Bangalore Stories- The Red Carpet

Eight Stories with Bangalore as the backdrop. I did not like the first three stories because they seemed a bit too explicit. I have Victorian sensibilities. But something made me stick on. And I am glad. Because the remaining five were quite nice. The characters are completely Indian and hence, I could relate to the madi-following Iyer mamis, the young, overworked and harassed software professionals, the clash of mother and daughter, the mentality of the working class.
Though I hope never to meet the maid who is a child-abuser or have my friends (male or otherwise) cussing for all they're worth and using filthy language in my presence, I know that these are portraits of real people abounding in all our cities and towns. The characterization is very strong and that is what makes the book a compelling read. Lavanya Sankaran is pretty cool for a first time author.

2 States - Chetan Bhagat

Hmm... This is a book that I have already read. But the name fits for week 3 and I have not been to the library to replenish my set of new books. So, here goes.

2 States is a book about how to people fall in love and decide to marry with the blessings of both sets of parents. This is easier said than done as the two are from diametrically opposite families, states, cultures and mindsets. And that is the plotline in short.

Now, I've read Chetan Bhagat's books before but this I feel is the best. The narrative is great, characters strong and realistic, the portraits of the 3 cities and their people are very well etched and as for the climax? Brilliant.

There's romance, current affairs, politics, warring parents, about to be 'samdhi' fights. I particularly liked the way in which the extended family and friends blend into the story. These are typical characters littered in each family. Hard not to actually find semblance of people I know in them.

A typical love story with a spicy makeover.

We'll Always Have Paris

I selected Ray Bradbury as the second book for my A-Z project simply because of the title of his book- We'll Always Have Paris.

I was hurriedly trying to select a book- any author whose name begins with B when I found this. A hasty look at the book jacket showed a beaming Woody Allen kind of a person on the cover. Humour, I thought. I like humour. I stole a quick glance at the back. 'Pulitzer' leaped out at me. Heavy weight praises and prizes won adorned the entire page. The book was a collection of short stories, I gleaned from some serious skimming of the Intro. I made my decision. I'll take it.

The stories range from happy to poignant to scary. There is even a sci-fi one in the collection. All the stories are compelling. Even the Poe-style horror one, I just had to continue reading merely to reach the end. 

The stories all just come alive and you can almost see the characters. Everything else but the book kind of fades away. Quite a good read. 

My only advice however would be- If you are like me, someone moved by tragedy and horror; read in the  daytime.

The Secret Adversary

Started my A-Z Project. As part of my enjoyable and yes, hopefully enlightening New Year Resolution, I have finished the first book in the first week.

A is the first letter of the alphabet and A is for Agatha. What better than to start with the Queen of suspense and psychology? I began with The Secret Adversary.

Every Christie novel is a joy to read and her characters lovable. Tommy and Tuppence are not her most famous but definitely the romantic pair are no less thrilling. A formidable pair- their stories involve brains, beauty, intrigue and duty [hey, that rhymes!]. Add to it the ever faithful Albert, the mysterious Mr.Carter, and lo! recipe for danger but a delight for the reader.

The book is a similar, splendidly woven tale of good versus bad, a lot of amateur detective work by the leading duo, lots of confusing leads and a grand final showdown. Loved it!