- By Lynda Page
A saga, thought provoking and leaves you astound about the harsh truths of life. A saga of a martyr fighting for her salvation to live a life as a normal human being.
Diane Kirby (Dee), daughter of a hard nosed prostitute, has to fight her mother’s legacy to find a place of her own in this world. Not wanting to follow the foot prints of her mother, she fights for a life, a chance to make a life, any chance! Not getting any affection from her mother and being taunted for not choosing to live up to the family tradition, she lives a life of desperation. Finding a comfort and affection in her aunt Madge, she tries to pick her shreds of life, but she faces disgust and dead ends in the light of her mother’s dark life. After her mother dies in an accident, she finds herself face to face with ruthless criminals, who mistreat her and she finds herself fighting not only for the life of the person she loves but also for her self pride. This novel is written in a different time, with the perspectives of a different time, yet not very different from the present.
The novel is a misery lit, written as it should be written, tragic and dark. Dee’s character is compassionate, loyal, and sturdy in her conviction. “You do what you have to do”. Though the novel does not support or condemn prostitution, the author certainly questions the morality of the issue: How can a prodigy be responsible for a mistake she/he has little to do with? One does what one is capable of, in the light of circumstances and though the novel does not sympathize people earning their living by selling their body, it does portray that they are also people who dream of a knight in shining armor and they too have a heart, through Madge. The novel also shows the difficulty of fighting preconceived notions about a person and questions the conscience of the society by choosing to assume the life of a person, owing to the family back ground.
Though I am not much into misery sagas, I just had to give this one a try, particularly after seeing the book cover! Rightly, the novel left me toiling on the bed and staring at the ceiling and pondering about the monstrosity or cruelty of words and the damage they can do to a person’s morale. How many times do we find ourselves bending into something we do not approve of in another person, yet simply satisfy ourselves with a simple reason – circumstances? How many times do we condemn another person for the actions he/she does, without having a remote idea of the circumstances that would have driven a person to such extremes? What right does anyone have for a profanity, when one can’t choose the womb they are in?
A fiction misery, simple and lucid style of writing and definitely touching.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
– By Kim Edwards
A very touching piece of writing. When I first picked this book, I did it out of my own frustration. I was down in a pit and I wanted to get myself out of this world and the only way in which I can do that is to catch a book. I went to Crossword and picked a few books. It was a random pick and when I read the back drop, I thought, lets see! And, it made a fabulous read.
A single act out of conviction has affected the journey of quite a few individuals. Each is right in one’s own mind. One stage or the other, we each take a decision based on our own view of a particular situation, unperturbed by the repercussions. Since we cannot predict the future, we cannot undo a lot of our actions and we think, lets face the consequences and not many have the strength to do that.
This novel is about a doctor (David), who takes a decision, which he thinks is apt, considering the situation. His wife (Norah), is in labor on a stormy day and he has to deliver his own children in his office rather than the hospital as planned. Norah is carrying twins, which neither knew! The first born was a boy, healthy and fine. The second child is a girl, a child about to change the course of his life. The girl is born with the sure features of Down’s syndrome and David, not wanting his wife to carry the grief and pain of a retarded child, takes a decision of admitting his daughter in an institution for retarded children, a task he assigns to his trusted nurse, Caroline Gill. Caroline, having seen the institution, takes a impulsive decision of bringing up the child, on her own and moves out of the city, to pick her own threads from scratch, else where.
The act of David was selfish and it changes the course of five individuals. He gets caught in the moment and is never the same person again in his life. The grief, he thinks he is saving his wife from, unfortunately is a bane on his conscience and the course his personal life takes, is sad to read.
The act of Caroline, though brave and touching, was not described in a way that did justice to her character. The every day minutiae of life that describes a person was missing, making the character tad bit dissatisfying.
The novel starts of as a collection of tiny bits and pieces of the character’s lives, but fails to carry the same detail all through the novel. It describes the inner turmoil of the characters in a splendid way and in fact, many a time, we peep into ourselves, where we fight every day demons in our lives, to attain sanity.
The theme of the novel revolves round photography, a memory captured in a still, to wring your soul in future! The author uses the photography to describe David’s emotions well and the language and the style of her writing are captivating to the soul. It sure is worth a read.
A very touching piece of writing. When I first picked this book, I did it out of my own frustration. I was down in a pit and I wanted to get myself out of this world and the only way in which I can do that is to catch a book. I went to Crossword and picked a few books. It was a random pick and when I read the back drop, I thought, lets see! And, it made a fabulous read.
A single act out of conviction has affected the journey of quite a few individuals. Each is right in one’s own mind. One stage or the other, we each take a decision based on our own view of a particular situation, unperturbed by the repercussions. Since we cannot predict the future, we cannot undo a lot of our actions and we think, lets face the consequences and not many have the strength to do that.
This novel is about a doctor (David), who takes a decision, which he thinks is apt, considering the situation. His wife (Norah), is in labor on a stormy day and he has to deliver his own children in his office rather than the hospital as planned. Norah is carrying twins, which neither knew! The first born was a boy, healthy and fine. The second child is a girl, a child about to change the course of his life. The girl is born with the sure features of Down’s syndrome and David, not wanting his wife to carry the grief and pain of a retarded child, takes a decision of admitting his daughter in an institution for retarded children, a task he assigns to his trusted nurse, Caroline Gill. Caroline, having seen the institution, takes a impulsive decision of bringing up the child, on her own and moves out of the city, to pick her own threads from scratch, else where.
The act of David was selfish and it changes the course of five individuals. He gets caught in the moment and is never the same person again in his life. The grief, he thinks he is saving his wife from, unfortunately is a bane on his conscience and the course his personal life takes, is sad to read.
The act of Caroline, though brave and touching, was not described in a way that did justice to her character. The every day minutiae of life that describes a person was missing, making the character tad bit dissatisfying.
The novel starts of as a collection of tiny bits and pieces of the character’s lives, but fails to carry the same detail all through the novel. It describes the inner turmoil of the characters in a splendid way and in fact, many a time, we peep into ourselves, where we fight every day demons in our lives, to attain sanity.
The theme of the novel revolves round photography, a memory captured in a still, to wring your soul in future! The author uses the photography to describe David’s emotions well and the language and the style of her writing are captivating to the soul. It sure is worth a read.
Remember Me?
– By Sophie Kinsella
Knocked it in half a day! I picked this book because of its curious back drop. Waking up to a new ME, a ME that I dream of ever day and suddenly living my dream, yet unsure how I got there! Ha, it makes a story, alright!
“Remember Me”, is a story about Lexi Smart, who happens to climb the ladder, without an inkling as to how she got there! In 2004 and at 25, Lexi is an average person, with a job that barely keeps her above the water, with good friends whom she hangs out with and a boyfriend, whom she plans to dump. With crooked tooth, frizzy hair and true to her nick name, Snaggletooth, she looks average or probably below average in her perspective. Stranded in a heavy rain, stood up by her boyfriend, sulking about not getting a bonus and the next day being her father’s funeral service, she was feeling low and despondent. Trying to hail a taxi, she trips over the stairs and is knocked down unconscious. She wakes up in a hospital bed, to realize it is 2007 and she is 28.
At 28, BAM! She looks like a top model, is the boss of her department, has a gorgeous husband and a stunning loft for a home. Only, she doesn’t remember a thing about them. A colleague is behind her job, her friends hate her and she has a secret lover. “Remember me” is about Lexi’s quest to find what has happened in the past three years to change her into the person she does not recognize, emotionally or physically.
A fast read, with a simple language and a subtle hint at humor. The novel lacks detail and left me feeling incomplete. The character Lexi, comes off as a super woman with a strong character. But the novel fails to keep up the tempo going and the reasons for her change are not as life altering as is the over all change to her character! A character I have expected so much from, left me completely dissatisfied.
Waking up to a new YOU is a fairy tale story, that could have been much better, with a few details added to it, because it leaves a lot for assumption. The character that starts of as sleek and chic, talented, ambitious, beautiful and sophisticated comes out very ordinary in the end. It might have got to do with Lexi not being able to remember majority of her past, but that is not an excuse to make her look ordinary, considering that she lived a miracle in under three years, turning her life over, completely!
Chick lit, light read and should help one get over an afternoon boredom!
Knocked it in half a day! I picked this book because of its curious back drop. Waking up to a new ME, a ME that I dream of ever day and suddenly living my dream, yet unsure how I got there! Ha, it makes a story, alright!
“Remember Me”, is a story about Lexi Smart, who happens to climb the ladder, without an inkling as to how she got there! In 2004 and at 25, Lexi is an average person, with a job that barely keeps her above the water, with good friends whom she hangs out with and a boyfriend, whom she plans to dump. With crooked tooth, frizzy hair and true to her nick name, Snaggletooth, she looks average or probably below average in her perspective. Stranded in a heavy rain, stood up by her boyfriend, sulking about not getting a bonus and the next day being her father’s funeral service, she was feeling low and despondent. Trying to hail a taxi, she trips over the stairs and is knocked down unconscious. She wakes up in a hospital bed, to realize it is 2007 and she is 28.
At 28, BAM! She looks like a top model, is the boss of her department, has a gorgeous husband and a stunning loft for a home. Only, she doesn’t remember a thing about them. A colleague is behind her job, her friends hate her and she has a secret lover. “Remember me” is about Lexi’s quest to find what has happened in the past three years to change her into the person she does not recognize, emotionally or physically.
A fast read, with a simple language and a subtle hint at humor. The novel lacks detail and left me feeling incomplete. The character Lexi, comes off as a super woman with a strong character. But the novel fails to keep up the tempo going and the reasons for her change are not as life altering as is the over all change to her character! A character I have expected so much from, left me completely dissatisfied.
Waking up to a new YOU is a fairy tale story, that could have been much better, with a few details added to it, because it leaves a lot for assumption. The character that starts of as sleek and chic, talented, ambitious, beautiful and sophisticated comes out very ordinary in the end. It might have got to do with Lexi not being able to remember majority of her past, but that is not an excuse to make her look ordinary, considering that she lived a miracle in under three years, turning her life over, completely!
Chick lit, light read and should help one get over an afternoon boredom!
Monday, February 2, 2015
How Starbucks changed my life
- By Michael Gill
Quite an interesting and easy read, yet thought provoking and insightful. Loved reading it.
It's about a Yale graduate, who was fired from an executive job and was forced to hunt for opportunities to live a life. A guy, who has been loyal to the company, worked 24X7 and kept his dedication to the company prior to his family commitments and sensitive or emotional relations, was fired because the company wanted young and dynamic force. He was forced to look for an alternative, when his savings were barely sufficient to get him through the tough times and he was diagnosed by brain tumor and he had just forgone his medical insurance in order to be able to provide for his youngest son. An unexpected talk in a star bucks store altered his life and there by gave him a new life. A life, where he was able to appreciate the beauty and dignity of working. A second chance for redemption.
"Work is dignity" and any sort of work is decent because it doesn't allow one to beg/borrow or steal and saves face many a time. The writing style was easy to comprehend and it is a light read yet will leave an impression. How many times did we push ourselves to the hilt and beyond, for the sake of the appreciation and the menial perks associated with the job and how many times did we forgo our fondest wishes on a holiday for our work, whether we like it or not just because we want a secure future, which we have not seen? The novel is apt for all the people who seem to be lost in this cat race for money and fame, losing one's self, being caught in the frenzy. Loving work is important, so is treating people right and so is accommodating people in life. Being tolerant to other person's weakness not only makes you humble, but teaches the other person more effectively. Also, to be a good motivator one has to be self sufficient and confident and eager to please before expecting the same from sub-ordinates. The experiences of Michael Gill are an eye opener to every one caught up in a sphere of "self".
For any person who wants to find the lost spark, that spark with which he began his journey... For any person who treats work with respect, and for a person bold to accept his mistakes and willing to start on from scratch and unafraid to do so, should read this book. It is unforgiving and self-sufficient and forms quite an interesting eye-opener.
Quite an interesting and easy read, yet thought provoking and insightful. Loved reading it.
It's about a Yale graduate, who was fired from an executive job and was forced to hunt for opportunities to live a life. A guy, who has been loyal to the company, worked 24X7 and kept his dedication to the company prior to his family commitments and sensitive or emotional relations, was fired because the company wanted young and dynamic force. He was forced to look for an alternative, when his savings were barely sufficient to get him through the tough times and he was diagnosed by brain tumor and he had just forgone his medical insurance in order to be able to provide for his youngest son. An unexpected talk in a star bucks store altered his life and there by gave him a new life. A life, where he was able to appreciate the beauty and dignity of working. A second chance for redemption.
"Work is dignity" and any sort of work is decent because it doesn't allow one to beg/borrow or steal and saves face many a time. The writing style was easy to comprehend and it is a light read yet will leave an impression. How many times did we push ourselves to the hilt and beyond, for the sake of the appreciation and the menial perks associated with the job and how many times did we forgo our fondest wishes on a holiday for our work, whether we like it or not just because we want a secure future, which we have not seen? The novel is apt for all the people who seem to be lost in this cat race for money and fame, losing one's self, being caught in the frenzy. Loving work is important, so is treating people right and so is accommodating people in life. Being tolerant to other person's weakness not only makes you humble, but teaches the other person more effectively. Also, to be a good motivator one has to be self sufficient and confident and eager to please before expecting the same from sub-ordinates. The experiences of Michael Gill are an eye opener to every one caught up in a sphere of "self".
For any person who wants to find the lost spark, that spark with which he began his journey... For any person who treats work with respect, and for a person bold to accept his mistakes and willing to start on from scratch and unafraid to do so, should read this book. It is unforgiving and self-sufficient and forms quite an interesting eye-opener.
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