It is early 1956 and the British Empire is crumbling. But for nine-year-old Ella, living with her parents at the British High Commission in Peshawar, Pakistan, the walls of class, snobbery and racism are still intact. Growing up is a lonely, painful experience, and Ella withdraws, recording the hypocrisy of adult behaviour in her diary, A History of Insects, where she hides a secret that could shatter the lives of the people around her.
This is a fantastic and informative compilation of twelve criminals, who dared to carry out crimes that were heinous and lethal. It felt as if I was watching a crime-thriller movie.
The narration is unblemished and portrays the author’s efforts, to bring forth some mind-boggling facts. The story is bound to get you goosebumps and penetrate your skin. A gripping crime thriller that highlighted the dark facets of the Indian society.
The story is a wonderful blend of two worlds. The setting of one is in the Gupta dynasty, when the White Huns invaded India and the other is a modern-day setting. Both the narratives meet at a junction keeping the focus on the fictional story about the origin of chess, the Chaturanga.
Conspiracy, mystery, combat, patriotism, adventure and some light moments, to ease the tension, makes this story an interesting read.
Wonder is an excellent read, not just because it taught me how important it is to support the differently abled, but because it taught me that beauty is not about long hair or tanned skin. Beauty is something which is present inside, and radiates to the exterior of a person.
If you are looking for a light read and yet a read which leaves you contemplating the vagaries of human nature, then pick this book up.
If you are a poet at heart, if you love to read by the lamplight, all snuggled in bed, holding a steaming cuppa, then this book is for you.
Anirban writes with a fantastic command over both language and the topic. The stories are meticulously researched. The book would have been a drab read but for the fact that Anirban peppers it with liberal doses of droll humour and sarcastic wit.
All these stories are true stories and one can identify how treacherous life can be for musicians who are upholding the age old traditions for sale for our posterity but get peanuts as return gifts.
Driftwood is a compilation of 12 short stories from a seaman’s life. The stories revolve around incidents on port, during the call to duty, the trials and tribulations seamen face, their fears, their hardships, etc.
The book serves as a guide to scholars or experts of international relations, who wish to understand how international exchanges have shaped up over the years.
This book can be of great help to heal ourselves, with varied practical exercises to achieve our dreams.
Each character in the book has an individual voice. It is easily distinguishable from the others. Each character is introduced in a separate chapter in the book and that gives a reader ample time to identify with the character.
The entire book is done in black and white. The illustrations, by Ashween Kaur, too are minimalistic adding to the bleakness and simplicity of the poems. The clean lines add value to the written words.
The book is a veritable treasure of tips and good practices. That’s the USP of this book. It is not preachy, rather each chapter is introduced in one or two paragraphs and is followed by quotes from famous and published authors, related to the chapter.
This book is a must for any budding or established author. Not only does it give insights into how he got the plots of many of his stories but also about the struggles of being only an author and trying to make a living out of it.
In this hair-raising account of twelve stories you would get a peak into the twisted minds of people who seemingly look ordinary and unsuspecting but are vicious to the core.
The climax of the book is a masterpiece. I have to say that it’s an entertaining, fascinating and
riveting read.
The book encourages you to delve within yourself and find your strengths and your plus points
