstairs neighbours, Laila Aunty’s family. Laila Aunty is her father’s half sister. In the midst of all this, Hasina is in love with her cousin Eza (Laila Aunty’s son). With nothing extraordinary happening in her life she dreams of an extraordinary life. Sometimes she dreams of being an air-hostess and sometimes a pilot (who protects the plane and passengers from hijackers).

Though she is not satisfied with her life and always urges for more, she isn’t completely sad either. Moments with Eza are always comforting. And she also finds time to gossip with the ‘Cookie Lady’ and the ‘Coupon Centre Man’. But all this changes. She discovers a secret about someone very close to her. This completely shatters her and she starts hating everyone including herself. Will she ever have a good life?

Characters

Anees Salim has created a rare kind of character with Hasina. In the initial part of the novel Hasina is a caring young lady. Then towards the half of the novel she is shown gossiping about a lady who offered her a job and then betrayed her. And then towards the end she is a selfish, non-caring woman. Her sister Shamla is just the opposite. Initially she is arrogant but towards the end she is more caring and understanding (not selfless though). It is hard to love Hasina, but you will readily hate her. Then there is Haji Osman (owner of the vending machine) who is rude and Eza.

Narration

‘Tales from a Vending Machine’ is a first person narration and is narrated by Hasina. The book is full of humour and in fact it is the humour that sees you till the end. Hasina misspelling ‘Jews’ as ‘Juice’, when she says ‘I hate Juice’, or her explaining ‘microbes’ as a company owned by Bill Gates to her brother Ali, all add to the humour. Like I said earlier it is more like some episodes from a vending machine attendant’s life. I say that because, most of the chapters are just some incidents that happen in Hasina’s life and they are not linked. Just like Anees Salim’s other novels (I haven’t read ‘Vicks Mango Tree’), in this book too there is an unexplained death. The reason for an air-hostess’ suicide is left for the readers to imagine. 

Conclusion

So in general the book is not that great. It is just an okay read. Initial chapters are witty but soon we get bored. However it was better than ‘Vanity Bagh’. (That’s just my personal opinion. Vanity Bagh had won the Hindu Prize for the best fiction). And Blind Lady’s Descendents (again a winner of Hindu Prize) is one of my favorites.

Publisher: Prakash Srinad - 08:19:00

Book Review: Baramulla Bomber By Clark Prasad

When you look at the cover of the book you will see two eyes staring at you (still no idea whose eyes they are). Then there is a symbol of AUM- the primordial sound around which the plot is set. And just above it, is the caption which declares ‘SCIENCE FICTION ESPIONAGE THRILLER’. These are the descriptions  of the cover page of Baramulla Bomber. Baramulla Bomber, the debut thriller by Clark (Suraj) Prasad is the first of the Svastik Trilogy. Published by Niyogi Books, it is truly an espionage thriller involving multiple intelligence agencies around the world. Following the path of Dan Brown and Ashwin Sanghi, Mr. Prasad has also got a lot of research done for his books. But the book doesn’t get boring as there are only the necessary details. The book had initially been published in Amazon’s Createspace.

Summary And Plot

A blast rips of the meeting of a group of 13 who call themselves the Chos Skoyng (Guardians). But Vishwanath Harshvardhan Rathore knew something horrible was going to happen. So he had instructed Abhimanyu Kashyap to do two things. First, to help those who have survived the blast and second, to track down the Haider family. Abhimanyu Kashyap becomes the Defence Minister of India and also tracks down the Haider family.

      Something mysterious has happened in Shaksgam Valley, possibly the testing of a sonic weapon created by the Nobel laureate Dr. Nasir Raja. General Pervez Hussain and General Chan have grouped with Dr. Raja to make Project Babylon a success.  But Indian Home Minister Agastya Rathore seems to know more than what he claims. The burden of saving India now lies on his shoulders.

     Mansur Haider is a god fearing, aspiring cricketer from Baramulla, who like all others, wishes to play for India.  What has he got to do with Project Babylon? Why are Adolf and other intelligence agencies tracking him?  Is he being used, to accomplish Project Babylon?

Characters

      Baramulla Bomber has a lot of characters, from   Mansur    Haider (the protagonist) to Kurt.  Mr. Prasad has used all his characters very efficiently. Every single character has contributed to the story (including Kasha and Ann). Mr. Prasad has left no leaves unturned. The names he has given his characters are also superb and they suit the characters well. For example, Adolf Silfverskiod is a perfect name for an intelligence officer from Sweden and the name has also got a certain degree of command. The other characters include Aahana, Carina, Jalal, Aftab and many more.

Conclusion

      The book is fine. Even though it doesn’t have many elements of suspense (as we already know the villains), it sure has some surprises in the climax.  Mr. Prasad has merged cricket, religion, physics and history very well in his debut, and this book has a lot of mysteries still to be solved. What had actually happened in Kashmir?  Why is Mansur Haider so important? Does a cosmic religion really exist? All these may be answered in the second of the trilogy. Second of the trilogy has been named ‘Consultant’. Keenly waiting for its release.

 

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Publisher: Krishna Prasad - 05:22:00

Book Review: It Started With A Friend Request

Sudeep Nagarkar is the author of two bestselling novels ‘Few Things Left Unsaid’ and ‘That’s The Way We Met. Based on a true story’ It Started With A Friend Request’ is his third novel, but unfortunately this is first time I am reading a novel by Sudeep Nagarkar. like all of his other novels this one also has an attractive title. The title and the attractive cover design  by Saurav Das is what attracted me towards this novel. Even though the title gives away the theme of the story(that’s what titles are supposed to be) the story is still fresh.

Plot And Summary

Aleesha is a resident of Kolkata and is waiting for an admission in Mumbai. As she is a brilliant girl she faces no difficulty in getting admission in the desired college. In Mumbai she stays with Tamanna, one of her family friends. It’s in a discotheque in Mumbai that Akash, ‘the hero of the story’ runs into Aleesha. Akash is captivated by Aleesha’s beauty and instantly falls in love with her. Soon they exchange their BBM pins, and gradually their love blossoms.

On the other side Tamanna is in love with Deep(Tamanna’s junior in office), who apparently has no such feelings for her, making this a one way love story. Deep has the burden of his family on his shoulders. So his first priority is his family and job which he is not ready to lose by loving Tamanna. He fears that loving Tamanna may put his job in risk.

Back to Aleesha and Akash. The only problem with Aleesha (according to Akash) is that she jumps into conclusions very fast and without thinking. This habbit of her’s leads to many probelems between their relationship. But they overcome they overcome all the probelems and just when they are ready to take their relationship to the next level something unexpected happens. One night changes all of their lives. An accident, a death, a phone call- all this turn the world upside down for Aleesha and Akash.

Conclusion

The book is not an exceptional one or something like that, and since I haven’t read Sudeep Nagarkar’s  other books, I don’t know whether this has come up to expectations. But to my expectations it has not come. The story is a simple love story except for the twist in the tale. This book, I don’t think is enjoyable by all kind of readers. Those who have taste in the genre may enjoy the book. Sudeep Nagarkar’s narration is simple and free flowing. So those who want to start the habit of reading this may be a suitable book.

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Publisher: Krishna Prasad - 09:20:00

Book Review: Truly Madly Deeply

‘Truly Madly Deeply’ is the only book written by an Indian author to be nominated in the’ Top 100 YA Global Fiction List’. It’s an emotional and touching memoir of a broken hearts first love. Faraaz Kazi’s debut novel is sure to enthrall readers of all age groups and take them on a journey back in time, when they had their first crush. Teenage romances are not at all uncommon in India. And ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ is one such love story revolving around Rahul and Seema.

Plot And Summary

Rahul is the Blue House captain and the best in every task he undertakes. He is the person everyone would wish to be like. He is an inspiration for all the students (except a few). Studies, sports, literary activities, cultural activities an even looks- whatever it may be, Rahul is the best. And Seema according to the author is his beautiful female equivalent. She is the assistant head girl and the most beautiful one too. Boys queue up just to get a chance to propose her. But she doesn’t fall for anyone, except Rahul.

Through some delightful instances their love blossoms. Clashes and then making up are the best part of any love story. But here it goes out of control. A lot of misunderstandings and ego clashes make them drift apart. At a time when they are back on track, the villains pop up. Jay, Nazhia, Farzha and Rashid play the negative role (the major one being done by Jay). For their personnel gains and because of jealousy they make them drift apart. Will Rahul ever meet Seema again? Will Seema realize the depth of Rahul’s feelings?

Narration

The narration is simple and yet compelling. At the initial stage, it is slow paced, but gradually acquires pace until it becomes unputdownable. Most of the dialogues are very filmy and some of them even manage to bring a smile on the reader’s face. One thing I felt bad about the book is that, some dialogues don’t belong to teenager’s mouth and seem much matured. It would have worked well with a college love story. The inclusion of sonnets and poems before the flashbacks give the readers an idea of what is coming their way.

Conclusion

‘Truly Madly Deeply ‘is one of the best touching novels I have ever read. After reading this book, readers will be able to relate many instances and characters in the book with their real life. The descriptions of different events, such as the cricket match, debate and quiz competitions add spice to the story. The description that Rahul gives about Seema can actually make you visualize Seema standing right in front of you. Faraaz Kazi in his’ Note to the Readers’ describes the novel as being ‘readable’. But after you read the novel you will understand that this novel is much more than just ‘readable’. This is one of those novels which would be good to watch on the big screen.

Publisher: Krishna Prasad - 05:00:00