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Book Review: My Jiffies

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The beauty of some moments lies in the fact at how short lived they are.

These fleeting moments are interspersed by complex emotions making it really difficult to put it into words. However Priyanka Sharma Kaintura deals with these emotions with a lot of subtlety leaving the readers wanting for more.
An amalgamation of bite sized stories and poems; this book is divided into seven different parts. Each part explores the different moods of the author. The first part titled ‘Orations’ has diverse range of really short stories or experiences ranging from mythology to partition of India. One such article titled ‘What Makes Shiva So Desirable’ really stood out for me where the author in around three hundred words tries to understand what exactly it is about Shiva that attracts everyone to him. In this manner the author takes stories and ideas from around us that are hugely popular and connects it to our day to day life and experiences.

The second part of the book titled ‘Eclogues’ is a compilation of poems. These poems seem to convey experiences and emotions that are close to the author’s heart. They string together a beautiful tale of author’s dreams, aspirations, desires and her unspoken thoughts. The next part of the book titled ‘Monologues and Dialogues’ explores short conversations on diverse topics that give the readers a food for thought. The fourth part of the book contains some really short stories. The fifth and the sixth part of the book are divided according to the moods of the author and are titled ‘Pathos’ and ‘Satire and Sarcasm’. While the last part of the book ‘Life Aphorisms and Epigrams’ deals with complexities of life in around four or five line poems.

This compilation of stories, poems, ideas and opinions are a kind of personal reflections by the author on a diverse range of issues. This book closely reminded me of Paulo Coelho’s ‘Like the Flowing River’ which also followed a similar format. Though in some stories Priyanka Sharma Kaintura fails to engross the readers, she manages to tighten the grip on her audience in other parts of the book. These recollections by the author will put you in her shoes and help you to understand life through her eyes. This book leaves one contemplating about the mundane things that should be appreciated but usually go unnoticed in the hustle bustle of life. Although few stories fail to resonate, it is not difficult to find a lot of other stories and poems that are sure to strike a chord. The author at various occasions articulately conveys a nexus of emotions leaving the readers much to think about. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to unravel some mysteries of human life.

Image Credits: YouTube

 

Anukriti Mishra
[email protected]

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Biblio

Book Review: Man, Woman and Child

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Why are Erich Segal’s stories such classics when it comes to tugging at the heartstrings? We explore why you should check him up, with this review of Man, Woman and Child.  Man, Woman and Child was written by Erich Segal, the renowned author of Love Story, Doctors and The Class. The book was released in 1980, and since then, has been adapted into numerous films. The book revolves around Robert Beckwith and his wife, Sheila Beckwith, and how they manage to come out of the most difficult thing to cope with in a marriage: adultery. The book demonstrates in the crudest form how a couple so in love can become estranged because of a mistake committed as long as 10 years ago, which gave them an additional source of joy; another child. The so called ‘other woman’ is Dr. Nicole Guerrin, and her opinions on marriage, motherhood and single parenthood are progressive and in line with feminism. The child then comes to live with the couple after Nicole’s death, who treat him with the utmost care and tenderness, almost akin to parental love. Robert’s yearning for a male child depicts the very age this story is set in. Even though the couple has two daughters, the husband longs for a boy: a boy he didn’t want to fall in love with, but ultimately does. The child’s etiquettes and manners echo how well a woman (that too a doctor, always busy) can do the job of bringing up a child on her own. It is rather the daughters’ way of speaking to their father which appals the readers. They don’t talk like kids but assume the tone of spoilt adults. The end leaves the readers earnestly asking for more because it doesn’t seem like the usual Bollywood ending. It’s not all tulips and roses but teaches one that life isn’t always fair, and that one has to learn to deal with everything. In short, then, Man, Woman and Child is about finding your inner strength to deal with the obstacles life throws at you. Feature Image Credits: Amazon.in Prachi Mehra [email protected]]]>

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Book Review: Mapping the new realities in Exit West

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This latest book by Mohsin Hamid, the author of Moth Smoke and The Reluctant Fundamentalist joins dreams, principles, identities and realities to create one of the best reads of this year. A story can tell you a tragic reality in two ways: It can be vivid and devastating to the extent of being a compendium of life and death, with a grim picturisation of the innocent lives and their utter helplessness.The reader so becomes entangled with the protagonist’s destiny that with every page he flips, he desperately implores every god he believes in to finally bestow the slightest hint of happiness in the character’s lives. The other kind of storytelling is one where the author, does not paint the expressions to be gloomy, but he rather celebrates hope, sacrifice and humanity in the face of pervasive misery. Full of wonderful moments of courage and relentless allusions to the happy bygone times, the tale keeps the readers smiling through the tears throughout the text. With ‘Exit West’, Mohsin Hamid employs the second option, having already established his expertise in the first in his debut novel ‘Moth Smoke’ and later in his Man Booker shortlisted novel ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist”. Exit west is the story of a young man named Saeed, who met a young woman in a classroom, named Nadia, and did not speak to her. Gradually their love flourishes in the backdrop of a war torn city. Like many other intricacies across the novel which have been subtly referred to but never explicitly expressed, the city’s name is left unmentioned. Joining the dots, one eventually realizes that it is actually Aleppo. The storyline shifts as the war intensifies around the two lovers and they are forced to flee to safer places. At this point, Hamid employs magical realism as there are rumors of a door which teleports people across places. Saeed and Nadia migrate to Mykonos in Greece, then to London and finally to Marin, San Francisco as their lives and relationship stands the test of time. The storyline is simple yet transient. At times the narration flows like the Indian summer breeze and later it gains enthralling pace. The subtle realities of existence are the primary catalysts as Saeed and Nadia constantly are reminded of their past existence and identities. They hope against hopelessness for a future which would be a continuum of their abandoned past but everyone, including the reader, knows otherwise. Exit West is one of the few books which juggles between the personal and public themes with an ease in writing and a clarity of thought. The story ends with the reader’s mind and heart at a mutual debacle over the trajectory of Saeed and Nadia’ love story, but both clearly identifying that migration is the new reality of humankind and no one is completely immune to this reality.   Feature Image Credits: Parnassus Musing Nikhil Kumar [email protected]]]>

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Book Review: “Choices” by Shivshankar Menon

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Foreign Policy formation of a country which is filled with infinite diversities is not a child’s play. The recent book by Shivshankar Menon, the former National Security Advisor and foreign secretary of India throws light on how complex and difficult it is for diplomats to form foreign policies for countries.

The book which is his personal account as a bureaucrat who had a part in major decisions of foreign policy of our country. Menon throws light on how conflicts and interests are negotiated for greater good and mutual benefits in diplomacy.

In the book he analyses the border peace agreement with China by the Narsimha Rao Government, the civil nuclear deal with United States and the decision of not going on a military offensive on Pakistan after 26/11 attacks by the Manmohan Singh Government. He also writes on how Sri Lanka eliminated LTTE, why India pledges no first use of Nuclear weapons and his final words on how the foreign policy has shaped and its future. The book analyses each of these events in details focusing on the background, history, politics, economical and international scenarios in those points of time.  

His accounts show how political leaders at the helm have a great influence in the decision making and how sometimes political parties disregard the long term benefitting foreign policy goals in order to secure their own political interests. His accounts of how using statecraft to counter terrorism by non-state actors is largely a less yielding sword especially when the terrorist are supported by another state, and his detailed narratives into the five most pivotal decisions in the recent history of India is a surely suggested reading for anyone who aspires to take up a career in foreign services in his future.

Amongst many other books like ‘Walking with Lions’, ‘Making of a Diplomat’ which are a must read for aspiring diplomats, this book draws a definite space in their bookshelves.

Srivedant Kar

[email protected]  

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Arts & Culture

Book Review- The Burning Forest: India’s war in Bastar

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“The first casualty when a war comes, is truth”, this quote stares straight at times when people sit to discuss wars. History has been the best witness of how often truth has been molded by victors of wars. Across all the wars, it is the common people who bear the brunt of the conflicts.

This book, written by Nandini Sundar- an award winning sociologist at Delhi School of Economics is a firsthand account of facts, stories and happenings that shaped the war between the Indian State and the Maoists. The book largely deals with the lost lives, casualties and stories of large scale violence that was thrust upon the tribal villages in the name of anti-insurgency operations by the Indian State. Starting from her earlier days when she spent time in the area as a PhD student to her field visits and numerous other times spent in Bastar, the author collects shades from the time to tell the reader the tale of how things were, and how they have been made into what they are now.

She tries to bring to light the marginalized stories about large scale human rights violations, mass molestations and almost everything that has been obscured by the dominant narratives and state control. The book makes the reader express the same words that Supreme Court judgement also featured, ‘Its Horror! It’s Horror!’

If you believe that everything is in black and white in the anti-insurgency operations conducted by the security forces in the jungles, this book is a must read for you. The book throws light on one of the worst of state supported killings of civilians in the history of India as well the legal battles that were fought for justice.

War is not just about suffering and death, but also about the complex workings of bureaucracies, militaries, political groups and societies that form its scaffolding. This book is a must read for students to widen their horizon and discover that which is often concealed in the gaps and silences of the popularized or state sanctioned narratives.

It is imperative for us to know, ‘the Horror!’ that happened in our own country.

You can buy the book here: The Burning Forests
Srivedant Kar

[email protected]

 

 

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Reviews

Book Review: The Inability of Words by Harnidh Kaur

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The Inability of words

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks. -Plutarch Words alone cannot express the impact of poetry in our lives. Precisely with that thought in perspective, we got in touch with Harnidh Kaur, the author of the trending book, ‘The Inability of Words’. Packed with hard-hitting insights through thoughtful expressions, Harnidh’s take on life through poetry is reflected through the book. The Inability of Words is one of those books that you would keep next to you to read and re-read, again and again. Every poem in its simplicity is relatable, hard-hitting yet truly honest. The pieces have the ability to draw the reader into the world of the poet’s perspective, where it is clear to see that each poem has a long story behind it. The book follows a unique approach – right from the cover of the book to the content of the poems itself. As you go through the poems, you can see the growth of the poet through her journey, forcing you think about your own perspectives. Each line of the book reflects the author’s personality, wit, observations and emotions. It is definitely an inspiring and motivational for all poetry fans. To know more, Harnidh further tells us about her journey and first book.

1. Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Well. I’m a Bombay-Delhi girl. I live (and love) between the cities. I’m currently pursuing my masters in public policy from St. Xavier’s, Mumbai, and balancing a writing, and policy career side by side. If anyone asks me what I want to do, I say I’m an UPSC aspirant (which I am!), but secretly, I want to be Nigella Lawson.

2. What was the inspiration behind writing this book?

I was in a state of transition in my last year of college. Between shifting cities, entering a new phase of life, and grappling with new paradigms, I found myself writing, furiously so. However, for however much I wrote, the correct expression never quite came together until I actually collated that work into a book. Hence, names it ‘The Inability of Words.’ [caption id="attachment_43947" align="aligncenter" width="512"]Harnidh Kaur Harnidh Kaur[/caption]

3. What was your journey like?

Hectic! Eight drafts, and so many editorials back and forth, fights over which poems to include, grammatical disagreements. All smack dab in the middle of starting a new college, and adjusting into a new city. It’s all worth it, though…all of it.

4. We’ve heard your book has been gaining quick growth. Could you tell us some interesting facts about the same?

Well, it sells out really fast. I ascribe it to the fact that I’m a fairly approachable writer. People can talk to me. And well, I hope it’s because my book isn’t too bad, haha.

5. What’s your typical daily routine?

Currently, I go to office at 8:30 am to 4 pm, then college from 5 pm to 8 pm. But usually, I’m up by 8; I study, read, get college work done, and attend class. I don’t have a specific writing time because I’m always writing. There’s no process. I literally wrote my entire book on my phone. That’s what writing is about for me – an unbridled explosion of observations and thoughts.

6. What advice would you give to your readers?

Firstly, buy poetry. Keep buying it. It’s your contribution to keep a dying art alive. Secondly, fit poems into your context. Don’t try to fathom mine. This book is for you, I promise.]]>

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Book Review- Rightfully Wrong, Wrongfully Right

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Rightfully Wrong, Wrongfully Right, written by Varsha Dixit is the final installment of the love trilogy, ‘Right and Wrong’. The trilogy’s first two parts, ‘Right Fit, Wrong Shoe’ and ‘Wrong Means, Right End’ were published in 2009 and 2012 . The first book of the series traces the journey of Nandini Sharma, an urban yet simple girl living in Kanpur. The second book was a story of young single mother Sneha Verma, who beats all odds to find her unique saga. Both these character appear in the third installment too. The third book traces the journey of a NRI girl, Gayatri Dutta, who settles in India and goes on to realise her worth. The book starts with introducing Viraj, a man who made millions selling his design of a very unique toy to a company and is known as the mad scientist. It shifts to Gayatri, a spoilt diva, who hasn’t been too successful in her career endeavors and has a rich dad wanting her to get married soon. ‘Rightfully Wrong, Wrongfully Right’ is thus, a story of two absolutely different individuals who come together in the oddest circumstances. Viraj is the catalyst to an end for Gayatri and she is everything that Viraj despises in a person. The two start off on a wrong foot but as the story moves on, we can see the two getting used to each others’ ways and company. My favourite part of the book is how Gayatri and Viraj both have unresolved issues with their fathers and, as the story proceeds, the two not only get over their prejudices of each other but also work to resolve these unresolved issues which stemmed from the relationships with their fathers. I would happily rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. Image Credits: www.varshadixit.com Akshara Srivastava [email protected]]]>

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Book review: Story Shots and Poetry Pints

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Akhilesh Panigrahi has very perspicaciously brought to life multiple characters with multiple stories through his compilation. Instead of focusing and draining out a few characters and stretching them into a book, he wanted to make his debut indisputable. These little shots of intensity, fire, love and lust definitely has an appeal to draw but also not drag the reader into a dark space. His book has intoxicated the media and got everyone talking about him.

This book is a great volume of Indian attraction and a myriad of feelings that will immerse you until you have been made to dive into a whole new ocean with the next story. The short stories are gulps of romance and longing, homosexuality, an ecological heart to heart and whether you believe it or not, there’s also a short dose of the tribal community in India.

The poetry is simple with emotions that we’ve all once felt and therefore, there is no scope for any double entendres that normally keep you spinning while reading poetry. You don’t have to keep scavenging for that deeper meaning; it comes to you automatically.

There’s a poem called “stupid sassy sweetheart” where the poet depicts an unmoved devotion towards a woman who might not even love him back but he reminds us that love goes beyond that.

Here’s a small part of that poem, “For my love for her is an unconditional knot; All I wish is to always see her wearing the mortal smile, Coz with her it’s really momentary and fragile, I swear loving her always the same, Even if she breaks my trust to shame, I’ll breathe my last blissfully chanting her name.”

The Green Guy is a very intriguing story of a man’s destiny being determined by the industrial pollutants. The Dilkashi Damsels is a material story of the complexities of two sisters, where one of them was god gifted with sound features and the other was born deaf and dumb, and their struggle as they set out to achieve the same goal. There are various other stories where love amalgamates in different forms. It’s always a comforting feeling to read about the chase, and that’s what the writer has kept in mind.

The book is the kind you could finish in a day, but also the kind you could let linger around on your tongue and reopen from time to time. It’s definitely recommended!

Baani Kashyap

[email protected]

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Book Review: Caught in the web of modern romance with The Last Seen Romantic

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Arjun Dutt’s The Last Seen Romantic is a tale of the virtual world, love and distance combining as a recipe for almost – disaster for its protagonist. Exploring being overwhelmed by social media and being caught in the throes of loneliness despite being connected to people on the interweb, the book certainly deals with themes that are very relevant today.

The book begins with a bang as the reader is swept right away in the flow of things without any dawdling. Aryan, a young professional, is enamoured by Tanvi Kapoor after meeting her at the office elevator one Monday morning. The woman in question is portrayed as captivating and having a strong presence about her. This catches Aryan’s eye and makes him fall in love with her despite barely knowing her. To Aryan’s dismay, he discovers that Tanvi is relocating to UK for a year-long project. Despite the odds being stacked against him and his best friend cautioning him about his unrealistic passions, Aryan decides to pursue Tanvi. So begins the tale of constant untimely Friendsview (read: Facebook) messaging, brooding about calls that never come and Aryan’s entire life centering around the ‘Tigress’ that is Tanvi Kapoor and his unnaturally strong feeling towards her. With social media and long-distance phone calls the only way to communicate, will Aryan win over Tanvi? Or will he lose her to the omnipresent men in her life, specifically her roommate and colleague Raghav? Most importantly, will Aryan’s everyday life be able to bear the brunt of him being caught up in the virtual world? These are some of the questions the book deals with as major plot points.

Readers might find Aryan’s lofty and unrealistic ideas of love slightly off-putting, especially since it is written from Aryan’s perspective. Believing in love at first sight, forming his attachments too early and claiming to be ‘the last seen romantic’, his views are somewhat balanced by his best friend, Vikram Nath, who comes across as more sensible. Other characters in the Aryan-Tanvi mix are Aryan’s colleagues and Tanvi’s many male admirers, the latter causing Aryan much chagrin and forming a major plotline in the book. A reader would get worried about the harsh, and frankly unfair, possessiveness that Aryan shows towards Tanvi and his harmful observation, almost stalking, of her every move but this only proves the point of the kind of paranoia some modern relationships come along with. The ending, a tad abrupt, is also quite unexpected.

About the author: An alumnus of Delhi College of Engineering, Arjun Dutt works at a start-up company in the world of technology and finance. The Last Seen Romantic is his first book.

Feature Image: Cover of The Last Romantic Shubham Kaushik [email protected]]]>

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