Chilli, Chicks and Heart Attacks.

Publisher -Westland

Publication Year -2013

ISBN-13 -9789381626887

ISBN-10 -938162688X

Number of Pages -320 Pages

About the Author - (Source : Internet)

Sanjaya Senanayake is one of the millions of South Asians who was born outside the revered continent and brought up in the West. In keeping with this inauspicious occidental origin, Sanjaya has spent his life rebelling against all that is South Asian. Indeed, despite his conservative parents pleadings to become a movie star, watch football and marry a bikini- clad blonde, he thumbed his nose at South Asian convention: Sanjaya is now a doctor who loves cricket and is married to a girl named Dilukshi.

Being a die-hard Grey’s Anatomy fan, I had a lot of expectations from our dear protagonist, Dr. Manju Mendis, a Sri Lankan living in Australia, and I can happily say, I have not been disappointed. Sanjaya clearly leaves no doubt from the very start, that this is no diary of a hospital intern. 

The first surprise that met me was the name Manjula. A very dear friend of my sister’s is named Manjula, and I was surprised to know that the story is about a guy, not a girl. With the desperation of hooking up with somebody, and making it big at Australia’s top public hospital, this story is one hell of a roller-coaster ride.

As many occasions, he finds himself amidst a series of ill-fated misadventures. I wouldn’t say I wasn’t perplexed at first, but the author has made a wonderful effort. It takes a lot of courage to put your words to life and I appreciate Sanjaya for it.  It can easily be called a year of hysterical madness for the protagonist.

The backdrop of being set in a medical background, was the main attraction for me. I have been watching Grey’s and Private Practice since years now, and I can almost tell you why is castor oil used to induce labour or that Dr. Addison Montgomery can perform surgery on an unborn child. The medical procedures described in the book felt almost real. The description of the characters is surreal and it will make you want to meet them in person.

Though the story might be a little predictable at places, you will anyhow enjoy reading it.

Beware! Of the most interesting sex scene description you might have ever read. Again, to each, his own. And, I didn’t know they had a ‘Celebrity Ward’ in hospitals. I’d definitely pay my respectful visits to Dr. Spyder ! He definitely seems worth it.

In the span of a year, Mendes has to learn how to confront fraudulent specialists, self-important clients, and an imperious set of immigrant relatives. Also, he must find time to sustain his fledgling relationships with patients, colleagues, celebrities, and most of all, a girl with a troubled past.

I’d rather call this book, The misadventures of an Intern.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Just Married, Please Excuse.

'Just Married, Please Excuse' is a very simple attempt to throw humor at the concept of marriage in India by a Gurgaon based housewife, Yashodhara Lal. Vijay(V) and Yashodhara(Y), two young individuals who happen to have fallen for each other, get hitched together after only a few months of dating. Even though Yashodhara, 23, feels she is too young to fall into the trap, she still gives in. Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, the greatest cities of India, are where the story sets its pace. I might even call it a love story, but then again, it was too cheesy to be one.

With all the little glitches and steep turns of marriage, they find solace into each other arms, right before the big twist sets foot into their lives. Yashodhara gets unexpectedly pregnant, she is shocked but Vijay is extremely happy. He makes sure she is showered with utmost love and care during her pregnancy. It is only after the baby comes into their lives that they start arguing about every little thing, from 'her name' to 'how to take care of her'. And to know the story behind why the baby gets named 'Peanut', you have to buy the book and read it for yourself.

This is where the erratically funny counselor steps in with the funniest way to deal with her patients. She constantly advises V and Y to go for her 12-step program. If nothing else, you have to pick this book up for her. 

I was apprehensive before applying for this book, not just because of the topic its based on, Marriage, also because it is an Indian author creation. And this has been said with no offense to any Indian authors who might be reading this. I mostly enjoy international suspense and thrillers but this sure was refreshing, plus it was a signed copy, which makes it a little precious for me to own.

The use of the very famous Hinglish language by Yashodhara in the story was a big turn off for me. I had to drag myself to the next page whenever a Hinglish dialogue passed by. If I wasn't obligated to write a review here, I probably would have stopped reading after all. But then again, to each, his own. Many Indian readers might find that amusing and I respect that fact. The book also had a couple of grammatical mistakes which were entirely unexpected giving in the number of times it must have been proof-read.

Title: Just Married, Please Excuse

Author: Yashodhara Lal

Publisher: Harper Collins

Price: INR 199

Number of Pages: 264

Genre: Fiction

ISBN: 978-93-5029-227-3

The Krishna Key - A Book Review.

Book Summary of The Krishna Key

Five thousand years ago, there came to earth a magical being called Krishna, who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate if the Blue God were to die but was reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age—the Kaliyug.

About The Author (Source : Internet)

Ashwin Sanghi is one of the well known writers in the Indian literary scene, and an author of thriller fiction. He shot to fame through his first release, The Rozabal Line. His books are characterized by extensive research, and they're fast paced political or historical thrillers.

Ashwin is an entrepreneur by profession but writing historical fiction in the thriller genre is his passion and hobby. Ashwin was educated at the Cathedral & John ConnonSchool, Mumbai, and St Xavier's College, Mumbai. He holds a masters degree from Yale and is working towards a Ph.D. in Creative Writing. Ashwin lives in Mumbai with his wife, Anushika, and his son, Raghuvir.

My Review

Given the literary history of the author and his title of ‘Dan Brown of India’, my expectations from this book were high since the minute I signed up for it. This is my second book that relates itself to the great Indian Mythology, and that is a surprise in itself, because of my interest issues. But nonetheless, you haven’t lived enough until and unless you’ve explored all the flavours on life’s platter, and my taste buds are very cooperative.

Krishna Key is no doubt an intriguing read. Ahswin’s writing style will hold your interest right uptil the last page of the book, not to mention Dan Brown will always occupy one little corner of your mind, no matter how hard you try to concentrate. The way the final loose edges of the plot have been brought together into a thrilling conclusion is commendable. The amount of research that has gotten into the making of this book is worth giving a mention here. Pictures have also been provided that help the reader get a better perspective as o what all is going on.

Glimpses of a poor proof-reading can be seen in a few places if you read the book carefully. The story struggles to keep in place because these mistakes can be a big spoiler for some. Names of characters have been mixed up in a couple of places. The errors were simple and should have caught the much deserved attention of the writer’s or the publisher’s pen.

I may not give a very glowing recommendation to this book for you if you’re not a Dan Brown-thriller fan. I may as well end up calling this one as a work of fan fiction.

My Rating 

3/5

This book was reviewed as a part of BlogAdda's Book Review Program.

Participate now to get free books.

'The Devotion Of Suspect X' - A Book Review.

Title - The Devotion of Suspect X

Author - Keigo Higashino

Pages - 374

Price -   350

Genre - Crime fiction

Well, I must say, since I'm an ardent crime-mystery-suspense fiction fan, my expectations are always high, and Keigo Higashino delivered what was promised off this unputdownable thriller. Being a part of the Galileo detective series, it had to meet the expectation bar. The lives of the characters run along a tipsy topsy curve and soon enough, you don't know what to expect. Now thats what you want from a gripping tale, don't you ? Simple and easy choice of words has played a big role in making Keigo's book a nation-wide phenomenon in Japan. And I'm sure, India too will be smitten by it very soon, giving in to BlogAdda's initiative.

The main characters were Yasuko Hanaoka, her daughter Misato Hanaoka, their neighbor Tetsuya Ishigami and the neighbor's college mate, Manabu Yukawa. Detective Kusangi's wit deserves a special mention here. A lot of thought has been put by Keigo into the minute details of daily monotonous routines of regular people. You may find the portrayal a little repetitive but I promise you won't complain when you're through with the novel.

Being a high-school maths teacher, Ishigami's love for numbers is evidently spread throughout the book, and you can't help but notice his secret crush on Yasuko, a single mother who works at a box-lunch shop. Yasuko seems oblivious to all the attention showered upon her by Ishigami. One dreadful day, her abusive ex-husband Togashi plans to drop a surprise visit at her door-step and ends up dead under less than mysterious circumstances. Yasuko starts panicking and here enters the devoted neighbor, Ishigami. 

He ends up being the devoted suspect. The excitement levels have been maintained throughout your read of this book, and that is not even the amazing part. The best is yet to come, and by that I mean the killer twist stitched at the end. Manabu is an ex-classmate or rather college rival of Ishigami, and also assists Detective Kusangi, hence another angle. Ishigami is threatened by her addition to the investigative team. The best part about this book is that you feel like you've known the characters long enough to wish well for them. It plays with your mind, puts it to work, but thats a good thing, Eh ? I won't kill the suspense for you, so there, no spoilers for you mister ! 

And because I wanted to know more about Keigo Higashino and his work after being through with the book, I'm sure you would too, hence this link for you. The kind of connection that his characters form with you, will leave you wanting for more. After reading the last page, you will no more wonder why is 'The Devotion Of Suspect X' one of the few novels that have been translated to English.

My Rating for this book would be a generous 4/5. All smiles.

This book was received as a part of Blogadda's Book Review Program. Sign up for the Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. and get free books !

Participate now !