Book Review: Love in the Time of WhatsApp and Other Stories by Various

Title: Love in the Time of WhatsApp and Other Stories

Author: Various

Publisher: Juggernaut

Love in the Time of WhatsApp and Other Stories is Juggernaut's first digital to print anthology. It is collection of 12 stories where love has found, or un-found, fruition holding the hands of technology. The stories have a recurring theme that projects how technology has changed the way we love and even find love.

With smartphones replacing every other form of engagement in our lives, instant messaging has become the primary mode of communication for many people, especially for those involved in romantic relationships. This collection gives a tiny peek at this phenomenon.

All the stories are non-taxing; there are neither heart-racing disaster dramas nor wrenching emotional excavations in this collection. However, every story entertains or makes us think. Some more so than the others.

My personal favourites are ‘Wi-Fi Love,’ ‘Rent a Husband,’ and ‘Mrs Good Luck’ among others. Though ‘Chrysanthemums in Springtime’ doesn’t conform to the theme, it is nevertheless a good read. ‘TTYL’ made me realize how lonely we’ve all become even when the world is just a click away. 'The Glitch' got me quite worried while thinking where the world's headed.

Simple language, a conversational style, and relatable circumstances makes this anthology an easy read. Think of those utterly boring commutes and pick up this book. You won’t have wasted your precious reading time.

The anthology is a collection of entertaining and engagingly written tales that will please fans of its genre.

The twelve writers included in this anthology are some of the most popular authors on the Juggernaut app. Most of them were discovered on the Juggernaut writing platform.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in

Book Review: Shakuni – Master of the Game by Ashutosh Nadkar

Title: Shakuni – Master of the Game

Author: Ashutosh Nadkar

Publisher: Juggernaut

Ashutosh Nadkar’s ‘Shakuni – Master of the Game’ is a retelling of the Mahabharata from the perspective of one of the important antagonists, Shakuni. The novel explores the circumstances that made him one of the greatest villains in Indian mythology.

It is always exciting to know the backstory of an otherwise neglected character in an established myth. In this case it is Shakuni. The crown prince of Gandhara, Shakuni is often credited as the mastermind behind the Great War of Kurukshetra. He was considered the greatest illusionist of that era, second only to Lord Krishna. But is he really the bad guy? Or is he a man who has been wronged and only tries to punish the wrong-doer? In this book, Nadkar gives voice to a hitherto misunderstood, and supposedly vile, character

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Personally, I never thought about this side of the narration that Nadkar has put forth. I’ve always thought of Shakuni as evil and I’m sure so have many others. This book shows otherwise. We mustn’t forget that every coin has two sides. So does every incident. Upon reading the book, I found that Shakuni has a lot of redeeming qualities. It not only diminished the negativity associated with him but also evoked in me sympathy for him.

That Nadkar knows the Mahabharata well is obvious in his treatment of his characters, both important and inconspicuous. He keeps true to the original story and only changes the point of view of the telling.

For Nadkar, Shakuni is tragic rather than evil. He lets the latter raise certain questions in the novel— why all his schemes are seen as treachery even today while Kaurava adviser Vidura’s are considered ethical strategies and Pandava tactician Krishna’s are regarded divine play. Shakuni asks himself and the reader: “Was I the vilest of villains in that epic story?”

However, the book reads like a lengthy explanation by Shakuni. True, he has been wronged. But in this retelling the writer doesn’t let him shoulder any responsibility of his actions. Shakuni is shown to be doing the bidding of fate. In doing justice to this misunderstood character, Nadkar overlooks the fact that Shakuni did exact his revenge using his cunning. But he also lets Shakuni acknowledge the biggest mistake of his life: that he did not condemn Duryodhana’s behaviour with Draupadi after the game of dice. Nadkar lets Shakuni end his life on a philosophical note.

A passionate re-telling of the timeless Mahabharata and the literary characters it produced.

Ashutosh Nadkar is originally from Madhya Pradesh. He has been active in print, television and web journalism for the past two decades. He is currently working with the Network18 group as an associate editor.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Twitter

Book Review: Ba’az of the Bengal Lancers by Uttiyo Bhattacharya

Title: Ba’az of the Bengal Lancers

Author: Uttiyo Bhattacharya

Publisher: Juggernaut

Uttiyo Bhattacharya’s “Ba’az of the Bengal Lancers,” set against the backdrop of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, is in essence the story of a huge treasure and the chase for it. Cloaks, daggers, and hidden messages abound in this potboiler.

 

Following the death of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Bayaz-ud-din Waris Ali Khan Bungalee of Hodson’s Ghost-Scouts becomes the sole guardian of a priceless treasure. Unsure of what to do with this treasure, Ba’az leaves behind traces and clues for those brave enough to find it. 

Several decades later, a young architect—the unnamed narrator and second protagonist of the novel—stumbles upon this secret. He decides to chase history, thereby discovering the lost treasure. The story follows his quest for this timeless treasure. While his friend Jami’s Dada-jaan becomes his first source in this quest, it is the encoded diaries belonging to Ba’az that invariably prove the most helpful.

Bhattacharya graphically recounts the happenings of 1857 through a medley of real and fictional characters. He borrows heavily from all of literature to spin this page-turner of his. While the story itself reminds one of the movie National Treasure, the description of pre-independent India evokes before one’s eyes scenes from Thugs of Hindostan. Even in characterization, his Dost Akbar, Iqbal, and Abdullah are reminiscent of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis from The Three Musketeers. But the sincerity in the author’s voice is what makes the book interesting.

A well told tale of exploration in which history is the MacGuffin.

Uttiyo Bhattacharya is an architect, writer and design producer. He has worked on theatrical productions as an actor, on museum and cultural projects as design manager and on classified military installations across geographies as architect of record. Ba’az of the Bengal Lancers is his first novel.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Twitter

Book Review: The Prince by Samhita Arni

Title: The Prince
Author: Samhita Arni
Publisher: Juggernaut

A historical fiction, ‘The Prince’ is author and illustrator Samhita Arni’s fourth book. It is based on the Tamil epic Silappadikaram.

‘The Prince’ is a fast-paced and absorbing book with a strong story-line centering on Uthiyan, a ‘prince-ascetic’ who renounces his claim to the throne after an astrologer predicts that he will be greater than his older brother. Arni’s Uthiyan borrows from Adigal’s life.

The book is replete with highly entertaining accounts of betrayal, terror, assassination plots, contrition, and revenge. It would be wrong to call this book a retelling for the author adds a twist to the narrative by including the eventful life story of Illango Adigal, the man credited for writing Silappadikaram.

Arni does a superb job of bringing alive a distant and dramatic past. Her characters, beautifully rendered, are intriguing and delightful at the same time. The book is set in the Tamil country of the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas with their history well researched by the author. There’s no denying the fact that Arni has an eye for details and a knack to bring to life incidents and characters with her evocative writing.

The book is a total package right from the beautiful cover to the story-line, language, and narration. If you like compelling characters, rich storytelling, and have a taste for history, you’ll surely love this novel.

A captivating and artfully wrought tale rich in imagery and revealing details—a wonderful piece of work.

When she was eight, Samhita Arni started writing and illustrating her first book. The Mahabharata - A Child's View went on to sell 50,000 copies worldwide. Her second book, Sita's Ramayana, a graphic novel, was on the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels for two weeks. She is also the author of the novel The Missing Queen.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Google

Book Review: The Mahabharata Murders by Arnab Ray

Title: The Mahabharata Murders

Author: Arnab Ray

Publisher: Juggernaut

Arnab Ray’s ‘The Mahabharata Murders’ is a whodunnit structured on the great epic, Mahabharata.

Ruksana Ahmed, a homicide detective with the Kolkata Police, is called in to investigate a murder which seems like the handy work of a crazed psychopath on the loose. She is strong willed, intelligent, and ambitious, yet constrained by social norms and the prevalent patriarchy in our society. She comes with her own baggage. Her “partner” is the dashing Siddhanth Singh. Their team is reminiscent of the detective-writer partner duo from the hit television series, Castle.

This new serial killer calls himself Duryodhana and is out to get revenge from the ‘Pandavas.’ He chooses his victims according to the characteristics he believes they share with characters from the famous epic. He has already committed a few murders and is on the prowl for more. It is upto Ruksana to catch up with the criminal and put a stop to his budding career.

This novel is more about the story behind the crime, rather than finding out the perpetrator of the crime. Ray does a decent job at bringing alive a cast of seedy and perverse characters apt for a crime thriller.

Readers will be so caught up in the whodunnit intrigue that the serious themes here about gender bias, patriarchy, and domestic violence are absorbed with equal delicacy. This book is a fast paced read and keeps the reader hooked till the last. The ending is not too satisfactory. However, the story as a whole gives a new outlook on the Pandavas, especially Yudhisthir.

Plot — reasonably clever; Setting — nicely done; Characters — two dimensional stereotypes; but you can’t have everything. All in all a good weekend read.

Arnab Ray, also known as Greatbong, is one of India’s most read bloggers and the author of May I Hebb Your Attention Pliss, The Mine, Yatrik and Sultan of Delhi: Ascension. He has written for several media outlets from The New York Times to The Times of India. A PhD in Computer Science from State University of New York at Stony Brook and a graduate from Jadavpur University, he lives in the suburbs of Chicago.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in

Book Review: Jahangir: An Intimate Portrait of a Great Mughal by Parvati Sharma

Title: Jahangir: An Intimate Portrait of a Great Mughal

Author: Parvati Sharma

Publisher: Juggernaut

In her latest book, “Jahangir: An Intimate Portrait of a Great Mughal,” Parvati Sharma shines a light on the fourth and least known Mughal ruler, Jahangir aka Salim.

Nuruddin Muhammad Salim started to call himself “Jahangir,” seizer of the world, long before his father Akbar died and unwillingly left him the throne. Shadowed by the greatness and grandeur of his father Akbar, son Shah Jahan, and wife Nur Jahan, whatever is known about Jahangir is further marred by his drug abuse. He had fallen victim to overindulgence in drink and opium, was mercurial, ill-tempered, and loved the signs of royal power. But behind all these, there lurked a canny ruler and conscientious administrator. In Sharma’s book, we get acquainted to this version of Jahangir.

Jahangir inherited none of his father’s empire-building drive, but he was a patron of the arts. He was an excellent hunter, a naturalist, a mystic, and a book lover. He loved statistics and traveled mainly to catalog the characteristics of his country through its myriad flora and fauna.

The author’s descriptions of the royal court and life are superb. Her detailed explorations of Jahangir’s life reflect her long study, deep understanding, and modern take on a little-explored subject. She forsakes the scholarly approach and examines her subject with a humanistic eye.

Sharma fares elegantly well using her skills as an acclaimed fiction writer. Through her book, she tells a compelling story about one of the most fascinating and perhaps the most undervalued rulers of India. Her writing is enriching in its historical sweep and context. It gives the readers a totally new perspective on the life and time of Jahangir. Her writing is crisp with a uniform flow of thoughts. There are no hiccups and I daresay, it is one of my finest reads of this year.

Jahangir is a page-turning, eye-opening biography of a man whom history remembers only through his relationships with others.

Parvati Sharma's debut, The Dead Camel and Other Stories of Love, earned her a cult following for its depictions of love and sexuality in urban India. Her novella, Close to Home, was acclaimed as 'tender, acute and pulsing with real Indian life'. She has also written a book for children, The Story of Babur. Sharma has worked as a travel writer, editor and journalist.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Juggernaut.in

Book Review: The Birth of Kali by Anita Sivakumaran

Title: The Birth of Kali

Author: Anita Sivakumaran

Publisher: Juggernaut

Anita Sivakumaran’s The Birth of Kali is a collection of nine oft heard stories with a twist that are in turn subversive, thought provoking, and sometimes even disturbing. These nine stories are retelling of popular episodes or characters from Mahabharata and Ramayana — the two magnum opus Indians swear by.

Through these stories Sivakumaran has tried to give to her readers a change in perspective and a glimpse into a world that could have been but never materialized. For generations, patriarchal traditions have managed to control and mute women’s voices in our country. It has been the men who’ve written about women, put words in their mouth that they’ve deemed fit. In this collection, Sivakumaran gives voice to some of the female characters from myth and epics, women who were denied their say by the male storytellers. As such, the book basically inspects mythology from a feminist gaze.

Sivakumaran writes about Sita, Kannagi, Ahalya, and Kali among others, adding a modern twist to all that we have known for ages. The first story is titled Lakshmanan’s Circle. In this version, Sita befriends Surpanakha, Ravana’s sister. She feels that she needs to be free of Ram. Her new friend helps her and asks Ravana to kidnap Sita and give her protection in a grove. In Sivakumaran’s recounting, Sita walks out of the famous circle on her own will. In Kannaki’s Anklet, we have Kannaki, a stoic lover, waiting patiently for her wayward poet husband. While Akalya’s story tackles the maze of morality and sexuality, in ‘The Making of Avvai,’ the author alludes to the tradition of solo female poets in Tamil literature. The other stories too will leave their own mark on the reader’s mind no doubt.

No words wasted, lines crisp and short, yet so powerful — it’s difficult to say whether this compendium is prose or poetry. The fact that this is a part of the author’s thesis makes it a little on the scholarly scale. 

A penetrating, spirited recounting of compelling elegance.

Anita Sivakumaran is the author of The Queen, a novel, and the poetry collection Sips That Make a Poison Woman. Her work has appeared in anthologies from Virago and Bloodaxe, among others. She was born in Madras and has lived in the UK since 2004.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Google.com

Author Interview: Shilpa Suraj, Author of Driven by Desire

Shilpa Suraj was a year and a half when she was first introduced to the world of books. Her mother would park her with a picture book on the floor of the kitchen while she finished her cooking for the day. While it’s no longer the kitchen floor, you can still find her tucked away in a cosy nook somewhere with her nose buried in a book. While books in all genres interest her, it was romance that captured her heart. While racing through every romantic fiction book she could beg, borrow or buy, her over active imagination started to work overtime and weave its own stories. Years in the corporate world followed by a stint of entrepreneurship crystallised her belief that all she really wanted to do was give life to the stories bubbling inside of her. She briefly managed to tear herself away from the world of fiction to find her own personal happily ever after and now spends her time happily focusing on the two loves of her life – family and writing romances.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

I’ve always had a story to tell…the only difference is earlier I got punished for it and now I get paid. Jokes aside, I remember being the one narrating rather than listening to the bedtime story even as a child. I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller but it’s only later in life that I got around to doing this on a larger platform and with a wider audience.

What motivates you to write and where does your inspiration come from?

My motivation and my inspiration come from the same place…life and my vivid imagination. I’ll write as long as I have a story to tell and at the moment, I don’t see that ever ending. This is my happily ever after.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

Max was a character who strolled right into my head. A vintage car restorer with a joie de vivre that’s enviable, Max is someone I’d love to be. Unfortunately, I’m more a Krish in real life. Harried, overburdened and stressed out. Bringing the two of them together was fun, interesting and irresistible.

What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine or do you have any weird, funny, or unusual habits while writing and what are they?

I wish I had a process. I truly wish I did but my process consists of writing whenever I find the time. With an active toddler, a full time job and a home to run, my writing time is usually in the middle of the night; the only time peace and quiet reign in my home. I don’t have an unusual habit per se but I do have a funny story. I set up a fully functional study in my home so I could sit at a tidy, professional looking table and write. It’s tidy and professional alright but I haven’t written a word at it. I usually end up tapping away in bed next to my sleeping daughter so I can multitask…babysit and write to my heart’s content.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

I do. I often find myself struggling, especially in the middle of a book. What usually works for me is to take a break from the story. Refresh, recharge and remove yourself from the rut you’re stuck in…the writer’s block usually will sort itself out. If you’re still stuck, then maybe you need to revisit your story. The protagonists are probably trying to tell you something! 😊

What are your current/future projects?

My next book releases with Rupa Publications next year. It is the story of three people caught in a tangled web of love, family, marriage and each other and their dark, desperate journey of redemption. Adultery, bankruptcy and perfidy bring the three of them to a crossroads in life where there is no right choice. Only the wrong one.But mostly, it’s a story of their quest to gain acceptance through love. The only choice left to us all.

Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?

I never chose my genre or field. I only ever wrote the stories I wanted to tell. My focus has always been on telling the most compelling story I could. The rest, as far as I’m concerned, are just labels.

Are you traditional or self-published, and what process did you go through to get your book published?

I’m traditionally published. When I wrote my debut novel ‘The Girl He Left Behind,’ I didn’t have any idea how the publishing industry worked. I went online and looked up submission guidelines of a few publishers and sent off my sample chapters and synopsis assuming I would be flooded with offers. I was lucky in that I did get several requests for the full manuscript followed by polite and encouragingly worded rejections until Harlequin reached out expressing interest. They offered me a two book contract and I haven’t looked back since.

Do you believe there is value in a review? Do you believe they are under rated, over rated, or don’t matter at all?

Yes, of course, there is value in a review. Good, bad or ugly, there is always something to learn and take away from it.

What is the intended audience for you book?

My books are intended for any adult reader who would like to read them. Taste or preferences are subjective, whether it’s books or fashion or anything else in life and I wouldn’t dream of judging who should or shouldn’t read my books. I’m happiest if everyone does.

What would you like to write about that you have never written about before?

Motherhood...A new mother myself, I realise just how much pressure there is on moms to be supermoms. I’d love to write a story about the real, heartwarming, confusing and oftentimes exhausting journey that it truly is.

Do you view writing as a career, labor of love, hobby, creative outlet, therapy, or something else?

Writing is my passion and a pocket of my life that’s only for me. It’s the part where I’m not someone’s mother, wife, daughter, employee…I’m just Shilpa Suraj. The successes, failures, bouquets and brickbats are all mine and for that alone, the value it brings to my life is immeasurable.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself/your book.

I’m a terrible cook. The first time I cooked for my husband post marriage he ended up with a mild bout of food poisoning.

I’m as much of a klutz as Max from Driven by Desire. I can literally trip over nothing.

I have to finish every book I start. No matter how tedious or hard to get into I find it, I can’t seem to stop reading until I reach the end. If I don’t complete it, it will plague me until I do.

An ace vintage car restorer and a pharmaceutical tycoon, Maxine and Krish have nothing in common. 

A chance encounter puts their lives on a collision course and a stubborn and steady attraction begins to bloom. 

Wanting each other is easy, it's happy ever after that's the problem...

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Thank you, Shilpa for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!

Book Review: Half The Night Is Gone by Amitabha Bagchi

Title: Half The Night Is Gone

Author: Amitabha Bagchi

Publisher: Juggernaut

Amitabha Bagchi’s ‘Half The Night Is Gone’ is the story of three generations of merchants and labourers with conjoined fates.

At the turn of the twentieth century, star wrestler Mange Ram is brought to Delhi by Lala Motichand, a wealthy landowner, successful merchant, and amateur wrestler. The former’s son Parsadi serves Motichand’s sons. Then there is Ramdas, who Parsadi hopes will be the personal attendant of Motichand’s grandson Kesho. These are the main characters around whom the narrative revolves.

Though Mange Ram and Lala Motichand are separated by their social status, the master and servant duo are only human beings at the end of the day, who worry about the future of their children and about the perpetuation of their family line in their respective fields. Strikingly, the story lacks the presence of any significant female leads. As such we can surmise that this is a story of fatherhood and patriarchy.

Their story is interjected by four long letters written by an eminent Hindi novelist, Vishwanath. He is grieving over the death of his only son. He is heartbroken and the tragedy spurs him to write a novel that is the story of Motichand and Mange Ram. In writing the novel, he confronts the wreckage of his own life while also seeking to make sense of the new India that came into being after independence.

The connection between Vishwanath and Mange Ram’s story becomes clearer only much later, completing the emotional arc of the narrative. However, this connection is never established explicitly.

Bagchi’s narrative reverberates with emotional truths laced with unusual depth and tenderness. His language is rich and intentionally made to appear old fashioned to accommodate the timeline of the novel. However, the lengthy sentences can test one’s patience.

Resilient and fiercely observant, this novel gradually blossoms into a thoughtful, emotionally complex, absorbing drama that stands confidently on its own merits.

Amitabha Bagchi is the author of three novels. The first, Above Average, was a bestseller. His second novel, the Householder, was published to critical acclaim and the third, This Place, was shortlisted for the Raymond Crossword Book Award 2014. Bagchi lives in New Delhi with his wife and son.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Goodreads.com