Story of Tublu - Book review

Story of Tublu by Jahid Akhtar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just finished reading ‘Story of Tublu’ authored by fellow blogger Jahid Akhtar. I enjoyed reading it. It felt as if I was sitting with him for a couple of evenings as he narrated this wonderful tale of how a poor boy falls in love with a rich girl (clichéd, yet not) and the obstacles that he has to overcome to express his undying love. Despite it being a love story it is not mushy. The idiom is Indian, nothing fancy in the language which is day to day and practical.
I also liked the fact that equal importance was given by Jahid to the girl’s thinking and actions. It is not only about the hero but also about the heroine, so effectively the book does have two stars that manage to shine throughout.
Though the plot is nothing out of the ordinary the treatment given is uniquely refreshing. For a debut novel it is impressive.
It does not get into too much of detailing the geographical ambiance but concentrates mainly on the emotions of the characters that have been fleshed out without boring the reader with a lot of history.
The pace is consistent and the end of every chapter wants you to continue to the next as soon as possible.
While reading the book it feels like the author has your pulse and answers your questions in anticipation.
It is refreshingly Indian in its language and laid back pace.
If you are planning to read the book, which you must, avoid reading the foreword where the killer’s name is given away!
Jahid blogs at http://jahidakhtar.blogspot.com You can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jahid.akhtar.37 and on twitter at https://twitter.com/jahid_666
The paperback 204pages book is available on Amazon for Rs.200/-


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Book review - He fixed the match She fixed him

He FIXED the MATCH she fixed him by Shikha Kumar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Had received the book ‘He fixed the match She fixed him’ a debut novel by Shikha, for review. I would never have bought the book with a title like that and a pink cover to boot!
Having read through it, all I can say is that now people have started writing for ‘Saas Bahu’ Television serials. Previously you had authors writing stories which would be meant to be made into movies. Times have changed.
This book has all the drama, characters and a plot that would be absolutely perfect for a long running television soap.
Every chapter could be divided into five episodes and the ending of the book too need not end the serial. If and when this book is adapted into a television series, am sure the author will only be too glad to continue from where this book has ‘ended’.
The traditional gender bias is maintained with certain modifications like the woman despite being a genius at organising human resources at work still has to prove her love for her man by cooking delectable dishes and keeping the house spick and span. The man to prove his manliness will play the field and get married to the arm candy he likes best. It also perpetuates the theory that the relationship between the daughter in law and the mother in law can turn hostile if the daughter in law is not servile. All perfect ingredients for a long running ‘Saas Bahu’ serial!
To the author’s credit, the language is good and so is the writing and there is consistency in the drama and fantasy enacted on almost every page!
Am sure this type of book too has a niche readership which will find it eminently readable, hence I wish Shikha all the very best in continuing to write successfully.
The book all of 284 pages, is published by Vitasta Publishing.
The author, Shikha, can be connected through twitter @authorshikha and facebook.com/authorshikha or her website at http://www.authorshikha.com


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