Book Review: My Name Is Alex Kindle Edition by Jean Spraker

Name of the book: My Name is Alex

Author: Jean Spraker

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I started pondering about the future after reading this short story by Jean Spraker. Before understanding Who is Alex? I started wondering Who is Jean? How did she make me start thinking about a future that scared the hell out of me? 

The tale begins with Independence day celebration by the Lethe River, a river of Forgetfulness according to the Greek Mythology,  and then a woman gets arrested for speaking to A Man With No Name. The story moves in a fast-forward mode where the arrested woman's daughter, a girl named Alexandria is a keeper of books, She hides books since books are banned and she tries her best to save as many as she can. For a moment I thought it had the Nazi background but the author has created a utopian society which could be any part of our world. A region which has no books except the ones hidden by Alex. By this point, I fell in love with the story. I will not crunch my words here when I say that the author has a way of spinning an intriguing tale where a reader can almost see the story unfolding in front of her. 

The story then gallops across generations, where, and a man named Ben finds the note from Alex after fifty years. In this scene, there is a snowflake effect which reminded me of ideas, misplaced ideas or ideologies that are falling like flakes. Ben could be anyone - you or me. From a mythical place, Gnosis writer brought us to Bangalore where the author is attending Ashwin Sanghi's book launch. 

Halt. Stop. I was thoroughly confused by now. 

I found a few known names mentioned in the book, and by then I was wondering if this was the way to advertise books? Was the author trying to make a statement here by saying, this publisher could make it and that couldn't? I started rereading it. I couldn't understand, what it was about this book that was attracting me and yet making it difficult for me to understand. 

It was only in my second read did I understand that I live in Gnosis and I might very well be Alex hiding the books during the reign of The Man who Has no Name. My only difference here would be Jean, The Art of Deal would not make the cut if I were the librarian. 

As one reads this book, it would be interesting to see what books you would try to save in your library if you were Alex. Interesting. Very interesting. 

The only thing I wish the author had done in this book is to keep her thoughts about her friends, her likes and dislikes in the Foreward section or as an endnote. It was difficult for me, as a reader, to understand when the story ended and when the acknowledgment list started. But I am glad I found this book on my timeline and read it. 

Recommended for anyone who likes reading something different. Interesting and different. 

Book Review: The Wooing of the Shrew by Sundari Venkatraman

With this sizzling line, Dayanita is introduced to the readers. That caught my attention and I could tell that this is not going to be a demure heroine. The cover is like a continuity of a tale and keeping the royal tradition of Ms. Venkatraman's past books, this book too had the exact right amount of romance and royalty. 

Glamour and the blitzy social life screams of a society that makes love seem like a trivial matter.  But when love does happen, it takes the shape of a fairy tale. Harshvardhan is a Prince and an aspiring Superstar. But more than that, he is blessed with a very loving personality. When he meets Princess Dayanita for the first time, it was love at first sight. 

But wooing the Princess who didn't have a very good opinion about his was not easy.  And just when he thought that he had got her pinned under his charm, she vanishes. What followed after that is a tale of misunderstanding and search. The tale is not only about a boy and a girl falling in love. Things like casting couches and way women are exploited in the film industry are brought out to a certain extent. Not only that women sometimes use these scenes to exploit men are also brought out. A very well balanced viewpoint. The courtroom scene is well etched out and I could almost hear the baritone of the lawyers. 

Lovely characterization, great setup, and steamy romance. What more would a romance reader want?

If you love romances and if you are crazy about royal romances like me - this book is for you. 

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Review: The Time is Now by D. R Downer

The readers always appreciate uniqueness. It's a risk an author takes to catch the attention of the readers. Not many authors have the guts to do this, and when they do, its often criticised as an 'incorrect form of writing". The distinct way of writing that D.R Downer has shown in his novel THE TIME IS NOW is worth acknowledging. The protagonist is Abhilash Banerjee; a 45-year-old, army Major turned bookstore owner who is lost in the world of books to forget his painful past. Then one day a young girl, Nainika, visits him and turns his world upside down.

In the following sentence, the author has taken a card from creative liberty.

"Scene changes to the storefront, where Nainika walks in....."

The first question that comes to my mind is Who is Nainika? Should I blame the format for this or my curiousness to go on that made me ignore this slight hitch? Then Nainika starts taking shape.

This book reminds me of the days when Amol Palekar's movies were popular. Soothing. The pace is well set and, the writer guides the characters around the plot without too much noise. Not too many things are happening yet you want to know how they all are connected to each other. Perfect. And this pace was maintained till the end.

 A book owner, a salesman and a young girl who walks in to buy a book are somehow related to each other. How? This makes the plot very interesting. And before the 4th character walks in - you start making calculated guesses. The writer has managed to hold on to the interest of the readers till the last page. I couldn't believe when the story ended.

What could have been better

The book cover. Even if the silhouette of the couple carries the essence of the story on its shoulders, the fonts etc does not give it a professional look. And such a story deserves a professionally made cover.

"All three of them stand up and hug each other, crying hoarsely." 

Such lines could have been finetuned which I know the author can if he has this kind of power with his words.

As I close this book, I keep the flavor of old romance with me. The old world charm which romances were once famous for can be found in the pages of this book. Keep on writing Mr. Downer. You have a fan here.

Recommended for all romance readers.

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