Ma Anand Sheela, who was at the helm of the Rajneesh Movement, is an enigmatic and outspoken person. She did not fiddle with her words, which was very clear in her interviews, clever, and her love for Bhagwan was clearly visible. Although she was the spokesperson, ensuring the desires and vision of the Bhagwan are brought to reality, strong and outspoken at the face of the world, she was completely under the influence of her beloved Bhagwan.
The book gives the readers a brief insight into the story of Ma Anand Sheela, her rise to a commanding position to fall, about being framed for a crime she never committed, to a peaceful life that she is living now. It also gives the readers the reality about the behind scenes that goes into the spiritual organization and their lives.
I have heard about Osho, but never really followed about what they do and the controversies surrounding both the leaders (Rajneesh and his secretary Ma Anand Sheela) and the organization. The book gave an insight into Osho, Rajneesh, and Sheela’s life.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. And actions do speak louder than words. Being a public figure, her actions during her days are out loud in the world, and has had to face the consequences.
Before I go ahead with the review, I have to admit that I have fallen in love with this book 📖. This book has made it to the top of my re-read list.
“124 was spiteful. Full of a baby’s venom”. House 🏠 124, a haunted place with baby’s spirit and it’s victims are Sethe and Denver (her daughter). Baby Suggs, Seth’s mother-in-law and Denver’s grandmother also lived under the same house.
The house was once full of life, Baby Suggs gave her heart to people’s need in the area, but now it’s just a haunted place, filled with emptiness.
Sethe, Baby Suggs, Paul D, etc., are characters who have lived a life of slavery and have got their freedom the hard way and help of a few good-hearted White people. They would do anything not to give up their hard-earned freedom and people around them who make their lives better & livable.
Unexpectedly, Sethe and Beloved are two ✌️ characters that had a profound impact on me apart from the story itself after reading 📖.
The book conveys strong, deep and profound aspects of life and emotions that we have not experienced or might not through the characters. Sethe’s love for her dead child, that when comes through another life form, she was ready to do anything for her.
Pain, Slavery, Loss, Longing for freedom, Love for their kids and next of kin despite their struggles with life are emotions that dominate the lives of the characters.
Jeanine Cummins, an American author, has written four books – memoir titled A Rip in Heaven and three novels: The Outside Boy,The Crooked Branch, and American Dirt.
Lydia Quixano Pérez, runs a bookstore in Acapulco, Mexico, living a comfortable life with her husband, Sebastian and her son Luca.
Yesterday, Lydia had a bookshop.
Yesterday, Lydia was married to a journalist.
Yesterday, she was with everyone she loved most in the world.
Today, she lost almost everyone except her son Luca……..
The story portrays the painful journey of Lydia and her son Luca, as undocumented migrants. Lydia and her son witness the murders of her 16 family members including her husband Sebastian.
Both their lives are at stake, and they are on the run to protect themselves, the drug lord who is responsible for all the murders of her family members. Her life changes drastically overnight, she had a beautiful family, a bookstore, perfect life, and now she has lost it all.
Through the journey, she endures kidnapping, ransom, murders, rape, etc, and also gathers some friends.
I do not know the ground reality of migrants from Mexico or any of their issues, so can’t comment on how much is true on the struggles mentioned in the story.
The experiences of Lydia, her son Luca and other characters in the story that they endure during the journey makes them not to give their fight, to reach the other side of the hardship. It also opens up the readers’ understanding, of the reality of these migrants.
Both experiences a plethora of emotions reflect upon their happy memories over time, as they try to forge ahead into the future and move away from their painful past.
Personally, the ending did not do any justice to the story. It was rather a disappointing ending and could have been much better.
Amor Towles, an American novelist, best known for his bestselling novels Rules of Civility (2011) and A Gentleman in Moscow (2016), the latter of which made him a finalist for the 2016 Kirkus Prize.
A Gentleman in Moscow, an amazing book was recommended by a friend of mine, as the story resembles the current scenario of the lockdown due #COVID19. Count Rostov, is placed under house arrest during the time of revolution in The Metropol Hotel, Moscow, Russia. He is also shifted from his current extravagant suite to a small attic in fifth floor. Count Rostov, a perfect gentleman, is a man who prefer to be a master of his circumstances, rather than the circumstances mastering him.
And yes, he adeptly masters his current circumstances with less chaos and ease. He encounters with Nina, as a child who grows up to be a women who carries herself with certain poise and is highly intellectual. He learns a lot through her eyes and brings in a liveliness to his otherwise mundane life. The story talks about the various incidences that happen to him during his house arrest in the hotel.
What we have today in our lives in our lives is shaped by past. It has the power to shape our future. Although we are familiar with such a notion, and take great pride and comfort in that, we are still pushed into a vast sea of anonymity that is a realm of unknow and uncertainty –
– Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow
Count Rostov strongly believes that a change in a weather/climate, reshapes the destiny of person, his destiny does change too unexpectedly. He encounters with Nina who gives him the responsibility of her daughter Sofia who grows up to be a women of substance and an amazing musician with a bright future. Sofia and Count Rostov share a warm relationship filled with love, care, witnessing a bitterness in joy and sweetness of despair, and their lives get interwoven with each other more beautifully. As a reader, I fell in love with the relationship both Sofia and Count Rostov shared with each other, and is moved by the unexpected ending of the story.
An Individual is shaped by the events of history. The course of history can be shaped by an individual. It is true and very applicable, as not only both change the course of history, but also changes the course of lives for both of them individually.
Sophia and Rostov are two amazing characters who have been intricately and beautifully developed over the course of the story. The author has done an amazing job and justice to the development of characters who create humongous impact on the readers. A Gentleman in Moscow is a book, I would recommend to all the avid readers and is a must read.
An American Marriage, a book chosen for the Oprah Book Club 2018 and winner of Women’s Prize for friction, is about two young married couple whose life changes drastically overnight.
Roy, an executive, and Celestial, an upcoming artist an African American couple married for little more than a year, whose lives are torn apart after the arrest of the former for a crime he did not commit. He is convicted and sentenced to 12 years in Jail.
As a result, their beautiful relationship suffers the impact of the sentence, with Celestial falling back on Andre her childhood friend for moral support, and has immense growth in her career as an artist.
Meanwhile, Roy’s life comes to a halt, lost everything near and dear to life, giving up his dream life and career, tries to hold on to what is left. He is in still love with Celestial and looks forward to a life with her.
Their relationship is beyond repair with no scope to start where they left. Bygone is bygone.
Celestial is an Independent woman, unwilling to succumb to the societal norms towards women, enjoys her freedom, and is passionate about her work.
Roy, a man with his dream loves Celestial deeply, but at the same unable to come to terms with her growth in her career as an artist. It hurts his male ego so to say. It acts as one of the trigger points for the rift in their relationship, leading to a divorce.
A unique story of young people, who had to undergo a tumultuous change in their lives, facing consequences of error in judgment because one is black.
I felt Roy who loved Celestial was unable to give up on his marriage, trying to hold on to his last hope once released from jail, when she has fallen love with Andre. Celestial enjoys the relationship with Andre even after divorce, but at the same scared to finally tie the knot.
I pity how scarred the main characters Andre, Celestial, and Roy are mentally and how it has impacted their relationship and lives.
The story emphasizes the prejudices and misconceptions against black people in America. The racism based on colour or any other impact on the lives of those facing discrimination. The book reflects on the same through the voice of the characters.
Whenever there a story or campaign for better treatment and equal opportunities for black lives, there is an entire army of people around the world fighting for it through various social media platforms. In India, we are not far behind when it comes to discrimination against people of colour. There are quite a few Indian celebrities who raise voice supporting the cause of black lives in other countries. I personally think it is high time they shift their attention to a similar in India.
Lethal White, a mystery novel written under the pseudonym Robert Gabraith. It is a Pen name for J. K. Rowling, best-selling author of the Harry Potter series, The Casual Vacancy, and others.
Robin’s marriage with Mathew is in trouble with the latter hating her work as a detective, given that it involves a lot of danger.
Strike’s relationship with Lorelei, after smooth innings of almost 10 months, ended on a bad note. His only serious relationship was with Charlotte, with whom he was engaged for some time. She has moved on and married someone else, leaving Strike with serious commitment issues.
The agency run by Strike and Robin is doing extremely well, with multiple cases under their umbrella to resolve. They have made good progress so far professionally. Mr. Chiswell is blackmailed by Jimmy Knight and Mr. Winn for his wrongdoing. He takes the help of Mr. Strike and Robin Ellacott.
Billy, a mentally troubled man visits Mr. Strike’s office asking him to intervene and investigate the murder of a child he witnessed as a young kid. Before questioning him further on the same, Billy bolts off from the office. This incident unsettles Strike and he pursues his investigation on the same.
Robin over the course investigation, fond out some lead and information on Winn, a much-needed crack on the case. When Robin and Strike decide to meet Mr. Chiswell on the same and discuss the future course.
Mr. Chiswell is found dead in his home, in a suspicious way, given the stature in the world of politics. Robin and Strike work relentlessly on the case to find out those responsible behind his death.
Personally, the second half of the book put you on the edge and made you curious about what’s next. If you prefer the story to keep on the edge from the start, then you might give up reading this book
Yet it has certain elements that I look forward too in thriller/mystery books. Unpredictability, suspense, Keeness of the detectives, looking for the unexpected in the expected are few things that I love in thrillers and mystery. The Lethal White did definitely have them with an unpredictable and twisted ending.
The Silent Patient by @alex.michaelides, a #PsychologicalThriller keeps you hooked to the book.
For me personally, it was a quick read and loved the twist towards the end of the story.
I loved the minimal characters who take the centre stage in the story. The author has given the emphasis on staying true to the storyline.
Alicia Berenson, artist by profession is married to a reputed photographer, both living based out of London. She had a traumatic childhood, with her mother death in an accident, followed by her father’s suicide. Although she has taken due treatment, still can be edgy and moody. She is accused of murdering her husband and has been admitted to The Grove for psychological treatment. Despite the therapist best efforts she keeps to herself and is very silent.
Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, recently joined The Grove, takes an interest in Alicia’s case and is the only one who can make her talk…..
Apart from the story, importance has been given on how lack of mental support since an early age and traumatic experiences can impact and shape a person mindset. Here are two people Theo and Alicia, both with a traumatic childhood, yet on the opposite sides of the story
Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James @penguinrandomhouse @penguinindia
My experience with this book is mixed. Set in the backdrop of Ancient Africa, the story has elements of witchcraft, mythology, adventure, enchantments and many more. From Shape-shifting leopards, Hyenas to 300-year-old which, Tracker who is known for his nose and other such unique characters make for the central characters in the book.
A mismatched gang, each dangerous over the other and yet known for their uniqueness are in search for a boy. Each weaving their own story surrounding the mysterious boy they are in search off.
The language that the author has used in certain portions in the book is a bit raw. Emotions expressed in the story are different and unpolished. The author expressed everything explicitly in black and white through the voice of his characters.
I won’t deny that storyline was definitely a good one, written in a narrative style, the reading was a bit dry in certain parts, especially the beginning and towards the fag end of the book.
I took me some time to finish reading this book due to reading slump. Hope I come back to my normal speed
I have been meticulous this year with my goal to go out of my comfort zone and explore new authors and genre. The Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh is one such book which out of my comfort both author and genre wise. Although Ibis trilogy is one of his famous works that I personally (also the most recommended to read too) I choose to go with The Gun Island to start with.
Here’s is the review of the book………
Set in the backdrop of Sundarbans, New York and Venice, the story revolves around Kolkata born, New York based rare book dealer Dinnanath, is asked to visit a temple associated with the legend Manasa Devi and The Gun Merchant. Although he hesitant to visit the temple at first place, but gets entangled with the story after his encounter with the King Cobra in the temple, mysterious behavior of Tipu after bitten by snakes, and mysterious encounters henceforth.
Dinanath who has lost faith in both love and in world, seems to be restored with the faith by two independent and strong women, makes for a good part of a story. I loved the story-line and mystery surrounding the Legend, yet I felt the book missed a certain element that I was looking for, and I am not able to pinpoint what that is. I am still going to Ibis Trilogy which is a must read and recommended and matches the hype.
Everybody has at some point in school has learnt that when white light hits a prism, travels through to it to come out as a rainbow of colours. This rainbow of colours is what we have abbreviated as VIBGYOR.
(or)
We have enjoyed the colours of the rainbow which comes out after rains sometimes. We surely have enjoyed watching the beauty of it
But have even heard or used it in coherence with 7 unique and amazing layers of human engineering which defines us. Well they did that in this book for our easy understanding
He also covered various aspects involved in ABCD. A – Awareness, B – Breathing, C – Choices and D- Discipline.
To understand deeply, about these 7 layers and how to change the way of life, it is necessary to the book. They have explained these concepts through the eyes of James and guruji who helps and guides him through the process
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