Be Careful What You Wish For Posted by Drac , Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 7:43 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, PanMacmillan

Title: Be Careful What You Wish For

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Genre: Fiction

Be Careful What You Wish For is the fourth installment of Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles. Following the legacy of Clifton-Barrington family, this novel is another commendable work of spinning yarns. 

In a frail attempt to take revenge with Sebastian Clifton, Don Pedro Martinez ends up killing his own son, which fuels up the fire within and he pledges to destroy both the families. While he recruits Major Alex Fisher to induce corruption in their shipping business, Emma Barrington Clifton is trying her best to keep up with all the perfidies and disruptions as the head of family business. 

Lady Virgina’s influence over Jessica’s in-laws and Sebastian’s recovery from the accident making him mature and conscientious, forms other sub-plots of the story carefully entwined with a new character Cedric Hardcastle, a Yorkshire banker; all augmenting to a fast-paced ride with twists hopping out at every other page. 

Even though every review mandate a comment on writing style and narration, if there is any exception to this rule – then this is it. Author is famous for boiling powerful stories with easy words. Though I am a bit disappointed to hear that the original 5 part series now may contain 7 or more parts, I have not witnessed any lethargy in the narration and I am happy to read as many books as the writer has to offer unless the story flow falls in a rut, which from this point seems quite improbable. 

Jeffrey Archer always chooses quite appropriate titles for his work. So let the dear readers be warned, not only the characters will feel the painful truth in this saying, ‘Be careful what you wish for’ but also the readers; as this novel too ends in a cliff-hanger. 

With 4 books released and 3 yet to come, it is the best time for a newbie to jump into the world of Clifton Chronicles, penned by one of the greatest writer of our times. 

Rating: 

Clifton Chronicles - The Story So Far... 

Only Time Will Tell – This novel, set in Bristol, England, marks the beginning of the saga. Harry Clifton, a young boy of a waitress and a dock worker, has a special gift of song which will change his life. Harry’s mother, Maisie has done a lot of sacrifices for his better schooling and a lot of efforts to hide the truth of his father’s death from him. But when Harry befriends Giles Barrington, whose father owns the shipping company where Arthur Clifton used to work, something revolutionary is put into motion. 

The Sins of the Father – Harry Clifton in an attempt to flee from his troubles assume the identity of Tom Bradshaw only to end up in prison paying life sentence for killing a man. His love, Emma is on the quest to find the truth about Harry’s death, when she comes across ‘Diary of a Convict’, memoirs written by Harry in the prison. Giles’ misadventure in the army, Harry’s escapades with Pat Quinn, Hugo Barrington’s death and other sub-plots make this an exhilarating page-turner. 

Best Kept Secret – The novel begins with the resolve of Harry v. Giles. Giles’ marriage and divorce with Lady Virgina, politics of Alex Fisher and Parliamentary elections holds most of the book; along with the progress of Harry’s son Sebastian, his friendship with Bruno Martinez and his entrapment in smuggling by Bruno's father and a notorious antagonist Don Pedro Martinez. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Vanity Bagh Posted by Drac , Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 8:56 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, PanMacmillan

Title: Vanity Bagh

Author: Anees Salim

Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

Genre: Fiction

Vanity Bagh is a fictional place clearly mentioned as ‘tiny Pakistan’ in Mangobagh with Mehendi – quite analogues to India – as neighborhood. 

Imran Jabbari, accused mastermind of a terrorist plot that shook Mehendi with three scooter bombs, is spending his time in jail, recounting the memory of his hometown Vanity Bagh. The places, the people, their fears, hopes and anxiety. Imran’s plans of escape, his delusions and self-amusing nature make him a great narrator. Also, dispersed tactfully are anecdotes from his friends, foes and strangers, which complete this novel of delicious rendezvous.

Seeing from a distance this book can be labeled as a biography of a young, unemployed Muslim from Pakistan trying to make his stand, expressing his views on India and the rift between two countries, and how it is destroying his life. Where violence has become a routine of our life and nobody feels uncomfortable if accused terrorist is a Muslim, truth is: everyone is caged, on both sides of the boundary. Blinded by hypocritical media, misguided society and deceiving politicians that rule our life.

When I took this book in my hands for the first time, it reminded me of Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan and Ruskin Bond’s A Fight of Pigeons; and one might relate the background. But, the infused dark humor makes it a completely different book I ever came across. Don’t get confused; the stated dark humor doesn’t resemble to that of Christopher Moore (who is the master of this genre IMO), but more to Christopher Buckley and Donald E. Westlake. Noir, subtle and pungent.

Rarely come a book with such story and characters that breaks the conventional approach and writing that redefines tradition. This is one of those books. The way Anees Salim molded this world of Vanity Bagh makes the reader stare in awe. Another best part of this book is that the author never preaches. And the way humor is blended, reader never loses the grip of the characters or maybe it’s the other way around. 

One of the most inspiring books in the latest releases of modern fiction. A highly recommended book for anyone who wants to read something worthwhile.

Rating: 5/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Shadow Throne Posted by Drac , Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 3:03 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, PanMacmillan

Title: The Shadow Throne

Author: Aroon Raman

Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

Genre: Fiction

The Shadow Throne by Aroon Raman is a conventional thriller with unconventional characters and without any clichés. A murder at Qutub Minar leads to Hindu Kush, Afghanistan via connecting the four protagonists: Chandra - a journalist, Hassan - a cop, Meenakshi - a history professor and Pant – an intelligence operative. They have to juggle through ISI of Pakistan and RAW of India and win a race against time to stop a nuclear tragedy and also deal with a dreadful truth about one of them. 

Unconvincingly, this is the debut novel of the author, in which he has succeeded to resolve the entwined web of Indian bureaucracy in a fast paced page-turner. Unlike other thrillers which just provide readers a roller-coaster ride to reveal the murderer, The Shadow Throne has a soul of a wounded patriotic and works on the reader’s emotions. The way the events unfurls, the reader is left not only with a riveting excitement but a thought provoking and brutal ‘shadow’ of reality, making this book a fresh perception. 

That said, it is not a light read and one must be in his complete conscience to truly enjoy this intellectual read. Author must have done a great research work to provide such compelling narration, organized facts and plausible (punk intended for those who already read) characters. To be frank, this book has exceeded my expectations and set the bar higher for Indian writers. Without being a Spoiler, all I have to say is, ‘watch out for the climax’. Giving the current trend, I won’t be surprised if this book too gets a movie deal real soon, in fact, I hope it does; just as I hope to read the next book of the author real soon. 

Rating: 4/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”