Book Review: The Withering Banyan by Hyma Goparaju

Book Name: The Withering Banyan

Author: Hyma Goparaju

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

Price: Rs. 295

Blurb:

A well-to-do bsiness family, whose members are torn apart by a turbulent father-son relationship shrouded in mistrust, suspicion and contempt for one-another- a result of the vagaries of the son’s mind and its malady- suffers silently. Well-wishers fear that Badri is suffering from a mental derangement, and is on the brink of wiping away his father, Siveswara’s hard earned fame and fortune. Unaware of the boundless periphery of its affliction, descendants of the five- generation lineage are confounded with an enigmatic and stigmatizing battle of their lifetime which they have to  decode and overcome in order to ensure the well being of the ensuing generations.

The story:

The story begins with a frightening incident where Natya’s mother smashes a large mirror and talks about killing a wicked woman. She is suffering from Schizophrenia. Natya is the daughter of Shraddha Devi who comes from the Marri family. The Marri family which is popular by the name Irram Sweet Makers was considered the best in the village. The fame of Irram Sweet House kept diminishing after the death of Natya’s great grandfather, Siveswara. Lack of proper funds and interest in business led to its downfall. Natya is in India to give justice to her mother by inheriting the Irram Mansion. Natya’s relatives are against it and are making false allegations so that she returns empty handed.

Siveswara was blessed by a son whom he called Badri (Natya’s grandfather). Badri was a pampered child. He was average in studies until the day he met Sundar. Sundar was an intelligent fellow and very soon, he became a role model to Badri. Badri was a rebel. He hated the customs and traditions of our country. It is his rebellious nature that forced him to go against his father and start up his newspaper ‘The People’s Herald’.

Widow re-marriages was not appreciate during those times. Badri challenged  the society by marrying Swarnamati. Badri’s orthodox parents did not accept Swarnamati as their daughter-in-law at first. With time, they slowly began growing an opinion that she was the perfect match for Badri.

They say happiness and sadness are both a part of our lives. An incident occurred in Badri’s life which changed him altogether. What incident was it? What changes took place?

Is Natya’s visit to India a successful one? What does she learn about her maternal family in India?

Likes:

• Transition from past to present and vice versa. Each chapter is linked to the next one in some way. Hence reading is smooth without any scope for confusions.
• Schizophrenic people are not mad. Our society needs to know this.
• Badri’s love for Swarnamati
• The People’s Herald
• Natya’s stand to get Pranati married to Sameer.

Dislikes:

• Swarnamati’s Suicide

The narration style of the author is excellent. Not even once, I lost the track of the incidents that are narrated in the novel. They are perfectly woven. I learnt many new words (I had to resort to dictionary to find its meaning)   and they enhanced my vocabulary.

The Withering Banyan is a one-time read.

I rate:

Cover: 3/5

Story: 3/5

My overall rating for this novel is 3/5

You can buy your copies by clicking on this link..

Book Review - Her Resurrection by Soumyadeep Koley

Book Title: Her Resurrection – A Survivor’s Journey of Emancipation, Reclamation and Redemption.

Author: Soumyadeep Koley.

Publisher: Gargi Publishers.

Price: Rs. 225

Blurb:

So begins Maya’s story in the picturesque countryside of Maharashtra, where she grows up amidst cruelty and domestic violence, being an unwanted girl child. Yet, like a lonesome beacon beset by sinister wilderness, she pursues her dreams of reaching the stars with her tiny wings. One night, a twist of fate triggers a series of incidents, when she loses everything she had – even her virginity.

Severly traumatized after her father’s death, her mother’s imprisonment, and her own gang-rape, Maya finds herself all alone in the streets of Mumbai, with wolves lurking around for raw flesh. She’s weary, but not wary. She has no sense of the fate that awaits her. What follows, would change her life forever, as also, yours, as her heart wrenching, yet inspiring story echoes through time.

‘Her Resurrection’ bravely paints an appalling picture of the society. Heart breaking, hopeful and immensely healing at the same time, this emotional rollercoaster through dreams, tragedy and triumph is a moving tribute to womankind. Are you ready to embark on a transformational journey with Maya?

Review:

The story of Maya is not any ordinary story. It’s about her fight and her success. Childhood is the time when love and care play a major factor in any child’ upbringing. Maya is not that blessed child. Her father considers her to be a burden. She is not allowed to study. Her would-be father in law shows her some love and sends her to school.  Her passion for acquiring knowledge does not leave her at peace. She wishes to go to college. It is when her father-in-law shows his real colors and calls off the wedding. Maya is happy to be freed from the shackles of marriage. But destiny has something else in store for her. She is gang-raped by a man. Yes! The same man who was supposed to marry her. She fights back and as expected no action is being taken against the accused. The village disowns Maya and her family and takes their revenge. Her father is furious and attempts to kill Maya. While in the process, Maya’s mother ends up in killing her husband. She is sentenced imprisonment and Maya is left alone in this world. She decides to continue with her studies. But that hope also dies as she could not concentrate in her studies. She comes to Mumbai to try her luck. Mumbai does not offer her any luxuries. She is being forced in to prostitution. Life plays cruel games with her. What games are they? Does she win her fight against her life?

Her Resurrection is a survivor’s journey. It gives the reader an inspiration, zeal to fight back against all the odds of one’s life. It teaches you that no matter how many dark shadows are lurking in your life, there is always a faint light waiting for you at some corner. Maya is an epitome of love.

An excerpt from the book that I loved the most:

“We are the scapegoats of the vagaries of men’s desires. When a man is here having sex with us, you know, somewhere in the city, a girl is saved from being raped. We are a bunch of women – soldiers of the country, who give up their lives for the cause of nation” (page 89)

The author has done an awesome job by writing this novel. I am surprised to know that a male could portray feelings of a girl so beautifully. The narration was realistic. I enjoyed reading it. Maya is going to stay with me throughout my life.

I rate:

Cover- 3.5/5

Story- 4.5/5

Characters- 4.5/5

My overall rating for this novel is 4.5/5.

You can buy this awesome book online. Click here!

Review : Love will find its way.. by Ashish Ranjan

Book Name: Love... will find its way?

Author: Ashish Ranjan

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

Price: Rs. 175

Blurb:

Luv is an innocent child from a lower middle class Indian family.

As he grows older, his feelings shuttle between love and lust. Unaware about his problems, that their son is passing through, his parents continue exerting pressure on him to excel in academics.

Incognizant of the cons of love, he falls in love with a girl in his initial school days inviting problems. His mind and heart are in constant battle. The heroine does not understand his feelings and falls in love with someone else.

Coherent pressure of studies continues from his parents. He introspects of he should succumb or commit suicide. Will that girl realize his love before it is too late? Will he value relationships or career more? Will his parents guide him as a friend?

Will the love of Luv find its way?

This story makes you think about your past and its own craziness.

It’s a story not just for youths, but also for Indian parents.

My Review:

Boy sees a girl- unknowingly falls in love with her- befriends her- confuses his true feelings with lust- girl falls in love with boy’s best friend- their love blooms- time crawls-girl and her boy friend break up- time for boy to score his love back- an incident occurs- three lives destroyed.

The story revolves between 3 characters- Luv, Amrita and Rohan.

The story line of Love… will find its way?  Is very much predictable. It’s the same old story of love, lust, friendship and failures. The story begins with introduction to sex and it runs throughout the ppages in small proportions until the 5^th chapter. The, arrives the major twist in the story- Amrita falls for Rohan, Luv’s best friend.

Luv is heartbroken. He hails from middle class family. His parents expect him to score excellent marks and have a successful career. He is in dual state of mind. He needs to choose between Amrita and his parents. He chooses his parents and marches on his journey to become successful (Probably the only good part of the story). Amrita’s and Rohan’s relationship always goes through a rough time.  Rohan’s untimely death ruins everything and Luv’s common friends blame him and Amrita for the accident. These guys are 21 year olds and still have no sense of judgement. They are plotting to take a revenge. Amrita enters Luv’s life once again. Does she stay? Time to find out.

The story offers nothing new but sex, blue films and Amrita. It seems as if Luv is obsessed with sex and girls. And the strange fact is that he carries it with him right from class 1! I am surprised to read about it. You will surely find ‘The clock ticked’ almost everywhere. Rohan’s and Luv’s journey of friendship is suddenly brought out of nowhere at the time of his death. The transition from past to present here is also not done properly. You keep reading until the very end only to know that Amrita marries some other guy.

The blurb of the novel appeared very promising. But it’s sad to say that the story did not meet my expectations at all.

I rate:

Cover: 3.5/5

Story: 2/5

Characters: 2/5

My overall rating for this book is 2/5.

You can buy this book online. Click here!