Review: The Woman's Code by Binduu Chopra

Since the time human beings have become the supreme force on earth, men have dominated and carved a niche for themselves. But without women nothing was possible. But it has always been a man's dignity to accept a woman's contribution to the society. She has just been a silent spectator and an artist. Author Binduu Chopra in her latest book "The Woman's Code" talks about woman and their lives. So has she pushed the readers towards a new thought process? Let's find out. 

She was not like most of the Indian women we know and read about! She was not someone who wanted to be confined to the kitchen. The wild teenager didn't want to let go her dreams that got buried when she was married at 18. Filled with love, compassion and a desire, she started to weave back the threads at 40. Will she fulfill her dreams? Will she find her freedom? Or will she find the dust on her furniture more important than the poems in her heart? In this intimate & heartfelt story, you will find a woman's fight to take possession of her strength & desire. Its a journey that describes the importance of emotional balance in relationships. Its a journey that describes a woman. Its a journey that describes The Woman's Code.

First look at the title and the cover and the both of them speak volumes about the theme of the book. It's a beautiful cover image and the title just goes hand in hand with it. The blurb gives an idea about what to expect from this novella and it's all based on women. The blurb poses a lot of questions which will be answered in the story but excites the readers up to some extent. 

The story is of Sumi and her life right from the childhood and her parents and then her schooling and then her struggles to keep up with the pace of the life and adjust to new environment because of her father's frequent postings. From the time to make new friends till her college life the insecurities of life and fears inside her and then her strict life and traditional family to go with. The marriage vows and woes and her equation with Kartik and then later on evolving herself for the multiple roles she had in her hand right from being a mother of two children and being a caring wife and a perfect homemaker. Life doesn't gives her exactly what she wants but will things change in the end? How all of this will impact her as a woman? Will she be able to survive this woman's code? That's what the story is all about. 

The story is an insight about a woman's life right from the childhood till her old age and her responsibilities. Her struggles and adjustments and her spirit and zeal to deal with each and everything has been dealt with perfectly. The narration is simple and fluid and a lot of events can be easily connected to the everyday life of a woman. 

The downside of the book is it's less explanatory feature. It could have been done and expanded a lot more and dealt in depth with the woman's issues. Also the end looked quite rough around the edges and felt incomplete. 

The novella is overall a short yet a to the point narration of a woman's ordeal which goes for everyone in real life too. It's not in an expanded form but still holds it's own. It's a nice initiative on the part of the author to provide a fruitful insight of a woman's struggle all throughout her life. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5 

Review: A Soldier's Love Story by Sonia Kundra Singh

Not all love stories are the usual lovey dovey types. Every love story has some or the other aspect to it that makes it stand out among others. Some of the love stories over the time tend to leave an impression on the minds of many. Author Sonia Kundra Singh in her book "A Soldier's Love Story" talks about one such love story in the making. Is it different from the others? Let's find out. 

Can a dreadful past still save a marriage? 
Ranjeet's parents are keen to see him married and after seeing Jasleen's photograph, he finds himself drawn to her. An arranged meeting is decided upon and Jasleen, despite her reservations about getting out of her little haven says 'yes' to the match. He knew she was too young to be a bride but somehow it made sense at the time. Jasleen had her own set of demons to haunt her. Ranjeet seems like a safe bet at the beginning but she just couldn't give herself completely to him. Marriage was a huge step and she wanted to give herself another chance at being a woman. Ranjeet makes the sacrifice and they start leading their lives separately as strangers until a family emergency gets them together. Will they be able to find true love despite their reservations about a future together? 
Will Jasleen start life anew with Ranjeet? 
Or will she choose career over love? Estranged and indifferent, Jasleen and Ranjeet embark on being together for the sake of their family

First look at the title and the cover and readers will be in awe of the cover image. A very strong title in tandem with a beautiful cover image makes very heavy first impressions on the readers. The blurb talks about two people and their lives entwined together and how they manage it. It's a good blurb covering the important aspects of the story and leaving the details out. 

The story revolves around Jasleen a young simple village girl of Mukerian and Ranjeet an army man and son of a rich farmer family of the same village. Their marriage is arranged and Ranjeet is blown away by the beauty of Jasleen. Jasleen not willing to comply agrees to the whims and fancies of her mother but a spate of problems takes away all the charm away from her life. From there on there is a transition which changes her outlook entirely. So is Ranjeet the right man for her? Will both of them be able to survive together? Will their marriage last? What is the end of this story? That's what the story is all about. 

The unusual tag in this story will go along very nicely. The unique setup and the pairing of two contrast characters very appealing for the readers. The story line is very emotional and touches the right chords of the readers. The second half of the story is more engaging and the plight of a simple village girl has been highlighted perfectly. 

The downside of the book are few spelling mistakes in the characters name. The love making intentions could have been cut down a lot in the book. The importance of elders have been found missing in the second half of the book. 

The story very compelling and engaging makes it a reasonable consideration for the readers. The book can be loved for it's heart wrenching tale of girl and emotions of a soldier. The story has to be felt with a lot of passion and devotion. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5

Review: Terms & Conditions Apply by Divya Prakash Dubey

Hindi books have lost a lot of ground because of the advent of English with time. An anthology in Hindi is a far fetched idea all together. Author Divya Prakash Dubey in his book "Terms & Conditions Apply" has penned down a series of stories which try to life the cover from a lot of things in our day to day lives. So has this idea worked for him? Let's find out. 

There are books that feel like a book while reading, and then there is Terms and Conditions Apply. The simple and lively stories compel you to take a look back at your own life, and remember when you put these incidences at the back of your mind. Its not just a collection of stories and a true incident, but also a reflection of what every one of us has seen sometime or the other, in our lives. The characters come alive, time and again as people we may have met, or as a persona of our own self.
Not too many works in recent years have managed to capture the nuances of ordinary, daily lives as effortlessly and fluently as Terms and Conditions Apply has done. A wonderful assortment of 13 short stories and a true incident, Whether it is highs and lows of a relationship, chaos and bedlam of school life, petty or harmless office gossips, or the buzz of a salon; all stories are strongly steeped in reality and yet they take a superb flight of fancy in the hands of a master craftsman. Rich in imagination, broad in its scope and elegant in its style, Terms and Conditions Apply is arguably one of the best debut works in recent Hindi literature.

First look at the title and the cover and the book will confuse the readers. But once you turn around the pages the actual idea behind the whole book is revealed. The title is unique and different but as it's a Hindi anthology a much more suitable title could have done justice to the book. The blurb contains the idea and the ideology behind the whole book. It's a blurb which suits the anthology and keeps many things under wrap for readers to enjoy later.


Story No. 1:

A story about family issues, misunderstandings and discontent over small-small things. It highlights the plight of the modern day society. It has the essence of sufferings of the modern day couples. It's a good story.

Story No. 2:

This story highlights the state of affairs of a government school and it's teachers. The story is narrated through the medium of a class and it's students. It's a nice story with a touch of reality in it.

Story No. 3:

It's about life of a person and his helping nature which makes him kind of a hero in his colony. It's about how one can do few good things for the others and be proud of it. It's an average story.

Story No. 4:

A story about domestic violence and suspicions. The story has a compelling narration and a very unique idea. It's a very hard hitting story for the readers.

Story No. 5:

A story of a girl's sanctity and image and about misunderstandings and misconceptions about her in the society. An eye opening story and teaching how to respect a women's privacy.

Story No. 6:

A missing person'a story and how somebody's life is torn in this dilemma of love and confusions. It's a very average story with nothing there in to excite the readers.

Story No. 7:

 A crude humor cum emotional story of a man and his antiques. The story has a touch of newness in it and has a nice narration to along with.

Story No. 8:

Another emotional story of two people and how thy end up being each other's support system. But life is not that simple as it looks from outside. Compelling narration and the bitter truth of life has been portrayed perfectly. It covers the sensitivity of relationships very convincingly.

Story No. 9:

A story of two people and their dilemma of whether they are in love or not. But there are a lot more complications than ever imagined. A story of complicated relationships and feelings of people for each other. It's a good story.

Story No. 10:

A story of a man and his diligence towards society. The story is touchy and emotional and a lesson for those who consider helping others as an unholy job.

Story No. 11:

A story of bad influence when a child is in the teens and its repercussions. The story has a simple narration yet a very brave initiative to divert readers attention towards the small things which are usually ignored by many.

Story No. 12:

Another story of crumbling relationships and misunderstandings. It has a regular narration and there is nothing new in the story.

Story No. 13:

An entangled story of so many people living under one roof and how they cope up with pressure and odd situations in their life. It's a good story touching human emotions and exploring the darker sides of human behavior.

Story No. 14:

A very different story of generosity of people and the goodness which still prevails among few in the society. The story is quite different from the others and very unique too.


The anthology has few good stories in it. The narration has been kept simple and to the point. The main highlight of the entire book is it's in Hindi. The stories which are very engaging are story no. 4,5. 11,8,14. The entire concept revolves around the basic human behavior and human reactions towards relationships and issues.

Few stories are not up to the mark in the book and leave a lot to be desired at times. Also the relationship agenda has been highlighted too much so it takes away the freshness away from the book. The English words could have been avoided easily and the book could have been given a much more appropriate title in Hindi.

Overall it's a nice initiative to write an anthology in Hindi. The experience is good enough. It's a mix of some creative and unique narrations plus some average and simple narrations. The readers will get to know a few more things about human psyche with this book.

RATINGS:

3 OUT OF 5

P.S: The book was received as part of the "Reviewers Programme" on "The Tales Pensieve". 

Review: Where the Rainbow Ends by Anurag Anand

Thriller is a genre which is experimented with, a lot nowadays. Some of them blow away the readers mind while some just fall flat. Author Anurag Anand in his latest book "Where The Rainbow Ends" has penned down a thriller which will compel the readers to salute the efforts. So has he really wrote a page turner? Let's find out. 

Even the most artistic of imaginings can sometimes seem callow in the face of truth. That which appears may not be and that which lies hidden might just be the stark, naked face of reality.
Rahul had everything going his way a soaring career, a happy family and all else a man his age could yearn for. And then suddenly his life began to crumble all around him, disintegrating element after precious element, leaving him to watch in helpless horror. Where had he gone wrong? Was there still hope for redemption, even a solitary ray that he could cling on to?
Avantika, a pretty, vivacious girl who had come into Rahul's life by pure accident, literally, has suddenly gone missing. Just like that, without as much as a trace. Where is Avantika? Will Rahul be able to find her? Is it her own past that has come back to consume her or is it something even more vicious and sinister?
Shalini, Rahuls first love and a girl accustomed to leading life on her own terms. Hailing from a family that exerts considerable influence in the galleries of politics and power, she certainly has the wherewithal to impact a lot of things. Even lives. Is Shalini fostering a grudge that could displace not one but many lives? Could she be the one behind Avantika's mysterious disappearance?
Where The Rainbow Ends is a racy page - turner that promises to take you on a tempestuous and soul - stirring journey which shall remain with you long after you have put the book down.

First look at the title and the cover and both of them hint at a love story in the making. But that's not true in this case. On the contrary the blurb comes in to the picture and makes it clear that this a a thriller for the readers in the disguise of a love story. The blurb is as compelling as the title and the cover image. 

The story is of two young people Rahul & Shalini who meet by chance and then fell in love with each other. After a long courtship they decide to settle down and convince their parents for it. Rahul from an average family and Shalini from a political household make an unusual pair. Problems start to crop up when Shalini shrugs off her duties after marriage and cracks appear. Life takes a turn when a lot of problems crop up and Rahul is nowhere to go. In the end entry of Avantika in his life turn few things around. What will happen with Shalini? What role Avantika plays in Rahul's life? Will life ever be the same again for everyone. That's what the story is all about. 

The tag of a thriller comes on the behest of a romance cum drama story. It's a unique idea to experiment with and the second half of the book generates a lot of curiosity and excitement. The narration is convincing and appealing for the readers. Surprises galore in the second half of the book. 

The first half is weak and doesn't have anything new to offer in terms of love and drama. First half could have been tightened up more and Avantika's character could have been made more strong in it. The end also becomes predictable and leaves a lot to be desired. 

On the whole a romantic thriller is a good idea but could have been worked upon more in terms of story line. There are moments where readers heart will go up and down but it comes too late to make it an exemplary piece of work. It's a story with a difference to it. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5

Review: Jacob Hills by Ismita Tandon Dhankher

Some professions have a lot of layers hidden beneath the reality. It's like they carry a signboard "none of your business" for the outsiders. Life wherever you go is never easy. Author Ismita Tandon Dhankher in her second novel "Jacob Hills" takes readers for a ride which promises to turn a lot of heads. So has she done it in style? Let's find out. 

An unloved woman is a soft target, anyone can hit her, have her.
It’s just another evening at the Tiller’s Club.
Near the bar, Capt. Rana, the Young Officer undergoing training at the War College stands among his course mates, consciously avoiding his pregnant, Muslim wife, Heena. Rumour has it she had forced him to marry her because of the baby.
Saryu, village belle turned modern babe, drink in hand, chats up a YO. Her husband, Maj. Vikram Singh, shoots angry glances at her. She isn’t bothered; the question is, who will she go home with tonight?
Pam and Gary, the flamboyant Sikh couple, chat merrily with the senior officers, charming as ever. Who’d ever guess that they lead the infamous Key Club, an underground swinger couples’ club.
And in one corner stands the Anglo-Indian wife of Maj. George Chandy, Eva, who finds herself at the heart of a murder mystery when a woman’s bleeding body is discovered at the old church under the black cross. The murdered woman’s body is covered with cigarette burns. A six-year-old girl’s wrist is similarly marked. Another little girl shows signs of severe abuse.
Jacob Hills: an army station that houses the War College where young officers receive training. A world of army officers and genteel conversation, of smart men and graceful women. Set in the 1980s – in an India that was at the cusp of tradition and Westernized modernity – this is the story of the ugliness that lies beneath the garb of Jacob Hills’s beauty and sophistication. An ugliness the Chandys find themselves confronted with. Will they uncover the truth behind the woman’s murder? Will their love survive Jacob Hills?

First look at the title and the cover and readers might confuse it with a ghost story. But this title has a lot more suspense to it. The cover image of a desolated road leaves a pulsating thought in the mind of the readers. The blurb talks about a lot of people and how their lives are connected together. The blurb is very lengthy and could have been shortened up a bit. 

The story is of an army training academy called Jacob Hills where George Chandy arrives with his beautiful wife Eva Chandy. As soon as they settle down Eva gets to taste the whims and fancies of army women from the higher ranked officers. She tries to adjust to the circumstances but soon finds herself embroiled in a mess. Captain Rana a young officer is also at the receiving end of a mess. Col. Tehlan and his wife try to overpower and dominate the hills and their families along with Brigadier Sargam and his wife. But all of them have an other side to themselves which link them up and send the residents of Jacob Hills in a tizzy. So what will happen at the hills? How it looks from outside will it be the same from inside? What goes on behind those glitz and glamour? What is everyone hiding from one another? Will Eva & George be able to survive the ordeal? That's what the story is all about. 

It's indeed a suspense thriller. It takes you for a fun and frolic ride at first with sex and lust the center of attraction in the story but then with a lot of unsolved puzzles leaves the mind in tizzy for sometime. The bright spot of the story is it's confusing and pacy narration. It'll ease out and then again leave you gasping for breath with tantalizing revelations till the end. Both the halves of the story have been penned down with utmost care and the army backdrop serves well to the story line. It's bold and suspenseful. 

The downside of the book is that it becomes a bit predictable towards the end. The end could have been spread out a bit more in order to make it a perfect ending for the story.

Overall the aspect of reading a suspense thriller with an altogether different setup is a wonderful experience. There's sex, there's lust, there's jealousy, there's secret and not to forget the carefree ways of Army men which leads them to obnoxious outcome. It's a riveting tale and the catch lies in reading and mingling with the lives of Army men and their wives on Jacob Hills. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5

Review: When I Found You, I Found Myself by Sankalp Kohli

How many times in life people come and leave you for good and then again at some point of time you come across them and your feelings are in a dilemma. Author Sankalp Kohli in his second book "When I Found You, I Found Myself" has something to offer which is rarely spoken about. So has he narrated this newer tale convincingly? Let's find out. 

They first met when they were just twelve and then they kept meeting again and again, each time wanting to confess their feelings for each other but it never came to such a pass for Tiya and Aarav. Falling apart and bowing down to the miseries of a broken family and a daunting past, at 24, they decided to move on. But life pulled out one trick after another to bring them back to each other and give one last chance to do what they couldn't do in the past twelve years. A choice had to be made and there was no going back. Could they learn from the echoing footsteps of their parents and speak their heart out or the fear of saying the unsaid killed it once again for them? Did their time to fall in love come or like always, they met, greeted and departed to part forever?

First look at the title and the cover and the title is mesmerizing. The soothing touch of the title is like honey on lips. The cover image is quite dull in comparison to the title. It could have been a much better cover image. The blurb talks about two people and their lives and what is there in offering for them when they go on to lead their lives in their own chosen manner. It's a very good blurb. It's short and precise. 

The story is about Tiya & Aarav. Their friendship in school culminating slowly and steadily through time. But there are a lot of other pleasantries offered to them and they are thrown off track completely. Aaarav tries to move on so does Tiya but life gives them another shot at redemption. But it comes at a price. So will they ever be able to get together? Will Aarav lose Tiya again? Will their be peace? That's what the story is all about. 

The story with it's poetic verses and different narration for both the people makes it a coming of age story. The thought process captured with the help of emotions and turmoils and joys and sorrows makes it a very heavy kind of a book. It tends to dig deeper in to the human emotions and journey of life through various phases. The loss, the gain and love all of them have been synced and woven in to the story perfectly. The slowness of the story and the limited number of characters in the book compels the readers to go through the pages with all the time in the world. 

The downside of the book is the second half which gets duller. The end is abrupt and could have been polished in a better manner.  The book could have had a bit more and an extended end would have made it a perfect novel. 

The book has captured human emotions in a wider aspect and made things tricky at times for the readers. The humming narration and the slowness has to be absorbed. It might get a bit off color towards the end but will hold on to the theme of the story completely. It's a fresh aspect to a love story, but still it ain't a love story.

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5 

Review: He Loves Me Not by Vrushali Telang

Many times in our lives we are on the crossroads. What to do and what not becomes a question of prestige and image. Life comes to a stand still with all these thoughts hovering our mind. Author Vrushali Telang in her book "He Loves Me Not" goes about portraying some modern day society dilemmas. So has she been able to do it perfectly? Let's find out.  

Childhood sweethearts, good - looking Jimmy Cooper and plain Jane Mehroo Nasarwanji are now 'grown up' twenty - somethings. While Mehroo is loyal and crazy about Jimmy, Jimmy is anything but loyal and crazy about everything else but Mehroo. So while Jimmy charms his way through life naive Mehroo tries every trick in Pizzazz magazine to seduce her man. Will Mehroo come out of her shell and discover her true self ? Will Jimmy look beyond himself? Packed with colourful characters and a racy plot, the forbidden fruit is about two very different people who grow up together, learn about love and discover who they really are.

First look at the cover and the title and readers will understand the central theme of the book. Its based on love and it's dilemmas. The question itself is present in the title. The cover image is very catchy. The blurb talks about a person and his life and people surrounding it. The author has concealed all the important aspects of the story while giving a slight insight about the book. 

The story is about Jimmy and his life. He is a carefree 25 year old jobless fellow who is no good for his father. His love for next door Mehroo is limited to sex. His aims and ambitions are outweighed by his day dreaming. He stumbles across Ritu a high flying socialite who makes him rich overnight and life and priorities suddenly change. But then all is not expected to be the same. So what will happen to Jimmy in the end? Whom does he gets in the end? Where will destiny take him? Let's find out. 

The confused love story and life of a person in this book is the perfect recipe for a modern day setup. The dilemmas, commitments, love and feelings all are in question in the story. The book has a lot of soul in the first half and the middle of the story. The narration is quite pulling. The ups and downs of a person's life and others has been portrayed perfectly in the book. 

The downside is the second half and some characters losing their significance completely towards the end. The story is bit dragged at the end. The haphazard and sudden revelations completely take the charm away from the story at times. The character of Mehroo could have been more compelling in the story. 

The book is a good little mix of dilemmas of life and thoughts. What you want and what you need is the basic question which is being constantly challenged throughout the story. The story has it's moments and will keep the readers engaged for most of the time. It's a good coverage on modern day fears of the young generation. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5