It's been a long long time since i posted anything here and i am really sorry about it!It's not taht i have not read any books!I have a coupla books that are worth reviewing but time plays a main factor, right!hmmm.. well, for people who do not know, i have another blog which happens to be my primary blog. I call it "Perceptions of an ambivert". If you are like, what kind of a stupid blog is this without posts? , then go there.
Well, i have been awarded the "Honest blogger award" by Hye and i thank her sincerely for the kind deed! hadn't checked this blog for a long time and hence didn't know that i had been awarded!hmm, anyway, thank you Hye, for selecting me as an Honest blogger!I am flattered and honored!
Here the prestigious award goes:
hmm, i will have to pass this great award on. [:)]
And the award goes to.........
Myself (for my other blog so that i can tag people there.. mos of the people sont know that i blog here!lol:)
Labels: MIsc
Before I even begin to post a review this book,I pray for the strength within to bring out words without shedding tears.For,this masterpiece will make you cry.Yes,never in my life have i read a book that has affected me such.Adjectives and phrases seem to fail me on my attempt to write something grandiose about the book.This reviewing attempt of mine,i wish will help you understand the philosophy Dostoyevsky adhered to, "Existentialism" ,which is in a way similar to objectivism.
Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikoff,an ex-student who aspires to study,is morbisly self-possessed and faces severe penury.In this state,he murders the old woman money lender,Alena Ivanovna,with a hatcher in a desperate attempt to free himself from poverty.This,he does in a state of delirium and matters turn worse when he kills her sister too ,under unavoidable circumstances.He leaves no traces behind and roams the city of St Petersburg without having qualms.He constantly shudders within following the events that take place and becomes increasingly hypochondriacal.Dmitri Razhoumikhin, his friend takes great care of him and with the help of Dr Zametoff , helps him get away from monomania or so they name the thing.In his oppressed state he comes across a poor man with a very sad story to tell and they become friends.When Raskolnikoff knows about his friend Marmelodoff's daughter Sonia Semenovna,his heart goes out to her , not out of love, but of sympathy.
The events in his life take a twist as marmeladoff dies.His sister and mother come to visit him in St Petersburg.Eudoxia Romanovna(Dounia),Rodion's beloved sister
and his mother Pulcharia Alexandrovna are vexed at a stage when he asks them never to meet him again.His mother is deeply wounded by this.Meanwhile Peter Petrovich,Dounia's fiance,shows his true colors and the marriage is annulled.
The story takes a lot of turns and at times,the unique story about our hero makes us feel claustrophobic-this i say because-you wouldn't want to put the book down once you have started reading it.From the opening pages,Fyodor attaches us unflinchingly to his intense and enigmatic hero(I wouldn't call him an anti hero),creating a web of intimacy and tension which is increasingly hard to bear.Crime and guilt-its traumatic and inevitable successor atre the central themes running thru the novel and the notions of justifiable murder and worldly retribution are depicted with razor sharp precision.
Personally,I would say that the novel haunts us and it disturbs us mentally,from its very first page.When Rodion finally confesses his guilt,unlike our contemporary heroes who justify it , our eyes automatically cloud.You have guessed the end,yes,sonia and rodion unite.The closing words are heart wrenching and in spite of our best efforts to try not to cry,we cry and laughter joins just as we wipe our tears.
I may have missed many interesting points and characters but my engrossed mind wouldn't allow me so far as to plunge into details for the fear that the iridescent story about the young man would cut my heart like a knife if i were explain everything.This book is a real treasure and is a must read for all book lovers.
Labels: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Set in the Irish town of Shancarrig,the story begins with young people carving their initials,and those of their loves and their hopes into the copper beech tree in front of the schoolhouse.But note even Father Gunns ,the local parish priest who knows most of what goes on behind the Shancarrig's closed doors or Dr Jims,the village doctor,who knows all the rest,realises that not everything in the placid village is what it seems.
Unexpected passions and fears are bringing together,the lives of many,including Ms Ross ,the schoolteacher and the new priest.The secrets in Shancarrig's shadows start to get revealed from innocent vanities and hidden loves to crimes from the heart..and even to murder.
An intricately delicate novel that makes you laugh and cry at the same time.The author's warmth and sympathy render the daily struggles of ordinary people heroic and turn storytelling into an art.A charming and compelling one,this novel finds Maeve Binchy at her storytelling best.The captivating narrative is a must read.
Labels: Maeve Binchy
I've been reading more and more interesting books,of late.The latest one in that series is "The testimony of two men" by "Taylor Caldwell".The very poignant tale with its sheer delicacy and finesse makes it a pleasure to read.Here the review goes;
Jonathan Ferrier,a distinguished and eminent surgeon in a small Pennsylvania town at the turn of the 18th century,has been accused and subsequently acquitted of causing the death of his young wife.Wealthy,cynical,tactless and intolerant,Ferrier incurs the animosity of all his colleagues by his success and his advanced ideas.Hatred buikds up against him in the town where the people are still reluctant to accept his innocence.Even his love interest,Jenny, misunderstands him and life isn't just fair for the wonderful guy.What happens in the end is indeed gripping and the characters are drawn and the scene is set with masterly insight and penetration ,as we follow the career of a medical man who finds himself at odds with the society he has to live in after he has accused and acquitted of causing the nefarious crime.
If only i get a chance to date Mr Jonathan Ferrier of this book,i'll be the happiest person on earth.I'm indeed smitten with the guy who has attracted me over his unusual ways.This makes the novel a must read.
I personally loved this novel and though Jon may sound evasive and bellicose,he is all set to rule ur hearts when u get to know him better.
Labels: Taylor Caldwell
"Angels cry sometimes" by Josephine Cox begins with the lead pair in a married status.Curt Ratheter and Marcia Fletcher are idyllically happy and have two kids.Their life runs smoothly and as much in love as on their weddding day,nothing could mar their joy.But,one fateful day,Curt gets arrested for bigamy and Marcia's world tumbles about her ears and leaves her and her girls bereft.Curt would want to tell abt his failed marriage to Francesca,a pimp he had gotten attracted to,when he was very young.The foolish act costs him his life and Fran,his first wife has an affair with his very own father!how preposterous!Curt's mother dies of a broken heart and they both live with each other.That's when Curt comes to a new town and meets Marcia.Meanwhile,Marcia's close frd,Barty Bendall has always loved her but lacked the courage to tell her.Now,Marcia,in a state so pathetic,marries Barty under her spouse's request.He doesn't want his children to be called in derogatory words.Marcia,sensing his motivations,agrees and life goes smoothly for about 6 months.Barty,falls into bad ways and becomes the laughing stock of the town,tyrannising the family and forcing Marcia to manage on her meagre wage from the cotton mill.He always vents his anger on Marcia's first born,Polly,afflicted since birth with an ominous shadow over her health.Even in difficult times ,Marcia makes sure her children do not know about Curt,for it may sound as a shock to them.She never onve forgets his countenance and continues to live as Curt's wife,on a mental note.Apart from her own worries,she also manges to cheer the local folks with her generous concern.All of a sudden.word goes that Curt has been released from prison and Marcia's joy knows no bounds.But-on the account of his returning home,Marcia must control her emotions and the very fact will render her helpless prey to wildly conflicting emotions.well,Barty dies in the end trying to kill Curt and he kills himself.Polly also dies because of the tumor and Marcia and Curt,unite at last.
Well,set in a close-knit community in pre-war Lancashire,this book brims with heartbreak and joy and powerful emotions .But-too much of anything is good for nothing.In Danielle's books,the lead lady cries,okay,but not all her life.In this case,reckoning that people will be enthralled by the subject,the author has used too much emotions,which bores the reader to death!So,as far as my views are concerned,this book is not worth reading at all.It makes u laugh at some point when Marcia struggles!Now i know where the daily soaps get their stories from!
Labels: Josephine Cox
I have at last found the time to kickstart my blog with one of the most famous and controversial books,"The moon and six pence" by Somerset Maugham.I read this wonderful book a few months back and Maugham,who has had many critically acclaimed works,radiates with brilliance in this book .The novel is a real treasure.This i say, even before reviewing it.No good reader should fail to read this book.
You will be surprised to find that there is no particular weightage on any one person in this novel.Each character shines with its peculiar charm.Well,over to the characters and their play;
The narrator is a mutual friend of a plain,middle-aged,sweet woman called Mrs Strickland.Mrs Strickland is happily married to a stockbroker(a rather dull guy with no social activities) or so it seems.Everything goes on fine in their lives when suddenly,the stockbroker,Mr Strickland is said to have eloped with a woman.Hell freezes over and Mrs Strickland is in shock that their 17 years of marital bliss had crashed down all of a sudden.The narrator is requested by the lady to meet with Mr Strickland and persuade him,i daresay,to return to England.When the narrator goes to France,he gets the shock of his life when he finds the man in totally different circumstances.
With the help of a poor soul named Dirk Stroeve , he helps Strickland in many ways and what follows afterward affects the reader.The nexus between Strickland and Dirk's calm wife is one thing to be afraid of.The ending is heart wrenching and tragic.
Charles' insolent and impudent character has been given a fine twist and the reader can't ask for more.His care a damn attitude and the conversations between the narrator and him are sheer genius.The portrayal of characters such as Dirk Stroeve and lady Stroeve,Blanche, are fascinating and people of Dirk's character never exist now.Atleast i think so!
The Moon and six pence is quite an interesting read and is a must read for all literary
enthusiasts.
Labels: Somerset Maugham
I know i am disappointing people out here and i feel real awful for this.So i am giving ya all a real nice work.A funny thing to do too!All you have to do is check out this link
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