The story of two dogs and a cat during the second world war brought to mind an aspect of war that I had never considered. What happened to all the animals, particularly pets, during the war? Startling statistics that Megan Rix has included after the novel reveal that there were far more animals killed during the war than civilians. By far more, I mean, if I remember correctly, seven times the number.The Great Escape is a take on this idea, albeit a lighthearted take. The three animals escape from cruelty and danger, making an incredible journey from the city to the country. Adventures are plentiful; pitfalls expose them to human kindness and cruelty.A tale for children, I think it is a particularly charming read for animal-lovers who want to wear rose-tinted glasses, but want, at the same time, to be aware that that their glasses are tinted! … [Read more...]
Luck
Why are publishers so diffident about revealing the fact that a collection of short stories is just that - a collection of short stories and not a novel?I started reading Luck by Dhruba Hazarika with the distinct impression that it was a novel. I finished the first 'chapter' feeling deeply disturbed. I finished the second with a lump in my throat, expecting the 'chapters' to be linked in the third one. Then I finished the third one and then it dawned on me, finally, that it was not a novel after all but a collection of short stories. So I shifted gears in my head and started reading it again.Starkly simple stories, Luck is a collection that left me squirming uncomfortable with the question of who is more humane - man or beast. I smiled wryly, I shook my head, and then I thought, why, why, why do people believe that there's a limited market for short stories? Each one is a … [Read more...]
Twelve Minutes to Midnight
I'm still chuckling as I think about Twelve Minutes to Midnight.It's been a while since my mind was so absorbed in a book that I kept waiting to get back to it. I even took it with me to the Writers' Club at St. Mary's School and pored over it. I felt a little like a school-girl again as I read, for I could not help remembering all the times I would sneakily pick up a book between classes, reading it slyly in the few spare seconds I had, before hastily putting it away deep into my bag.(When I was in school, there was a rule I hated - we were not allowed to bring books that were not from the school library. A book that did not belong to the school could be CONFISCATED. This meant that in addition to being answerable to everyone at home and school, I would never find out what happened in the story!)Twelve Minutes to Midnight was a crazy book that kept me hooked; I could not … [Read more...]
Waterslain Angels
When I was about ten, I read British Folk-Tales (not linking this to a place where you can buy it because Amazon is selling it at an incredible price of 11,000 rupees) by Kevin Crossley-Holland and enjoyed it. I had my favourite stories in the collection and I read them over and over again.A few years later, I read The Seeing Stone and loved that too, even though the story was familiar, the old tale of King Arthur retold.And because I still enjoyed the experience of reading a story I knew, I picked up Waterslain Angels.I liked the essence of the story. I liked the idea of a quest rooted in the place to which one belongs. I liked the notion of bringing history back to life.Yet, I found the telling overly dramatic for the proportions of the story. Sure, the quest for angels is beautiful as an idea. The moment in history when the angels were 'slain' must have been powerful, but … [Read more...]
Ace
I always link my book reviews to amazon.in for people to buy the book there, but when I searched for Dick King-Smith's Ace, the first thing I found was a hardcover priced at ₹12,527.41 + ₹99 delivery charge! I did find a copy that's cheaper, though, and that's a mercy; however much I enjoyed the book, even I wouldn't pay so much for it!Ace is funny, lovable and altogether a hugely enjoyable half-hour's read. An author who has lost count of the number of books he has written has to be a master storyteller, and there's not doubt that that's exactly what Dick King-Smith is. If he's lost count of the number of books he's written, I've certainly lost count of the number I've read, and the number I've read more than once!Ace is the story of a pig. A non-pedigreed pig, mind you, but a descendent of the famous Sheep-Pig Babe. Ace is born with a remarkable mark of the ace of clubs on his side … [Read more...]
Fantastic Mr Dahl
Yes, Mr Dahl is fantastic.What I find interesting about Fantastic Mr Dahl, though, is the way in which Michael Rosen examines what makes him fantastic. Is it the fact that he used a special yellow pencil and special yellow paper (because his favourite colour was yellow)? Or because he loathed Christmas and loved Easter? Or because he had a lucky break when Disney was interested in making a movie of The Gremlins?For me, Fantastic Mr Dahl kept shifting from wonderfully perceptive to 'Okay that's weird'. But in all, I finished with a sense of gladness that I had read the book.I'm not fond of the word 'fan', but I guess I am a Roald Dahl fan.And being a Roald Dahl fan, I lapped the book up and savoured it. … [Read more...]
Avameru
Since I know that this author will barely publicize his book, if at all ...This is what I'm reading.There's nothing like reading something (published) that is written by a real and very dear friend.Buy it now on Amazon! … [Read more...]
Private Peaceful
Charlie ... Charlie ... Charlie ...I want to meet you, get to know you, look up and admire you.I wanted to sob my heart out when I finished reading Private Peaceful.I wish I hadn't read it. It was so painful, so filled with a sense of injustice, so cruel.I feel privileged to have read it. It was so moving, so human, so gentle and so filled with love.My heart reached out to Tommo - who could have lived in Charlie's shadow, but never did. Instead, he basked in Charlie's glow. Tommo, little Tommo, is so human. He tells his story without reserve, without embarrassment. He gets angry with someone he worships. He adores without restraint. He knows that Charlie is everyone's hero. He is, and always will be, the other Private Peaceful. And he basks in his elder brother Charlie Peaceful's glowIt will take courage to read the book again. But I know I will. A powerful book like Private … [Read more...]
The Butterfly Lion
This morning, I was reading Private Peaceful before I left for school. I glanced at my watch. Okay, one more paragraph. I read about Big Joe singing Oranges and Lemons in his attempt to pray for Molly. I glanced at my watch. Okay, one more paragraph. And one more. And one more. I just about did not get late for my bus.And so I decided to reread another favourite, The Butterfly Lion, which won my heart yet again.Michael Morpurgo, as always, combines innocence with wisdom to enchant both the child and the adult in me. Love, loyalty and determination - all these are age-old values that Morpurgo never turns into meaningless cliches.I know that as a writer, I shy away from stories which are pure and good. Yet, as a reader, I love these timeless tales. I love stories of goodness and nobility. When will I find the courage and maturity to write them? … [Read more...]
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Hermione Granger translates so well! I love her translations from the original runes.And of course, Albus Dumbledore's notes reveal his genius and insight, providing valuable information about interpretations of beloved fairy tales.J.K. Rowling, though, talks down to us Muggle readers, underestimating our knowledge of the magical world. … [Read more...]