Book Review: Eating Wasps by Anita Nair

Title: Eating Wasps

Author: Anita Nair

Publisher: Context

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 260

ISBN: 978-9387578722

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating: 5/5

Ghost and writers are more alike than you think. We can be what you want us to be. We can hear your thoughts even if you don't tell us. We can read the silences and shape your stories as if they happen to us, and I was both: a ghost and a writer.

Eating Wasps, unusual and electrifying novel, set in a small town, by the river Nila. Anita Nair, flickers between many characters, along with protagonist, Shreelakshmi, thirty-five year old writer, who committed suicide.

Anita Nair has woven a strong character, despite of killing herself, It seemed, Shreelakshmi was an emotionally balanced person, and a truly rebel, but life comes with its own unexpected disappointments. One can fight with the world but loved ones. She felt cheated by her lover-husband, that incident broke her and led her to take decision of ending her life.

Anita Nair writes sensitively. She has great command on women’s inner world and complexities. In this book, Eating Wasps, Every character wants to live on their own will, they don’t regret of their desires, they don’t feel apologetic for their existence.

Besides the protagonist, Shreelakshmi, there are nine other women who face oddly situations and deal with them. Here, I have to mention, this is not a la-la-land book, you would surely observe the dark corners of human society. 

In the chapter, Age of fear, Anita Nair writes about a baby girl, who is growing up in a environment, lack of love and attention, how this drew her to heart-wrenching incident. When Nair, depicts fear of a  sexually assaulted girl, Yes I felt disgust, I felt pain and that’s the power of her writing, it breaks something inside, like strike a hammer on ice.

   

I wish I could write more about plot, to be honest that would kill the charm of reading prose, i.e. sentence by sentence. Who placed an index finger into false back of cupboard? What is the story behind weird title ‘Eating Wasps’? Who is that frightened child, hiding in an antique cupboard of private resort?

Basically, there are external and internal struggles and Anita Nair, put her characters so brilliantly into unhappy situations, that makes story gripping. For instance, when Urvashi, questioning on her life..

   

It had begun on her fifty-five birthday. ‘Just who am I Mahesh?’ Urvashi asked as they sat in their balcony for their customary drink and catching up on the day chat. Mahesh frowned at his wife ‘what a strange question’ He said, sipping his whisky.

Add to this, Megha, Liliana, Urvashi, Brinda, Najma, Maya and others, deal with related issues, as child abuse, stalking, family pressures. Not a single person seemed heroic, yet they all are powerful. They feel every emotion, jealousy, desire, and longing for breathing space. You connect with them immediately.

It is really superlative art, how Nair, switching on the next character without losing the interest of reader. It is worth to spend time, when you get clean sentences, clear perspective, beautiful imagery, effortless writing, and unusual plot.

Don’t miss this beauty “Eating Wasps by Anita Nair”. Even I have decided to explore more work by author. For this one, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 

About the Author

Anita Nair is the author of several novels, including The Better Man, Mistress, Idris: Keeper of the Light and Alphabet Soup for Lovers. She has also authored a crime series featuring Inspector Gowda.

Anita’s other books include Malabar Mind, a collection of poems, Goodnight & God Bless, a collection of essays, and six books for children. She has written two plays and the screenplay for the movie adaptation of her novel Lessons in Forgetting, which was part of the Indian Panorama at IFFI 2012 and won the National Film Award in 2013. Her books have been translated into thirty-one languages around the world. She is also the founder of the creative writing and mentorship programme, Anita’s Attic.

Story: Yaadon Ka Idiot Box with Neelesh Misra - Chaukhat (Aired on 92.7 BigFM)

दो पौधे मिट्टी में रोंपकर, थोड़ा खांसते हुए, मैं कुर्सी पर आकर टिक गयी। पलकों में भारीपन महसूस हुआ। ये थकान पचास की उम्र को छू चुके शरीर की नहीं थी। मेरा मन थक चुका था। कभी इंतजार करते हुए, तो कभी किए जा रहे इंतजार को दुनिया की नजरों से छुपाते हुए।

धुंधलाई नजरों से मैंने आसमान को देखा। गहरे-जामुनी बादल बरसने को तैयार खड़े थे। हथेली से घुटनों को सहलाते हुए मैंने तनु के कमरे की ओर नजर डाली। खिड़की अब-तक बंद थी।

“ये लड़की भी जाने कब बड़ी होगी, आठ-बजे तक कौन सोता है” चेहरे पर गुस्से में घुली-मिली मुस्कान आ गयी।

सुबह होने पर मैं अक्सर भूल जाया करती थी कि इस घर में मेरे अलावा एक और शक्स है....तनु। तनु को सिर्फ एक रिश्ते में बाँधना मुमकिन नहीं था। वो मेरे लिए क्या थी ये सिर्फ मैं ही जानती थीं, मेरी वर्क-पार्टनर, शाम की चाय पर चियर्स कहने वाली दिलपंसद साथी या मेरे इकलौते बेटे कबीर की मंगेतर... 

Story - Yaadon Ka Idiot Box with Neelesh Misra : Nani Ka Baksa (Aired on 92.7 BigFM)

Poster Courtesy Big FM

बस अपने तयशुदा वक्त पर चल दी। खिड़की से आती ठंडी हवा की सरसराहट मुझे उस घर की याद दिला रही थी जो पाँच साल पीछे मेरी यादों में ठहरा था। नानी-माँ का घर। मेरा मन, खुले आँगन में बिखरी यादें बीनने लगा।

आँवले के मुरब्बों की गंध मेरी नाक में भर गयी। आँखे मिचमिचा उठी, जैसे रात को छत पर, नानी की साड़ी के आँचल से छनता चाँद देख लिया हो, कई रंगो से घिरा चाँद।

उन दिनों भोलू सारी रात गली में भौंकता था। झिंगुर की आवाजें सायरन-सी सुनाई पड़ती। तब नानी मुझे अपने सीने से चिपकाए नए-नए भगवान की कहानी सुनाती। जहाँ सुबह की नींद अलार्म-क्लॉक से नहीं मोर की बोली से खुलती, जहाँ की दोपहरें चिलचिलाती धूप नहीं, पौधों की गहरी-हरी-छाँव समेटे होतीं।

जयपुर के पास बसा वो छोटा-सा कस्बा मेरी नानी का घर था। जहाँ कभी सबसे जरूरी इंसान था...मैं।

Youtube link of full story

Story - Yaadon Ka Idiot Box with Neelesh Misra : Yaar-e-Mann (Aired on 92.7 BigFM)

Poster Courtesy: Big FM

वो मेरी ही तरफ बढ़ रही थी। कदम दर कदम, लम्हा दर लम्हा। जरा-सा झुककर कभी पैरों से लिपटी भीगी साड़ी को अलग करती हुई। तो कभी चेहरे से अधगीले बालों को हटाती हुई। 

जब उसने आँखो पर चढ़े गोगल्स को उपर सरकाया तो मेरे अंदर एक अजीब हलचल पैदा हुई। उसकी गहरी आँखों में आज भी उतना ही गहरा काजल था जो शायद बारिश में भीगने की वजह से जरा फैल गया। ये सोचते हुए मेरी नजरे विंडो-ग्लास पर गयी, बाहर बारिश सचमुच तेज़ थी।

इस बीच विदी से मेरी नजरें टकरायीं, वो टकराहट मानो हम-दोनों को बुत-सा कर गयी, स्टोंड, स्टैच्यू। मेरे होंठ बुदबुदाए। उसके होंठ मुस्कुरा कर रह गए, एक अनचाही, अनबोली मुस्कान।

कई सवाल मेरे मन में खलबली मचाने लगे। उसने पहचान तो लिया होगा? मेरा नाम भूली तो नही होगी ना? सिड कहेगी, या तकल्लुफी में सिद्धार्थ? सोचते हुए मैंने गहरी साँस ली।

Youtube Link of Full Story

Book Review - Shyam: An Illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata by Devdutt Pattanaik

Title: Shyam: An Illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Penguin Books

ISBN:  978-0670084463

Genre: Mythology

Pages: 304

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating:  5/5

I was first introduced to Devdutt Pattanaik by his work, Shikhandi and Other Tales; I was totally amazed of it then. Reading mythology was not so much entertaining for me, but that’s the beauty of Pattanaik’s writing, he has created his own readership. With curiosity, readers started taking interest into this genre; even eagerly wait for his next work.

Today I am talking about his recently launched book, Shyam: An illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata. I must say, this book is pure beauty in a manner of writing plus those beautiful illustrations. You would be surprised if I say, our author created those doodles by himself.  It makes narration easier, also turns story in a more fathomable form.

In his latest work, Shyam: retelling of Bhagavata—you would get a glimpse of krishna’s life, from his birth to death. Author divided this book into 16 chapters, each chapter contains heaps of stories, I loved how author explored Krishna’s life step by step. Although it is not the first time, Devdutt Pattanaik has presented illustrated histories of two mythological figures before as well; maybe you have read Jaya and Sita. Yet I am sure, Shyam is the most awaited work, I mean who would not want to read about Krishna, a Hindu Deity, who entered into every kid’s life as a first superhero, his small nuisances giggles us, his relationship with Yashoda, made more aware motherly expressions, his most enigmatic love life with Radha along with thousands of Gopis, besides that his angry face in front of kamsha. Author didn’t forget to mention his role in Mahabharata. I liked two fragments the most, the one that unfolds the friendship between Shyam and Arjuna and second one when Shyam rescues Draupdi . 

The thing I loved about Pattanaik’s writing is he never try to show how much he knows about mythology, In fact he creates his characters around humanity and nature, you can easily connect with them. You read, you learn and become a better person unknowingly, His words doesn’t sound preachy, yet you feel the transformation bit by bit, for instance, as Shyam was raised as a cowherd, he had never received the former education defeating his status as the son of Yadava nobleman. So, he was sent to the hermitage old Rishi Sandipani along with his elder brother to learn mannerism and Vedic ways.

Sandipani revealed the central tenet of vedic world, what differentiated rishis from rakshasas.

‘It is the yajana, animals grab food. When people also grab what they want they are rakshasas. But when they exchange resources, they follow the path of the rishi, for it means they see each other’s needs, not just their own. When you first give something in order to get something you are a generous yajaman. If you demand something before you give something, you are a devata. As children you can be devatas, but to grow up means to be a yajamans. When you are able to give without expecting anything in return you are the greatest yajaman.

Sandipani had taught Shyam about Karma, how every event is the fruit of past, and every action is the seed of future. I forgot to mention the most amusing part, titled Dancing on Kalia’s hood. You must read it.

In Chapter Seven, Lover, Devdutt has woven the most delicate facet of Krishna’s life. esp The Circular Dance on Moonlit Nights. In another fragment, titled Shyam Multiplies,  author states that Shyam appeared not as one but as many, Each Gopi, embraces his presence and let their senses enjoy his beauty and let him be nourished by their emotions. There was nothing to hide, nothing to explain. Likewise under the chapter of Shyam and Radha, Author unfolded the beauty of love and wisdom. In his words—What is love: I merely desired to be the vessels who receives what she gives. I met some knowing characters as Sudama, and short tale of Parijat’s flowers. Beyond all this, I got to know his all avatars at one place.

Pattanaik has written more than 30 books; still his writing seems refreshing and precise. If you want to connect to your roots, just read it out; pick every thought provoking book written by Devdutt Pattanaik, Our author who celebrates Mythology. Highly Recommended. 

The Circular Dance on Moonlit Nights

Shyam Dancing on Kalia's Hood

Radha and Shyam

About the Author

Devdutt Pattanaik writes, illustrates and lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He has, since 1996, written over 30 books and 600 columns on how stories, symbols and rituals construct the subjective truth (myths) of ancient and modern cultures around the world. His books with Penguin Random House India include The Book of Ram, Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata, Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana, The Girl Who Chose and the Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik series, among others. He consults with corporations on leadership and governance, and TV channels on mythological serials. His TV shows include Business Sutra on CNBC-TV18 and Devlok on Epic TV. To know more, visit devdutt.com.

Connect:  Twitter | Web 

Storywallah: Short Stories (Neelesh Misra's Mandali)

नीलेश मिसरा सर की आवाज में आपने रेडियो पर, सावन एप पर, यू-ट्यूब पर कई कहानियाँ सुनी होंगी। एक दशक होने को है। कहानियों में रिश्तों की गर्माहट होती है, नॉस्टेलिया होता है, साधारण लोंगो की असाधारण कहानियाँ हैं ये। एहसासों की ये भीतरी यात्रा अब एक किताब की शक्ल में आ रही हैं, नाम है स्टोरीवाला, पेंगुईन इंडिया प्रकाशक हैं। किताब 21 जून से अमेजन पर उबलब्ध है। क़िताब का हिस्सा हूँ खुश हूँ, हैरान हूँ, सपने साँस ले रहे हैं।

Photo Source: Ajendra Singh Bhadoria

Buy Link: STORYWALLAH (Penguin Books) 

किताब समीक्षा : दस्तक खयालों की - आशीष अग्रवाल ‘वजूद’

शीर्षक: दस्तक खयालों की

लेखक: आशीष अग्रवाल ‘वजूद’

प्रकाशक: प्रभात प्रकाशन

विधा: कविता, साहित्य

पृष्ठ: 160

आईएसबीएन:  978-9352668694

रेटिंग: 4/5

रोजमर्रा की भाग-दौड़ में चन्द लफ्ज़ो का ठहराव सुकून देता है। इन दिनों आशीष अग्रवाल को पढ रही हूँ, वजूद के नाम से लिखते हैं। सोशल मीडिया पर लोग इन्हें वजूद के नाम से ही पहचानते हैं। शायरों की भीड़ में अपनी अलग पहचान रखते हैं। पिछले कुछ वक्त से ट्वीटर पर एक्टिव रहे, और हाल ही में अपनी पहली किताब “दस्तक ख्यालों की” के साथ, पाठकों की बुकशेल्फ तक पहुँच चुके हैं। लेखक के लिए ये बहुत ही खूबसूरत यात्रा होती है

वो जब नही होता है,

महसूस होता है

ये भी ऐब के जैसा है,

किसी ऐब का ना होना

दस्तक खयालों की, ये किताब सर्दियों में लॉन पर बिखरी गुनगुनी धूप सी है। किताब को खूबसूरत स्केचेज़ के जरिए कई खण्डों में बाँटा गया है। कहीं रिश्ते में पलती गर्माहट है तो कहीं दूरियों की कशमकश। आशीष ने, सीधे सादे लफ्ज़ों मे अपनी बात रखी है, भाषा को कठिन शब्दों का लिफाफा पहनाने की कोशिश नहीं की और शायद इसलिए किताब में लिखा हर शब्द पाठक को महसूस होता है। आशीष ने, एहसासों को, हमारे भीतर चलती लम्बी यात्राओं को कुछ लफ्ज़ों में बाँधा है।  

  

चुप्पी अब तक जारी है

बात को दोनों पकड़े है

दिलासा सब को दे दिया मैंने,

मुझ को अब सम्भाल ले कोई

इस किताब में आशीष, वर्तमान में टूटते बिखरते रिश्तों की अहमियत याद दिलाते हैं, उनकी सूक्ष्मदर्शी नजर वो भी देख लेती है जिसे लोगों द्वारा अक्सर अनदेखा कर दिया जाता है। कहीं भाषा की अभद्रता पर तीखा प्रहार किया गया है, तो कहीं सियासत में होती उठापठक, इनकी शायरी में कई वैरिएशन हैं, जो पाठक की सोच को विस्तार देते हैं।

भली इतनी है अगर,

गालियों मे फिर क्यूँ है माँ

आवाम माँगने लगे न कही हिसाब वादों का,

सियासत जानती है कब जज्बात छेड़ना है

मोहब्बत की तरह एक दिन तय कर दो कोई,

ये रोज रोज की नफरतें अच्छी नही लगती

आजकल रिश्ते बनने से पहले बिखरने लगते हैं, और जहाँ तक इस किताब का सवाल है, इसमें शायर ने सबसे खूबसूरत पक्तियाँ रिश्तों के उपर ही लिखी हैं, मैं उनको ठहर कर पढ़ रही थी, बार बार पढ़ रही थी। सोच रही थी कि ये अनुभवो के स्तर पर किया गया लेखन है या कल्पना के धरातल पर बुना गया सत्य। आशीष लिखते हैं—

जान है बाकी रिश्ते में,

अभी शिकायत होती है

जैसे सफर का मुसाफिर घर को,

तेरी तरफ मैं यूँ लौटता हूँ

गुफ्तगू मे उनको तकलीफ है शायद,

तो अब से ये होगा कि परेशाँ ना करेगें

इस किताब में आशीष ने, जिंदगी से रूबरू हर पहलू को छूने की बेहतरीन कोशिश की है, कॉफी पर ठिठकी नींद का जिक्र है, व्यस्तता के बीच खो चुकी जिंदगी है, उम्मीदों और ख्वाहिशों पर भी क्या खूब लिखा है। यही संवेदनशील लेखन, पाठक को इस किताब की ओर बार बार लौटने पर मजबूर करता है, ये सिरहाने जगह पा जाने वाली किताब है, जिसे रोज बूँद-बूँद जिया जा सके।

मोहब्बत की तरह एक दिन तय कर दो कोई,

ये रोज रोज की नफरतें अच्छी नही लगती

ये जो भी हूँ, बस तुम्हारी खातिर,

सच कहूँ ये मेरा मिजाज नहीं है

किसने चलाया ये तोहफे लेने-देने का रिवाज़,

गरीब आदमी मिलने जुलने से डरता है

ये तो कोई होड़ सी है,

जिंदगी का क्या हुआ

कभी फुर्सत से आ तसल्ली से बैठ,

जिंदगी तुझसे मशवरा चाहता हूँ

जब एक ख्याल लम्बे अर्से तक ज़हन में पकता है तो भीतर कहीं दस्तक होती है, आशीष ने अपनी पहली किताब में उसी दस्तक को लफ्ज़ो की ज़मीन दी है। अशेष शुभकाएनाएँ। अगली किताब का बेसब्री से इंतजार रहेगा।  

 

Ashish Agrawal "Vajood" 

लेखक से जुड़ने की जगह: ट्वीटर । इंस्टाग्राम

किताब की प्रति पाने के लिए: अमेजन । फ्लिपकार्ट

मेल एड्रेस: Vajoodnaama at gmail dot com

Short Story: A Stranger Cat (One Frame Stories)

You write something and someone appreciates it, that's sheer happiness. Thank You OneFrameStories for featuring my story at the Top. 

Book Review: You Can Achieve More: Live By Design, Not By Default by Shiv Khera

Title: You Can Achieve More

Author: Shiv Khera

Publisher: Bloomsbury India

ISBN: 978-9386349064

Pages: 296

Genre: Self Help

Source: Flipkart Review Program

Rating: 4/5

If you want to stand out, then you need to do something outstanding, stated by Shiv Khera, an author and motivational speaker.  He recently launched his new book you can achieve more under Bloomsbury publication.

With a strong message this book put readers onto the journey of inner self. Although, Shiv Khera has already marked a tremendous reach in this genre before, yet this book give you an insight to work on your life in an interesting way.

According to publisher, they have sold around four million copies of Khera’s You Can Win into sixteen different languages. Now Author comes with another work of wisdom—You Can Achieve More: Live By Design, Not By Default.

Basically this book talks about three pillars of life which need to be strengthen—Health, wealth and good relationships. If any one of the three goes missing, it would be hard to imagine a happy world around us. In this book Khera studies lives of many successful people and tried to decode the way leads to achievements.

With 23 chapters, this book covers topics that resonate with every person’s life. You can find many books about self help but this book you can achieve more effectively helps in learning not only the principals of success, but also in avoiding mistakes, it works like a mentor in life and helps in developing confidence with a rewarding path.

Sometimes, we feel left out in the race called life, I think this book can be your support system on that we can rely. Book is written in such talkative language it seems you are meeting with your trustworthy friend. And you really want to hear his life experiences, and share your own meanwhile. It feels really relatable to know about some famous personalities and the way they cope up things and emerged as a winner.

You can’t read this book in one sitting, this is not a capsule of success but it requires a practice, a slow reading on a daily basis. Best thing about this book is, it might work as a magic but it won’t ask you to take an appointment first.

Khera Says:

Most people see opportunities, but very few seize them—Often one of the most painful moments of our life is when an opportunity knocks on our door and we find ourselves unprepared.

If you are not willing to pay the price for success, then whether we like it or not, we will have to pay the price for failure, a price has to be paid, no matter what.

We need to cleary understand that success does not only depend upon special skills, formal education or superior intelligence.

Achievement do not come by default, they are first learnt and then practiced.

Life is funny, for as long as we are alive, we keep learning how to live life.  

When something bad happens, it can break you, define you or strengthen you.

Don’t make your mind a dumping ground for someone else’s trash.

Achievers realize pride in performance is not an act = it is a way of life.

Achievement lies in practicing excellence in the smallest details.

The different between doing right and doing almost right is same as the difference between being dead and almost dead, almost is not good enough. Nobody at the Olympics gets a gold medal for 99 percent achievement. Almost done is not done.

It’s a moral obligation for every honorable person to be prosperous because money in good hands does good and money in evil hands does evil.

All in all, this book doesn’t preach you like other books of this genre, but it gives you a different perspective to live a life. With logical explanations it encourages you like a mentor, and inspires you to do work towards excellence, nothing less.

If I have to select my favourite chapters from this book then I would suggest— Invest in Yourself, Choose Character, Finding Balance, Pride in Performance, The Wisdom Truth.

About Author

SHIV KHERA is the founder of Qualified Learning Systems USA. An Author, Educator, Business Consultant and a successful Entrepreneur, he is a much sought-after speaker.

He inspires and encourages individuals to realize their true potential. He has taken his dynamic personal messages to opposite sides of the globe, from the U.S. to Singapore. His 30 years of research & understanding has put organizations on a path of growth and fulfillment.

He is the author of 15 books including the international bestseller "You Can Win", which has sold over 3.7 million copies in 21 languages. His other books are creating new records.