Water For Elephants

Why did I pick it up- Because every site that I visit for book lists recommended it very strongly. And because the blurb has words like atmospheric, gritty, Rosie the elephant and twisted animal trainer. And the last- not the hero, the bad guy.


And- I didn’t want to read it. I almost didn’t. Especially when the book opened with a ninety-year-old man’s voice. But Jacob; the old man- who else, was cantankerous and opinionated and as a young man vulnerable with an interesting story and I couldn’t stay away. Language here is purely functional and very effective. The characters are interesting and there is a plot, especially the murder is interesting. And you can smell the sawdust in the big top.

But- honestly? Not my cup of tea. In spite of the engrossing story and well –etched characters, nothing reached out and grabbed me by the throat. And the book left my mind soon after I closed it.

Read- For an engrossing tale about circus life, or for an original murder-romance.

©Maya

The Girl In THe Landing- Paul Torday

Why did I pick it up: because Torday’s Salmon Fishing was good, though not great and the blurb said psychological thriller. I am a sucker for those.




And: Firstly the language- Don’t expect those metaphors or turn of phrase that you bump into when you turn a corner that leave you breathless. Language here does exactly what it is supposed to do, tell you a story, show you a character and keep you glued to the book. But Torday leaves you breathless in the way he peels of the character, shows them in different lights, does a literary magic with mirror tricks till you don’t know what is really happening and whom to believe and he does it right up to the last page.



But: Only that some of the plot twists you know is coming, but perhaps Torday wanted just that. More of the mirror trick, maybe?



Read: If you love a well written literary thriller that haunts even after you turn the last page. There are very few of those anyway.



© Maya

Paro- Namita Gokhale & The Other Woman- An anthology; Ed- Monica Das

(Sorry, couldn't find the cover pix of the The Other Woman)

I am blogging these two book together not only because I read them back to back but also they are similar in theme- illicit relationships. And folks, the similarity ends there.


Paro is about illicit lust, which no body tries to fight. Everybody succumbs whenever they get the chance and walk away with just a dusting of their hands. The book reads like a cheap trashy novel that want to talk sex , beings to and then loses courage half- way through. The language is pedestrian and does nothing to pull thr novel out from the pit it rapidly falls into. Paro could have become another Nana but remains a crass slut.

The Other Woman, on the other hand plumbs emotional transgressions, trespasses, intrusions and betrayals. Most of the stories are in translation and the language is evocative . The sense of loss and grief lingers like a heady perfume long after you close the book. I am thinking as I write it – do I have a favourite? No. And the beauty of the stories? The language is lush and there are no graphic scenes. A must read. Especially as the originals are denied to most of us

© Maya

Theatre- Sommerset Maugham

Why did I pick it up: Well, it was a Maugham I had missed when I was in high school and I’m on a Maugham reading spree.
And: okay, let me just say it and get it out of the way. Nobody can do character, the subtler emotions, petty motivations and gray areas of the mind like Maugham can. And the endings always twist the heart. In such elegant prose too. All of that is here too.

But- Not Vintage Maugham. For that read his short stories or his plays. His other novels never quite captured the magic Moon and Sixpence created.



Read- fully aware that you are reading a below-par Maugham.



©Maya

Myth= Mithya- Dr Dwevdutt Pattanaik

 Why did I pick it up:  because myths fascinate me and I really enjoyed Pattanaik's 'The pregnant King' immensely.

And;: this book is very well written, in an easy reading style, with flashes, very faint and infrequent , of his tongue-in-cheek humour. The myths are well- known but what the big discovery was the meta-physical and philosophical meanings of the symbols and icons and figurative representation of the myths. it was a reading journey punctuated with - wow, never knew that, is that what this means moments.


But: the biggie was too much too soon. Will have to keep going  back to absorb it all.

Read: if you like myths or are seeking meaning into the Hindu dieites and prayer symbols.

My Name Is Red- Orhan Pamuk

Why did I pick it up- Because I like Pamuk, Literary crime, books about painting and Istanbul. Even though the book cover touts a prize- there is nothing like winning a prize to make a book mediocre.




And- Pamuk does it again- perhaps only Snow is better. Yeah, I have not read the new one.- for that one- watch this space. Amazing how he manages all those different perspectives in the first person, the murder speaks as himself and as the murderer, even the bits in the painting speak to you and bring alive a distant world from the past without thrusting in on your face and telling you – look ‘history’.

But- Pamuk- what else? He does digress and gives too much detail and my eyes glaze over. Then I have to put the book down and walk away but it is Pamuk after all - he pulls you back before you have gone too far off. All this after 326 pages.

Let’s see what the rest of the book brings

The rest of the book: is about issues bigger than deaths of two men. It is about philosophy, history of art, artistic styles, the grandiose of artists and human failings. When you eventually discover the murderer, you are not sure it even matters. There have been many losses and gains by then. Yes, Justice is done and yet there is nothing heroic about it. The book lingers like a memory that is odour – based- just a whiff and bits of it come back to you.


Final verdict- Pamuk is a demanding writer but the book will stay in many forms with you for a long time.

Love Marriage - V.V.Ganeshanathan

Why did I pick it up-  on a whim and the title.

Interest Zones - Almost lyrical writing,  beautifully etched out characters, and a very interesting narrative style.

But- There is a powerful emotionally  charged story but it didn't hold me. Not fully , not all the time. Maybe somebody who has read it can tell me why?
Pick it up- if you like the sound and feel of it.

© Maya