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shreyabaldwa's reviews
109 reviews
A Woman Burnt by Imayam
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Imayam’s ‘A Woman Burnt’ is a book written in simple language, but one that is searing in its truthfulness. Revathi’s painful journey, her body marred by burns, sets the narrative that unveils the societal gaps of class, caste, and economics. The book serves as a poignant reminder of real-world struggles and is a scathing critique of male entitlement and societal complicity. The only issue with the book is that it felt repetitive at times and that the narrative could have been crispier.
History's Angel by Anjum Hasan
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Anjum Hassan's History’s Angel talks about the lives of Muslims face in the India of today. Through Alif Mohammad, a history teacher in Delhi, Hassan highlights the day-to-day struggle of an Indian Muslim. She mentions lynching on trains, discrimination Muslims face while finding a house, the rise of religious extremism among Muslims and the snide remarks they get because of their food, dressing and culture. While taking the story forward, Hassan gives the readers a beautiful tour of Delhi. For someone who has lived in Delhi for a few years, some parts in the story made me nostalgic about the quintessential 'Dilli walli' vibe.
While the premise initially excited me, I couldn't really love this book. There is just too much happening in it. Every other situation in book transports Alif back in time and makes him ponder over some historical figure or event. The frequent and longish references to the past seem like a roadblock in the flow of the story. Personally, I felt the book very history heavy, digressing my mind away from the actual narrative. I did like the second half of the book where the story finally picks up pace. However, the story seemed to flow all over the place and I had to struggle to keep up my interest overall.
While the premise initially excited me, I couldn't really love this book. There is just too much happening in it. Every other situation in book transports Alif back in time and makes him ponder over some historical figure or event. The frequent and longish references to the past seem like a roadblock in the flow of the story. Personally, I felt the book very history heavy, digressing my mind away from the actual narrative. I did like the second half of the book where the story finally picks up pace. However, the story seemed to flow all over the place and I had to struggle to keep up my interest overall.
Teen Couple Have Fun Outdoors by Aravind Jayan
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Aravind Jayan's Teen Couple Have Fun Outdoors is an absolute honest representation of a middle-class Indian family in the face of a sex scandal. It also highlights the generation gap between parents and children and their approach to challenging situations.
Jayan's social analysis and touches pf humor along the novel are spot on. However, the entire story is driven by the POV of the narrator (brother of the guy in the sex scandal). The POVs of the other key characters are either told through the lens of the narrator or left on guesswork. I wish the other characters were well fleshed out. It would have made the story more enjoyable. Overall, a quick and easy read about a classic family drama set in the modern age of phones and social media.
Jayan's social analysis and touches pf humor along the novel are spot on. However, the entire story is driven by the POV of the narrator (brother of the guy in the sex scandal). The POVs of the other key characters are either told through the lens of the narrator or left on guesswork. I wish the other characters were well fleshed out. It would have made the story more enjoyable. Overall, a quick and easy read about a classic family drama set in the modern age of phones and social media.
H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars by Kunal Purohit
informative
medium-paced
4.5
The BJP's propaganda game has always caught my fascination. Their well-oiled IT machinery and digital penetration in the country has made it easier for them to propagate their ideology far and wide. As a result, whether its during a religious procession, a festive occasion, a political rally, or now the reels on Instagram - it seems like culture promoting 'Hindutva' is everywhere. While the Hindutva pop culture exists far and deep, rarely do people understand its ramifications. However, Kunal Purohit's book 'Hindutva pop stars' looks at this unexplored research area with fine reportage.
The book details the rise and the hiccups in the journey of three Hindutva pop stars - Kavi Singh - a singer, Kamal Agneya - a poet, and Sundeep Deo a publisher. They mostly work independently of any Hindutva organisation. However, all are part of the growing Hindutva ecosystem. Their stories show how the BJP and its philosophy has become so ingrained in the heart of India.
Purohit's writing is simple and he presents the stories of the three pop stars in an engaging manner ensuring that all readers can grasp the significance of their work and the changing cultural dynamics. Instead of taking a hard stand against the hate culture, Purohit merely presents facts and leaves it to the reader to form their own opinions.
This Hindutva pop culture and hate music trend is dangerous as it demands the othering of Muslims and is a challenge to India's pluralistic ethos. While there is no clarity on how to combat it, the book is a conversation opener. This book, as rightly summarised in the blurb, presents “the frightening face of new India- one that is united by hate, divided by art.”
The book details the rise and the hiccups in the journey of three Hindutva pop stars - Kavi Singh - a singer, Kamal Agneya - a poet, and Sundeep Deo a publisher. They mostly work independently of any Hindutva organisation. However, all are part of the growing Hindutva ecosystem. Their stories show how the BJP and its philosophy has become so ingrained in the heart of India.
Purohit's writing is simple and he presents the stories of the three pop stars in an engaging manner ensuring that all readers can grasp the significance of their work and the changing cultural dynamics. Instead of taking a hard stand against the hate culture, Purohit merely presents facts and leaves it to the reader to form their own opinions.
This Hindutva pop culture and hate music trend is dangerous as it demands the othering of Muslims and is a challenge to India's pluralistic ethos. While there is no clarity on how to combat it, the book is a conversation opener. This book, as rightly summarised in the blurb, presents “the frightening face of new India- one that is united by hate, divided by art.”
Ayodhya: The Dark Night by Krishna Jha
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Ayodhya land dispute is a controversial issue that has played a significant role in shaping the face of the modern day Indian society. Krishna Jha and Dhirendra Jha have pieced together the events of that ‘dark night’ - 22nd December 1949 - through first-hand interviews with surviving eye-witnesses and others associated with the protests that followed. They have laid out details from archival material, using first-hand accounts to unearth details of the events and conspiracies leading to the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The book is a good investigative work and also refers to the political environment in post independent India on secularism and religious leanings.
Most books that deal with real-life incidents tend to get too complicated with their writing. However, here, the authors have kept the language simple and let the narrative flow.
Most books that deal with real-life incidents tend to get too complicated with their writing. However, here, the authors have kept the language simple and let the narrative flow.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I have always been a fan of thrillers and Freida McFadden was a name that kept popping up to me last year. I eventually took the bait and started reading one of her most popular works - The Housemaid. While reading this, I had flashes of the movie Murder 3 which also had a secret room where the lead character was held captive.
The plot alternates between two separate narratives - one of Nina Winchester and other that of Millie. The eerie atmosphere that pervades through the most part accentuates the reading experience, but the coincidences that line the events a little unconvincing. For someone who has spent ten years in prison, Millie - the housemaid, appears as very naïve and her backstory isn't very clear too.
The book is intriguing, dramatic, addictive but sadly also cliché. I could sense the obvious plot twist right at the beginning. Did that stop me from consuming it in one sitting? Absolutely not. Give it a read if you wish to get over your laziness and get back to some reading.
The plot alternates between two separate narratives - one of Nina Winchester and other that of Millie. The eerie atmosphere that pervades through the most part accentuates the reading experience, but the coincidences that line the events a little unconvincing. For someone who has spent ten years in prison, Millie - the housemaid, appears as very naïve and her backstory isn't very clear too.
The book is intriguing, dramatic, addictive but sadly also cliché. I could sense the obvious plot twist right at the beginning. Did that stop me from consuming it in one sitting? Absolutely not. Give it a read if you wish to get over your laziness and get back to some reading.
Barbara Isn't Dying by Alina Bronsky
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Alina Bronsky's, Barbara Isn’t Dying, feels very familiar. You know a Walter in your life. And a Barbara! You know of people who take don't cherish the value others add in their lives. You know of men who behave like 'know it all' and who don't value their partners enough. Brosnky writes about this with humor and a light touch. This is a story of a man who realizes he's taken his family for granted and when his wife falls sick, his life falls apart. It's Bronsky's writing and humourous take on things that made me felt irritated and also sympathetic towards Walter Schmidt at moments. It's a quick read that will make you think about your dysfunctional family.
Assassin by KR Meera
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Set during the early days of demonetisation in 2016, K R Meera’s Assassin (known as Ghathakan in Malayalam) tells the story of investigation of an assassination attempt on the lead character and narrator, Satyapriya. Meera has dedicated the book to journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead outside her home in 2017. The note ban is a recurrent theme in the book and often is used to depict Satyapriya’s internal turmoil. She frequently (and oh so beautifully) uses similes and metaphors to let the reader enter the minds of the characters.
Through Satyapriya and her mother, Meera has tried to call out misogyny, patriarchy, child sexual abuse, caste biases, domestic violence and its impact on women. Satyapriya’s mother Vasanthalakshmi goes against the stereotypical image of a mother and is my favourite character from the book.
Demonetisation, increasing intolerance in the society, power hungry politics, the Hindutva discourse, Maoism are some of the issues that provide the background while the lead character sets out to find her assassin. In her pursuit of the assassin’s motive, she has to unravel the covers of her past and this forms the crux of the book.
J Devika's translation is smooth and keeps us interested in this political crime thriller. I love how Meera has made repeated references to the socio political climate in India and easily mixed it in the story without disrupting the flow.
My only issue with the book was that at times I was lost among the too many characters in the story and had to trace back the origin. But this doesn't take away the charm of the book. Go, give it a read.
Through Satyapriya and her mother, Meera has tried to call out misogyny, patriarchy, child sexual abuse, caste biases, domestic violence and its impact on women. Satyapriya’s mother Vasanthalakshmi goes against the stereotypical image of a mother and is my favourite character from the book.
Demonetisation, increasing intolerance in the society, power hungry politics, the Hindutva discourse, Maoism are some of the issues that provide the background while the lead character sets out to find her assassin. In her pursuit of the assassin’s motive, she has to unravel the covers of her past and this forms the crux of the book.
J Devika's translation is smooth and keeps us interested in this political crime thriller. I love how Meera has made repeated references to the socio political climate in India and easily mixed it in the story without disrupting the flow.
My only issue with the book was that at times I was lost among the too many characters in the story and had to trace back the origin. But this doesn't take away the charm of the book. Go, give it a read.
Sakina's Kiss by Vivek Shanbhag
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Vivek Shanbagh has the knack of bringing the anguish and dilemmas of the supposedly modern, educated middle class families to the forefront in simple language. Like Ghachar Ghochar, Sakina's Kiss is simple in narration but interspersed with themes like patriarchy, political beliefs and what makes a modern man. The book begins more on a thriller note but slowly extends to talking about land grabs, Naxalism, the difficulties of fatherhood, the man and wife relationship, the cults of self-improvement among other things. I picked this up right after Ghachar Ghochar and somehow, I feel that messed up things for me. While Sakina's Kiss has its own charm, I think it failed to live up to the expectations set by the former.
Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Vivek Shanbag's Ghachar Ghochar is a short story that packs a strong punch. I was intrigued by the title and the book cover. It is a book that leaves more unsaid than said, and it is in the little details and snippets that we must understand the story and its characters. Rarely do short stories hold the element of interest till the end, but this one ticks in all the right boxes. Srinath Perur’s excellent translation feels like watching a theatrical play in which you are always at the edge of the seat looking for ways to connect the dots. It's a definite must read.