The Zoya Factor by Anuja Chauhan

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Zoya Factor is the new face of contemporary Indian writing in English. Its masala fiction at its best with astory and charcaters that would appeal to the mass Indian reader. Anuja Chauhan builds the mini and sub plots in true adwoman style keeping the flavours intact- completely local and frivolous.A great book for a fun movie.


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Review of Aaravind Adiga's second book

Between the Assasinations by Aaravind Adiga

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
The book is set in the period post Indira Gandhi's assasination and before Rajiv Gandhi's.



Aaravind exposes facts wrapped in the bright weave of a story's intricate design with detailing that is vivid and stays in the mind for a long time.The characters are memorable.



Good work.


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review from my goodreads page

Q & A by Vikas Swarup

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A fantastic begining to a new genre of writing in India in the Englsh language. Till date story telling revolved around mostly post or pre independence stories or raising social issues like women's rights, equality, education, discrimination et al...here we have something that's new, contemporary and popular.



Its an engaging story of a young adult living on the streets who wins a quiz based on the same lines as the popular Kaun banega Crorepati and wins a crore. The officials suspect foul play and the entire narrative drives around how he succedded in a quiz. While the story telling is light and easy for non-serious readers, serious readers can celebrate the birth of the new breed of story tellers.


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books

Silent Raga by Ameen Merchant

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
For a debut work...the narrative is refined, offers mature reading.A contemporary story. I am suddenly happy to read indian writers who have discovered there's more to story telling than recounting stories of pre-colonial or post colonial periods.



Its the begining of a new wave in indian writing that shows the other writers...come on pick up interesting stories from contemporary periods...there's so much to explore!!!


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Travel bites

Blow them wild!!!

Chasing dragonflies through the lens at Majkhali near Ranikhet

Observations from a park in winter

Fish scales criss cross across hands indiscriminately
creeping over grass burning in winter sun. They rest, seeking the glory of sunshine
reclaiming youthful juice.

Numbers fade over head counts as the teacher rests her forehead
and faints. Her soft breath shakes the tiny leaf below ten gazing faces.