Book Review : The Reengineers by Indu Muralidharan

Book- The Reengineers

Author- Indu Muralidharan

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- HarperCollins Publishers


Blurb-

Chinmay is all set to free himself from the worldly affairs. He finds solace in the old library with his friends Anu and Sabi. There life was monotonous until one day when they have to escape.

The Seekers School is not in its full form after some people decides to change the shape of the administrative wing and the modus operandi.

What happens when Chinmay and his friends are stuck at a place and its whereabouts are unknown to them? Will they remain in mental despair or will things change shape?



Title and Cover-

The title and cover were both were meaningful and far-sighted. I loved the colours, tones and richness of the cover. It is definitely eye catchy and also it says a lot without any extravagant detailing done.



Characters-

There were characters from two phases and I loved all of them. They were crazy, humorous, deep, dark, mysterious etc-etc. I liked the balancing that was done in order to bring in front both negative and positive characters so that some phrases become clear and impactful.

From the major characters I liked Chinmay and Siddhartha. The analogy maintained between them was superbly penned.

From the minor characters Sabi, Professor, Govind, Roshan, Nivedita etc were some of the characters which keep helping the major characters to move ahead. And I loved their movements, talks and traits.



Narration-

The first person narration was not bland at all. The story seemed more lifelike with that. I liked the change of speakers with the movement of the story. I felt that the number of chapters could have extended because a lot was said in just one go.



Review-

At first I thought that “The Reengineers” is about the gloominess that some students would face or are facing in their lives. But Indu Murlidharan really surprised me as I preceeded ahead. I was not at all ready for a book like this and after completing it I was certain that my time is invested at a very worthy place. Such was the beauty of the book.

The book started at a normal pace and a larger space was given to the readers to know the three friends who are somehow travelling in the same boat which has traversed from different shores. A deeper analysis was done at one point and other to showcase the mind-set of Chinmay, Sabi and Anu.

All three of them had an enormous amount of pain within themselves and it was well portrayed. I could connect with them and their depression without any efforts.

Twists and turns are the lifeline of any book and this particular book has loads of such surprises. The first turn that came in the book was enough to tell me that something big is on the way. I was perplexed just like Chinmay and others.

I loved the advancements thereafter. There were so many important aspects and teachings that were shown by different characters. The whole aura that was created of a secluded place offering numerous courses was ecstatic to experience. I liked the sarcastic imageries.

Further there were some particular places where I was enjoying the richness of the book. The letters written by the Siddhartha were my favourite. They had so much to say in just few words. Also the different type of people which he explained was serene and meaningful. The conversation between Chinmay and the Professor was the cherry on the top. Who can think of such an ending? Kudos author.

Summing up- The novel started at a very different note and ended up in a totally different dimension. I was dumbstruck to know the ending and the proceedings that lead me to such spectacular ending which was just smooth, interesting and not at all hasty, allowing each and every difficult turn of events to be grasped with ease. The book came as a surprise package for me. A fantastic read.



Eye-catchers-

• “It was so quiet that has a pin dared to drop in that room, the silence would have swallowed the sound.”

• “Depression is a cruel malady. It can paralyse your mind and leave you vulnerable and helpless, messing you up within although you may appear healthy to the world.”

• “The bigger your goal and the higher your targets, the greater will be the chance of things going wrong.”

• “You can change your fate any way you like. You only need to know that you can do it.”



Turn-on’s-

• The different levels at which the book went to entertain the readers.

• Wide variety of characters of different hue and persona.

• Smooth flow.

• Deep analysis shown inside the story and its perfect blending with the moving picture.



Recommendation-

Well this book can be read by all those who are fed up of their lives and who are trying to find answers in the self help books. Also fiction lovers can pick it for some different angles mixed up to form such complex yet easy going compound.



About the author-

Indu Muralidharan grew up in Madras, in a small house with a large library. She counts a number of characters from classic English novels among her early friends. Her obsessive love of fiction led her to delve deep into meta-fiction, reading and writing stories about books, writers and writing process, which she believes helps her to better understand the nature of reality.

Check out the spotlight of the book for more details of the book-

http://thesubtlebraiding.blogspot.in/2016/04/spotlight-reengineers-by-indu.html



Connect with the author-

• Twitter- @induauthor



Buy the book-

• Amazon link-

http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9350297299/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474052034&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=the+reengineers+by+indu

Book Review : Figmented Reality by Zuko

Book- Figmented Reality

Author- Zuko

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Frog Books- An imprint of Leadstart Publishing

Pages- 157

Price- 150



Blurb-

Addiction blurs our hold on reality; people say. But what if addiction becomes our reality? Siddhartha had a fair few addictions in his wake. The challenge now was to differentiate between the ideal world and the real world. Will Siddhartha be able to overcome his addictions and find true love? Or is it just another addiction?



Title and Cover-

Well the title and cover are the breath of book. Both starts making sense after one completes the book. I was very impressed by both the elements. The black-grey contrast with blurred image was like the sugary icing on the dry cake.



Characters-

There was a great need of more characters in the story. The story was becoming really bland with just four to five characters. It seemed like a stretched version of a short story.

I liked Veena and the narrator, because I thought they were the ones which kept the story intact.



Narration-

I liked the narration very much. There was a human which I was reading because the author gave a very wide area for a reader to explore.



Review-

Figmented Reality is a very different and analytical book in some ways. Well, when I started I wasn’t sure that as to what I am about to read. But as the story progressed things started engulfing me in a tight grip, as if demanding extra attention.

The dialogues that the author has decided to showcase have helped the story in larger way because there wasn’t much matter in the story but the conversations kept the things moving.

I liked the different kinds of relationships shown in the book. There was a subtle amount of everything and it gave a wider insight to the whole drama. The confusions which the lead experience when he comes in contact with the lady whom he admires is really nice to inspect. The author didn’t try to show a simple moving admiration and love concept, there was much more to everything.

The story was moving perfectly in the beginning and also in the middle. There were nice situations and twists. Also the speeches that were penned in the start of every chapter were really meaningful and serene.

What went wrong are the last chapters and the showdown. The surprises were great but I think that the author has just laid forward the suspense just like that. There were some clues left in the middle of the story but they were not that impactful. If and only if the author could try to show these elements of suspense in the whole novel bit by bit, things could have reached another level.

Also I felt that there was lack in minute detailing. There were some facts which the author has mentioned in the book which have no specific relation to the story or the characters. I never want to read the details blandly; I like to explore them through the actions, speeches of the characters. A little more work on that was needed.

Summing up- The novel had a great concept. The characters and situations were made a little dark and mysterious as per the requirement but a lot of detailing and extra usage of surprise elements was required to make the book a happening read.



Eye-catchers-

• “In moments between life and death, we might not remember every moment we are proud of but we certainly will remember moments we regret.”

• “Our brain produces moments that seem so realistic that we no longer want to live it in real life.”



Turn-on’s-

• Conversations, making things livelier.

• The darkness prevailing on every page.

• Interesting characters.



Turn-off’s-

• Things were laid out in a hurry.

• There was a great need of more details because some facts were just piled on without any specific justification.



Buy the book-

• Amazon link-
http://www.amazon.in/Figmented-Reality-Zuko/dp/9352016165/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473942746&sr=8-1&keywords=figmented+reality+by+zuko

Book Review : Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right by Varsha Dixit

Book- Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right

Author- Varsha Dixit

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Rupa Publication

Price- 195

Pages- 278



Blurb-

Gayatri is trying to find meaning of her life. With her father’s constant pressure, she has lost the real pathway that can lead her to her dreams.

Viraj is at the peak of his career and it’s always his way in the office. But something happens and he has to mould his methods due to some reasons.

What happens when people start interfering in each other’s lives sometimes for good and sometimes for inducing troubles? Will the quest to find the perfect road come to an end?



Title and Cover-

The title is as fascinating as the name of the other two books of the series. No comments on that. The cover on the other hand was very extravagant. With elements which were infused in the tale can be seen on the cover and what else can celebrate the essence of love then red colour and cute hearts. The two leads were shown in full form and there nature can be seen in their postures and facial expressions. I simply loved both the title and the cover.



Characters-

The characters placed a cherry on the top. There were so many and they were so lively that it felt I knew them for a long time.

From all the major characters I loved Gayatri, Viraj, Nandini and Sneha. They all were very opinionated and strong. They were connecting well with me and were definitely complimenting the moving tale.

From the minor characters I liked Sana, Gayatri’s father and Viraj’s mother. These characters made the book reach the zenith. They had a very strong influence on the story in a great way.



Narration-

The narration was smooth, chapters were easy to understand and they were named well too. The tale could have been monotonous but the narration took the things to another level. It was on a perfect path, nothing less, nothing more, just perfect.



Review-

The third book in the series is my first read and I was not certain if I would be able to connect with the characters well. But thanks to the author, she has managed to bring all the important details from her previous book in the present one to make the reading a worthy experience. In the very start a perfect characterization was done and every person was handled with care in the introductory section itself.

I loved the fact that the author didn’t jump on the story directly but allowed the characters to breathe for a while and let their readers know that what they are up to and what can be expected from them. It gave a very large mirror to inspect things closely in the long run.

Further the story was appealing no doubt. There were incidents of bravery, rage, envy and what not. I liked the way the story moved, step by step; peculiarly, baby steps. Yes I felt that the story was moving a little slower at times. The incidents were dragged a bit where the necessity was not felt.

The advancements in the lives of different characters are smooth and I didn’t feel any negligence on the part of author.

The best part was the way an incident with Gayatri was portrayed. I felt that the pros and cons were shown at large by the author. She was shown to be at a vulnerable spot after what she experienced and also how that helped her in the long run to connect with the people around her in one way or the other.

Story was a mixture of aspirations and reality which Gayatri faced. The way things moved in her life must be analyzed by the readers and they must think hardly about the way decisions were taken and how everything combined to form a perfect stage for celebration. I think in a way the author has perfected the art of sending a message in lesser words and more of actions.

When there are highs, lows are also in the way. The story was going good until everything was laid in front. All the suspense was over and then came some more chapters which I felt were lowering the whole episode. I didn’t find them to be interesting as compared to the rest of the story. There elimination couldn’t have made any difference.

Summing up- Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right was a great book with light amount of everything, love, jealousy, friendship, brotherhood, courage etc, packed in a good form. Varsha Dixit has done full justice to the story but no doubt some eliminations would have saved the repo of the book. Nevertheless, the book was a light read with a nice balance of all the things making it a complete package for rejuvenating oneself.

Eye-catchers-

• “...he took off his glasses and placed them on the chair. A look through them and one would find that they had no power.”

• “Nothing or no one owns your brilliance except you.”

• “Gayatri’s expression was part fierce, like a warrior itching to run into the battle, and part frustrated, like a passenger waiting for a train that was running 365 days late.”



Turn-on’s-

• Easy and smooth writing.

• No hitches, no hasty moves.

• Great characters, very vivid and highly energetic.



Turn-off’s-

• Last few chapters seemed out of place.

• There were lesser amount of shocks and turns making it a simple tale without many surprises.



Recommendation-

Romance lovers can pick the book without much delay and second thoughts. Light entertainment guaranteed.



About the author-

Varsha dixit is the author of bestselling novels, “Right Fit Wrong Shoes”, “Xcess Baggage”, “Wrong Means Right End” and “Only Wheat Not White”. She worked in the Indian television industry before moving to the US with her family. Varsha actively interacts with readers through her website and Facebook author page.

Check the spotlight for more details of the book and the author-




Connect with the author-

• www.varshadixit.com

• Twitter- @Varsha20



Buy the book-

• Amazon Link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/8129141973/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473316184&sr=8-1π=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=rightfully+wrong+Wrongfully+right+by+Varsha+Dixit

Book Blitz : The Broken Home by LOPAMUDRA BANERJEE

THE BROKEN HOME

English Translation of 

Rabindranath Tagore's 

Nastanirh

by

LOPAMUDRA BANERJEE

Blurb

The Broken Home (Nastanirh), the novella, takes place in late 19th-century Bengal and explores the lives of the aristocratic Bengali gentry who were part of the Indian Renaissance. Within the peripheries of such a distinct, culturally liberal society, the world of Charulata, Bhupati and Amal unfolds. Charu, the dreamy, melancholic young woman dreams of an idyllic literary world where she and her brother-in-law Amal, a budding writer would remain two discreet, indispensable entities. However, Amal’s estrangement destroys her creative passions and creates an ocean of turmoil in her life that turns her marital world upside down. Her husband, Bhupati, despite his liberal ideas, is blind to her loneliness and dissatisfaction. It is only with the appearance of his cousin, Amal, in their lives, who incites passionate feelings in Charu, that Bhupati realizes what he has lost.

Nastanirh is the basis for the noted film, Charulata (1964), by Satyajit Ray. 

Grab your copy @

Amazon.in | Amazon.com

About the Author

Lopamudra Banerjee is a writer, poet and translator, currently based in Dallas, USA. She is the co-editor of ‘Defiant Dreams: Tales of Everyday Divas’, published by Readomania in collaboration with Incredible Women of India. Her unpublished memoir Thwarted Escape has been First Place Category Winner at the Journey Awards 2014 hosted by Chanticleer Reviews and Media LLC. She is also the Creative Editor of Incredible Women of India and a resident editor with Readomania.

Her poems, stories and essays have appeared at numerous literary journals and anthologies, both in India and the US.  She is a regular contributor for Café Dissensus, Different Truths, Readomania.com. She has received the Reuel International Award 2016 for translation also a Certificate of Merit as part of the Reuel International Award 2015 for Writing and Literature. 

You can stalk her @

                        

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Book Review : Panorama by Shilpi Chaklanobis

Book- Panorama: A collection of short stories

Author- Shilpi Chaklanobis

Genre- Fiction (Short stories)

Publisher- Notion Press

Price- 150

Pages- 134



Blurb-

Panorama is a book containing fifteen stories of varied emotions and situations. Some relationships between a mother and daughter, an inner conflict in the mind of a professor, the gap between two friends etc are some of the thoughts that the author has brought in the book.



Title and Cover-

The title and cover can surely be loved after completing the book. The book this time compliments the other factors. The simplicity of the book is well matched with the name of the book and the serene background which is shown in the cover. With beautiful colours, everything is working in good way to make things better.



Characters-

There were few characters which were mysterious, beautiful and worth remembering. I can surely pick Rani, Vimala, Roma, Prabha, Swati, Kamla, Padma, Payal, Arnab and Martha. The characters were brought to life by the way author has weaved a story around their lives.



Review-

Fifteen great stories with mind blowing concept, I haven’t felt the same for any short story collection in a very long time. I can’t pick any one favourite story because all were complimenting the book in a really larger sum.

I was impressed at the very start with the story like “Wok”. It was so deep and down to earth that I almost felt an ache in my heart after I read the end. The characters, their conversations and the mood that the author was able to create were really beautiful. So many emotions were brought in front in few pages.

“The Thirst” made me a bit anxious for the lead. I so wanted the end to change but I knew that the essence could have only been brought in front due to this magnificent and well thought of climax. I really liked all the facts which the people like our main lead face. There is always this dilemma in them; this hope inside that everything is not that bad. This dilemma was well penned.

The story “Forever” is engrossed in my mind deeply. It was not any different love story but there was something in it that made it beyond any normal lines of worthiness. With a lot of serenity the author put in front the images of longing and gaps that comes in between different sort of relationships with time.

“The Wait” shows the real face of India in depth. I was touched by the simplicity of Kamla. She brings in front the sarcastic flow of our values. The end was unacceptable and that is the cherry on the top too. It can make you think deeply that which path you need to follow ahead, the one which is your own creation or the one that is made for you by others.

After this comes this dreadful story “The Second Tsunami”. It was one of a kind story and one of the best in the book. The transitions in the relationship of the two kids made me feel high. A well thought and well executed story.

“The Example” and “The Meeting” showed two different things at length. Firstly, the need of self satisfaction and secondly, the changes that the time can bring. You can never know how and why things change. Sometimes it’s for good and sometimes for the worse. Both the stories were very deep and analytical.

The author was at her best in “Mirage”. There was a lot of detailing in explaining the relationships and the way they progress from two point of views.

“Destiny” “The untimely death” and "Before it’s too late” were continuing the same legacy and were superb in their own way.

The author started well and ended magnificently with the story “The sealed wish”. I loved the way the story progressed and the intuitions, the magic were brought nicely in the story.

Summing up- The book was a great collection of short stories, ranging from emotions, relationship and lifetime lessons. From all the stories “Bribe”, “The sealed wish”, “Wok”, “The meeting” etc were some of my favourite ones.



Eye-catchers-

• “...the dust can only cover your memories for some time but the feelings that lay buried beneath them remain the same, forever.”

• “In the process of winning the race of life, he had forgotten the basic rule of living. You have to catch the spring before it’s too late. You cannot expect the freshness and aroma from a flower after it’s dried.”



Turn-on’s-

• A different concept and set of emotions in the stories.

• Great to the point stories with balanced starting and climax



Recommendation-

A wonderful collection of short stories the author has penned. Every story is better than the previous one. I can highly recommend it to avid readers.



About the author-

Shilpi Chaklanobis hails from the beautiful city of Kanpur and has spent the majority of her adult life in Delhi. She currently heads the digital marketing division at an MNC. She aims to translate her experiences and understanding of human relationships in to stories that not only move people but also resonate with them. This is her first endeavour as a writer.



Buy the book-

• Amazon Link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9352069668/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472713265&sr=8-1π=SY200_QL40&keywords=panorama+by+shilpi&dpPl=1&dpID=41dB10%2BAimL&ref=plSrch