Definitely one of the strangest books I’ve ever read. A boy is born in medieval France with superhuman powers of ‘smell’, where he can detect and distDefinitely one of the strangest books I’ve ever read. A boy is born in medieval France with superhuman powers of ‘smell’, where he can detect and distinguish thousands of scent. Instead of using this power to become a master perfumer he is rather enticed by flesh and murder.
It does have a very interesting social and religious commentary. The detailed description of ingredients and the processes were a little tiresome. I’d imagined this could be adapted as an anime but apparently it’s already been made into a movie starring Alan Rickman....more
Don't get the hype around Wuthering Heights. It's nothing but full of despicable characters who you have no sympathy for; and gloomy, meaningless deatDon't get the hype around Wuthering Heights. It's nothing but full of despicable characters who you have no sympathy for; and gloomy, meaningless death and disease. Why would anyone write a book with moroseness from beginning to end without any semblance of hope anywhere, is beyond me....more
Reading Agatha Christie feels like watching a movie; developing, executing and concluding not only the story, but also the characters, in a three-hundReading Agatha Christie feels like watching a movie; developing, executing and concluding not only the story, but also the characters, in a three-hundred page novel can be done only by her, something that people can fail to do in three volumes.
The story takes place on a shipping boat in the river Nile, much like the journey of The Orient Express but a notch less confusing than that. A peculiar feature of this book is that a lot of important events occur first and then the actual murder is committed, almost after half of the book. This does affect the pacing a little but the ensemble of characters maintained my interest in the story. Also, I felt glad that the person I was suspecting all along was the one responsible for the events that transpire. Here is one of my favourite quotes from the book-
“How true is the saying that man was forced to invent work in order to escape the strain of having to think.”...more
"If a man cannot tell what he wants to do, then he must find out what he ought to do."
I have tried reading non-fiction books many times but have never"If a man cannot tell what he wants to do, then he must find out what he ought to do."
I have tried reading non-fiction books many times but have never been able to go through one entirely. I would read them if there were more of them like Arthur and George, if more authors wrote like Julian Barnes, and if those books told me stories and were not merely compilation of facts.
I loved how this book was written, how Arthur and George's lives were fleshed out, how I could really sympathise with George's simple, yet proud; intelligent, yet naive; character. Arthur, who was as big a celebrity in those times as he is reverred now, seemed completely a person you could relate to, for most of the book. He was not ambitious, but active; with- as the author says- a right proportion of generosity and practicality.
My opinion may be biased because of the English background, but the book commented upon many problems and dysfunctions of bureaucracy, which are relevant in my country as well (given that it once was under colonial rule). Apart from this, the author has touched religion, relationships, detective work, and more things, in just the right proportion.
Two people were born and grew up and came alive in these few hundred pages, and I got attached to them. This is one of those books that remind me why I read books....more
I always imagine if Perry Mason was to be played by someone in Hollywood, it would be Matthew McConaughey. The second Perry Mason story begins again wI always imagine if Perry Mason was to be played by someone in Hollywood, it would be Matthew McConaughey. The second Perry Mason story begins again with a female client coming to him and lying, but I like the way he handles her and the different characters in the story. The rough and confident lawyer seems eager to enter my list of favourite sleuths. The story was undoubtedly good, with a touch of drama and suspense, it was a complete package. ...more
Most of the crime/mystery books that I've read usually have a background of England. This book was an interesting tour of many countries, including TuMost of the crime/mystery books that I've read usually have a background of England. This book was an interesting tour of many countries, including Turkey and Greece and France. Eric Ambler very skilfully painted the pictures for the different countries, all the places and people are vividly clear and distinguishable in my mind.
Many detective authors try and make their stories sound realistic by saying things in their book like "If this was a book it would have been easy, but this is real life and it's much complicated". But ultimately their stories are similar in a basic pattern, that is, there's a crime and a plot (maybe convoluted or not), and justice or a revelation at the end. Though Eric Ambler says similar things in this book, he did make his story different from that basic pattern. (I would like to say what's the difference but I don't want to give away the plot).
Apart from the two points above, another plus point was the good writing. I mean I'm not one to be much interested in too detailed technicalities, which were in abundance here, but I did not get bored for a single page because of the way they were written. And large bits of the stories, as they are recited by different people, are very nicely fit together. The story was, undoubtedly, engaging. I'm definitely going to read more of this author....more
I would have given this book four stars if only the end wasn't so rushed. I've always commended Agatha Christie's ability to create unique and innovatI would have given this book four stars if only the end wasn't so rushed. I've always commended Agatha Christie's ability to create unique and innovative cases, and admire her approach via psychology. This was even better in this book, because physical clues were almost next to nothing.
Also, I liked how the official person involved, Superintendent Battle, was not a dim-wit or a lousy person, but actually contributed to the case. I loved Mrs. Oliver and she was written like what I imagine Agatha Christie herself was. ...more
This is my second Peter Wimsey book, and though this is considered the best by Dorothy L. Sayers, after reading the book I realised that I should haveThis is my second Peter Wimsey book, and though this is considered the best by Dorothy L. Sayers, after reading the book I realised that I should have read a few preceding books as to get a clearer understanding of what's happening in his life. Fortunately enough, the book had very less of him and the protagonist was Harriet Vane, in the setting of Oxford.
I loved Harriet Vane. After a point in the book, I wanted the mystery to be solved by her and was quite ready to forsake the protagonist of the series. She had the brains to do it, also she was interesting enough to not require anyone else's contribution to make the book good.
For a change, this wasn't a murder mystery and it was a refreshing change. Let's leave it at that.
As compared to the previous Wimsey book which I read (Whose Body?), I loved the writing in this one. I had many of the dialogues copied, because of the brilliance with which they were written. Though the philosophical parts became a tad too much. ...more
I should always wait for my mind to settle down, after I'm done with a book, and only then should I rate and review on this site. Otherwise, under theI should always wait for my mind to settle down, after I'm done with a book, and only then should I rate and review on this site. Otherwise, under the melancholy, which clouds me at the end of any book, makes me rate it more than it deserves.
As I read the last sentence of The Count of Monte Cristo, I opened GR and gave it a four star. Now, after digesting the book, I changed it to a three star. And I can give reasons for that.
First and foremost, the book was utterly predictable. When Edmond Dantés was displayed as the innocent and happiest man alive, it was obvious that he is going to be a prey of some big conspiracy. And when within a hundred pages, the protagonist was in such despair that he was contemplating suicide, it was again obvious that there is going to be a great vengeance. And in essence, the book was all about that.
My second problem with the book was that much of the calamity that the conspirators suffered was brought on them by themselves, while the Count chipped in between, here and there, helping 'Providence'. (I was tired by the number of times this word was mentioned.) I had expected the Count to do something very crafty and scheme something devilish, the way he was portrayed to have become so dark.
Also, there was too much grief. Not only in the time the story goes on, but the past also held so much grief, as retold by Bertuccio, Noirtier, etc. Even the end does not sate your heart, but leaves you sad.
Apart from all this, I was reading a translated and abridged version of the book, which I think did not, and could not, capture the original picture. And I am glad for it, because I don't think I have the patience to read such a monstrous book in length.
Now some points in favour. I shouldn't have to say anything because it's an evergreen classic, but just to balance things out- The characters were fabulous. So many of them, all distinct, beautifully crafted. (And I say so because I did not confuse all those French names.) The way the Count is revealed to people is amazing. Abbé Busoni, Sinbad the Sailor, etc. And, as is the case with most of the classics, the many aspects of human nature are so realistically shown. Strong and complex characters like Caderousse, Noirtier, Villefort, etc. Young and light characters like Albert who go on to accept the seriousness of life, and work sincerely to redeem themselves. And so many more. A great piece of literature, though not close to my heart....more
I love Wilkie Collins' writing. He so easily engages and draws me into his stories, it is a struggle to leave them and go back to the real world. ThisI love Wilkie Collins' writing. He so easily engages and draws me into his stories, it is a struggle to leave them and go back to the real world. This was a not-very-beautiful, but subtle and clever portrayal of the world we live in and the people within it (rather a world he lived in). The good part about the book is, apart from it being a convoluted story, many important themes have been left entirely up to your interpretation, so whether you are a superstitious person who seeks and finds omens and such in your vicinity, or if you are a person who chooses to rely on the conclusions derived from the machinations of your brain, both will tend to love this book, as I did....more
I loved what this book did to me. After reading it for the first time, I was baffled at the end, but not completely satisfied. Yet, I rated it 4 starsI loved what this book did to me. After reading it for the first time, I was baffled at the end, but not completely satisfied. Yet, I rated it 4 stars because whatever my dissatisfaction may be due to, the book certainly did not lack in complexity and an eerily mysterious aura, and had me on my edge throughout its course. I discussed several points of the book with my friends who had read the book, but it did not my feeling of incomplete-ness. So to sate myself, I read the whole book over again, and I'm so glad to say that I was immensely satisfied. It was as if there were certain holes in my memories of the story, which were filled in by the re-read. I picked out the subtle clues and cleverly hidden dialogues along the way with an increasing awe for Agatha Christie.
So I say it again, I loved what this book did to me. I want a book to leave me with an urge for questions and contemplation (and this book did it not only in concern with the mystery, but also with the very delicate topic of human nature handing out judgments to everyone around him), and what's more, the answers were in the book itself. ...more
Perry Mason is a gruff, unafraid, confident and cunning man, with a few principles of his own. I was able to decipher this because he was the protagonPerry Mason is a gruff, unafraid, confident and cunning man, with a few principles of his own. I was able to decipher this because he was the protagonist of the book. But for all the other characters (except for maybe Della Street, the assistant), I couldn't figure out what kind of people they were, because the focus was on the story, and minimal character development. In a way this was good too, because we want to enjoy the mystery and who gives two figs about how the characters were. But in the long run, when you look at the characters and they look more 'people' than 'characters', it helps attaching to the story. (I think this is the difference between other crime writers and Agatha Christie.)
On the other hand, the plot was too good, the writing was good enough, and finally the protagonist was not a detective (professional or amateur), but a lawyer, which was a change for the good. ...more
I love stories set in a nineteenth or twentieth century England. This was a typical whodunit story, with all the good ingredients- distractions, alibiI love stories set in a nineteenth or twentieth century England. This was a typical whodunit story, with all the good ingredients- distractions, alibi, inquests, detailed looking at clues, and whatnot. I can imagine this would have been a popular story at the time of its publication.
Though Lord Peter Wimsey wasn't a character I could appreciate much. Nor was the writing very alluring. Some of the dialogues were too long, and the way Wimsey kept on quoting poems was awkward. There was some philosophical stuff which went for a bit too long.
Though not soon, I do intend to read the next part....more
As good as ever, Agatha Christie. Though I couldn't relate to the psychology of the murder. As good as ever, Agatha Christie. Though I couldn't relate to the psychology of the murder. ...more
Agatha Christie is a WITCH! I don't know how but she manages to confound me EVERY TIME I read one of her books. Specially, with this one. You're goingAgatha Christie is a WITCH! I don't know how but she manages to confound me EVERY TIME I read one of her books. Specially, with this one. You're going with the story, reading with a flow, building up to the climax, and then suddenly whatever you were thinking is snatched away from you, and you begin to look at the things in a way that you never thought of until now.
And to do her justice, not only was this story (and any of her others) thrilling, but it had an element of reality better than most of her counterparts (no comparisons). And here's an example, in the words of Poirot-
"And it is very true—when a young girl is dead, that is the kind of thing that is said. She was bright. She was happy. She was sweet-tempered. She had not a care in the world. She had no undesirable acquaintances. There is a great charity always to the dead. Do you know what I should like this minute? I should like to find someone who knew Elizabeth Barnard and who does not know she is dead! Then, perhaps, I should hear what is useful to me—the truth.”
(Skip this paragraph to avoid spoilers.) At one point of time in the book, I felt I was going to be disappointed, because up to the last the crimes were attributed to mental illness, and what fun is in that? I had my doubts deep within, but they were too deep to have any effect on what I was reading.
But when we came to the typical Christie climax scene, a room full of people, and Poirot giving his dramatic explanation, that is when the cloud from in front of my eyes cleared and I praised one of the best writers of detective stories ever! ...more
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