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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tag-a-Thon

I’ve been tagged by Rahul of Cognitive Amalgamation. Thanks dear!!

I have taken some time to respond, 'coz this one is a bit different. I have to answer questions asked of me and ask further set of questions to anybody I wish to tag. (Thats Rule #2, btw)
Here are rest of the Rules:

Rule#1: Put the rules on your blog.

Rule#2: Every person tagged should answer the 11 questions asked by the one that tagged you, tag 11 other people and ask them 11 different questions.

Rule#3: Let the people whom you tagged know you've done so.

Rule#4: Don't tag anyone who's been tagged before.

Rule#5: Really do tag 11 others; don't go all ''if you want to take this tag''. [Yikes!!]

Here are answers to questions Rahul asked:

1. What are you passionate about?
Love.

2. Cinema and Politics. What do they mean to you?
Cinema implies recreation. I love purely commercial Bollywood flings, because you go in expecting nothing, and come out thinking how idiotic people can be. :)
Unfortunately, Politics mean nothing.

3. One good thing you want to happen in India, for people – Long term?
100% literacy

4. One good thing you want to happen for yourself – Long term?
It's maybe obvious... I wish people would stop calling me fat.
5. One good thing you want to happen for yourself – Short term?
I am too blissful a person to want anything like this.

6. A frank thing you want to say about one of the bloggers here?
Here.. where? I love the works of most bloggers I come across in blogosphere. I detest technology blogs, 'coz I cannot relate to them.

7. Belief in God?
Only in times of crisis. You can call me Agnostic.

8. One thing you would surely do to uplift this poor country?
Kill certain politicians, if I could.
On a serious note, I inspire people not to cheat.

9. One secret about you?
Secrets should better remain secrets, isn't it?

10. Do you hold any regrets in your life?
There have been disappointments,but I havent held them as 'regrets'.

11. Adventure if any in life…lets count:
Starts right from school days. Countless.
Here are 11 questions you have to answer:
1. What does blogging mean to you?
2. Name the person who influenced you most.
3. Which is the last book you read?
4. Which are the subjects you hated most in school and college?
5. If you were to become a sports celebrity overnight, who would you choose and why?
6. Name your dream travel destinations- India and Abroad.
7. Describe your job briefly.
8. What is your alternative career option?
9. Do you really think the world will come to an end after December 2012?
10. What are the things you would like to do before you die?
11. Your views on television soaps?

I hope, those named below take this tag:
1. Sushmita of My Unfinished life
2. Ashok of ashokism...
3. Ramesh of Global Madrasi
4. Arvind of Simple Stories
5. Rachna of Rachna Says
6. Sulagna of pink n black
7. Sandipan of Sandi's Musings
8. SRK of KIRUKU
9. Deepika of Words as a Form of Life
10. Rupa of Quest for the UNKNOWN
11. Upasna of Someplace Else.

And if you like to answer these questions, and I could not include you here; consider yourself tagged and take it on!!!

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

The Land of the Wilted Rose

Having enrolled in the Book Reviews Programme by Blogadda.com, this is the first time I have been selected to review a book. The book is titled "The Land of the Wilted Rose", by Anand Ranganathan. The cover, as you can see from the image on the left, has only an almost-dry rose on a yellow-ochre background. I felt very excited when I received the book... and when I opened it, I was in for more surprises.
There was a handwritten note from the author (Anand Ranganathan) which added a personal touch. And a welcome note from the website, personally signed by Founder and CEO, made me feel very good.

Now the book.

The Land of the Wilted Rose is the first of a quartet - a four book series. And whatever is written as a synopsis of the book on the back cover does not really tell you what the series of books, or this book in particular, is all about. Just a vague idea is all you will get.

And the surprise element is right at the start. It gives you such a jolt that you are hooked on to the book right away. So long, in school and elsewhere, we have heard about how tyrannic the British were during their rule in India. The plot of the book is set at a time when the English have conceded ground, and Indians are gaining power. So much so that the tables are reversed completely: the Indians abuse the English and oppress them. 

A prominent character is the Maharaja, who is all but seventeen years old. Yet, he is the ruler of 73 provinces, as good as ruler of the World. So much power, wealth and luxury at this young age has indeed spoilt him to the core. What is more, the subjects and officers of this Indian maharaja are all English.

The book excels in its detailing and tongue-in-cheek humour. The characterization is just mind blowing. The author has brought forward the finer traits of each human being, be it the king or the common man.

This book, being a part of a series of books, only creates the prelude for the rise of the White Mahatma, who would eventually rise to fight for the right of Englishmen. But I felt that all four parts of the story should have been published together, in a big fat novel instead of part books. The reason is that one may lose track if he picks up a book that is intermediate in the series... and moreover, lot of text has to be devoted to refer to past incidents if separate volumes are used. You know what I mean? For example, the Harry Potter books also form a series... the characters grow and the plot thickens in each book, but even if you pick one up randomly, you would enjoy it as an independent novel. This was what I found missing in this book.

The overview of the following books in this series has been provided to ensure that your eyes remain on your bookstore till you get hold of the final novel.
 
This review is a part of the Book Review Programme at Blogadda.com.