2.5 Stars

What does it mean to be 'Indian'? is supposed to provide insights about the topic mentioned in the title. The blurb says, “Written for an intelligent but lay public, this book shares the results of 40 years of scientific investigations in the research programme Comparative Science of Cultures. It transcends the political distinction between 'the right' and 'the left' by looking deeper into ideas on human beings, society, culture, experience, the past, impact of colonialism, etc.” 

Needless to say, I was intrigued and excited to read the book. The past couple of years saw my attempts to decolonize and be assertive of my cultural identity. 

I respect and acknowledge the author’s expertise in the subject. However, I’m not sure if it translated to readability in this book. Also, the tone didn’t sit well with me, which I ignored because it’s the content that matters. 

I do agree with a few points- the definitions of culture & colonialism, the difference in perspectives, and the theory that we (Indians) indeed don’t know the West or our own heritage as we claim to do. 

The points about lack of access to the undistorted past and the widening gap between the land’s cultural heritage and its people are also 100% true. Another point I agree with is how the so-called Indian intellectuals and Left ape the West and copy their catchphrases ignoring the basic difference in both the countries operate. 

However, the book doesn’t answer any of the questions it raises. It has theories and hypotheses, some of which are valid, but those aren’t going to be enough. Indic learners (like me) are looking for a solid foundation to explore the land’s history. We need scholarly guidance from those who have spent decades in the field. I hoped the book would provide me some of this. 

Alas, it didn’t. Most of the content reads like an article or a thesis than a book with a definite goal. It gets confusing when a lot of topics have a start but end with something like- ‘I won’t talk more about this.’ 

That’s the whole point! I want you to talk more about those. Though we need to look at the future, there’s enough evidence that history will continue to repeat itself until we learn from our mistakes. Let’s start with the past and be unapologetic about it. 

The gap between the title & blurb and the actual content further affects the reading experience. I won’t speculate on how this happened, but I wish it would be rectified. Even an intelligent reader needs something to work with. 

I remember a reader’s post saying that the book would make more sense when paired with Sanskrit Non-Translatables by Rajiv Malhotra and India That is Bharat by Sai Deepak. I have read both books and would say that I agree with this statement to an extent. 

Check out the first recommendation to know more about Sanskrit words and their incorrect translations. Read the latter (book one of a trilogy) to understand how India ended up with a twisted version of secularism and whether or not Hinduism can be called a religion (more on this later). 

In fact, I would suggest you read those two, along with books by Dhrampal, Sita Ram Goel, and Ram Swaroop (plus other books by Rajiv Malhotra), to get a better and clearer picture of the topic. 

It’s not that these books offer answers to all our questions. But they provide information for us to create the necessary connection and bring together the pieces of a puzzle. From here, it is up to us to determine our path toward the future. 

Hinduism: A Religion (?) 

The author discusses whether or not Hinduism can be called a religion. While it sounds great in theory to present it as a way of life, people have to deal with the real-life implications of not having a recognized religion protected by the law. Our temples are controlled by the state and the money we donate to maintain and develop the temples is used by governments to do as they please. 

There are already enough debates about whether or not Hinduism can be considered a religion. We have to realize that stimulating intellectual theories and reality don’t always blend. After all, the ideal condition exists only in theory.   

Now, the concept of Adhikara is a recurring topic in the book. The author questions how Indians have the Adhikara to study Sanskrit/ religious texts while Westerners don’t. He says we don’t have additional Adhikara compared to others. I agree with the second part. 

However, when it comes to the first, it seems like there’s a contradiction in the book. On one side, the author says that the advent of British colonization alienated Indians further from their roots and made it hard to access our ancient works and how using the theories of one religion for another caused so many misinterpretations. 

Then, the author also wonders why we think Westerners don’t have the Adhikara to read and analyze our works. I think the answer is obvious. That said, we have people like Dr. David Frawley and Maria Wirth, non-Indians, and we admire and respect their knowledge of Hinduism. So who gave them this Adhikara? No one. They earned it with their years of Tapasya and dedication. 

The same applies to Indians too. We don’t have the Adhikara (and I refuse to use this word casually) to claim anything. If I were to tell my parents that I am an Adhikarini and the gatekeeper of my culture because of my birth, they’ll ask me to stop being stupid. That’s not how it works. 

Adhikara cannot be demanded or snatched. It comes when you surrender yourself to gain knowledge. It takes years, and even then, there is no guarantee. Adhikara isn’t obtained from a crash course that gives a person the right to commercialize an ancient process and eliminate its roots to claim it as their own. 

This post by Jessica Hodges may be four years old, but it explains what exactly are the concerns with giving Adhikara to others who don’t value it. She writes about how the Arvigo Mayan Abdominal Massage belonging to an indigenous community ended up as a cash vending machine for Rosa Arvigo, who trademarked it after learning from a traditional MesoAmerican healer. The same has been happening to yoga for decades. 

So if knowledge has to be shared with others, it is vital to determine what the receiver will do with this knowledge. How can Indians who have been colonized and taught to hate their native culture not be wary of such people? We haven’t even been able to heal ourselves yet and explore our ancestors’ knowledge without tripping over multiple distortions and in-fighting because of this! 

To summarize, What does it mean to be 'Indian'? is at best a collection of random ideas and concepts that provide some insight into the topic but aren’t as cohesive as expected. Since the book ends with the author claiming he still isn’t sure about what it means to be an Indian, let me tell you what it means to me. 

Being an Indian is being an integral part of this ancient land and cherishing my relationship with her (never mind the govt, politicians, & others). It’s a sacred bond between me, my heritage, and my land. 

Thank you, Indica, for a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

This review is posted as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club. 

*** 

Tara Zhaabowekwe Houska on the concept of ‘forgiveness’ 

Two women MPs are competing in the elections for the first time. Reporter Iris Woodmore has her favorites but knows she will keep her reports as unbiased as possible. She is invited to the House of Commons to cover the proceeds. However, the place has painful memories for her. Iris’ mother fell into River Thames during a suffragette protest. 

When the Big Ben watchman tells Iris that her mother didn’t fall into the river but jumped of her own accord, Iris decides to dig into the past and find out more. It leads her to the disappearance of a maid at Crookham Hall during the same period. Things get complicated when the past and present seem to be tied to each other.  

Can Iris get to the bottom of the truth? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Iris. 

The story has a decent pace despite dealing with an array of themes of topics. It blends social, political, economical, and feminist themes to create a cozy mystery with a splash of courtroom drama. Some of it works well. 

Iris is a young journalist. She has an analytical mind but is not without her biases. At times, she comes across as a really naïve person, while at times, she proves she can handle a challenge. I’m hoping her character arc with getting steadier in the next books. 

Lady Dauphine and Mrs. Siddons are well-etched and create a stronger impact than Iris. Elijah is another interesting character and a good influence on Iris. 

The mystery is easy enough to guess, especially halfway through the book, when certain information is presented. It ties up with everything provided until then. I could guess almost all the revelations. Not an issue for me, though. I’m not that particular about the surprise element in cozies. 

I couldn’t help but snort at the ending. It is abrupt and even a little anti-climatic but is perfect for the first book in the series. I’m impressed. 

The courtroom scenes aren’t that engrossing compared to the rest of the book. Also, the jump in the timeline at the end is confusing. I read again to guess the missing part. 

The depiction of the then society comes out very well. The multiple references to what women wear, their hairstyles, etc., present a clear picture of the times. Here’s a short blog by the author talking about the inspiration for the plot. 

To summarize, Death At Crookham Hall is a decent start to a new historical cozy mystery series. I’m intrigued enough to read the next book (the blurb sounds cool). 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #DeathAtCrookhamHall 

***

Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor with exceptional knowledge of Faeries and the Folk. She is writing the world’s first ‘Encyclopaedia of Faeries’ and needs a final chapter about the Hidden Ones. This takes her to a remote small town far in the North. However, her absolute lack of people skills results in alienating the very people she needs to interview. 

Then arrives the insufferable Wendell Bambleby, her only friend and academic archrival, intent on ‘helping her’ finish her research. Bambleby has already charmed the townsfolk, but his ‘help’ is not something Emily wants. 

They somehow start to work it out until Emily is faced with challenges to tackle the Hidden Ones and find out what Bambleby really wants. However, it means she may have to stop burying her emotions and unlock her heart to allow people inside. 

The story comes in Emily’s first-person narrative through a journal. 

To summarize, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is a fun book about a mousy scholarly girl, faeries, and some magic. The plot is mostly light, but there are a few disturbing scenes that can give you the creeps. Looking forward to the second book. (Did I mention how adorable Wendell is?) 

Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and Orbit, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #EmilyWildesEncyclopaediaofFaeries 

Tress Walker and her loving husband Max are expecting their first child. Max goes off for an overnight meeting in London when Tress goes into labor. She takes help from her next-door neighbor Nancy Jenkins, unaware that Max is not where he said he would be. 

Nancy is excited to meet her first crush Eddie at the school reunion. At 66, she wonders if life is giving her a second chance. However, Tress’s request for help cannot be ignored. She loves Tress too much to say no. 

Noah Clark and his wife Anya seem to be having marriage troubles. Noah isn’t sure if he should share his concerns with his best friend, Max, until he can sort out his emotions. Soon, he uncovers a secret that shatters his heart and emotions. 

What happens on that one day will change all their lives forever. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Tress, Noah, and Nancy. 

I knew what to expect when I requested the book. I wasn’t looking for a fresh theme/ topic. I was only curious to see how the author executed it. 

Structuring the story to fit it within a day was a good idea. The day is divided into sections, which made it easy to track parallel events. The detailed epilogue at the end ensures the readers have their answers. 

The characters weren’t deep or layered. What you see is what you get. This actually helped the plot from being overcomplicated or intense. I prefer books with contained emotions, so this worked for me. (The emotional quotient will vary for each reader). 

There are bits of humor that may or may not be funny but do their job to lighten the situation. Tress, Noah, Nancy, and Val deal with different issues in their own ways, so the jokes kept things light when they go too heavy. 

I liked how Tress’s mother isn’t the stereotypical bitter/ emotionally unavailable mom. Tress grew up in a positive environment, and her trust in Max stems from her good heart. 

Another aspect I liked was the age gap between Tress and Max. It wasn’t highlighted or used for the plot. It was what it was. (Tress is older than Max by 6-7 years). 

The pacing was decent, though the book felt a little laborious (excuse the pun) in the middle. I wanted the story to move on to the next stage. 

Max’s POV was well-done. I have no sympathy for him or Anya. However, the execution molded the character very well. It was impactful, more than Tress or Noah’s POV. 

Nancy’s POV was interesting too, and I was glad to see everything come together at the end. The found family trope was heartwarming to read. 

To summarize, One Day With You is a heartwarming read that handles multiple themes with a deft touch. I look forward to reading more by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #OneDayWithYou 

Ankita, a BPO employee in Bangalore, is found murdered in her flat a day before her engagement. Her brother Aniket is out of the city and is not traceable. Aniket’s lover, Suganya, and Ankita’s fiancé, Jayesh, are distraught and heartbroken. 

With the media and police spinning stories instead of solving the crime, it’s up to Suganya and Jayesh to get to bottom of the truth. Can they get justice for Ankita? What happened to Aniket? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Suganya and Jayesh. 

·       The book presents several themes and blends them together rather well. It shows the corruption and lackadaisical attitude of some cops, their reach and connection with the politicians, the role of media in sensitive cases (and how they put the victims’ families at risk for TRPs), the life of BPO employees, the difference in city and village lifestyle, etc. 

·       The story goes back and forth, sharing information in bits and pieces while keeping the plot moving. The pacing dips in the middle but picks up in the final part. 

·       The inclusion of the author’s love of our beloved singer SP Balasubramanium made me smile. Though it doesn’t add to the story, it feels like a nice touch for character development. 

·       The POV switch wasn’t always seamless. The narrators sometimes sound the same, despite having different personalities. 

·       The narration feels jerky in places and overly dramatic in others. Some dialogues are a little too long and clunky. 

·       The pacing is a little uneven as the story focuses more on the past than the present. This isn’t exactly a thriller but a drama with a crime. 

To summarize, The Half Death is a decent attempt and would be a much better read after a good round of editing. The title makes sense when important information is revealed at the end. 

My thanks to the author for sending me a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Detailed feedback has been sent to the author. 

Holly and Noel are an elf brother-sister duo living in the North Pole with their grandpa Norris Figgyworth. Their grandpa starts a tradition of celebrating December by spreading magic and love with cute handwritten notes. 

The duo decides to spread the magical cheer amongst humans and go to Puddington’s home as an experiment. But will they be successful in helping humans make magic? 

This is a super cute book about how love and positivity can spread cheer and make people happy. The story revolves around the theme, 'the magic around you is the magic you make'. The writing is simple, sweet, and heartwarming. The font is easy to read. 

The illustrations are cheerful, warm, cozy, and magical. The elves look like anime characters on some pages. They are all cute, though. The older elves have quirky and long mustaches. There’s a lot of white for the snow, contrasted with a dark blue sky and a fuzzy green pine tree on the side. The book has a map of the North Pole too! 

This is the first book of the trilogy but works as a standalone. Festival of the Elves: The Magic Around You is a lovely book with a message about spreading love and sharing happiness. The last page has a link to the website where people can write little notes to notes through December month and know more about the event. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and eWonderment, LLC, and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

The book is about how people spread rumors in the fear of the unknown and create complications for themselves and others. The Blue Bagoo here is the victim of these rumors, though some of it might be a wee bit true, albeit in a good way. 

We have a little girl wanting to who Blue Bagoo is. Written in rhymed verse, people share their versions, adding more drama and twists to the actual tale. The concept and execution of the book are done well. People get convinced easily toward the end, but this is a kiddo book, so it’s fine. 

The illustrations are cute and eye-catchy. Every page has the Blue Bagoo peeking out from a hidden place until it reveals its presence to the little girl. The girl is dressed like a detective. And the people aren’t humans, either. They are a blend of different creatures in different colors. 

It’s like reading a little book about the cutest monsters you want to be friends with. Beware The Blue Bagoo presents an important message in a lighthearted manner. Teeny kids might find a couple of rumors scary (which appears to be the intention). The text appears in different sizes, adding to the fun quotient. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and Happy Yak and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

The book is about a little girl, Emily, who sees an old man sitting alone at a café and eating breakfast daily. One day after he disappears and reappears, she decides to talk to him to express her concern. How the duo becomes friends and what happens next form the story. 

I don’t know if this is the right or wrong time to read the book. The old man on the cover picture resembled a grandpa I lost very recently. A part of me wanted comfort from this book. It did help some, though it also brought a fresh round of grief. At least I have grandma to talk to now. 

The illustrations are perfect for the book’s theme. The cloudy and rainy background mellows the setting and hints at what’s to come. The little girl’s features are spot-on. The detailing is just as beautiful, especially the butterflies in soft off-white. The text is too small, though. 

I wish I could write more, but I’m feeling too emotional at this point. To summarize, The Old Man Eating Alone is a touching story about loss, grief, coping with the death of loved ones, and staying hopeful. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

 One Liner: Touching, moving, and bittersweet

Lamb lives with her mother and older brother in Jackson, Mississippi. It’s the 1930s, and being Black means keeping their head down and staying quiet to avoid being lynched by white people. Lamb’s mother is a talented seamstress and a closet lesbian. Lamb’s brother, Simeon, is an intelligent and studious boy with dreams to go to the North and live a free life. 

Lamb, true to her name, is a sweet and naïve girl with a beautiful voice. She is often the peacemaker between her mother and brother but loves them dearly. Her friendship with a white girl results in a series of events that put an end to everything. This story can end in only one way. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of six characters, with Lamb and Simeon getting a major share of the chapters. 

What I Like: 

The blurb says, ‘Told with nuance and subtlety, avoiding sensationalism and unnecessary brutality…’, and I agree. The book doesn’t resort to graphical and prolonged descriptions of violence. It provides enough information and leaves the rest for the readers to comprehend. 

The beginning is slow and takes its own time. However, it picks up pace after the first quarter. I like the unspoken bond between Marion, Lamb, and Simeon. It’s like hard candy. Tough on the outside, warm and loving on the inside. 

The title makes sense as the plot comes together in the latter half. The author’s note provided more information. Don’t skip the note in this one. It’s a must-read. 

While Lamb and Simeon are sweet and loving characters, I got hooked by Marion’s attitude and approach even before I read her POV. There’s something about her that isn’t immediately apparent to the reader. I also wish I could know more about her childhood (a novella about it, maybe?). 

Marny’s character is well-crafted. She is what a white, young, bookish girl would be. Sweet and a little rebellious, but not strong enough to take a stand when things get worse. Nor capable of looking at things from another perspective and realizing what her actions finally led to. 

Lamb’s character arc is tentative but steadies in the second half. Her desire to have a friend even at the risk of being targeted for it, her hope to yearn for a better life, and the struggle to stand up for herself without hurting her mother and brother are heart-touching. 

The contrast between Simeon and Marion’s characters and the insights from Chem and Chester make the book a compelling read (despite the lack of a proper setting). 

What Could Have Worked Better for Me: 

The book is tagged LGBT+, and I was curious to see how it would be explored in such a setting. But this is a pretty minor aspect of the book. We know it’s there but doesn’t, as such, affect the plot. I’d love to see at least another chapter dedicated to exploring the character’s emotions. 

I see the reason for the first-person POV of so many characters, but not all of them are impactful. A limited third-person POV would have given the same since a couple of characters get no more than 1-3 chapters to present their side. 

While the blurb is true to the story, I would present this more as the story of Lamb’s family and the social dynamics during the 1930s. Interracial friendship is the trigger that changes everything, but it is not the sole focus. In fact, this comes quite late in the book, so expecting friendship to be the central point can affect the reader’s experience. 

To summarize, For Lamb is a poignant book that presents racial injustice with sensitivity. It is written for the YA audience but works for adults too. I know I’ll be reading more books by her. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Holiday House, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.5 Stars

The Night Travelers is the story of four generations of women whose lives change during the Nazi rule, the Cuban Revolution, and the fall of the Berlin wall. The story starts with Ally Keller giving birth to Lilith, a mixed-race daughter, in Berlin, in 1931. 

Life in Havana seems happy for Lilith in 1958 until the Cuban Revolution puts her and her daughter Nadine at risk. It’s 1988 in Berlin, and Nadine is a dedicated scientist trying to ignore her family history. Luna, Nadine’s daughter, decides it’s time she knew the truth of the past. But what does it do to her life? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of the main characters. 

The book spans the years covering WWII, the Cuban Revolution, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is rooted in historical events and feels heavy throughout. It’s not an easy book to read (in many ways). 

The beginning is wow. It starts strong with Ally giving birth to Lilith in Berlin when only Aryans were considered a pure race. But as the story progressed, the emotions don't register. It’s like watching a movie on the neighbor’s telly. I can’t connect with any of the characters. The writing is kind of monotone, with very little emphasis to make me feel for any of the ladies. I’m not sure if the emotions were lost in translation, but all four of them sound the same, albeit in slightly different ways. 

The story moves back and forth and is divided into three acts. The shifting timelines aren’t hard to track. A better way to read the book is to let it flow instead of trying to keep tabs on the period. 

One aspect I love about the book is the theme of intergenerational trauma and its impact on people. The hatred for all Germans after the Nazi brutality, the mistrust of Cubans, and ordinary people trying to pick up the broken pieces of their lives, suffering from trauma that wasn’t even theirs, to begin with. 

While I admire the research behind the book, I couldn’t understand much of the Cuban track. The writing assumes readers are knowledgeable of the topic to fill the gaps. Though I know enough of WWII and Berlin history, my knowledge of Cuba’s past isn’t that great. 

The heavy and sad undertones are so consistent that it’s hard to read more than a few pages without feeling overwhelmed or lost. Even the lighthearted moments are tinged with melancholy and awareness that some devastating is around the corner. 

This is a book I want to love, but I can only say I like it in parts. The ending is vague (not my favorite kind), leaving me dissatisfied about the plot but relieved that I could finally complete it. 

To summarize, The Night Travelers is an overwhelming historical fiction that spans four generations of women and their lives in the backdrop of wars. This book is not for everyone (contains triggers). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.