Book Review: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


"I have this strange feeling that I'm not myself any more. It's hard to put it into words, but I guess it's as if I was fast asleep, and someone came, disassembled me, and hurriedly put me back together again. That sort of feeling."

Sputnik Swweetheart seems like a notes written for Wind-up Bird chronicle which have been collated and published in much lesser pages. Although this book is fantastic in itself but after reading WUBC, I wanted to be more challenged by the author, and get that extra edge of realism/ surrealism. In short, for those who haven't read Murakami, please read this first and then read WUBC.

" ... reality was one step out of line, a cardigan with the buttons done up wrong."

Now, on to this Sputnik Sweetheart. Like the Sputnik Satellite which crossed over from Earth's orbit to the outer space, similarly here the characters (Miu and Sumire) crosses the line of "other side". To Miu it changed her emotionally and physically, while Sumire never came back. To me it felt like Sumire has gone to search the earlier version of Miu who had the capability of loving someone.

"When the orbits of these two satellites of ours happened to cross paths, we could be together. Maybe even open our hearts to each other. But that was only for the briefest moment. In the next instant we'd be in absolute solitude. Until we burned up and became nothing."

Above lines again highlights the fleeting nature of relationship during various period of our lives. More so this book delves on the issue of unrequited love.

I had written a poem on same topic so here it is:

"Unrequited

Why is my love unrequited
when I am so mysticated

I think of her Day and Night
and through the Twilight

she says, "u not in consideration
cos u in someone else's imagination"

Believe she is concealing feelings
to prevent the trickling complications

will this be the end of tale
or events will turn the table

only time will know
so lets kowtow!"

One more theme of Murakami's books is on loenliness. The para phrasing by Murakami is seeped in reality, for eg: "The world in books seemed so much more alive to me than anything outside. I could see things I have never seen before". Also "Being all alone is like the feeling you get when you stand at the mouth of a large river on a rainy evening and watch the water flow into the sea". Second one goes into my bucketlist.

At the end, although Sumire is not found but I am unable to understand the symbolism of K looking for bloodstains on palms of his hands and mentioning that blood would have seeped inside. Would love to hear other readers views on these closing lines of this novel.





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Book review: The Fault in our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Picked up copy of my cousin as wanted a light read after Crime & Punishment..this book is not exactly chick-lit but i think was written with hollywood in mind as a kind of mushy love story..what this book has done is given me a reason to read Emperor of Maladies..plus the whole thought of being a grenade and exploding is so heart rending..also this book reminded cruelly that should have extended my visit to Amsterdam as student and roamed around city bicycling..hope the Genie will listen to me too..



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Book Review: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


To me this novel revolves around the article of Raskolnikov on the superiority of one class of men with right to kill and them being eulogised/ knighted later..the best parts of book is the conversation between Porfiry and Raskolnikov..one can surely empathize with the protagonist and his delirium phase..in this main plot of crime (done upfront) and punishment (at the end by the state; by own mind during the course of novel) the sub-plots of his sister (Dounia and her crooked admirers i.e. Luzhin and Svidrigailov), and drunken Marmeladov (and subsequently his family including Sonia) stretches the novel..however, one scene where Katerina Ivanova (wife of wasted Marmeladov) takes to streets with her children begging, dancing, singing is very poignant..



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Book review: Land of the Seven Rivers, A Brief History of India's Geography

Land of the Seven Rivers: A Brief History of India's Geography by Sanjeev Sanyal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A perfect book for a person who doesn't have much liking (and knowledge) of Indian History and Geography. The book spans across much of India's history and geography of many centuries in more or less 300 pages with author choosing to dwell on some time frame with others being just named (can't be expected more in a 300 page book).

However, what the book does is provide a very good reference guide and also piques interest of ignorant creature (aka me) on the rich subject India's diverse history and geography.Although the name of book is Land of Seven Rivers, A Brief History of India's Geography, the book covers more of history than geography but I am not complaining.

To me it has given a resolve to re-pick up the John Keay's book India - A History (which i left after first few pages) and read it through.

For serious students of India's History/ Geography, they may pass on this book. However, this book is strongly recommended to students/ professionals/ residents of Delhi as it mentions many places in and around Delhi of much historical interest which can be visited on weekends and related to through this book.



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Indore Trip (Indore/ Mandu/ Maheshwar/ Omkareshwar)

27th july' 2014 - reached indore, picked up at station and checked-in at hotel lemon tree. Had lunch there  with Aasya having roti basket on high chair. Then started for Indore darshan. Visited Lal bagh palace where sadly photography was not allowed inside. A very beautiful palace made by Europeans with gold  patterned leaves and fruits, frescoes, cherubs, painting on ceilings etc. Wish they maintain it better and market it well so that more tourists are attracted. Plus they should allow photography and earn more out of it so that palace get more funds to maintain itself.

After Lal Bagh we proceeded to see Rajwada in the main market. Visited Holkar museum inside that which has some old proclamations issued by Britishers as well as government to read and think about the old living style.

Then we visited the Shiv temple just behind Rajwada and started off to wander the streets of sarafa bazaar, bohra bazaar, kapda market etc having halwa and moong ki pakori on the way to reach Sheesh mahal. Since it was already closed we went back to room to relax and get fresh.

For dinner we decided to visit Sayaji Hotel as it has best restaurants in town. Decided to dine at their roof top restaurant i.e. Mediterra. They have a cover charge of 800 per pax. However, a couple can easily have three course meal in that price as their portions are good and price not very high (around 400 for main course and 200 for soups/ starters). They also give bread basket on- house with dips. We ordered Polenta with exotic veg in main course which was good. However, desert was a big let down. Firstly we ordered Ganache which was sweet rather than dark chocolate ( as promised). We returned it and asked for choco lava cake to which they brought dominoes pizzas choco lava cake and terribly disappointed us.

28th july - After getting fresh, had one of the best buffet bfast at Lemon tree.

Then headed for Mandu to see the historical ruins. Visited Royal enclave wherein Jahaaz mahal was most beautiful monument ( surrounded by Munj kund, Kapoor talab, Kamal kund and Suraj kund). Apart from Jahaz mahal, there was Hindola Mahal, Hamam, Champa ki Bawdi etc.

After that we visited Asharfi mahal and Khilji tomb and then proceeded to Hotel Jahaz Mahal (as Hotel Malwa resort was full). We had dinner at Shivani restaurant.

29th july

Had breakfast at hotel itself and then proceeded to visit Rupmati pavilion, Reva kund and Baz bahadur mahal. Thereafter visited Jami Mazjid (which was earlier Jain temple as per our guide) and Hoshangshah's tomb (which was a Shiv temple plus it doesn't house the actual tomb).

After completing the 3 main parts of Mandu we proceeded to Maheshwar at the Banks of Narmada which is famous for its Maheshwari sarees. Ahilyabai Rajwada and ghats are very serene. We did a boat ride at Narmada overlooking the beautiful ghats.

There is a heritage resort which can't even be entered without booking and charges some obscene 7k per person per night.

We had lunch at nondescript Gurukripa restaurant run by two Punjabi brothers serving homelike food with good hospitality.

Maheshwar was much serene and could have stayed more. Anyways, after that we proceeded for Omkareshwar and checked-in at MPSRTC hotel. Visited the Jyotirling at night itself and then retired for night having dinner at Hotel itself.

30th July

I woke up at 6am, got ready, strolled down the ghats soaking the atmosphere. Then visited Mamleshwar temple and walked down the laxman jhoola overlooking the layered rocks with Narmada river flowing beneath.

Then checked out the special pass system (its Rs.100 per person) and tickets should directly be taken from counter instead of going through Pandits. With this you get the closest darshan of Shivling (niraakar i.e. no shape) and Parvatiji.

Post that went back to Hotel to wake up wife/ kid which were awake most of night. Then had bfast, checked out and visited both Mamleshwar and Omkareshwar again. Post that had a Parikrama of Omkareshwar island in the boat ride which was 11kms long (took 1.5 hrs) and was very beautiful.

Then we rushed from Omkareshwar to Ujjain to visit Mahakal temple and had to quickly visit as had a train to catch. Visited again through special pass (Rs.150 per person) because of paucity of time but it was from far off only and not close (may be because of Shravan month). Had snacks and then boarded train back to Mumbai. 

Pari wedding with Samantha and Gangtok/ Darjeeling visit

I was excited to hear that Paritosh is getting married. And when he told that wedding will be in Gangtok, i immediately chalked out plan to attend the wedding and have a little trip of Sikkim.

Did not click pictures of wedding as there were 3-4 professional photographers (including international) who were covering the wedding shoot in detail.

This is the best wedding i have attended in terms of arrangement and mehman-nawazi. From taxi coming to receive us at the New Jalpaiguri station (with box of snacks, pouch of meds and Shaadi FM playing) to the Hotel (Mayfair Gangtok, the best hotel there), Sangeet (lovely montage of memories in beginning followed by dances including belle dancers), tel baan, wedding setting (despite last minute rains) and the return gifts (lovely Vietnam teas and giving me a guilty feeling of going with no gift), everything was executed to perfection. They had hired a wedding planner team (Marriageuana) http://marriageuana.com/ , which lived upto their motto and gave us a very enthralling and intoxicating wedding.

Aasya posed like a model after entering the Hotel room (we reached on 18th April 2014).

We were already late by 7 hours (courtesy late train from Mughalsarai, NE express) and hence had to rush up and get ready                                                        for the lovely Sangeet evening.

Seema dressed up in the new suit and was looking lovely while Aasya was getting jittery to shake a leg on dance floor.

After having a great evening, we got our beauty sleep to be ready for the great wedding.

Woke up Aasya from her slumber (see her Big yawn in pic below) and had a three course breakfast at the Hotel (never ever miss buffet breakfast of a 5 star hotel).

Telbaan was in the morning and then we had day to ourselves. We just lazed around, clicked some photos of Hotel and took Aasya to this kids room where she had a blast. Since the timelines are different we had to be ready by 6pm for the wedding too. We all got ready and then                                                              clicked the family pic and then off to wedding.

  
After wedding, we had plans to visit Gangtok and nearby places of Sikkim for next 2-3 days and then travel to Darjeeling i.e. from from 20th till 24th april'2014.




On 20th April, we started the local sightseeing of Gangtok and visited Rumtek Monastery, Ranka Monastery, Banjhakri falls, Tibetology Museum, Do drul Chorten Stupa, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok and the Flower show.

At Rumtek Monastery, we learnt about the three lives (Past, present and future of Buddha), the four door keepers of Buddha, 2 types of Buddhism (Mahayana and Hinayana) and four principal orders of the Tibetan Buddhism i.e. Gelug, Kagyum, Nyingma and Sakya. These drum shapes are Prayer wheels which are 108 of them and turning them from right to left and chanting Om Mani Padme Hum leads to washing of sins (ohh yes, we turned many of them)

Flower show had many tulips and other flowers springing around and it was lovely seeing them.

After flower show we had awesome wai-wai outside the garden.

Then we returned to room, took rest, got fresh and had evening drink and snacks at Cafe Live n Loud which was at walking distance to our Hotel Sonam Delek.

21st April - Though it was a holiday trip, we had to get up and be ready by 7 am as we had to visit Changu lake and Baba mandir. 45 kms journey from Gangtok (at ~7000 ft above sea level) to Baba mandir (~14000 ft) takes almost 3.5 hours. Its a very steep climb. Although parts of road were bad due to continuous land slides, snow fall (2 days before we visited) still it was not nauseating and the view was amazing. Those visiting baba mandir/ changu lake, please clarify with the taxi driver that you want to go to upper baba mandir (the original one which is ~8-10 kms upper from new baba mandir) as we were fleeced Rs.1000 after reaching there and there is no mobile network connection (only army has airwaves).

Anyways, the view was breathtaking, snow was all around, and at Tsomogo lake, we got to get dressed in local dress and got pic clicked with Yak.


 We could not visit Nathu La pass as it was monday and pass is closed for tourists on monday/ tuesday. After returning from lake and baba mandir, we relaxed in Hotel and then went for walk at MG road (there is MG road at all hill stations) and dinner at Rasoi. Before that we had good snacks at Bakery cafe at MG road itself and shopped for artefacts.

22nd April - We planned route to Darjeeling via Namchi (South Sikkim). Enroute we visited Temi tea estate and giant statue of Sambruptse and Char Dham. Temi tea estate was the first tea estate being seen by us. Aasya and Seema had their love kisses there and we walked in those tea estates a bit seeing the ladies plucking the tea leaves.

After reaching Darjeeling, we checked in at Krishna Service Apartments. Its a little far from hustle bustle of the market but a very nice and reasonable place to stay. Its near to Zoo and ropeway too.

In Evening we went to Chowrasta (the main market) and strolled around. We had burger at Keventer's and picked up few snacks from Glenarys. The best part of the day was the dinner at Glenary's. Had the best Veg Choupsey of my life till now as it was so simple and yet so tasty. Loved it truly.

23rd April - Started the day with Zoo where we saw Snow Leopard, White foxes (resembled mother of Mowgli), Panther (bageera, friend of Mowgli), red panda, baby bear (in full on photoshoot mode). In Zoo, there was also Himalayan Mountaineering Exhibition with statue of Tenzing Norgay.

After Zoo, we visiting Japanese Peace Pagoda (there are many many of them both in India as well as abroad), Ghoom Monastery (oldest in Darjeeling circa 1850 AD), Bapitsu La (war memorial and very very windy place). Those missing to get tickets of Toy train of darjeeling can see the Toy train closeby circling the Bapitsu La.

After roaming a little bit back in the market, we re"tired" to our room at Hotel. They served very good Veg Biryani. This ended our last day of vacation as next day was a long travel (7am from Darjeeling to 5 pm in Mumbai) back to heat of Mumbai.

  

Book review: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Hakuri Murakami

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading Wind-Up Bird Chronicle feels like Murakami is playing a staccato with emotions, ebbing and just stopping them before it falls.

Book just grips you vice-like and at some point takes you to that trascendental world, where you are unable to differentiate whether its a dream or reality.

The writing style of 1-2-3, 2-3-1, 3-1-2, keeps you on tenterhooks and you keep flitting pages. The novel makes you wish to into that deep well of emotions and clear up your head with all the thoughts which could pass the through.

This book is one of those to be re-read and understood differently many times over.

Of the story, what i believe Mr. Murakami has been able to dig in various aspects of relationships through its characters. Noboru Wataya (the Cat later renamed as Mackerel) to me at the end seems like the lost love between Toru Okada and Kumiko. Even when he thinks she has come back, she hasn't in full though he is unable to make the difference until Malta Kano shows her naked self.

People were flitting in and out of life of Mr. Wind Up and i could feel that it signifies how different people are important to us at different points of our lives. Childhood/ school/ college friends,your own family bua/ dadi/ chacha who are an integral part of your life at one point cease to be at other point of life. So you need to go to that deep well of emotions which has run dry and try to cross the wall to rekindle them and bring back the relationships to the fore. In the process, you might need to break few barriers (remember, the base ball bat), watch the skinning (of emotions hopefully).

There are so many women going in and out of protagonist's life and each of them have their own intricacies ranging from sex-on-telephone girl to Malta/ Creta Kano to Nutmeg and May Kashara. Giving a rethink on these names and you realize that all these are made-up names and only real women name seems to be of Kumiko.

Presence of Mr.Honda and Lieutenant Mamiya in the book reinforces that just listening to experience of these people gives you a deep perspective.

First and second part of book were fantastic and third one starts wavering at start but then holds back in the middle. Though most of the reader would have liked a definitive ending but a surreal book like this runs a risk of alienating many readers with a proper closure.

Recommend this book to all friends and foes.



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Book review: Guns Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond

Guns, Germs and Steel: A Short History of Everybody for the Last 13,000 Years by Jared Diamond
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

this book crams a lot of things into 450 odd pages..it describes a fascinating theory of how and why people evolved the way they are over past 1000's of years..the underlying trend of agriculture, animals, geography (south north vs east west) etc. are taken as basis for explaining the evolution as it has happened..story has been beautifully oven and taken from one step to another being consistent with itself and not wavering from its theory..

however, from perspective of Indian reader, what is glaringly missing is details about India and the Indus valley civilization..further, towards the end, it seems like author is trying to force-fit the causes he has enumerated into every situation and continent..still a good read as one can read this broadly and then pick up various sub-parts which interests one to study in detail and author has given loads of reference for further reading for the enthusiasts..

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