Finally read 2 states

I have been trying to read this fourth novel of the renowned writer ‘Chetan Bhagat’ and finally got the chance when I borrowed it from a friend.

Review:

I enjoyed reading this novel as there were many things that I could relate to. Moreover, almost all the punch lines worked for me. Chetan managed to bring out laughter even out of most awkward situations and the continuity of jokes polished the story. The college environment could be pictured well which has been done in his previous novels as well. Sarcasm and wittiness are also given a proper account. Nature and culture of Punjabis and South Indians have been depicted substantially.

P.S.: The moral is also commendable: “Differences need to be dealt with”

Aarakshan: Education is not a business

Aarakshan is one of the movies that I consider intellective. Even though I was told by most of my colleagues that the movie is bogus, they could not change my decision to watch it.

I think that in spite of a few flaws, the theme and concept of the movie made it commendable. The topic which has never been portrayed in this fashion before was brilliantly presented. The best thing about the movie was that it was not biased and the arguments of both sides were demonstrated equally.

I for one had always thought that the high percentage of reserved seats for minority is not fair, but after considering the facts that I came across in this movie I had to doubt my opinion. Especially the speech given by the character ‘Deepak’ was quite prestigious considering the history of our nation. Although it is agreeable that the conditions are not same anymore and reservation has indeed made many meritorious students suffer, but this is probably because of the wrong use of the law. Probably the main thing to be considered for someone to deserve a reservation should be his economic conditions and not merely his caste.

I completely agree with the character played by Mr. Amitabh which was very strong and impregnable. From his voice to the slightest of his expressions, everything was just top-drawer. Well this post is not just about him as we don’t need to specify reasons for the success of the “King of Bollywood”.

Besides, most of the actors played their roles the right way. For instance, the emotional scenes were well handled by Deepika Padukone. When her character apologises to her father, it depicted the intuitiveness of father-child relationship. Also the chemistry with her boyfriend was pictured substantially.

There are a lot of things in the movie that can make you introspect and cerebrate. One just needs to keep his mind open enough to allow the light to enter from all sides. This is a perfect example of how patience, faith and determination are necessary to live a respectful life. I cannot promise that these things will eventually lead to a happy ending like that showed in the movie, but will sure give mental peace and satisfaction. Because money is not just everything and no matter how many difficulties we are facing, we have some duty towards our mother-land.

The brain drain has caused huge loss to our country as most of the prominent Indians are working for foreign companies. And the blame is then put on the conditions here like “reservations” and “corruption”. But we should ask ourselves this question, “When a part of our body is in pain, do we cut it away or take medicine?” Instead of continuously complaining about it, we should do something about it. I know this is a very old line which we hear every day. But there is a difference between hearing and listening and the day one listens to it, he or she will know which road is supposed to be taken.

Some people complained that the movie did not live up to its title as the thing about reservations was not showcased much after the interval. But a title does not decide whether a movie is good or not. The other concept considered here is as important as the first one. These days, education has become a business and we all are a part of this industry, wearing out ourselves without realising the downsides of it.

These people who like movies like “Ready” more, should explain that how such a movie is even slightly related to its title. I am not saying here that ‘Ready’ was a bad movie. There are different genres and it sure was a good comedy; but I just couldn’t argue with these people and explain to them why this movie should not be called Bogus. Maybe I don’t need to and should just try and live the right way.

P.S.: Education should never be made a Business

The People of the Abyss

Introduction:

This novel is all about the conditions of people living in East End of London in 1902. ‘Jack London‘ describes all the issues related to the abyss in which these miserly people were inhabiting. From food to shelter, the people were deprived of everything. Even after trying their best and working as hard as they could, they were pitiful. While writing this book, he actually stayed in workhouses and slept on streets because he wanted to wear the shoes of a poor Londoner. His lamentable experiences and thoroughgoing explanations can make you easily picture the kind of ills people were suffering from.

London's notorious Whitechapel district, photographed in 1902 for 'The People of the Abyss'

Most affecting text from the novel:

A woman of the lower Ghetto classes is as much the slave of her husband as is the Indian squaw. And I, for one, were I a woman and had but the two choices, should prefer being a squaw. The men are economically dependent on their masters, and the women are economically dependent on the men. The result is, the woman gets the beating the man should give his master, and she can do nothing. There are the kiddies, and he is the breadwinner, and she dare not send him to jail and leave herself and children to starve.

What I think:

This novel is not the one to entertain you, it would rather make you serious and force you to think about the wretchedness people have to suffer from. You will start considering yourself very lucky for being born in good terms. There are some scenes which when thought of can even make you furious or yell at the forces that couldn’t notice the pathetic circumstances of these people.

My Rating: 7/10

P.S.: Until the evils that cause people to drink(alcohol) are abolished, drink and its evils will remain!

Review: 200 Pounds Beauty

The Korean movies can definitely make you feel nostalgic! Yet another emotional cum comedy movie is “200 Pounds Beauty“. It is about a fat girl who used to sing at the back while a good-looking girl just had to pretend like she was singing on stage.This way, people loved her voice but adored the girl in front.

She goes through a whole body plastic surgery when she is no longer able to resist the criticism; gets beautiful but is not satisfied with herself as she has to lie and wear a mask all the time. She ends up telling the world about it, at her concert and brings the people face to face with the harsh reality of unfavorable judgments made by everyone.

This movie does tell us the importance of innocence over beauty; truth over lie; love over selfishness and relations over money!

P.S.: Another excellent motion picture which makes your heart pound!

The Gamblers(1983)-Lee Davis Willoughby

I have read novels which mostly used layman’s language and I didn’t feel like opening dictionary now and then, but when I started reading this novel by Lee Davis Willoughby I was stunned by the first-class use of words. There were times when I almost felt like I was at some unexampled land. The characters were very well portrayed and the flow of story was quite suave!

Although there were times when I kind of lost the interest because of the redundant explanation of events which were not holding much importance in the story.

P.S.: It was a nice novel which acquainted me with a new genre!

My rating: 7/10

Three Wishes- Barbara Delinsky

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I almost fell in love with the characters and the way relationships were explained. This novel was about the near death experience of a girl named Bree who lives independently in a small town called Panama and falls in love with a famous writer from New york. The most interesting parts were the intimacy between Bree and Tom. The emotions were expressed in the best possible way and I could feel the warmth of it. The story revolves around the three wishes Bree gets after her accident. Although the storyline didn’t strike much, it was a ripe novel altogether. At some point I felt that suspense was not good enough but that’s because the genre was more romantic than thrilling.

My rating: 7/10

Favourite Character: Bree

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P.S. : Heart tugging, tear jerking, touching, delightful love story!

Master of the Game!

Of all the novels I have read, none contained a chronicle of 4 generations. Although the story starts with the ninetieth birthday celebration of Kate Blackwell, it moves 100 years back to Jamie MacGregor. First, his ambition for finding diamonds is explicated while he gets thirsty, tired, beaten and duped. He takes his revenge with the help of his friend Banda who didn’t seem friendly at first but came out to be the common hater of their rival Van Der Merwe who stole Jamie’s diamonds and killed Banda’s younger sister.

This was just one break up of the story and there are many more characters involved.

P.S. : All in all, it is a full-fledged novel which teaches us about hatred, revenge and manipulation.

My rating: 8/10

Favorite character: Kate Blackwell

Digital Fortress – Dan Brown

Just read ‘Digital Fortress‘ by “Dan Brown”

My rating=7/10

Most interesting character=’David Becker’

Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” had a hefty successor, this novel gained my interest from the very first page. Its about NSA and cryptography. David Becker became my favorite character due to his tricks and instincts. Susan was the lovely cryptographer whose description often made the scenes more interesting. Strathmore seemed to be a lot more savvy than his director. The characters involved in the second half of the novel didn’t hold much importance. However, if you like computers and codes, this novel is good for you to read.

p.s.=who will guard the guards!