I rarely read something that is 'Not Suitable for Younger Readers' and, to be honest, I did not notice that David had this warning. Yet (or maybe because of that) David struck a chord with me.In Florence in 1501, it was essential to know what your political inclinations were. Either you supported the republic, or you supported the de Medici. Yet, things were not as simple as they seemed on the surface. Gabriele, drawn into politics against his will, found himself adhering by principles he did not entirely agree with. He found himself aligning himself with political ideologies that he did not quite endorse.More than anything else, what hit me was how similar things seem to be today. Everyone must have an opinion. You may know nothing about politics, and you may care less. But somehow, you have to have an opinion. If you don't you are somehow heartless or unfeeling or selfish or stupid … [Read more...]
Frederica
I was standing at the bank reading Frederica because even though it is not true that I 'cannot' put the book down, it is true that I don't want to put the book down.There is nothing like a book that is addictive. It makes you want to read: during that one minute when the computer is booting, during the thirty seconds when your bottle is being filled, during the twenty seconds it takes for someone to pick up the phone.Back to the bank story. I was standing in line, waiting for my turn and I read about Felix, who is not a 'little boy', but an abominable 'thatch-gallows'. Felix's sister Frederica warned him not to plague Alverstoke into taking him to see a balloon ascension. But, you see, Felix was not 'plaguing' Cousin Alverstoke; he was just 'asking'. And that's not the same thing, is it?A bubble of laughter rose to my throat, but how could I laugh, standing there in a mundane … [Read more...]
White Dolphin
Who does not like animal stories? As a child, I wanted to be an environmentalist and a vet. The problem was that I was afraid of biology and dissection, so I contented myself with animal stories, knowing no other option.Gill Lewis's White Dolphin filled my heart. It was a story that jumped out of the pages and touched me despite the fact that I knew nothing about the particular problems it addressed.White Dolphin is a story of humane humans and their attempts to be what human beings should be - kind, brave and generous. Questions remain unanswered even at the end of the book, but there is no feeling of dissatisfaction there. Because life is like that. There are no clues leading to all the most beautifully crafted answers. Sometimes, you have to move away from the question to reach another, more important question.During my last workshop, we spoke about how lovely stories are … [Read more...]
The Memory Cage
A truly wonderful book.What can a boy do when his grandfather has Alzheimer's and everyone else in his family wants him to go to a home? How can he convince his family that it's cruel?The Memory Cage is a stark depiction of war and loneliness. War is not about bravery and courage.Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. Everyone knows that's a lie.But what happens if no one wants to know the truth? What happens when people want to look away from the truth that is staring them in the face?Memories of sadness, grief and loss cannot be put in a box and hidden under the bed. If you try to do that, the repercussions will be violent.And that is what a young boy discovers - for himself and his grandfather. … [Read more...]
Street of Tall People
I was intrigued by the title; who wouldn't be?The World War has not yet begun, but anti-Jewish sentiments run high. I know nothing of this time.Street of Tall People is set in East London, about which, also, I know nothing.Yet, the story reached out to me.Awkwardness and friendship. Loyalty, trust and betrayal. Loneliness and the quest for someone who understands. Idealism and cynicism.Street of Tall People is one of those books that shows you that even in a cruel, heartless mob is someone who is not tied to you by blood or religion, but is still family. That person there is still part of your idealistic brotherhood, however cynical other people may be. … [Read more...]
Ten Book Challenge
The ten book challenge has been doing the rounds for a bit, and I thought I'd write a bit more than the names of the books here. I think I owe the books that much. I'm taking the challenge literally and naming books, not series.1) The Mystery of the Missing Necklace - Enid Blyton I've read this one more than any other book of hers, I think, which is saying a lot. If I mention Enid Blyton as a whole, I know the Faraway Tree series and the Famous Five series have to feature, but as a book in itself, this one won me over many times. It mixed cleverness and humour with a magical formula I loved!2) A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett This was one of the first books to make my heart ache. I cried with both joy and happiness. When I finished reading it, I wanted to read it again, and I never wanted to read it again because of how sad it made me.3) George's Marvellous Medicine - … [Read more...]
The Story-Catcher in Gangtok
Ebbani from Rey Valley International School was the first to arrive. "Thirteen more children are coming," she informed me.I was anxious, anxious enough to have considered (night before last) cancelling the whole thing. I had never dealt with such young children before, and the children from Rey Valley who were coming to Rachna Books were children from LKG, UKG, and Grade I.Finally, I loved how everything turned out. There were thirteen children in all, not the 14 that Ebbani expected, and each of them was special. I feel like such a foreigner; I remember so few of the names! Even so, I see their bright faces, looking up at me. I see how they respond to the cover of The Story-Catcher. I can see them imagining with me, contributing to my stories. And my heart warms.The entire concept of bringing children to a bookstore is charming. Every year, Rey Valley brings its children to the … [Read more...]
Pocahontas
Intrigued by the title of the series 'Before They Became Famous', I picked up Caroline Corby's Pocahontas. Just to make things clear, I haven't watched the movie. In fact, I know nothing about the movie except the song "Colours of the Wind".The book I read was lovely.'Pocahontas' means 'curious, lively, inquisitive', and this was one of those historical novels in which the character came alive. Each character was real to me. There were no detailed explanations to teach me about the customs and livelihood, but there were enough clues to help me find my way, and that made the experience of the novel that much more exciting.A young girl, oscillating between disgrace and honour, is a character that is inspiring, to say the least. Pocahontas, before she became famous, seems to have been exactly like that, at least in Caroline Corby's imagination! … [Read more...]
No Such Thing as Dragons
An unusual book, No Such Thing as Dragons puzzled me. I think the promise that the book cover held (yes, I always judge a book by its cover) led me to expect more. I found that the characters had so much potential, and the plot could have been much more exciting, considering the lovely seed of the story.Since there is no such thing as dragons, the dragon-hunter knows that the best person to keep his secrets is a mute boy. The dragon-hunter has grand stories of courage and bravery, which he spreads from town to town as he goes through Christendom ridding the world of dragons. Sold for a purse of gold, the mute boy Ansel is told over and over again by his new master that there is not such thing as dragons. A town they go to has a different story to tell, though.Packed with surprises, No Such Thing as Dragons is a story that keeps you running at the same pace as the narrative. Yet, I am … [Read more...]
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg
Neverland. I remember my father reading out bits and pieces of Peter Pan to me. And I remember having an enormous book, probably as big as I was myself, with beautiful pictures of Neverland, Wendy and dreadful Tinker Bell whom I disliked so much, even though she was so pretty.Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg took me straight back to that vision of Neverland. It helps that the book in my hands was one of those where I could have spent hours just looking at the pictures and smelling the pages. With its thick glossy paper, and several double pages of vivid, detailed pictures, the story came alive.Like so many tales from Disney, Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg was filled with emotions that are essentially, beautifully human. I enjoyed the tale of adventure and sacrifice. I got so absorbed in the story after a while that I finished the book and then turned back to look at the … [Read more...]