Book Review: Siamese, if you please by Jenn DiCamillo

Siamese, If you please

Author: Jenn DiCamillo

Genre: Children book

Publishers: Cyberwit.net

Area A: Text

The text has been organized in simple sentences. ‘Imagery’ has been opted as the literary tool and it will definitely cater to the interest of the little children. The way the different cats have been described will compel the children to form an image in their minds and relate with the story better. Each page ends on a ‘curious’ note and the child will be tempted to read further.

Area B: Illustrations

The cover of the book neatly presents the main conflict of the plot. The Siamese cat illustrated on the cover page gives an idea about how Siamese look like. The primary medium used in illustrations is drawing. However, clearer illustrations would have been better. The drawing of Anna has been repeated throughout a majority of the illustrations and this can help the children to understand her emotional switching and the change in mood and tempo of the story.

Area C: Characterization

The main character of the story is Anna and the most dominant trait that can be identified is her innocence and her desire to get a kitten. She lets her mother choose and does not grumble at any point of time. The author of the book has brought in the positivity of the character, which will, in turn, help in shaping up the minds of the young readers. Like every other child, Anna wants a kitten. At a young age, everyone wants a pet. This story about finding the right pet ant bringing it home will definitely interest the children.

Overall, an interesting book for the children!

Book Review: Just six evenings by Tanmay Dubey

Just six evenings

Author: Tanmay Dubey

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Rating: 4/5

Summary

What is it that differentiates love from lust? Perhaps the answer lies within us. “Just six evenings” is about the time that changed Atul’s life, leaving him off guard. But the unpredictable destiny is such a bitch! It turns back again, retraces the same path and brings back the reminiscence bump. Atul has already been through the consequences of his actions and now he is forced to come face to face with the most dreaded situations. This story is about how the circumstances can force a person to divert from the right path and start the wrong journey. It is about how easily lust can ruin love. 

“Just six evenings” is a story about how twelve evenings changed the course of life of our protagonist. The novella is not all about love, but it outlines the filthy underbelly of the corporate world too. There is politics, fraud, love, lust, money, success and failure. Altogether, this is a rollercoaster ride where the reader is left wanting for more. Will destiny help Atul get back his love? Or will the urge to soar higher and higher override the good that resides in his soul?

Grab your copies to know more and realize the importance of destiny’s role in shaping one’s life.

My opinion

“That line between love and lust was thin as a whisper.” “Just six evenings” is a pot boiler with all the essential ingredients of love, trust, betrayal, lust, money, sacrifice, realization, frauds and destiny. The keywords are self sufficient to describe what the novella is all about. The cover of the book and the title are matched perfectly. The plus point is the twist and turn of plot. The way the “six evenings” return in Atul’s life is the turning point because it is then when Atul gets a second bite at the cherry. The author has successfully maintained the suspense but as the reader draws closer to the end of the book, the plot becomes very much predictable.

The part where Atul’s professional life has been described, is boring. Probably, the marketing stuff and the project information befuddled me a lot. However, the characterization of the protagonist has been done nicely.

The narration is lucid and the dialogs are short and crisp. The printing quality is superb and the storyline is engaging.

Overall, a good book with which the readers can relate themselves.

Best wishes to the author!

Drawbacks

The climax could have been a little somber because it is not necessary that every novel ends on a happy note.

Buy this book at:

Flipkart

Amazon 

First published in IWW

Book Review: A minute to Death by Ganga Bharani

A minute to death

Author: Ganga Bharani

Publisher: Half Baked Beans Publishers

Rating: 3.5/5

Summary

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live”. It is not always necessary that anxiety or depression consumes your desire to live. There have been many instances where passion overrides the capability of thinking logically and the end results are disastrous. “A minute to death” by Ganga Bharani is one such story that takes the readers through a whirlpool of emotions ranging from passion, happiness, love to obsession, distress and eventually death. This novella is a mysterious tale about Rohan and Riya, who are deeply and irrevocably in love with each other. Rohan is a devoted policeman, who abides by word of mouth and places his work on the topmost pedestal. Opposite him is Riya, who is an aspiring writer and has an obsession of getting published. Where Rohan is keen on solving the murder mysteries and preventing the crimes, Riya has bee in her bonnet already. Her avowed intent is to become a successful author and she coaxes Rohan to include her in any of the cases. But the scene turns dirty when a series of murders happen and Rohan is unaware of what is in store for him. 

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