Author: Keerthana

03 Dec

Posted at 06:38h in non fiction
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The book talks about the different ancient and medieval cities in Indian Subcontinent. MY RATING : 5/5 ABOUT THE BOOK: I highly recommend this book for all including teens as the language and tone are simple and concise. The author makes sure he touches all the important cities prior to 1847 before finally there is a definitive Britain rule over the Indian subcontinent. The validity of the topics discussed is absolutely relevant as it helps the reader to get an outline of the history that was going on in that place and time. What impressed me most about the book is the practicality of his arguments and his findings which makes the reader also comfortable in reading the book at ease. The book has sections where it helps the reader to come back to certain key points of discussion. The photos and the brief notes in between all the chapters are quite helpful for the reader. This book is a must for all history lovers as well as those who want to start reading a nonfiction history novel. This book is quite handy to refer to the important dates and events that might have occurred in these cities. The cities mentioned are those in Harappan Civilisation, Mauryan Dynasty, cities in Sangam, early ones in Deccan, in Pallavas, Chalukyas and Pandyas, Chola Empire, new cities in Deccan and last but not the least cities in Mughal Empire. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Raghavan Srinivasan is a chemical engineer (Madras University) and MBA graduate from McMaster University, Canada. He currently...

03 Dec

Posted at 06:12h in fiction
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The book is a crime thriller that makes you wonder about the prospects of being a foolish murderer and committing the crime for all the wrong reasons. THE PLOT: It is the year 1947, post the Second World War and the people of Japan are building back their empire to become great once again. It is amidst this that we find a curious meeting of the Edo Tattoo Society where all the people who have amazing body tattoos come to show it for a whooping prize money of ten thousand yen. For this meeting, young Kenzo Matsushita who is the brother of a famous police officer comes to witness this extravagant show to find the beautiful snake tattooed Kinue Nomura. Not only did she win the first prize but also made Kenzo fall head over heels for her seduction. Unfortunately in a matter of three days, he finds her mutilated body with her head missing in her bathroom locked. The police investigators as well as Kenzo try hard to find the murderer. When the police officers think they are going to catch the culprit, another victim is found yet again the tattoo removed just like Kinue. It is the entry of the brilliant Kyosuke Kamizu that solves the locked room murder of Kinue Nomura.   THE UNDERWHELMING ASPECTS: The book is stretched unnecessarily and there are many parts of the book that could've been edited. The entry of Kyosuke Kamizu is towards the end of the story and he solves the mystery as if he was a...

03 Oct

Posted at 14:47h in fiction
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  This book is one among those that you cannot put it down until it is completed. With that being said, you have guess it right! This one goes into my favourites cupboard in my library. THE PLOT It is the year 1950-recently independent India and the day of Makar Sankrati, a brother discovers his sixteen year old sister Sanaz's dead body in their own house in Bohrawadi, Udaipur. There are a few people in the house the same day. Ranging from the zamindar Rao Sahib of Singhgarh, a unardently devout conman Hariharan, a Bhil(secluded tribe in west India) Nathu, a nightsoil worker Parjat. There are other members in the house, Dada Bhai- Sanaz's father, Mena Bai- Sanaz's mother, her three brothers and her grandmother widow Sugra. And one must not forget the witch -jeevti dakkan that's lives in the peepul tree near the house. Once the police arrives, their investigation leads to something sinister that they end up closing the case the same day.   THE UNDERWHELMING ASPECTS  The introduction of characters coming into the house is quite lengthy and a bit of the part could've been removed. The backstory of Parijat and Nathu seemed quite unrelated in certain aspects which can lead the reader away from the main plot.   THE GOOD ASPECTS Not in a million dreams will you ever know the reason why and how Sanaz's dies. The caste system and the oppressed situations of low caste people are interwined quite well in the story. Sanaz's aunt Khatheeja's character interesting takes the book further leading us to...

13 Feb

Posted at 08:17h in fiction
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A read that is fast-paced yet heartbreaking! I have been reading quite a few books based on the same genre and I must say I am looking forward to reading something light and funny or maybe even a murder mystery. I am waiting for my Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile to release here in my city. Now let's get into the review. We have a beautiful family of three, Nuri Ibrahim who is a beekeeper, his wife Afra Ibrahim and their son Sami. Everything was amazing until the Syrian war started and the beautiful city of Aleppo was torn into shreds. Not only does Afra loses her sight but also they lose their beloved son. Yet they travel across Turkey and Greece to ultimately reach Britain which is to safety. They travel there specifically because Nuri's cousin Mustafa had made through the arduous journey and joined his family there. But the price Nuri and Afra had to pay is really devastating! I cannot even comprehend the sufferings of the families who had to go through this nightmare during the war in Syria! Though the story is fictional, it is based on the true events of those who were in the camps in Greece and Turkey during the unfortunate war! The tone and the reading is light making it convenient for all. I wish someday human beings will realise that to survive on Earth, war is not the answer but it is peace, love and harmony we must achieve to survive. Why is it that our...

06 Feb

Posted at 08:17h in fiction
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Circe, the beautiful yet timid Greek Goddess who wishes just to live her life but instead faces unnecessary wrath of both Gods and mortals for no fault of hers. The author has written an amazing fiction novel of the above-said Goddess who was never considered one because of her power in witchcraft. Born to the great Titan, Helios and Perse she was never the favourite of anyone in the palace. When she first met Prometheus the god who was punished for eternity for helping the mortals, she realised she had a kind heart, unlike the other Gods and Goddesses. Circe was later banished from using her wizardry over her lover and her enemy ending in exile on a beautiful island called Aiaia. It is there she realised how ruthless both Gods, Goddess and mortals can be. but she lost her heart to a mortal Odysseus who was a favourite of Goddess Athens eventually bearing a son of his. Circle goes through a lot but yet triumphs to become what she always wanted in her life, to be herself. The book is as interesting as the book cover. it is a medium to fast-paced read. Rating 4/5...

03 Feb

Posted at 08:10h in fiction
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A spine chilling novel that makes you restless thinking about the poor souls that may or may not be alive! The plot of the book is set before the First World War about young Japanese women who left their homeland to be brides to people who they have never met but only have photos in their hands. What they never knew was that they would be used for work as weed pullers and housemaids. They never anticipated life with no voice of their own and could never return to their homeland ever. the worst part is they were always tormented with either their husbands, children or their masters. And in the end, they are sent to someplace that will never return during the Second World War. The book though is a work of fiction, the story resonates with the Japanese immigrants during those times. It is haunting yet heart breaking. It is a brilliant work and read it if you have an opportunity! Rating 4/5...

28 Jan

Posted at 04:20h in fiction
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The beauty of a tree lies in the eyes of the beholder! 2020, the year which changed the life of every human being on our planet. My life too changed because I met the book that is going to be my favourite till I die! The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak. Not many in the readers world love this book but the story touched my soul. We are not here to talk about that book but yet another beautiful story was written by the same author. The story revolves around the lives of Kostas Kazantzakis and Defne who despite all odds (Kostas being Greek Christian; Defne being Turkish Muslim) get married! They were young lovers who get caught in the civil war in Cyprus in 1974 losing all near and dear. When they are uprooted to London, they not only get a beautiful daughter Ada but also a charming luscious Fig Tree. We see the suffering, the loneliness, the compassion, the love and the trauma of people who are caught in a war that tore a harmonious community into bloodthirsty hounds! The story is narrated by both the characters of the books as well as the Fig tree who was actually a part of another fig tree brought from Cyprus by Kostas! The story is fast-paced and I completed it in a day! I would highly recommend this one to those who love good fiction. In fact, I picked this up from my bookshelf because I was overwhelmed by my previous read! The only...

26 Jan

Posted at 08:04h in non fiction
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Well written and even better researched, the author has done a tremendous job by not only bringing the harsh truth of the women in India where patriarchy plays a major role but also that they have to find solace in the songs and movies of a megastar, Shah Rukh Khan. The data and analysis of the working force of women in India spanning from 1919 to 2019 are terrible. Even though we live in an era where progressive men talk about equality, we know the truth! Our mothers, sisters and daughters cannot leave the house alone after sunset. It is so sad that we being in the 21st century are still so backward in our thinking. No, I'm not talking about ladies, it is the entire generation of both men and women. We as women should make sure that our sons and brothers understand work and status equality thus making the next generation of girls be safe and they could have equal pay and a good life. We have always seen the suffering of our mothers, grandmothers and our sisters! Now all this rubbish should stop so that our daughters should shine as bright as the sun and should be able to live their life as they wish! The book deserves all the appreciation and praise! I am indeed so proud of the author that it took her 15 years to come up with this. It takes a lot of courage to publish such a book and face the wrath of the...

19 Jan

Posted at 05:10h in non fiction
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The tale of an individual Charles Masson (James Lewis) who has an extraordinary adventurer of finding the lost city of Alexandria in the mountains of Afghanistan, Bagram. We see the life and times of this soldier/explorer/spy who doesn't believe in quitting just for the whims and fancies of the English East India Company. This biography is from the late 19th century. This book is tremendously researched and a pure artwork of literature. I am highly impressed by the author and his ways of convincing the reader of the plight of this man who does everything in his power to survive. But he fails to make a mark in the way it should have been. For the achievement and the trauma that he went through, he is actually supposed to be received with fame and grandeur. Instead, he is ridiculed and loses all the finds that he had discovered in Bagram. The English East India company have truly been a cruel animal to him and I think the death of certain individuals in the hands of the Afghans in Kalat and Kabul during the stay of those gentlemen is right. I know what I am saying sounds ridiculous but it is true. These men could've not only saved Charles Masson but also could've lifted his name and his findings to the next level. When he reaches back to his country, the people are still mean and cruel to him. He died a broken man with nothing in his possession other than two...

14 Jan

Posted at 17:04h in non fiction
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The book is truly inspiring and made me think about the privileges that we have now. Yet we have many restrictions and most of the women are under the shadow of their families. There will be a day when all women are either equal or above men. Yes, this may sound like a very feminist statement but I personally know how it feels to be trampled by men who think women are just meant to be indoors. Their earning is never sufficient for the family even if the woman is earning more than her male partner. After False Allies, I was very happy to read this book in fact highly recommended by Manu S.Pillai. There was an interview between Kavitha Rao and Manu S. Pillai which really intrigued me to read the book. Let's get into the details of the book. The author has meticulously collected all the events occurring in different parts of the world during that time and allows the reader not to get confused with any of the details. We have the life events of the lady doctors mentioned in the book. Those exhilarating women are Anandibai Joshi, Kadambini Ganguly,  Rukhmabai Raut. Haimabati Sen, Muthulakshmi Reddy and Mary Poonen Lukose. Though I am in awe of these individuals, my heart goes to two of the lady doctors. One is Kadambini Ganguly, who in spite of having 8 children and one among them being a special child, she did what her heart wanted to achieve. The other is Haimabati Sen,...