Book Review : Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What can I say..I just love the way Ian McEwan writes, to say the least.

The extent to which he chooses to linger on some moments in the lives/days/hours of his characters is just what I live by when reading him. For some, it may mean 'too much detail' but for others(and me) its just his style.
On Chisel Beach is devastating in a funny way. It touches upon the most uncomfortable parts of the initial few hours in a married couple's life. Be prepared to feel embarrassed and awkward.The vanity and the sarcasm is all very English. The book is short and as intense as Ian McEwan gets.

Strictly for McEwan fans ONLY!

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Apples By Richard Milward

Apples by Richard Milward


My rating: 1 of 5 stars
While I usually enjoy reading about teenagers and their tantrums about,in general, everything in life, I wouldn't like to be made to read the banalities associated with them.It was apparently a failed attempt at doing another Catcher In The Rye.I was unable to finish reading it.

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The Painter Of Signs

The Painter of Signs by R.K. Narayan


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Being my first R.K.Narayan, I was really curious to know his writing style. The character Daisy was confusing. May be its just me. Otherwise, I enjoyed the nuances and idiosyncracies of Raaman and the way they've been written.

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Book : Shopaholic & baby

Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The only way I can justify my choice of these books can probably be associated to the in-between-good-books void that makes one restless, almost desperate. Its unimpressive and frivolous that some people call 'light reading'. I would have said it might be interesting for shopaholics,but unfortunately, I strongly believe this book is exageration personified, even in that area.

I gave it ** because the hard paperback(large print) cover was eye-catching.

Read it at your own risk (of being influenced by frivolity).

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Shantaram

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I didn't have to finish reading the book to rate it a 5 starrer. Shantaram is not just a book its an experience, to say the least.
I does run the risk of sounding lame from the literary point of view, also can be rightly blamed of making the protagonist look like a hero(from a Bollywood movie in some places)in most situations concerning him. As some people point out, perhaps, the character of Lin could have been made more imperfect and more human, I don't see how not doing that has in anyway reduced the significance of the character's experiences.

Besides, being an Indian myself, I acknowledge the fact that while most books written about India by foreign authors stop at romanticizing the poverty, this one has gone beyond and found honesty,intensity and individuality in the people(most of it by being one of them). I respect that.

Considering its a true story, as exaggerated as it might have been, this book is not to be missed!!

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