By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Russell-Lacy]Stephen Russell-Lacy
This novel is one of President Obama's favourite books. It is widely acclaimed as a book of meditative calm and spiritual intensity. Despite its success with a secular audience it unusually has a lot of openly religious content. This is because it deals with spiritual issues in such a personal way. Reverend John Ames is a Congregational minister and the chief character and narrator. He had experienced great sorrow for a long time in his life after the death of his wife and daughter. Many years later when 69 years of age however he meets and marries his second wife, Lila, who is much younger than him. The book is in the form of a letter to their seven-year old son who will have few memories of him as now he is elderly and dying of a heart condition. Poignantly he writes "How I wish you could have known me in my strength."
What the reader gets are anecdotes described in a companionable way. The book has a quiet gentle almost mystical feeling of peaceful old age - a letting go of the things of life. John remembers grief but never without comfort, loneliness but never without peace. Recalling his life he writes "Strange are the uses of adversity" for he is a preacher who is able to shares his private thoughts about everyday ordinary conversations that describe such difficulty. In my view he does this without preaching at the reader. He gives his religious views in a non-righteous way. "Avoid transgressions - How's that for advice."
He writes his memoir from a position of strong religious faith despite his suffering and a knowledge of his own limitations and failings. His inner spiritual struggles and concerns are clearly revealed. John's emotional difficulties are about being a lot older than his wife and child. In the "crouch and squint and limp and lour" he feels the extent of his old age disguises what he has become inside." He doesn't want to die as he has not completed his "errand" in life and hopes he is not presuming on the Lord's patience.
The book is deeply reflective. He often mentions prayer. To a non-believer this just appears to be superstitious time wasting until it is realised John is talking over with his Lord how he might change and understand better a situation with the aid of inner light; learning to think more graciously about those he meets and act more cordially towards those he dislikes. "I have the dreadful habit of taking the measure of a conversation early in terms of the pleasure or benefit I can expect from it or what I might accomplish through it."
On the topic of life after death, John writes that the Bible offers no definitive picture. His friend says he has more ideas about heaven everyday. "Mainly I just think about the splendours of the world and multiply the smell of the grass by two, the brightness of the stars by two..." Talking of his next life to his son John says "I certainly don't mind the thought of your mother finding me a strong young man." Regarding hell he writes about the lot of the reprobate - how their torments are "figuratively expressed to us by physical things - unquenchable fire" and so on.
On faith he comments "If the awkwardness and failure of religion are interpreted to mean there is no care of truth in it - these people are disabled from trusting their own thoughts, their expression of belief." But regarding the question of predestination he seems hesitant and it is left to Lila to say "What about being saved? If you can't change there don't seem much purpose in it."
He reaches for Calvin's writings but also has read other thinkers. Of his father he says "How ignorant did he think I was? I have read Owen and James and Huxley and Swedenborg and for heaven's sake Blavatsky."
John had suffered at the hands of mischief making of the son of his best friend. This boy Jack Boughton when a young man left the local area in disgrace after getting pregnant a girl who he abandoned in poverty. Now in his forties Jack reappears on the scene much to John's discomfort especially when Jack starts to pay attention to Lila and John's son. John says "I have never been able to warm to him, never". He mistrusts Jack and worries he may do harm to his wife and son given his history of "sly meanness."
We sense jealousy. But he is trying to forgive. The way he puts it is to say that anger with someone can be relieved by remembering that the other's transgressions are trivial besides one's own.
We get his deepest intuition about God at the end. "There is no justice in love, no proportion in it and there need not be because in any specific instance it is only a glimpse or parable of an embracing incomprehensible reality. It makes no sense at all because it is the eternal breaking in on the temporal - so how could it subordinate itself to cause or consequence?"
Copyright 2011 Stephen Russell-Lacy
As a clinical psychologist, Stephen Russell-Lacy has specialised in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, working for many years with adults suffering distress and disturbance. His book [http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/2010/07/heart-head-and-hands/]Heart, Head and Hands draws links between the psycho-spiritual teachings of the eighteenth century spiritual philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg and current ideas in therapy and psychology.
He edits Spiritual Questions a free eZine that explores links between spiritual philosophy and the comments and questions of spiritual seekers. [http://spiritualquestions.org.uk/bulletins/]Sign up to share your views and find out more about the meaning of life.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Gilead-by-Marilynne-Robinson&id=6547757] Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Time Travel in Fiction
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=William_Roskey]William Roskey
Time travel has fascinated people for millennia, beginning with old folk stories and myths, and continuing on into the 21st century in the form of novels, television shows, and motion pictures. Every Christmas in English speaking countries we are treated to two perennial movies which feature time travel. In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, spirits take Ebenezer Scrooge into both the past and the future. In It's a Wonderful Life, an angel conducts George Bailey on a trip into the past and future-a past and future that would have occurred had there been no George Bailey.
Like these examples, time travel in fiction was long accomplished either through supernatural means or through mysterious and unknown means. In A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain, the protagonist is transported instantly from 19th century Connecticut into 6th century England by a blow on the head from a crowbar wielded by an angry employee. How did he return? After being stabbed while attending to the wounded on a battlefield, the sorcerer Merlin cast a spell on the traveler so that he will sleep for 1300 years before waking up. In the 1889 novel, Mark Twain used a literary device often employed in time travel stories since-physical evidence of the trip-proof (at least to the protagonist) that the journey had not been an illusion. In Twain's book, that physical evidence was a bullet hole in a suit of medieval armor in a museum. A hole that the time traveler himself had made 13 centuries before with a revolver that he had fashioned using his knowledge of 19th century technology. In H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, published six years later, Wells used the same device, in this case two withered white flowers the time traveler had absently brought back from the year 802701. Two flowers unlike any known in the 19th century.
Wells was the first novelist to have his protagonist use a machine, therefore moving time travel from the fantasy to science fiction genre. It's awfully hard for a reader-even of what is represented as fiction-to believe that time travel can be effected by a blow on the head with a crowbar. That requires a whole lot of the suspension of disbelief. But travel by means of a machine is much easier to believe. The device described in The Time Machine had only two controls, both small levers that the traveler could unscrew and put in his pocket to prevent an unauthorized person from using the machine. One lever sent the machine forward in time; the other backward in time. Wells' time traveler said that it took him two years to construct the fabulous machine, but never said what its power source was or anything about the principles of physics involved. There are two reasons why none of this vagueness detracts from Wells' book. First, the book was published well over a century ago, when the only air travel was accomplished via an occasional hot air balloon, land travel was by horse or rail, and the telegraph was the most advanced form of communications. Even had Wells formulated a scientifically plausible and detailed explanation of how such a machine might be constructed and powered, it would have been lost on the reading public of 1895. Second, there are the matters of Well's magnificent imagination and his prodigious skill as a writer. Few writers of any generation can match those.
For those of us writing today more effort and attention to detail is necessary. We can't get by with a blow from a crowbar or with the simple bare sketch of the device described by Wells. Our readers don't live in the 19th century, but in the 21st. One of the very things that made Star Trek such a wildly popular television series with spinoffs galore was its attention to scientific detail. Of course some of the physics involved was far out, but it was always plausible, always built on a solid base of the real physics which its fans had learned in high school or college or through reading about NASA's latest projects or in many other ways. This made the series more believable, more satisfying and pleasurable. There is a lesson in this. If in the science fiction we write, we offer the reader 85 or 90 percent solid physics and make sure that the remaining 10 or 15 percent is plausible, we're on the right road.
William Roskey is a military historian whose published articles have covered such varied topics as Civil War cryptography and firearms, satellite photoreconnaissance, truce negotiations, prisoner-of-war escapes, the North Korean missile program, and hostage negotiations. His novel, Muffled Shots, was published by Dell. A Korean translator with Army Intelligence in the 1960's, he subsequently became a Medicare and Medicaid policy analyst.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Time-Travel-in-Fiction&id=6544521] Time Travel in Fiction
Time travel has fascinated people for millennia, beginning with old folk stories and myths, and continuing on into the 21st century in the form of novels, television shows, and motion pictures. Every Christmas in English speaking countries we are treated to two perennial movies which feature time travel. In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, spirits take Ebenezer Scrooge into both the past and the future. In It's a Wonderful Life, an angel conducts George Bailey on a trip into the past and future-a past and future that would have occurred had there been no George Bailey.
Like these examples, time travel in fiction was long accomplished either through supernatural means or through mysterious and unknown means. In A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain, the protagonist is transported instantly from 19th century Connecticut into 6th century England by a blow on the head from a crowbar wielded by an angry employee. How did he return? After being stabbed while attending to the wounded on a battlefield, the sorcerer Merlin cast a spell on the traveler so that he will sleep for 1300 years before waking up. In the 1889 novel, Mark Twain used a literary device often employed in time travel stories since-physical evidence of the trip-proof (at least to the protagonist) that the journey had not been an illusion. In Twain's book, that physical evidence was a bullet hole in a suit of medieval armor in a museum. A hole that the time traveler himself had made 13 centuries before with a revolver that he had fashioned using his knowledge of 19th century technology. In H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, published six years later, Wells used the same device, in this case two withered white flowers the time traveler had absently brought back from the year 802701. Two flowers unlike any known in the 19th century.
Wells was the first novelist to have his protagonist use a machine, therefore moving time travel from the fantasy to science fiction genre. It's awfully hard for a reader-even of what is represented as fiction-to believe that time travel can be effected by a blow on the head with a crowbar. That requires a whole lot of the suspension of disbelief. But travel by means of a machine is much easier to believe. The device described in The Time Machine had only two controls, both small levers that the traveler could unscrew and put in his pocket to prevent an unauthorized person from using the machine. One lever sent the machine forward in time; the other backward in time. Wells' time traveler said that it took him two years to construct the fabulous machine, but never said what its power source was or anything about the principles of physics involved. There are two reasons why none of this vagueness detracts from Wells' book. First, the book was published well over a century ago, when the only air travel was accomplished via an occasional hot air balloon, land travel was by horse or rail, and the telegraph was the most advanced form of communications. Even had Wells formulated a scientifically plausible and detailed explanation of how such a machine might be constructed and powered, it would have been lost on the reading public of 1895. Second, there are the matters of Well's magnificent imagination and his prodigious skill as a writer. Few writers of any generation can match those.
For those of us writing today more effort and attention to detail is necessary. We can't get by with a blow from a crowbar or with the simple bare sketch of the device described by Wells. Our readers don't live in the 19th century, but in the 21st. One of the very things that made Star Trek such a wildly popular television series with spinoffs galore was its attention to scientific detail. Of course some of the physics involved was far out, but it was always plausible, always built on a solid base of the real physics which its fans had learned in high school or college or through reading about NASA's latest projects or in many other ways. This made the series more believable, more satisfying and pleasurable. There is a lesson in this. If in the science fiction we write, we offer the reader 85 or 90 percent solid physics and make sure that the remaining 10 or 15 percent is plausible, we're on the right road.
William Roskey is a military historian whose published articles have covered such varied topics as Civil War cryptography and firearms, satellite photoreconnaissance, truce negotiations, prisoner-of-war escapes, the North Korean missile program, and hostage negotiations. His novel, Muffled Shots, was published by Dell. A Korean translator with Army Intelligence in the 1960's, he subsequently became a Medicare and Medicaid policy analyst.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Time-Travel-in-Fiction&id=6544521] Time Travel in Fiction
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Motionless Traveller by Author Aspi Doctor, a Spiritual Journey
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_I_Porter]Jan I Porter
The Motionless Traveller by Author Aspi Doctor
I thought it fitting to play my Dalai Lama CD while contemplating the novel I have just finished; "The Motionless Traveller" by author Aspi Doctor. It assists in setting the tone while I attempt to articulate the many levels of knowledge woven in between the lines for the reader to catch or to just simply sit back and enjoy the ride. Yes, the Dalai OM'ing in the background of my concsious mind overseeing that this review is done with honour. I think he would approve.
Aside from the fact that I am continually amazed at the phenomenal talent to be found off the beaten path of the big box book publishing houses and corporate monopoly distributors and retailers, who knew that this Northern Ontarian would be reviewing a such a 'shining star' from India.
To have the gist of the novel, it is important to understand a bit of the man behind the words. Aspi was born in Bombay, India into a family of Zoroastrians and avid readers. He first demonstrated his gift for storytelling in primary school, to the delight of his classmates. Among the many other demands of a vocation within academia and in pursuit of his passion of the written word, Aspi studied English Literature obtaining a Masters Degree and Diploma in Journalism at the University of Bombay. Here Aspi was awarded the honourable prize of 'First Standing' in his subject group, and continued to explore many other dimensions of the wonderful world of literature in the Dramatic Arts and Theatre, Public Speaking and Radio Script Writing.
In 1969, Aspi finally began putting pen to paper in earnest above and beyond his full duties as Principal and Academic of the Tolani College and the A.P. College of Commence, (affiliates of the University of Bombay). As a respected educator in his own right, he wrote and published a number of Text Books, such as; Business Communications-25 editions, Bank Correspondence-11 editions, Communications Skills in English-12 editions, Mass Communications-6 editions and more.
In 1980, this calm, wise, insightful, mild mannered and ever smiling semi-retired professor began to put his wealth of knowledge into fiction format with "The Motionless Traveler".
A futuristic story that begins in Bombay India, in an era of post fossil fuel exhaustion and overpopulation with a bored government worker named Krish. Jolted out of his routine life when he rescues a young girl from a street gang, Krish inadvertently embarks on an adventure that spans the globe when he is gifted a 'magical' statue of the Buddha. Intertwined within the many levels of the story the reader gains glimpses into the Indian cultural mind with hints of Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Spiritualism with some key Natural Law and Quantum Physics to ponder. Through the fine art of storytelling, we participate in Krish's spiritual and metaphysical journey to a desert in Arabia, to Africa, to Mexico, to New Mexico, the United States, all to arrive at destination Canada. However, the true destination is to be continued long after the Buddha is handed over to a scientific research group, whose intent is to unravelling the statues mysteries amidst much intrigue as.
Krish's magical journey across oceans and continents brings thought provoking insights to the reader while he grows into new found power and understandings of the laws of nature and ultimately the evolution of mankind as a whole.
As with all great teachings, the story is innately and humbly human while touching on the sacredness of the spiritual journey toward a collective and timeless God consciousness.
Aspi continues to devote his so called spare time to his current writing endeavors which include another fiction novel entitled "Feet of Clay". Several more text books are also in progress and pending publication.
Aspi is currently the Vice President of the Association of College Principals in Bombay and an active member on the board of directors of two other educational institutions.
I look forward to his next novel with anticipation of yet another spiritual journey filled with insights and the human condition. I am happy to recommend this work.
Addendum: It is worth the time to peruse the rel=nofollow http://www.ideaindia.com web site, a wealth of talented authors, good books, free e-books and articles covering many genres and topics.
Reviewer:
Jan Porter - rel=nofollow http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Jan Porter http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Motionless-Traveller-by-Author-Aspi-Doctor,-a-Spiritual-Journey&id=6549051] The Motionless Traveller by Author Aspi Doctor, a Spiritual Journey
The Motionless Traveller by Author Aspi Doctor
I thought it fitting to play my Dalai Lama CD while contemplating the novel I have just finished; "The Motionless Traveller" by author Aspi Doctor. It assists in setting the tone while I attempt to articulate the many levels of knowledge woven in between the lines for the reader to catch or to just simply sit back and enjoy the ride. Yes, the Dalai OM'ing in the background of my concsious mind overseeing that this review is done with honour. I think he would approve.
Aside from the fact that I am continually amazed at the phenomenal talent to be found off the beaten path of the big box book publishing houses and corporate monopoly distributors and retailers, who knew that this Northern Ontarian would be reviewing a such a 'shining star' from India.
To have the gist of the novel, it is important to understand a bit of the man behind the words. Aspi was born in Bombay, India into a family of Zoroastrians and avid readers. He first demonstrated his gift for storytelling in primary school, to the delight of his classmates. Among the many other demands of a vocation within academia and in pursuit of his passion of the written word, Aspi studied English Literature obtaining a Masters Degree and Diploma in Journalism at the University of Bombay. Here Aspi was awarded the honourable prize of 'First Standing' in his subject group, and continued to explore many other dimensions of the wonderful world of literature in the Dramatic Arts and Theatre, Public Speaking and Radio Script Writing.
In 1969, Aspi finally began putting pen to paper in earnest above and beyond his full duties as Principal and Academic of the Tolani College and the A.P. College of Commence, (affiliates of the University of Bombay). As a respected educator in his own right, he wrote and published a number of Text Books, such as; Business Communications-25 editions, Bank Correspondence-11 editions, Communications Skills in English-12 editions, Mass Communications-6 editions and more.
In 1980, this calm, wise, insightful, mild mannered and ever smiling semi-retired professor began to put his wealth of knowledge into fiction format with "The Motionless Traveler".
A futuristic story that begins in Bombay India, in an era of post fossil fuel exhaustion and overpopulation with a bored government worker named Krish. Jolted out of his routine life when he rescues a young girl from a street gang, Krish inadvertently embarks on an adventure that spans the globe when he is gifted a 'magical' statue of the Buddha. Intertwined within the many levels of the story the reader gains glimpses into the Indian cultural mind with hints of Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Spiritualism with some key Natural Law and Quantum Physics to ponder. Through the fine art of storytelling, we participate in Krish's spiritual and metaphysical journey to a desert in Arabia, to Africa, to Mexico, to New Mexico, the United States, all to arrive at destination Canada. However, the true destination is to be continued long after the Buddha is handed over to a scientific research group, whose intent is to unravelling the statues mysteries amidst much intrigue as.
Krish's magical journey across oceans and continents brings thought provoking insights to the reader while he grows into new found power and understandings of the laws of nature and ultimately the evolution of mankind as a whole.
As with all great teachings, the story is innately and humbly human while touching on the sacredness of the spiritual journey toward a collective and timeless God consciousness.
Aspi continues to devote his so called spare time to his current writing endeavors which include another fiction novel entitled "Feet of Clay". Several more text books are also in progress and pending publication.
Aspi is currently the Vice President of the Association of College Principals in Bombay and an active member on the board of directors of two other educational institutions.
I look forward to his next novel with anticipation of yet another spiritual journey filled with insights and the human condition. I am happy to recommend this work.
Addendum: It is worth the time to peruse the rel=nofollow http://www.ideaindia.com web site, a wealth of talented authors, good books, free e-books and articles covering many genres and topics.
Reviewer:
Jan Porter - rel=nofollow http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Jan Porter http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Motionless-Traveller-by-Author-Aspi-Doctor,-a-Spiritual-Journey&id=6549051] The Motionless Traveller by Author Aspi Doctor, a Spiritual Journey
Monday, February 13, 2012
Charlotte Fielden, One Dynamic Canadian Writer!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_I_Porter]Jan I Porter
This dynamic Canadian prolific Author and Playwright, Charlotte Fielden is a mutli-award winner. Bragable is her Curriculum Vitae as; a founding member of both The Writers' Union of Canada and the Playwrights Guild of Canada, founding member and co-artistic director of the Melanie Theatre in Montreal, Quebec, actress and co-founder and producer of Fielden Productions Film Co. in Montreal, Quebec, written for stage, television, radio, and film, various anthologies and literary reviews and retired Psychotherapist. Born and current resident of Toronto, Ontario, Charlotte has lived in Paris, Montreal, and North Carolina.
"Saving Angel" is a magical turn of the century story that flows with the youthful 'Angel Shiner' as the intriguing main character along with Madame Blavatsky, the Irish poet WB Yeats, and scholar Denis Saurat. Angel's obvious visionary and benevolent otherworldly nature, have her confined in a mental asylum. The three notable historical figures are brought together to convene with a board of psychiatrists in order to determine Angel's fate.
Within this seemingly simple plot, we participate in an age old debate of spiritual psychology, religion, dogma and philosophy via the clinical and secular perspective of her Doctors. On a higher level, Angel's abilities represent the Divine aspirations within all philosophical modalities.
As Matriarch Chair, Blavatsky demonstrates spiritual phenomena with calm and grace that some might consider miraculous without directly referencing her leanings toward Theosophy. Saving Angel is a wonderful flowing soul read. Angel's transcendent vision, abilities and plight is our timeless story that lives within us all.
The Wolves of Positano is an intriguing mystery vacation novel transports you to Italy on the Amalfi Coast in the summer of 1966. A crime casts a lingering pall over the beautiful tourist area and the engaging characters and ensuing investigation become entangled in a mystifying web of intrigue and lies. The making of a film that parallels the main plot adds another dimension to the story and keeps you in suspense until the last frame. A sequel entitled 'Earwigs' is in the works.
'Fragrance Of Thyme', Poetry collection is a brilliant gathering of divinely inspired praise for the magic in life, prolific writer and playwright Charlotte Fielden ignites ones soul. One is drawn into participation of the natural world of insight, reverence and wonder. This collection playfully draws ones soul from normal simple mindful observer of gifted prose, to eloquently striking the power of higher sight from within. One is inspired to ponder the nature of our beingness within and beyond the world known. Watch for her latest; 'Beads On A String', target release late spring 2011.
A sampling of Charlotte's other published works are; 'Crying As She Ran'; first of the Weil Trilogy, 'One Crowded Hour' first prize in Women's National Playwriting Competition, 'Palantine Hill', 'Messages Like Memories' sequel to Crying as she Ran, and 'An Age Without A Name ' sequel to Messages Like Memories. In Progress is a musical; 'Me & New Orleans/Storyville'.
Reviewed by, Jan Porter - rel=nofollow http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Jan Porter http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Charlotte-Fielden,-One-Dynamic-Canadian-Writer!&id=6549070] Charlotte Fielden, One Dynamic Canadian Writer!
This dynamic Canadian prolific Author and Playwright, Charlotte Fielden is a mutli-award winner. Bragable is her Curriculum Vitae as; a founding member of both The Writers' Union of Canada and the Playwrights Guild of Canada, founding member and co-artistic director of the Melanie Theatre in Montreal, Quebec, actress and co-founder and producer of Fielden Productions Film Co. in Montreal, Quebec, written for stage, television, radio, and film, various anthologies and literary reviews and retired Psychotherapist. Born and current resident of Toronto, Ontario, Charlotte has lived in Paris, Montreal, and North Carolina.
"Saving Angel" is a magical turn of the century story that flows with the youthful 'Angel Shiner' as the intriguing main character along with Madame Blavatsky, the Irish poet WB Yeats, and scholar Denis Saurat. Angel's obvious visionary and benevolent otherworldly nature, have her confined in a mental asylum. The three notable historical figures are brought together to convene with a board of psychiatrists in order to determine Angel's fate.
Within this seemingly simple plot, we participate in an age old debate of spiritual psychology, religion, dogma and philosophy via the clinical and secular perspective of her Doctors. On a higher level, Angel's abilities represent the Divine aspirations within all philosophical modalities.
As Matriarch Chair, Blavatsky demonstrates spiritual phenomena with calm and grace that some might consider miraculous without directly referencing her leanings toward Theosophy. Saving Angel is a wonderful flowing soul read. Angel's transcendent vision, abilities and plight is our timeless story that lives within us all.
The Wolves of Positano is an intriguing mystery vacation novel transports you to Italy on the Amalfi Coast in the summer of 1966. A crime casts a lingering pall over the beautiful tourist area and the engaging characters and ensuing investigation become entangled in a mystifying web of intrigue and lies. The making of a film that parallels the main plot adds another dimension to the story and keeps you in suspense until the last frame. A sequel entitled 'Earwigs' is in the works.
'Fragrance Of Thyme', Poetry collection is a brilliant gathering of divinely inspired praise for the magic in life, prolific writer and playwright Charlotte Fielden ignites ones soul. One is drawn into participation of the natural world of insight, reverence and wonder. This collection playfully draws ones soul from normal simple mindful observer of gifted prose, to eloquently striking the power of higher sight from within. One is inspired to ponder the nature of our beingness within and beyond the world known. Watch for her latest; 'Beads On A String', target release late spring 2011.
A sampling of Charlotte's other published works are; 'Crying As She Ran'; first of the Weil Trilogy, 'One Crowded Hour' first prize in Women's National Playwriting Competition, 'Palantine Hill', 'Messages Like Memories' sequel to Crying as she Ran, and 'An Age Without A Name ' sequel to Messages Like Memories. In Progress is a musical; 'Me & New Orleans/Storyville'.
Reviewed by, Jan Porter - rel=nofollow http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Jan Porter http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Charlotte-Fielden,-One-Dynamic-Canadian-Writer!&id=6549070] Charlotte Fielden, One Dynamic Canadian Writer!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
'Sky Flyers', a Fabulous Vacation Read by - Richard Mousseau, Moose Hide Books, Canada
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_I_Porter]Jan I Porter
Vacation Bliss! Sky Flyers By; Richard Mousseau
Wow, what a breath of fresh air and life!
Time magically slows down to a timely country pace circa 1910 in Mousseau's latest masterpiece, "Sky Flyers'. A snapshot of rural northern Ontario life where a group of children rapture in warm summer days of amazing kite flying on the northern Georgian Bay shoreline. Ironically perhaps, this reviewer had the fortitude of curling up on dock lounge chair to read, adding to ambiance of story. Wide open shoreline sky lines expansive open farm land where two homemade kite's dance and unwittingly set the stage for a life time of adventure, competition and camaraderie. A number of ingenuous attributes built into a variety of kites at the hands of children that would make a ghostly Leonardo Da Vinci proud.
Da Vinci's inspiration in hand with childhood resourcefulness, Mousseau's lovely slow pace style is reminiscent of Samuel Clemens a.k.a Mark Twain's Huckeyberry Finn and the adventures of Tom Sawyer. Readers are taken on a wonderful journey as Mousseau carves new roads of wit and era culturalisms that set precedence for distinctive Canadian Literature. This fine novel comfortably stands in finer categories such as, Stephen Leacock's 'Sunshine Sketches Of A Small Town'.
Mousseau's own rural northern Ontario life experience and boyhood giftedly shines through this wide range appeal page turner. A small rural northern Ontario multi-cultural community is ethno-demographic harmony in action via childhood summertime adventures. One life defining summer far from conscious thoughts children are free of class distinction, racism, poverty and other adult worldly dramas sets precedence for youth and adulthood.
From old hound dogs, to catching frogs, to tom boy girls and growing into youth and adulthood of war and post war, this novel and its characters live on long after its first reading. A measure of a true timeless classic in the making, Mousseau's eloquent, brilliant, and witty this novel is simply a joy to read! For readers caught up in the high fever of box store trends, this masterpiece is a welcome change.
Every once in awhile, a shinning star writer shines and shares a gift for the written word and Sky Flyers is among memorable other works, such as; 'Leave Me To Cry', 'Life Raft', 'Mr Cheeks Too Soft', 'On With The Show', 'Three Plays By Me', 'An Oak Rocking Chair', 'Ed's Daily Quotes', 'Ed's Daily Inspirations', 'Farm Facts From Dung Hill Farms', 'Herman The Hermits Poems Of Life', 'Just The Cook's Trail-Side Gormet Cooking', 'Memories of 1896 The Adventures of Mr. Cheeks Too Soft and Kin', 'Pioneer Poetry of Mr. Cheeks Too Soft', 'Roosevelt Street', 'Steeltown', 'Steeltown Blues', 'Stories From My Time', 'Weathered Boards', and more. As a seasoned and prolific writer, editor and publisher in his own right, Richard Mousseau demonstrates his expertise with numerous other works, such as; novels, story poetry, play writing and in particular, Northern Ontario adventures. A man of many hats, Mousseau also hails as a farmer a raising menagerie of domestic animals in rural Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Congratulations Richard Mousseau!
ISBN 978-1-894650-87-8 Novel, ISBN 978-1-894650-88-5 E-Book
rel=nofollow http://www.moosehidebooks.com
Reviewer: Jan Porter, rel=nofollow http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Jan Porter http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Sky-Flyers,-a-Fabulous-Vacation-Read-by---Richard-Mousseau,-Moose-Hide-Books,-Canada&id=6549044] 'Sky Flyers', a Fabulous Vacation Read by - Richard Mousseau, Moose Hide Books, Canada
Vacation Bliss! Sky Flyers By; Richard Mousseau
Wow, what a breath of fresh air and life!
Time magically slows down to a timely country pace circa 1910 in Mousseau's latest masterpiece, "Sky Flyers'. A snapshot of rural northern Ontario life where a group of children rapture in warm summer days of amazing kite flying on the northern Georgian Bay shoreline. Ironically perhaps, this reviewer had the fortitude of curling up on dock lounge chair to read, adding to ambiance of story. Wide open shoreline sky lines expansive open farm land where two homemade kite's dance and unwittingly set the stage for a life time of adventure, competition and camaraderie. A number of ingenuous attributes built into a variety of kites at the hands of children that would make a ghostly Leonardo Da Vinci proud.
Da Vinci's inspiration in hand with childhood resourcefulness, Mousseau's lovely slow pace style is reminiscent of Samuel Clemens a.k.a Mark Twain's Huckeyberry Finn and the adventures of Tom Sawyer. Readers are taken on a wonderful journey as Mousseau carves new roads of wit and era culturalisms that set precedence for distinctive Canadian Literature. This fine novel comfortably stands in finer categories such as, Stephen Leacock's 'Sunshine Sketches Of A Small Town'.
Mousseau's own rural northern Ontario life experience and boyhood giftedly shines through this wide range appeal page turner. A small rural northern Ontario multi-cultural community is ethno-demographic harmony in action via childhood summertime adventures. One life defining summer far from conscious thoughts children are free of class distinction, racism, poverty and other adult worldly dramas sets precedence for youth and adulthood.
From old hound dogs, to catching frogs, to tom boy girls and growing into youth and adulthood of war and post war, this novel and its characters live on long after its first reading. A measure of a true timeless classic in the making, Mousseau's eloquent, brilliant, and witty this novel is simply a joy to read! For readers caught up in the high fever of box store trends, this masterpiece is a welcome change.
Every once in awhile, a shinning star writer shines and shares a gift for the written word and Sky Flyers is among memorable other works, such as; 'Leave Me To Cry', 'Life Raft', 'Mr Cheeks Too Soft', 'On With The Show', 'Three Plays By Me', 'An Oak Rocking Chair', 'Ed's Daily Quotes', 'Ed's Daily Inspirations', 'Farm Facts From Dung Hill Farms', 'Herman The Hermits Poems Of Life', 'Just The Cook's Trail-Side Gormet Cooking', 'Memories of 1896 The Adventures of Mr. Cheeks Too Soft and Kin', 'Pioneer Poetry of Mr. Cheeks Too Soft', 'Roosevelt Street', 'Steeltown', 'Steeltown Blues', 'Stories From My Time', 'Weathered Boards', and more. As a seasoned and prolific writer, editor and publisher in his own right, Richard Mousseau demonstrates his expertise with numerous other works, such as; novels, story poetry, play writing and in particular, Northern Ontario adventures. A man of many hats, Mousseau also hails as a farmer a raising menagerie of domestic animals in rural Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Congratulations Richard Mousseau!
ISBN 978-1-894650-87-8 Novel, ISBN 978-1-894650-88-5 E-Book
rel=nofollow http://www.moosehidebooks.com
Reviewer: Jan Porter, rel=nofollow http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Jan Porter http://www.inspiredsoulworks.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Sky-Flyers,-a-Fabulous-Vacation-Read-by---Richard-Mousseau,-Moose-Hide-Books,-Canada&id=6549044] 'Sky Flyers', a Fabulous Vacation Read by - Richard Mousseau, Moose Hide Books, Canada
Thursday, February 9, 2012
BOOK REVIEW: The Eden Prescription
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nerissa_Oden]Nerissa Oden
I know what it's like to be up against the system. I rejected surgery and chose to heal my precancerous cells (CIN3) with high doses of vitamins and herbal supplements, and against the advice of doctors and my three lifelong friends - a drug researcher, a cancer researcher and a pharmacist. It only took five months for my cells to heal and my friends to be jubilant. Almost five years after my initial diagnosis I am still here, cancer free, and feel like I'm twenty-something. When you're threatened with cancer, you need hope and all the support you can find - like this action packed fictional story decorated with natural healing facts.
This book is so action packed that you won't want to put it down. The medical and drug industries of today are ripe for conspiracy theorists to take root on several fronts. For example, you've been warned your whole life against taking too many vitamins and yet over 100,000 deaths occur EACH YEAR in the US from properly prescribed, properly taken medications. There are also 2.2 million US hospital patients reported to have experienced adverse drug reactions EACH YEAR to prescribed medications. Plus, there are attempts to regulate herbal supplements and vitamins worldwide through the World Trade Organization allowing each country's laws to be overridden. Minimal goals for the the WTO would require a doctor's prescription for most natural supplements while others will be completely outlawed. These are today's realities ripe and ready for the masterminds who write conspiracy novels!
When I mentioned my friends earlier you might have thought I was starting a bar joke, "A pharmacist, a lab tech, and a drug researcher walked into a bar...," but I was serious. Here are a few tidbits about my friends that are relevant to The Eden Prescription.
My friend who performs research on animals for a large drug company freely admits that it's the drug company's marketing department that twists research, creates new products from by-products of failed research, and then creates public demand for it through advertising.
My friend who is a 25-year veteran cancer research lab tech has witnessed how foreign students perform lab work for cancer projects at universities for wages slightly above minimum wage. She has advised me on health and warns me about the sickcare industry (her words) like advising me NOT to get annual mammograms to prevent breast cancer; to avoid surgery and drugs whenever possible; to take vitamins and drink green tea; and that eating red meat is a known colon cancer risk.
My friend, the pharmacist, also explores botany as a serious hobby. She taught me the meaning of the phrase, "research designed to fail." It's a phrase bantered around the holistic community that I didn't implicitly understand. My friend explained there are two common methods to make research fail. First, study the non-healing part of a plant. For example if a plants' roots contain its medicinal properties, then study the leaves instead. A second way is to dilute the common recommended dose for healing, to a mere fraction of itself. Then study the effectiveness of the highly diluted version. My friend says that most of the research paid for by drug companies on the healing abilities of herbs and plants are done in this manner - they are designed to fail.
As for me, my "cancer incident" led me to look for natural cures everywhere. I found a Naturopathic Physician who suggested a protocol known to boost my immune system and help my body to heal itself of cancer. And that's exactly what it did. Important component of that protocal are listed in this book. I also surrounded myself with supportive and hopeful books, videos and articles. It's important to have faith, hope, and support when you choose a more natural cure for cancer. This book offers hope when others around you might fail at supporting you.
Buy it now!
Author, Nerissa Oden, experienced a positive health transformation by avoiding foods like broccoli, olive oil, salmon, soy and sugar. Free food sensitivity information including MP3s are available on her website http://www.FoodPowers.com
Also, be one of the first to receive her free ebook, "How I Healed My Cervix and HPV Naturally, And You Can Too" as soon as it's released, please visit- http://www.FoodPowers.com
Copyright � 2011 Nerissa Oden. All Rights Reserved.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?BOOK-REVIEW:-The-Eden-Prescription&id=6552779] BOOK REVIEW: The Eden Prescription
I know what it's like to be up against the system. I rejected surgery and chose to heal my precancerous cells (CIN3) with high doses of vitamins and herbal supplements, and against the advice of doctors and my three lifelong friends - a drug researcher, a cancer researcher and a pharmacist. It only took five months for my cells to heal and my friends to be jubilant. Almost five years after my initial diagnosis I am still here, cancer free, and feel like I'm twenty-something. When you're threatened with cancer, you need hope and all the support you can find - like this action packed fictional story decorated with natural healing facts.
This book is so action packed that you won't want to put it down. The medical and drug industries of today are ripe for conspiracy theorists to take root on several fronts. For example, you've been warned your whole life against taking too many vitamins and yet over 100,000 deaths occur EACH YEAR in the US from properly prescribed, properly taken medications. There are also 2.2 million US hospital patients reported to have experienced adverse drug reactions EACH YEAR to prescribed medications. Plus, there are attempts to regulate herbal supplements and vitamins worldwide through the World Trade Organization allowing each country's laws to be overridden. Minimal goals for the the WTO would require a doctor's prescription for most natural supplements while others will be completely outlawed. These are today's realities ripe and ready for the masterminds who write conspiracy novels!
When I mentioned my friends earlier you might have thought I was starting a bar joke, "A pharmacist, a lab tech, and a drug researcher walked into a bar...," but I was serious. Here are a few tidbits about my friends that are relevant to The Eden Prescription.
My friend who performs research on animals for a large drug company freely admits that it's the drug company's marketing department that twists research, creates new products from by-products of failed research, and then creates public demand for it through advertising.
My friend who is a 25-year veteran cancer research lab tech has witnessed how foreign students perform lab work for cancer projects at universities for wages slightly above minimum wage. She has advised me on health and warns me about the sickcare industry (her words) like advising me NOT to get annual mammograms to prevent breast cancer; to avoid surgery and drugs whenever possible; to take vitamins and drink green tea; and that eating red meat is a known colon cancer risk.
My friend, the pharmacist, also explores botany as a serious hobby. She taught me the meaning of the phrase, "research designed to fail." It's a phrase bantered around the holistic community that I didn't implicitly understand. My friend explained there are two common methods to make research fail. First, study the non-healing part of a plant. For example if a plants' roots contain its medicinal properties, then study the leaves instead. A second way is to dilute the common recommended dose for healing, to a mere fraction of itself. Then study the effectiveness of the highly diluted version. My friend says that most of the research paid for by drug companies on the healing abilities of herbs and plants are done in this manner - they are designed to fail.
As for me, my "cancer incident" led me to look for natural cures everywhere. I found a Naturopathic Physician who suggested a protocol known to boost my immune system and help my body to heal itself of cancer. And that's exactly what it did. Important component of that protocal are listed in this book. I also surrounded myself with supportive and hopeful books, videos and articles. It's important to have faith, hope, and support when you choose a more natural cure for cancer. This book offers hope when others around you might fail at supporting you.
Buy it now!
Author, Nerissa Oden, experienced a positive health transformation by avoiding foods like broccoli, olive oil, salmon, soy and sugar. Free food sensitivity information including MP3s are available on her website http://www.FoodPowers.com
Also, be one of the first to receive her free ebook, "How I Healed My Cervix and HPV Naturally, And You Can Too" as soon as it's released, please visit- http://www.FoodPowers.com
Copyright � 2011 Nerissa Oden. All Rights Reserved.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?BOOK-REVIEW:-The-Eden-Prescription&id=6552779] BOOK REVIEW: The Eden Prescription
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Modern Day Urdu Literature - A Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kashif_Ali]Kashif Ali
If you are fond of reading and that to of Urdu literature and that to of classical one, you should be aware of the great writers like Shafeeq-ur-Rehman, Tarar, Yousafi, Hijazi, Ashfaq Ahmed, Qudrut-ulla-shahab, Mumtaz Mufti and so many greats of their time. I have read their books to quench my literary thirst again and again, never felt bore. They are legends, who we all are proud to have amidst us in form and theory of books.
A child growing up nowadays would look stunned by the successors of those legends. I mean, what has happened to the new generation of writers? Why did they miss the classical touch, the super duper novels, the commendable style, the effortless writing, the supreme dominance over readers, the magnificent humor, the sweetest of romance and lovely books of our previous breed of writers. What really happened? I discussed it on Facebook as well in a group, "Shua, Kiran and Khawateen Digest" but there was no female writer to say anything about it. The responses came mainly from readers, just like me.
I read modern stories; there are few names which shine. For instance in females writers, mostly who write in female oriented digests, my picks would be Umaira Ahmed for sure. She is somewhat close to the great mark or level set by the previous writers. However, by close I mean close and not up to their level. Another one just behind Umaira is Faiza Iftikhar. I reckon her irony as well as natural humor is god's gifted tools. Then again, not between the ranks of Col. Mohammad khan or Shafeeq-ur-rehman. One such topnotch writer of today is Serwat nazir, her novels have a good characterization. That is not all, Nemrah, I consider to be a high rank and creative writer. Nemrah's recent novel was a great success. Nonetheless, they are today's popular writers and yet they are so far from the lights of the classical writers.
In quest of knowing the answer, I thought of resources. The resources, specially, literary were scarce in those old days, and nowadays you can have access to the libraries, online and offline, good tools of dictionaries, thesauruses, that can make writing so easy. Is this the lack of effort that has caused the difference? Is it the abundance of resources' access that is making our new ones low rank?
In old times, with less resources and more effort, they had put marvels. They used to do hard labor to get recognized without any social or medial attention. I strongly salute to the classical writers of Urdu literature who still rule the literary world of novels and poems. I urge all the modern ones to "step up" and be among the high ranks.
Considering today's male writers, situation gets worse. His name is Hashim nadeem who has got a little respect as a new writer, promising one. But, he again is far far away from being compared to the classical giants. What would they do to bring a new Manto or Mufti? Where did the talent go? Is it still there or the new generation has no interest in writing, whatsoever. Being a doctor or a CSP or an engineer or a businessperson sounds more profitable careers to them?
There must be a reason behind everything, and we need to find a solid one, unless the splendid journey of Urdu male and female writers are in danger with every passing day. We have writers, but we do not have legends. Legends are stars that shine for centuries, and simple writers get lost in dust of time.
Regards,
K
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Modern-Day-Urdu-Literature---A-Review&id=6555664] Modern Day Urdu Literature - A Review
If you are fond of reading and that to of Urdu literature and that to of classical one, you should be aware of the great writers like Shafeeq-ur-Rehman, Tarar, Yousafi, Hijazi, Ashfaq Ahmed, Qudrut-ulla-shahab, Mumtaz Mufti and so many greats of their time. I have read their books to quench my literary thirst again and again, never felt bore. They are legends, who we all are proud to have amidst us in form and theory of books.
A child growing up nowadays would look stunned by the successors of those legends. I mean, what has happened to the new generation of writers? Why did they miss the classical touch, the super duper novels, the commendable style, the effortless writing, the supreme dominance over readers, the magnificent humor, the sweetest of romance and lovely books of our previous breed of writers. What really happened? I discussed it on Facebook as well in a group, "Shua, Kiran and Khawateen Digest" but there was no female writer to say anything about it. The responses came mainly from readers, just like me.
I read modern stories; there are few names which shine. For instance in females writers, mostly who write in female oriented digests, my picks would be Umaira Ahmed for sure. She is somewhat close to the great mark or level set by the previous writers. However, by close I mean close and not up to their level. Another one just behind Umaira is Faiza Iftikhar. I reckon her irony as well as natural humor is god's gifted tools. Then again, not between the ranks of Col. Mohammad khan or Shafeeq-ur-rehman. One such topnotch writer of today is Serwat nazir, her novels have a good characterization. That is not all, Nemrah, I consider to be a high rank and creative writer. Nemrah's recent novel was a great success. Nonetheless, they are today's popular writers and yet they are so far from the lights of the classical writers.
In quest of knowing the answer, I thought of resources. The resources, specially, literary were scarce in those old days, and nowadays you can have access to the libraries, online and offline, good tools of dictionaries, thesauruses, that can make writing so easy. Is this the lack of effort that has caused the difference? Is it the abundance of resources' access that is making our new ones low rank?
In old times, with less resources and more effort, they had put marvels. They used to do hard labor to get recognized without any social or medial attention. I strongly salute to the classical writers of Urdu literature who still rule the literary world of novels and poems. I urge all the modern ones to "step up" and be among the high ranks.
Considering today's male writers, situation gets worse. His name is Hashim nadeem who has got a little respect as a new writer, promising one. But, he again is far far away from being compared to the classical giants. What would they do to bring a new Manto or Mufti? Where did the talent go? Is it still there or the new generation has no interest in writing, whatsoever. Being a doctor or a CSP or an engineer or a businessperson sounds more profitable careers to them?
There must be a reason behind everything, and we need to find a solid one, unless the splendid journey of Urdu male and female writers are in danger with every passing day. We have writers, but we do not have legends. Legends are stars that shine for centuries, and simple writers get lost in dust of time.
Regards,
K
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Modern-Day-Urdu-Literature---A-Review&id=6555664] Modern Day Urdu Literature - A Review
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Secret of the Nagas - Book Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amandeep_Kohli]Amandeep Kohli
The Secret of the Nagas is the sequel to the best-selling book, The Immortals of Meluha, written by the Indian author Amish Tripathi. While the first book released last year, The Secret of the Nagas is the second book in the Shiva Trilogy. The book has already broken all records with an unofficial estimate of eighty thousand people pre-ordering the book a month before its release.
This second book, The Secret of the Nagas picks up from where The Immortals of Meluha ended, and immediately takes the reader on a roller coaster ride within its first few chapters. At the end of the first book, we saw the sinister Naga warrior trying to abduct Princess Sati. The book starts of on that note and slowly builds up steam.
Shiva and his entourage travel to the Hindu city of Kashi in their quest to solve the never-ending strife in the land of Meluha. With each new chapter comes new revelations and opinions and the reader is left guessing at every stage. At Kashi, Sati gives birth to a baby boy and Shiva travels to the land of Banga in his quest to finding the true identity and secret of the evil Nagas.
Shiva faces an epic battle with a mysterious bandit in the Banga land and is astonished when he learns The Secret of the Nagas. Meanwhile back in Kashi, Sati, too, discovers secrets of her past that had been kept hidden from her. All these twists and turns keep the book moving along while the reader is left speechless at many places.
The events in The Secret of the Nagas take place in the land of Swadeep and ends in the dark and mysterious forests of Dandak. Many new characters make an appearance in The Secret of the Nagas that have an impact on the plot. The book ends with a nice twist and leaves the reader hungry to read the third and final part of the Shiva Trilogy, The Oath of the Vayuputras.
The Secret of the Nagas is truly and deservedly one of the best books of the year and is now available at every major bookstore and one can easily buy it from there. However, for those looking for a good discount on the book, my suggestion would be to buy this book from an online retailer as some of them are offering this book at an amazing discount.
To get up to a 50% Discount on [http://hornokayplease.com/the-secret-of-the-nagas-book-review/]The Secret of the Nagas along with Free Shipping, simply visit my site which has a detailed review on [http://hornokayplease.com/the-secret-of-the-nagas-book-review/]The Secret of the Nagas!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Secret-of-the-Nagas---Book-Review&id=6570621] The Secret of the Nagas - Book Review
The Secret of the Nagas is the sequel to the best-selling book, The Immortals of Meluha, written by the Indian author Amish Tripathi. While the first book released last year, The Secret of the Nagas is the second book in the Shiva Trilogy. The book has already broken all records with an unofficial estimate of eighty thousand people pre-ordering the book a month before its release.
This second book, The Secret of the Nagas picks up from where The Immortals of Meluha ended, and immediately takes the reader on a roller coaster ride within its first few chapters. At the end of the first book, we saw the sinister Naga warrior trying to abduct Princess Sati. The book starts of on that note and slowly builds up steam.
Shiva and his entourage travel to the Hindu city of Kashi in their quest to solve the never-ending strife in the land of Meluha. With each new chapter comes new revelations and opinions and the reader is left guessing at every stage. At Kashi, Sati gives birth to a baby boy and Shiva travels to the land of Banga in his quest to finding the true identity and secret of the evil Nagas.
Shiva faces an epic battle with a mysterious bandit in the Banga land and is astonished when he learns The Secret of the Nagas. Meanwhile back in Kashi, Sati, too, discovers secrets of her past that had been kept hidden from her. All these twists and turns keep the book moving along while the reader is left speechless at many places.
The events in The Secret of the Nagas take place in the land of Swadeep and ends in the dark and mysterious forests of Dandak. Many new characters make an appearance in The Secret of the Nagas that have an impact on the plot. The book ends with a nice twist and leaves the reader hungry to read the third and final part of the Shiva Trilogy, The Oath of the Vayuputras.
The Secret of the Nagas is truly and deservedly one of the best books of the year and is now available at every major bookstore and one can easily buy it from there. However, for those looking for a good discount on the book, my suggestion would be to buy this book from an online retailer as some of them are offering this book at an amazing discount.
To get up to a 50% Discount on [http://hornokayplease.com/the-secret-of-the-nagas-book-review/]The Secret of the Nagas along with Free Shipping, simply visit my site which has a detailed review on [http://hornokayplease.com/the-secret-of-the-nagas-book-review/]The Secret of the Nagas!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Secret-of-the-Nagas---Book-Review&id=6570621] The Secret of the Nagas - Book Review
Friday, February 3, 2012
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier: A Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Holly_Weiss]Holly Weiss
Nightwoods main character, Luce, is the caretaker of an abandoned, decaying summer lodge on a lake in Appalachia. Frazier aptly describes a lodge in disrepair- a metaphor for the losses in Luce's life. But she is happy and at peace. Unconfined, her solitary life takes on an ethereal quality.
Until the children. She took her murdered sister's children because the state said they would be separated if she didn't. The pyromaniac twins with a propensity for violence remind her in no way of her sweet departed sister. The "bad patch" they had been through was so devastating that they retreat into dark, secret places inside. One wonders how Luce musters the money and resourcefulness to care for the children after the shocking events of her own life.
Luce is the driving force in the novel. She values her freedom and solitude. She has mysticism and quiet strength about her. "What I want most is the ability to whistle the song of every bird in the area."
Charles Frazier, author of Pulitzer Prize winner Cold Mountain, is a skilled wordsmith. The book is rich in description and the author casts a spell over us with Luce's character. Frasier's omission of the use of quotation marks is a mystery to this reviewer. Although we follow a circuitous route to figure out the story lines, the plodding plot comes together in the end. Nightwoods is aptly titled. The book is dark. Despite the violence wreaked upon humans, the peaceful and mysterious woods, home to soothing cricket sounds, hover over the book as a main character.
Random House through Library Thing graciously supplied the review copy for my unbiased opinion.
Holly Weiss is the author of a historical fiction novel, Crestmont, writer and reviewer of newly-released books. [http://www.hollyweiss.com]http://www.hollyweiss.com.
Free reprint of article if entire bio is intact.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Nightwoods-by-Charles-Frazier:-A-Review&id=6576913] Nightwoods by Charles Frazier: A Review
Nightwoods main character, Luce, is the caretaker of an abandoned, decaying summer lodge on a lake in Appalachia. Frazier aptly describes a lodge in disrepair- a metaphor for the losses in Luce's life. But she is happy and at peace. Unconfined, her solitary life takes on an ethereal quality.
Until the children. She took her murdered sister's children because the state said they would be separated if she didn't. The pyromaniac twins with a propensity for violence remind her in no way of her sweet departed sister. The "bad patch" they had been through was so devastating that they retreat into dark, secret places inside. One wonders how Luce musters the money and resourcefulness to care for the children after the shocking events of her own life.
Luce is the driving force in the novel. She values her freedom and solitude. She has mysticism and quiet strength about her. "What I want most is the ability to whistle the song of every bird in the area."
Charles Frazier, author of Pulitzer Prize winner Cold Mountain, is a skilled wordsmith. The book is rich in description and the author casts a spell over us with Luce's character. Frasier's omission of the use of quotation marks is a mystery to this reviewer. Although we follow a circuitous route to figure out the story lines, the plodding plot comes together in the end. Nightwoods is aptly titled. The book is dark. Despite the violence wreaked upon humans, the peaceful and mysterious woods, home to soothing cricket sounds, hover over the book as a main character.
Random House through Library Thing graciously supplied the review copy for my unbiased opinion.
Holly Weiss is the author of a historical fiction novel, Crestmont, writer and reviewer of newly-released books. [http://www.hollyweiss.com]http://www.hollyweiss.com.
Free reprint of article if entire bio is intact.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Nightwoods-by-Charles-Frazier:-A-Review&id=6576913] Nightwoods by Charles Frazier: A Review
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Skip Beat! Love Is the Prelude to Tragedy
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Krysmae_S_Casano]Krysmae S Casano
It was an addiction waiting to happen.
It was a very rare opportunity for me to find a very good Japanese graphic novel (commonly known as manga) that will really get me hooked and had me following its every new chapter release. This manga, written by Nakamura Yoshiki, is one of the few stories that had a unique story line.
The protagonist, Kyouko Mogami, is an innocent 16-year old Kyoto girl who came to Tokyo at the request of her childhood crush, Shoutaro Fuwa. Shoutaro is an aspiring musician whose goal is to become the Number 1 Male Idol in the whole of Japan; of course he must first defeat the current number one--- Tsuruga Ren.
At first, Kyouko thought that Shoutaro's invitation was a manifestation of his feelings for her. She worked hard to pay for their apartment's rent, providence for Shoutaro, etc. She didn't even go to high school just for Shoutaro's sake. Shoutaro, on the other hand, became one of the most-sought musicians in the music industry. He now seldom comes home to the luxurious apartment that Kyouko painstakingly provided for him.
It was one fateful day that Kyouko decided to visit Shoutaro in his agency. Going to his agency is kind of tough considering the number of fans that would gather there but, having done 'infiltrating' the place a dozen of times, it was an easy success. What she didn't expect was to see Shoutaro flirting with his manager. She overheard the truth, Shoutaro's side of the story. Shoutaro asked her to come with him for the soul purpose of being his maid! He also blurted out that he would never like a plain-looking, old-fashioned woman like her.
What I really find amusing was Kyouko's reaction. Who wouldn't? Her reaction wasn't like any ordinary girl would do. She got mad, that's inevitable, but she didn't shed a single tear. She vowed to get her revenge on Shoutaro someday.
She changed her outlook --- 'Love is just the prelude to tragedy'. She pitied herself for being the na�ve girl who was charmed into Shoutaro's lies. She changed her style. She promised herself that she would never revert back into the old-fashioned, plain-looking woman whom Shoutaro found her to be. She vowed that she would make Shoutaro fall on his knees and beg for her forgiveness. She decided to enter the show business in order to overthrow him. She applied at LME Productions, the biggest talent agency in the showbiz world.
There were a lot of unexpected things that happened upon her entrance at the said agency. The president of the company, along with his granddaughter, grew very fond of her. He found great talent and natural skills in her, yet she lacks the most crucial thing for a human being ---the feeling of love. To bring back this lost emotion, she agreed to enter the Love Me Section ---a section the president made especially for her and her being the first member.
Kyouko met lots of new friends. One of them is Tsuruga Ren, the agency's biggest talent, who became her senpai (a Japanese term for a senior) in the acting division. She made a promise to herself that, aside from beating Shoutaro, she would also show Tsuruga that she is an actress good enough to act with him on a grand stage. What she didn't know and what Tsuruga refused to say is that he was actually Kyouko's childhood friend named Kuon (English pronunciation would be Corn), the person whom Kyouko describes as the prince of a fairy kingdom. Tsuruga slowly began to show his care for Kyouko and eventually fell in love with her. I might even say that one of his lines can really make it to the top five of the most-cheesy-yet-you-are-dying-to-hear lines: "I wouldn't worry that any other guy would take her away ---if it was another guy. But there is one guy that I'm worried about. It's because the mere mention of his name can make her heart shake." He's referring to Shoutaro Fuwa, of course!
The story doesn't only revolve around Kyouko finding love. Truth be told, it focuses more on how Kyouko slowly materialized her natural skills and passion for acting. Kyouko is also showed here as a professional neophyte actress that even veterans would salute. This story also projects the truth and secrets behind a performer's mask, how they would come to make a good interpretation of a certain role, and up to what intensity they should be able to play their part.
Kyouko Mogami would definitely become one of your most favorite female heroines. Her story is not a matter of hearts and kisses, but a story extraordinaire that you would find yourself wishing that you have thought of this story first before the author did. The ingenuity of the author in keeping the readers' interest in the novel is first-class that there would come a point of irritability at the very slow chapter update.
Currently, there are 152 chapters for this novel and still ongoing. It's actually available to read online via rel=nofollow [http://www.mangafox.com]http://www.mangafox.com.
Anyways, addicted or not, this manga would really gain exclusivity to your attention once you started reading it. There are still a lot of plot in the story that I skipped and intentionally did not reveal. Telling too much is a spoiler. Believe me, I know.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Skip-Beat!-Love-Is-the-Prelude-to-Tragedy&id=6579328] Skip Beat! Love Is the Prelude to Tragedy
It was an addiction waiting to happen.
It was a very rare opportunity for me to find a very good Japanese graphic novel (commonly known as manga) that will really get me hooked and had me following its every new chapter release. This manga, written by Nakamura Yoshiki, is one of the few stories that had a unique story line.
The protagonist, Kyouko Mogami, is an innocent 16-year old Kyoto girl who came to Tokyo at the request of her childhood crush, Shoutaro Fuwa. Shoutaro is an aspiring musician whose goal is to become the Number 1 Male Idol in the whole of Japan; of course he must first defeat the current number one--- Tsuruga Ren.
At first, Kyouko thought that Shoutaro's invitation was a manifestation of his feelings for her. She worked hard to pay for their apartment's rent, providence for Shoutaro, etc. She didn't even go to high school just for Shoutaro's sake. Shoutaro, on the other hand, became one of the most-sought musicians in the music industry. He now seldom comes home to the luxurious apartment that Kyouko painstakingly provided for him.
It was one fateful day that Kyouko decided to visit Shoutaro in his agency. Going to his agency is kind of tough considering the number of fans that would gather there but, having done 'infiltrating' the place a dozen of times, it was an easy success. What she didn't expect was to see Shoutaro flirting with his manager. She overheard the truth, Shoutaro's side of the story. Shoutaro asked her to come with him for the soul purpose of being his maid! He also blurted out that he would never like a plain-looking, old-fashioned woman like her.
What I really find amusing was Kyouko's reaction. Who wouldn't? Her reaction wasn't like any ordinary girl would do. She got mad, that's inevitable, but she didn't shed a single tear. She vowed to get her revenge on Shoutaro someday.
She changed her outlook --- 'Love is just the prelude to tragedy'. She pitied herself for being the na�ve girl who was charmed into Shoutaro's lies. She changed her style. She promised herself that she would never revert back into the old-fashioned, plain-looking woman whom Shoutaro found her to be. She vowed that she would make Shoutaro fall on his knees and beg for her forgiveness. She decided to enter the show business in order to overthrow him. She applied at LME Productions, the biggest talent agency in the showbiz world.
There were a lot of unexpected things that happened upon her entrance at the said agency. The president of the company, along with his granddaughter, grew very fond of her. He found great talent and natural skills in her, yet she lacks the most crucial thing for a human being ---the feeling of love. To bring back this lost emotion, she agreed to enter the Love Me Section ---a section the president made especially for her and her being the first member.
Kyouko met lots of new friends. One of them is Tsuruga Ren, the agency's biggest talent, who became her senpai (a Japanese term for a senior) in the acting division. She made a promise to herself that, aside from beating Shoutaro, she would also show Tsuruga that she is an actress good enough to act with him on a grand stage. What she didn't know and what Tsuruga refused to say is that he was actually Kyouko's childhood friend named Kuon (English pronunciation would be Corn), the person whom Kyouko describes as the prince of a fairy kingdom. Tsuruga slowly began to show his care for Kyouko and eventually fell in love with her. I might even say that one of his lines can really make it to the top five of the most-cheesy-yet-you-are-dying-to-hear lines: "I wouldn't worry that any other guy would take her away ---if it was another guy. But there is one guy that I'm worried about. It's because the mere mention of his name can make her heart shake." He's referring to Shoutaro Fuwa, of course!
The story doesn't only revolve around Kyouko finding love. Truth be told, it focuses more on how Kyouko slowly materialized her natural skills and passion for acting. Kyouko is also showed here as a professional neophyte actress that even veterans would salute. This story also projects the truth and secrets behind a performer's mask, how they would come to make a good interpretation of a certain role, and up to what intensity they should be able to play their part.
Kyouko Mogami would definitely become one of your most favorite female heroines. Her story is not a matter of hearts and kisses, but a story extraordinaire that you would find yourself wishing that you have thought of this story first before the author did. The ingenuity of the author in keeping the readers' interest in the novel is first-class that there would come a point of irritability at the very slow chapter update.
Currently, there are 152 chapters for this novel and still ongoing. It's actually available to read online via rel=nofollow [http://www.mangafox.com]http://www.mangafox.com.
Anyways, addicted or not, this manga would really gain exclusivity to your attention once you started reading it. There are still a lot of plot in the story that I skipped and intentionally did not reveal. Telling too much is a spoiler. Believe me, I know.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Skip-Beat!-Love-Is-the-Prelude-to-Tragedy&id=6579328] Skip Beat! Love Is the Prelude to Tragedy
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Rookie Is A Total Immersion Into Another Realistic World
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Libatique]Kelly Libatique
I'm generally not into sports books (or movies), but a friend recommended this book to me as being "wildly entertaining." And The Rookie by Scott Sigler is indeed.
The idea of a story about playing football 700 years in the future seems absurd, and if that was all it was about, then it may not be worth the time. At least for me, anyway. But the tale goes well beyond sports. From the get-go, we're not even on earth, but a planet that was colonized by a group of "purist" humans who abandoned earth long ago. They are self-righteous and, as it turns out, quite racist against other "sub-races," which is anything not human. Our main character, Quentin Barnes, is a young orphaned rookie football player who is discovered by the people that can get him into the big leagues and make him a star on the field. After being sold to another team, he's finds himself up a notch in the whole galactic football league and suddenly on the playing field with other races and beings, each with unique physical and mental abilities and styles of playing. As we go along, Quentin comes face to face with his beliefs, his racism, his arrogance, and learns to lead a team that is mostly non-human.
In very multifaceted ways, Sigler not only creates a realistic "galactic football league," but alien races and societies with amazing and well thought out complexity. These aren't just creatures you might see in a Star Wars film, but rather, they have their own unique cultures, and ways of perceiving things. As a reader, you become totally immersed in these worlds where the political power plays and the strong arm and manipulative nature of big money and big business very much mimic the way we humans do things now.
This book is also a huge social commentary on some of the problems that exist on earth today, from racism to tensions between differing religious beliefs and attitudes. As we near the end of the story, we end up back on earth and see how it's changed and how it's now rules by another race and has become a hotspot of terrorists activities.
I find it almost strange to say this, but I actually highly recommend this "out of this world" book, if only as a distraction and a total immersion into a fictitious fantasy world, but one so meticulously described and realistic, you'll want to believe it.
Kelly Libatique, author of "Divine Knowledge Transfer"
Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He has a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and Anne and two sons.
Visit http://www.Libatique.com or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Rookie-Is-A-Total-Immersion-Into-Another-Realistic-World&id=6581720] The Rookie Is A Total Immersion Into Another Realistic World
I'm generally not into sports books (or movies), but a friend recommended this book to me as being "wildly entertaining." And The Rookie by Scott Sigler is indeed.
The idea of a story about playing football 700 years in the future seems absurd, and if that was all it was about, then it may not be worth the time. At least for me, anyway. But the tale goes well beyond sports. From the get-go, we're not even on earth, but a planet that was colonized by a group of "purist" humans who abandoned earth long ago. They are self-righteous and, as it turns out, quite racist against other "sub-races," which is anything not human. Our main character, Quentin Barnes, is a young orphaned rookie football player who is discovered by the people that can get him into the big leagues and make him a star on the field. After being sold to another team, he's finds himself up a notch in the whole galactic football league and suddenly on the playing field with other races and beings, each with unique physical and mental abilities and styles of playing. As we go along, Quentin comes face to face with his beliefs, his racism, his arrogance, and learns to lead a team that is mostly non-human.
In very multifaceted ways, Sigler not only creates a realistic "galactic football league," but alien races and societies with amazing and well thought out complexity. These aren't just creatures you might see in a Star Wars film, but rather, they have their own unique cultures, and ways of perceiving things. As a reader, you become totally immersed in these worlds where the political power plays and the strong arm and manipulative nature of big money and big business very much mimic the way we humans do things now.
This book is also a huge social commentary on some of the problems that exist on earth today, from racism to tensions between differing religious beliefs and attitudes. As we near the end of the story, we end up back on earth and see how it's changed and how it's now rules by another race and has become a hotspot of terrorists activities.
I find it almost strange to say this, but I actually highly recommend this "out of this world" book, if only as a distraction and a total immersion into a fictitious fantasy world, but one so meticulously described and realistic, you'll want to believe it.
Kelly Libatique, author of "Divine Knowledge Transfer"
Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He has a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and Anne and two sons.
Visit http://www.Libatique.com or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Rookie-Is-A-Total-Immersion-Into-Another-Realistic-World&id=6581720] The Rookie Is A Total Immersion Into Another Realistic World
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tiffany_T_Cole]Tiffany T Cole
Once upon a time, there was a servant who went by the name of Cinderella. She had two wicked step sisters and a stepmother who liked to put her to an unfair amount of work, and her only friends were the kind birds and mice. In response to her distress, a fairy godmother granted Cinderella the magical assistance to trade her life for a much better one - a life beside a prince head over heels for her.
And, as thus, Cinderella lived happily ever after...right?
Whether you're familiar with the happier Disney version, the darker Brother Grimms version, or perhaps other versions entirely, the story still begs the question most fairy tale endings do. Was the ever after really happily? Author Michelle Davidson Argyle tackles this question in Cinders.
Cinderella, or princess Christine, isn't as content with her new life as she assumed she'd be. What with her fairy godmother imprisoned, Cinderella can't help worrying - not just about whether the godmother will live, but how far the godmother's magic stretches. How much of the prince's love is true, if any of it is true at all? How much of her new life is true, if any of it is true at all? Beside those concerns about her present, thoughts of her past still lingers. She can't totally drop old habits, like feeling comfortable in the kitchen.
More importantly, the memory of a guy from her past - a magical guy both real and unreal, a guy whose kiss had a different power than that of the prince's - won't let go. And Cinderella can't let go either. She has to wonder herself how far she will go, how much she is willing to sacrifice, to see him again.
A person's life is really just a series of story arcs. Will this arc of Cinderella's life end just as happily ever after as her previous one?
Argyle is a master at using the power of language to show a range of emotions. Sentences, like the following, said a lot even though it was short: 'She would look like porcelain for her prince tonight. He liked her made up like that.' When I peaked at the book months ago, that sentence stayed in my mind. I loved how she explored the magical aspects of the tale that weren't explored at all originally, like the godmother's power, and expanded on the magical world. What I loved the most, by far, was how morally ambiguous Argyle made Cinderella.
I can honestly admit that, at certain points of the story, I didn't like Cinderella. At some points, I questioned her motives and didn't truly understand how much depth went into her decisions...BUT that's not a bad thing. In this story, Cinderella was more human, more realistic, than I've ever read her. It's not bad that I didn't think she was the most awesome heroine ever. Not all heroines should and can be the most awesome heroines ever. I'm okay with that.
The only thing that concerned me was the story with Cinderella's previous mystery lover. I really wanted to know more about him, more about their past relationship. How'd they find each other? How exactly does his culture work? Questions like that consistently arose in my mind, and I was a tad bit disappointed that I didn't find out. I'm aware that this may have been purposeful. He is characterized as an elusive man.
As it is, though, I enjoyed the novella overall. Michelle Argyle is a talented author readers should definitely keep an eye on!
My name is Tiffany Cole. I'm the Editor in Chief of Triple R, a book review/literary site. Savior of the Damned, my first Urban Fantasy novel, is in negotiations with a publishing house I greatly admire. You can find me in many places:
[mailto:writergirllw@yahoo.com]writergirllw@yahoo.com http://www.tiffanyrambles.blogspot.com http://www.tinyurl.com/27x9sdz {My Facebook}
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cinders-by-Michelle-Davidson-Argyle&id=6572046] Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle
Once upon a time, there was a servant who went by the name of Cinderella. She had two wicked step sisters and a stepmother who liked to put her to an unfair amount of work, and her only friends were the kind birds and mice. In response to her distress, a fairy godmother granted Cinderella the magical assistance to trade her life for a much better one - a life beside a prince head over heels for her.
And, as thus, Cinderella lived happily ever after...right?
Whether you're familiar with the happier Disney version, the darker Brother Grimms version, or perhaps other versions entirely, the story still begs the question most fairy tale endings do. Was the ever after really happily? Author Michelle Davidson Argyle tackles this question in Cinders.
Cinderella, or princess Christine, isn't as content with her new life as she assumed she'd be. What with her fairy godmother imprisoned, Cinderella can't help worrying - not just about whether the godmother will live, but how far the godmother's magic stretches. How much of the prince's love is true, if any of it is true at all? How much of her new life is true, if any of it is true at all? Beside those concerns about her present, thoughts of her past still lingers. She can't totally drop old habits, like feeling comfortable in the kitchen.
More importantly, the memory of a guy from her past - a magical guy both real and unreal, a guy whose kiss had a different power than that of the prince's - won't let go. And Cinderella can't let go either. She has to wonder herself how far she will go, how much she is willing to sacrifice, to see him again.
A person's life is really just a series of story arcs. Will this arc of Cinderella's life end just as happily ever after as her previous one?
Argyle is a master at using the power of language to show a range of emotions. Sentences, like the following, said a lot even though it was short: 'She would look like porcelain for her prince tonight. He liked her made up like that.' When I peaked at the book months ago, that sentence stayed in my mind. I loved how she explored the magical aspects of the tale that weren't explored at all originally, like the godmother's power, and expanded on the magical world. What I loved the most, by far, was how morally ambiguous Argyle made Cinderella.
I can honestly admit that, at certain points of the story, I didn't like Cinderella. At some points, I questioned her motives and didn't truly understand how much depth went into her decisions...BUT that's not a bad thing. In this story, Cinderella was more human, more realistic, than I've ever read her. It's not bad that I didn't think she was the most awesome heroine ever. Not all heroines should and can be the most awesome heroines ever. I'm okay with that.
The only thing that concerned me was the story with Cinderella's previous mystery lover. I really wanted to know more about him, more about their past relationship. How'd they find each other? How exactly does his culture work? Questions like that consistently arose in my mind, and I was a tad bit disappointed that I didn't find out. I'm aware that this may have been purposeful. He is characterized as an elusive man.
As it is, though, I enjoyed the novella overall. Michelle Argyle is a talented author readers should definitely keep an eye on!
My name is Tiffany Cole. I'm the Editor in Chief of Triple R, a book review/literary site. Savior of the Damned, my first Urban Fantasy novel, is in negotiations with a publishing house I greatly admire. You can find me in many places:
[mailto:writergirllw@yahoo.com]writergirllw@yahoo.com http://www.tiffanyrambles.blogspot.com http://www.tinyurl.com/27x9sdz {My Facebook}
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cinders-by-Michelle-Davidson-Argyle&id=6572046] Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Jerusalem Inception, By Avraham Azrieli - Book Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gary_R._Sorkin]Gary R. Sorkin
"Gerster, Jerusalem Gerster" doesn't have quite the ring as, "Bond, James Bond" however as a character in author Avraham Azrieli's book titled The Jerusalem Inception, James has nothing over Jerusalem with respect to international espionage, romantic exploits and nation building. Set in the time beginning at the end of World War II, Azrieli describes his opening episode like a period piece; a "Sepia-tone" imagery of writing about a Nazi "deposit" of tons of diamonds (yes, tons of diamonds, 18 to be exact) and gold stolen from Jews killed at the death camps. Although the German General Klaus von Koenig is killed shortly after creating his secret account number and password to the Swiss banker, Tanya Galinski, a beautiful young girl traveling with the General survives and emerges to eventually fall in love with her captors, Elie Weiss and Abraham Gerster, Jewish resistance fighters. Tanya's epic feminine lure created an insatiable sensual attraction to both Elie and Abraham, resulting in a lover's triangle; complete with the friction, suspense, and human gratification so articulately structured using Azrieli's inherent talent for writing within the book's structural underpinnings and plot machinations.
Avraham Azrieli educates as he entertains with his fact laden style of writing, while he takes the reader forward some twenty years, into the stressful world status just prior to the historic 6 Day War which broke out on June 5, 1967. As we learn about the destiny of Abraham Gerster, becoming a Rabbi living within the strict laws of the Torah, Tanya is once again attracted to him but is kept at bay. She then seduces Gerster's son, Lemmy Gerster, a young man half her age, as they embark upon a forbidden relationship. The stolen fortune is not forgotten, as Elie, now an Israeli agent, is convinced recovering the stolen Nazi money can build a powerful infrastructure for Israel which will save the Jews from inevitably another Holocaust.
It is the acumen of subject matter combined with the art and style of Avraham Azrieli to keep the reader introduced to the secret ways of the Mossad and other international organizations; drawing from his first hand knowledge, while embellishing characters of formidable strength and fortitude. He spices the book with steamy sex, love and lust, along with the emotional perplexity of a lover's triangle complete with forbidden taboos. Azrieli keeps true to the core of historical happenings, while the stage is set for his characters to manipulate the fate of nations, society and the world as we now know it. This book is by all means a complex matrix of facts and emotions, one worthy of anyone's time taken to savor and enjoy. He perfectly mixes words spoken in German, Hebrew and Yiddish, as the thought processes of the characters, so foreign in many ways, are represented within their respective dialect, mannerisms and idiosyncrasies. This brought a level of authenticity and credibility to the plot, engulfing me into a time and place only imaginable to those of us born subsequently to these worldly tragic events.
To those unfamiliar of the living history of Israel, this book is a must. For those knowing the facts surrounding the creation of the Jewish State, this book is an absolute must. The inhumanity of the Nazis during the Holocaust is represented "first hand" by survivors, which will leave any sane person altered in some way. The plot and story play out in the reader's mind with extraordinarily impressive attention to detail, as the research and structure of The Jerusalem Inception evolves to more than just a novel, becoming analogues to Avraham Azrieli's doctorial thesis on the history of the world; specifically as related to the current conflict still ongoing in the Middle East.
Reviewed by: Gary R. Sorkin
Gary R. Sorkin is the Senior Editor for Pacific Book Review. Please visit Pacific Book Review at: http://www.pacificbookreview.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Jerusalem-Inception,-By-Avraham-Azrieli---Book-Review&id=6595005] The Jerusalem Inception, By Avraham Azrieli - Book Review
"Gerster, Jerusalem Gerster" doesn't have quite the ring as, "Bond, James Bond" however as a character in author Avraham Azrieli's book titled The Jerusalem Inception, James has nothing over Jerusalem with respect to international espionage, romantic exploits and nation building. Set in the time beginning at the end of World War II, Azrieli describes his opening episode like a period piece; a "Sepia-tone" imagery of writing about a Nazi "deposit" of tons of diamonds (yes, tons of diamonds, 18 to be exact) and gold stolen from Jews killed at the death camps. Although the German General Klaus von Koenig is killed shortly after creating his secret account number and password to the Swiss banker, Tanya Galinski, a beautiful young girl traveling with the General survives and emerges to eventually fall in love with her captors, Elie Weiss and Abraham Gerster, Jewish resistance fighters. Tanya's epic feminine lure created an insatiable sensual attraction to both Elie and Abraham, resulting in a lover's triangle; complete with the friction, suspense, and human gratification so articulately structured using Azrieli's inherent talent for writing within the book's structural underpinnings and plot machinations.
Avraham Azrieli educates as he entertains with his fact laden style of writing, while he takes the reader forward some twenty years, into the stressful world status just prior to the historic 6 Day War which broke out on June 5, 1967. As we learn about the destiny of Abraham Gerster, becoming a Rabbi living within the strict laws of the Torah, Tanya is once again attracted to him but is kept at bay. She then seduces Gerster's son, Lemmy Gerster, a young man half her age, as they embark upon a forbidden relationship. The stolen fortune is not forgotten, as Elie, now an Israeli agent, is convinced recovering the stolen Nazi money can build a powerful infrastructure for Israel which will save the Jews from inevitably another Holocaust.
It is the acumen of subject matter combined with the art and style of Avraham Azrieli to keep the reader introduced to the secret ways of the Mossad and other international organizations; drawing from his first hand knowledge, while embellishing characters of formidable strength and fortitude. He spices the book with steamy sex, love and lust, along with the emotional perplexity of a lover's triangle complete with forbidden taboos. Azrieli keeps true to the core of historical happenings, while the stage is set for his characters to manipulate the fate of nations, society and the world as we now know it. This book is by all means a complex matrix of facts and emotions, one worthy of anyone's time taken to savor and enjoy. He perfectly mixes words spoken in German, Hebrew and Yiddish, as the thought processes of the characters, so foreign in many ways, are represented within their respective dialect, mannerisms and idiosyncrasies. This brought a level of authenticity and credibility to the plot, engulfing me into a time and place only imaginable to those of us born subsequently to these worldly tragic events.
To those unfamiliar of the living history of Israel, this book is a must. For those knowing the facts surrounding the creation of the Jewish State, this book is an absolute must. The inhumanity of the Nazis during the Holocaust is represented "first hand" by survivors, which will leave any sane person altered in some way. The plot and story play out in the reader's mind with extraordinarily impressive attention to detail, as the research and structure of The Jerusalem Inception evolves to more than just a novel, becoming analogues to Avraham Azrieli's doctorial thesis on the history of the world; specifically as related to the current conflict still ongoing in the Middle East.
Reviewed by: Gary R. Sorkin
Gary R. Sorkin is the Senior Editor for Pacific Book Review. Please visit Pacific Book Review at: http://www.pacificbookreview.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Jerusalem-Inception,-By-Avraham-Azrieli---Book-Review&id=6595005] The Jerusalem Inception, By Avraham Azrieli - Book Review
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Several Characters in Search of a Plot - The Country Life by Rachel Cusk
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Philip_Spires]Philip Spires
The Country Life by Rachel Cusk presents several promises, but eventually seems to break most of them. When Stella Benson, a twenty-nine-year-old, leaves home suddenly to take up a private care assistant's job in darkest south England, it is clear that she is running away. From what we do learn later, but by then we perhaps care rather less about the circumstances.
From the start there was a problem with the book's point of view. Stella presents a first person narrative couched in a conventional past tense. Events - albeit from the past - unfold along a linear time frame, but despite her removed perspective, she apparently never reflects beyond the present she reports. Given Stella's character, this may be no more than an expression of her scattered immediacy, but that only becomes clear as we get to know her via her actions. This apparent contradiction of perspectives has to be ignored if the book is to work, but once overcome The Country Life is worth the effort.
Stella - to say the least - is not a very competent person. But then no-one else in this little southern village seems to have much about them. She becomes a live-in personal carer for Martin Madden, a disabled seventeen-year-old who lives with his rather dotty parents on their apparently luxurious farm. Stella has neither experience, nor presumably references, nor the pre-requisite driving licence. Her employers don't check anything, despite their reported bad experiences in the past. Thus Stella becomes part of a rather mad family called Madden.
Stella steadily learns more about the Maddens. They have their past, both collectively and individually. Pamela, a wiry, sun-tanned matriarch, is married to Piers. They have children, all of whom seem to have inherited different mixes of the foibles on offer. There's a local scandal or two, rumours of mis-treatment, sexual impropriety and more, but it always seems to dissolve into innuendo. This, perhaps, is the country life.
Stella herself is incompetent in the extreme. She gets sunburnt - in England(!), soils her shoes with melted tar from the road, gets drunk several times, falls into the pool, gets lost, cuts up her clothing, behaves inappropriately, steals on demand and can't find the garden gate. It's quite a week. As the book progresses, it seems unsure whether it should be a sit-com or a farce.
But at the centre of The Country Life is Stella's developing relationship with Martin. He is used to being the centre of attention and knows how to play the part, how to manipulate. He may, it seems, have inherited much from his mother and perhaps a lot less from his father.
The Country Life is beautifully written. It is both funny and engaging. Stella's life becomes increasingly a farce, however, and this crowds out some of the other themes that might have come more interestingly to the fore. Rachel Cusk's writing is always fluent, perhaps overdone here and there, but when you are that good at it, a little over-egging just adds to the richness.
Philip Spires
Author of Mission and A Fool's Knot, African novels set in Kenya http://www.philipspires.co.uk
Migwani is a small town in Kitui District, eastern Kenya. My books examine how social and economic change impact on the lives of ordinary people. They portray characters whose identity is bound up with their home area, but whose futures are determined by the globaised world in which they live.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Several-Characters-in-Search-of-a-Plot---The-Country-Life-by-Rachel-Cusk&id=6596689] Several Characters in Search of a Plot - The Country Life by Rachel Cusk
The Country Life by Rachel Cusk presents several promises, but eventually seems to break most of them. When Stella Benson, a twenty-nine-year-old, leaves home suddenly to take up a private care assistant's job in darkest south England, it is clear that she is running away. From what we do learn later, but by then we perhaps care rather less about the circumstances.
From the start there was a problem with the book's point of view. Stella presents a first person narrative couched in a conventional past tense. Events - albeit from the past - unfold along a linear time frame, but despite her removed perspective, she apparently never reflects beyond the present she reports. Given Stella's character, this may be no more than an expression of her scattered immediacy, but that only becomes clear as we get to know her via her actions. This apparent contradiction of perspectives has to be ignored if the book is to work, but once overcome The Country Life is worth the effort.
Stella - to say the least - is not a very competent person. But then no-one else in this little southern village seems to have much about them. She becomes a live-in personal carer for Martin Madden, a disabled seventeen-year-old who lives with his rather dotty parents on their apparently luxurious farm. Stella has neither experience, nor presumably references, nor the pre-requisite driving licence. Her employers don't check anything, despite their reported bad experiences in the past. Thus Stella becomes part of a rather mad family called Madden.
Stella steadily learns more about the Maddens. They have their past, both collectively and individually. Pamela, a wiry, sun-tanned matriarch, is married to Piers. They have children, all of whom seem to have inherited different mixes of the foibles on offer. There's a local scandal or two, rumours of mis-treatment, sexual impropriety and more, but it always seems to dissolve into innuendo. This, perhaps, is the country life.
Stella herself is incompetent in the extreme. She gets sunburnt - in England(!), soils her shoes with melted tar from the road, gets drunk several times, falls into the pool, gets lost, cuts up her clothing, behaves inappropriately, steals on demand and can't find the garden gate. It's quite a week. As the book progresses, it seems unsure whether it should be a sit-com or a farce.
But at the centre of The Country Life is Stella's developing relationship with Martin. He is used to being the centre of attention and knows how to play the part, how to manipulate. He may, it seems, have inherited much from his mother and perhaps a lot less from his father.
The Country Life is beautifully written. It is both funny and engaging. Stella's life becomes increasingly a farce, however, and this crowds out some of the other themes that might have come more interestingly to the fore. Rachel Cusk's writing is always fluent, perhaps overdone here and there, but when you are that good at it, a little over-egging just adds to the richness.
Philip Spires
Author of Mission and A Fool's Knot, African novels set in Kenya http://www.philipspires.co.uk
Migwani is a small town in Kitui District, eastern Kenya. My books examine how social and economic change impact on the lives of ordinary people. They portray characters whose identity is bound up with their home area, but whose futures are determined by the globaised world in which they live.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Several-Characters-in-Search-of-a-Plot---The-Country-Life-by-Rachel-Cusk&id=6596689] Several Characters in Search of a Plot - The Country Life by Rachel Cusk
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Pursuit, by Jason Garrett, Is Intriguing and Suspenseful!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Libatique]Kelly Libatique
Get immersed into the stirring and captivating fictitious world of Bishop's Island with Pursuit, by Jason Garrett.
The moment one begins reading this suspense-thriller, one is right there in a place called Bishop's Island. You can easily feel the cool air, smell the ocean salt, and see the old buildings. It is a place of numerous possibilities. It could be a serene and cozy vacation spot to snuggle in, a small historically rich settlement for the culturally inclined, or just an attractive location with ocean scenery and interesting native architecture and artifacts to enjoy.
But evil lurks everywhere, and an unfortunate past filled with men of nefarious character still haunts the old borough. From the first page, the reader is gripped with suspense as our lead character is stalked, intruded upon, and chased. But she's expecting this, and we're wondering why. We're then caught up in a plot that thickens with each chapter as we come to find out who she is, who her husband is, who the villains are, and the lengths to which people are willing to go for love, lust, and greed. Bishop's Island's rich history and the people who established it all play a significant role in the story's intricate plot and reason for the actions of our characters.
Pursuit is a novel that tackles some age-old plots but with some interesting new twists. We have our heroin and her self-made and successful, albeit estranged husband. We have a band of diverse criminals who are willing to do anything to achieve their end goal. We have a mystery to unravel and a maze of clues and dead ends. As we near the heart-thudding conclusion, the suspense is almost unbearable.
But Pursuit is not just a story about greed and love and the levels to which it takes people. It is also a deep dive into some philosophical questions about life. Characters in the book find themselves asking what their real motives are and what drives them. The reader may find him or herself asking some of the same questions about why our Creator allows some of the things in our lives to happen. Our main character, against all odds and at times without hope, clings relentlessly to her faith. In the midst of the pain, the quest, and the loss, her husband comes to find out why he had become the person he did.
I haven't read a lot of spiritually-based fiction, but Pursuit by Jason Garrett has inspired me to, well, pursue more. Check it out today and take the exciting journey.
Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He has a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and Anne and two sons.
Visit http://www.Libatique.com or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pursuit,-by-Jason-Garrett,-Is-Intriguing-and-Suspenseful!&id=6581709] Pursuit, by Jason Garrett, Is Intriguing and Suspenseful!
Get immersed into the stirring and captivating fictitious world of Bishop's Island with Pursuit, by Jason Garrett.
The moment one begins reading this suspense-thriller, one is right there in a place called Bishop's Island. You can easily feel the cool air, smell the ocean salt, and see the old buildings. It is a place of numerous possibilities. It could be a serene and cozy vacation spot to snuggle in, a small historically rich settlement for the culturally inclined, or just an attractive location with ocean scenery and interesting native architecture and artifacts to enjoy.
But evil lurks everywhere, and an unfortunate past filled with men of nefarious character still haunts the old borough. From the first page, the reader is gripped with suspense as our lead character is stalked, intruded upon, and chased. But she's expecting this, and we're wondering why. We're then caught up in a plot that thickens with each chapter as we come to find out who she is, who her husband is, who the villains are, and the lengths to which people are willing to go for love, lust, and greed. Bishop's Island's rich history and the people who established it all play a significant role in the story's intricate plot and reason for the actions of our characters.
Pursuit is a novel that tackles some age-old plots but with some interesting new twists. We have our heroin and her self-made and successful, albeit estranged husband. We have a band of diverse criminals who are willing to do anything to achieve their end goal. We have a mystery to unravel and a maze of clues and dead ends. As we near the heart-thudding conclusion, the suspense is almost unbearable.
But Pursuit is not just a story about greed and love and the levels to which it takes people. It is also a deep dive into some philosophical questions about life. Characters in the book find themselves asking what their real motives are and what drives them. The reader may find him or herself asking some of the same questions about why our Creator allows some of the things in our lives to happen. Our main character, against all odds and at times without hope, clings relentlessly to her faith. In the midst of the pain, the quest, and the loss, her husband comes to find out why he had become the person he did.
I haven't read a lot of spiritually-based fiction, but Pursuit by Jason Garrett has inspired me to, well, pursue more. Check it out today and take the exciting journey.
Kelly Libatique is a professional speaker, technical trainer, and author. He has a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Psychology. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and Anne and two sons.
Visit http://www.Libatique.com or Contact Kelly at: Kelly.Libatique@gmail.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Pursuit,-by-Jason-Garrett,-Is-Intriguing-and-Suspenseful!&id=6581709] Pursuit, by Jason Garrett, Is Intriguing and Suspenseful!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Migel_Jayasinghe]Migel Jayasinghe
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams; Folio Society Edition (2010).
Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was first published in book form in 1979. A comic novel satirising life on our planet in the guise of a usually strait-laced sci-fi story, it became an instant hit with the reading public. The book immediately attracted a cult following which has been growing over the years. Strange, I had not read this book during more than three decades of its existence until I bought it recently as part of a Folio Society special offer Christmas package. Although I had heard of it often enough, I never even thought of borrowing it from a local library.
The statistics are amazing. By 2005, four years after the author's untimely death, it had been translated into more than 30 languages and had sold over 14 million copies. I finished reading the 174-page book within a couple of hours and looked up Google to read the reviews. As expected, the majority of nearly 1,000 reviews were quite favourable, with only a few pointing to the lack of character and plot development as a weakness. On Google I found websites entirely devoted to (memorable?) quotes from the book. After all those accolades from devoted fans who claim to read the book over and over again, I have asked myself whether I am brave enough to critique it.
But, here I am; this is my take on Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for what it is worth. The stock characters and the lack of a story with beginning, middle, and end, are not my concern. I grant that the satire on human institutions and academic pretensions are spot on. The unexpected twists in the narrative and the verbal exchanges between characters are original and amusing, although not to the extent of provoking belly laughs. Under the rubric of the science fiction genre the author has the freedom to stretch the reader's credibility, but there are limits. For example, in a story with an intergalactic setting, speaking always within the earth time-scale of 'minutes', 'hours' and 'years' sounds amateurish. (e.g. 'On arrival we will stay in dock for a seventy-two hour refit,...' p. 50). The two-headed, three-armed Zaphod in conversation with the two earthlings, Arthur and Trillian, talks about everyday earthly situations, which appears quite out of character. He is better when indulging in the comic, contradictory ruminations for which he is designed by the author. The author also tends to overdo the satire in ascribing human emotions to computers and the constantly 'depressed' robot Marvin.
My verdict? The book is good, but not as clever or perfect as to merit mass adoration. http://outskirtspress.com/AMiscellany http://www.migeljayasinghe.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Hitchhikers-Guide-to-the-Galaxy&id=6597536] Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams; Folio Society Edition (2010).
Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was first published in book form in 1979. A comic novel satirising life on our planet in the guise of a usually strait-laced sci-fi story, it became an instant hit with the reading public. The book immediately attracted a cult following which has been growing over the years. Strange, I had not read this book during more than three decades of its existence until I bought it recently as part of a Folio Society special offer Christmas package. Although I had heard of it often enough, I never even thought of borrowing it from a local library.
The statistics are amazing. By 2005, four years after the author's untimely death, it had been translated into more than 30 languages and had sold over 14 million copies. I finished reading the 174-page book within a couple of hours and looked up Google to read the reviews. As expected, the majority of nearly 1,000 reviews were quite favourable, with only a few pointing to the lack of character and plot development as a weakness. On Google I found websites entirely devoted to (memorable?) quotes from the book. After all those accolades from devoted fans who claim to read the book over and over again, I have asked myself whether I am brave enough to critique it.
But, here I am; this is my take on Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for what it is worth. The stock characters and the lack of a story with beginning, middle, and end, are not my concern. I grant that the satire on human institutions and academic pretensions are spot on. The unexpected twists in the narrative and the verbal exchanges between characters are original and amusing, although not to the extent of provoking belly laughs. Under the rubric of the science fiction genre the author has the freedom to stretch the reader's credibility, but there are limits. For example, in a story with an intergalactic setting, speaking always within the earth time-scale of 'minutes', 'hours' and 'years' sounds amateurish. (e.g. 'On arrival we will stay in dock for a seventy-two hour refit,...' p. 50). The two-headed, three-armed Zaphod in conversation with the two earthlings, Arthur and Trillian, talks about everyday earthly situations, which appears quite out of character. He is better when indulging in the comic, contradictory ruminations for which he is designed by the author. The author also tends to overdo the satire in ascribing human emotions to computers and the constantly 'depressed' robot Marvin.
My verdict? The book is good, but not as clever or perfect as to merit mass adoration. http://outskirtspress.com/AMiscellany http://www.migeljayasinghe.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Hitchhikers-Guide-to-the-Galaxy&id=6597536] Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Book Review of The Immortals of Meluha
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amandeep_Kohli]Amandeep Kohli
The Immortals of Meluha is one of the biggest publishing success stories of the year 2010. Written by the Indian author, Amish, this book has gone on to break all records and has been on the best-seller list since its release. The Immortals of Meluha is set in the 18th century in the imaginary land of Meluha and with its unique storyline and plot, has managed to cast a spell over its readers.
The land of Meluha is inhabited by the proud and mighty clan of the Suryavanshis. These people follow the teachings of Lord Rama and pride themselves of being his ardent followers and living in a perfect society. The Meluhan people have access to a mysterious drink called Somras that allows them immortal life and frees them of any ills.
However, all is not well in the perfect land of Meluha. The Suryavanshi clan is facing tough times and is on the brink of war with its noisy neighbors from the land of Swadeep, the Chandravanshis. This other clan is the total opposite of the Meluhan people in terms of appearance and behavior. While the Meluhan pride them on being perfect, the Swadeepans love chaos and everything that is odd.
The other problem plaguing Meluha is that the sinister Naga warriors from the South have increased their terrorist activities and are constantly carrying out terror strike within Meluha. The Meluhan people have no answer to this as the Nagas disappear soon after carrying out these activities.
It is at this point in The Immortals of Meluha that we are introduced to the main protagonist of the book, a nomad warrior named Shiva. Shiva comes to the land of Meluha as a refugee from a village in Tibet along with his clan. However, he is unaware of the fact that he is the man destined to bring peace between Meluha and Swadeep.
With its unique plot and blending of history with mythology, Amish manages to create a book that leaves the readers captivated. Immortals of Meluha is the first part in the Shiva Trilogy and the second part, The Secret of the Nagas has also just been released. This book is a must read for all those who love fantasy and fiction.
This book is now available at all leading bookstores and is priced also very reasonably. However, it is better to purchase this book from online retailers like Flipkart in India which offer a huge discount on The Immortals of Meluha.
In case you're looking to buy [http://www.squidoo.com/the-immortals-of-meluha]The Immortals of Meluha, then you would like to read a detailed review of the same and also find out how you can get a 50% Discount on [http://hornokayplease.com/the-immortals-of-meluha-book-review/]The Immortals of Meluha along with Free Shipping!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review-of-The-Immortals-of-Meluha&id=6598694] Book Review of The Immortals of Meluha
The Immortals of Meluha is one of the biggest publishing success stories of the year 2010. Written by the Indian author, Amish, this book has gone on to break all records and has been on the best-seller list since its release. The Immortals of Meluha is set in the 18th century in the imaginary land of Meluha and with its unique storyline and plot, has managed to cast a spell over its readers.
The land of Meluha is inhabited by the proud and mighty clan of the Suryavanshis. These people follow the teachings of Lord Rama and pride themselves of being his ardent followers and living in a perfect society. The Meluhan people have access to a mysterious drink called Somras that allows them immortal life and frees them of any ills.
However, all is not well in the perfect land of Meluha. The Suryavanshi clan is facing tough times and is on the brink of war with its noisy neighbors from the land of Swadeep, the Chandravanshis. This other clan is the total opposite of the Meluhan people in terms of appearance and behavior. While the Meluhan pride them on being perfect, the Swadeepans love chaos and everything that is odd.
The other problem plaguing Meluha is that the sinister Naga warriors from the South have increased their terrorist activities and are constantly carrying out terror strike within Meluha. The Meluhan people have no answer to this as the Nagas disappear soon after carrying out these activities.
It is at this point in The Immortals of Meluha that we are introduced to the main protagonist of the book, a nomad warrior named Shiva. Shiva comes to the land of Meluha as a refugee from a village in Tibet along with his clan. However, he is unaware of the fact that he is the man destined to bring peace between Meluha and Swadeep.
With its unique plot and blending of history with mythology, Amish manages to create a book that leaves the readers captivated. Immortals of Meluha is the first part in the Shiva Trilogy and the second part, The Secret of the Nagas has also just been released. This book is a must read for all those who love fantasy and fiction.
This book is now available at all leading bookstores and is priced also very reasonably. However, it is better to purchase this book from online retailers like Flipkart in India which offer a huge discount on The Immortals of Meluha.
In case you're looking to buy [http://www.squidoo.com/the-immortals-of-meluha]The Immortals of Meluha, then you would like to read a detailed review of the same and also find out how you can get a 50% Discount on [http://hornokayplease.com/the-immortals-of-meluha-book-review/]The Immortals of Meluha along with Free Shipping!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review-of-The-Immortals-of-Meluha&id=6598694] Book Review of The Immortals of Meluha
Monday, January 16, 2012
Shadow Blade Is a Bright New Light!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Vanee_Smith]Vanee Smith
I'm a big fan of urban and multicultural action, fantasy and romance novels. Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass fits in all of the above named categories. Shadow Blade is no ordinary romance thriller. The main character, Kira Solomon, is a shadowchaser. That is exactly what it sounds like: she hunts things that go bump in the night. Kira is a real tough chick with a reputation for trouble. However, unlike many bad-girl archetypes in literature, we really get to see a different side of our protagonist. Kira's powers that make her the perfect shadowchaser are very damaging in her everyday life and prevent our hero from having functional relationships.
The author, Glass, really takes the time to appropriately develop the protagonist Kira. The reader is moved through several different personal growth moments with Kira, and really gets feel like they are growing with her. For me this created a real sense of connection and empathy with Kira and it gave me a need to see her reach her goals in the story. Unlike the typical bad-girl of literature, Kira has a very realistic human side. Her pain seems real, logical and fitting to the story. There are no dramatically estrogen filled moments that take away from the plot. Her emotions are portrayed genuinely. Kudos to Glass for that.
Now enters the lead man in our tale: Khefar. Kira has something that Khefar wants, and its more than her killer athletic body. He is a near immortal warrior, dozens of lifetimes old who has lost something that is key to his near immortal existence: his blade. Though the two are thrown together for a short while, their cooperation could mean the fate of the world.The two engage in a pulse pounding, non-stop journey rich in culture, Egyptian mythology and mysticism that will keep you flipping pages fast enough to make your fingers burn.
Khefar's character adds so much rich culture and ethnicity to the story. Despite his age and near immortality, the author portrays him as very human and extremely easy to relate to. This gives the story so much power and his personality really drives the plot forward. These two characters finding themselves bound in this battle of epic proportions to save themselves, each other and the world as they know is an impossibly good combination. Warning to the faint of heart, this tale can get a little dark and scary, which makes it an even better read!
Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass is a good read and I highly recommend it. There isn't a dull moment in the text. Glass is an expert at creating subtle sexual tension between the characters without over doing it. You can never accurately predict exactly what will happen next between the characters or in the action. Read this book! Just don't read it alone at night if you're still afraid of the shadows...
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Shadow-Blade-Is-a-Bright-New-Light!&id=6595815] Shadow Blade Is a Bright New Light!
I'm a big fan of urban and multicultural action, fantasy and romance novels. Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass fits in all of the above named categories. Shadow Blade is no ordinary romance thriller. The main character, Kira Solomon, is a shadowchaser. That is exactly what it sounds like: she hunts things that go bump in the night. Kira is a real tough chick with a reputation for trouble. However, unlike many bad-girl archetypes in literature, we really get to see a different side of our protagonist. Kira's powers that make her the perfect shadowchaser are very damaging in her everyday life and prevent our hero from having functional relationships.
The author, Glass, really takes the time to appropriately develop the protagonist Kira. The reader is moved through several different personal growth moments with Kira, and really gets feel like they are growing with her. For me this created a real sense of connection and empathy with Kira and it gave me a need to see her reach her goals in the story. Unlike the typical bad-girl of literature, Kira has a very realistic human side. Her pain seems real, logical and fitting to the story. There are no dramatically estrogen filled moments that take away from the plot. Her emotions are portrayed genuinely. Kudos to Glass for that.
Now enters the lead man in our tale: Khefar. Kira has something that Khefar wants, and its more than her killer athletic body. He is a near immortal warrior, dozens of lifetimes old who has lost something that is key to his near immortal existence: his blade. Though the two are thrown together for a short while, their cooperation could mean the fate of the world.The two engage in a pulse pounding, non-stop journey rich in culture, Egyptian mythology and mysticism that will keep you flipping pages fast enough to make your fingers burn.
Khefar's character adds so much rich culture and ethnicity to the story. Despite his age and near immortality, the author portrays him as very human and extremely easy to relate to. This gives the story so much power and his personality really drives the plot forward. These two characters finding themselves bound in this battle of epic proportions to save themselves, each other and the world as they know is an impossibly good combination. Warning to the faint of heart, this tale can get a little dark and scary, which makes it an even better read!
Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass is a good read and I highly recommend it. There isn't a dull moment in the text. Glass is an expert at creating subtle sexual tension between the characters without over doing it. You can never accurately predict exactly what will happen next between the characters or in the action. Read this book! Just don't read it alone at night if you're still afraid of the shadows...
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Shadow-Blade-Is-a-Bright-New-Light!&id=6595815] Shadow Blade Is a Bright New Light!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner: A Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Holly_Weiss]Holly Weiss
A cannonball wedged in the north wall of Holly Oak. The quiet elegance of the old mansion disguises the trauma the antebellum house suffered in the Civil War. Who is the ghost in the cellar-Susannah, rumored to be a Civil War spy for the north, or Union soldiers buried there? Susan Meissner's new novel, A Sound Among the Trees rolls all of this into one intriguing novel.
Marielle Bishop marries into the superstitious Bishop family. Little does she know what awaits her when she leaves her southwestern home. Marielle lives in a beautiful mansion surrounded by the shadow of her husband' first wife, the ghost in the cellar, and the contempt of Adelaide, her great-grandmother-in-law. Holly Oak itself seems to demand penance from the women who live there. Heavy burdens for all.
Susan Meissner is an award-winning writer and speaker. Publishers Weekly named her novel The Shape of Mercy one of the Best Books of 2008. Lady in Waiting, published in 2010, is a perfect example of her ability to combine contemporary and historical fiction. When Ms. Meissner is not working on a new novel, she is directing small groups ministries at The Church at Rancho Bernardo.
The book releases on the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War as a remembrance of the women behind the battles. Ms. Meissner doesn't miss a beat. Characterizations and plot are set in motion immediately. Well-crafted dialogue draws us into the mystery surrounding the antebellum mansion. The subtle use of subtext whispers us deeper into the puzzle. The novel expertly blends the present-day with hints of the past until the real Civil War story is revealed at the end.A reader's guide is included for book groups.The ghost haunts many pages of the book, but the real presence in A Sound Among the Trees is that of a writer who excels at her craft. Highly recommended.
WaterBrook Press graciously supplied the advance review copy for my unbiased opinion.
Holly Weiss is the author of a historical fiction novel, Crestmont, writer and reviewer of newly-released books. [http://www.hollyweiss.com]http://www.hollyweiss.com.
Free reprint of article if entire bio is intact.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Sound-Among-the-Trees-by-Susan-Meissner:-A-Review&id=6605313] A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner: A Review
A cannonball wedged in the north wall of Holly Oak. The quiet elegance of the old mansion disguises the trauma the antebellum house suffered in the Civil War. Who is the ghost in the cellar-Susannah, rumored to be a Civil War spy for the north, or Union soldiers buried there? Susan Meissner's new novel, A Sound Among the Trees rolls all of this into one intriguing novel.
Marielle Bishop marries into the superstitious Bishop family. Little does she know what awaits her when she leaves her southwestern home. Marielle lives in a beautiful mansion surrounded by the shadow of her husband' first wife, the ghost in the cellar, and the contempt of Adelaide, her great-grandmother-in-law. Holly Oak itself seems to demand penance from the women who live there. Heavy burdens for all.
Susan Meissner is an award-winning writer and speaker. Publishers Weekly named her novel The Shape of Mercy one of the Best Books of 2008. Lady in Waiting, published in 2010, is a perfect example of her ability to combine contemporary and historical fiction. When Ms. Meissner is not working on a new novel, she is directing small groups ministries at The Church at Rancho Bernardo.
The book releases on the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War as a remembrance of the women behind the battles. Ms. Meissner doesn't miss a beat. Characterizations and plot are set in motion immediately. Well-crafted dialogue draws us into the mystery surrounding the antebellum mansion. The subtle use of subtext whispers us deeper into the puzzle. The novel expertly blends the present-day with hints of the past until the real Civil War story is revealed at the end.A reader's guide is included for book groups.The ghost haunts many pages of the book, but the real presence in A Sound Among the Trees is that of a writer who excels at her craft. Highly recommended.
WaterBrook Press graciously supplied the advance review copy for my unbiased opinion.
Holly Weiss is the author of a historical fiction novel, Crestmont, writer and reviewer of newly-released books. [http://www.hollyweiss.com]http://www.hollyweiss.com.
Free reprint of article if entire bio is intact.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Sound-Among-the-Trees-by-Susan-Meissner:-A-Review&id=6605313] A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner: A Review
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Book Review - Nicholas Spark's 'The Last Song'
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rose_Ann_Ramones]Rose Ann Ramones
This is the first Nicholas Sparks novel that I have read. I liked the way he wrote, I liked the flow of the story and so I am planning to read his other books right away.
The book started a little low but it was actually good as the story goes on. The story began showing Ronnie's rebellion which I think is so typical for teenagers. Because of her behaviors, I can't help but compare myself to her. She was seventeen and I'm twenty but we were so alike. Different situations maybe but still, it's called rebellion. I guess we were torn between doing what we want and doing what grownups should have been doing -- the expectations, disappointments, and broken promises.
As I go on with the book, I met Steve, Ronnie's dad. The coolest parent I have ever known in my life. I even wished that my mom could be as understanding and considerate as he was. That maybe my mom could try for at least five minutes to try to understand what I'm going through. Anyway, Steve was dying because of cancer and so he did everything just to show his children the love he can give in every way possible. With their situation, I thought maybe people should value whatever they have now while they still have enough time and not wait for the day they start to realize that death has no exceptions. He died young but I knew he died happy. Could be with regrets, probably because of the lost three years with no communication with Ronnie, but the important thing was they tried hard to compensate that.
Then there was Jonah, Ronnie's younger brother, who was so adorable just like my little brother, in different ways though. He was sweet and innocent. I felt sorry for him for losing his dad at the age of ten but he was such a brave kid.And of course there was Will, Ronnie's boyfriend. When I was reading the book, the guy on my mind was Hayden Christensen, not Liam Hemsworth - - the guy who portrayed the role of Will in the movie adaptation of the book. He was such a gentleman, perfect. I'd like to meet a guy like him but I know that would be impossible.
Also, there was Blaze, Ronnie's friend, who was so miserable that I never want to be like her.There's also Marcus, Blaze's boyfriend, the creepy guy. Every time he was on the page, my heart beats faster because he really scared me. He was so unpredictable and I knew he was capable of doing anything, even kill people. But I was glad he did not.
Some of the unforgettable moments on the book: Will bumping upon Ronnie during the first day they met, the hatching of turtle eggs, Jonah's cookies, the Liar poker game, when Ronnie and Will fish, and a lot more.
All in all, the book was good but not as good as Dan Brown's works, I think. But I guess their books were great in many ways. Sparks can capture you emotions without much effort. I will definitely read his other novels, soon.
Rose Ann Ramones
Visit: http://r03249.wordpress.com/
Follow me on twitter: [http://twitter.com/#!/r03249]http://twitter.com/#!/r03249
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review---Nicholas-Sparks-The-Last-Song&id=6597289] Book Review - Nicholas Spark's 'The Last Song'
This is the first Nicholas Sparks novel that I have read. I liked the way he wrote, I liked the flow of the story and so I am planning to read his other books right away.
The book started a little low but it was actually good as the story goes on. The story began showing Ronnie's rebellion which I think is so typical for teenagers. Because of her behaviors, I can't help but compare myself to her. She was seventeen and I'm twenty but we were so alike. Different situations maybe but still, it's called rebellion. I guess we were torn between doing what we want and doing what grownups should have been doing -- the expectations, disappointments, and broken promises.
As I go on with the book, I met Steve, Ronnie's dad. The coolest parent I have ever known in my life. I even wished that my mom could be as understanding and considerate as he was. That maybe my mom could try for at least five minutes to try to understand what I'm going through. Anyway, Steve was dying because of cancer and so he did everything just to show his children the love he can give in every way possible. With their situation, I thought maybe people should value whatever they have now while they still have enough time and not wait for the day they start to realize that death has no exceptions. He died young but I knew he died happy. Could be with regrets, probably because of the lost three years with no communication with Ronnie, but the important thing was they tried hard to compensate that.
Then there was Jonah, Ronnie's younger brother, who was so adorable just like my little brother, in different ways though. He was sweet and innocent. I felt sorry for him for losing his dad at the age of ten but he was such a brave kid.And of course there was Will, Ronnie's boyfriend. When I was reading the book, the guy on my mind was Hayden Christensen, not Liam Hemsworth - - the guy who portrayed the role of Will in the movie adaptation of the book. He was such a gentleman, perfect. I'd like to meet a guy like him but I know that would be impossible.
Also, there was Blaze, Ronnie's friend, who was so miserable that I never want to be like her.There's also Marcus, Blaze's boyfriend, the creepy guy. Every time he was on the page, my heart beats faster because he really scared me. He was so unpredictable and I knew he was capable of doing anything, even kill people. But I was glad he did not.
Some of the unforgettable moments on the book: Will bumping upon Ronnie during the first day they met, the hatching of turtle eggs, Jonah's cookies, the Liar poker game, when Ronnie and Will fish, and a lot more.
All in all, the book was good but not as good as Dan Brown's works, I think. But I guess their books were great in many ways. Sparks can capture you emotions without much effort. I will definitely read his other novels, soon.
Rose Ann Ramones
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review---Nicholas-Sparks-The-Last-Song&id=6597289] Book Review - Nicholas Spark's 'The Last Song'
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
'Right Ho, Jeeves' - A Laugh Riot You Wouldn't Want to Miss
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Hari_P_R]Hari P R
P G Wodehouse is an acknowledged genius. Every book of his is a delight to read. The subtle injections of humour that fill his books, the outrageous characters which make you laugh at their every word and every action, the scent of romance that is an integral part of his stories - all add up to give the reader a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. Indeed, every work of his makes you lose yourself, forget all your worries, and immerse yourself in the sheer joy of reading Wodehouse.
'Right Ho, Jeeves' (also published as 'Brinkley Manor') is one novel of Wodehouse that is particularly magical. Like the other Jeeves stories, this one, too, relies heavily on Bertie Wooster's less than sharp-witted nature and Jeeves' genius for much of its humour. 'Right Ho, Jeeves' is special because it is a novel in which Bertie is farthest from sharp wit, and Jeeves' brain power is at its best.
The plot is, like most Wodehouse plots, centered on contrived romantic complications. The story is set in Brinkley Manor, where Bertie's Aunt Dahlia is holidaying with her daughter Angela, her friend Madeline, and Tuppy Glossop, the man to whom her daughter is engaged. Bertie's friend Gussie Fink-Nottle has a crush on Madeline. Bertie is invited to Brinkley Manor, where he realizes that he is faced with the fearful prospect of delivering a speech at a local school. To avoid the ordeal, Bertie invites Gussie to Brinkley Manor, tempting him with hopes of winning over Madeline. Bertie's actual intention is, of course, to make Gussie deliver the speech at the school in lieu of him.
Complications arise when Bertie, through his attempts to help Gussie's love, somehow gives Madeline the impression that he is in love with her. To Bertie's relief, though, she makes it clear that she cannot marry him, as she is in love with another person, who Bertie strongly believes is Gussie. Gussie, however, is too timid to propose to Madeline.
A comic situation begins to be formed when Gussie is encouraged by Bertie to get drunk to shed his apprehensions. Gussie, unfortunately, ends up drinking more than what would be considered normal, and goes to the local school to deliver his speech in a heavily inebriated state. Gussie delivers a riotously hilarious speech, slamming Bertie in an unabashed way, and even taking digs at the school's headmaster. The speech is loved by the students, but not so much by Bertie and the school's authorities. To make things worse, Gussie proposes to Angela, and Angela accepts him, just to anger Tuppy.
When bad comes to worse in a Wodehouse novel, the saviour has to be Jeeves. He sets things right in his typical style, sending Bertie on a long bicycle trip which Bertie later finds out to be futile, and while he is gone, using clever subterfuge to set every single thing right. Gussie and Madeline come together, Angela and Tuppy come together, and Aunt Dalhia is happy. Of course, all this happens at the expense of Bertie's honour, which is crashed to pieces by Jeeves in executing his plan.
The scene where Gussie distributes prizes is one of the funniest pieces of writing one can ever come across. One can read it over and over again, and his lips would twitch into a smile - at the least - every single time. The entire novel, in fact, is a laugh riot, with Wodehouse's most famous characters at their shining best. If anytime, you want to brighten your day up with some humour, this is the book you should get your hands on.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Right-Ho,-Jeeves---A-Laugh-Riot-You-Wouldnt-Want-to-Miss&id=6598552] 'Right Ho, Jeeves' - A Laugh Riot You Wouldn't Want to Miss
P G Wodehouse is an acknowledged genius. Every book of his is a delight to read. The subtle injections of humour that fill his books, the outrageous characters which make you laugh at their every word and every action, the scent of romance that is an integral part of his stories - all add up to give the reader a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. Indeed, every work of his makes you lose yourself, forget all your worries, and immerse yourself in the sheer joy of reading Wodehouse.
'Right Ho, Jeeves' (also published as 'Brinkley Manor') is one novel of Wodehouse that is particularly magical. Like the other Jeeves stories, this one, too, relies heavily on Bertie Wooster's less than sharp-witted nature and Jeeves' genius for much of its humour. 'Right Ho, Jeeves' is special because it is a novel in which Bertie is farthest from sharp wit, and Jeeves' brain power is at its best.
The plot is, like most Wodehouse plots, centered on contrived romantic complications. The story is set in Brinkley Manor, where Bertie's Aunt Dahlia is holidaying with her daughter Angela, her friend Madeline, and Tuppy Glossop, the man to whom her daughter is engaged. Bertie's friend Gussie Fink-Nottle has a crush on Madeline. Bertie is invited to Brinkley Manor, where he realizes that he is faced with the fearful prospect of delivering a speech at a local school. To avoid the ordeal, Bertie invites Gussie to Brinkley Manor, tempting him with hopes of winning over Madeline. Bertie's actual intention is, of course, to make Gussie deliver the speech at the school in lieu of him.
Complications arise when Bertie, through his attempts to help Gussie's love, somehow gives Madeline the impression that he is in love with her. To Bertie's relief, though, she makes it clear that she cannot marry him, as she is in love with another person, who Bertie strongly believes is Gussie. Gussie, however, is too timid to propose to Madeline.
A comic situation begins to be formed when Gussie is encouraged by Bertie to get drunk to shed his apprehensions. Gussie, unfortunately, ends up drinking more than what would be considered normal, and goes to the local school to deliver his speech in a heavily inebriated state. Gussie delivers a riotously hilarious speech, slamming Bertie in an unabashed way, and even taking digs at the school's headmaster. The speech is loved by the students, but not so much by Bertie and the school's authorities. To make things worse, Gussie proposes to Angela, and Angela accepts him, just to anger Tuppy.
When bad comes to worse in a Wodehouse novel, the saviour has to be Jeeves. He sets things right in his typical style, sending Bertie on a long bicycle trip which Bertie later finds out to be futile, and while he is gone, using clever subterfuge to set every single thing right. Gussie and Madeline come together, Angela and Tuppy come together, and Aunt Dalhia is happy. Of course, all this happens at the expense of Bertie's honour, which is crashed to pieces by Jeeves in executing his plan.
The scene where Gussie distributes prizes is one of the funniest pieces of writing one can ever come across. One can read it over and over again, and his lips would twitch into a smile - at the least - every single time. The entire novel, in fact, is a laugh riot, with Wodehouse's most famous characters at their shining best. If anytime, you want to brighten your day up with some humour, this is the book you should get your hands on.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Right-Ho,-Jeeves---A-Laugh-Riot-You-Wouldnt-Want-to-Miss&id=6598552] 'Right Ho, Jeeves' - A Laugh Riot You Wouldn't Want to Miss
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Book Review Of Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_M_P_John]Anne M P John
This is the first time I read or even heard of Anne Tyler. I picked up this book for three reasons. The first reason why the book caught my attention was that the author and I share a common first name. The second was that I am trying to read more women writers nowadays and the third being, the blurb describing the protagonist as someone who revels in routine, sounded quite suspiciously like me. Having no previous idea about this writer's work, I approached the book without any expectations and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised.
The story revolves around Macon whose wife, Sarah decides to end their long marriage. According to her it was a long-suffering marriage, but the tragic death of their son just happened to be the last straw. So Macon is left to fend for himself along with their cat and dog. It so happens that his dog turns out to be a bit too much to handle and he hires a totally weird lady named Muriel, who seems eccentric at best. We are also introduced to a host of other characters like Macon's exuberant boss, Julian, his old-maid sister, Rose and brothers, neighbors, Muriel's sickly son etc.
Macon writes guide books for business travelers, titled 'The Accidental Tourist in ----- (whichever city)'. In many ways Macon's life is much like his books which are meant for people who travel out of compulsion and don't really want to get out of their comfort zones. Almost everything significant that has happened in his life, including his career and marriage, were not out of any active choice that he makes. He comes across all the major events or turning points in his life quite by accident, passively being swept into it. And when the time comes for him, to finally take a stand and exercise his choice, does he do it?
I enjoyed Anne Tyler's writing style. Funny and light, yet addressing important questions and emotions. She is pretty descriptive, especially when it comes to the dog's antics, which I found particularly endearing. As the story unfolds, some of it is quite predictable, while the rest is intriguing. Towards the end, I was silently hoping for it to go down the path that my heart was rooting for - and I cheered when it did, however impractical it might be to pragmatists!
On the whole, The Accidental Tourist was a refreshing read and Anne Tyler has earned herself a fan! It was only while writing this review that I looked her up and I learnt that she is a Pulitzer Prize winning writer and what's more?The Accidental Tourist has also been made into a movie! Respect.
I shall definitely be looking out for more of her books!
Anne John is a software engineer turned journalist. She works as a freelance travel consultant for a travel planning website and as an editorial assistant for an online magazine. She enjoys reading, writing and traveling. For more reviews, interviews and a peek into the life and times of a young Indian woman who has shifted careers to follow her passions, please head to http://abstractadmissions.blogspot.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review-Of-Anne-Tylers-The-Accidental-Tourist&id=6598873] Book Review Of Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist
This is the first time I read or even heard of Anne Tyler. I picked up this book for three reasons. The first reason why the book caught my attention was that the author and I share a common first name. The second was that I am trying to read more women writers nowadays and the third being, the blurb describing the protagonist as someone who revels in routine, sounded quite suspiciously like me. Having no previous idea about this writer's work, I approached the book without any expectations and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised.
The story revolves around Macon whose wife, Sarah decides to end their long marriage. According to her it was a long-suffering marriage, but the tragic death of their son just happened to be the last straw. So Macon is left to fend for himself along with their cat and dog. It so happens that his dog turns out to be a bit too much to handle and he hires a totally weird lady named Muriel, who seems eccentric at best. We are also introduced to a host of other characters like Macon's exuberant boss, Julian, his old-maid sister, Rose and brothers, neighbors, Muriel's sickly son etc.
Macon writes guide books for business travelers, titled 'The Accidental Tourist in ----- (whichever city)'. In many ways Macon's life is much like his books which are meant for people who travel out of compulsion and don't really want to get out of their comfort zones. Almost everything significant that has happened in his life, including his career and marriage, were not out of any active choice that he makes. He comes across all the major events or turning points in his life quite by accident, passively being swept into it. And when the time comes for him, to finally take a stand and exercise his choice, does he do it?
I enjoyed Anne Tyler's writing style. Funny and light, yet addressing important questions and emotions. She is pretty descriptive, especially when it comes to the dog's antics, which I found particularly endearing. As the story unfolds, some of it is quite predictable, while the rest is intriguing. Towards the end, I was silently hoping for it to go down the path that my heart was rooting for - and I cheered when it did, however impractical it might be to pragmatists!
On the whole, The Accidental Tourist was a refreshing read and Anne Tyler has earned herself a fan! It was only while writing this review that I looked her up and I learnt that she is a Pulitzer Prize winning writer and what's more?The Accidental Tourist has also been made into a movie! Respect.
I shall definitely be looking out for more of her books!
Anne John is a software engineer turned journalist. She works as a freelance travel consultant for a travel planning website and as an editorial assistant for an online magazine. She enjoys reading, writing and traveling. For more reviews, interviews and a peek into the life and times of a young Indian woman who has shifted careers to follow her passions, please head to http://abstractadmissions.blogspot.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review-Of-Anne-Tylers-The-Accidental-Tourist&id=6598873] Book Review Of Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist
Friday, January 6, 2012
A Moment Of Eternity
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anuradha_Basu]Anuradha Basu
A Moment of Eternity - Bhabani Bhattacharya
The Prisoner was waiting for her verdict. The Judge called out "Prisoner at the Bar". There was faltering in his voice. There was a knot of trouble and throbbing of the old man's heart. The Prisoner had to resolve his problem. So she smiled at him. As the Judge cried he looked away, and the Prisoner felt he was like her Father. There was black cap waiting on the table for the Judge. It implied death. It was meant for the Judge to look like Yama. The convict pitied him for his trouble and loved him for his tenderness. There was mercy in the Judge's face. Perhaps he would not don the black cap. This was the moment of eternity. It was a condensation of all that happened. It was the moment of a drowning person yielding his last breath. Perhaps the convict was to be drowned not in river or tears or passion, but in mercy. But mercy was not coming after all. The hands of the Judge fumbled towards the black cap. It meant that the convict, the mother of Sona Mona was to be condemned.
It is in this moment of eternity that the life story of the convicted woman, the mother of Sona Mona is flashed before the eyes. Sona was a small girl child, not more than four feet tall, who would bath joyously in the tap water of the wall. Mona was younger. Mona was a baby girl whose name had no meaning, but was meant to rhyme with Sona which meant gold. The woman had these two small daughters.
Her husband was a shrunken man, with dark circles under the eyelids. He used to be sleepless with worry. He had not wanted to marry but because of his old grandmother who had encouraged him saying one day he would be High Court Judge with his learning and would find no difficulty in feeding an extra mouth. But unfortunately he lost the clerical job he had in the coal merchant's office. His wife who wanted to help could help in no way.
Then he got the job of a bus conductor. But he was already ill. He had fever. Suddenly he began to cough and spewed up blood. For one second he was thinking of the nice things he would buy with his monthly pay and the free medical aid he would get. But the sickness was galloping within. He had to be moved to the hospital, but the beds were full. His wife nursed him. She thought of the story of Savitri and Satyavan and how Savitri had fought against Yama and brought back her husband from the dead. But the mother of Sona Mona could not be Savitri. Her husband expired.
Then she thought of a way of suicide. There was a stock of opium in the house which Grandmother used to take. She gave some to her two children. Rest she took herself. Her two children died. But she lived. She thought of losing her sanity. But there was no way she could lose her sanity. She thought of various other ways of suicide. Drowning, Fire but to no avail. Mona had suckled death out of her breasts and Sona had taken it out of her hands. Now she was presented for the verdict of the Judge. She was charged with two cold blooded murders and attempt to suicide. She did not plead insanity. She confessed that she had done it in full awareness. She hoped for death as punishment from law.
But to her amazement, anger and disappointment the verdict was that she was to live. She would be imprisoned for four years. The moment of eternity came to an end with the sentence. She was a victim of the old man's mercy. She prayed for insanity but it did not come. The ringing voices of her two little daughters whom she had killed rang in her ears.
This story is a pathetic tale of poverty. It is the woes of a helpless woman and a mother. What she had done was to save her children from extreme poverty. She had wanted to be Savitri. It reflects the condition of an Indian woman left without a husband. She cannot fend for herself and she is left with no other choice but suicide. It is a pathetic picture of poverty and hapless motherhood.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Moment-Of-Eternity&id=6603820] A Moment Of Eternity
A Moment of Eternity - Bhabani Bhattacharya
The Prisoner was waiting for her verdict. The Judge called out "Prisoner at the Bar". There was faltering in his voice. There was a knot of trouble and throbbing of the old man's heart. The Prisoner had to resolve his problem. So she smiled at him. As the Judge cried he looked away, and the Prisoner felt he was like her Father. There was black cap waiting on the table for the Judge. It implied death. It was meant for the Judge to look like Yama. The convict pitied him for his trouble and loved him for his tenderness. There was mercy in the Judge's face. Perhaps he would not don the black cap. This was the moment of eternity. It was a condensation of all that happened. It was the moment of a drowning person yielding his last breath. Perhaps the convict was to be drowned not in river or tears or passion, but in mercy. But mercy was not coming after all. The hands of the Judge fumbled towards the black cap. It meant that the convict, the mother of Sona Mona was to be condemned.
It is in this moment of eternity that the life story of the convicted woman, the mother of Sona Mona is flashed before the eyes. Sona was a small girl child, not more than four feet tall, who would bath joyously in the tap water of the wall. Mona was younger. Mona was a baby girl whose name had no meaning, but was meant to rhyme with Sona which meant gold. The woman had these two small daughters.
Her husband was a shrunken man, with dark circles under the eyelids. He used to be sleepless with worry. He had not wanted to marry but because of his old grandmother who had encouraged him saying one day he would be High Court Judge with his learning and would find no difficulty in feeding an extra mouth. But unfortunately he lost the clerical job he had in the coal merchant's office. His wife who wanted to help could help in no way.
Then he got the job of a bus conductor. But he was already ill. He had fever. Suddenly he began to cough and spewed up blood. For one second he was thinking of the nice things he would buy with his monthly pay and the free medical aid he would get. But the sickness was galloping within. He had to be moved to the hospital, but the beds were full. His wife nursed him. She thought of the story of Savitri and Satyavan and how Savitri had fought against Yama and brought back her husband from the dead. But the mother of Sona Mona could not be Savitri. Her husband expired.
Then she thought of a way of suicide. There was a stock of opium in the house which Grandmother used to take. She gave some to her two children. Rest she took herself. Her two children died. But she lived. She thought of losing her sanity. But there was no way she could lose her sanity. She thought of various other ways of suicide. Drowning, Fire but to no avail. Mona had suckled death out of her breasts and Sona had taken it out of her hands. Now she was presented for the verdict of the Judge. She was charged with two cold blooded murders and attempt to suicide. She did not plead insanity. She confessed that she had done it in full awareness. She hoped for death as punishment from law.
But to her amazement, anger and disappointment the verdict was that she was to live. She would be imprisoned for four years. The moment of eternity came to an end with the sentence. She was a victim of the old man's mercy. She prayed for insanity but it did not come. The ringing voices of her two little daughters whom she had killed rang in her ears.
This story is a pathetic tale of poverty. It is the woes of a helpless woman and a mother. What she had done was to save her children from extreme poverty. She had wanted to be Savitri. It reflects the condition of an Indian woman left without a husband. She cannot fend for herself and she is left with no other choice but suicide. It is a pathetic picture of poverty and hapless motherhood.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Moment-Of-Eternity&id=6603820] A Moment Of Eternity
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Book Review Of Usha KR's The Chosen
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_M_P_John]Anne M P John
This is another first. I had neither read nor even heard about Usha KR. But I am glad that I gave The Chosen a try. This book is about a young girl, Nagaratna, who is forced to move out of her village after her father's untimely death. She and her mother join her brother's family in the city, where she continues her studies and starts working. The events that unfold in her life and her evolution and growth into a worldly-wise woman, without losing her innate qualities pretty much sums up the book.
The first thing that caught my attention was Usha's descriptive writing. Although this story is based in Bangalore, it was really not difficult to picture the everyday life and surroundings of Nagaratna. In fact, I could clearly see the crowded and bustling market streets, the busy shops and the lower-middle class dwellings replete with the sights and sounds of such environs. I have shopped in such shops, walked down such streets and visited such dwellings - therefore it was easy to relate to the described life of Nagaratna. Usha's attention to the minute details is highly evident and she beautifully weaves an interesting tale.
Nagaratna, yearns to go beyond the squalor and mediocrity of her surroundings and the people currently in her life, be it the gossipy neighbourhood women, her ardent admirers or her shallow friends. In direct contrast to Nagaratna's upbringing and social standing, is the school where she joins work as admin personnel. An island of tranquility and a sophisticated beauty, it is everything that Nagaratna has longed for. She idolizes the Principal, Miss Pandit. Nagaratna is swept away by the classy and suave Miss. Pandit, who seems to have clever answers and clear solutions for everything. In fact she seems so smitten by the lady, that at times I was almost scared that the story would morph into some lesbian love story. Thankfully it doesn't. (No offense to lesbians; just that, that was not why I picked up this book and therefore that was not what I was expecting.)
Speaking of clich�s, I was equally glad that Nagaratna's sister-in-law is not some kind of stereotypical, selfish shrew who is jealous of her or who quarrels incessantly over petty matters with her mother-in-law. Instead she happens to be a friendly and supportive person, which of course is good. Neither is the mother-in-law a bully and both share a cordial relationship. Also the school is run by a spiritual ashram with all the yoga, holistic healing gyan attached to it. So again I was a tad worried that it is going to turn out to be some kind of "Hare Rame! Hare Krishna"-hippies-false-gurus-who-get-exposed-as-a-sham story. Again, thankfully it wasn't. There is also a love story thrown in between Nagaratna and the much elder Vasant. Although not exactly a satisfying love story, again I was thankful that there was no sordid details of na�ve-girl-taken-advantage-of-by-bad-man-and-got-pregnant kind of stuff. Grateful to Usha for not putting it such done-to-death and lame digressions.
I am a kind of person who dislikes tragic endings. No matter how much tragedy happens in a story, I would much prefer it, if everyone is happy at the end. The Chosen is not really a tragedy. I would say, maybe it is a realistic story. This is not a fairytale and no one sails into the sunset to live happily ever after. I presume Usha didn't want a cliche in her ending either. So I guess the ending did not totally appeal to the impractical dreamer that I am, but I can quite see the practicality of it.
On the whole, The Chosen was a good read of a young woman who is "torn between who she is and who she wants to be" and I enjoyed it. The author weaves a tale beautifully, connecting the dots quite skillfully. Will I look out for more of Usha's books? Sure!
Anne John is a software engineer turned journalist. She works as a freelance travel consultant for a travel planning website and as an editorial assistant for an online magazine. She enjoys reading, writing and traveling. For more reviews, interviews and a peek into the life and times of a young Indian woman who has shifted careers to follow her passions, please head to http://abstractadmissions.blogspot.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review-Of-Usha-KRs-The-Chosen&id=6606387] Book Review Of Usha KR's The Chosen
This is another first. I had neither read nor even heard about Usha KR. But I am glad that I gave The Chosen a try. This book is about a young girl, Nagaratna, who is forced to move out of her village after her father's untimely death. She and her mother join her brother's family in the city, where she continues her studies and starts working. The events that unfold in her life and her evolution and growth into a worldly-wise woman, without losing her innate qualities pretty much sums up the book.
The first thing that caught my attention was Usha's descriptive writing. Although this story is based in Bangalore, it was really not difficult to picture the everyday life and surroundings of Nagaratna. In fact, I could clearly see the crowded and bustling market streets, the busy shops and the lower-middle class dwellings replete with the sights and sounds of such environs. I have shopped in such shops, walked down such streets and visited such dwellings - therefore it was easy to relate to the described life of Nagaratna. Usha's attention to the minute details is highly evident and she beautifully weaves an interesting tale.
Nagaratna, yearns to go beyond the squalor and mediocrity of her surroundings and the people currently in her life, be it the gossipy neighbourhood women, her ardent admirers or her shallow friends. In direct contrast to Nagaratna's upbringing and social standing, is the school where she joins work as admin personnel. An island of tranquility and a sophisticated beauty, it is everything that Nagaratna has longed for. She idolizes the Principal, Miss Pandit. Nagaratna is swept away by the classy and suave Miss. Pandit, who seems to have clever answers and clear solutions for everything. In fact she seems so smitten by the lady, that at times I was almost scared that the story would morph into some lesbian love story. Thankfully it doesn't. (No offense to lesbians; just that, that was not why I picked up this book and therefore that was not what I was expecting.)
Speaking of clich�s, I was equally glad that Nagaratna's sister-in-law is not some kind of stereotypical, selfish shrew who is jealous of her or who quarrels incessantly over petty matters with her mother-in-law. Instead she happens to be a friendly and supportive person, which of course is good. Neither is the mother-in-law a bully and both share a cordial relationship. Also the school is run by a spiritual ashram with all the yoga, holistic healing gyan attached to it. So again I was a tad worried that it is going to turn out to be some kind of "Hare Rame! Hare Krishna"-hippies-false-gurus-who-get-exposed-as-a-sham story. Again, thankfully it wasn't. There is also a love story thrown in between Nagaratna and the much elder Vasant. Although not exactly a satisfying love story, again I was thankful that there was no sordid details of na�ve-girl-taken-advantage-of-by-bad-man-and-got-pregnant kind of stuff. Grateful to Usha for not putting it such done-to-death and lame digressions.
I am a kind of person who dislikes tragic endings. No matter how much tragedy happens in a story, I would much prefer it, if everyone is happy at the end. The Chosen is not really a tragedy. I would say, maybe it is a realistic story. This is not a fairytale and no one sails into the sunset to live happily ever after. I presume Usha didn't want a cliche in her ending either. So I guess the ending did not totally appeal to the impractical dreamer that I am, but I can quite see the practicality of it.
On the whole, The Chosen was a good read of a young woman who is "torn between who she is and who she wants to be" and I enjoyed it. The author weaves a tale beautifully, connecting the dots quite skillfully. Will I look out for more of Usha's books? Sure!
Anne John is a software engineer turned journalist. She works as a freelance travel consultant for a travel planning website and as an editorial assistant for an online magazine. She enjoys reading, writing and traveling. For more reviews, interviews and a peek into the life and times of a young Indian woman who has shifted careers to follow her passions, please head to http://abstractadmissions.blogspot.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Review-Of-Usha-KRs-The-Chosen&id=6606387] Book Review Of Usha KR's The Chosen
Monday, January 2, 2012
Fantasy Stories - A Genre for All Ages
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lawrence_Hail]Lawrence Hail
Who hasn't engaged in the luxury of creating an alternate reality (for example) where one can fly or have a conversation with an imaginary animal or occupy an unusual landscape? One could safely say that from the time we are children, thoughts such as these and many others have occurred in all of us.
Although there are many different definitions for the word fantasy, the common thread between all of them could be summed up as; imagination unrestricted by reality! Anything goes in fantasy! A child's fantasy often can be as simple as, what will I be when I grow up, to spontaneously mocking up a character they've perceived and temporarily adopt that character in play. There was a fantastic culture created for teens who immersed themselves in the game "Dungeons and Dragons" followed by graphic video games and super hero movies, such as X-Men where each characters displays a unique ability far surpassing man's current ability.
Geography plays an important role in fantasy novels. Take for example Arabic based stories such as; Aladdin, Sinbad or Ali Baba, all have elements of its culture. The Genie that is common in such stories may have been born out of the hallucinatory and desperation of men traversing the desert. Pre-twentieth century Briton produced many sword and sorcery novels, many of them historically based but still having elements of fantasy. Asian cultures brought to the table many a dragons tale.
Some individuals maintain a high degree of imagination and have the uncanny ability to conceptualize especially wondrous and strange fancies. Many of these people are writers. The extravagant and unrestrained mental image pictures of the realistic coupled with the unrealistic from the vision of its creator, have fueled generations of satisfied readers and budding authors world wide and continue to entertain current and future generations.
One such author was L. Ron Hubbard. His extensive travels around the globe as a young man gave him a unique prospective about various cultures, traditions and superstitions which is demonstrated in his prose. As a writer in many genres such as mystery, western, air and sea adventures, far-flung adventure, tales of the orient and science fiction, his unique blend of fantasy stories continue to inspire new writers and readership of his works that remain in high demand to this day.
His early fiction stories from the Golden Age of Pulp Fiction are still available today. One such story is a fantasy fiction called "The Tramp". This story tells the tale of a down-on-his-luck tramp, Doughface Jack, who survives a terrifying scull crushing accident running from a cop and a train brakeman. Miraculously, not only does he survive but as a result of patching up his brain injuries, he develops phenomenal mental powers where he can heal or kill instantaneously and make the old young again. Terrified of the new found abilities, he flees from the university that has been keeping a watchful eye on him. As is wont with a good story, the evil person in the story turns out to be a beautiful but vengeful power lusting individual who wants to use Jacks ability to obtain her goal and nothing will stand in her way!
This story was published in 1938 so you will experience the flavor of the story that reflects the time period. As fantasy goes, Hubbard knew what would spark the imagination and then some. Its an enjoyable read all around.
Lawrence Hail is a huge fan of pulp fiction stories and loves to experience them in all formats from print to audiobooks to video and movie. Click here for a list of audiobooks at: http://www.goldenagestories.com/audiobooks
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fantasy-Stories---A-Genre-for-All-Ages&id=6607694] Fantasy Stories - A Genre for All Ages
Who hasn't engaged in the luxury of creating an alternate reality (for example) where one can fly or have a conversation with an imaginary animal or occupy an unusual landscape? One could safely say that from the time we are children, thoughts such as these and many others have occurred in all of us.
Although there are many different definitions for the word fantasy, the common thread between all of them could be summed up as; imagination unrestricted by reality! Anything goes in fantasy! A child's fantasy often can be as simple as, what will I be when I grow up, to spontaneously mocking up a character they've perceived and temporarily adopt that character in play. There was a fantastic culture created for teens who immersed themselves in the game "Dungeons and Dragons" followed by graphic video games and super hero movies, such as X-Men where each characters displays a unique ability far surpassing man's current ability.
Geography plays an important role in fantasy novels. Take for example Arabic based stories such as; Aladdin, Sinbad or Ali Baba, all have elements of its culture. The Genie that is common in such stories may have been born out of the hallucinatory and desperation of men traversing the desert. Pre-twentieth century Briton produced many sword and sorcery novels, many of them historically based but still having elements of fantasy. Asian cultures brought to the table many a dragons tale.
Some individuals maintain a high degree of imagination and have the uncanny ability to conceptualize especially wondrous and strange fancies. Many of these people are writers. The extravagant and unrestrained mental image pictures of the realistic coupled with the unrealistic from the vision of its creator, have fueled generations of satisfied readers and budding authors world wide and continue to entertain current and future generations.
One such author was L. Ron Hubbard. His extensive travels around the globe as a young man gave him a unique prospective about various cultures, traditions and superstitions which is demonstrated in his prose. As a writer in many genres such as mystery, western, air and sea adventures, far-flung adventure, tales of the orient and science fiction, his unique blend of fantasy stories continue to inspire new writers and readership of his works that remain in high demand to this day.
His early fiction stories from the Golden Age of Pulp Fiction are still available today. One such story is a fantasy fiction called "The Tramp". This story tells the tale of a down-on-his-luck tramp, Doughface Jack, who survives a terrifying scull crushing accident running from a cop and a train brakeman. Miraculously, not only does he survive but as a result of patching up his brain injuries, he develops phenomenal mental powers where he can heal or kill instantaneously and make the old young again. Terrified of the new found abilities, he flees from the university that has been keeping a watchful eye on him. As is wont with a good story, the evil person in the story turns out to be a beautiful but vengeful power lusting individual who wants to use Jacks ability to obtain her goal and nothing will stand in her way!
This story was published in 1938 so you will experience the flavor of the story that reflects the time period. As fantasy goes, Hubbard knew what would spark the imagination and then some. Its an enjoyable read all around.
Lawrence Hail is a huge fan of pulp fiction stories and loves to experience them in all formats from print to audiobooks to video and movie. Click here for a list of audiobooks at: http://www.goldenagestories.com/audiobooks
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fantasy-Stories---A-Genre-for-All-Ages&id=6607694] Fantasy Stories - A Genre for All Ages
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