Book Review: My Hanuman Chalisa by Devdutt Pattanaik

Introduction

• ISBN: 978-8129147950
• Genre: Non-Fiction/ Mythological
• Publishers: Rupa Publishing
  
• Price: Rs. 295/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher)

Reflecting on one of Hinduism’s most popular prayer for positive energy, acclaimed mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik demystifies the Hanuman Chalisa for the contemporary reader. His unique approach makes the ancient hymn accessible, combined as it is with his trademark illustrations.

Every time we experience negativity in the world and within ourselves, every time we encounter jealousy, rage and frustration, manifesting as violation and violence, we hear, or read, the Hanuman Chalisa. Composed over four hundred years ago by Tulsidas, its simple words in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi and its simple metre, musically and very potently evoke the mythology, history and mystery of Hanuman, the much-loved Hindu deity, through whom Vedic wisdom reached the masses. As verse follows verse, our frightened, crumpled mind begins to expand with knowledge and insight and our faith in humanity, both within and without, is restored.

Behind the Book

Source: Goodreads.com

Book Review: The Collected Works of Homen Borgohain translated by Pradipta Borgahain

Introduction

• ISBN: 978-93-815-0-6967
• Genre: Fiction / Translated / Short stories / Novellas
• Publishers: Amaryllis Publishers
  
• Price: Rs. 599/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher)

Like all timeless masterpieces, these classic novellas and short stories by the renowned Assamese writer Homen Borgohain highlight at once the uniqueness and universality of human life. Carefully and sensitively translated by Homem’s son, Pradipta Borgohain, the works included in this collection are gems from Homen’s repertoire of fine writing. Whether it be the very famous novella Matsyagandha/ The Fisherman’s Daughter (now also a motion picture) or short stories such as ‘The Curtain and the Strom’, these stories show Homen’s keen understanding of the human psyche, relationship and society in general.

With ‘The Homecoming’, Homen gives us a very realistic glimpse into the mind of a married man and his stifling existence, and how he slowly learns to cherish what he had always had, giving readers an insightful look into sustaining relationships. In ‘A Servant of the People’, Ratna Goswami, an aspiring politician, in his attempts to cheat people is forced to have a taste of his own medicine. ‘Despair’ is a heart-wrenching account of the lonely existence of an old woman, and her attempts to keep going and find some meaning in the life through trivial pursuits.

Rooted in realism, steeped in irony and underlined with humour and pathos, these are stories that are sure to leave an unforgettable imprint on the mind.

Behind the Book

Source: Goodreads.com

Book Review: The Lovers- A Novel by Amitava Kumar

Introduction

• ISBN: 978-9386021007
• Genre: Fiction 
• Publishers: Aleph Book Company
  
• Price: Rs. 599/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher)

The Lovers is about a man in search of a love story. This man, our narrator, is Kailash—a new immigrant, eager to shine. His friends teasingly call him Kalashnikov and sometimes AK-47, even AK. In his account of his years at a university in New York, AK takes us through the bittersweet arc of youth and love. There is discovery and disappointment. There are the brilliant women, Jennifer and Nina and Cai Yan. There is the political texture of campus life and the charismatic professor overseeing these young men and women, Ehsaan Ali (modelled on the real-life Eqbal Ahmad) manifest in AK’s first years and first loves is the wild enthusiasm of youth, its idealism, chaotic desires and confusions.

A decidedly modern novel that melds story and reportage, anecdote and annotation, picture and text, fragment and essay, The Lovers reminds us of the works of John Berger and Teju Cole. Funny, meditative, and shot through with waves of longing, the book explores feelings of discomfort about cultural misunderstandings and the lack of clarity between men and women. At heart though, it is an investigation of love—‘love despite, or in spite of; love beyond and across dividing lines’.


Behind the Book

Source: Goodreads.com

Behind the Book - Sanjana Chowhan

 

Book Review: This House of Clay and Water by Faiqa Mansab

Introduction

• ISBN: 978-0670089420
• Genre: Fiction/Drama
• Publishers: Penguin Random House
  
• Price: Rs. 499/-  

Set in Lahore, This House of Clay and Water explores the lives of two women. Nida, intelligent and lonely, has married into an affluent political family and is desperately searching for some meaning in her existence; and impulsive, lovely Sasha, from the ordinary middle-class, whose longing for designer labels and upmarket places is so frantic that she willingly consorts with rich men who can provide them. Nida and Sasha meet at the famous Daata Sahib dargah and connect-their need to understand why their worlds feel so alien and empty, bringing them together.

On her frequent visits to the dargah, Nida meets the gentle, flute-playing hijra Bhanggi, who sits under a bargadh tree and yearns for acceptance and affection, but is invariably shunned. A friendship-fragile, tentative and tender-develops between the two, both exiles within their own lives; but it flies in the face of all convention and cannot be allowed.

Faiqa Mansab's accomplished and dazzling debut novel explores the themes of love, betrayal and loss in the complex, changing world of today's Pakistan.

Behind the Book

Source: Goodreads.com

Book Review: The Wise Man Said by Priya Kumar

Introduction

• ISBN: 978-819-3391-204
• Genre: Non-Fiction/Self Help
• Publishers: Books that Inspire
  
• Price: Rs. 299/-  ( I got the book for review from the author)

Sammy is an 80 year old billionaire, who finds himself at the peak of his success built on a mountain of sacrifices. He decides to participate in a life he missed to live. Eleven months in a year he leaves behind his identity and money and allows his curiosity and his willingness to experience anything - death even, to take him on life changing adventures and experiences across the world. Loaded with wisdom, surprise, humor and an eagerness to embrace life, The Wise Man Said is a collection of twelve such adventures of Sammy, where his journey becomes his greatest achievement - a life well lived.

Behind the Book

Source: Goodreads.com

Book Review: Feel, Deal & Heal by Nirmal Yadav

Introduction

• ISBN: 978-81-7599-4454
• Genre: Non-Fiction/Self Help
• Publishers: Fingerprint Publishing
  
• Price: Rs. 250/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher)

‘Ignore the Heart and Listen to Your Mind’ is the popular belief. Easier said than done!

Man is a social and emotional creature. Be it the professional or the personal sphere, emotions are the driving force behind all our thinking, behavior and actions.

The problem is that we are the product of a dysfunctional society that teaches us to be ashamed and afraid of our feelings and trains us to suppress not express.

Emotions that are not felt and dealt with, use a lot of our vital energy and create a sea of unhappiness in our lives. The more we ignore and run away from them, the bigger they get and take us further away from happiness. In fact, our happiness quotient depends on how well we understand our emotions and how effectively we deal with them. Not being afraid of our feelings and taking responsibility for them is the first step towards happiness. The body and the psyche are major concerns while dealing with the situation. The clearer we are about why we are feeling the way we are feeling, the happier and healthier we will be—both physically and mentally.

This book will help Feel, Deal and Heal your mind, your heart and your feelings and show you how to learn to be happy!!

Behind the Book

Source: Goodreads.com