Never Let Me Go

     Author                              Kazuo Ishiguro

     Country                            United Kingdom

     Genre                               Science Fiction

     Publication Date              2005

     Pages                                288






It's no surprise that this book was on the Man Booker Prize shortlist. And the fact that the author is none other than the Booker prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro himself. My love for Kazuo Ishiguro started with his short story collection 'Nocturnes' and has only intensified since then. 

'Never Let Me Go', in typical Ishiguro style is marked by abolsutely beautiful and endearing writing. The narrative is soft and warm like a hot cup of coffee on a particularly cold day. This is a first person narrative by Kathy as she is reminiscing snippets of her past life. The fact that the narration does not follow a strict chronological order but Kathy comes up with stories as and when she remembers them make the book real and uniquely conversational. 

While being conscious to not reveal too much of the plot, I would suffice by saying that this book is both a science fiction and a realistic fiction. Through 3 different stages in the lives of Kathy, Ruth and Tommy, Ishiguro builds their friendship, relationship and what binds them together in their unquie circumstances. Brought up in a secluded boarding house with mysterious rules, the three of them struggle to truly fathom their 'special status' and what life has in store for them. 

The book raises some relevant medical and ethical questions while subtly touching upon the purpose of human existence, the importance of an innocent childhood and the inevitable end of life. 

I would highly recommend this book to one and all. It's innovative, perceptive and plain lovely!

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!  

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading! 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

     Author                         Mark Haddon

     Country                       United Kingdom

     Genre                          Mystery

     Publication Date         2003

     Pages                           221






This is mostly described as a mystery novel but honestly, there is so much more to it than just that. This award winning book is more appropriately a children's fiction but I guess reading it a little later in life allows one to form a slightly evolved and mature perspective.

Narrated in the first person by the 15 year old Christopher; this is a story through which he investigates the murder of Wellington, his neighbor's dog. Interspersed with this investigation is a peek into Christphers life, his thinking process and his relationships with his mom and dad. 

Without making a direct reference, Mark has implied through the book that Christopher has a well developed Asperger's syndrome. And that's what makes the book unique. Christpher's character is portrayed as someone who is extremely smart, uncomfortable with feelings/emotions/human touch, likes structure, is afraid of strangers and hence is a typical case of autism. 

It is this understanding of autism offered to the readers subtly through the protagonist that makes the book special. Christopher's fears, his urge to overcome his fears, his innocence and his brilliance are heart wrenching.

In one sentence, I would describe this book as worth your read!

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!  

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading! 

Love in the time of Cholera

     Author                         Gabriel Garcia Marquez

     Country                       Colombia

     Genre                          Fiction

     Publication Date        1985

     Pages                           422






This book by the noble prize winning author has always received raving reviews. Gabriel is someone who is highly respected in the literary society. As an obvious consequence of this, 'Love in the time of cholera' came into my life with an immense history and sky rocketing expectations. I totally appreciate that that is an unfair starting point for anything but, unfortunately, life is full of choices and expectations and any form of art has to rage an unavoidable battle against these.

This is the story of Florentino Ariza, an ordinary looking young man who falls in love with the elegant and beautiful Fermina Daza and establishes a successful relationship of exchanging passionate love letters with her. This innocent relationship comes to an abrupt end when Fermina in the flash of a moment refuses his proposal of marriage and goes on to marry another more respectable individual. Thus rejected but not disheartened, Florentino spends his entire life waiting for a reunion with his love. He works hard and has innumerable sexual relations with different women but none can match up to the love he is waiting for. 

While the book aspires to emotionally move it's readers with love, passion and desperation, to me the book is nothing more than a 'let down'. While the writing is different and in some ways endearing, the story line is not very different from a Bollywood love flick. Florentino's character annoys me to no end. The fact that he passes his entire life hoping and waiting for a reunion with Fermina reeks of passivity and waste of a life in my opinion. Maybe I am too unromantic for this but the fact is that I would rather have had him move on with his life than indulge in mindless sexual encounters to fill the gap left by someone he hardly knew. 

I know that this may be too harsh a judgement on someone's character but that's the idea of a review, isn't it? I didn't enjoy the book at all and wouldn't recommend it to others. If there are others out there who don't share my views, I would love to hear from you!

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!  

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading! 

 

Rebecca

     Author                          Daphne Du Maurier

     Country                        United Kingdom

     Genre                           Fiction

     Publication Date         1938

     Pages                            380






This is a gripping book that made me stay up late. Effortlessly written, it has all the characteristics of a typical Jane Austen classic with an elegant touch of modernity.

The story starts in Monte Carle where the heroine meets the handsome and recently widowed Maxim De Winter. With humble beginnings and working as a paid companion to an almost detestable lady, her joy knows no bounds when she is proposed to by Max. Full of innocent excitement, she gives up her current occupation to accompany Max to his gigantic estate and build a new life as Mrs De Winter. 

Life, however, had other plans in store for her. Being young, innocent and naive, she is overwhelmed by the shadow of Max's first wife, Rebecca that still seems to rule the house and all her loyal servants. She finds it hard and harrowing to establish her feet as both the mistress of the house and as Max's wife. The fact that the book is titled 'Rebecca' and the heroine isn't even given a name other than Mrs. De Winter is a telling reflection on how Rebecca's shadow is the protagonist and our heroine who is supposedly a 'nothing' in front of her has to battle against it to find her ground. 

Her constant struggle, self doubt, desire to prove herself, the knowledge that Max probably loves her - but more as a kid than as an equal - make the novel heart wrenching. The readers in a subtle way are made to reflect on the parity in a marriage. While in some way she is a companion to Max (providing him the much needed company after Rebecca's death), is he truly a companion to her? The fact that she could not openly discuss her insecurities with Max or lean on him for emotional support point to the contrary. But then, to be fair to Max, did she demand that out of him? Not till late for sure. And that in some way is reflected in her own thoughts when she wonders how many people are there in the world like her who suffer because they cannot break away from their own shyness and garner the courage to demand the truth. 

In a snapshot, this truly is a coming of age story for our heroine, Mrs De Winter; besides being a gripping romance mystery. Married to a much elder and mature man, she takes her time getting over her own inhibitions and demanding that she be treated as an equal in their marriage. Luckily for her, this happens sooner than later and she finds in Max a loving husband.

Unfortunately, most of us spend too much of our life time before we gain this courage!

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!  

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!