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 : Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi

Title - Scion of Ikshvaku (Ram Chandra Series)

Author- Amish Tripathi

Publication – Westland Ltd.

Genre – Indian Literature, Mythology, Philosophy

Source- Kindle Edition

Pages- 274

Rating – 5/5

The Shekhar Kapur has mentioned ‘Amish is India’s first literary popstar.’

So, I believed his words and picked up Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish Tripathi . I heard a lot about his previous books but mythology was not my cup of tea and after reading Ikshvaku, I forgot what the celebrities said about Amish’s work. I will read Amish because no one can re-tell mythology better than him and Shiva Trilogy will be in my Top Priority list now.   

Ramayana is not a new subject to read, and then the question aroused ‘Will Amish’s Version of Ramayana series able to surprise us?’ I already had gone through with Ramayana by C. Rajagopalachari as compulsory subject but Scion of Ikshvaku is quite enthralling, author didn’t dragged the old plethora of customs but rejuvenated a sun lit side of Ramayana staying with the same characters. I couldn’t believe I was reading some mythology. Ramayana was never that much interesting before.

“A leader is not just one who gives his people what they want. He must also be the one who teaches his people to be better than they imagined themselves to be.” 

I’m not going to kill the charm of incredible work of Amish by summarizing it but I eagerly want to share few facts that provoke you to put your hands on this beautiful book because good books deserve to be read.

Ram was ostracized by his father, Raja Dashrath just because on the same day prince ram was born; Dasrath lost his battle against Raavan and never recovered again.

‘Lying may bring one into a position of authority, which in turn may result in an opportunity to do good. Would you still advocate not lying? It may well be said that a true leader loves his people more than he loves his own soul.’

Sita was not a Touch-me-not kind of princess but the prime minister of Mithila and a very storng woman who totally devoted towards Dharma (The Different between good and evil) as sincere as Lord Ram. And when Sita revealed to Ram that she was adopted then he replied

‘Birth is completely unimportant. It is just a means of entry into this world of action, into this karmabhoomi. Karma is all that matters. And your karma is divine.’

And the part that surprised me that Kekeyi’s Kop-Bhawan-Scene was not the sole reason behind Ram’s Exile but indirectly she helped in taking a decision.

‘Sometimes truth causes pain and suffering. Such times, silence is preferred.’

Yes! That was self- imposed exile that was given by ram to himself as penance because he had used ‘Asuraastra’ the biological weapon while battling with Raavan to decapitate his power and put his army into obvilion. And according to laws, anything that causes mass destruction was banned at that time.

The most beautiful part of the book Ram-Sita’s first meeting, you can fall in love with love when you read it.

‘Two souls that were dependent on each other giving each other purpose, two halves of a whole.’

Author tried to add few social issues as Nibharya Delhi Case by creating a new character ‘Roshini’ The daughter of Manthara, that was something new, inspite of rapist’s minor age he could not get rid of his karma. Overall it’s a MUST READ, no matter you like mythology or not, after giving it a start, you won’t able to put down this unorthodox still epic Ramayana .

‘Ram mused: How unworthy are we, the descendants of these great ancestors. Maharishikas Gargi and Maitreyi were rishikas, and today there are fools who claim that women are not to be allowed to study the scriptures or to write new ones. Maharishi Satyakam was the son of a Shudra single mother. His profound knowledge and wisdom is recorded in our greatest Upanishads; and today there are bigots who claim that the Shudra-born cannot become rishis.’

About an Author-

Amish Tripathi is IIM-graduate and worked for 14 years in the financial serving (Boring) but he got fame because of his art of storytelling and that makes him unique. According to a magazine he translated bare facts into delicious stories.  His Shiva Trilogy doesn’t need any Introduction; his classic work speaks for itself.

Book Cover Design by Think WhyNot

Links lead you to author 

Follow Amish on Twitter –  @authoramish

Twitter handle of –  @WestlandBooks

P.s. - Eagerly waiting for the next part of Amish’s Ramayana series!

Book Review : The House That BJ Built by Anuja Chauhan

Title: The House That BJ Built

Author: Anuja Chauhan

Publisher: Westland Ltd.

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 410

Source: Flipkart Review Program  

Rating: 5/5

In this present scenario when couple of books has been releasing every day. It is hard for readers to pick the right one, of course time worthy. Personally I avoid over-flowing-love fiction as most Indian authors writing these days. But when I read first book of Anuja Chauhan ‘ Zoya’s factor’, I found her as cause for celebration. And with next read ‘Those Pricey Thakur Girls’ she became a most promising Indian author of literary fiction especially for me.

And now ‘The House That BJ Built by Anuja Chauhan’ has already occupied the reading floor. It’s time to meet our favorite characters again (YaY Moment), those beautiful (but troublesome) alphabetically named daughters of Justice Laxmi Narayan Thakur. Actually this book is a sequel of “Those Pricey Thakur Girls” but Anuja interlaced the characters so well that you found it more refreshing and delectable.

As, 

“I’ll make my sisters squirm like well-salted earthworms.

 I won’t sell. Even my jutti won’t sell.

 And if I die na, then even my ghost won’t sell.” 

“She has no hissa. If you open your mouth we’ll borrow next-door-ka-pistol and sambhar vada  you both. Imagine!”  

“Take your Time. Think it out. I’m not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever.”

“The House That BJ Built” is basically a story of a girl, Bonu singh Rajawat who runs a workshop, set up on the first floor of BJ’s (Her Grandfather) house. The workshop is Bonu’s pride and joy.  

“Bonu is a girl who doesn’t respect any rules, who picks locks and rips off designers and order nasbandis without worrying at all about right or wrong.” That what’s Samar thought.

Samar?  Samar is Bonu’s childhood crush, a step-cousin and a young director who arrived back after ages at BJ’s House (Hailey Road. Delhi). Somehow the story takes turn and BJ (Their Grandfather) left the world with a promise that Samar would sell the Bj’s property and distribute the Hissas in all alphabetical aunts equally. and then comes the interesting part, varieties of obstacles esp. an extended family (a philanderer uncle) and mystery behind her great grandmother’s death. Meanwhile Samar falls for Bonu The Chhamchham unexpectedly.

Here a great applause for Anuja chauhan, she managed to render the characters in an impressive way that you hooked with the story till the end, It took me less than two days to complete it. [Note: Those who don’t want to lose their jobs please read it on weekend because it’s really hard to put it down once you started]

And those who were thinking that love ka the end of Eshwari and ‘Steesh’ in “Pricey Thakur Girls”. There is a vibrant surprise for you. Hope you would like to find it by yourself.

These light hearted still relatable dialogues filled with colloquial nuances, make you realize that you’re dealing with an intellectual writer on the other side I have no words to describe Anuja’s sense of humor. She will give you the “pet-pakdo-laugh” for sure. She will make you giggle with tangy romance between Bonu and Samar.

If, you have been waiting for profound yet entertaining read, Hey Jack, Anuja is back!

Flipkart Link : The House That BJ Built By Anuja Chauhan

You Tube Link : The House That BJ Built By Anuja Chauhan

Twitter Handle of an Author is  @anujachauhan .