Book Review: Sialkot Saga by Ashwin Sanghi

Title: The Siakot Saga

Author: Ashwin Sanghi

Publisher: Westland  

Genre: Thriller, Fiction

ISBN: 9789385724060

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Pages: 584
Rating: 4/5

Ashwin Sanghi is well known figure when it comes to Literature, he established himself in that category of authors, where reader doesn’t think twice while picking Ashwin Sanghi’s work. He started his writing career with Rozabel Line, but I got the chance to read him by his second bestseller “Chanakya’s Chant” I was totally overwhelmed with joy when I completed that, plus I couldn’t believe I had read political mystery in one-go, when I knew I had strong disliking towards anything, related to politics.

In short “Have you felt the satisfaction when you read someone who left you speechless with his work? Ashwin Sanghi is the answer.”  

So, when I came to know his latest work “Sialkot Saga” I couldn’t resist myself to put my time into it. Although it is business mystery, still I read it, because the author deserves it. Impeccable!    

STRUCTURE

Basically, story of Sialkot Saga is all about two people, Arvind and Arbaaz, their upbringing are different, their world are different, whereas Arvind belongs to Marwari well-privileged family, on the other hand Arbaaz’s childhood is full of struggles, which leads him into underworld of Dongri, still they are connected by some ancient secret and rooted into Sialkot (Pakistan), and it is the secret which makes you go through the story.  

NARRATION

I am just no one here to even comment on Ashwin Sanghi’s work, when I am totally in love how he narrates his stories. He is a real storyteller before than anything else. In this “Sialkot Saga” he captured his readers since the beginning, where he described the scene of partition. It reminded me of Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan.

Crisp Narration, Well established dialogues, moving plot, won’t let you escape until you finished it.

CORE

I don’t take much interest into history and related facts, still I liked the book, but I’m telling you, if you are into historical fiction, then it would be great read for you. As Ashwin Sanghi tried to cover almost all main events happened during 1947-2014, either it was Amitabh’s blockbuster movies, Facts related to Indira Gandhi time period, twin tower incident, and many more. Story takes its last turn with Kasab’s brutal act into Mumbai.

To make you feeling light, story contains the part where Arbaz-Arvind’s descendants fell in love despite knowing the fact about their parent’s rivalry, It making me read much faster with curiosity.

Last but not the least, As Ashwin Sanghi Known for his historical-figures-woven plots, he also embedded the Ashoka’s realm and the concept of morality.

Totally involving and well researched work again. Applause!  

READER’s MOMENTS

All these days I was ready to try love without marriage. Why shouldn’t I try marriage without love?’ asked Arvind.

Because dealing with success is sometimes harder than dealing with failure,’ answered his father wisely.

The value of a bullet is much more when it is still inside the revolver.

That nectar is available to everyone, It is just that many do not see it for what it is. We are so caught up in fighting our battles that it remains hidden even though it's in plain sight.

You think compensation solves everything? Do we all think that money can solve the loss of a family member? Let’s focus on the problem at hand. Compensation is the last item that will be discussed.’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashwin Sanghi—entrepreneur by day, novelist by night—has all the usual qualifications of an Indian businessman. Schooling at the Cathedral & John Connon School, a B.A. (Economics) from St. Xavier’s College, and an M.B.A. (Finance) from the Yale School of Management. Besides being a businessman, Ashwin manages a parallel career as writer of fiction. Ashwin’s first novel, ‘The Rozabal Line’ was originally self-published in 2007 under his anagram-pseudonym—Shawn Haigins. The book was subsequently published by Westland in 2008 and 2010 in India under his own name and went on to become a national bestseller. ‘Chanakya’s Chant’ is his second novel in the historical-fiction genre.

Ashwin is also working towards a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Bangor University in Wales. Ashwin lives in Mumbai with his wife, Anushika, and his eight-year old son, Raghuvir. 

CONNECT: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Buy Online: The Sialkot Saga (English)  

 

Book Review: Hedon By Priyanka

Title: Hedon

Author: Priyanka

Publisher: Penguin Books

Genre: Adult Fiction

ISBN: 9780143425953

Pages: 282

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating: 4/5

When I read debut work, the only thought comes into my mind, would it be worthwhile, when there are thousands of classic work just waiting to be savored as well as I concur with the fact that we carry perfectionism in our mind, still our mind urges for freshness,  something which comes with different perspective and then comes this romantic fiction, Hedon by Priyanka.

STRUCTURE

Basically it is a story of two socially privileged people, Tara Mullick and Jay Dhillon. Who first met in a marriage function, at the beginning their relationship starts with some casual friendship, although there is a huge age difference between them, still mails, little talks, meetings lead them into a blossoming lovers.

Besides these two main characters, author embedded few other facets of life  as the part  of the novel regarding to friendship between Tara, cookie and button wins the heart of readers. It’s kind of fascinating how book starts with their enigmatic chemistry that filled with the school life, meaningless talks, their gay friends, alcohol and somewhat creative writing classes and culture of the kolkata and US.

NARRATION

Author narrates story so delicately, it was like unfurling the sepals of flower one by one, with every curve character grows. I loved the writing skill of author, somewhat like poetic prose, and she weave a romantic story around her poems that rejuvenate the tale. I didn’t have to indulge into said-asked theory, dialogues are written in better form. And the most beautiful part was the conversation between the Jay and Tara, especially those last segments full of letters; it is nostalgic as well as captivates readers to love the characters.  

When I started the book it seemed normal love story, but end was somewhat closer to reality, impressive collection of real world things. Either it is pop culture, or talks about authors, their saying, make book more vibrant and appeal to teenagers.  

If you want to read something entertaining as well as sensitive read. Give it a chance!

READER’s MOMENT

With the discovery of purpose, I realized the loss of my freedom. But this was before that bothered me. It was before I learned nothing is ever it seems, and that our lies are just dressed up versions of hopeful truths—they are dreams.

When two people—even strangers—discover a book they both have loved. It feels like a shared secret.

At seventeen, we don’t realize what it means to be seventeen. We can’t quite see the world for what it is, though we have started to feel it a bit. And it gives us, it gives me, a hint of how horribly alone the going will get.

You’re too young to start denying yourself the things that make you happy, kid.

We are not happy unless we are crying. That is our curse and our gift.

You should learn how to show your feelings so I know what to do with mine.

When you ask someone how they are, you are just tempting the askee with a question social dictates don’t allow them to answer. So don’t ask me how I am.

What I perhaps did not know was that there is a fine line, a silver-spun tightrope, between not forgetting and not being able to let go.  

It’s beautiful. Use your body, there is no sense in preserving something that’s already dying.

POETIC TOUCH

Scars brutal and red

Sprinkled with blue

They are what they seem

Taken from me, forced—the loss of safe.

You left me,

And it’s all within

Locked away, unexpressed,

Except here, here

On this page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Priyanka Mookerjee grew up in India and was educated at Loreto House and the Ohio State University, where she studied Narrative Theory, Film, International Relations, and Popular Culture. She currently lives in Kolkata. This is her first novel.

Get more Idea about the book from this exclusive interview by Vivek Tejuja 

Book Review: Behind The Curtain by Ankit Gupta 'Aseer'

Title: Behind the Curtain

Author: Ankit Gupta

Translated By: Ashiya Ansari

Genre: Poetry

Source: Author

Pages: 45

Rating: 2/5

INTRO

A Poem not only conveys the emotion of love, hatred but sometimes it shows the shadow of darkness behind the world, which suffocates into veils. Since ages poets come and sense, try to weave their surrounding in their own words, problems might be same but expressions vary with each soul.

Past days, I received this poetry book “Behind the Curtain by Ankit Gupta”, actually it is compilation of 26 poems, each and every poem contains different story. When the world has been disappearing into the vastness of glamour, commercialization, few poets draw our attention towards reality, the pain which exists but we couldn’t notice, the silent voices which scream but we seems too busy to enjoy the cacophony. And that’s why poems by Ankit Gupta, opens the window to the real world.

BLURB

This poetry book is about the problems prevailing in our society. As our society is progressing, the morals of the people have taken a back step, with each forwarding materialistic development the spirituality and humanity in people is buried deep down somewhere, which has led to shameful crimes. Sometimes girls feel afraid of stepping out of their houses, with the fear of losing their chastity; somewhere the innocence of children is lost and their hands smell of grease and petrol. They work in factories in the age of playing with toys. While in other situations, marriage of daughters is a reason of father's stress instead of happiness because of the demands of dowry. And in other cases, the women who gave birth to mankind are killed in the womb.

THE THING I MISSED

Yes, one thing I would like to mention here, I really wish if poems come in appropriate section that would be easier to decide and pick the read according to mood. But I really appreciate this gentle try. And literally expect more beautiful creations from Ankit Gupta (Aseer) in future. Shine!

READER’s MOMENT

I have taken some pieces from the book, sharing with you.. Just Read!

I don't say that, 

showcase me in the temples 

write me down in the vedas 

recite my stories all day all night long, 

I just, 

want this that  

When I go out of my house, 

I smile, I laugh loud. 

—  Daughter of My Country 

'Boss! Buy some toys;
I need to earn some money.
So that could keep them in the packet of my mother,
then will ask her to have my Eidi.'

      —    EIDI (A Present)

Why the pain and sadness
are so much in love with me?
If the life has so much animosity
with me,
then why the letter of death,
has not arrived yet to me.

      —    Poverty

She put her steps in open to breath 

And you trampled her smiles under your wrath 

      —    What Have You Done!

     'What's the happiness?', if you will ask a father 

     He will smile and show you the picture of his daughter. 

 — The Day When You Bring Smile On His Face 

About The Author

Ankit Gupta “Aseer”, is a Bhopal-based writer. His poems and verses are as beautiful as the historic city Bhopal. His pen name “ASEER” was awarded by Kaviyatri Vishakha “Vidhu”. Aseer enjoys romancing Hindi and Urdu words and has written many beautiful Hindi verses and Urdu Shayaris.

His first book “Numaishen” was published in September 2012, and second book “Zindagi Ki Kalam Se” in 2014 and third book "Behind The Curtain" in 2016. He is also guest author of an anthology "Diary Of Unknown Winter", published in 2016. Aseer is president of Madhya Pradesh for the "World Union of Poets" 

CONNECT: Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Amazon (Buy Online)

Weakness that I loved the most..

It was a puzzle for me when I used to meet those people, who didn’t take any interest in music. Still I wonder about the rare kind of species. 

Music is not some side part of our days, I think a song has its own life, they breathe, they smile, they weep, and they are kind enough to take us along with them. Music love us back, no matter what, like a mother. right? I literally don’t know where I would be if there was no music in my world.

No, I am not exaggerating things, I simply want to show some gratitude towards a single song which eventually became the part of my routine, and it is “Song of The Caged Bird by Lindsey Stirling (2012)”  Although It is an instrumental but full of emotions, liveliness and heartbeats maybe more than that.  

I am saying this proudly that I can’t create a single piece of writing without it.  And if it seems my weakness then I loved it the most and would like  to carry on with it only till the last.   

- Ankita Chauhan