sensubhadrika

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020

Rabbit, Duck, and Fox, in Natures lap and locks! : The World of Beatrix Potter!

‘Thank God I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality’ opined Beatrix Potter about her life, knowledge, and career. Her ideals rooted deeply from the world around her made her a multi-faceted writer, illustrator, designer, and environmentalist earning her a substantial name in the fields of mycology and nature conservatism, which in early Britain, was quite unusual for a woman to be known for. On the occasion of her birth anniversary, here.s presenting her residence-turned-museum to all the readers.

NPG P1825; Beatrix Potter (Mrs Heelis) by Charles King — Beatrix Potter Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

Lake District, Windermere, United Kingdom

Born 28 July 1866, Potter started out as a writer and illustrator of her books – thirty in total- twenty-three of which were for children. Her characters ‘Benjamin Bunny‘ and ‘Peter Rabbit’ among others have been made immortal by her illustrations and later through digital series, movies, theatre, ballets, musicals, and others. Her beloved holiday location Lake District became her home in the days to come when she bought Hilltop Farm on Bowness on Windermere with the royalties received from her book.

I have had the privilege to visit the Lake District, Windermere while I was studying in Manchester. The beauty and scenic locales of unparalleled beauty, rightly preserved for years by the consciousness of humanity, was an unforgettable sight. In fact, much of its preservation is owed to Beatrix Potter. Nestled between the natural beauty of lakes, waterfalls, winding flowering paths and the hilltop view lies Bowness on Windermere– the former residence of Beatrix Potter, which has now been remodeled into the Beatrix Potter Museum.

*The Entrance to the World of Beatrix Potter, as it stands now*

The museum equals being seeped into the pages of her books and living them in front of one’s eyes. Illustrations from her books and especially that of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny have been replicated down to the last details. From the naughty Peter Rabbit creating havoc in Mr. Mcgregor’s garden and being rebuked at, to Mr. Jeremy Fisher, the slightly accident-prone frog who sets out on an adventure; from the dilemma of Jemima Puddle-Duck to Mr. Tod, the fox reading a newspaper; each life-size model reminds the children and elders alike of the magic of Beatrix Potter. In her own words- ‘What heaven can be more real than to retain the spirit-world of childhood?’ indeed the museum acts as a heaven for children.

*Mr. Tod, keeping himself updated with the latest news*

*Jemima Puddle-Duck on her way to find a suitable place to lay her eggs*

Looks like *Mr. Jeremy Fisher already met with an accident…AGAIN!*

But that is not all! The Museum boasts of the Peter Rabbit Garden designed by Chelsea RHS Gold Medal Winner, Richard Lucas. Modeling on Potter’s belief of conservatism and environmentalism, the garden has been built with purely organic materials and farms local fruits, and vegetables. It doubles up as a kitchen garden and mouth-watering dishes made out these home-grown veggies and plants can be savored in the Café next door. But do be careful, “It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is ‘soporific’.

The world-famous Gift shop in the precinct ships Beatrix Potter merchandise to over fifty countries in the world. Potters characters have also been brought to life by stage artists who perform theatricals in the Old Laundry Theatre. The most famous show ‘Where is Peter Rabbit?’ has been running 2- 3 times a day for the viewers. And if you thought that was it, it is not! Children love the world of Potter and what better than celebrating their birthday’s or special parties themed on Potter? Keeping this in mind, the specially designed Laundrama has been hosting Potterific parties and special occasions for the people.

*No one leaves the Emporium without a new friend….. Neither did I*

The Beatrix Potter Museum serves as a time portal to her world. It reminds the readers of a distinguished woman with a sharp intellect and irrefutable love for nature. Throughout her life, she has claimed ‘If I have done anything, even a little to help small children enjoy honest, simple pleasures, I have done a bit of good’. Potter is not only remembered for her lively characters but also for the strength of power that she herself was. Numerous documentaries have been made on her life including a 1982 production by the BBC.

*Glimpses of her works presented digitally on loop*

Her principles in life teach all her readers quite a few lessons, the first being conservatism. Lake District, Windermere is one of the prime tourist destinations in the United Kingdom known for its natural beauty, much of which can be owed to the preservation policies of Potter. In fact, her local farming methods can be credited for the sustenance of various species of flora and fauna which would have been otherwise lost. Too few, in the contemporary world remember the importance of nature, else most usually take it for granted and abuse it. Post her death, her entire property in Lake District has been left in charge of The National Trust who continues to walk in her ideals of preserving nature.

Coming to the literary aspect, her very first book was a self-published work. But her growth in her scope of literature only accounts for the fact how well she matured as a writer and that self-publishing is parallel to publishing. As they say Content is King, so was true decades ago. Potter’s foray into illustrations, merchandise designing, farming has helped her to not only draw inspiration for her books but also made her an entrepreneur with several avenues of income. The ideals presented by Potter were relevant for generations to come and thus, even in the 21st century, children and elders alike marvel at the prowess of her creative imagination and the visual appeal of her words.

Potter’s books are widely available across all online and offline platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. It can also be ordered at your nearest bookstore. Currently, due to the grave crisis the world is in, Bowness on Windermere has canceled all its events. It is due to reopen with all safety precautions on 1 August 2020. Should all be well, a trip to this exotic world is a must!

My visit to Bowness-on-Windermere which was my first time at an author’s house-turned-museum brought questions to my mind about preservation. It is indeed true when we say that an author lives through his/her/their words and works but their residence, a prime source of their inspiration should also be equally protected and preserved. Visiting such museums only deepens the burning question in me – Are we doing enough to preserve what needs to be preserved or have we lost a huge treasure trove of knowledge already due to neglect and ignorance? I leave you with this question and would be happy to hear your comments on it.

Until next time……..

July 18, 2020

A Burning by Megha Majumdar

‘But this is no ordinary thief. This is a woman who attacked a train full of people. She killed, directly or indirectly, more than a hundred people. Now, the TV channels are reporting, she is silent in prison. She has granted no interviews. She has offered no details, and other than a confession, which she insists she was forced to sign, she has shared no information. She is protesting that she is innocent.’

Majumdar’s debut, A Burning, is a reflection of the classic dreams v/s ethics in a world where everyone is in a rat race to prove themselves. When Jivan, a young girl of twenty-two is arrested on the grounds of a simple Facebook text which is construed as a linkage to a popular terrorist group that burnt a train, killing hundreds at the Kolabagan Train Station; the readers get to see the true hypocrisy of the four estates of the State. Following her arrest, it is up to two of her acquaintances to testify and prove her innocence- the enigmatic Hijra, Lovely who dreams of one day ruling the screen with her acting prowess and her PT Teacher who saw the spark of a good athlete in her once. But will each testify proving Jivan innocent given that they have their own HUGE dreams in life? A Burning not only symbolizes the burning train which indeed creates a trickle effect and starts the series of events but also the burning within the hearts of the lead characters to excel, to be noticed, to be free, to be popular – a burning which is to stay with them forever, even after the flames have dried up.

The simple story weaved around Jivan’s arrest and her fight with the law bares open the very many loopholes in the system. From political dictates shaping the lives of people to dreams consuming a person into self-obsession; to reportage which often manipulates stories to add in the desired bit of masala to it to make it eye-catching are all relatable. It is interesting to note how all the characters represent the outcasts in society. Jivan being a young Muslim school dropout from the lower class finds it difficult to make her truth heard. Her economic handicap proves to be the biggest hindrance in making people aware of her situation. Lovely represents the transgender community and yet strives very hard to excel in her acting classes so that one day she can become a popular actress. Despite having talent, her identity hinders her from achieving her dreams. It is indeed a pure irony that those the society considers being capable of blessing children and couples at ceremonies have to beg to the same society for being considered at par as a human. PT Sir on the other hand is considered as one in the reduced ranks of teachers with only a handful of occasions like Republic Day to prove his abilities while adjusting microphones for school occasions for the rest of the time. His inferiority complex of trying to become more than a partial teaching staff is finally given vent to when he chances upon a political rally and gets absorbed into politics.

A Burning is a story of the evolution of characters, society, dreams, and most importantly, ethics. It is indeed remarkable to see how the characters are built up by Majumdar throughout the novel. Even though the world is considered as a social community or a society, at the end of the day, to each his/ her own prevails. This individualistic nature of mankind is purely circumstantial and one cannot but wonder after all who is to be blamed- the social oppressor or the individual oppressed. Every character has a back story that pushes them forward to behave in the manner that they did throughout the story. Even if one sympathizes with Jivan, one cannot but not support Lovely and PT Sir too. After all, don’t individual aspirations, dreams and success come before any community or social goal?

The hollowness of the four estates- Legislation, Executive, Judiciary, and Media – is beautifully portrayed in the novel. How each of them is intertwined, maneuvered, and manipulated keeping in mind the cause at hand. More often than not for some powerful sections of the society to succeed in their power retention, many unknown faces are made to become political scapegoats. Media on the other hand really does not ease the tension by knocking on the doors of the oppressed and asking several questions- sometimes obnoxious ones. They are often trusted by the victims but many times the truth is shattered behind the tools of editing in accordance with media policies and politics!

This powerful debut talks about the burning away of emotions and ethics more than the burning train. It is a burning of the cowardice of the common people to bask in the deceit of disillusioned glory and power. It is the burning away of one’s morals which are taken over by suppressed hunger for power and fulfilling personal desires. A much-recommended book that serves as a mirror to contemporary society and how it is nothing short of a chessboard where people are but mere pawns in the hands of the four estates.

Publisher: Penguin Random House

No. of Pages: 289

Available at Your Nearest Bookstore and on Amazon & Flipkart

Rating: 3.5 / 5

July 12, 2020

The Portrait of a Mother- Amma by Perumal Murugan

How often do we take our Ma, Mumma, Mummy, Mom, Aai, Amma, Ammi, and the numerous names that we call her, for granted? It is only during her absence that we recall her true worth. Perumal Murugan’s biographic novel about his mother, Amma, is an homage to motherhood. The story of a vibrant lady whose values are deeply rooted in the rustic, rural traditions, Amma stands as a metaphor of the saying Old is Gold in a constantly evolving world.

Remember Khushwant Singh’s Portrait of a Lady, Amma is today’s Portrait of a Mother. A village simpleton who excels in farming, household chores, natural remedies, and has a solution to every problem. She stands between Murugan and his father who share a strained relationship often butting in between to stop their fights and quarrels. Murugan’s mother is a pillar of strength and defines his relationship with the other family members.

Amma deals with a serious issue which most housewives in the village’s do- alcoholism. With Murugan’s father being addicted to alcohol it leads to a strain on the household finances. Amma takes to working doubly hard to make sure both her sons can continue their education, she can run the house sustainably, and most importantly she can cope up with the ever-growing medical bills of her husband. This leads to regular fights, abuses, cracks in the husband-wife relation but, Amma never lets such negativity come in the way of her family and destroy it. No matter how hard the situation is she fights with a smile and looks for ways to overcome it effortlessly without letting them influence the minds of her young sons adversely. But alcoholism is an addiction which corrodes the body and mind slowly and steadily, till it withers away. It claims Murugan’s father when he is only twenty years old and transforms his mother to join the white sari-clad women of the village.

Widowhood does not come easy to anyone especially those belonging to the generation gone by and from rural life. ‘If they dreamt about a woman clad in a white sari, they thought of her as Goddess Mariamman and rejoiced; but they didn’t approve of a woman in white appearing before them in person’. Such is the irony of being a widowed woman. The hypocritical society would only respect a woman till she is clad in red but the moment her husband dies, numerous traditions and rituals are forced on them. They are often isolated from the daily village norms and made to live a life following social distancing, embracing loneliness and away from the merry-making of the village life.

Through Amma’s eyes, Murugan describes the beauty of the rural community. A community constituting of farmers, the primary unit of food-givers for the Indian society; and yet how neglected they are as a community. The worse living conditions, lack of proper farming facilities and infrastructure, social and caste-based underestimation and bullying, ever-growing prices of food in the market and not to mention the several levied taxes often drive these innocent souls to claim their own lives to escape the burden of living. Yet, when the fields are nourished and nurtured by these very hands and grows beautiful yields many take to penning down their joy and emotions that they feel by looking at them. This is another situation in a polarised world where men find joy in the simple lifestyle and yet turn a blind eye when it comes to its preservation and upliftment in the society.

With time Amma grows older and gets used to living alone. She takes to loving her plants, utensils, house, and regularly works for their upkeep. She is fiercely independent and strong-willed. However, it is a universal truth that old age takes away the ability to perform various tasks and reduces the capability of working as before. But Amma having worked all her life endlessly finds it difficult to not work at all. She cannot and almost refuses to adjust to the newer surroundings where life has been made easier with the introduction of machines. She rejects any aid from anyone including Murugan as it becomes symbolic to her inactiveness and reflects her inability in certain cases. It also makes her overtly emotional with heightened sensitivity remembering her younger days. Elders are emotional and it is the duty of the younger ones to take care of their sensitivity and emotions.

Amma’s life has been that of a bittersweet fruit with its own moments of ups and downs. Her relations have taken different turns with each member of her family and yet she stands as a rock protecting them till all her life. Her ever smiling and ever young spirit needs to be commended by the readers. Murugan pens down about his mother but in doing so he has stirred the emotions of every reader and their relationship with their mother’s. Amma is quite capable of arousing buried emotions and sentiments for one’s mother through the journey of only a few pages. Sometimes, relations should not be taken for granted and Murugan beautifully reminds the readers of the same. Amma has been translated by Nandini Murali and Kavitha Muralidharan and without them, this beautiful story of a wonderful woman would not have reached hundreds of people.

No. of Pages: 191

Publisher: Eka, Westland

Available on Flipkart / Amazon

July 5, 2020

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata

‘But, Bull, is it just because we’re Japanese?’ Twelve-year-old Sumiko is still not aware of the true consequence of her being Japanese when she asks her older brother Bull this question. The happy-go-lucky girl-next-door, Sumiko lives with her grandfather, uncle, and his family and her own little brother. Sumiko’s family is into farming flowers and she finds extreme solace in learning the tips and tricks of flower farming. Not only she helps in the farm post-school but also dreams of owning a flower shop of her own. . . . till the Pearl Harbor incident!

With the news of the bombings, starts coming news of Japanese arrests in America. Those born in America but of Japanese nationality seemed to be fleeing away from the land towards safety. Sumiko’s dreams are crushed under the weight of nationality and war and she is taken out of school, her books are burnt, her family photo with her late parents are burnt too, to remove the trace of her Japanese identity.

The Japanese community starts feeling like caged individuals after losing their identity. The fear of oppression by the Government is always on their minds which leads them to lead frightening sleepless nights. Japanese were being tracked and removed from the social milieu. It isn’t much later that her grandfather and uncle are arrested as well and Sumiko is only left with her elder cousins as the men of the house, to look after her and her little brother. With the man of the house gone, Sumiko could only look towards an unknown future. They started selling off their possessions including their much-loved horse, Baba at peanuts. In due course of time, they are shifted to Poston, a refugee camp in the desert of Arizona.

It is only in the camp where Sumiko’s real struggle starts- a struggle which is most internal than external. With no school and work, boredom starts creeping in her mind. The restlessness of getting news of her beloved grandfather and uncle also makes her uneasy at times. This affects her psyche and she starts reminiscing her life at the farm amongst flowers, family, and friends. Most days she sits daydreaming about a life that is light years away from her. She escapes reality in those moments to live a life elsewhere in peaceful bliss before the shards of reality strike her again.

Amidst all this, the Government provides no aid by further censoring the news. With no one getting the full picture of the war, the anxiety and anticipation grow harder and impatience finds its way, resulting in people taking drastic measures for themselves. News of proper facilities that the Government would be starting in the camps remain as an illusion for the longest time and what was permanent was a claustrophobic space suitable for half-a-person with an overhead shelter where families of four of five live cloistered along with their scaly companions like scorpions, cockroaches, and rats!

But Sumiko is a girl made of hard mettle. Even in dire circumstances as a flower grows, she starts showing off her skills as a gardener and starts helping their neighbor grow a small flower garden of his own. This becomes her world and she enjoys gardening and accumulating things that would help in a better yield in the harshest of the weather conditions. This gives her a purpose to look forward to each day and count the days until she can be living life as a free citizen.

In the wake of all these, Sumiko also makes a special friend- a young American Indian boy. Geographically the refugee camp is placed on (American) Indian Land which signifies the dispute between the American Indians and the unlawful usurpation of their native land by the Government. Boys from the nearby homes often enter the camps to bully the children out of the angst of having lost their lands. Sumiko’s friendship blossoms with one such American boy. Will such a friendship last forever? With Sumiko coming of age, will friendship mature into a permanent relation? It is interesting to see. . . . .

Kadohata tactfully shows the consequences of war and ethnic discrimination through the eyes of a child and takes the readers on a journey of friendship, betrayal, loss, illusionary promises, bullying, and of course mental health. The novel lays bare to the readers the other side of war where the casualty is not often physical but that of mental betrayal.

Also, one needs to talk about the beauty of the one-word name of the book- Weedflower. One of the most neglected and often mistaken flowers of great use is the weed flower, similarly, hundreds like Sumiko- Japanese American – were treated like weed flowers- useful but neglected, respectable but made to survive in the harshest conditions; who despite lack of opportunities or infrastructure keep their respect and beauty. Weedflower truly sums up the conditions of hundreds like Sumiko who bears the wrath of war for no direct fault of their own.

Weedflower plucks a chord in the hearts of its readers and even though it was first published in 2006, it still resonates with many, fourteen years later. I would clearly request you to grab your copy or read it online as an e-book or audiobook, it is surely worth it!

No. of Pages: 260

Publishers: Atheneum, Simon & Schuster

Available on: Amazon / Flipkart / Storytel

June 28, 2020

Lovelocked? 8 Short Stories of Love by Debeshi Gooptu

Contemporary love is a maze of puzzles. Life isn’t as simple as the boy-meets-girl – girl-meets-boy scenarios of the past. Today, adjectives before girls and boys have made life complicated or maybe, with the spread of liberalism, made life easy. But all in all, emotions have definitely become more complex. While browsing through the Juggernaut App for some short stories, I stumbled upon this collection of shorts by Debeshi Gooptu. Each of her short stories explores a different angle of love. From college sweethearts to office romance to love post marriage- all themes are dealt with in her stories. In this post I speak about 8 short stories of first love, each highlighting a theme of friendship, infatuation, betrayal, loss, and much more.

The Magazine Seller: ‘Ever since I didn’t get a job after my graduation’ Ujwal has been selling magazines in the local train. It is there that he spots Ananya, a professor commuting via the Kalyani local to her University every day. Both are drawn towards the other despite their uneven economic backgrounds. Gooptu has beautifully brought in the current economic crisis in the country as a parallel to the love story. Hundreds of qualified youth roam jobless in the streets of Kolkata and other cities or defeated, take to menial jobs to support their families. On the other hand, there are several who choose to serve the people, even though they come from the crème de la crème of the society. Would Ujwal and Ananya’s growing friendship culminate in a relationship? One has to read The Magazine Seller to know.

Read here

First Day First Love: It is love at first sight for Durga when she enters her new office. Deep, a well-known journalist with the news company Durga lands an internship with; as well as her boss becomes the apple of her eyes at first sight. But does all that meets the eye is as is? What happens when the bubble of myth breaks? Does it leads to a new beginning or endures heartbreak? Infatuation is extremely common among teenagers and post-teens. It is such that it blinds a person and reduces their ability to rationalize the situation. However, more often than not, a person cannot be determined, understood, or judged by their appearance.

Read here

No Ordinary Crush: Sonali has always been very close to Anil Uncle, her father’s friend. What happens when years later she sees him in a different light? Is her attraction baseless or does it find reciprocation too? The author explores two significant themes in this story. When a close relation suddenly finds a new meaning, individuals like Sonali are at a loss trying to find an explanation to the situation. They find themselves cornered and claustrophobic for the mere reason that they cannot speak to anyone about it for the fear of being judged by others. Furthermore, is love truly bound by the shackles of age? Can an individual not fall in love with an older man or woman and yet live a peaceful and loving life with his/her partner? No Ordinary Crush leaves the readers to ponder about the norm of relations and whether truly they can be broken by lovers.

Read here

The Letters: Shefali, Rajat, and Sanjukta have been childhood friends. While Shefali and Rajat leave for the US to pursue higher studies, Sanjukta stays back. The three of them are in touch for over four years through letters. However, their last letters to each other turn out to be confessions of sorts, where the readers come face to face with each friend having something to reveal about themselves. These revelations do turn their relationship complex, but to what degree is a matter of time. Gooptu touches upon a theme so relevant and yet debatably accepted in society. Every individual has a right to choose the person they love; and love is not bound by age, caste, sex, religion, and the likes.

Read here

A Strange Connection: Akshay gets smitten by Swati from the moment his eyes fall on her during a late-night metro home. He starts finishing off his work quickly so that he can catch the same metro with her. However, Swati seems a reserved, quiet, shy, and quite a complex person; which is unnatural for a young college-goer who is often so full of life. Would Akshay be able to find out about the mysterious Swati? Would he ever be able to confess his liking towards her? An average college goer’s life is beautifully explored beyond the focal theme of the story. Today’s college students have a hundred things in mind besides studies- examination, results, competitions, achievements, parental pressure, peer pressure, early marriage, relationships, etc. These often form a heavy cloud of thoughts in their mind; which sometimes need immediate sorting out. At times, failure to do so might lead to disastrous consequences.

Read here

Don’t Stand So Close to Me: A college romance where the odd has turned against Anuradha, a middle-aged professor who is deeply drawn towards her student Sachin. Strangely it is music that binds them together and in one such musical soiree both comes face to face with a lot to say to each other. Gooptu raises a very pertinent question in this story about middle-aged single women and their needs. Every individual has a right to love and be loved. But it takes humungous battles with the self, the psyche, and the society to overcome the taboos and stand up for oneself in such situations.

Read here

Opposites Attract: Can love and competition co-exist? Anjali and Rajbir are journalists who started their careers at the same time in the same news company. While Rajbir started developing feelings for Anjali, she started developing feelings for an ambitious career. Would these two opposites ever feel the attraction? Would love win over ambitiousness? Opposites Attract highlights the beauty of modern-day corporates and their ability to magically push an individual into the web of ambition. This transition is so subtle that one fails to realize when he/she distances from the loved ones and enters a world of lies where every action is measured in an equivalent pound of reaction. But do such growths really add value to an individual’s life, or it takes them away from themselves?

Read here

An Imperfect Equation: Abha, a young college-goer gets smitten by her professor from the first day of college. All she can talk about to her friends his him, to the extent that she even thinks that this is how love feels. Would she ever muster the courage to tell her professor? Would her professor acknowledge and reciprocate the same? Developing a crush or an infatuation towards school/ college professors are very common in today’s society. While some relations do mature, some result in heartbreaks and yet others realize their foolishness and move forward. It is interesting to read how Abha’s story progresses.

Read here

Debeshi’s stories need to be seen as beyond love stories to understand the background and the society of the protagonists which hugely influences their actions. If you love short stories, then enjoy some nice love stories this monsoon and I will be back with few more recommendations soon.

June 20, 2020

7 Books to add to your Father’s Day TBR

“Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes.”- The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

Do you not think at times, that fatherhood is often neglected as compared to motherhood? The presence of a father in a child’s life is seen as a figure who leads the household, although this notion is gradually changing. His absence from the daily life of a child often brings in a distance between him and the child. But, the little values, discussions, debates, morals- consciously or unconsciously -instilled into the child by him, remains forever. This is beautifully reflected through literature which has seen some amazing father figures- whether it be the idealist from To Kill a Mocking Bird to the classic relation in The Book Thief or just memories of a father in the Harry Potter Series, one gets to see the different shades of fathers through literature. Ahead of Father’s Day, I type-down some of my all-time favorites which you might want to add to your TBR lists.

Finding Chika by Mitch Albom: A heart-touching memoir of Albom’s adopted daughter Chika. Albom pens down his journey as a father and how his daughter completes the vacuum in his family. He writes about how the presence of Chika changes him and gives birth to the father in him who is able to accept the new responsibilities which develop while embracing fatherhood. Their journey over the days and the lessons learned from each other makes it worth a Father’s Day Read!

Read the full review here

Publisher: Sphere, Hachette

Purchase: Amazon / Flipkart

The Man with Many Hats by Jael Silliman: Every individual has shades to his/ her personality and so does Morris. He is exuberant, illustrious, and tempestuous in nature. The Man with Many Hats marks the debut of Jael Silliman who beautifully explores the father-daughter relationship within the constraints of the disappearing Jewish community from the Kolkata society.

Purchase: Amazon

Tape by Steven Camden: Tapes are extinct! Isn’t that what comes to your mind when you hear about Tapes? But what happens when voices, especially of those no longer around, speak to you from Tapes. A story of love and loss, surpassing the time vortex, engage the readers in this novel by Camden. The narration fluctuates between the present and the past and instills knowledge and morals of the past to the present linking it through a Tape.

Read the full review here

Publisher: Harper Collins

Purchase: Amazon / Flipkart

Letters from a Father to his Daughter by Jawaharlal Nehru: For once, alienate politics from the life of the Nehrus and look at them as a father and a daughter. A series of letters written to Indira by her father took the form of an illustrated book years later- a book, which most children love to read. Nehru had always been compassionate towards children and thus, his writings are simple yet knowledgeable for every child and not only for his daughter alone. He traces the history, geography, coming of Neanderthals, race, and language, and more through his letters.

Publisher: Puffin, Penguin Random House

Purchase: Amazon / Flipkart

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig: An unthinkable story of a man who lives on for centuries in search of his only child, who is genetically similar to him. His search takes him to the streets of Elizabethan England, to the Jazz –age Paris, from New York to Australia- he sees it all. Does he ever find his child? Is it worth living with the burden of centuries? How does it feel to change identities and lose dear ones every few years – only so that you can survive the world? This book answers it all!

Publisher: Canon Gate, Penguin Random House

Purchase: Amazon / Flipkart

Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steel: I had picked up Hotel Vendome years ago after I had freshly recovered from the emotional jolt (in a good way) Sankar’s Chowringhee had left in me. Steel’s novel is so much similar to the latter’s novel. Growing up in a hotel, understanding its nuances, seeing the myriad hues of guests seeking accommodation, is a world on its own. It is interesting to see how Steel marks the development of a family inspired by and within the four walls of Hotel Vendome, their permanent home.

Publisher: Corgi, Penguin Random House

Purchase: Amazon / Flipkart

Continue reading “7 Books to add to your Father’s Day TBR”

June 14, 2020June 14, 2020

11 Sensational Books to add to your TBR List

With the country aiming for a smooth unlocking, book lovers have begun their book-hunting. From heart-warming rom-com to twisty thrillers, the publishing calendar is filled with exciting new titles that bibliophiles are eagerly waiting for. Be it fiction or non-fiction, books would leave you spoilt for choices. Pre-order, order or bookmark the below list of best books to read in the upcoming days. We are keeping our eyes open for 11 sensational books to add to your TBR list!

1. Cleanness by Garth Greenwell

First on the list comes a book in harmony with Pride Month! Cleanness, a much-anticipated book by Garth Greenwell, opens up to the narrator meeting a student in a cafe. The narrator is an American high school literature teacher in Bulgaria. The student is gay and struggles with his desires in a community where homosexuality is still not accepted. Cleanness thrums with life and invites its readers to a state of high intensity. The readers are sure to be moved by the story as they begin to understand the possibility of living life differently.

Released in January 2020

Purchase: Amazon/ Flipkart

Publisher: Picador, Pan Macmillan

2. Deacon King Kong by James McBride

The year is 1969 and the South Brooklyn neighborhood is shaken up by unexpected violence- a local drug dealer is shot by a shabby deacon. Deacon King Kong revolves around the repercussions of the shooting from different perspectives- the dealer, the members of the neighborhood, the witnesses, as well as the deacon’s parish. James McBride’s Deacon King Kong can be considered as a feverish love letter to the people and the writing industry. It is a plethora of events, lives, times as well as conversations. It is a book that is full of humor and compassion. The narrative is about the poor and flawed people who are trying to navigate an ugly and racist world with the help of their God, each other, as well as the bottle! The stories of these people are unique and universal at the same time.

Released in March 2020

Purchase: Amazon

Publisher: Transworld Publishers, Penguin Random House

3. The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel

The Mirror & the Light is the successful conclusion to the trilogy which Hilary Mantel begins with Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. She traces back the final years of Thomas Cromwell, a boy from nowhere who had climbed to power while offering a portrait of prey and predator. Mantel’s The Mirror & the Light also talks about a ferocious contest between the past and present, and between the royal will, to the vision of a common man, making way through passion, conflict, and courage. The novel brings the high-intensity action and drama that are much looked forward to by historical fiction lovers. The storyline brings to life Tudor England brilliantly, with its magnificent courts, jousts, costumes, and pomp along with the underbelly and back alleys of London.

Released in March 2020

Purchase: Amazon/ Flipkart

Publisher: 4^th Estate, Harper Collins

4. Afterlife by Julia Alvarez

After 15 years, Julia Alvarez has returned with a dynamic novel that explores the changing notions of a family. In Afterlife, Alvarez tells the story of Antonio, a retired professor. Antonio’s life is turned upside down by the death of her husband as well as the appearance of a pregnant teenager at her doorstep. Alvarez outlines the contours of private moral decisions that replicate our national conversation which prevents migrant communities from claiming their contributions to the country. Afterlife is a nimble, compact, and sharp novel that is set in the political moment of distrust and tribalism, talking about what we owe to those in crisis and how one can live in a broken world without losing faith in one another.

Released in April 2020

Purchase: Amazon

Publisher: Algonquin Books

5. The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante

The Lying Life of Adults tells a story about Giovanna, a teenager whose contradictions and transformations are matched by that of the city. Giovanna is searching for the true reflection of herself in two kindred cities that detest and fear one another: The Naples of Depths which is a place of vulgarity, and the Naples of Heights, that takes a mask of refinement. She keeps moving between these two cities and is disoriented by the fact that neither of these cities seems to offer an escape or answers. Elena Ferrante has been named as one of the most influential people of 2016 by TIME Magazine. She is also frequently lauded as a future Nobel Prize-winner. Ferrante has become one of the most acclaimed writers of the twenty-first century. In The Lying Life of Adults, readers would find a highly addictive, gripping, and unforgettable Neopolitan story, and don’t forget to keep your eyes on Netflix as it will soon come on-screen.

Released in May 2020

Purchase: Amazon

Publisher: Europa Editions

6. The Room Where It Happened by John Bolton

John Bolton served as the National Security Advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump for 519 days. Bolton was a seasoned public servant who had also formerly worked for Presidents Bush Senior, Bush Junior, and Ronald Reagan. Bolton has about thirty years of experience in handling international issues as well as a reputation for blunt and tough talk.

In The Room Where It Happened, he offers a factual and substantive account of his time in the administration which contains an explosive anecdote stating that the President wanted to continue freezing millions of dollars to aid Ukraine till the officials agreed to investigate on Biden as well as other Democrats. Bolton’s account contradicts the statement of the president’s lawyers, and he faces removal from the office. This memoir has a string of political tell-all, which includes “A Warning,” by an anonymous White House official.

Released in May 2020

Purchase: Amazon

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

7. Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

The protagonist of Sittenfeld’s new novel, Rodham, is Hillary Rodham and what her life would have been had she refused to marry Bill Clinton. In Rodham, Hillary’s early life is the same, be it the upbringing in suburbs, studying at Wellesley College, or attending a law school at Yale. She also meets Bill who is charming, unfaithful and has assault allegations against him. However, in Rodham, the story changes: Hillary Rodham leaves. Rodham is a moving, nauseating, morally suggestive, and a technically brilliant book that makes the readers think about the aims and limits of fiction. Rodham cannot be called fan-fiction; however, there is a steaminess in reading it, which satisfies the impulse of grief or fantasy.

Released in May 2020

Purchase: Amazon/ Flipkart

Publisher: Penguin Random House

8. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes narrates the 10^th Hunger Games in which the Academy students had been paired with tributes as their “mentors”. The story is about Coryo who is desperate to take advantage of the situation while hiding his poverty from other class members. He believes that his charm is his main “real currency”. In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Suzanne Collins narrates how Coryo needs to negotiate with the neglectful and hostile authority figures. She creates a prequel that is taking place in Panem, roughly 60 years before “The Hunger Games.” This is a part of Collins’s best-selling trilogy that has ushered a new phase in the Y.A. literature, earning the interest of both young as well as adult readers.

Released in May 2020

Purchase: Amazon/ Flipkart

Publisher: Scholastic US

9. Malorie by Josh Malerman

Malorie is a sequel to the successful Bird Box. Malerman brings the story of Sandra Bullock, a blindfold character who is led through a near-future apocalypse with the help of the trained ears of her children. This has become synonymous with the latest generation of horror stories. Malorie by Josh Malerman gained popularity after it was introduced to Netflix as a movie starring Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich. Malorie is expected to be an exciting story that would entertain its readers a lot. We may even get another Netflix movie considering the initial success of the first part.

Expected to Release in July 2020

Purchase: Amazon

Publisher: Orion, Hachette

10. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Gifty, a sixth-year Ph.D. student of neuroscience at Stanford University is studying the reward-seeking behavior of mice as well as the neural circuit of addiction and depression. Her brother, Nana, used to be a gifted high school athlete. He died because of a heroin overdose after an injury on his ankle left him dependent on OxyContin. Gifty’s suicidal mother is living on her bed making her all the more committed to discovering the scientific basis about the suffering that she sees around her. The Transcendent Kingdom is a touching story about the family of Ghanaian immigrants that were ravaged by addiction and depression. This grief-stuck novel is all about faith, religion, science, and love. Emotionally searing and exquisitely written, this is a powerful follow-up to Yaa Gyasi’s phenomenal debut.

Expected to Release in March 2021

Purchase: Amazon

Publisher: Penguin Random House

11. Untitled by Chelsea Manning

Untitled is a story of a former Army intelligence analyst, Chelsea Manning who was jailed for sharing classified information with WikiLeaks. She calls this memoir a coming-of-the-age story that outlines the factors that led her to leak those files, her jail experiences, and ultimately why she lost faith in the government. In Untitled, Manning talks about how her pleas for increased government accountability and institutional transparency took place as she fought to defend her trans-woman rights alongside. She also reveals her challenging childhood, the struggles she went through as an adolescent, the reasons for joining the military, as well as the pride that she took in her work. Manning also describes how and why she decided to share classified military documents with WikiLeaks. This powerful and observant memoir is sure to stand out as a definitive testament to today’s digital age.

Expected to Release in May 2021

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

*Owing to the current global situation, the release dates may change. But these books would definitely be available through various other online mediums. Stay Home, Stay Safe, and keep reading lots of books. For more such brilliant listings do not forget to visit Book Art – The One-Stop book blog for all the latest bookish information.

June 6, 2020

Girl Made of Gold by Gitanjali Kolanad

The debut novel of Bharatnatyam dancer, Gitanjali Kolanad is one of the most gripping thrillers I have read lately. The story starts off with a hunter finding a dead corpse near the jungle overlooking a holy village-temple. This is where the unputdownable story of a young Devadasi girl- Kanak starts unfolding. Kolanad’s expertise in dance widens the scope of descriptive storytelling throughout the book where the narrators at length describe the temple and the village, their facets, the hidden symbolism, and of course their life. The story progresses through the narration of its main characters and traces the cause of the disappearance of young Kanak coupled with the mysterious appearance of a golden statue that looks exactly like her. Girl Made of Gold highlights the Devadasi culture at its peak; and how young girls are betrothed to God and lead a life pleasing men. But sometimes, some things go wrong. . . . . . or right!

The story progresses as each character connected to Kanak mulls over her disappearance. Subbu, the young nephew of the village priest is set to find his lost friend; the village priest tries to leverage the situation by turning it into a tourist attraction; Vallabendran, the seat of the aristocracy of the village, is believed to have been after Kanak and win her as his latest possession, shows indifference; and Ratna, Kanak’s elder sister with whom her relations are sour is engulfed in her own world to care any less for her. A spectrum of characters has been introduced by Kolanad throughout the course of the novel and they have something to hide, which might contribute to her disappearance.

The novel brings to the forefront the ritual of Devadasi which has been traced predominantly in the Temple states of Southern India where a girl is married off to a God and is expected to lead a life of celibacy attending to the temple rituals and excelling in performing arts. However, with time, the ritual has seen many transformations and in some parts, it is being misused as a form of sex-slavery under the garb of a ritual. It is admirable that even in the 21^st century, people take to such rituals whole-heartedly or forcibly and make the decisions for young girls. Of late, various criminal activities have also gotten intertwined with the practice of forced Devadasi bringing it under the radar of Human Rights. It makes the readers wonder if a girl really wants to live the life of a celibate? Does she really want to be seen as the wife of a God? And what about pleasing men as it is considered that every man is a part of God and in doing so; she pleases her husband-God? With the ritual being the central plot of the story, the author compels the readers to think closely about it and yet does not define the moral grounds for the same.

Girl Made of Gold beautifully portrays female characters- their strengths, desires, and follies. It also highlights the way society looks at women. Kanak, talented, and attractive has only desired true love. But the world sees her as nothing more than a Devadasi, one who is meant to serve the Gods and men. Ratna lives the life of the ‘other woman’ as she is given away to Vallabendran, despite him being married. Devyani, the wife of Vallabendran is a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law, who knows of her husband’s illustrious nature and yet keeps quiet all through, serving him. Nagaveni, the matriarch of the Devadasi household holds true to the tradition without understanding how cruel she is to her girls. However, if she has been pushed towards this deep endless well of satisfying others from a young age; she finds it nothing wrong in choosing the same path for her girls.

Kolanad further talks about the innate nature of men and women. The deepest desire of a man or a woman’s heart is to desire human company. To turn it into friendship, love, care, or lust is the decision of the individual. Kanak, in her life experienced friendship and care from her friend, love from her admirer, and lust from the greedy vultures in the society. Only Kanak’s choice and to some extent her fate makes the decision for her. But the most important point put forward here is that all individuals- men or women- have a choice; it is only a matter of time, their values, and their feelings that lead them to choose one or the other.

The inherent idea of superstition which is most prevalent in the rural communities takes shape firmly in the story. The sudden presence of a golden statue where the village folks were expecting Kanak to be, elevates her status; similar to real-life reportage of idols drinking milk in India which had surfaced a few years ago. Faith and belief are gifts to humanity, but there also exists a fine line between them and superstitions and irrationality. While many would instill faith in irrationality, others may pounce on the opportune moment to take advantage of it, just like the village priest did to lift his position and that of the village, ensuring enough donations from the arriving tourists.

Kolanad has brilliantly depicted the rural life, its nuances, and most importantly the depths of human relations through Girl Made of Gold. It is indeed a page-turner and every page comes with new revelations that are bound to leave the readers wanting for more. The complex web of relationship, intertwined within the members of the Devadasi community, the villagers and the aristocratic household has been kept intact, all the while progressing with the mystery of Kanak’s disappearance.

Girl Made of Gold is definitely a recommendation if you are searching for a good book to read, explore, or love the thriller genre and Indian writing. And I’ m sure you would finish the book and take time to contemplate its brilliance for a while. Indeed a thriller such as this is rare to find and one must not miss the opportunity to grab it FREE from the Juggernaut App. I personally hope that it hits the bookstores soon as paper/ hardback too.

No. of Pages: 256

Publisher: Juggernaut Books

Available: Juggernaut App

Rating: 4/5

May 30, 2020

Kadambari Devi’s Suicide Note: A passionate memory of Love and Loss

It is strange that I started reading Kadambari Devi’s Suicide Note while one of the most terrible cyclones that West Bengal has ever seen was brewing outside. Post finishing it, I felt that nothing could have been more apt a time to read the book, for a violent storm in the heart of a woman is nothing less than the storm outside; only one causes damage to a select few and the other to far-away lands. Decades went by since the Thakur’s of Jorasankho were on the heights of the aristocratic hierarchy, but the passion that bloomed in the fortress of Nandankanan lives on and would continue to do so every time one would recall the strength of a woman’s love through Kadambari Devi.

Born to a purchase officer of Jorasankho, Kadambari was married off to Jyotirindranath at the age of nine. She found solace only in the writings and company of her young brother-in-law, Rabindranath. Their relationship matured over the years through friendship, banters, jealousy, affection, care, and love. But do all those who love ultimately reach the end? I talk of a woman neglected since childhood, married off at a time when children are supposed to enjoy their childhood, overlooked by her husband, insulted by the members of the Thakur family for her lowly status; and yet who overcame the obstacles and became a strong icon in history, for she had the compassion that most people lacked.

Kadambari Devi’s Suicide Note is not just her life-story, nor does it border only around her relation with Rabindranath. It talks about the entire family where ‘all are starved of love and caress, in the Tagore household.’ Rabindranath and Kadambari had much in common – age, liking towards literature, and broad intellectual mind. They had the freedom to discuss with each other what they could not with other members of the household. But, an unbearable distance seemed to have crept into this blooming relation once Rabindranath got married, a distance so unbearable that it leads to dire consequences. The Note shows the members of the Thakur family in a different light. A conservative family with a powerful and feared patriarch where women were mostly subdued. In fact, the blossoming friendship between Robi and Kadambari became the talk of the mansion to such an extent that the decision was taken to marry off Robi quickly, and the responsibility given to his Kadambari- an order which stung her heart. For Tagore did pen down ‘Take your leave from here, O Olden days, For a new game that has now begun’.

Her story delves back and forth with numerous instances and memories. These memories show subtle care, love, and longing; something which was considered taboo in those days. A passion described through the nuances of Baishnob Padabali, the act of love through the eyes of Radha-Krishna of Indian mythology. One can in fact draw parallels between the two stories- both couples found love and respect in their incomplete unison which formed the basis of redefining love for generations.

Through Kadambari, one can get a sense of vastness almost like that of empty space filled up with loneliness. Often times while reading the book, my mind searched for an answer if she was the inspiration behind Tagore’s Nastanirh (the inspiration behind Ray’s Charulata), after all, the situation in both the cases were uncannily similar- that of a wife being drawn to her brother-in-law due to neglect from her husband. The want to belong, the right to be accepted, and the want to be loved and give love which Kadambari could never get in her life seemed to be aptly reflected through Charulata’s story years later.

It is not an unknown fact that Kadambari Devi committed suicide, which was masterfully hidden by the house patriarch. But today, there are legends about her death. Some say her room once locked post her death has never been opened to date. Some say they can still hear a female voice singing in the Thakurbari or that of footsteps along the corridors. Many such stories have reached my ears too. I do not know because I never felt anything amiss and I do not want to remember her as a weak deranged woman who ended up her life because of neglect. I would like to remember her as a strong woman who developed feelings despite taboo for one man and wanted to preserve those memories in her heart till her last breath. She wanted to stay true to her love even though she understood that post-Robi’s marriage things would not be the same anymore. He would obviously be closer to his wife as was the norm and she, as I see it, thought it best for the relation and her life to end with sweet memories of her beloved captured in her heart and mind forever. After all, through theatre, she did say ‘This world, the sun, and the moon are my witnesses, you are my husband and I would repeat a million times that I am your wife.’

The much-debated note lays bare her story through her eyes for the world to read and listen to. One can also contemplate how Tagore’s literary works had such feisty and progressive female characters in tragic circumstances. From Chitrangada (Chitrangada) to Binodini (Chokher Bali), from Giribala (Maanbhanjan) to Mrinmayi (Samapti) and many more seemed to be the reflections of the strength, determination, courage, and passion professed by his once-beloved Notun Bouthan? Did he find a way to immortalize her traits through his pen? Did he keep her alive through his works decades after she died?

Kadambari Devi’s Suicide Note by Ranjan Bandhopadhyay is one of the bestsellers of Bengali literature published by Patra Bharati. It has been recently translated into English by Jhimli Mukherjee Pandey. Both the books are available online and once we go back to good old days, in the bookstores.

Publisher: Bee Books (English)

English version: Available on Flipkart / Amazon

Bengali version (through Patra Bharati): Available on Flipkart / Amazon

P.S, If you have read the book, do tell me if you had visualized Konkona Sen Sharma as Kadambari and Parambrata Chatterjee as Robi, even if for a minute in your mind’s eye?

May 23, 2020

Some Perumal Murugan Shorts Please!

With the stay-at-home routine becoming the new norm one has a whole new array of activities- work from home, household chores, reading new books, learning a new course, trying out a new hobby and spending time with family and pets that have been shelved off for too long, do add to the list if you have more activities in mind. For me, it has been mostly been catching up on my reading habits and with Juggernaut making its entire catalog freely accessible, I didn’t have to look too far, so I #ReadInstead. Being a fan of short stories, my first preference was to download a few by Perumal Murugan, one of my favorite authors. Having previously read his novels like One Part Woman, Poonachi, and others; I was keen to read his shorts. In this post, I talk about five of his short stories which I read and liked, you can find more in the short stories compilation called The Goat Thief.

The Well – Who could have thought that something as simple as a well can give so much joy to people- the young and the old. When three children invite a man to take a swim with them in the nearby well, it does not strike him that the experience will be unforgettable. One just needs to be courageous enough to take the leap of faith. Once that is accomplished, the vast expanse of the well is their playground. The cold water caresses the body providing relief from the scorching sun complemented by the occasional cool breeze. The isolation of the well from the rest of the world gives the much-needed seclusion that one longs for. BUT, sometimes a well has a mind of its own. ‘In fact, it is the well’s trickery. Its invitation to step in. If a man visits once, the well casts a spell that goads him to return again and again.’ (translated from Neer Vilayattu by N. Kalyan Raman)

Ask for the Moon- When an otherwise quiet and content child starts wailing one night, it brings thick lines of worry on the faces of the family. Is it a bad dream? Is the child thirsty or hungry? Has the child been possessed by some evil spirit? Does the child need medical attention? But when two gibberish words come out from the mouth amidst the loud wailings, the family leaves no stones unturned to identify and present the child with what it was looking for. A very relatable story which shows that parents are willing to go to any extent in order to fulfill wishes and to see that their child is having a comfortable life. It is only a matter of time to see whether such an attitude spoils the child or makes him/ her understand the worth of parents and respect them even more. (translated from Peridhinum Peridhu)

Sanctuary- It is said that a child inside an individual never dies no matter how old he/she grows. When a middle-aged man returns to his native village and finds his old friends are either entwined in the shackles of marriage or have become intellectual beings, he tries to find solace in locating a group of children playing in the well and befriending them. His ‘primary motive must have been to win back my childhood’ but transcending the age barrier especially when it means to join those who are younger is no less a challenge in itself. What is physically possible by children in terms of fluidity and flexibility is impossible by the physique of a grown-up man which leads to the existence of a divide- mentally and physically. Moreover, children often prefer to be more attached to those within the same age –group. Will they accept an older man among them? Will the knots of worldliness be undone? Will childhood overtake the persona of the man? Sanctuary is a story of letting go of the inner fear, shame, stigma, and prejudice to be able to complete ones transgression through age. (translated from Pugalidam by N.Kalyan Raman)

The Man Who Could Not Sleep- Muthu Pattar is a man famous for his sleep patterns. Going straight to sleep after a hard day’s work and waking up exactly when he wants to is his forte. But what happens when he suddenly starts showing signs of sleeplessness? Is it the village demon who has taken hold of him? Is he diagnosed with terrible insomnia? Is something in his unconscious mind worrying him that he has had to let go of his peaceful sleep? A simple story of how one man’s anxieties take hold of him and those around showing beautifully that sometimes problems are not only of those who are facing them but also for their dear ones. (translated from Kombai Chuvar by N. Kalyan Raman)

The Unexpected Visitor- The elders usually find a daily routine for themselves in the peacefulness of the village. They garner respect but are also victims of banters from the local men and women folk. Such is the daily life of Paati, till her granddaughter leaves her son Kunju with her. This changes the way she has been living alone for years and makes her adapt to all the changes that would ensure Kunju to have a comfortable life in the village. She starts making new dishes for him, worrying if he gets late while playing with his newfound friends, and tries to give him everything that he wants that makes him happy. It is almost as if she has a new objective in life. But with old age comes an enormous amount of self –doubt especially when it comes to taking the responsibility of a child. Will Paati ultimately be able to manage this responsibility or will self-doubt take the better of her? (translated from Veppenei Kalayam)

Murugan’s short stories reflect the simple village life but if you read between the lines of the instances, they are not –so –simple. Each story is bound to take you on a contemplating spree about life and the way we choose to live it. There are several other short stories by Murugan and you can read them in the compilation available on Flipkart, Amazon, and Juggernaut App.

So, Keep Reading until next time!