Book Review of 'The Emperor Jones' by Eugene O'Neill

This is my first book of the famous American author and my expectations were rather high. I wasn't disappointed with the read, although I did have some misgivings in the characterisation. It is a short, but deep read with multiple themes and symbolic references. I enjoyed the plays Anna Christie and The Hairy Ape that read after this one, a lot more. 

The narrative is high on imagery. One can picturize the palace as well as the jungle, with all it's subtle nuances. The aural imagery is the most powerful element, with the beating if the drums that play a key role in the Emperor's mental degeneration.

The character of the Emperor displays the two faces that the powerful - one that effuses confidence, hiding the fear in the mind and the other that succumbs to the forces at play. The main character is however, the forest itself. It is the looming presence that shapes the progress of the story. 

The most interesting aspect of the storyline is the psychological symbolism. The drum beats, silver bullet and  the vivid hallucinations offer a good sense of heightening tension as the play progresses. The climax is riddled with a sense of drama and musical euphoria. The mystical elements blend well into the themes of guilt, betrayal, danger and fear.

The main grouse that readers will have is the  blatant racism. The racist hues are strong, both verbally as well as symbolically. O'Neill implies that 'Negroid' men cannot be expected to have positively distinct characteristics. 

I rate the play a 4.2 out of 5. Hope to find this review useful.

Happy reading, readers. 

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Book Review of 'Lifeline' by Chetan Maheshwari

The first thing that intrigued me about the book was the blurb that mentioned corporate politics. I thought it would be good to read this genre and the book has done justice to the theme.

Teesha and Akhil's love story progresses smoothly, while intertwined with their corporate lives. Rati's challenges in raising a child as a single mom, while juggling her work schedules and an app launch, may be relatable to working moms. 

The hard toil and long working hours that go into the elusive chase for success are enumerated well. The story captures the struggles of hapless individuals caught in the web of political corporate victimization. 

The narration is simple, straight-forward and easy to read. Although the overall editing throughout the book could have been a lot more sharp, readers will be able to follow the narration and story easily.

There are strong messages and considerable learnings related to entrepreneurship, in the storyline. The challenges and multiple monetary/work considerations are enumerated well.

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Happy reading, readers.

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Book Review of 'Nothing Lasts Forever' by Vish Dhamija

This is my first read of Vish Dhamija. The title rang a bell, because of Sidney Sheldon's bestseller. The contents turned out to be as different as one would expect.

Dhamija pulls of a tale of mystery and intrigue, that however lacks the speed of narrative that readers crave in a typical thriller. 

The actual story behind in part 2 of the book. One wonders what's going on and where everything is leading, almost to the point of giving up on the book in the first half. Part 2 thereby redeems the book, in this respect. It may take some readers multiple references and turning back of pages to refer to dates, to enjoy the book more.

The characterization is puzzling. Why socialites are showcased as alcohol guzzling, chain smoking elitists all the time is beyond comprehension. The romance and dialogues between Raaj and Serena is excessive, to the point of boredom or fakeness. D'Cunha and Kabir are smart and suave charmers. Kim is a useful accessory in the plot. The rest of them are forgettable.

The descriptions of clothes are full of detail, with strong imagery, but bordering on excessive and rather unnecessary. 

The second half of the story picks up good pace and the move towards the climax makes up for the slow first part. The best parts of the book are the investigations and interactions of the policemen-turned-CBI officials D'Cunha and Kabir. 

The turns and solutions in the mystery were predictable for me, perhaps because of all the Agatha Christies I devoured during my childhood. Readers unaccustomed to mystery genres may love the way it pans out.

Overall, the book is readable, if one can gloss over the parts that do not add value to the plot, except for a little imagery and atmosphere.

I rate it 3.6 out of 5. Did you find my review useful? Do follow my blog for more.

Happy reading, readers.

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Paint me Tomorrow: A Poem

Paint me tomorrow...

Today, the sight

of my realities

are sure to show

Midsummer whispers leer

at my teary disgrace

Truth may peer

from my masked face

Pain may linger

in the galaxy within my eyes

Wait, let me foster

my usual disguise

Paint me tomorrow,

I need this night 

of frailties

to let myself go

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Pacify : A Poem

Is there a way

to pacify this heart

that fears to heed

the midsummer 

whispers that know sin?

This torturous wait

at the mercy

of emotions

that refuse

fairy dust

promises

that quench

fantasy to 

capture eternity

in a heartbeat?

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Deep in the Shallow: A Poem

Deep 

in the shallow

pretense,

we float in breeze

like windless sails,

mere paper-boats

in the wide wilderness

of us

Patchwork memories

spin wistful remorse

in the fabric 

Torn, mercy of emotions

fading attachments

in the dashed hopes

of us

***

Book Review of 'Midnight Sun' by Jo Nesbo

This is my second read of Nesbo and I enjoyed it a lot more than 'Blood On Snow'. Nesbo weaves a charming tale, similar to the last one - a story about witty killer with a heart of gold - but this one is more gripping, adventurous and enjoyable than the last one. 

Characters

The best thing about Nesbo's characterisation is the way the protagonist 'talks' to the readers and pulls them right into the heart of the story.

Ulf, aka Jon Hansen, draws us in with his witty rendition of the tale. His fortitude during crisis is admirable. His soft-heartedness warring with the need to survive makes for a gripping read.

Lea, his love interest showcases the ruination of strict religious and societal norms reaping havoc in her life.

Knut, Lea's son, is an absolute delight. He displays how the crucial relationship between a father or father-figure and a son should be.

Mattis offers the elements of suspense and surprise towards the climax. 

Storyline

The ironic humourous first person rendition makes for a gripping read. 

The contract killer, caught in circumstances, with a marked disability to do his job makes for a compelling story. 

The Norwegian countryside, especially the descriptions of the wilderness around the hunting cabin offers beautific imagery for the setting of the suspense. 

The tenets of religion juxtaposed with fast paced movement of the tale offer a thrilling adventure. The parts about the indigenous Sami populace offer revealing insights about their religion and culture. 

The conclusion is satisfying, with the loose ends tied up neatly towards the climax. 

Conclusion

I rate the book a 4.8 out of 5. Extra points are for beautiful imagery and compelling plot. 

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Happy reading, readers!

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Book Review of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde

My first encounter with Wilde was the powerful ballad he wrote about his experiences at Reading goal, only a couple of years before his death. His haunting rhythm and style matched the ironic flamboyance that peppered his life. The darkness that was imbibed in the nursery rhyme-like poem left goosebumps on many a reader's skin. One could well expect the same from the only novel that the author penned. Wilde's portrayal of Dorian Gray is a work of brilliance - ironic and psychologically profound.

The book was used in court as evidence against Wilde, leading to his conviction - hard labour in jail, for two years - that ultimately leading to his degenerative demise. To think that Wilde was jailed for a 'crime' such as homosexuality only a hundred years ago is an irony in itself. And perhaps that is enough reason for readers of today to want to discover what lies within it's pages to deem it capable of such damage during the Victorian era.

Characters

Dorian Gray, the aristocrat, could as well be the heroine of the book. The way Wilde describes his 'beauty' is natural and convincing. One doesn't feel any discrepancy in the vocabulary typically used to describe women being applied for the male character. His mental degeneration is a study in the psychological workings of a mind that accustoms itself to criminal cruelty.

Lord Henry Wotton, the nobleman, is the more crucial character who changes the Crux of the story. His influence on Dorian is convincing enough for even readers to be pulled into the void of societal, social and behavioral realities. However, Lord Henry is also offers the lesson to be gleaned, if one may, that excessive hedonism leaves no room for morality.

Basil Hallward, the artist, is supposedly an embodiment of Wilde himself, by the author's own admission. He brings out the innocence of the good-at-heart, the innate god-fearing virtue and morality, that suffers for it's very existence. 

Sibyl Vane, the talented actress who suffers a tragic end, showcases the stupidity of blind love. 

Storyline

The story is unconventional, especially during the time it was published in. 

The attraction that a hapless painter Basil feels for his muse Gray leaves us feeling sorry for his predicament. His ruthless end leaves us with no sympathy for the protagonist. 

The most striking aspect of the story is the supernatural element of art juxtaposed with reality. The surrealism in Dorian Gray's discovery of a secret - his portrait mirrors a reflection of his soul - adds a thrilling sense of foreboding for the inevitable. 

It is interesting to note the gradual fall from grace is voiced by the other characters, sometimes minor ones. More interesting is the way Gray justifies his actions to subdue his voice of reason and conscience.

The end is a fitting one, a perfect embodiment of the real merging with the surreal.

Conclusion

I rate the book 4.3 out of 5. Plus points are for sheer innovative plot and mind-blowing insights in the dialogues, that are food for endless mulling discussion. Minus points are for the long-drawn descriptions that run to pages, marring the pace of the story. 

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Happy reading, readers!

***

Book Review of 'The Unexpected Resurgence' by Sri Rudra

There are only a few novels of late, that have strong didactic messages ingrained in them. This is one of them, albeit a very different one. There are no forced or preachy dialogues that are bound to make the reading like a moral story. Rather, the story is smooth, convincing and enjoyable for the most part.

Characters

Hari, as the protagonist is an engaging story teller throughout the first half of the novel. He is conspicuous by his absence in the second half. His excessive innocence and ignorance of human ruthlessness, which proves detrimental in the end, comes across palpably in the story.

Surya is by far the most important character. He is sweet and charming, lovable and endearing. The author achieves what he sets out to say to the world, with the brilliant personification. 

Hari's parents offer the element of familial love in the story. Their early demise is heart-rending.

The other characters add some meaning in the story but do not remain in the memory of the readers for too long. 

Narrative

The narration is easy-going. This is a book that can be enjoyed both by adults as well as children. The meta-fictional elements offer a good layering to include flashbacks and back stories, giving the book an element of Sthalapuranas of the ancient south Indian story-telling traditions.

The vocabulary is top-notch. This is the first Kindle book I've read till now that is edited to perfection, with no spelling or grammatical errors that I could fathom, that one inevitably notices in most online works.

Storyline

It is commendable that the innate surrealism in the story has been portrayed in a manner that is convincing and acceptable. There is some need for readers to willingly suspend their disbelief, especially in the latter part of the story. Nevertheless, most parts of the story has a smooth blend of modern science with ancient wisdom.

The language of 'Vukrit' which enables the communication between humans and trees is an interesting crux in the story.

Although some portions of the repeated journeys to and fro from the forest are repetition, they build up the sense of foreboding for the reader.

The second half of the novel is mostly the myriad levels of discussions between the environmental experts. It showcases the one attribute of humans: to discuss and discuss some more. 

The crucial environmental message of reducing deforestation before it is too late, comes across strongly throughout the story.

Conclusion

I rate the book a 4.3 out of 5. A well-written book with a powerful essence.

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Happy reading!

***

Book Review of 'Blood On Snow' by Jo Nesbo

This is my first book of Nesbo. I've been eager to read his work since many years, ever since Kjersti Iversen, a Norwegian friend of mine, had insisted that I would love the work of her countryman. I regret that I took this long to make that happen. 

Typical of a fast-paced thriller, Nesbo hooks the reader from the word go. After all, what could be more compelling for thriller-lovers, than knowing that we are privy to the mind of a contract killer? 

The most delightful parts are the ones where the well-read protagonist constantly offers various brilliant tidbits of information that enhance our understanding of the suspenseful story.

Characters

Olav is a killer with a difference. He has a heart, that's more sensitive than most normal people. The paradox of his ruthlessness towards his victims is a strong contrast to his generosity towards their loved ones affected by his crime. And it is this quality that brings about his doom.

The most endearing quality of the protagonist is his story-telling ability. Again, the paradox is strong because the dyslexic reader has a far higher IQ than most well-read people. And the stories he makes up in his head are charming in their originality. It is amusing to see him twirk even the tale of Les Miserables to suit his own psyche. It is this quality that offers a poignant twist in the climax.

Corina, the intended victim who charms her way into his heart, is predictable to the last page. Maria Olsen is an interesting, crucial addition in the storyline. Daniel Hoffman as Olav's boss and the 'Fisherman' offer the twists and challenge in the story. The other characters are forgettable.

Storyline

All is well with Olav's life until he is hired to kill his own boss's wife. The story is rather predictable, down to the last details of who betrays who. However, the action sequences are different. The setting of the shoot-out scenes at night, during a church funeral, gives it a movie-like ambiance. 

Olav's troubled relationship with his parents, especially with his mother is heartrending. The parental angle offers insights into the complicated nature of man-woman relationships. 

The plot moves at a fairly good pace and reaches the inevitable climax with a predictable end. The killer with a heart of gold is not a new theme, but the treatment at Nesbo's skillful hands allows readers to revel in the unique experience.

Conclusion

I rate it 4.7 out of 5. It is a must-read for Nesbo fans and thriller lovers alike. 

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Happy reading, readers. 

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