Second Thoughts

They were like pakoras - hot & spicy and we , the hungry hostelers shared and gobbled them down whenever we got them . And felt like having 7 course meals. hee... hee.... I'm talking about Shobha De's  novels esp - Socialite Evenings , Snapshots , Sisters , Starry Nights and Strange Obsession.  I took up 'Second Thoughts' expecting the same. Well , my disappointment knew no boundaries. 

'Second Thoughts' is supposedly Shobha De's novel about women ''without waving a feminist flag''. It outlines the lighter shades of dowry system , mediocre arranged married life and the plight of educated women in the middle-class society. The title character finds herself trapped in a totally unhappy married life. A very realistic portrayal. And how did and how could she escape from her dull , monotonous life?  'une affaire' !!  


Hmm..... her second thoughts look quite dubious and dangerous. 

Diamond dust And other stories - Anita Desai

An exceptionally unique collection of nine short stories that sketch the cultural and personal struggles in subtle humor. I find the first story set in India rather dull and muddy. Winterscape  is very emotional and touching. The best is Rooftop dwellers. Read and enjoy.

I love u... ain't that enough my pet?

''Can I have a pet?''

''Adopt me.''

''I want a pet dog.''

''Your sister is ever ready.''

''I want a DOG.''

And thus my darling daughter gets 3 puppies.

Now she is after birds and cats.

Bye Bye Blackbird- Anita Desai

My first Desai novel is not an easy read. Since I'm an expatriate , the topic is very sensitive , hence I managed to pull through. No fun in using a dictionary while reading. The book is rich and heavy in the literary sense I guess.

 Black bird here means immigrants or expatriates. This psychological novel portrays the contradictory feelings of Indian immigrants in London in the '60s. Yes, the east- west confrontations, the patriot- expatriate conflicts, racism , homesickness and so on. Migratory birds often come back to their native place. Not always possible for human emigrants.


Home is where the heart is....

Death at the doorstep - Kushwant Singh

''We know what the reality of paradise is;

but it is not too bad an idea to beguile the mind.''

''Why did you order me out of the garden of paradise?

I have a lot of work that remains unfulfilled;

now you better wait for me.''

These quotes echo Sardarji's views on life and death and that explains his long lush life. He writes his obituary in his twenties and his epitaph is ready. Naturally death ignores him. And he lives king-size and spares no one. Brilliant ! What will be his real obituary age status - nonagenarian or centenarian? Whatever be it, the 'son of the gun' will die a happy man, I envy.

 

Part 1 of this book sheds some light on the views of the author and that of some important personalities, upon the eventuality of death .Part 2 is a collection of obituaries written over a period of time about some exotic people. They are heart-rending, scandalous, cheeky and witty. He is neither modest nor humble, but totally humane. But still, the mystery remains.....

What happens after death?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog days - Jeff Kinney

Can't find a better book to read on children's day. This is the fourth book in the wimpy kid series and the best selling book of 2009.It is the journal of Greg Huffley, an American middle school boy, chronicling his crazy plans to cope up with his family, friends and school. I thought high school was the most difficult phase.....Kids simply love the series. Parents may learn a few lessons from these laugh-out-loud funny books.
No kidding with kids.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows - J.K.Rowling

So, this is the last book of the Harry Potter series. The first 3 are my favourites- the thin ones. I liked all the magical creatures except Harry Potter. Sadly he is nothing but a glorified scaredy turkey in eternal struggle with his stardom n magical powers. I'm a die hard fan of Hermione Granger. 

By the way, was it necessary to kill Prof Dumbledore and Sirius Black? sniff... sniff...

Dearest JKR, thank you for entertaining us in your fantastic magic world. And all the very best for your literary ventures.