Kim's Review : Geronimo Stilton

The Geronimo Stilton series is a lovely collection of graphic novels for children. Given the depth of information in the stories, I would not classify these as comics, but more of illustrated stories - hence graphic novels for kids.

Geronimo Stilton is a mouse and he, his friends and assorted relatives undertake time travel to save the world's history from the machinations of the cat pirates.

The issues that I skimmed through were all relating to ancient civilisations like the ice age, the Chinese empire at the time of Marco Polo's visit there, the Egyptian empire during the reign of Khufu.

While the stories are entertaining and  I have gotten past the fact that cats are the villains and mice are the heroes in this series, what makes this series special is the amount of history and facts that are slipped into the story line. Facts are marked differently, so its easy for kids to differentiate between fiction and facts while reading, yet they don't disturb the story line flow.

Rating : 4 / 5 (for young readers)

Brajesh's Review: Without Fail

Another Lee Child, another Jack Reacher, another page turner, another thriller, another US landscape explored, another satisfying read.

Being a Jack Reacher fan, "Without Fail" is totally wholesome and will not disappoint. For a change Jack Reacher is working WITH a law enforcement agency, secret service in this case. He also collaborates with the FBI to stop the Vice-President elect's assassination plot......

And I have already given away enough (you will realize when you read the book). I recommend reading "Without Fail", irrespective of your past non-association with Jack Reacher, as its a great stand alone book.

Rating : 4 / 5

Read my Other Reviews of Lee Child / Jack Reacher

Brajesh's Review : The Alchemist - Graphic Novel

I had read the Alchemist half a decade back and ordered this graphic novel with great expectations as a refresh. This one is a total flop, while the images are cool and using Paulo Coelho as inspiration to draw the King of Salem is smart, nothing else worked for me.

I remember the original book moving me deeply and this graphic version didn't even stir any emotions. AVOID if you are seeking any connect with Coelho.

My fear is that instead to expanding the base for "The Alchemist", this version will actually put people off the philosophy of the original. My advice, keep away from the graphic version, submerge yourself in the original and enjoy the beauty.

Rating : 2 / 5

Kim's Review : 1001 Foods - The Greatest Gastronomic Sensations on Earth

The Covers of "1001 Foods - The Greatest Gastronomic Sensations on Earth" and "1001 Foods to Die For" look remarkably similar (as you can see in the picture above) However, the introduction for the first is written by Terry Durack and the second one by Corby Kummer. The publisher for the first is Pavilion and the Publishers for the second are Andrews McMeel Publishing and Madison Books. So I'm not sure if they are the same or just share a common topic and cover page.

The book that I own and have reviewed in this post is the 1st one - "1001 Foods - The Greatest Gastronomic Sensations on Earth"

The Editor of this compendium - Terry Durack is Australia's top food writer and restaurant reviewer and also a regular contributor to the UK's Independent on Sunday.

"1001 Foods - The Greatest Gastronomic Sensations on Earth" is divided into 11 chapters following the general courses of a classic dinner. Appetizers & Small Food, Soups & Salads, Noodles & Rice, Fish & Seafood, Poultry & Game, Meats, Beans Cheese & Eggs (a surprise chapter), Fruits Nuts & Vegetables, Desserts, Breads Cookies & Pastries and Beverages. This makes the book a quick and easy reference when you are searching for inspiration. There is also a detailed index at the back if you are searching for something in particular.

Do note, that not all 1001 foods have recipes provided. About 25% of the dishes have detailed recipes, the remaining 75% have general descriptions on what the dish looks and tastes like and a bit about its cultural heritage. If you are comfortable cooking without measurements, these descriptions may be enough for you. But even if you can't do that, you can always run an online search for a recipe of a dish that interests you.There are plenty of full colour photographs that will help you visualise what the finished product should look like.

The recipes have been compiled from a number of well known chefs including Julia Child, Heston Blumenthal, Mario Batali, Nigella Lawson, Madhur Jaffrey, Jamie Oliver, Delia Smith, Ina Garten, Rick Stein, Claudia Roden, Nigel Slater, Gary Rhodes and Donna Hay among others.

1001 Foods also has some single page features like : 25 Best Nibbles to Eat with Champagne, 25 Favourite Poultry & Game Dishes, 20 Superb Sausages, Smoked Foods, Best Barbecued Meats, Salumi (Cured Meats), 4 Strong Cheeses, 4 Sheep Milk Cheeses, 4 Children's Favourites - eggs, 15 Apple Desserts, 20 Chocolate Treats

The book covers recipes from India, USA, France, China, Japan, South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand), UK, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Greece, Middle East, Lebanon, Morocco and Germany for the most part.

A couple of recipes from Russia, Ireland, Scotland, Korea, Belgium, Sweden, Mauritius, New Zealand, Israel, Iran, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Cuba, Turkey, Balkans, North Africa, Hungary, Poland, Peru, Egypt, Denmark, Nethrlands, Switzerland, Cyprus, Austria, Scandinavia, Balkans and Eastern Europe also make an appearance.

And some recipes whose origins can't really be conclusively traced are classified as European or International.

As you can see, not all countries are covered. I for one would have loved to have seen some SriLankan & Ethiopian dishes in the book and more recipes from South Africa and South America.

But it would be difficult to create a truly comprehensive book on world cuisine that will satisfy everyone.

Rating : 4 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Mr. Majestic - the Tout of Bengaluru

I had started "Once upon a time in Scandanivistan" by Zach O'Yeah some time back, but couldn't read it beyond a few pages. I can't remember why. But after reading Mr. Majestic's adventure I am eagerly waiting to get back and read "Once upon a time in Scandanivistan".

I recommend " Mr. Majestic - the Tout of Bengaluru" to anyone who has had life touched by Bangalore &/or Bengaluru. It's a thriller laced with humour and wit. Covers a lot of geography and sociology of Bangalore. The characters remain quirky and odd but still seem real and not caricatured. Situations seem stretched and odd but never contrived. A different genre explored by me. The book does complete justice to the craft, city & characters.

Rating : 3.5 / 5

Kim's Review : The Conqueror

I first read Georgette Heyer, way back in the early 90's, because my mum and her sisters had some of them in my Grandparents library. (Yes, our family has a long history of Bibliophilia)

What I loved about her books was the period settings, the historical references, the believable characters and the sheer depth and range of descriptions, that transported me directly into those eras. So meticulous was she, that Georgette Heyer is considered the innovator of the historical romance genre and its subgenre - Regency romance.

Heyer's strongest suit was the meticulousness of her research. Given that she lived in the pre-internet, pre-google search era (1902-1974), it is not surprising that at the time of her death, she had over 1,000 historical reference books and it was widely accepted that no one in England at that time, knew more about Regency language than Heyer.

I'd been wanting to read more Georgette Heyer, ever since Arrow started reprinting her books. But this idea lay on the backburner for awhile. I bought 2 last year, but only just got around to reading the first.

Georgette Heyer wrote "The Conqueror" in 1931, over 900 years after the events described in the book.

This book tells of William the Conqueror, bastard son of Robert the Magnificent - Duke of Normandy. Since Robert died when William was around 7 years old, with no legitimate sons, William succeeds him as the Duke of Normandy.

Most of the story is told through the eyes of the fictional character Raoul de Harcourt. Raoul is captivated by William at a young age and enters into his service. He comes to the notice of William who realises that Raoul has been sleeping unbidden outside his bedroom to keep him safe from would-be traitors and murderers (earning him the sobriquet - "the Watcher") and actually saves his life by doing so.

Raoul becomes William’s favourite, and serves with him in all his military campaigns and is the closest thing to a friend, to the calculating and political William. Raoul also provides the reader with a more humane world view and is a more endearing character than William himself.

The book which starts from Williams birth, tells of how he regains control of his Duchy on attaining adulthood. He then unifies and strengthens Normandy and finally is crowned King of England with the blessings of Rome after defeating Harold Goodwinesson.

The Conqueror offers an interesting contrast between Harold Goodwinesson and William the Conqueror. While Harold is loved and respected by his people, William inspires respect through fear. Harold reacts emotionally, whereas William is extremely cold, calculating and plans everything in great detail, he does not let his emotions interfere in his decisions in any which way, except in the case of his courtship and marriage to Matilda of Flanders.

And what a strange courtship it was. Since she refused in open court to marry him as she was of pure Royal blood (her Father was Earl of Belgium and her mother was the sister of the Queen of France) and he was a bastard, whose grandfather was a tanner. On hearing of this insult, William rode from Rouen to Flanders, rushed into her castle, whipped her with his riding crop and then pretended to forget about her for a couple of years!

The book is generally true to history, except for a few characters that have been created to smooth the story along. Also, while the book says that Judith who married Harold's brother Tostig was Matilda's sister, history says she was most probably Matilda's aunt.

The Conqueror is an interesting read but slightly difficult because of the language and structuring of sentences and period dialogues. (Read an excerpt here to see what I mean) But its worth persisting.

My most interesting takeaway from this book, is that although the Normans ruled England for almost a century, they soon lost not only England, but also their identity in Normandy. Normandy was retaken by France and amalgamated into the French culture.

I wish there were more books like this about Indian History too. The fights and squabbles between the various rulers in Europe are so similar in ways to the skirmishes and wars between local Indian rulers and chieftains. They would definitely make for interesting reading.


Rating : 3.8 / 5

Brajesh's Review : The Last War

The back of the book states "The greatest story ever, told again". And you know it's a modern day retelling of the Mahabharat. Any decent writer is highly unlikely to go wrong with that. Sandipan Deb does an excellent job. Set in Bombay turning to Mumbai era and with control of the underworld at stake.

The Last War makes some excellent metaphors. Gaandeev turns to a gun named Gaandu, Karna's armor to a bullet proof vest, Chakravyuh to Dharavi, Chausar to cricket betting and so on. At every stage, you feel the writer could have done better in recreating the parallels, but then you realize that no one can ever achieve the perfection of the original.

Overall the story is gripping and fast and the book is a page turner, even when you are totally familiar with the narration. If you are a fan of the "greatest story" you must give this a shot and finish over 2 days stretching late into each night (just as I did :-))

Rating : 4 / 5

Also read Kim's Review of the Last War

Kim's Review : The Witches - Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl's - the Witches has courted its fair share of controversy. It appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990 to 1999, at number 22.

While it may seem politically incorrect today, I enjoyed it as a child and the re-reading was equally pleasurable.

The story is about how witches live among humans, looking completely human, until they take off their gloves and wigs and shoes. Their one purpose in life is to get rid of children because they don't like how they smell.

This story is like the ghost stories my nana used to tell. Stories we begged her to tell us, of ghosts and witches and demons. There is a wicked pleasure in reading books like these or hearing the stories. It scares you, without terrorising you, while at the back of your mind, you still know that they are just stories.

I think kids today (9-14 year olds) will also enjoy this book, especially little boys and girls who love to be scared. Be aware, tha this book isn't in the same genre as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but its still a good read.

Rating : 3 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Manuscript Found in Accra

Manuscript Found in Accra flows like a serene stream in a mountainside and feels the same. Peaceful message in a simple and pleasant voice. The setting is a village in Jerusalem on the brink of destruction in 1000 AD. The villagers ask ordinary and universal questions to a Copt in presence of a Rabbi, Imam and Priest. The answers are lucid , uncomplicated and universal. The books leaves you with a sense of calm, serenity and peace that is signature Coelho.

Rating : 4 / 5

Kim's Review : The Last War

The concept of Sandipan Deb's "Last War" was so interesting, that I was ready to order the book immediately, without bothering to find out anything more. The teaser said that it was the Mahabharat reinterpreted in the scenario of Bombay's underworld. The author had also release the first chapter online, which I read and I was immediately hooked.

For a change, I started reading the book, the day it arrived (rather than putting it in my extremely high stack of bedside books). I sped through the book, even though I was on an extremely hectic travel schedule with a group. I couldn't wait for events to end, so I could come back to my room and read some more. That is how completely gripping "The Last War" is.

Sandipan Deb has re-imagined the Mahabharat in the fight for control over Mumbai's underworld. Yes, some things are changed: the characters of Madri, Nakul, Sahadev are dispensed with. Gandhari's equivalent does not walk around blindfolding herself, nor does she have a 100 sons, 2 of them are more than enough to take the story forward.

Some things were a little far fetched like Yash Kuru (Bhishma) demonstrating archery skills at the Gateway of India ala William Tell. But the story itself hurtles forward headlong into sex, lies, cunning, conniving, betting, deception, love, romance and teenage angst.

The reinterpretation/modernisation of "The Geeta" is also completely brilliant.

This is not the way I normally write a review, but I really don't want to give away anything of the story as it will blunt your reading pleasure, if you haven't read this one already.

I highly recommend "The Last War" even if you have never heard of the Mahabharat, the book will definitely entrance you.

Rating: 4.5 / 5