Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts

I read this book more than a year ago. I loved the book though the filmy climax was a bit of a downer, I still loved it. Recently I found this piece of paper where I had written down my favourite lines from the book. Some of them don't make much sense out of context but they are good lines nevertheless.

Lin / Shantaram's lines

"Every free minute is a short story with a happy ending"
"Freedom to say no. If you've got that much freedom, you don't really need anymore"

Karla has some of the best lines in the book

"Some of the worst things were caused by people who tried to change things"
"It isn't a secret unless keeping it hurts"
"Men reveal what they think when they look away and what they feel when the hesitate. With women it's the other way around"
"Happiness is myth. It was invented to make us buy things"

Didier's character appears on and off but he gets a line a too and darn good one at that.

"There is no meanness too spiteful or too cruel, when we hate someone for all the wrong reasons"

Kader Bhai is a pivotal character and he's got a lot of lines, this is my favourite.

"It is possible to do the wrong things for the right reasons"

This is a Pashto saying that Kader Bhai quotes

"You are not a man until you give your love truly and freely to a child. And you are not a good man until you earn the love truly and freely of a child in return"

How lovely! I should go back and read this book again.

The Confidential Agent

This is my first Graham Greene book. And I cannot make up my mind about it. The writing is no doubt very engaging. But something didn't quite work for me. Of course I cannot write Greene off for this, unless I read a couple of more books and still feel indifferent.

I can't rate it because I don't know how to. This post is strictly for the record that I did read this book.

The Fabulous Girl's guide to Decorum

I thought for a very long time about admitting it in public that I have read this book. No there's nothing wrong with the book. Just that people who know me would be surprised about the choice :) I wanted to read something silly but couldn't bring myself to pick up an M&B. I barely managed to read 2 of them when I was 15 and anyway Chick-Lit was a subject that was being talked about...

It is a very practical guide book for those who want to be well what else, fabulous girls. I finished the book in about 3/4 of a day. Not because it was unputdownable but because I didn't find many things in the book worth my time. The book gives gyan on everything from how to handle workplace situations (like biding your time till you get the right job to office romances), How to behave at book launches, movie premieres, funerals, shopping, handling friendships, sex, being couples, weddings and divorces and how to decorate your homes. It is largely in European and American context so most of it doesn't make sense here. I really don't know if "you wanna come over for a cup of coffee" means "wanna have sex" to a larger section of Indians yet.

But it was a fun read nevertheless. It might be helpful guide to young women who are stuck in a rut and have no clue how to get out. I am thinking a book like this in an Indian context (that is well written) will sell really well. And may be the publishers can think about bringing out similar things in regional languages as well. Just because one doesn't know the queen's language doesn't mean one doesn't want to be a fabulous girl isn't it?

My rating 2.5 on 5

The Book Thief stole my heart

This one came with high recommendation. And it was worth all the two days I spent reading the book. I couldn't put book the down even for a minute. Thankfully I didn't have any assignments so I did have the time. But since I wanted to finish the book I had to order in to avoid cooking time :)

The narration is simply the best I have read. The language is exquisite. It is a delight to read the way the author, Markus Zusak has stringed the sentences together. It is like every single syllable in there has been thought about. And no phrase or word is there by accident. The imagery is outstanding. I love the way the colours are described on each occassion.

You cannot help falling in love with the characters of Himmel Street. Liesel, her papa Hans Hubermann (I would give anything to meet a man like this one) or Mama Rosa who swears all the time. But my favourite has to be Rudy. The boy who is forever in love with Liesel and does everything to get a kiss from her.

I am not a big fan of stories set in Nazi period. They are all incredibly grim and reminds me of that side of human nature which I'd rather not know. But this book is full of heart. And is the only one I've read from the german perspective. The book made laugh and it made me cry. (V thought it utterly silly. But what the hell).

It would make an excellent film if someone can get that style of narration right (which I doubt)

And it is a great book if you want to learn the german language. After all swear words are the best first words to learn in any language :)

My rating 5 on 5

Wyrd Sisters

This is Terry Pratchett's 6th book in the Discworld series. The theme is very serious - the effect the words can have on reality. There are three witches, one duke and duchess, a king's ghost, a fool, an actor and a very angry kingdom. But the twisted humour (I can't think of anything else to describe Pratchett's style) makes it so much more enjoyable than anything on the samelines that has been said at least a few dozen times.

Wikipedia tells me that this book is a homage to Shakespeare's Macbeth. I don't remember much of it but it might be true. Although I certainly prefer Wyrd Sisters to Macbeth. Sorry Shakespeare :)

The book made me think about the history that as we know now. If all it takes is words to remember it, then anyone with a little creativity and some might can alter it and we won't even realise. Isn't that what's happening right now? The rights and the wrongs of history, that is irrefutable when it is happening can be changes just as easily when it is just a memory.

My rating 3.5 on 5

kaanooru heggaDithi

I have had difficulties with some of kuvempu's creations back in school. And then I was introduced to his magnum opus sri ramayaNa darshanam and I totally freaked! ramayaNA darshanam is written entirely in haLagannada (old Kannada), 20 thousand lines of poetry at that. Although I do have plans of attempting it again sometime in my life.

I knew that his other works are not as difficult, i still was reluctant to attempt it. But recently I got a gift voucher for Kannada books at Sapna Book house and I practically ransacked the shop. One of the books I bought was kanooru heggaDithi. The sheer size of it stopped me from reading it right away. But last weekend's coonoor trip was ideal for it and I took it along. And it was the best choice!

Firstly the book appeals to me because it talks about what I am familiar with. The life in the western ghats. Though I hail from the coastal region and not the ghats, the cultures are very similar. The Bhootas, the poojas, the communities are all part of familiar nostalgia. None of the characters in the book are sugar coated. They are all as real as they can get, flaws and goodness come out depending on the situation and the people they are with.

The simplicity of the emotions is something that is missing from gadget filled, rat race life these days and that's what the book is about. Be it love, sacrifice, jealousy, meanness, politicking everything is out there, raw.

I also loved the fact that kuvempu has gone into great lengths to describe the scenic beauty of the region. The plant life, the topography, the animal and birds of the region everything is crystal clear.

In the introduction, he says that the reader has as much part in imagery while reading a book as much as the writer while writing . It is the reader's responsibility to be attentive he says. He also adds that empathy is the biggest quality a reader can bring to the book, without which the best of intention can go uncared for.

My favourite character from the book has to be hoovaiah. And it didn't help that in my imagination he resembled M so much that it made him all the more real :)

My rating 5 on 5

Wuthering Heights

I didn't start reading English literature with the classics, as it is usually done. I started off with Sidney Sheldon and worked my way back. So my classics reading is still in the early stages.

I just finished reading Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Apparently this is her only novel (my source is Wikipidea on this of course)

I loved the book but at the same time it scared me. I love it because of it's literary quality - the way it is written, the language (at times very hard to follow) and the honesty with which the emotions have been portrayed. What amazes me is that though this is written by a woman, there's little bias. The book shows the dark side of both men and women. The book exposes the naivete that all human beings possess when they are younger and how when that is taken advantage of, can unveil the darker side just as easily.

The book scared me because of the depths one can fall into in hatred. Heathcliff, the central character schemes and plots all his life to destroy anyone and everyone who came in the way of his love. Even the one he loves. The madness lasts nearly 30 years!

There's innocence, there's love, there's cowardice, there's vengeance that chills and of course there is a very happy ending.

However at the end of the book, I felt a bit let down that Heathcliff, didn't exactly suffer for all his doings. I know what happened to him in the book is what would happen to anyone like him in real life; just because he didn't suffer physically doesn't mean he didn't suffer at all. I guess I am conditioned by seeing villains meeting horrible ends the in Bollywood films and indeed our mythological stories.

I loved the book despite that.

My rating 4 on 5

PS: I have added Ellen 'Nelly' Dean from Wuthering Heights to my list of favourite literary characters.

People from the world of books

Here's a long pending post of mine. The list of my favourite literary characters in no particular order.

Mma Ramotswe (No.1 Ladies detective agency)
Hagrid, Fred & George Weasley, Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter series)
Little Prince (The Little Prince)
Zorba (Zorba, the Greek)
Tracy Whitney (If Tomorrow Comes)
Dana Evans (Sky is falling)
Papillon
Nancy Drew
Miss Marple
Santiago (The Alchemist)
Veronika (Veronika Decides to Die)
Arthur Dent & Ford Prefect (Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy)
Tom Fitzerald (Papa married a mormon)
Hassan (Kiterunner)
mookajji (mookajjiya kanasaugaLu)
Swami (Malgudi days)
Yamini (Yamini)
Calvin & Hobbes (Of course)
Phantom
Spiderman
Thugsen (from the oldest Amar chitra katha I own, 1979)
Shikari Shambu

Starting Something

I have never read a company story before. Didn't think I'd find it interesting. But since last September my opinions about a lot of things have changed and this one's one of them. My FIL recommended this book to me.

The book is interesting at so many levels but what appealed to me was the people aspect of it. The book doesn't tell you how to start a company, or how to do a business presentation in detail. Instead the author Wayne McVicker tells you exactly how bad it can get! How poor you can be before you strike it rich and how extraordinary efforts go into not to make you rich. That sounds depressing but it isn't. Wayne tells the story of this company Neoforma that he starts with his friend Jeff, right from the day one from the idea to the big IPO day. The book talks about trusting your instincts, the difference between doing what is supposed to be right and what feels right. The book also talks about letting go. The founders eventually move out of the company they helped create, because the company didn't need them and they didn't need the company.

The biggest take away for me was the importance of building the right culture. Something that I've always believed in. The right idea, right amount of dedication and a great culture can take the company a long distance. Heck these guys bought their own dream houses with it :)

My rating 3 on 5

tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays hold a special place for me. In kannaDa Tuesday is called as "mangaLa vaara" which od course is named after the planet Mars. But could also mean auspicious day. But one is never allowed to do anything new on that day...As in you can't start a new job, join school, move into a house you know that sort of thing. It always annoyed me, so very typically I did start everything on Tuesdays. All my first days at jobs were on a Tuesday (unless my boss had a problem), I started courses on that day...you get the drift. So when RVK & A suggested "tuesdays with Morrie" I was instantly taken in.

At the face of it, it could seem like a book about the general gyan we all know- "Don't run after money", or "live in now" or "don't be afraid of loving someone." But what makes this book special is that it comes from a man who lived life, just the way he wanted and still thought he could've done it better in the face of death.

The book reaffirmed many of my own beliefs, which have been rejected so many times that I sometimes wonder about them. The book also made me yearn for that one mentor who could hold your hand and guide you...I never had one...not like Morrie anyway. But it also made kinda decide that I should try and be one to someone at some point of time. People always need each other.

I loved the way Morrie taught people without being all preachy (I do a bad job of this). I loved his simple but so true to the last letter aphorisms he came up with. These are my favourites

1) Love each other or perish.
2) Once you know how to die, you know how to live.
3) You're not a wave, you're part of the ocean.
4) Dying is one thing to be sad about, living unhappily is another thing.
5) The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it.

Very powerful words those are.

Morrie Schwartz was no figment of imagination, he walked this planet just like you & me; only difference being he savoured it all, and decided to share his understanding with the world through his student Mitch Albom. On a slightly editorial note, I kinda wished that it was written better...something kept bothering me and I can't put my finger on it. But with a powerful character like Morrie, it doesn't matter I suppose. They made a television movie based on this book too.

I love Tuesdays all the more!

My rating 3.5 on 5

The adventure of the Christmas Pudding

Yes, I was in the mood for some crime solving so I followed the No 1 Detective agency series with Agatha Christie. There is no denying that she was the queen of crime. But what struck me in this book is her love for food. Don't believe me? See the title :)

There are 6 stories in this book
1) The adventure of the Christmas pudding - and the pudding is the key from start to end in this story
2) Mystery of the Spanish Chest - Very gory
3) The Under dog - Use of Hypnosis kinda put me off...perhaps am too old for these things
4) Four and Twenty Blackbirds - this one is based entirely on the dead man's eating habits
5) The dream and - Very twisted but cleverly done
6) Greenshaw's folly - Extremely twisted again

The first 5 are solved my Hercule M Poirot, the short Belgian man who can be charming with the ladies and solve the most complicated crimes with equal ease. The last one is for Miss Marple to solve. She doesn't even see the site of crime before solving the case!

I love Christie's writing. There is the quintessential English world that opens up here including the love for puddings and "being proper" The crimes themselves aren't very difficult to solve what with we being exposed to all kinds of crime stories both in the real world and on celluloid and TV. But a joy nevertheless.

BTW did you know she also wrote Romance genre by the name Mary Westmacott?

My Rating: 3 on 5

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies

I was introduced to Mma Precious Ramotswe this February by Sav. And what a joy it has been to know this delightful detective created by Alexander McCall Smith.

Mma Ramotswe is the finest private detective in all of Botswana and the series chronicle her experiences as a woman, as a detective and as an African. The most delightful part is that the books portray such simple emotions, deal with everyday dilemmas and all from a woman's point of view. The story could be set in Botswana but wouldn't be very different if it was set in India.

The book I just finished is "In the company of cheerful ladies" The book talks about Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi's own personal tribulations and triumphs in very a charming way. Be it Ramotswe having to face her old fear of her ex husband Note Mokoti or Mma Makutsi joining the dance classes to widen her social circle (read meet the man of her dreams). It is also beautifully woven that you experience the same emotions as those women.

I love the fact there are little things that mean a lot to them, like how Mma Makutsi one day very hesitatingly declares that she prefers regular tea over bushtea. That she's so besotted with her lovely china tea pot. Or the fact that she loves shoes and the first thing she thinks of buying with her bonus is a pair of red shoes with big bright buckles. I love the chapter where Mma Ramotswe and Mma Potokwani confess to each other about not being able to fight temptation especially when it comes to fruit cakes and have more of it.

I can completely relate to Mma Ramotswe's feelings about changing Botswana. About the changes that come along the society with prosperity...nicety that is the first victim of growing economy.

And oh I love the cover of the books. So bright, happy and very african :)

My rating: 4 on 5