Truth is stranger than fiction

Book Review Title: The Enlightenment of the Greengage tree Author: Shokoofeh Azar Genre: Fiction/Translation(Persian) The Enlightenment of the Greengage tree immerses you into a world where reading and writing are considered as treason. The mere act of reading could cost one's home, belongings or even their life.  The story explores the trials and tribulations of a family of five who moved from the countryside to Tehran during 1979. The parents Roza and Hushang lose their three children under grim circumstances that involve bloodshed, massacre and resistance. We have relatives of the family who arrive and disappear without a trace. The narrator is thirteen year old Bahar who we learn is a ghost and lingers around the treehouse and her family members. She takes us through the series of events-her brother Sohrab's imprisonment, burning of libraries, cultural artifacts, her sister Beeta turning into a mermaid by the powers of an ancestor and how she is objectified.  The...

  Book review Title: Mexican Gothic Author: Silvia Moreno Garcia Genre: Horror Mexican Gothic is a dark, brilliant and captivating read that transports the readers to the 1950s Mexico  where dark secrets lurk and sends a chill down your spine.  We have our protagonist- Noemi Taboada who heads to High palace, a house in the Mexican countryside, after receiving a disturbing letter from her cousin Catalina. She soon leaves her life of being a glamorous socialite to attend to her cousin’s troubles. Naomi is smart and confident who is not afraid of anyone, including her hostile hosts- her cousin’s wily husband or his patriarchal father. Besides her cousin’s deteriorating health, Noemi discovers bizarre images, dark secrets hidden beneath the walls of High palace, falls prey to sleepwalking and strange dreams. Noemi’s only ally in this dark house is the family’s youngest son. What ensues is an atmospheric and eerie plot turns out into grotesque, deadly and dark adventures....

Book review Title: The Hole Author: Hye-Young Pyun Genre: Psychological Fiction/Translation (Korean) The Hole is one such read that crawls under your skin and takes you into a journey of darkness and isolation.  It tells the story of a man named Oghi who wakes up from coma and finds out he is paralyzed. While he is unable to talk or move, Oghi is able to identify smells and sounds around him. He discovers his wife died in a car accident and he is at the mercy of his only caretaker- his grieving widowed mother in law. Oghi is a prisoner in his own body and dwells on memories of his wife. When Oghi finds his mother in law fervently digging in his wife’s garden, he begins to feel uneasy. While his mother in law responds saying she was completing her daughter’s unfinished project.  The Hole is narrated in close third person from the point of view of Oghi. Through his interiority and stream of consciousness, the author lends voice to Oghi who otherwise is unable to converse with an...

Book review Title We were liars  Author: e. Lockhart Genre: Thriller/Mystery We were liars is an intriguing read about an illustrious family and a group of four friends whose friendship changes after an accident.  We have our narrator- Cadence who spends her summers at a family estate in Martha’s Vineyard. She makes  a group with her two cousins and a friend who call themselves as the liars. They live in a world separate from the adult world. An unexpected accident changes their lives forever. Cadence is found on the beach one night and is unable to remember anything. The narrative goes on to explore what really happened.  The entire book is told in first person from the point of view of Cadence. The chapters read like vignettes, almost like fragments of a memory which reflects the state of mind of Cadence. It gives a glimpse of a typical rich family where children are dependent on their family money. The voice of Cadence is the most powerful aspect in the story. The...

Book review Title: The Archer Author: Shruti Swamy Genre: Fiction The Archer is a coming of age story of a woman who finds solace in an ancient form of dance.  The story focuses on the life of Vidya - a girl who is growing up in Bombay in the 60s. During her childhood,  Vidya’s mother disappears from her life and Vidya is left to look after her father and younger brother. To overcome her grief and loneliness, Vidya finds solace in Kathak and trains under a reputed teacher. Simultaneously we see Vidya facing prejudices against her dark skin that makes her retreat into her shell further. We follow her journey to engineering college, falling in love with another woman, her marriage to a son of an illustrious family and pursuing her artistic dreams. An unexpected occurrence changes the fate of Vidya’s life.  The story is divided into five parts. It seamlessly moves forward in time tracing the different phases in Vidya’s life. The language is soulful, poetic, rhythmic and almo...