Sunday 23 November 2014

Review of - 'The Last Card'



The Last Card


Book Title: The Last Card
Publication: Omji Publishing House Pvt.Ltd.

Review:

The Last Card is a novel written by Prakhar Awasthi,published by Omji Publishing House. Even at this young age of 19, he displays his capability of playing with reader’s mind.

The novel has a different and quiet creative concept. The prologue begins from the emotional death defining scene and quickly escalates to a totally different sequence of events. The ‘fourth guy’ is a mystery since the game of cards begun. Story is capable enough to hold on the reader till the end.



It is set amidst the varied landscapes of India yet majorly talks about the beautiful city of Varanasi(Banaras).  As the story proceeds it looks like any other normal story woven around three guys, Veer, Vikram and Sen, their individual stories about their love, career, and ambitions etc but as the end approaches, all the broken links connect and starts making sense. I liked the writing style of the author, but at certain parts I felt it needed a bit of finishing touch and use of simple yet strong phrases. Lastly talking about the cover, the quote by FR. Craig Scott is icing on the cake.

It has drama, twists, betrayals, love, and a different concept; I wish it would have been a little more elaborated since it has lot of scope. I would say though short still a good read.

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Review of 'Her Story'


Book Title: Her Story


Publication:  Petals Publishers



Review:


“Her story” is a collection of 24 beautiful stories, distinctively different from each other yet woven around a common message, the strength of a woman.It is compiled and edited by two well-known names in writing field, many prestigious award winner Neelam Saxena Chandra mam & the modern era  'anthology queen' Nehali Lalwani mam
All the stories have meaningfully portrayed how a woman overcome all the hindrances, fears, vices and evils against her and withstand all the problems in life. An ill fate, a pervert boss, unsupportive husband & mother-in-law, making hard choices, betrayals from close friend, female-infanticide, human-trafficking,  etc, It talks about various kind of troubles a woman may tend to face in a lifetime. All the woman can relate to it as it covers a wide variety of battles a woman might go through, ranging from pressures & problems related to corporate world to the problem a widow or a small girl faces .

Although i loved them all as they are all beautiful in their own ways but few have touched me deep like, 'we shall overcome someday ' , 'The eternal middle', 'Endgame', 'A letter to the world', 'Let her die' & 'Griha Lakshmi'. 

It is not just 'her' story, it is more like a constant war of dilemma compromises or sacrifices. And what message it has managed to give clear & loud is that every nightmare comes to an end,after every winter spring follows. It gives you the ray of hope to keep holding on to your faiths, because you are a woman; a woman strong enough to fight all odds and come out smiling like a winner. 

A book you shouldn't miss reading, even if you are not a hardcore feminist!