Skip to main content

Posts

Book Review: The Ayan Triangle by Avinash Ashu

Recent posts

Book Review – Valmiki Ramayana: A Commentary by Lakkaraju Ananta Rama Rao (Three Volumes)

Among all famous versions of Ramayana that are being narrated and circulated across the world for ages, Valmiki’s Ramayana tops the chart for its veracity and originality. Valmiki and Vyas are considered two top-notched poets from India that recorded and wrote the greatest books of the world ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ respectively in their eras. Today our literature arenas are abundant with retellings and various versions of storytelling and commentaries pertaining to Ramayana. In light of spreading of the most original text and commentary, late Shri Lakkaraju Ananta Rama Rao did meticulous study and research on Ramayana for decades. The book Valmiki Ramayana – through three volumes – is a monumental task in commentary literature. His volumes of commentary brilliantly sketch all characters and their roles and the splendor and magnificent of courts and kings with immaculate cultural scope. The book volume delves deep in Ramayana from all angles of events referred as Kandas . The

Book Review: The Book of Sevens: the Mountains by A R Vikram

Couldn’t believe that this could be so much fun! Oh, how this book charmed me with its pesky characters and the magical book that deliberately threw them in adventures beyond their age…yet they managed to set everything all right for needy people on those mountains and around them. It was a sheer delight the way these kids got to navigate through the world, on different countries, on mountains, met with many people from time unknown to their consciousness. Do any of the stories of the mountain entice you? I liked that Iran story, it was like direct head-on with that monster snake, saving those brothers, and their village. Superbly built on imagination and some old folklore! The stories of three kids, in home and outside, were funny, tender and heart-wrenching. No matter these were kids, unlike Enid Blyton, they have had their own share of grief and pitfalls in family. It was an earnest picture of attraction and all the associated complexities. The second concurrent theme of the novel w

Book Review: Find Some Hope by Nida Fatima

Find Some Hope by Nida Fatima is short autobiographical book, kind of memoir of a young woman who traces back her life from school time to finding a caring husband and beyond. Every one’s life goes through ups and downs, well some give up, but a few determined souls fight and bounce back like a phoenix. Her story of grit and mettle inspire us and show as how one can rise up from the crutches of depression to fulfilling a meaningful existence. Right at the beginning, the author being honest about her medical condition, she draws up curtains from Bipolar disorder. The book guides readers what the Bipolar disorder is and what are its symptoms and how does it affect all spheres of life. The author carves out specific taboos and issues that run amok in our societies like ignorance of the girl child, dowry and marriage pragmatism, and most importantly a woman has to go through suffering and pain in a patriarchal dominant society. The author was good at sports, has had her own issues with men

Book Review: The Water Veil by Nikhil D. Hegde

Nikhil D. Hegde’s enchanting debut novel ‘The Water Veil’ is a literary masterpiece wrapped up in ancient mythology, ritual symbolism, and the arcane mysteries of a hidden valley with esoteric waterfalls. The story, dazzling in its prowess and stimulating narrative, traces out the protagonist Leela’s family lineage with enigmatic waterfalls in a valley, which she has almost forgotten while being busy with her life in a city. To feel that family’s hidden connection with the waterfalls that offer visions to divers, she travels from her city towards the valley in search of answers for herself. But little did she know that a chance encounter with the maze of intriguing lies and unchecked truths will nudge her rooting for her daughter’s life. For her, what starts out as a mere journey in the valley turns into a discovery of shimmering evocation. As she delves deeper in the mired myths of the valley, the author skillfully peels back layers of sweeps and ancient traditions associated with

Book Review: The Emphatic Melodies of Life by Amaysha

What struck me most about this collection is its unfiltered honesty. Amaysha fearlessly explores the tumultuous landscape of human emotions, laying bare the raw agony and beauty of life’s experiences and bittersweet nostalgic moments and memories. As the title has melodies, indeed the lyrical prose stunned me with its musical notes lurking everywhere, in each poem. The author must indeed have musical connection in her life. As music inspired her, moved her, reciprocated with her, the influence is astounding. Listening to the music, To the old lost tune, The melodies, For which my heart still yearns, And which make me take a leap.   Slightly random and abstract, yet the collection is deep and rich…the book doesn’t lend a window to the life of the poet nor it’s an introvert heart’s musings. It is way much heart-winning poetry collection.   You lit the fire, Into my darkest world, Little did you know, That its these melodies that mesmerize me…   The poet, the maste

Book Review: Triansh & the Land of Immortals by MYST

Triansh & the Land of Immortals by MYST is a light engrossing YA fantasy novel that subtly blends streaks of mythology, sci-fi, and fantasy to deliver a power-packed story of three young protagonists and their chance encounter with unconventional visitors in the snowy chilling realms of higher Himalayas. Three friends from Dehradun, have nothing much to do after their exams, thus they decide a trip to the higher part of the Himalaya in Uttarakhand. Their destination is Moksha Parvat, they begin in their car with getting patronage and support from their uncle enroute and a few local helpers for their mountaineering expedition. The guys are Aditya, Akash, and Arun. What begins as fun for them soon turns into dreadful adventure. In the night Akash loses way to the camp. When others commence a search for him, they not only risk their lives but also send shivers of fear to their helper. Anyway the story chugs ahead from light adventure to mystical convergence when they stumble upon Ma