There are some books, very rare, that grab at an issue and twist it until it’s nothing but a bunch of bare threads. Everything that constitutes it is out in the open – circumstances, decisions, relationships, reasons, strengths, weaknesses, heartbreaks – all of it. For us women, especially, each of these threads are as important as the other, because we simply cannot afford to be shortsighted. And yet, push us far enough and we will harness all our strength and push back so hard, you’ll find yourself questioning your reality. Putting all of this – a complex web of feelings and thoughts and decisions – into one book is a feat in itself. And Rajasree Variyar does it in fabulously in The Daughters of Madurai.
Tag Archives: Contemporary Fiction
All for the Game Trilogy by Nora Sakavic | Book Review | #Blogtober22 – Day 17
There are some books that enter your life just like that but leave lasting impressions on you. They might not be what you’d prefer to read but they’re strong enough and sure enough in themselves and the lessons they are giving you that you appreciate them for what they are. I came across one such trilogy a couple of months ago when I read the All for the Game trilogy by Nora Sakavic. The name of the trilogy might seem all easygoing, all in fun. But trust me, it’s got the heaviness of a thousand truckload of bricks raining down on you.
Slices of Life by Richa Gupta | Book Review
Richa Gupta’s Slices of Life is a collection of short stories that span different genres and explore various facets of the human personality and psyche in a manner that makes you think and speculate and introspect about where we as humans come from, and where we are going. There are stories in there that can be classified as futuristic fiction, there are those that are domestic fiction, those that are contemporary fiction, those that talk about women empowerment, about familial relationships, friendships, romances, and daily life, and a whole lot more that you will probably be surprised to find in there.
The Worst Daughter Ever by Aarti V Raman | Book Review
I have never read a book by Aarti V Raman before. She’s been on my radar, but I’ve never gotten the chance to read her work before. But this time, I did pick up one of her books and now, I know that any time I want to read a well-written romance by an Indian author, I’m going to go and read one of her books. And that’s all thanks to The Worst Daughter Ever!
You Are A Star by A R Dara | Book Review
You Are A Star is a book that talks about a lot of things that Bollywood is “famous” for – the power games, the actual power behind the power bosses, the struggling newcomers, casting couch, the underworld, nepotism. It shows the beauty of struggling to come up, while also showing Bollywood’s gross underbelly.
Because Its Love by Kishore Nanda | Book Review
If you like reading love stories with different shades and different layers to it, then Kishore Nanda’s ‘Because Its Love’ could be a book that could appeal to you.
What Mina Did by Geeta Menon | Book Review
I had seen this book doing the rounds of Bookstagram a while ago and going by the reviews and the blurb, it looked like an intriguing read. And I’m glad I finally got to read it. Here’s my review of a book that encompasses different emotions, relationships, and the intricacies that exist within them.
Life in the Sunshine by T. Sathish | Book Review
When you say ‘cricket’ in India, there’s a sense of euphoria and loyalty that permeates the atmosphere, along with a brightening of the eyes. This sport affects so many people and shapes their lives into what they finally turn out that it simply becomes a part of them. They could go on and on for ages expounding knowledge about the sport, analyzing it, and playing it with a zeal that becomes so hard to find most times. And Life in the Sunshine: Autobiography of an Unknown Cricketer is the story of three such people: Sat, Sam, and Trib, called the Triple Sundae.
Snakes in the Meadows by Ayaz Kohli | Book Review
‘Snakes in the Meadows’ begins with a letter that I felt, for some insane reason, was accusing me of being ignorant and unwilling to take action. It was a personal jibe when I first read it. And I didn’t understand why such a letter was addressed to me. Here’s a couple of lines from the letter:
“I can’t believe that you’re unaware of our misery, oblivious of our suffering. And if you indeed don’t know anything, well, you don’t deserve to.”
Bestseller by Ahmed Faiyaz | Book Review
The publishing industry, especially in India, is one that is fraught with uncertainty. Which book will be accepted? Which will go through the process? Which will be a success? Nobody knows. Not even the people who back them. But when things do click and books become blockbuster hits, there’s no looking back for the author as well as the publishing houses. Because isn’t it what every book-related person lives for? Isn’t it a dream to write, and help a book become a bestseller?
The Melodramatic Bookworm 