Review: Brahmahatya by Rajiv Mittal
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Complicated yet integrated characters, a skilfully created sequence of inevitable events and  a thick suspense plentifully fed by a revengeful, murderous intent, Brahmahatya has it all.

To make the novel additionally delectable, there is the  generous inclusion of local flavor. This, I said to myself, is an Indian story written in English. The language does not mess with the ethos, which is exactly how it should be.

The mental outlook of the people who walk the pages of the story must all be in perfect sync with the setting of the story. The match creates a seamless sense of authenticity and congruence which adds greatly to the reading experience. They makes the characters believable. You might almost have met them; been them yourself.

There is no dearth of that congruence and authenticity in Brahmahatya. In fact, it is brimming with both those ingredients.

The atmosphere one grows up in- the thoughts and biases; the influences and words- come together to create a composite character. While it is true that humans are capable of being marvelously and heartbreakingly fragmented, the fragmentation is an exception.

In a novel, if such a fragmentation is included as part of the landscape, it must be deliberately documented and justified. Else you just end up having a Japanese character- brought up Japan as a typical Japanese- thinking, choosing and acting as a European character. That is pretty annoying because the character in unbelievable.

The characters of Brahmahayta match the setting and period in which they live. They are authentically Indian with a natural and consistent Indian mindset, conditioned by the scriptural inputs that most Indians grow up with.

The characters are robust. They are good; they are bad and they are all shades in between- just as real people are. They are passionate and capable of deep emotions. Despite a clear murderous intent on the part of the protagonist Ravi, or of Bhavna, one doesnt censure them. On the contrary, one sympathizes and understands. The story hangs well, with no incongruous twists or gaping holes gumming up the works.

I enjoyed the structure of the story too. The suspense was managed very well. The climax flowed naturally. An obscure grey was skilfully infused at the right time to deepen the reading pleasure. Thankfully, there were no dangling ends.

Of course, a puritan would demand that something specific (and satisfyingly horrible) were done with Reddy. However I am willing to forgo that bit of pleasure because the rest was satisfying enough.

The mathematical prowess of the child Laxmi was a delightfully unexpected touch.

I did find the story a tad confusing in the initial few pages. That could have been better worked out, perhaps.

The inclusion of Sanskrit scriptural verses was a delight. Their use helped explain the motivation of the characters and brought their priorities to light in a very concise manner instead of having to resort to long-winded explanations. As you read, you realized that the characters were being true to themselves- given their thought processes. They had to do the things they did. They couldn't have done things differently.

The language flowed clear, deep and pretty flawless. It helped me to stay focused on the unfolding events without tripping over bad constructs and poor language.

The only thing that bothered me, however, is the blame that was ascribed to Dr Chari. That was not believable. A doctor cannot be blamed entirely for the death of a patient he refused to admit. Of course, the pettiness of the reason does make the refusal completely unfair. Dr Chari can be accused of callousness and moral decrepitude, not murder!

My rating for the book is 4.7/5.0.
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In "The Siege of Krishnapur," J.G. Farrell takes on the task of writing about a redefining moment in the history of the British Empire in India.  In 1857, sepoys--Indian soldiers serving the British--conducted a mass rebellion against their superiors and the colonists in a violent effort to restore the Moghul emperor to power.  After the rebels besieged cities across the northern areas of the country, including Lucknow (renamed Krishnapur in the novel), they were quelled by the resistance of the British and allied Sikhs, who did not wish to return to Moghul rule.  The event prompted Queen Victoria to dissolve the British East India Company which had controlled the commercial and administrative policies of the country and establish India as a formal part of the British Empire.

Farrell places the action of the novel in a British cantonment outside Krishnapur which comprises a community of bungalows, larger buildings, and a Residency.  The cantonment is overseen by an officer named Mr. Hopkins, the Collector, a title which serves double duty because he is fond of collecting various curios with which he decorates the Residency.  As news of sepoy insurgencies reaches the cantonment, Hopkins worries that the unrest might overtake Krishnapur and rallies the troops for protection.  Chief among these is Lieutenant Harry Dunstaple, whose sister Louise and father, a civil surgeon, also live in the cantonment.  However, the true hero is a mild-mannered, timorous young writer named George Fleury, assigned by the East India Company to report on the advances in civilization made by the Indians under British rule, who by the end of the story will be transformed by unexpected courage.

When the sepoys slowly but surely advance upon the cantonment, the siege becomes a reality and lasts practically throughout the summer, during which the colonists must contend with cramped quarters, dwindling supplies of food and ammunition, the threat of disease, and monstrous swarms of black flies, all while trying to avoid being killed by enemy fire and flying debris.  Like novice campers who aren't used to "roughing it," they have made awkward attempts at preserving a British standard of comfort in this foreign culture and climate, but the physical demands of the siege finally force them into a savage state.

Farrell pays considerate attention to his minor characters, remembering that there are many kinds of lives in the balance.  Fleury's sister Miriam, who has accompanied her brother to the cantonment, proves to be a valuable medical aid; the physician Dr. McNab argues with his rival Dr. Dunstaple about the proper treatment of cholera; the resident minister, called only the Padre, is convinced that the insurrection is a heavenly judgment against the colonists for their sins; a dishonored, suicidal woman named Lucy Hughes, finds redemption; and Hari, the English-educated, gadget-minded son of the Maharajah of Krishnapur, who has befriended the colonists, takes shelter in the cantonment during the siege.

For a novel written in 1973, the style of "The Siege of Krishnapur" is unabashedly traditional; making no pretense of any type of modernism, it simply tells its story in colorful detail and muscular prose, recalling the tense narrative spirit of Kipling and Conrad.  Although it is based on a historical event, it is much more about its characters and how they are affected by the siege than it is about the historical forces that drive the event.  What Farrell has achieved here is a very neatly structured and satisfying fictional picture of British colonial life in India during an extraordinary time of turmoil.
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Sushrut A. Badhe, the author, is a student and manufacturer of Ayurvedic medicines and a published poet. His literary works are inspired by the day-to-day experiences of the those striving selflessly for the improvement of our world. He and I embrace the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.

In this book on one of the greatest epics of India, Voice of Krishna: Bhagawad Gita (in rhymes): Book I : Cantos I-V (Secrets of the Self 1), Badhe translates the 700 shlokas (couplets) into poetic English. The couplets appear in quatrains that are grouped by subject, each with an introduction and conclusion.

The shlokas appear in English verses with the Sanskrit text and Devanagari script. Further reference is the glossary of important characters and Sanskrit terms and International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (I.A.S.T.) tables.

The story begins with a battle. When the divine Krishna speaks, the warrior Arjuna is overwhelmed and confesses his grief to Sri Krishna. Krishna takes the grieving Arjuna by the hand and assuages his suffering: The way is open for those who decide to turn to the divine, spirit, God and live in unity.

My favorite section is in Canto XI. God is at the center of all things seen and unseen. Sri Krishna speaks,
O Arjuna, Behold for I will display to you'
My hundred thousand forms shall stand in your view
All Divine in their multitudinous shapes, hues and kind In all their dimensions that are otherwise beyond the mind
Witness today, O Arjuna-the universe complete
With all the mobile and immobile forms replete
Observe them to be united but yet a part of Me
And also glimpse everything else that you wish to see."

The book appeals to me emotionally and logically as wise words of poetry: "Our souls can climb into the shining planes and the God-lover, the God-knower, the God-doer who can live in God and for God and do for Him joyfully whatever be the work in the world, made God-like he would enjoy the supreme spiritual consciousness, here on earth."

Bhagavad Gita: The Rhythm of Krishna (For All): All Chapters-Sanskrit to English rhymes with original text and transliteration Kindle Edition. Sushrut A. Badhe, Amazon Digital Services, Inc., July 19, 2015, $3.40.
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Recommended for anyone with an interest in Bengal under British rule and in the Indian judicial system or law and society topics in general or simply in a terrific story well told. I have a couple of specialist beefs with the work but those are too petty to worry about here--such as a clumsy description of the London Blitz (but those Subaltern Studies types don't pay much attention to that stuff anyway). You can now find numerous well-written historical studies of India in the decades preceding Independence that can meet scholarly standards and be enjoyed by a literate general audience but when Chatterjee wrote this book, there weren't that many of those around and in that sense he anticipated or started a trend. The Hindu's positive review which is online is generally on the mark but I think Chatterjee's conclusions about the larger significance of the whole Bhowal story are much more nuanced than reviewers have given him credit for. My one question would be about the role of lawyers in the case. If in the context of its time it was a close case, how much responsibility did the estate's lawyer bear for losing it--given how sharply some judges reacted to his antics (and a couple of cringe-worthy ones might have gotten him sanctioned in an American court or even disciplined by the bar).
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Arundati Roy presents a great read that explores the many issues revolving around post-colonial India. It holds a hint of sarcasm surrounded by immense sadness. It brings you to a level of feeling where you fell unhappy but can't express it. Through Ammu, Roy explores the position of women in South Asia that fall off the marraige boat. Ammu's dislocation in society, how she is often pitied but never helped. Her love for an untouchable. It's all very touching and expressful. If you're bored of all the this happened first and that happened second, you should definitely read this book. My favorite personal favorite was how Ammu often feared her son's turning into another "male chauvinistic pig". but it is very depressing, so ignore it if you're already in the blues.
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I have been interested in the Philosophical aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism and find Siddhartha a lovely story of a Brahmin boy who broke away from the ritualistic tradition practiced by his parents. He left home, along with his close friend, Govinda, in search of the meaning behind his existence. After studying the austerities and practices of Samanic Tradition and developing occult powers, he left the Samans to move on to listen to the teachings of Buddha. He highly valued and respected Buddha as a teacher, yet he decided not to join the congregation of monks and left to experience life on his own in search of his own meaning. During the  subsequent journey, he falls in love, has a child, and finally moves on to live with a ferryman on the banks of a river. In the end, he learns a lot from the ferry man and from the river. His quest for "freedom' is finally fulfilled. I love this book. A movie was also made based on the story.
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A prominent rationalist, Dr. Jha, is murdered before his friends when a goddess rises from the ground and stabs him to death.  Vish Puri knows that it is an illusion, and must unveil both the mystery of the occurrence and the guilty party behind it.

In the meantime, Mummy and Puri's wife Rumpy, are robbed during a kitty party.  Mummy enlists Rumpy's aid and they set out to find which of their friends could be responsible for such an act.

This novel takes the reader into the fascinating world of India's magicians and religious cults as Puri investigates the most obvious suspect, the Maharaj Swami.  The social aspect of Mummy's investigation is also interesting.  Both mysteries are engrossing, the characters engaging, and Hall's writing solid.  This second volume lacks some of the charm of the first, but is still well worth a read both for the puzzle and the atmosphere.
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Leela, who was betrothed at age 2, and married at 9, is of the Brahmin caste in India during the time of British occupation of the country. Though married, she does not live with or have relations with her husband.  She continues to live with her family.  Gandhi Is becoming active in rallying his people out of British rule.  Now Leela, who is about 13, is going to have her anu ceremony,which will be marked by her going to live with her husband, who is of college age. She has been petted and spoiled by her family.  Suddenly, her young husband dies, and Leela is widowed, which means she must  forgo beautiful saris, have her head shaved, and never marry again.  She must live in virtual isolation, because widows are bad luck.  Keeping corner refers to staying within the family's home/yard for a year.
How Leela and her family cope with her widowhood, and how Leela deals with her dreams completes the story.  Too complicated to go into with out your reading it, but it is worth reading.
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Heroes R Us differs from most other superhero novels out on Kindle. It was originally published by Random House India, and so has a level of polished editing and proofing that's rare in low-price ebooks. The tone of the novel is also more serious. Unlike most novels in this genre, which have an almost obligatory "poke fun at superhero stereotypes", Dhar's (the author's) novel is an interesting contrast between the truly irreproachable hero Arnab, his public perception, and the grim, corrupt environment in which he lives.

Well written, the plot seems like a very realistic possibility for someone with a high sense of morality gaining super-powers. The author's portrayal of India and its governance should appeal to western readers, in much the same way as did "Slumdog Millionaire". I won't use any plot spoilers, but will say that the protagonist goes through an emotional roller coaster during this original and unpredictable story, which has a satisfying and inspiring conclusion. Overall, an awesome read, and one which I'd recommend to a wide variety of fiction, action, fantasy and sci-fi readers.
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English is a common language to the people of India, where over seven hundred are spoken. This is a boon for us because it makes for a rich literary tradition that has is immediately and directly available to the English speaking reader. This novel is no exception. While at heart it is a police procedural and a mystery, it is much broader in scope and grasp. It tackles the fascinating city of Mumbai, Sikh culture, the horrors of partition, the Bombay riots, organized crime, and much more of modern India. At it's heart are two central characters a weathered Sikh police detective Sartaj and a crafty powerful crime boss Gaitonde. In the opening chapters of the book Sartaj corners Gaitonde in an impenetrable fortress where Gaitonde takes his own life. Sartaj then takes on the task of finding out why he would and what exactly the notorious crime boss was up to. It turns out to have national implications and has also caught the attention of India's answer to the C.I.A.. Much of the story is told from Gaitonde's perspective it gives the story of his rise to power. Along the way many fascinating ancillary stories are told and a whole cast of colorful characters is brought to life. This is a sometimes long, but altogether satisfying, read.
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In&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Satanic-Verses-A-Novel/dp/0812976711/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Satanic Verses: A Novel</a>, the paths of the arch angel and the devil crossed several times in this bizarre supernatural framed narrative. Written by the worlds most notorious author because after 30 years on the run, he is still a fugitive with a 3 million dollar bounty on his head. Dead preferably. Salman, although Indian muslim by heritage, has been a very accomplished and confident English writer. Although interestingly he did allude to his roots in this tale because most of his characters were Indian and certain segments of the story took place in India, Bombay for example. His two main characters were Indian anglophiles, who like most Indians in real life, gravitate towards the colonial masters. Hence, a certain understanding of Indian culture, especially the behaviour of muslim Indians, would go a long way in appreciating the story. Salman Rushdie's style was refreshingly unique for me. He used frame narratives to expose us to the many plots and characters in the story. So much so that Kindle's x-ray notes were very helpful to refresh myself with the background of names in this rather heavy and substantial tale. Written in the omniscient style, Rushdie wrote fearlessly with aplomb and mischievously satirised or parodied his negative and often contemptuous views of his own people (Indian Muslims) and their blind unquestioning faith. A style he must have regretted when the late Ayatollah Khomeini gifted him the fatwa soon after publication. The number of assassinations on various folks around the world because they translated the book to a different language increased the notoriety of the book and the author.
For the average person who can get hold of this forbidden book, the surrealism, cultural, historical, religious context and vocabulary present a challenging read. I can see why devout muslims would take offence to the contents because a huge premise was based on the life of Prophet Mohammed, the interpretation of the Koran and the unquestioning attitude of the believers. For me this was such a riotous fun read with many many gems on life's observations. The million dollar question as I approached the end of the book was what was the final outcome of the fates of the two protagonists. The arch angel Gibreel and the horned devil Saladin.
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Despite the off-putting title and its suggestion that this is another heavy, depressing story, this is a surprisingly funny novel. It is also very thoughtful, thought-provoking, and beautifully constructed. A Mumbai apartment building serves as the setting, a true microcosm of life in Mumbai at large, but a limited enough context for the reader to be able to see the problems as soluble and to appreciate the day-to-day lives of its inhabitants.

Vishnu, an alcoholic who inhabits the stairwell on the ground floor, dreams of his mother, his love for Padmini, a prostitute, and the Hindi myths which have given color and meaning to his life, as he lies dying. But he is a colossal problem for his petty and contentious neighbors--Mrs. Pathak tries to figure out how he can be cleaned up and hidden before her gossipy friends come for a card party, Mrs. Asrani hates waste and wonders whether she really needs to leave tea for him after all, Mr. Asrani and Mr. Pathak argue about who will pay for the ambulance to take Vishnu away.

While life among these residents of the first floor is centered on the most basic aspects of life, the residents of the upper floors have the financial resources to be able to worry about "higher" concerns. The Jalal family, on the second floor, are Muslims at odds with the Hindi society in which they live, Mrs. Jalal devout, while Mr. Jalal is still searching for answers. On the top floor is Mr. Taneja, whose ascetic life takes on new meaning when he does good works, finds a swami, and discovers the peace of meditation. The symbolism of the floors takes on additional meaning through Vishnu's visions.

In many ways this resembles a grand chorus from a huge and wonderful comic opera, with all the inhabitants of the building singing at once. And underneath all the voices wailing about their personal concerns is the insistent bass of Vishnu as he prepares to die. Dealing with the most basic aspects of religion, love, and human kindness in a city setting which challenges its inhabitants to the limit, Suri creates a warm, funny, and very human drama of a every man's search for meaning in life. Mary Whipple
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The Toss of a Lemon is the beautifully written, gently told lifetime story of Sivakami, a Brahmin woman, and her household. The reader follows Sivakami from her marriage ceremony in 1896 at ten, through her widowhood at eighteen, her establishment of her own household (against custom) and then watches the paths taken by Sivakami and her children and grandchildren until death in 1962. The focus easily changes between Sivakami and other family members, presenting a full and fascinating picture of a Brahmin household and of life in India at that time. This was a book I read slowly, not because it was tedious or difficult to read, but because I wanted to savor it, and not miss any, even minor, detail.

Unlike many historical novels, The Toss of a Lemon is very realistic in that, though there are many major historical events happening, they are not generally immediately effecting Sivakami and her family. This was quite refreshing and gave this novel the feel of real life.

In a way, I was reminded of the novels of Jane Austen, in which not a whole lot happens that might be considered earth shaking and yet, one must keep reading. Sivakami and her family were so well fleshed out, their lives so fully drawn, that I grew to know them, and their domestic concerns were of great importance to me, as well. And while it is a family epic, so to speak, I was not overwhelmed by length of the story or by many changes in characters.

The one discordant note in this lovely work is that Ms. Viswanathan tended to switch back and forth between present tense and past tense verbs. I found that to be distracting and as a result, could not give The Toss of a Lemon a full five stars.

Despite that, The Toss of a Lemon is truly a wonderful book that brought alive a time and place and culture of which I had no previous knowledge. I most certainly recommend this!
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I finished reading this book a month and a half back. This book is acquiring somewhat of a neo-cult following among some sections of the urban educated class in India, partly because this happens to be possibly the first work of fiction set in the campus setting of an IIT.

The book is fairly readable, owing partly to the fact that it is less than 300 pages long. Also the fact that it has a sprinkling of most ingredients one expects to find in a pulp-fiction thriller. For someone looking for an insight into the secret sauce of IITs and the amazing success that it students have chalked up over the decades, this is not the book. It will disappoint. The book however does, should, strike a chord with most students or near pre or post college years in India. The ending is a bit hokey, with the Hari's dream downright melodramatic, as if the author realized he really did not have a proper ending to the book, and therefore had to resort to this stunt. Otherwise, you shall find a bit of everything in the novel - friendship, rivalry, intrigue, suspense, love, sex, proper Hindi movie style family melodrama, and most other ingredients that one would find in a Hindi potboiler.

If you read some of the reviews on Amazon.com you may feel the book is a lot worse than it is - and that is probably because people are either taking the book or themselves too seriously. And yes, the book does also take a dig at some of the bookworms, the "muggus" - which also may not sit too well with some "muggu" brethren. To be fair, these "ghota-totas" are also some of the same people who make it big in life, so to portray them as people-without-a-life is a tad unfair, bit that is a liberty the author takes - grant him that creative license.

In the end, take the bookwithout any tags attached to it - read it in 3 hours or less and be done with it.

Here is the synopsis of the book and author fromthe book site:

  Set in IIT, in the early '90s, Five Point Someone portrays the lives of the protagonist Hari and his two friends Ryan and Alok. It explores the darker side of IIT, one in which students- having worked for years to make it into the institute-struggle to maintain their grades, keep their friends and have some kind of life outside studies.

  Funny, dark and non-stop, Five Point Someone is the story of three friends whose measly five-point something GPAs come in the way of everything-their friendship, their love life, their future. Will they make it?

  Chetan Bhagat graduated from IIT, Delhi in 1995. He then did an MBA at IIM, Ahmedabad, from where he graduated in 1997. Bhagat currently lives in Hong Kong and works at a prominent US investment bank. Apart from writing, Bhagat also has a keen interest in yoga.
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I'd always wanted to read the Bhagavad Ghita, but had never got around to it, until I happened across this translation at the library.

In short, the Bhagavad Ghita is a battlefield conversation between Arjuna, a warrier and the Lord Krishna. The scripture is an important part of Hindu religious scriptures and in it Krishna essentially lays out for Arjuna the nature of the soul and the various types of Yoga or paths to God.

The conversation originally comes about because Arjuna is extremely distressed at the prospect of having to kill his own relatives in the battle before him.  Krishna explains that souls can never die and that Arjuna must play his assigned role in the great scheme of things.  Furthermore, Krishna explains to Arjuna how to balance the spiritual journey with worldly obligations, and how the intentions with which we fulfill our worldly duties differentiate the spiritual man.

This book contains an introduction by Aldous Huxley which discusses the Bhagavad Ghita's relationship to Huxley's concept of the Perennial Philosophy (a common meaning of things that all religious ultimately depict).  Included at the end of the text are brief discussions on the "Cosmology of the Ghita" and the "Ghita and War".

If I could change anything about this translation, I would have liked to see more annotations throughout the text but that's a minor gripe becaus overall I found this quick and interesting and accessible for me as a first time reader of the Bhagavad Ghita.
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This book is a continuation from Being Different and at times a bit tough going. Occasionally it is a repetition but still very engaging. For most i think if you have read Being different than it is probably a good idea to stop there but if you love everything Indian and Hindu and want know more than this is certainly for you.

I certainly think that most people around the world for most religions do not have much insight into their belief systems including its history and philosophy. A lot of beliefs for most people are blind beliefs and childish. I think Rajiv has done a great job to emphasize how Hinduism is different from Christianity and in that way brings forth some interesting insights to Hinduism itself, things we take for granted but not really think about.

His insights may or may not be completely accurate hence the need to have open mind and to review other materials and have discussions. Hinduism is a very big umbrella for some similar and some very different belief systems. It can be adapted to almost anything you want. Over time most things undergo a change and so has Hindu beliefs, from Vedic ritualism to Buddhist philosophy to revival of vedic  beliefs and Vedanta.

Even in modern times there are so many commentaries on major Hindu texts and religions. Each may be slightly different from one another and since not many have met GOD and like the seven blind men, they each have their own unique point of view.

Remember that religion is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end and when you find the absolute you have no further need for religion. As in the Upanishads, God is one, the sages call it by many names. There are many paths to the top of the mountain.
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Ashish's name means blessing, yet he is an untouchable.  He was born to parents who are untouchables in the early 20th century India.  When Ashish drinks from a cup that is not meant to be touched by an untouchable, his entire world changes.  He suffers a terrible beating, and the only way his family can get medical assistance is for them to become the slaves of a wealthy landowner.  Will his family lose their faith in all that is good?

Having very little knowledge of the caste system in India, I found this book to be fascinating.  I had no idea that the social rules were so rigid among this culture. One thinks of India as what we see in Bollywood movies.  I adored the fact that this portrayed such a honest, realistic story about a social class rarely shown or talked about in art.

I really loved the characters; Ashish is just a child in the book, so his faith is that of a child.  He has no idea what it means for his life and future, the fact that he is an untouchable.  He simply has faith that the world will continue to work the way it always has within his experiences.  An ugly brutal act shows him how little he knows of the world.  Later, when he meets the Christian missionary doctor and nurse, he sees just how little he understands.

The familial relationship between Ashish and his parents is so tender and heartfelt, the emotions leap from the page. I felt conflicted about the Christian landowner.  In some ways, he is cruel, and greedy.  Yet he tries, in his own mind, to be a good Christian.  Is he a villain, or simply another product of the system into which he was born?

I enjoyed the story immensly, and am anxious to see where the rest of the series will take me.  While this is not the type of story into which I could disappear, it is certainly one which captured my heart.