Saturday, 27 April 2019

Silver Hair Sins

Silver Hair Sins
Author : Saumick Pal
Publisher : The Write Place
Pages : 166
Price : 249/- INR
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars
Blurb :
Silver Hair Sins is one of India’s first visual-fiction, with more than half of the thriller narrated by cinematized photographs.
It is set in the future, at a time when religio-politico divide reaches its tipping point, and technology steps in to save humanity. An Artificial Intelligence (AI) merges All Religions to create One God AI.
BUT, WHAT IF THIS GOD AI IS MISGUIDED?
This gripping story is of a family – Mary, Azad and Aasma – as they grapple to survive the dystopian world of Murder, Manipulation, Sacrifice and Love.
Silver Hair Sins is a stark social commentary about today where aspects of religion are being selectively chosen by political and religious leaders, only to create and then exploit our differences.
SO, HOW DO WE EXPOSE THIS DARKNESS?
We need an excuse to flare an unsensational debate on Fanaticism, Intolerance, Apathy, Patriarchy and Hypocrisy, in our drawing rooms and cafeterias. Silver Hair Sins begs to be that very excuse.
Review :
An excellent read, thought provoking and insightful.Absolutely loved reading and leafing thru this book. Anyone who loves sci-fi will totally loved this book. The real beauty of this book are illustrations and unique storyline. I can't say much without giving the plot away, but this is a very very strange story expertly told without a single wasted word.The story revolves around Akbar , Meera , Azad , Aasma and Mary. Set in near future.Sinners were divided and they were controlled by the silver chips placed in their body which runs on AI ( Artificial Intelligence) CROSP ( Criminal Reform one silver Programme).The book takes a dig at issues and problems exist in society.( religion, caste,  gender inequality etc.).The cover of the book compel you to pick it up. Title is apt to the story. Language of the book is simple and easy to understand. Definitely a good summer afternoon read.
Highly recommend.

Monday, 22 April 2019

A Case Of Connections

A Case Of Connections
Author : Sayan Bhattacharya
Publisher : White Falcon Publishing
Pages : 239
Price : 285 INR
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars
Blurb :
During the late 1930s, an ambitious young Satyen embarks upon an apprenticeship opportunity, fuelled by his aspirations, leading him halfway around the world. He embraces the unknown and shapes his own destiny, as life throws him into challenging circumstances time and again in a foreign land! Naming a new-born grand-nephew with a less locally familiar English name, at the end of 1974, and leaving sketches of his life hidden away in a puzzle, Satyen remains an enigma to all who had known him! Who was this man... What steered his fate... What became of his dreams? ... Decades later, only fate can influence any rediscovery of the real Satyen, if such an occurrence could ever arise... Based on the true story of Satyen’s life, adventures, dreams and beyond, the novel captures the panoramic history of a family flung across geographies and spanning eight decades, in changing backgrounds and circumstances. The novel is also an insight into the stories of Atul and Andy, both related to Satyen, a generation beyond, who grow up in different times and geographies. The only thread that binds them is their strong passion to re-discover Satyen’s life story and to complete an unfinished family picture! Each in their own way embark upon a journey to connect…. Their travels and unwavering will in this new voyage of discovery, decades later, undertake search trails in Brussels and London where they literally walk in the footsteps of Satyen and re-construct his life. In a series of connected stories and characters, ‘A Case of Connections’, crosses the world from Calcutta to Leeds, London, Brussels and beyond to Ardee in Ireland, revealing how personal aspirations, conflicting ideologies, family emotions and relationships stand the test of time to finally reach the pinnacle of an unbelievable outcome!
Review :
Sayan Bhattacharya is such a good writer, not only does he have an amazing imagination that carries him to places but he is very skilled at writing. The description in the book are absolutely good. The story is revolve around Satyen , Andy and  Atul. The book contain 21 chapters, divided in five parts. This book beautifully discussed one emotion which is not so often discussed is that of expatriate guilt. The emotion and feeling and side effects of moving abroad. Atul and Andy characters are beautifully written.The narrative is smooth and has visual imaginary but lack uniqueness. Book is series of connected stories and characters. Going from places to places author beautifully covers all the city. From Calcutta to Leeds to Brussels to London. Title and cover of the book is apt to the story. Language is simple and easy to understand. If you are looking for a bit of curious adventure. Go for this book.
Highly recommend.
** This review is a part of the Blogchatter book review program **
https://www.theblogchatter.com/links-submission/a-case-of-connections/

Friday, 12 April 2019

Vanara

Vanara
The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva  And Tara
Author : Anand Neelakantan
Publisher : Penguin India
Pages : 309
Price : 350 INR
Buy: Amazon India
Rating : 5/5 Stars
Blurb :
Baali and Sugreeva of the Vana Nara tribe were orphan brothers who were born in abject poverty and grew up as slaves like most of their fellow tribesmen. They were often mocked as the vanaras, the monkey men. Sandwiched between the never-ending war between the Deva tribes in the north and the Asura tribes in the south, the Vana Naras seemed to have lost all hope. But Baali was determined not to die a slave. Aided by his beloved brother, Sugreeva, Baali built a country for his people. The capital city, Kishkindha, became a beacon of hope for emancipated slaves from across the world. It was a city of the people, by the people, for the people, where there was no discrimination based on caste, creed, language or the colour of skin. For a brief period in history, it seemed as if mankind had found its ideal hero in Baali. But then fate intervened through the beautiful Tara, the daughter of a tribal physician. Loved by Baali and lusted after by Sugreeva, Tara became the cause of a fraternal war that would change history for ever.
The love triangle between Baali, Tara and Sugreeva is arguably the world's first. Written by Anand Neelakantan who gave a voice to Ravana in Asura, Duryodhana in the Ajaya series and Sivagami in the Baahubali series, Vanara is a classic tale of love, lust and betrayal. Shakespearean in its tragic depth and epic in its sweep, Vanara gives voice to the greatest warrior in the Ramayana-Baali.
Review :
Vanara is a pure delight. I am constantly in awe of Anand Neelakantan. This book is a epic journey. Author is a superb storyteller with a vivid imagination. The book revolve around Baali the vanara king, Sugreeva ( Baali's Brother) and Tara Baali's wife. Story has everything Love, envy and betrayal.The characters were beautifully depicted. The cover of the book compel you to pick it up. Language is simple. The author demonstrate convincing insights into a thorough range of emotions.This book can be enjoyed by all age groups. A very well written book.
A must read. Highly recommend.