The Hound of the Baskervilles is the third of the crime novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson. The story set in the backdrop of Dartmoor in Devon in England’s West Country and tell about the legend of the fearsome and supernatural hound which has been affecting the Baskerville family and killing every one of them till the recent mysterious murder of Sir Charles Baskerville. His death has added made Dr. Mortimer fear more for the last heir of the Baskerville Family Sir Henry Baskerville who is in Canada and made notice of Sir Charles Death. To bring an end of the mystery revolving around the family and prevent Henry also falling a victim for this Sherlock Holmes is brought notice of his death and mystery revolving around the family. Both Sherlock Holmes and Dr.Watson take up to solve this case.
The Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton who have been living in an isolated place in Dartmoor have raised curiosity and further research to find he is a Baskerville family. He has been killing everyone just for the sake of the entire property. Mr. Stapleton has had criminal not only in this case and but various others ways for past 3 to 4 years. How Sherlock clever enough to finally identify him as the culprit and clever enough to prove by using Henry as bait made me hook to book and not put them down until I finish the book
Opinion and Rating:
Every time I read Sherlock Series the author has never failed to impress me. All the more I fall in with Sherlock Holmes and how he solves the cases. They have never failed to arouse my curiosity and always kept me hooked up. In fact, I have kept this book as a reference when I read other books in the same genre and review them. Sherlock Holmes always stand out at the top.
Kochery C Shibu graduated from the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, in 1981. He has served in the Indian Navy and commanded two warships. Post his retirement he has executed hydroelectric projects in the Cauvery river basin in Karnataka, Beas river basin in Himachal and lately Teesta river basin in Sikkim. Men and Dreams in Dhauladhar is his first novel.
Nanda an engineer works at the dam construction site in Kashmiri. A Malayali who was brought in environment where they spoke murder for murder and revenge was near and dear ones mattered. There was always air of violence in his hometown. He was caught midst of emotions ,love from his family , hate and revenge for the death of his close ones. He is married to Nandini kutty and he is the man of the hour as he looked for by people who want to kill him. He is been sent to work in dam construction site to avoid the danger. His is the only person and his family is doting on him.
Khusru a kashmiri was brought by his uncle and whose wanted to get back with his parents who lives in Deran with his other 2 brothers and a sisters. There is always shillings and bombings that happen on his on Neelum Riverside where goes for a walk with his uncle. In one such walk due the frequent shillings and bombings his uncle died on spot and he somehow survived. He was approached by bearded man asking him to join the fight in the name of Allah. He was given military type training and was prepared for an attack that they planning at the Dam construction site. He was bait in this master plan. It was during one of this mission with other pathan, to protect himself from police, he kidnapped Rekha who was on Amarnath yatra
Rekha a Kathak dancer and choreographer at heart and a doctor by profession. She and her siblings were brought by her grandmother. Her doctor parents died in an accident. She has been pestered by her grandmother for marriage. She wasn’t convinced with the from the her grandmother because she didn’t feel he was the one for her. Eventually she came around, but before that she ventured for Amarnath yatra where she was kidnapped by Khusru. Here she fell for him and has the ‘din din a dan’ feel in her heart that she was looking forward for in a guy. They finally settled down in the camp built for the labourers working for the dam construction. She worked as a doctor here and Khusru was working as one of the labourers.
What hold in the store for their story. But the book doesn’t complete finished ending as this is the first part in the series. Although I felt the book was too verbose sometimes, the storyline is good and unpredictable.
The initial part of the book talks about his childhood, his upbringing and the struggles that he had to go through to get a proper education and till starts to face the realities of the world. His father was a chief himself kept Mandela’s childhood name as Rolihlahla which meant “Pulling a tree” or a Trouble Maker. He was connected with the Royal Thembu Dynasty. The early death of his father changes the circumstances of his life. He had to complete part of education with the help of his father’s friend who also was a chief. He had his education in the University of Fort Hare and later pursued Law. He shifted to Johnserburg where he was for a law firm where black people were allowed to work. Those days White people were considered superior and black weren’t. Everything was segregated for white and black people. Black or the Africans were considered in the low level i.e Slaves and weren’t considered worthy enough. Even today Racism is not completely eradicated in the world. It exists in some form or other and there are still victims of racism.
The book shifts talk about the life of black people and how they were regarded by white people in South Africa. He talks about the apartheid existence in the country and how he started his involvement started in the politics. The people who inspired him, the struggle of people around him, ignorance of the majority
He got himself in ANC(Africa national Congress) a party established in the year of 1912 with the aim of removal of apartheid, equal respect of African majority and fight against racism. He saw the struggle faced by his people and given the history motivated him to fight for the cause. He grew up and was became a well-known face on a fight against the cause and his fight for the nation spread. A fight like involves a lot of sacrifices and it happens at the expense of personal life. He even went to Jail in Robben Island for almost 30 years. After his release, he continued his fight and achieve d he stood for and this was a start of freedom of people and new directions in for South Africa.
Opinion and rating
A man truly need to look up for. Nelson Mandela stood up for what was right, his principles and moral values. He fought for the removal of apartheid, for Harmony of life among different races. Africans, Indians colored people to be treated as equal with the white and for equal rights. He stood to ground irrespective of the downfall and struggles through the fight. A man who at the cost of his own personal, fought for his people, nation and also played a motivating his people as well. A gem of person and leader who is no more.
I would rate the book 5/5
Some Inspiring Quotes from the book:
They say words have great power. These words convey a lot of things and have had a great impact on me. So I just thought of sharing these quotes as well.
“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
“I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.”
“Let your courage rise with danger.”
“It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, White and black. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
When I walked out of prison, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both. Some say that has now been achieved. But I know that that is not the case. The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.
I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”
Shantinagar a slum area between Mumbai city and suburb which place for all new aspirants and dreamers who came to the city. A place that open Heartedly welcomed the immigrants from all around the world. Laksmi and Shankar were an innocent couple who tried to make their ends meet lived in Shantinagar. They were parents of a young boy Rahul. Their world revolved around him and a sudden change in his behavior, moodiness and become a very quiet boy. He was taken to a doctor for consultation. But Rahul was denied treatment by his parent as they were influenced by people like Dinanath against it. He is a representative of a political party and for his selfish and greedy political aspiration used this innocent parent who had imense trust and faith in him to his benefit. He recommended to a saint who would help him recover and story so unfolded , one thing led to another effecting the life a small and complete family. The couple had to serve jail for no fault of thier’s affect Rahul life.
Ryan( who is none other than Rahul) was adopted by Indian parents in Japan. He is a graduate in Literature and in process of writing his first book. The main trait the I personally like about this character, he want to understand women. Why was wommen life deeply affected by people around them especially men. Why do they have to bow down before everyone and anawerable to so many of them. Whereas Men arent subjected to any this struggles in life. He was also a person who wqs curious to understand the inner meaning of life as well. An man with great intellectual trait and man who follows his heart and does what he is passionate about. In fact in Japan he first leant a amazing insight about life- Find out the place or point in the world which will sooth our heard and enjoy the the innocence that a person has within himself. Sonetime certain harsh experience and realities in life removes all our innocence in life.
It was in college where he found his best friend and futute love of his life Saki and they discussed every thing. WIth her inspiration and motivation he finished his first novel and she helped find his first publisher. When the deal was finalised sako, Ryan and few friends went on a trip to Assam and uttrakand to a trip. Sudden change in the events there, led to dead of everyone the trip except Saki and Ryan. But both were seperated after the incident, meanwhile the book became a sensation and worldwide bestseller. Thing brought Ryan back into limelight after three year. What happens in this mysterous three years is the story that ultimately leads to him getting back with his real parents Laksmi and Shankar and also with love of his life Saki.
Opinion and Rating
A beautiful and simple story which makes understand the neccessity of life.Usualy we tend to look at the small perspective of the world and miss the wider and larger perspective. Understanding of what life is and finding where inner happiness is matter the matter. Life is general are filled love, failure , trust, mistrust and arrongance selfish people and lot of other emotion which exibit and understanding the life of people around us also important. The author is right to mention that beauty, inteligence and power play a very important role. Right mixture of these three component can make our lives perfect
I would rate the 4/5
To buy the signed copy of the book,please is the link below:
John Michael Crichton was an American author, screenwriter, film director and producer best known for his work in the Science fiction, thriller, and medical fiction genres. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and over a dozen have been adapted into films
His literary works are usually within the action genre and heavily feature technology. His novels epitomize the techno-thriller genre of literature, often exploring technology and failures of human interaction with it, especially resulting in catastrophes with biotechnology. Many of his novels have medical or scientific underpinnings, reflecting his medical training and scientific background.
Michael Crichton has been in my “TO BE READ” books for a very long time and finally got hold of one his books. His books were recommended to when I asked for a suggestion for a thriller(One of my favorite genre). I started with the book “Disclosure” a book which deals with Thomas Sander who works for local based developing technological company digicom. The firm is in talks for a merger with another rival company an as a result changes in the restructuring within the firm. These lead to the appointment of Meredith Johnson as Vice President of the APS division which has shocked everyone in the firm. Everyone was expecting or looking forward to Sanders to take her position. Both of them were involved in a relationship 10 years back and she tries to resume by sexual advances towards in a meeting regarding products. This leads to a Sexual Harassment case which is files by Sander when Meredith puts him tight position of a job by filing an internal complaint against him. The evolution of the story post makes the book an amazing read
The theme of the novel is all about sexual harassment. But it definitely not generic one where the woman is harassed by men in power. But it a role reversal case where women in power have abused her position to her benefit and involved in sexual advance not with one but with many men who do not come forward to talk in general. It is typical when a man complains of Sexual harassment because of women to laugh and give a look into it and investigate. But in a vice versa situation, it gets all blown up and investigation happens and is resolved. I think this inequality and imbalance would be resolved one and only if there balance of both gender in top position. The solution is given by Sander’s attorney if and only if that proportion of both women and men given the authority of the power of balanced and in the ratio of 50:50, there will no question of mistreatment, inequality and misuse of power
Arushi Vats enjoys most of the time reading and writing stories. It’s as if she can’t get enough of them. More than that, she also writes poems and musings from her heart. Her dream is to inspire people through her writing. After her first book, fragile strings, an anthology of poems, comes another fiction book, when broken hearts meet, taking you to an unparalleled journey where there is love, friendship and healing of two hearts in ways you may have never thought.
Avanti a third year student meet suhas. She is introduced to him through his sister kritika. They started out as friends.But Avanti was still hung to her past and ex boyfriend tried to get back in her life. The unexpected entry caused a conflict between her and suhaad. She had started developing feeling for him and vice versa,but ego has knack of finding its way in the middle of ant relationship. The story is about two people who have had bad relationship in the past and have mutual love feeling for both,finally face and embrace it with all the confidence
Opinion
A normal predictable love story of two people who have had their share of turbulent relationship. The writing is very simple and easy quick read. I would rate the book 2.5/5
The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second novel in the best-selling Millennium series by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson. It was published posthumously in Swedish in 2006 and in English in January 2009.
The Plot:
Lisbeth Salander goes off to a trip for a year and is devoid of contact with anyone she knows. During the trip she fall in love with maths especially fermat’s theorem and starts to study about it more. Given her unique nature it fits. Her last leg of the trip ended in grenada, which is hit by a tornado. She saves life a young boy she befriends and a woman who is becomes a victim of murder. On her return to stockholm she buy a new flat, changes her lifestyle with her stolen money. But few days into her return to stockholm she become the suspect for a triple murder.
Dag Svensson a journalist and his girlfriend approaches Millennium to publish a article as well as book on sex trafficking. Despite a law in place, the law enforcing them and those supporting them where also involved in them. Blomkvist was bring to light so many punks and other who career might get destroyed once exposed.Blomkvist was working with them and had paid the couple a visit to get some material when he found about the murder. This eventually led to investigation and a lot of media attention to the case. A murder weapon was found and fingerprints was matched to Lisbeth Salander who happened to visit the couple,but never a murderer. Also in due of investigation, her guardian was also found dead. The police was working with assumption that Salander was a murderer whereas blomkvist and Armanksy were working with the fact that she wasn’t. As the investigation proceeded the latter proved to right and she was not a suspect anymore. Her father Zala has been the mastermind behind the entire operation. The story revolves around solving the mystery and finding a link behind Zala , Bjurman and Salander. Why is always Salander a target for someone else fault?
Opinion and Rating:
An Amazing crime thriller and a must read. This a book which is a combination of both plot based and character story. As I read the sequel of the book, the more i fall in love with the character lisbeth salander and plot. The story intriguing that I am looking forward to read the continuation in the third part as well. I personally feel that it is difficult to such kind of crime thriller which rise our curiosity and hangover after reading.Amazing and unexpected twist and turns out of nowhere,but also makes sense to the story. More of this kind of books need to come. There many thriller where I am just able to understand the plot before finishing
Seductive affair is written by Rishabh Puri who is also a entrepreneur by profession.
Story :
Prisha is a student of journalism who is just out of relationship with Akshay and main the reason for the split was the personal difference. At the same time she ends up getting her job in Chronicle where she could pursue her passion for writing as well. Few days into her job she is given an assignment with Rajesh a popular Journalist known for following tough stories which bring out to world revelation of truth have been sent to attend a conference. She was sent to keep an Rajesh. But there is another reason unknown to everyone, why rajesh is keen on attending the conference. He is here to attend and uncover a story which was tip-off from a reliable source. Both get involved not only get involved to uncover truth,but both develop feeling for each other. Thus become a seductive affair.
Opinion and Rating
The story is very predicatable and nothing new about the story line. So I would rate the 3 on 5
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a psychological thriller novel by Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson (1954–2004), which was published posthumously in 2005 to become an international bestseller.It is the first book of the Millennium Series.
Story:
Mikeal Blomkvist, who is a journalist, publisher and part owner for Millenium loses his fight against billionaire industrialist Hans-Erik Wennerström. As a result he has to serve jail for 3 month period and also pay the fine. Just as he is analysing the consequences of this entire event on him as well his company , he gets call from Henrik Vanger, the retired CEO of the Vanger industries. He is called to resolve the mysterious missing case of his niece Harriet Vanger and also to write the biography of the vanger industries and their clan.
On the other hand another strong character Lisbeth Salander who has had troubled childhood works as freelancer as PI( Personal Investigator) and is also a computer Hacker. She did a complete research on background of Blomkvist before Vanger hired him.
Harriet Vanger went missing on the day when vanger family usually meet and just also on the same day when there was serious case of accident between vehicles which had created a commotion in the city. The case has not been resolved for 30 Plus year. Henrik her uncle wants to try one last time trying to resolve the case assuming she was dead. The only clue Harriet left of is the date diary with mysterious clues and the pictures taken during the time.
When Mikeal Blomkvist started working it took 6 months to get some material clue. He got 3 prime clue to process with the investigation. But to solve the puzzle ahead he needed help. He somehow came to about Lisbeth Salander that she did a very good job in getting his detailed background details and secrets that his friends only knew about. He was amazed and astonished by her report on him and hacking talents as well. With the help of such efficient research analyst, the investigation took speed and such unexpected twist and turns. Despite the treats and near death experiences from the suspect they were persistent to bring out to Henrik.
Resolving one half of the case paved way final leg that is Harriet. All the clues now made more clear that she was very much alive and was in australia running over his husband business. He went to australia confronted with harriet and brought to visit her favourite uncle Henrik Vanger.
The story doesn’t end here. He still had the impending issue of bringing out the truth about Hans-Erik Wennerström to public. Even here Salander proved to useful resource as she had provided with humongous data she had collected about the Wennerström and also with the hacking information on a day to day basis and tipping Blomkvist from time to time till a 40 page article was published in Millenium. This became a sensation and ultimate fall down of the industrialist and for which the sweden stock market as well.
Opinion and rating
Blomkvist and Salander are two characters who are the backbone of the story and together they are great partners in crime. Their character gets so ingrained that we can’t get over them even after the end of the book. The novel by itself is a complex thriller which unexpected turns and combination two opposite people, who are different or poles apart in their character, way of working make a perfect combo. Salander is women though emotionally closed, but she was extremely independent, risk taker, does not bow down for anyone in the society especially men. Her guarded nature and her presence just arouses a certain kind of curiosity for the person on the opposite end . Now, she is a type of women that I see lacking in many today. Blomkvist on the other hand is person opposite in these regards with salander, but at the same he goes about things with certain flow. He doesn’t pester much in other person private circle if they are not open enough and have never crossed the limit. He has been like this especially with Salander which both left her both surprised and curious. Both the character unique in their own make me as a reader fall in love with them
Elizabeth M. Gilbert (born July 18, 1969) is an American author, essayist, short story writer, biographer, novelist, and memoirist.Eat pray love is her memoir and it her search for everything through Italy, India and finally Indonesia.
She was journalist and a writer by profession, very independent, a wife living a recently bought by her and husband with plans of having children and growing them here. After few years , their marriage was falling apart and eventually divorce. Post divorce she fell in love with david which at the end had break up despite the efforts to stay afloat. Lizy (Elizabeth ) falls in depression. The story is how she from sets herself into a path of self realization and recovers herself.
The book is divided into 3 parts Rome- Pursuit of pleasure, India-Pursuit of Devotion and finally Indonesia- Pursuit of Balance. A women who gave up herself entirely into a relationship, gave her 100% was just expecting love in return, when that failed it led to disastrous end. She tried to conform to herself to norms of women in the society which she also terribly failed at , as she was extremely independent women who didn’t believe in conforming to set of rules.She stood out and was oddity. Virginia Woolf once said”Across the broad continent of a woman’s life falls the shadow of the sword” This route strikes a perfect chord with me. One side of the sword the convention and normal norm that a women follow and get along perfectly with society.No judges us .But at the same time, On the other side of the sword represent the opposite of convention and we do not follow the regular course at all. This might be dangerous, but interested totally worth taking the risk though.
I feel the story is all about a person who has gone through all the struggles has paused for while to analyze herself, find out what she has missed out and ventures to just be with inner self for a year and bring about her lost balance and happiness. She also found a solution that helps her not only to come to depression and self help medication, but also gave a purpose of life, balance, happiness and positive approach to life. SHe chose travelling and yoga that was her passion. How many of us in our lifetime have at least taken a effort to overcome and bring about a balance in life. I think it is important to take this initiative and improve our lives, else what is point of just running with busy live , just to lose our true self.
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