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“Ghachar Ghochar” by Vivek Shanbhag is a small book, but it leaves a profound impact. At first glance, it seems to be a book about a middle-class family, but when you dig deeper, it shows how money changes people through a dry, subtle-humour-filled narration.
The book is about a middle-class family that suddenly becomes rich, and the narrator’s voice feels very light but carries a darker undertone. We can feel his helplessness as he struggles to handle the changes in his family, whose morals and values are slipping away. For me, the character who stands out for its clarity and honesty in the house where everything is confused and messy is the narrator’s wife, Anita, the newest addition to the family. This book has no plot, no gripping action and when you put it down, you don’t feel any sense of achievement. It’s rather tiring, and exhausting to the point you open Netflix and start watching some meaningless show.
The Catcher in the Rye is a long monologue about Holden Caulfield and how everything in his world is pitted against him. As monologues go, we get to see only Holden’s justifications, and his explanations about his actions leave the reader dissatisfied. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes - A book that should be read again and again till its message is truly unveiled.
When I was reading Harry Potter for the first time, I deliberately kept putting off reading the last few chapters, because I didn’t want the book to end. At the same time, I also wished to finish the book as soon as possible. I have never had a good opinion of self-help/management books except “Think and Grow Rich” and “The Magic of Thinking Big”. I don’t blame the books or the authors; maybe it’s always been my fault for keeping reading the books without applying the principles they offered. It was like learning a tip and thinking about how simple it would make my life, but moving on without giving it a try.
This week, I had a chance to read the book “Corporate Avatars” by Disha Chhabra. In the beginning, I was reluctant to even open the book, as I learned that the author is from an Indian Institute of Management, a complete credit to Chetan Bhagat. After a few pages, I became too reluctant to put the book down. One of many things I still love since my childhood is reading fantasy stories. Glorified Kings, wars, slaves, and magic amaze me. However, most of the books I read were penned by foreigners. Though we Indians have our own Chandamama stories and Amar Chitra Katha novellas, excluding Puranas and historical fiction books for many reasons, not many writers in India have attempted to tell a story of a king who was born of their imagination, but I would say Rise of Sivagami is a grand beginning.
In the past, it was mostly books being adapted for film, but now it is the reverse, as writers are attempting to create backstories from movies. S S Rajamouli, a renowned filmmaker, asked writer Anand Neelakantan to pen the story of Mahishmathi while he was directing the Baahubali movies (The Beginning & The Conclusion). Every time I pick up a book to read, I always pray to god that I shouldn’t end up hating myself and the author. I had many such experiences, but there was this book titled “Everyone has a Story” by Savi Sharma. Thanks to my cousin, who said this was the best book she read this year, apart from “This was a Man.” She also stated that the author will be the face of Indian writing!
I took her advice seriously, bought the book only after reading the prologue, and trust me, it is well-written and one of the best prologues I have ever read from an Indian author. Thanks to the prologue, I decided to read the book. In one stretch, I moved from chapter to chapter and voila, the book was done in two hours. The book's cover suggests it is inspirational. Now I am so inspired that I want to express what everyone should know before buying this book! |
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