Category: Book Bioscope

Author : Paulo Coelho

Genre : Contemporary Fiction

Publisher : HarperCollins

Book Blurb – Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and soul-stirring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles in his path. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

Book’s Epigram – ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho is the international bestseller. This book has been liked across the world for the spiritual thought which was knitted in the form of a story. The story of the book is not too big, its rather simple and straight, yet very impactful. The story is about a shepherd who is living a wanderer life with his flock of sheep. He is a keen observer and keep learning the things that nature and his sheep teaches him silently. He finds himself blessed accompanying his flock. He sees a treasure in his dream a few times which is lying under the Pyramids and then he starts following it. During the way he come across many difficulties that he overcomes. How he found the treasure and during this struggle all that he learns is all about the story. The book focuses on omens and alchemy of nature and things that affect each of us. We all need to perceive them and search for our treasure in our lifetime for sure. The book indeed communicates a strong message through its story.

My Critique – There are many books available in the market that focus and talk about spirituality. Their storyline and messages are so loud that repetitive that they bore us. Here, there is nothing as such, as the consequences in the character’s life says it all. Whatever life does to us, we analyze about it after the time is over whether it was for the good or bad. Hence, we should always endure our journey. There are many life learning small lessons in the book that can help to anyone. We get the messages from mother nature in the form of omens at times that we never pay attention to. The nature is so significant that we can depend on it for every single action that we perform. The book is really inspiring and, in a way, reflects that all journeys are circular that brings us back to where we started. At the same time, it shows that this very journey is also important to understand the uselessness and usefulness of life. In short, I loved the book.

Rating : 4.5/5

Best Buy: Amazon – Paperback at Rs.189/–

Book Review – The Vault Of Vishnu

Author : Ashwin Sanghi

Genre : Fiction

Publisher : Westland

Book Blurb :

A Pallava prince travels to Cambodia to be crowned king, carrying with him secrets that will be the cause of great wars many centuries later.

A Buddhist monk in ancient China treks south to India, searching for the missing pieces of a puzzle that could make his emperor all-powerful.

A Neolithic tribe fights to preserve their sacred knowledge, oblivious to the war drums on the Indo-China border.

Meanwhile, far away in the temple town of Kanchipuram, a reclusive scientist deciphers ancient texts even as a team of secret agents shadows his every move.

Caught in the storm is a young investigator with a complex past of her own, who must race against time to maintain the balance of power in the new world.

Welcome back to the exciting and shadowy world of Ashwin Sanghi, where myth and history blend into edge-of-the-seat action.

Book’s Epigram : This book is an admirable effort by ‘Ashwin Sanghi’. Two parallel stories are running along throughout the book. One story is from the present Indo-China border while the other is set at 6th century China. One story compliment to another in some respect and connects at the end. How the things are different yet connected is shown quite well.

The author has done a great research on China and its provinces of that eras and different dynasties that ruled there over a period. The same excellency has been shown in India and its provinces, when Buddha and Hindu cult were cultivating together.

Author has detailed the scenarios so seamlessly that the story moves virtually in front of the reader. How the Chinese government runs, and they have their spies all over and how they get the information and use them is well represented.

The book is nice and keeps switching you back and forth in time. The writer also has a solid grip over the vocabulary that he used to the utmost extent. The book is great and binds you with its magnificent story until you finish it.

My Critique : The book starts with a sudden attack by China at Doklam border where our shoulders hardly get any time to revolt and the situation turns to be a big massacre of Indian soldiers.

A video captures all this and Indian army starts the investigation. Paramjit Khurana known as ‘Pam’ was given the responsibility of this. Her father has been a part of Indian army and died long back on duty. How the investigation moves, and she meets with people from different department, some of them turn out to be a mole in the system.

All is described courteously in the story. The other story starts in China, where a monk Chenhui decides to visit to Yindu (India) in hope of getting the source texts of Buddhism. All the difficulties that he faces during his journey and the way he covers to reach India is the parallel story. The author has used the solid sources to set the story when ancient India and its glory was known worldwide.

The story is incessant expedition which keeps you moving from one era to another, one revelation to another and so on. Its really a nice book to read and if you are a history lover and interested on those glorious times and difficulties then it will surely entice you. I loved the book.

Rating : 4.5/5

Best Buy: Amazon – Paperback at Rs.173/–

Book Review – Then The Doorbell Rang

Author : Capri Jalota
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Leadstart Publishing Private Limited

Book Blurb – One fine morning, Jane wakes up and stands upon the ledge of her 18th floor flat in Dubai Marina. Till a few years back, she was everything that would make anyone jealous – beautiful, rich and successful. But then the wheels of time turned. Today, she is miserable and lonely. Would she get over a deception? Can she forgive herself for deserting a friend? Would she ever find true love? Will karma get the better of her or will life give her another chance to correct the wrongs?
Then the Doorbell Rang is about Jane’s roller-coaster journey as she explores the mystical phenomenon called Life.

Book’s Epigram – This book is a very good example of fiction where the author has weaved the story of a lady and different phases of her life which she has gone through. Author is a very keen observer, he has presented different scenes so minutely that it impresses the reader while reading. Every incident is precisely given the space as required which develops the interest of continue reading. Story line is full of ups and down which keeps you excited and concerned till the end. Few scenes are created very dramatic. You flow with the book and started sharing joy and sorrow with the characters, which is the actual beauty of the book.

My Critique – The story is about a girl ‘Jane’ who has firm believe that her birthday had always bought her sorrow. The important things of her life left her on that day or even worse. She is always frightened when this date comes. Her mother also left her on this special day leaving a letter behind. The way she used to live before and later changes her approach toward life after a few incidents is all about the book. Many ups and downs come during the way. She run away quite a time being scared which later she turns to her favor. The writing is really very strong. The author has very keen sense of the locations, emotions, places and relations, which is depicted very well throughout the book. I have read many fictions before but undoubtedly this one is among one of my favorites.

Rating : 4/5

Best Buy: Amazon – Paperback at Rs.289/-

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Book Review – The Girl In Room No. 105

Author: Chetan Bhagat
Genre: Mystery/Fiction
Publisher: Westland

Book Blurb – Hi, I’m Keshav, and my life is screwed. I hate my job and my girlfriend left me. Ah, the beautiful Zara. Zara is from Kashmir. She is a Muslim. And did I tell you my family is a bit, well, traditional? Anyway, leave that.

Zara and I broke up four years ago. She moved on in life. I didn’t. I drank every night to forget her. I called, messaged, and stalked her on social media. She just ignored me.

However, that night, on the eve of her birthday, Zara messaged me. She called me over, like old times, to her hostel room 105. I shouldn’t have gone, but I did… and my life changed forever.

This is not a love story. It is an unlove story.

About the Book – This book is written by the renowned author ‘Chetan Bhagat’. This book starts with a love story and ends with its unlove. The story is about a girl named ‘Zara’ who was found dead in her hostel room no 105. She messaged her ex-boyfriend ‘Keshav’ on that night though she was engaged and going to be married soon. It was her birthday, so her ex left his house with his friend to her hostel to wish her and soon realized that she was killed, and he was trapped in this. It was a sudden situation that confuses him. But finally, he stays there and informs the police and her parents about it. Lots of drama happened thereafter. The gatekeeper of the hostel was arrested as a suspect. But Keshav had a doubt and he starts investigating it. During his investigation, he took many people in confidence and visited many places. His roommate who is his fast friend too helps him in all these developments. How he reaches to assassin against all the odds is the rest of the story. The story keeps moving back and forth with the situation. The storyline is good and doesn’t let you bore.

My Critique – The story is decent. Scenes are well written and composed in multiple small chapters. The pace of the story is good. However, the investigation is not that promising. The odd side of the investigation is that Keshav and Saurabh, first tell the reality to every person they meet, and then other person helps them without any cross-question. They could enquire like a detective who acts smart, but they were always straight forward to the people they met. The last part is good. Introducing the writer as a passenger with Keshav was not required at all. The story could be narrated without this drama, it was not connected either. Twists and turns are good in the story which keeps the story moving and persuades the reader. Looking at the author’s reputation I found this story average which could be better for sure.

Rating : 3/5

Best Buy: Amazon – Paperback at Rs.112/-

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Book Review – Fifty Fifty

Author: Surender Mohan Pathak
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Westland

Book Blurb – Shobhana had gone to Dharmesh with a straightforward proposal. If they had embarked on the plan, they would end filling their coffers with crores. But the mission was fraught with perils. Bloodshed was a sure thing when this high society escort and pimp came together to upset the pyramid of power in the world of crime.

About the Book – This book was written long back in the time when mobiles and many other facilities available today did not exist. The environment and other things are set according to the story. The story starts with a letter and keeps on moving with small incidents in a lady’s life, who is a cabre dancer of those times. She gets a map from one of her clients turned boyfriend and the rest of the story moves around the map. She finds her old friend who once has acted as a pimp for her. They both agreed for the partnership of 50 percent and taking risks and unravel the mystery. During this journey, they come across many difficulties, that they pass. How they reach, what all different conditions they face, whether the results were as expected or not is all about the story. The story is well written and perfectly suits to those times. The continuous movement of the story keeps filling the thrill within you.

My Critique – I like the suspense stories and this is one of them. The writer has studied the things very minutely before incorporating them into the story. Police interrogations are well portrayed. On the spot, situation handling is well depicted. Things are not odd in the story. The main game keeps changing with time. As the story moves and new characters join. The suspense remains there till the last page. Overall the story is free from time boundaries and thrills you with impact.

Rating : 4.5/5

Best Buy: Amazon – Paperback at Rs.165/-

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