A Dog in the House by Dr. Kisholoy Roy (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

I have always been vocal about my unlove (not using the word “Hate”) for Short stories and anthology hence every time I get an opportunity to pick it up, I always pray that it turns out well so that my doubt and hesitation towards them get reduced gradually with time. And I must say the latest book that I read on this Saturday morning has served its purpose well by being such a beautiful and simple short story- named “A Dog in the House” by Dr. Kisholoy Roy. The book is of around 35 pages and independently published with an animated cover page.

Seeing the cover page of the book, you might assume that the story shall be more preferred by children but after reading it, I can tell you that this book shall appeal to everyone belonging to any age-group. The way author has described the characterization of each of the characters in the family in such a short book is so apt that you wished this should have been a full-fledge novel. Even the backdrop of all the characters, their current situation and the turmoil in the family is beautifully covered and made a very interesting plot for this book.

The book starts with author’s words where he talked about pets hence we get an idea that the book is about pet but the great part is that the pet is not mentioned itself in the first 75% of the story. And the importance given to the pet in the last 25% section of the book and how its presence in the home changes the life of the family members is very nicely inserted in the plot.

Overall, this book has very good vibes. I completed it in just an hour and I must say the after-thought that it left with me has almost been equivalent to what I feel after reading a good full-fledged novel of 250-350 pages. I give this book 4.25* out of 5 for the treatment given to characters, story and the way social message is given about keeping pets and respecting animals. Kudos to the author.

Thanks.

WRITING BUDDHA 

Your Destination Has Arrived by Barry Cheema (Book Review: 4.75*/5) !!!

There are few books which doesn’t seem to be extra-ordinary with their content in the blurb etc. but the moment you start reading the story, after a point of time, one of their sentences strikes you so hard that you start reading each word with startled eyes and surprised face and when the book really starts unfolding to you, you gradually realize that your life is getting transformed. Similar experience happened with me when I read the book named “Your Destination Has Arrived” written by, surprisingly, the first-time author- Barry Cheema. The book is published by Notion Press and has around 375 pages.

When I generally see any book crossing the mark of 250-pages, I term them a stretcher in the beginning itself and the book should really hook me up with its content to ensure the word doesn’t find the place in my review. Fortunately, this book isn’t one at all though I have found some people calling it so. Barry has used a very great story and theme to tell the technique to experience the peace in life which every human being quests at some or the other time in their life. This makes this book a very purposeful material which shall benefit you only when you are in the state of mind to take all the intelligence, philosophies, techniques, quotes, learnings, lessons, examples etc. which is delivered mostly in the 2^nd half of the book otherwise you shall call it just a “stretcher” and put it aside.

If you have ever wanted to understand and know about spirituality, meditation, yoga and the way it should be begun and followed religiously but in not so serious manner, this is the book to go for because the way author has fictionalized the whole thing for the readers is something very commendable and inspiring. The characterizations used for the same in the form of Hassan or Bruno who is a dog but given the life of a human being which shall be taken away if it doesn’t find the PURPOSE OF LIFE within a limited timeframe and the way the struggle takes place in the 1^st half to achieve the same and then the way it is being delivered in the 2^nd half, I wouldn’t comment about the character but I really got answers for many questions (about life) I had or didn’t have. This book worked like a self-awakening through its other characters of Pinky Singh, Kumar, Sachi etc. as author has included all of them- the one who follows the spiritual techniques religiously whereas the another who follows but keeps questioning the silly practices he has to go through.

This book is a great example on how spiritual lessons can be delivered in the form of fiction along with meditational techniques. I have myself undergone meditational course hence the initial concept on Explosive meditation was something new to me. The other important chapters such as of Passive meditation, Karma, The Purpose of life, the science behind meditation etc. are very eventful and exploring. I liked the balancing of both- the story of an antagonist and the philosophy throughout the book and I must say, the book is also very high on emotions as there are events when you shall smile, laugh and even have tears in your eyes. Also, every time I came upon the descriptive understanding provided by the character about any question on life, I would find myself in a very emotional state as there were certain areas getting revealed to me about my own life which made me feel weak at times.

Talking about the climax of the story, it is so wonderfully executed without making it too high-on-imagination or overwhelming that you don’t even consider it in a book of such kind which has more substance in a philosophical way. It is something that makes you believe in this whole story and want to live it yourself completely without eliminating any part of it.

Overall, this is one of the books that goes into the rare list of the books that have managed to change my life. I would give it nothing less than 4.75* out of 5. Highly recommended to everyone belonging to any age-group.

Thanks.

WRITING BUDDHA 

The Last Love Letter by Kulpreet Yadav (Book Review: 3.5*/5) !!!)

There are some authors who already have a fan-base but yet couldn’t become quite famous but whoever gets touched by their work remembers and respects them always; case similar to actors like Konkana Sen or Rajkumar Rao. One such author, I believe, is Kulpreet Yadav who has already written more than 6 books. I have read his latest release named “The Last Love Letter” which is my first attempt of the author’s work. The book is around 240 pages and published by Rupa Publications. There are very few books which can manage to keep you excited with their storyline keeping everything simple and yet entertaining and emotional. This book gives you the same experience.

TLLL is a light read but still talks about many things which matters to the lifestyle of a normal human being. We shall discuss it later in the review. This book belongs in the genre of Love, Romance and Relationships. Any book that belongs to this genre is scary to me because in last decade, I have read so many college romances that I just wish to stay away from any book talking about love affair between two people. It is generally all cliché and nothing else. But then comes a book like this one which doesn’t talk only about the conversations that the two characters have in love but much more than that. It talks about the dilemma, past experiences in life, belief and prejudice one has for love, other things that stops a person from falling in another relationship, memories etc.

This book speaks about characters which are very well portrayed by the author that you are able to understand their mindset where they are coming from. We have Akash who has just lost his wife and is single parenting his daughter and considering his responsibilities towards her and his true love which still exists strongly for his wife, he is questionable about falling in love with Subah. On the other side, Subah has been betrayed in love so horribly that she has started hating every man for the same reason and doesn’t want to get involved even in conversation with any man leave falling in love. But then she meets Akash and his daughter and comes to know about the tragic death of his wife and knowing his concern towards responsibilities he has for his family, she is questionable about falling in love with Akash. On the other hand, we have character of Rohit who gets attracted towards Subah before Akash and wishes to date her but when he realizes his friend and her coming closer, he steps back. There are many such characters who contribute to the love story of these two opposite characters and speaks on how they get together.

I like how author has given version of both the characters about each incident and scenario which makes you feel connected with both the characters as it seems both of them are thinking aloud to ensure you know what they are going through. The book is very well written and its narration is very powerful. Even though it’s a simple story it wants you to know what happens next with these characters and how are they going to cope up with their conditions.

Talking about the drawbacks of the book, the storyline is very predictable and I wished if author could have played more with suspense effects at few places and made the story little more interesting. And even if author wished to keep the storyline simple, at least the story could have been completed in 190-200 pages just as Anuj Tiwari does. Overall, the book is a light read as I said above and it could be a good filler between the big and thrilling novels that you must be reading. I give this book 3.5* out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA