Book Review: The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy

‘The Cossacks’

By Leo Tolstoy

‘The Cossacks’ is a wonderful story of a young man who has seen the ‘best’ of the times and has volunteered himself out of a cozy rich life. Having lived carefree high society life for years, Olenin decides to give it up and goes to live the harsh life of a military man in the region of Cossacks. There he discovers his peace of mind and a balance that he was looking for. But things were not to remain just like that. He falls in love and finds himself in conflict with keeping his love or to maintain his friendship with a young Cossack man called Lukashka. He ends his stay by making it a journey and discovers the other side of human faces in the end.

Minutest details are captured so well in this novel, be it geographical or human psychology, that I don’t think any other author will be able to match Tolstoy in this area. It has been an enlightening read.

- [Rahul Tiwary]

Book Review: Sharatchand Ki Sarvshrestha Kahaniyan

‘Sharatchand Ki Sarvshrestha Kahaniyan’ (Hindi)

Raja Pocket Books

ISBN: 81-7604-212-9

This is the first Sharatchand book that I have read so far and what a mesmerizing read it has been! The power of pen, the art of painting human characters as real as one can get, the science of understanding basic human relationships so well, and the enigma of writing stories of the common man; Sharatchand is a gem of a writer!

His first story in this collection, titled “Darp Churn’ (Breaking of her ego) is an extremely touching story of a husband who has been shunned and neglected by her wife only because he can’t earn enough money up to her expectations. It is a story of consistent sacrifices that he makes, of immense pain and suffering that he endures, only to give up on her in the end. The story presents to us another side of Indian women’s psyche which is full of material greed, excessive pride and utter insensitiveness. Second story, called “Raam Ki Sumati” is an equally touching story revolving around sentiments and relationships between a young man and her bhabhi whom he loved as her mother. Perhaps the inquisitive eyes of the neighborhood and their relatives couldn’t tolerate their affection and peace and they set to destroy all that was built over the years. Both these stories are not sad-ending stories but ones which presents hope and give out positive messages.

The book also has some of the author’s personal memoires, like “Balya-Smriti” and ‘Deoghar Ki Smritiyan”. The last story in this collection, called “Lathaiton Ki Kahani” is of completely different taste but as captivating as any other book.

Finishing this book, I am thirstier than before. I hope to read many other books from the author in the coming days.

Book Review: A Well Behaved Woman and other stories by Shweta Thakur

‘A Well Behaved Woman and other stories’

By Shweta Thakur

Mind Melodies

ISBN 13: 978-93-5018-168-3

Any storywriter essentially tells stories which somehow connect with his/her environment. Therefore every great writer has presented a wonderful account of the society and its colors prevalent at his/her lifetime. Shweta Thakur is a young author; trained as a scientist she also worked in a modern workplace. In many ways her book of stories comments on the challenges, dynamics, and varieties present in the modern era, more than anything else. So we get to meet a librarian living in his own world, two young ladies competing fiercely in a competitive system in their own ways, an executive facing ‘mid-life crisis’, and so on. A story titled ‘The Untouchable’ talks about modern women and things like Facebook/Orkut instead of any racist topic. There are human aspects well represented too, like a story titled “Wife of a financial planner”.

As her maiden book, A Well Behaved Woman and Other Stories seems a good starting point. The stories are well developed. With nine stories on variety of topics, the book can connect with young readers very well. The book is also designed beautifully with a stunning cover page and well presented content. We can hope the author to go on her promising writing stint with more variety, depth and then, sky is the limit.

- Rahul

Book Review: Ek Saans Meri by Jyotiparv Prakashan

‘Ek Saans Meri’

Jyotiparv Prakashan

Editors: Rashmi Prabha, Yashwant Mathur

ISBN 978-81-923276-3-1

‘Ek Saans Meri’ is a poetry collection published by Jyotiparv Prakashan, containing representative poems of eight poets including Neelima Sharma. The eight poets are of diverse backgrounds and the reader gets to taste multiple flavors in a single book. Some poems have become very touchy and almost all poets present to us very sensitive poems.

For example here are some lines from Neelima Sharma’s poem titled “Mahakti rasoi” (P94):

Mahakti Rasoi

Mahakta ghar

Woh angithi ke charo taraf

Baith kar khana

Tabhi pakti rotiyan

Woh sarso ka saag

Kundi me kuta hua

Woh ghont ghont kar banai hui kheer

Ek thali me khate sab bachche

Kuchh pake parathe hote kuchh kachche

Aaj haan aaj

Kahan rah gaya hai woh swaad

Another wonderful poem from poetess Anjana Dayal titled “Zara muskura dijiye” (P82):

Hans ke udaasi hara dijiye,

Masle ko na hawa dijiye

Bas, zara muskura dijiye

Yun khafa kya raha kijiye

Kyun sabhi ko saza dijiye

Jee, zara muskura dijiye…

Overall the book is a nice collection of Hindi poetry from contemporary poets and poetesses. A good read and those who love Hindi poems can find this book very interesting.

- Rahul

Book Review: Shiva An Introduction by Devdutt Pattanaik

‘Shiva An Introduction’

By Devdutt Pattanaik

Vakis, Feffer and Simons Pvt. Ltd

ISBN 978-81-8462-013-9

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. My curiosity to know more about Hinduism and to get real meaning of our mythology or the inherent symbolism found a savior in him. His pen is so powerful, knowledge so deep and expression so simple that I think he is changing the way we look at Hinduism and Hindus, and revitalizing the world’s interest in Hinduism and India.

Shiva, the destroyer among the Hindu Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh, is an enigma in himself; a figure who attracts men and women, grownups and children, kings and fakirs alike. Here is a book which presents a very rational and comprehensive picture of the same. The book covers all aspects of Shiva, like his life story, his marriage, family, his different forms and roles, festivals, worship methods, temples and history… The language is uncomplicated and written in such a wonderful encouraging tone that the reader won’t be able to remain without loving the experience of reading this book…

I would also call it a book of revelations. I was able to know about many rather unknown facts from this book that I consider myself lucky to have read it.

The book is full of illustrations and images both colored and B&W. The collection of portraits of ancient temples and images make it such a rare collection to reserve. The book is also printed on very good quality smooth paper and is of a much bigger size. These features make it a book worth collecting and preserving for life…

In my opinion this book is a must read book for all Hindus or anyone interested in understanding Hinduism in general and Shiva in particular.

- Rahul