Amodini's Book Reviews

Book Reviews and Recommendations

Book Review : Fadeaway Girl

Written By: amodini - Feb• 15•11
Fadeaway Girl: A NovelTitle : Fadeaway Girl
Author : Martha Grimes
Publisher : Viking Adult
Genre : Mystery
Pages : 336
Rating : 3.5/5
Source : Publisher ARC

“The Fadeaway Girl” is a the 4th book of the Emma Graham Series. I haven’t read the first three so this was my first introduction to our 12 year old protagonist. In this book Emma attempts to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of baby Fey, while writing a chronological account of the strange crimes in Cold Flat Junction, for the newspaper where she is junior reporter. The crime happened more than 20 years ago, so memories are jaded and clues unavailable.

Now, while Grimes writes well, the beauty of a first-rate mystery novel (which this probably is) was slightly marred for me because there are too many back-references to events which happened in the previous books. Also, there are a lot of characters in this book, all of whom Emma interacts with. I do get a feel for them, but apparently they have appeared in the first 3 books in the series, so Emma already has established connections with them – all of which I’m not privy to because I’m jumping in at Book #4. The above two problems left me feeling a little left in the dark, and frustrated – kind of like I had missed the first half of a really intriguing film.

The good news is that I still liked this book – an ode to Grimes’s skill. Grimes has unusually detailed descriptive powers, something I look for in an author and appreciate a good deal. But it is not just pure description which appeals here, but the author’s prowess in putting it across in a human, specific point-of-view way. By giving her characters such (and you could call them judgemental) voices she delineates them in a way that mere detail wouldn’t. Here’s a sample :

Her plainness was emphasized by her clothes. She wore a brown dress, the color of the house. And it had a small collar at the neck, with white piping like the trim. Her hair was almost exactly the brown of the dress and the house. It was pulled back into an old-fashioned bun. Her face had what my mother called “good bones”. But they weren’t good enough for prettiness.

Since the book is told from Emma’s perspective, we get a good look-see into Emma’s head. And an unusual head it is. Emma is precocious for her age, and busy – sleuthing around, waitressing at her mother’s hotel and being a junior reporter. Her keen powers of observation mix nicely with her humorous take on events :

In the kitchen, my mother, far from having fits, was measuring some infinitesimal amount of flavoring into a sauce with a pink tinge (her Shrimp Neuberg, possibly), holding up a tiny spoon like a scientist in a lab, then tapping the spoon lightly and observing the dusting of whatever it was that drifted down on her sauce. If Dr. Jekyll had been this careful with his potion, he might not have turned into Mr. Hyde.

Way too smart for her age, Emma is curious, unafraid, and appreciative of the good things in life (her mother apparently, is quite the cook):

I realized these were stupid thoughts and extremely unsympathetic. I should learn to be more sorry for people who didn’t have the great advantages I had, like my mother’s chicken pot pie, which I think was on today’s menu.

As she goes about her daily chores, which range from keeping Great Aunt Aurora satisfied with her daily servings of alcohol, to travelling around her little town asking questions of wary people, Emma forms opinions and expresses them in witty forms.

“Do anything interestin’ today?”

I hated open-ended questions like that; the questioner didn’t care about the answer, only that the burden of conversation got to the other person, so the one asking could sit back and not do anything (and then call himself a good listener): “You’re a mountain climber? Tell me about it!” “You play the oboe? Tell me about it!” “You murdered your children? Tell me about it!” Here I pictured the questioned one, Medea, plunging a knife into the questioner’s chest and answering, “That’s pretty much it.”

I liked this book, despite the problems I mention above. Grimes’s fans have a treat in store, and to the uninitiated – read the series in order; you will enjoy it a great deal more.

Book Review : Finding Nouf

Written By: amodini - Feb• 08•11
Finding Nouf

Title : Finding Nouf
Author : Zoe Ferraris
Genre : Mystery/Suspense/Cultural
Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages : 305
Rating  :  4/5
Finding Nouf is about the disappearance of a 16 year old girl. Nouf ash-Shrawi, the daughter of a wealthy and influential family, was by all accounts surrounded by comforts and led a happy life. Also she was to be married in three days. Her sudden disappearance leads to much speculation and efforts are made to find her. Did she run away ? Was she kidnapped ? And most importantly – is she still alive ?
This might have been a run-of-the-mill mystery, except for the fact that it is situated in contemporary Saudi Arabia and gives us an insight into its culture. The main protagonist is Nayir al-Sharqi, a devout Muslim bachelor. Nayir is a desert guide who has often worked for the Shrawis. Also Othman the youngest Shrawi son is a good friend of Nayir’s. When asked by them to look into Nouf’s disappearance, Nayir leads a search into the desert. Nouf’s body is found (although not by Nayir) in a desert “wadi”.
The second sleuth in this novel is Katya Hijazi, Othman’s very educated fiancée. Katya works in the medical examiner’s office. Once Nouf’s body is found and the post-mortem report reveals oddities, Nayir and Katya, a very unlikely team, work in tandem to find Nouf’s killer.
The story is told from Nayir’s point-of-view. Nayir is a pious Muslim, who has a difficult time even looking at a woman’s uncovered face. In accordance with Muslim Law Nayir keeps his distance from females in the physical world, and in his mental one. Although uncomfortable with females in general, and educated outspoken women in particular, Nayir also feels unease at the oppressive rules of society. When faced with the prospect of working with Katya, who is not the average Saudi-Arabian woman, although she covers her face, a hermit-like Nayir is hesitant and almost hostile. Under Katya’s influence, however slight, will Nayir be forced to open his mind ?
This was a very interesting book because of the well-told mystery, and the nicely-crafted characters and setting. Ferraris writes enticingly, drawing you into her world. Also she manages to keep up the pace, and deliver quite a few twists and turns to the mystery. What made this book worthwhile though is the look-see into the minds of the characters, and their thoughts as they pertain to women living and attempting to work in a society bound by Muslim law. 
A great read, this one is highly recommended.

Book Review : The Unincorporated Man

Written By: amodini - Dec• 20•10

The Unincorporated Man (Sci Fi Essential Books)Title : The Unincorporated man
Author : Dani and Eytan Kollin
Genre : Science fiction
Publisher : Tor Books
Pages : 496
Rating : 3/5

A futuristic society in which people are incorporated just like other assets, cars fly and walls are permeable. Sound intriguing? I thought so, which is why I picked up this book. And just like the jacket blurb promised, Justin Cord, our hero, wakes up from his 300 year long cryogenic sleep into a futuristic world, where the sickness he was dying of, has been cured. Thus restored to health and “reanimated” he is ready to assimilate into modern day society. There are many good things about this modern world, which he is ready to embrace, but there is one thing he isn’t kosher with – and that is incorporation of the self.

Everyone in the present day world is incorporated. Each individual has stocks of himself/herself bought and sold in the financial market , and the goal is to achieve majority to gain economic independence. The better a person does in his career, the more his stock rises. Justin, with his notions of slavery (which he likens to incorporation) doesn’t want to be incorporated, and is thus the only un-incorporated man in the world. Since he is a wealthy and popular man, the fight is on to force him into the system, and own his stock. Will Justin be able to stand his ground?

I was eager to read this book, because it looked like an interesting premise wrapped up in hard science fiction. Unfortunately, that illusion broke very quickly. This book is fairly shallow science fiction, because although it has futuristic gadgetry and niftily named inventions, there is not much “science” to back it up. The entire story is propped up by one idea and one idea alone – incorporation, and the book, it seems, is but an exercise to project that idea. The sci-fi angle seems an afterthought to the whole process.

I’m put off that this is not the sci-fi read I was hoping for, but am willing to overlook that fact, if the book by itself was engrossing enough. Unfortunately, it fails on that count too. The writing is bad (and I doubt the book had an editor). The style is clunky, and the authors have a tendency to harp over and over explain every thought and event, putting an end to any semblance of mystery or intrigue. The narrative breaks every so often with the authors taking little segue-ways to explain the new fangled technology. Thus the pace is lackadaisical, and the characters underdeveloped. As such, although I do like the main protagonists Justin and Neela, I do not know too much about their inner selves and am hard pressed to feel more than perfunctory warmth for them.

“The unincoporated man” tries to do many things. It is situated in a futuristic world, so it has the trappings of science fiction. There is a social and financial theme, as well as a budding (forbidden) romance. There are also wordy scenes in a court of law. All this is tied up in its over-arching theme of incorporation. Although I appreciate this book for its novel premise (really, what is better than a great big new idea ?), I do think that many facets of good storytelling were sacrificed to propagate it. Better written, and with adequate emphasis on character development and story this might have been a great book. As it is now, I had trouble finishing it up, although I did finish it.

Book Review : The Shadow Woman

Written By: amodini - Dec• 13•10

The Shadow Woman: A Chief Inspector Erik Winter NovelTitle : The Shadow Woman
Author : Ake Edwardson
Genre : Crime / Thriller
Publisher : Penguin
Pages : 352
Rating 6.5/10
Source : Publisher ARC

What with the success of Steig Larsson’s trilogy, translated Swedish thrillers seem to be coming out in full force. Ake Edwardson’s “The Shadow Woman” is one such book, translated by Per Carlson. This novel is the second book of the “Inspector Winter” series by Edwardson, but the fifth book to be translated into English and published in the US.

The Shadow Woman is a police-work-heavy novel. The story is built around the unidentified body of a young woman found in the densely wooded Gothenburg area during the annual Gothenburg party. The police have not much to go on except a mysterious mark on the tree near which the woman is found. Inspector Eric Winter, just back from vacation, is assigned to the case. Initially we read of a mysterious female character, and a scared child (events told from the child’s perspective) involved in some sort of heist. The woman later ends up dead and that triggers the investigation. As Winters searches for the woman’s identity, he finds several – which one those several personalities was real and who wanted her dead?

There are also some sub-plots, such as the ongoing gang wars, and a policewoman getting her jaw smashed in, which do not have much to do with the story except maybe build character and tone. The reader is lead through the action via third person descriptions of the events which might have been done to heighten suspense, but also serves to make them detached.

The style of writing is very brooding and introspective. The author describes Chief Inspector Winter’s state of mind (Winter has a rocky personal life) but it is done is such a dry and “sideways” manner that I could not get involved in Winter’s struggles. Thus Winter for me remained a rather shadowy character, great at his work, but lacking in the appeal that would make him a strong protagonist. The author also seems to jump back and forth in time, and between personal points of view, creating a relatively broken pace.

Like the Larsson trilogy, this one also has a Swedish setting and sensibility. “The Shadow Woman” was better translated than “The girl with the dragon tattoo” had, but like it, I wish the style had been edited to appeal to world-wide audiences. Some of the language seemed odd and artificial, and some descriptions superfluous, and I was not able to tell whether that was a result of the translation or if it was author intended.

Folks who enjoy meticulous police procedurals will probably enjoy this one.

Book Review : The Blood of Flowers

Written By: amodini - Dec• 02•10

Title : The blood of flowers
Author : Anita Amirrezvani
Pages : 384
Publisher : Little, Brown and Company
Rating : 4/5

This book tells the story of a 14 year old nameless young woman in 17th century Persia (now Iran), who after her father’s death, is forced to seek support from her uncle. Her mother and she, then travel to the city of Isfahan to shelter at Gostaham’s house. As destitute relatives they are the lowest of the low, and treated as such by his wife, Gordiyeh, and family members. Gostaham, a master carpet weaver himself, is kinder, and impressed by the heroine’s artistic talent is persuaded to teach her carpet weaving, despite the fact that women are not taught the skill.

However one day, the heroine, young and impetuous, damages an expensive carpet, and incurs her uncle’s wrath. Her conniving aunt then forces her into a sigheh, a 3 month renewable marriage contract, renewable at the pleasure of the man. As dishonorable as the sigheh is, she is forced to take it, knowing full well that at the end of the 3 month term, she might be poor, desperate and considered “tainted goods”- a very dismal situation for an unattached young woman in a strongly patriarchal society. The future looks bleak indeed . . .

Ms. Amirrezvani has a way with words. This book is very descriptive; it sketches out not only the characters, but also describes the craft of carpet making in great detail. Interestingly told, and carrying it with it the tumult of well placed “hooks” (lots of ups and downs), “Blood of flowers” is also engaging because it is a well-developed story, with adequate emphasis to the setting, history and culture which shape the story. The author’s gentle prose describes each person’s particular situations and quandaries, leaving it to the reader to make up his/her mind about the good and the evil in the characters.

This is a story told from the female point of view, so it does describe a woman’s life, whether it be the miserable existence of the heroine and her mother, living at the mercy of their fickle benefactors, or the relatively privileged life of Gordiyeh who has a wealthy husband. Each one of the women has very little will and volition of her own; they are swayed by society’s norms and customs, and must be led by constructs that place a high value on a woman’s perceived honor (and dishonor). In that context, what I really liked about the book, is that it creates a heroine with spine and character. Born into a society where women must be attached to a man to demand any respect or acknowledgement, the fatherless heroine is not cowed into submission, but is always looking to gain her independence. You might say that it is the circumstance that decide our actions; one does what one must to survive. While that is true, this story is engaging because it shows the mental and philosophical growth of the heroine, from a young and un-thoughtful girl, to a mature and shrewd woman able to pick her very own path from limited choices.

This book seemed to finish rather quickly, since I read it in one sitting. A lovely read, this is highly recommended.

Book Review : Empire Falls

Written By: amodini - Nov• 23•10

Title : Empire Falls
Author : Richard Russo
Pages : 284
Rating : 4/5

It’s been a while since I read this novel, but I still remember it as being one told with great sympathetic skill. Let me explain that. Most “contemporary” novels deal with day-to-day life and present issues. There are husbands and wives, and parents and children, their lives fraught with complexity and hidden motivations and the plain old drudgery of not losing the battle. Generally I can do without such stories. However, told as Mr. Russo tells it, sketched with such an astute eye for detail, and compassion, a story such as this comes alive. And he is sympathetic, not just of the good characters but of the bad ones too, fleshing them out with kindness and patience. There many characters, so it is a broad canvas, but the reader come to know each of them quite well.

Empire Falls is about a little town of the same name, where our lead protagonist Miles Roby is manager and cook of the Empire Grill. The Empire Grill is owned by Francine Whiting, a rich woman who doesn’t quite like Miles. Miles is about to be divorced from Janine, and has a teenage daughter Tick. Then there is David, Miles’s brother, and Max, his father. Miles is quite a likeable character along with his daughter Tick. He is amiable to most people (even the nasty ones) and has tons of patience. The butt of snarky jokes, and  the not-so-subtle put-downs of his patrons, even he realizes that he is on the losing end.

Along with the main story which hinges around a Miles who is trying to make do with whatever life throws at him, there are several sub-plots which focus by turns on his daughter, his wife, his brother, the bullying Police Chief and his son, and their problems. The entire cast floats around their little, dying town and the Empire Grill, which is how we are introduced to them.

This book is about anguish, about perceived past sins which, when they accumulate, make people meaner. Mrs. Whiting the aging wealthy owner of the Empire Grill is at the crux of it. At the receiving end is Miles, who is tethered to the Grill in the hopes that it will one day be his. You know that Miles would rather be anywhere but in Empire Falls. He tried to get away when he was younger, but family ties (and Mrs. Whiting) brought him back, for what was presumably an year. That year changed into a lifetime. Miles is still stuck at a dead-end job, in a decrepit eatery, with very little hopes of getting out. His first love escaped him, and he is about to be divorced from his second. But bound by “duty” and his propensity for doing the right thing, will Miles ever escape his fate?

Empire Falls is engaging (I could not put it down) and makes you successfully root for Miles and his loved ones. A lovely book, to be savored, this one is highly recommended.

500 days of summer

Written By: amodini - Nov• 17•10

Yes, the movie isn’t all that, but oh, this song ! Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a young non-practicing architect in love with the girl of his dreams dancing to this classic Hall & Oates number, on what looks like a wonderful summer’s day – here’s the song :
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2seAJsrtIbQ?fs=1]

I won !

Written By: amodini - Nov• 10•10

PhotobucketEarlier I’d posted an entry for the Favorite Female Character contest at Women’s Web. This was fun to write, since I do enjoy the series and Mma Ramotswe is the main reason the series is what it is. If you haven’t read these wonderful books yet, do go find them; they are well-worth the time. I also enjoyed reading about other favorites, for really, what better use of your time than finding out about great new books and characters ?

And I won ! Here’s the winner’s badge, displayed in all it’s glory 🙂 ! Thanks to Women’s Web, the contest organisers, judges and all the gracious women who came by/wrote to tell me how much they liked my entry.

The poems of Udaan – II

Written By: amodini - Nov• 01•10

[amazon_link id=”B005C2TKLQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Udaan[/amazon_link]Here’s another poem from Udaan (here’s the first), besides this other one which I liked very much. The Hindi lyrics are courtesy Happy Garg’s blog post, and my translation follows :

Jo lehron se aage nazar dekh paati toh tum jaan lete main kya sochta hoon,
Wo aawaz tumko bhi jo bhed jaati toh tum jaan lete main kya sochta hoon.
Zid ka tumhare jo parda sarakta khidkiyon se aage bhi tum dekh paate,
Aankhon se aadaton ki jo palken hatate toh tum jaan lete main kya sochta hoon.
Meri tarah hota agar khud par zara bharosa toh kuchh door tum bhi saath-saath aate,
Rang meri aankhon ka baant-te zara sa toh kuchh door tum bhi saath-saath aate,
Nasha aasmaan ka jo choomta tumhe, hasraten tumhari naya janm paatin,
Khud doosre janam mein meri udaan chhoone kuchh door tum bhi saath-saath aate.

Translation :

If the eye could look beyond the waves, you would know what I think,
Were that voice to also pierce your soul, you would know what I think,
If the curtain of your stubborness would but slide, you could see beyond the windows,
If you could break the cycle of habit, you would know what I think,
Like me, were you but sure of yourself, you could come with me a while,
See the colors of the world through my eyes, you could come with me a while,
If you could feel the intoxication of possibilities, your desires would be reborn,
To match my flight in the world hereafter, you could come with me a while.

Below is a little video of this poem (yay! for Youtube). The third poem “Chandu ki cycle” is another beautiful expression of the love of familiar things.

The poems of Udaan

Written By: amodini - Oct• 27•10

[amazon_link id=”B008C7OYUK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Udaan[/amazon_link]I recently reviewed the film Udaan at my Movie Review Blog. And one of the lovely things about the movie (among the other lovely things) was it’s heartfelt poetry.

Here is one poem (and here is another) by Amitabh Bhattacharya that I’ve managed to find on the internet (courtesy Abhijit Bhaduri’s blog). My rough translation follows :

 

Chhoti-chhoti chhitrayi yaadein

Bichhi hui hain lamhon ki lawn par

Nange pair unpar chalte-chalte

Itni door chale aaye

Ki ab bhool gaye hain ki

Joote kahan utaare the.

Aedi komal thi, jab aaye the.

Thodi si naazuk hai abhi bhi.

Aur nazuk hi rahegi

In khatti-meethi yaadon ki shararat

Jab tak inhe gudgudati rahe.

Sach, bhool gaye hain

Ki joote kahan utaare the.

Par lagta hai,

Ab unki zaroorat nahin.

Translation :

A few, scattered memories
Are spread across this garden of moments,
Bare-foot I walk upon them,
And have come so far,
That I have forgotten,
Where I had removed my shoes,
The soles of my feet were tender when I had come,
They are still tender now,
And will remain tender
Until the bitter-sweet play of memories,
Tickles them,
Truly, I have forgotten,
Where I had removed my shoes,
But, it seems,
That I do not need them now.