Anon by Bhavani Iyer
Published by Fingerprint! Publishing on 31/05/2018
Genres: Fiction, Historical, Literary
Pages: 312
Format: Paperback
Goodreads

Bhavani Iyer is a screenwriter for many Hindi films and television shows, so when I received this book, I knew I would not be disappointed. Anon is her debut work published earlier this year. The storyline is based in Calcutta of 1960s-70s where Jazz clubs are still lively.

The storyline revolves around two personalities, who are different by a vast amount of surroundings between them yet, they found each other become friends. One is a son of a wealthy landowner and another is born into a fisherman’s family. One is a genius vagabond, another is an ambitious dreamer. However, both of them share a common passion. They both are aspiring writers and have their own share of struggles.

Their friendship is however not only based on the common passion they share. It is actually the different personalities, like two opposing forces attracting each other. It is their story, where one gets the chance to live and other to die.

The narrative style third person and is used very well. The charm of this book is in its characterization. Apart from the two main protagonists of our novel, the characters are lively and cope well with their own roles or the amount of time they are given to appear. The development of the two protagonists can be observed throughout the novel. The writing style is excellent and engrossing. It is because of the manner it is written that as a reader I could observe the emotions that change with time inside a human mind. Crushing memories from past, nostalgic ones from the childhood, this book is full of them.

4 out of 5!

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Only Child by Rhiannon Navin
Published by Knopf on 06/02/2018
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 304
Format: eBook
Goodreads

A mesmerizing debut, Rhiannon Navin’s Only Child touches the heart of her readers through the narrative of a seven-year-old boy.

The storyline of this book is based on reality. The recent events of shooting in schools in the USA, the novel tries to explore the horrible incident in a realistic but a unique manner. The novel deals with the aftermath of a school shooting. From the voice and eyes of a seven-year-old Zach Taylor. His voice not only explores his own pain and emotions but that of his parents and other surrounded. While Zach’s mother pursues a quest for justice against the shooter’s parents by holding them responsible, Zach does the opposite. He sets on a journey of healing and forgiveness, determined to help the adults in his life, his parents and to discover the love and compassion that can pull them out of their darkest hours.

The theme of the storyline is based on realism. The way it is told is beautiful. Putting all the responsibility on a seven-year-old to describe all the events with clarity and in a careful manner to the reader, is a job well done in this book. The narration engaged me from first few pages until the end of the book. It made me curious, it made me realize the harsh reality of loss, love, parents and the process of healing. Emotionally, the plot has all the elements that will engage the reader to think and feel at the same time. The confusion and the feeling of being neglected are the biggest emotions that a reader will clearly observe through Zach’s heart.

I applaud the author on her writing style. It did sound a bit overwhelming for a seven-year-old to narrate feelings that I do not think I ever felt when I was the same age as Zach. However, she mesmerizingly captures the events that sadly and terrifyingly might have been the reality. During the last chapters, a reader will clearly observe that how hypocrite the adults are in their spoken words and doable actions. This an important element of the novel that the author wants us to convey through the eye of a seven-year-old.

The characterization is flawless as the writing style. They develop with the plot, we see their flaws and how with compassion these characters overcome all the hatred and loss. I could not believe that it was a debut since it is a very mature and professional piece of work.

A must read since I consider this novel a Modern Day To Kill a Mockingbird. A perfect read if you are looking for something to discuss next week in your book club.

5 out of 5

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Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Before starting the review, I am going to ask you a general question about poetry, Why do we read Poetry? Or if you are a poet yourself, why do you write it? Try answering this amiable quest for yourself. Stop now, and think about it. Take a moment, describe in one (or many) word(s) as you prefer, ‘Why do you read or write Poetry?’

Okay then, I guess, you have answered the question for yourself. Now let’s see what cordial John Keatings has to say on the concerning matter,

We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering… these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love… these are what we stay alive for.

The quote is from the Dead Poets Society written by N. H. Kleinbaum adapting a movie in to a book that is a simple, short and will probably take same amount of time to read as many of us might have spent on the movie.

For those who haven’t watched the movie or read the book, I’ll summarize the plot: Todd Anderson and his friends at Welton Academy can hardly believe how different life is since their new English professor, the flamboyant John Keating, has challenged them to make their lives extraordinary! Inspired by Keating, the boys resurrect the Dead Poets Society–a secret club where, free from the constraints and expectations of school and parents, they let their passions run wild. As Keating turns the boys on to the great words of Byron, Shelley, Whitman, and Keats, they discover not only the beauty of language, but the importance of making each moment count.But the Dead Poets pledges soon realize that their newfound freedom can have tragic consequences.

There isn’t much to the plot and the characterization as the book takes an assumption that the reader is already familiar with them. Even though, you haven’t heard about it, and still thinking of giving it a try, go for it. It does brief about main characters.

The book raise inquisitive yet snooping questions about our teaching methods. Should the teachers must adapt the flamboyant method of John Keatings and instead of just concentrating on the text, should we let each student touch his own heart and let him experience the amiability of life? Or should students must be left alone with their texts and not let them get impressionable at such an early age? The query itself is tough one and must be given a deep thought. The answer to this query will depend from person to person and his/her methods of acceptance as there is no such thing as a perfect answer. It’s all about the words and ideas that matter and each of them have a tendency to affect the surroundings in both effective and ineffective manner.

That the powerful play(of life) goes on, and you may contribute a verse. -WALT WHITMAN

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