book reviews – That Madras Mom

July 5, 2021July 5, 2021

Review of The Misters Kuru – a return to Mahabharata

Blurb

The Pandavas are back!

Draupadi, Amba and Kunti are well settled in their modern-day Kalyug in New Delhi. So, imagine their surprise when, completely out of the blue, Yudhishtra, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva – the Pandava brothers – drop into their world from the heavens. What follows is even more laughter and tears as new battles are fought, old fires are rekindled, and the men find their place in the modern world. If you thought the women had the adventure of a lifetime in Ms Draupadi Kuru: After the Pandavas, the men from the Mahabharata will certainly give them a run for their money. One thing is certain – by the end of their visit, nothing will ever be the same again.

My review

I grew up listening to mythological stories from both sets of grandparents. The two epics Ramayana and Mahabharata took time immemorial to complete. I would await story time to know what next.

The characters fascinated me and I never felt bored if the stories were retold how many ever times they were. The curriculum followed in my school also had moral values as one of the subjects which took deep dive into the epics but in a much more engaging way.

So my interest in mythology went on to continue. I would love to read books that either were a retelling or a book that has a different point of view. So I could say mythology was one of my favorite genres.

The author’s previous work Ms. Draupadi Kuru, definitely was made many heads turn back. Not because the story was a retelling but the conceptualization of the author and the characters she sketched to suit the current scenario.

So when I knew that the sequel is releasing, I knew I definitely had to give it a read. Draupadi, amba and Kunti descending on Earth, setting their wrongs as right, adapting to the modern life in Kalyug, the then Indraprastha.

Love how Draupadi as a character screamed boldness and loud. The Pandavas deciding to come down and bring back Draupadi is the outline. But will they be able to and how do they do is the plot on which the script is centered.

The earth and the mortal life doesn’t seem the same way as it was thousand years back. Do the Pandavas adjust to the current scenario. Do they keep up their virtue?

I loved the fact that the author did not deviate from characters and their natural traits. Just a weave of modern life situations like fashion shows, cricket, talk shows, vibrators (yes yes you heard me right) and fitted jeans definitely add in a lot of interesting scenarios in the subject.

Arjuna and his ball, nakul and his looks taking him to modeling are definitely interesting twists to the original portrayal.

Life is not as easy when they were down here. They have shocks waiting to startle them, do they handle it well? Will they convince Draupadi to hey back? Not to forget the gossip king Narad Muni being a cook who prepares inedible food.

Who would have thought that he would now hold a ladle? What does Draupadi question Arjuna? Does he have the answers? I leave it to you to read the rest.

In love with the authors writing style of keeping it simple and precise. Not to be told as an exact retelling but a current scenario adaptation of an epic is definitely a good sign.

Click below to buy book

Love love love the caricature on the cover design. Draupadi being depicted as the modern day Goddess definitely lifts the expectations.

Misters Kuru: A Return to Mahabharata

About the author

Trisha Das is the author of The Mahabharata Re-imagined, The Art of the Television Interview and the internationally acclaimed How to Write a Documentary Script. She has written and directed over forty documentaries in her filmmaking career. Trisha has also won an Indian National Film Award (2005) and was UGA’s ‘International Artist of the year’ (2003).

This review is part of Blogchatters Book review program bookchatter.

September 9, 2019September 9, 2019

Review of Ginormous Joe series – book 5& 6

About The Ginormous Series

Through The Ginormous Series children learn how to communicate their problems and work through their feelings. Loving, engaging adventures that follow pets discussing their ‘life handling’ problems and how they solve them together.

In ‘Ginormous Jo’s Silly Bullies’, ‘Ginormous Jo’s Welcoming Arms’, ‘Ginormous Jo’s You Are Special’, ‘Ginormous Joe’s Broken Bark’ and ‘Ginormous Joe’s Annoying Friend’ the animals chat about lots of ‘stuff’. Bullying, recycling, welcoming new members to a family or classroom, feeling alone, listening, learning and caring for others. A great addition to any child’s home or teacher’s read-aloud library. Encouraging thought-provoking conversation between adult and child.

Series Purchase Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RN8JY24/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RS4XLVN/

Ginormous Joe secret

Ginormous Jo’s Secret
Written & Illustrated
by S C Cunningham

In “Ginormous Jo’s Secret,” S C Cunningham explains the very link between listening and learning. Though the huge, white, huggable dog called Jo wasn’t sure at first when her mum brought home a cuddly little kitten called Vinnie, she grew to love him with time. Vinnie was loving, playful and made her laugh a lot. Because Jo didn’t want Vinnie behaving like their noisy, shouty, and greedy neighbours, she introduces him to “Liswat,” telling him the great importance of listening and learning from others and the very secret behind her being a clever dog. Does Vinnie now know the meaning of “Liswat?”

REVIEW :

In this book Joe gives out her secret. How it helps her and how beneficial it is.

Vinnie, learns this secret when Joe explains with examples. Not only this is beneficial for them, but also a great lesson for the kids and us parents who read this out to them.

I loved the narration which explained the secret in detail.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07R4BLDVC
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R4BLDVC

Ginormous Joe’s Welcoming Arms

Written & Illustrated
by S C Cunningham

Have siblings or school friends been having trouble getting along? Or is there a new member or pet in the family? Join loveable dogs, Ginormous Jo and little Tom, as a new member of the family is adopted, a ginger kitten.

Vinnie is a very mischievous and curious kitten. He gets into everything. Tom, is annoyed and unhappy with the new addition. Vinnie follows him around, making all sorts of big messes. What are they going to do with this new kitten? Faced with having to take charge of Vinnie, the dogs start to help and manage his adventures. Watching out for him, they learn to accept that family means to look after each other and being older comes with responsibility.

This is a great picture book for helping children understand additions to the classroom or family, whether they are pets or a new baby. Children will learn how to be responsible for the new member and that looking out for someone else is not only kind, but a new sort of responsibility, that can be fun. This will make a great addition to any parenting library or in the classroom.

REVIEW :

The book is a great way to teach little kids about inclusion of a new family member and their acceptance.

The book would teach them how to be a responsible person to take care and keep safe the new member.

In this book Jo, helps Tom understand that he has to be responsible and give a shoulder to Vinnie. Tom now becomes a great companion for Vinnie.

The chapter brings out a message eventhough people are different they could still care for each other.

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RQVHN4Q/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RQVHN4Q/

About S C Cunningham

Owned by 3 dogs and a cat, Cunningham normally writes suspense thrillers. As respite from her crime novels, she creates children’s picture books, each with a theme to gently teach our precious young, and help open up conversation. The Ginormous Series is based on Cunningham’s beloved family pets – Joe, Muttley, Dali (Jo), Tom and Vinnie.

She is an ex-model, British born of Irish roots that married a rock musician and has worked in the exciting worlds of music, film, sports celebrity management and as a Crime Investigator and Intelligence Analyst for the Police. She supports causes for: Veterans, MH, Child and Animal Protection.

Social Media Links –
WEB
https://www.sccunningham.com/the-ginormous-series-by-s-c-cunningham.php

TWITTER
@sccunningham8
@ginormousjoe

FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pg/GinormousSeries/posts/

I am taking my blog to the next level with blogchatter’s #myfriendalexa.

June 6, 2019

Review of the jumble sale

BLURB:

Zadi is part zombie, part fairy with a little bit of robot, which makes her a misfit monster. She lives with other misfit monsters, with their quirky parts in their makeshift town. They survive by hunting at the nearby hunting grounds taking items discarded by humans and making them into something useful. Hunting is risky because they could be captured by humans. Zadi is an excellent hunter and maker, but now she’s finding it difficult.Something unusual has happened. There have been no new deliveries to the hunting grounds. This means there are no new items which can be used to recycle into something useful, and they are beginning to worry and fight with each other. Can Zadi come up with a plan which will help the misfit monsters and bring them together as a community? Enter the world of the misfit monsters, their quirky lives, and be part of their fun and adventures.

MY REVIEW :

What do we understand by the term misfit monsters? This is the first time I’m hearing of it.

Let’s take a look at the plot. A simple intriguing plot that involves a little girl, Zadi. She is a zombie , a fairy and a robot. Yes you heard me right, she’s a little of all the three . That’s the reason she is termed a misfit monster.

She with the other monsters live in a makeshift town. So how do they survive? They pull up stuff discarded by humans in hunting grounds and use them to make it into a valuable object. But this does have its own risks. They could be captured by humans. So requires a lot of cautious behaviour which Zadi exhibits and she is clever too.

But off late there is nothing discarded which chains to nothing could be hunted and made into useful object. This leads to a lot of chaos. So Zadi is worried. What does she think of to counter this problem and bring the clan together. Can she overcome the situation in a clever way and keep the misfit monsters together.

A lovely read for the middle grade section and I’m sure the kids would love to know what Zadi had in mind to tackle the situation. Zadi is cute and has a chirpy nature.

The narration is simple and easy for children to read and understand. I appreciate the simplicity of the words used.

BOOK DETAILS

Publication date: 4 Jun 2019
Language: English
ASIN: B07PVRV5XT

MY RATINGS

Title :4/5

Cover : 4/5

Plot :4/5

Writing and presentation :4/5

Overall :4/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lily Rose enjoys world building and creating characters for these unusual worlds. She enjoyedcreating the misfit monsters world, and is looking forward to writing more of their adventures.

June 6, 2019

Review of strong roots have no fear

BLURB:

This book provides you with a simple framework within which you can raise your little ones to grow into empowered thought leaders in our constantly evolving multicultural world. If we raise our children with a culturally aware mindset, we need not fear the future. To that end the book focuses on building mindset with practical tips to impart Handling Big Emotions, Raising Readers, Self-Moderation, Dealing with Bullying, Navigating Friendships, Balancing Technology, Building a Global Outlook through Multilingualism, Racial Equality and much more.What you find in this book -The confidence to be intuitive as a parent. Timeless strategies for a confident mindset An honest look into mindful living.A global outlook for your multicultural family.How to be culturally sensitive and rooted within self.

MY REVIEW:

How often we search for parenting books wherein we look for real life examples? How often do we know that the author puts in her own experiences where she faced failures? Most often when I keep browsing for books on parenting, I find only those which point out a scientific reason behind the reason of behavior of the child. I could not find one where I had examples of what each parent would face.

So when there was an opportunity to review this book. I immediately grabbed it. I’ve heard of reviews about the book and wanted to read it myself. Aditi has covered the need for real life examples which were most needed by parents to understand what they were going through.

Quite a few lines from the book really made it worthy enough to be noted and followed.

Children are blank pieces of colored paper that we create timeless art on.

So they are already human beings with being different individuals. So the thought here is, you can teach them, but the decision they make at a later point of time can not only be based on what they are taught but also what they experience over the time.

Then she talks about the ongoing debate, stay at home mom vs the working mom.

I loved what she mentioned, chose whatever you want, but that should make you happy. The moment you are with the child; you are the parent. So no matter what we chose to be, it should make you happy being a parent.

Finding your tribe was one other concept I liked. We need to surround ourselves with people who make us feel good, who know what we are going through, who can be our well-wisher, who show us the right path. Most of all we should offer to be someone else’s tribe as well.

Parents need to set examples of owning up to mistakes.

When they witness us accepting emotions and work towards improving response; They tend to imitate us. They might tease us but would also make them think.

Kids making sound decisions when not around parents is what matters. And that comes from us being with them even when we are not.

The above line what does it say? Doesn’t it give you much joy when you hear kids being praised for being brought up well. Does that feel like a good pat on the back saying we deserve it? It does make you feel happy when your kids stand out, knowing what is being done is wrong and they shouldn’t join hands. Standing out in such a case is not abnormal.

The book provides you with a number of strategies to make parenting mindful and enjoyable.

I would definitely recommend the book to my fellow mommy friends. I am more clearer on what I have been doing and planning on what I will be doing.

MY RATINGS:

Cover: 4.5/5

Title: 4.5/5

Writing and presentation: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Aditi Wardhan Singh is an authoritative voice on cultural sensitivity and empowerment. Featured on CBS and NBC, she is the founder of the RWC magazine encouraging other voices like hers to come forth to create unique resources for parents everywhere so children can be global thought leaders. In her spare time, she enjoys choreographing recitals, volunteering and having dance parties with her two charming kids. She also writes for various well-known publications like Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Richmond Family Magazine, and more. Visit her site RaisingWorldChildren.com.

June 4, 2019

Review of Latoya’s downtown day

BLURB:

Latoya can’t wait to go downtown with her mother! She has been saving her money in her piggy bank so they can afford to go downtown. What adventures will they have when they go downtown? Find out in Latoya’s Downtown Day!

MY REVIEW:

How often do we sit down with our kids and talk to them about our early childhood days? Do we have the time? Now with technological development, kids are always with gadgets that they lose interest in our talks.

Latoya’s downtown day is warm read that portrays the relationship between a mom and her daughter, Latoya. Do children use piggy bank these days? Let’s see what Latoya does.

The book begins with her coming home with her mom after a shopping trip. They live in a multistoried apartment where they would have to climb more than flight of stairs to their home. Once they reach they lie down on the sofa and take to the floor when they hear gunshots. His describes life in Chicago’s public housing.

Latoya usually keeps the remaining amount from her shopping amount in her piggy bank. The piggy bank was the one that belonged to her mom. Her mom sat down to tell Latoya the story of how she and Latoya’s grandma would go to downtown.

Latoya’s mom would also save the pennies from shopping trip in piggy bank and when it was full, they could afford a trip downtown. A typical day at downtown would include a visit to stores trying cologne until they feel dizzy. They would have lunch at Billy burgers and then return home on the way where mommy would fall asleep in arms of grandma, that was a typical downtown day for her.

So when Latoya’s piggy bank was full she informed her mom and was eagerly awaiting her downtown day, the next day. Mom took her to Sears tower, which was much taller than their apartment. She describes about how she could see the whole town. They have a meal at Billy burgers. And then post meal, her mother takes her to her special place. She is taken to a library where she sees a sea of books. She gets her a library card where she can use it to borrow books. They come home and Latoya falls asleep, dreaming about books, taking her away from the frightening gun shots.

A wonderful book that gives you an insight of family traditions, a typical day of life in Chicago public housing, the bond between mom and daughter. Completing the book gives you a warm feeling. SO can we sit down and talk to our kids about the traditions we followed and continue following them.

MY RATINGS:

Title: 4/5

Cover :4/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Patricia Moore fell in love with picture books when she taught preschool. The children’s favorite author was Dr. Seuss. His books held their attention. When she became a parent, she would create stories for her children. That started her writing picture books for children. Patricia has four picture books available on Amazon, and one coloring book. Her best known picture book is The Angel With One Wing.

June 1, 2019

Review of PB and J by Christine Reynebeau

BLURB:

“You can do anything, anytime, any day!”

Grab this Children’s Book and join Lucy as she tries to get the jelly jar open!

For ages 3-9… She wants to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but can’t get the lid off the jar. No matter how many times she asks her parents for help, they just keep telling her she can do it herself. She tries everything to get the lid off the jar, but ultimately, there is only one thing that works.

This story is a reminder of the potential we all have in us to do whatever we set our minds to. Sometimes we just need someone to believe in us. Great books for families to add to their bookshelf.

“After they read it the first time, they immediately wanted to read it again!” -Amazon Review

This book takes real world lessons and makes them fun and palatable.

The stories are designed to use strong vocabulary and encourage the start of dialogue with parents and their kids.

Great for elementary schools, at bedtime, or as gifts. Help parents to start the meaningful discussion about the power of perseverance and the value of believing in ourselves!

MY REVIEW:

A simple read that makes you understand the power of believing in yourself and make you own the “I can do it’ attitude. How often we have seen people failing just because they do not want to give it a try or are lazy. Sometimes we see people giving up after the first failure. Or if they know there is always someone to reach out to who would get it done. This book will help you overcome that.

The story is about Lucy who wants to make herself a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich. She tries to twist and turn but it doesn’t open. So what does she do? She decides to let Daddy open it for her. But did he do it? No. Why? Because he wanted her to try and he said he believed in her that she could do it; continued reading his paper. So she tries with her shoe, knocking with her fist and to the dog. Nothing worked so she reaches out to her mom. She also insisted that Lucy try on her own and she believed in her.

She tried with scissors, brush, tossing it to her brother which dint work either. So after many attempts by herself and by being denied by her parents, she finally succeeds in opening. After all, “You can do anything, any time and any day”.

Believing in yourself is a great capability. So how do we teach that to kids? Start with small things at home. Taking their toys, clothes or books. This book is a great way to do things on their own and teach them to be independent.

I loved reading the book and I’m sure my kid will love it too. The illustrations make it even more easier to read and understand by the kid on her own.

MY RATINGS:

Title: 4/5

Cover: 4/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Christine grew up in Green Bay, WI, graduated from the University of Wisconsin- River Falls in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Science- Animal Science, and has worked in the youth development field, for both the YMCA and Boy Scouts of America, for 9.5 years.In 2013, she was accepted to publish with Mirror Publishing. She published PB & J first, June 2014 and it took another two years to publish GUTS, June 2016. September 2017 was the start of this great new adventure, Dreambuilt Books. In 2018, She published KIND (April 2018) and RESCUE (September 2018). She is a motivational presenter for writers & librarians, connecting my career and my passions. In both 2017 & 2018, she presented several topics at UntitledTown Book Festival. She has presented for Workforce Development programming and Church Library Associations.

June 1, 2019

Review of Rescue by Christine Reynebeau

BLURB:

When doing it alone is simply too hard, teamwork is the answer!

Follow the story of three dogs as they rescue Phoebe’s favorite ball!

Phoebe can’t find her favorite tennis ball, Walter and Finley come to help find and rescue it! This story is about teamwork; it is a reminder that teams require different skills to accomplish our goals and that sometimes, the best thing we can do is to ask for help!

After the book, we had a discussion on how everyone has their own special abilities and when you put your minds together, anything is possible. – Amazon Review

Children’s book that can be used in elementary schools, at bedtime, or as gifts. Help parents to start the meaningful discussion about the value of a diverse team to overcome challenges!

MY REVIEW:

Rescue is the kind of story that is gentle as the wind, but the moral that it trying to teach makes a great impact. It is a story where three little furry creatures –Phoebe, Walter and Finley set out to find Phoebe’s missing ball.

One sunny day after Henry leaves for school, the three animals set out to play. Finley and Walter went to sniff around. Phoebe as usual sat down to play with her tennis balls , when she notices that her favorite ball is missing. She became frantic and began searching the entire yard, but realized that it is difficult to search for it alone.

She calls for Walter and Finley to help her out. So together they search all around the yard, under each stone, bush and tree but they couldn’t seem to find it. At last, they come to know that it went into Lulu’s yard. Lulu was old and known to be grumpy all the time. All that she is known for is barking when these three have fun.

So they decided to make a plan to rescue the ball from Lulu’s yard by diverting her.

Phoebe distracted Lulu, when Walter ran and Finley had to lookout and keep Walter clear. Unfortunately Walter steps onto a twig, but grabs the ball and Lulu was caught behind in her chain. And thus Phoebe’s favorite ball was safe.

This story brings out the importance of teamwork. We may be excellent in our individual skills but when someone is in need of help, we definitely should pitch in. If several individuals can pitch in the solution can be made easier. In this case they needed each other’s strength to save the day.

This book will teach your kid to understand the importance of team work and its benefits. The illustrations by Jessica are cute and support the narration. Christine has done a great job of coming up with this book to teach about team work. I’m sure that every kid will appreciate the thought and will try to work as a team.

I would recommend the book for ages 5 and above.

MY RATINGS:

Title: 4/5

Cover: 4/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

May 29, 2019May 29, 2019

Review of When I grow up by Jon Hales

BLURB:

It’s the question which has stumped little kids and big kids for years, but, when her class is asked to come up with an answer, Annie has some unique ideas of her own.

How about Alien Hunter? Or Master Ice Cream Taster?

When she struggles to choose just one job, her teacher has some surprising advice for her.

Beautifully illustrated, expertly rhymed, with a poignant message about the importance of imagination, following our dreams and not being afraid to change our minds, this captivating picture book will delight again and again.

MY REVIEW:

When I grow up is a lovely book that brings out a little girl’s numerous choices of what she wants to become. The books starts with little Annie describing her Teacher Mr.Dove. She says he would say “Lazies and Jellymen’. He gives the class an assignment to write on what they want to become. They all start thinking and writing them.

Annie looks around to see what her friends come up with. One wants to be a fire fighter, one wants to be a baker and one an entrepreneur.

So when she thinks of her choices, she comes up with many. Say a master ice-cream taster, president of universe, alien hunter and a deep sea explorer. She explains what she would be doing becoming them.

Thinking of all this she missed writing it on paper. So when Mr.Dove is right in front of her staring at a blank paper, he tells her that it’s alright that she couldn’t settle on one choice. He comforts her by saying that he is also in the same state. He is a teacher but could become a painter or an actor after retiring.

So he asks her to write it down in a rhyme and submit it tomorrow. Annie settles in her room and starts writing as ‘When I grow up’. When she gets her paper back after submission she notices that Mr. Dove had indeed appreciated her rhyme and would want her to become an alien Hunter.

The book ends on a lovely note where she asks the reader what they want to become when they grow up. Yes, in Mr. Dove’s tone ‘Lazies and Jellymen’. And she hurries to catch aliens.

The illustrations by Paula are perfect depicting Annie’s imagination. The narration is easy to grasp. It makes you wonder how kids come up with so much imagination. Author has come up with a thought provoking subject that kindles every child’s imagination on what they would want to become.

The book is recommended for ages 4 and above but is good to look at pictures for children aged 3.

The book also helps them understand that it is natural to dream of more than one career or aspiration and we should never let go of our dreams and follow them seriously. The book would bring about a different perspective when being read to the child at different ages.

The book is rightly named “When I Grow up’ which is same as the poem Annie wrote.

MY RATINGS:

Cover: 4/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4/5

Title: 4/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jon Hales

Artist. Musician. Brewer. Designer. Footballer. Author.

These are all things that Jon has dreamed of being paid to do at some point in his life (with varying degrees of connection to reality).

During his time as a kindergarten teacher, Jon loved reading stories to his students and found it fascinating to see which ones they connected with above all others.

He dreamed of crafting THOSE stories. The ones that kids picked up first every time. The ones they bugged their teachers / parents / caregivers to read to them over and over again. The ones that adults didn’t mind reading one hundred times because they enjoyed the wordplay or loved the illustrations. The ones that contained positive, inclusive messages that didn’t get in the way of the pure enjoyment of reading.

It’s early days but Jon hopes he’s on the right path to that goal. In any case, it’s becoming increasing unlikely he’s going to be called to play up front for England.

This book was received from theAuthor, in exchange for an honest review.

May 21, 2019May 24, 2019

Review of Circus folk and village freaks

BLURB

Meet the beautiful people of the Circus, and the freaks who live in the Village next to them. Mangled, jangled, misunderstood, all find place in the rich tapestry of this book.

Siamese twins separate to lose half a heart each, and find snake-man and tiger-taming lovers. A man bitten by a crocodile becomes a God, and a Devadasi woos the entire countryside with her culinary artistry.

Fates intertwined lead sometimes to tragedy, sometimes happy summits of fame. A clown finds his place in Hollywood and mute animals break unspeakable chains. A twisted man falls in love with a mirror and a white man is unmade by the Indian sun.

In this book are tales for every season and every reason. Tales of human depravity that take innocent lives, and of a murderers’ insanity that follows, a fitting revenge by nature, red in tooth and claw.

These stories are told in the form of narrative poems in rhyming couplets.

Look inside and you will find, you have been to this Village. Surely, you have been to this Circus too.

MY REVIEW

A book telling you stories in the form of poetry in the current trend is indeed refreshing. Not many people have a liking for poetry reading, since it is not easy to understand the inner meaning of what is being put out in words. But this book is different with about 18 tales in the form of poetry.

The book is about the inmates of the circus and villagers from around. The villagers at times become the inmates of the circus.

Each one of the tale has a moral to tell you. They leave a mark in you to make you think of it. The stories presented makes you want to do a comparison of the circus we live in and contemplate.

The cover of the book is yet another gem. It looks so colorful and vibrant that makes you want to pick the book up immediately and read.

The narration in poetic form is very good. Some are direct, some have inner meanings. This is my first time one reading a book of this kind and I enjoyed reading it. Kudos to the author for coming up with such a thought.

BOOK DETAILS

Published by : Viswakarma publications

Format : hardcover

Length : 156

MY RATINGS

Plot : 4/5

Title :4/5

Cover : 5/5

Writing and presentation :4/5

Overall :4.5/5

May 20, 2019

Review of Ganesha

BLURB
On the trail of Ganesha, the Afro-Asian calf, born by a quirk of fate and in the most improbable of circumstances in the wilds of East Africa in 1943. Then begins his journey to the Southern wilds of India and his fight for survival in those new wilds.
Born on the same day as Ganesha in a rural hamlet of Southern India is Maari, who goes on to become one of the most dreaded poachers India has ever known.
And know how their fates inevitably cross over the decades during which there are profound changes in both the political and ecological landscape of India.

MY REVIEW

I’d never imagined that the protagonist of my current read would be an elephant. What a great thought and a different one. That really made heads turn when the book came out.

Ganesha is a hybrid ( afro Asian) elephant who loses his mahout in a storm and is stuck in an island. Poacher Maari portrays the way into darkness and shows the wicked world of wildlife mafia. The evil face of poaching is portrayed well when Maari fights off his own battle. Ganesha is friends with one eye who keeps Ganesha company till the end.

The book brings out the depiction of life and death of the elephant Ganesha. The book beautifully brings out the relationship between animals and humans and how far it does affect the former when they lose a close one. The sensitive feeling of the animals has been brought out in a commendable way.

The narration is just perfect setting the stage for the whole plot to unfold. The plot is crisp and does not go to unwanted detailing. The psyche of the animals is well explained and goes to prove that they are more socially behaved than the humans.

It was a varied out of box thought of making the animal a protagonist. I enjoyed reading the book. The cover is simple and does give you an outright picture of what you would be reading about.

BOOK DETAILS