Prisoner’s Dilemma-Vish Dhamija

Book: Prisoner’s Dilemma
Author: Vish Dhamija
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

Have you heard of the concept of “Prisoner’s Dilemma” in Game theory?

Prisoner’s Dilemma by Vish Dhamija explores the story of Bipin Desai and Anuj Shastri, who are two best friends who lead equally pointless lives, but that doesn’t stop them from dreaming big and getting rich fast. Together they concoct a plan to rob a van full of cash and manage to get away with loot of over one crore rupees. But the van belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Delhi, which means there is pressure on the police to solve the case quickly. The two are arrested within days, but the cash is still nowhere to be found. The officer-in-charge, Senior Inspector Arfy Khan, has forty-eight hours to make Bipin and Anuj confess to their crime by convincing one of them to go against the other. The two friends only have to keep their calm and their stories straight in front of the police officer. But there is one major obstacle: SI Khan isn’t allowing Bipin and Anuj or their lawyers to see or talk to each other. Will the two survive the test of their friendship? Or will they choose personal freedom in the face of a twisted dilemma?

This book is based on the idea of the titular concept prevalent in Game theory, and the basic idea of two people recounting incidents, specially when they are lying. The storyline is excellently done, and the magic lies in its simplicity. The story moves in two parallel tracks, one that explores the stories of Bipin and Anuj as they faced life, and another inside an interrogation room in a police station in Gurgaon. As you read the story, you realise that the in the particular story the devil lies in the details and the way the entire heist is planned and executed is commendable. Another thing I really loved about the book is that the cards are kept very close till the very end and as a reader you are compelled to keep the pages turning to find out how the characters come out of the pit they have dug themselves in. There are minute and fine details that Vish has used to make sure that the reader is convinced about the plot. Right from the car models to the planning of the heist, I could visualize the events and that is what made the ride enjoyable for me. The buildup to the climax is impressive and as you realise that the book has ended, you realise the mastery of the craft and deception that Vish has.

This story is based on a concept that relies on the trust the reader places on the characters and the story they are narrating, and the way in which the characters in this book are sketched, you start connecting and empathizing with the situation they are in. In the case of Bipin and Anuj, their journey to make their life worthwhile is something all of us have felt at some point or the other. I liked how Vish creates this trio of friends who stick through thick and thin, and the way their lives turn out, it is a story of friendship that usually anyone would love to have. Another interesting character is that of SI Arfy, and the mannerisms that Vish builds in his character from being forgetful to the stumbling, I liked how his story is told, specially towards the end.

Overall, the idea of using this concept for a story that primarily takes place inside a room with nothing else is quite amazing and a definite recommendation for anyone who loves a well baked thriller. The book scores a 4.69/5 for me.

I goy my copy from Kunzum Delhi, and you can get your copies wherever books are sold or Amazon India.

The Curse of Kuldhara-Richa S. Mukherjee

Book: The Curse of Kuldhara (A Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd. Mystery)
Author: Richa S. Mukherjee
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Do you think the paranormal beings exist and can affect our lives?

What can possibly go wrong when fame and fortune come knocking? Plenty! We return to the charming and colorful lanes of Gwaltoli to revisit Prachand Tripathi, our favorite desi detective and owner of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd. While he has progressed from locating lost pets and garments to problems of gravitas, their moderate fame doesn't impress wife and CFO Vidya Tripathi who still complains about wasted potential and the tepid life they lead. As if on cue, an unusual but promising proposal comes their way, one they simply cannot refuse. It's an invitation to oversee a film shoot based on their lives, whisking them away to the resplendent deserts of Rajasthan. What follows is an unbelievable and spine-chilling adventure that will drag them through a morass of inexplicable events, dangerous secrets and a cursed, abandoned village that wreaks havoc on the living and dead alike.

Richa brings back the eccentric detective Prachand Tripathi back in this installment of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd, and this time the mystery seems to be a bit out of the Tripathis’ league. The book starts on a wonderful note as it opens to a scene in Kuldhara and we are introduced to a paranormal activity, and as we meet Prachand again, it is in the lanes of Gwaltoli as he comes back home, and true to Richa’s style, it is not just a narration, but a description filled with audio, visual and olfactory cues as we step into his home. What happens next in this book is something that I truly couldn’t have imagined. Creating this detective in a small town, we see an office where peanuts are eaten and animals found, yet there is an air of importance. The storytelling is filled with sarcasm, wit and humor that keeps you smiling, grinning and at times on your toes. I loved the fact that she builds in the local dialect with Ammaji and Arjun specially. As you journey from the bylanes of Kanpur to the dusty dunes of Rajasthan, we come across an urban legend of the haunted ruins where the Tripathis have travelled for the film shoot. I loved how Richa weaves in the legend into the plot of the book and keeps it relevant till the very last page of the book.  

The characters that inhabit this world are as unique as the premise they are developed to push forward. While we have met our local sleuth Prachand in the previous book, this time, his character gets interesting as he uses his skills to get to the bottom of a case where the primary suspect might just be otherworldly. Vidya, once again, is the balancing act for Prachand and I loved the way she drives the story forward with her sane arguments in this mad motley of people. Bhutaari Baba was another character who stood out for me, specially with the role he played in the story. Paramveer Khattar, Ramnarayan Rathod and his wife were a set of characters who are crafted to perfection and specially the manner in which the story unfolds, I was in awe of the minute attention to details Richa has paid to create these people.

But Richa’s stories are not just about the plot or the characters, it is the way she tells the story of these characters that attracts a reader. Right from using the local dialect to put across the point, or creating characters who are so absurd that you fall in love with them at the first instance. Another important aspect of the story is food, and to be honest, it is a critical plot point that comes to light quite late in the book. Right from the Rachna Tripathi’s achaars to the Rajasthani cuisine in Kuldhara and Jaisalmer, the descriptions are so vivid that you start drooling at some point. Having roots in Kanpur as well, I could relate to the dhaniye ke aloo and Thaggoo ke Laddoo that help set the tone of the book perfectly. Lastly, the research that would have gone into telling this story is something I would really commend Richa on. Right from the curse of Kuldhara, to the various ways of committing the said crime, the police procedurals are very perfectly done which makes the reading even better.

Also, Camels on a crime scene? Still cannot get that out of my mind.

The book was truly worth the wait and as is with a story this powerful and specially with scenes that I have had to highlight to keep as memories, Prachand Tripathi walks away with 5 Camels (or is it 5 jalebis?)  and then some more.

I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review by the publisher.

The book is available on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

Also, if you want to check out my review of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd. , check it out here.

Krishna: The 7th Sense-Debashis Chatterjee

Book: Krishna: The 7th Sense
Author: Debashis Chatterjee
Publisher: Rupa Publications

What is the lesson you derive from the life of Krishna?

In Krishna: The 7th Sense, well-known author and globally acclaimed management professor, Debashis Chatterjee offers an allegorical view into the lives of a teacher (Keshav) and his old students (Neel, Kaya and others), and conjures up some unforgettable lessons in love. This is a magnificent saga of passion and pain, acceptance and affection, faith and fulfilment—a story that is at once ancient and contemporary. In a world where romance ignites and fades, we often find asking ourselves ‘what went wrong?’ But what if you were given another chance to discover the flame of ecstatic love? Imagine being in love all over again, or seeing your love from a timeless horizon. What if you had Shri Krishna as your mentor to help you navigate the passion and perils of your life?

Whenever I usually read a book, it fits neatly into a box, fiction or non-fiction, but with this book, while formally classified as a fictional book, after reading, I am still undecided. The concept of this book is quite unique and I loved how the author balances 3 plotlines that run concurrently and converge in the end. The author uses the life of Krishna to draw out important life lessons about the idea of love and how we see and perceive the world around us. Apart from his story, Debashis runs a fictional story of Keshav and his students, one in the past as a professor, and another in the present when they meet again after years. Through significant incidents in Krishna’s life from the epics, Keshav drives out allegories and comparisons that show the various facets of love and how they impact us. Touching aspects such as Affection, Desire, Ecstasy, Absence, Devotion, Parting and Freedom, Debashis makes some poignant points that can be applied to our lives as well. The storytelling is extremely powerful and keeps you engaged until the very end.

Another aspect of the story that kept me turning the pages was the fact that the message that the author wanted to put forward is not simply put, rather a path is built so that one discovers it for themselves, ingraining it into your psyche. The book is not just about love or mythology, but it also puts some important management lesson into perspective as well. Through the eyes of Keshav, the author picks up instances from the mythology and puts them into contemporary life to highlight the crux of the message the mythology tries to bring to light. Using specific stories from Krishna’s life, the format of the story is a mix of a sermon and a lecture.

Debashis’s characters are what put substance in this story. While the plotline about Krishna is derived from the epics, and stays true to it, I loved how he references the various names of Krishna as the characters in the book. Keshav’s character as a beloved professor who turns to spirituality is very believable and I loved the way it is developed and they way he speaks in his lectures and sermons. Another character that stood out for me was that of Neel and how his story and character develop over the period of time. The surprise for me is one of the critical characters who turns up in multiple places and while I would not like to name them in this review, I am sure you would feel their presence and their impact on the story.

I might not be able to box this story into a specific shelf, but reading this book was a refreshing exercise and there are some lessons I would definitely put into use in my daily life. This was truly a perfect read for me and scores a 5/5 for me.

I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

You can get a copy on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

The Empress of Indraprastha: Entering Kuruvansh-Sonali Raje

Book: The Empress of Indraprastha: Entering Kuruvansh
Author: Sonali Raje
Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications

Do you like reading mythological fiction from alternate perspectives?

Draupadi’s mother, Maharani Prishati, was influential in building her charismatic daughter’s strong character as a proponent of human rights and a shrewd politician. Why would such an independent thinker blindly follow something that Ma Kunti said accidentally? Did all the Paandav brothers agree to marry her immediately? The brilliant Sahdev and the far-sighted strategist Draupadi collectively argued for a partition to give Duryodhan his rights to half the kingdom. The intricate complexities of a dynamic polyamorous marriage and a sibling bond promoting gender equality are showcased through the series. Over five parts unfurl – the untold memoirs of an Empress.

The Mahabharata has an interesting set of characters and reading the stories with the different perspectives is always a wonderful experience. In this book, Sonali tells us the story through the eyes of Draupadi. The storytelling is quite interesting and the book opens with the swayamvar and her verbal altercation with Karna. The book explores her journey right upto the division of the kingdom. Sonali has kept all the important events of the story into the plot and as we see them through the eyes of Draupadi you see an alternate view to the conventional story and how a perspective can change the events of history. The one thing which would have enhanced the experience would have been a bit more of content and probably include a few instances from her childhood to better set up the premise. The book ends on an interesting note and makes me curious about the other upcoming books in the series.

The book stands on the power of its characters and Sonali’s characters in this book are quite powerful. Starting with Draupadi, Sonali’s characterization is very interesting and I like how she creates this personality who is confident and has the courage to speak up for herself. Her conversations with the Pandavas, Krishna and the others are quite refreshing to read. The one part of the book that stood out for me was that when Krishna and Draupadi are talking about love and how each of them puts their idea of it forward. I am excited to see how she creates the characters going forward.

Overall, this is a wonderful start of a series and I loved how the story is promising to move forward. The book scores a 4.38/5 for me.

I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Get your copy on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

Lucknow 1857 (Book 1 of India’s Historic Battles: A Series)-Rosie Llewelyn-Jones

Book: Lucknow 1857 (Book 1 of India’s Historic Battles: A Series)
Author: Rosie Llewelyn-Jones
Series Editor: Sqn Ldr Rana Chhina (Retd.)
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Have you heard about the Battle of Chinhat in 1857?

The city of Lucknow was the epicentre of the uprising of 1857. In Lucknow, 1857 - part of a new series of books on India's historic battles - historian Rosie Llewellyn-Jones examines the conflict in detail, from the British annexation of Awadh to the Indian response nad the subsequent revolt by sepoys. The defeat of a unit of the East India Company's army at Chinhat led immediately to the siege of the extensive British Residency in the heart of the city. Here, nearly 3,000 people - British, Indian and Anglo-Indian - held out for four and a half months. The winter saw huge defensive barricades being built around Lucknow, but with their superior firepower, the British recapture was the inevitable outcome. This richly illustrated field guide draws on Llewellyn-Jones's intimate knowledge of the city to paint a vivid picture of the events that unfolded in this historic urban battlefield.

Throughout the fight for independence, there have been uprisings across the country and there are some stories that only a handful of people know. This series explores all those stories and bring them to the forefront. Lucknow 1857 explores the series of events that took place from the Battle of Chinhat in June of 1857 to the recapture of Lucknow on March 1858. What I loved about the book is that it is a non-fiction history book, but it reads like a novel. The book is structured in a wonderful manner with the background, the commanders who were involved, the chronology of the events, and how everything unfolded during that period. The text is wonderfully supported with maps and photographs, both past and present which help you realise how things changed and places lost their essence as the fight went on. The research in the book is wonderfully done and I loved the small snippets of facts that make their way into the text which make the read even more intriguing.

If you like to read history and something that is told in an interesting manner, you can pick up this book. This one gets a 4.69/5 for me.

I got my copy at Faqirchand & Sons Bookstore in Delhi. The book is also available on Amazon India.

A Piece of Your Mind for Peace of Mind-Manali Desai

Book: A Piece of Your Mind for Peace of Mind
Author: Manali Desai
Publisher: Self Published

How do you manage your emotions?

We all feel a certain way during different times and think that we're alone in living through it all. Maybe our experience is unique, maybe the way we react to a situation is exclusive to us. But that sentiment we feel in a particular moment, that’s not ours alone. We’re all bound by the way our minds feel various emotions, right from anger to excitement, and from fear to pride. Dive into the world of these emotions through poetic expressions in this book. Each poem focuses on one single sentiment with the intention to show how each emotion or the way we feel because of them, can make or break us; while also convincing you that it's completely normal to experience such things. These emotions are mostly what we would conventionally refer to as 'negative’ but reading about them in these 40+ poems will surely leave you feeling ‘positive’. A Piece of Your Mind for Peace of Mind by Manali Desai explores this concept in this anthology.

This book is a collection of 45 poems and Manali has explored the idea of how each of the emotion that we feel can translate into a poem. As you start the book, each poem comes as a surprise as you feel the emotion that the poem tries to portray. The poems have their own distinct style and I felt that none of the poems have a common theme or a common format for that matter. Another thing that hits you when you read the book is that the book is not just about poems, but about how we react to certain emotions. I loved the manner in which Manali approaches the topics and how she uses her words to bring to light the two sides of the human psyche, and everything in between, as is evident from the choice of the cover of the book, and how we oscillate between the light and the dark. A special mention from me is to the poem titled “M For Mischief”, because I really loved the style of poetry she uses and the chain of thoughts that gets ignited as you start feeling that repetitions in your mind.

Overall, PoYMPoM is a collection of stories that deserves a leisure read, with a steaming up of tea on a rainy day when you are feeling thoughtful. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A copy of the book can be found on Amazon Kindle.

Of Marriages and Madness-Sacheth

Book: Of Marriages and Madness
Author: Sacheth
Publisher: Readomania

How do you think time affects marriages?

Of Marriages and Madness by Sacheth is a collection of stories. An important phone call comes too late. A man is plagued by his wife’s extreme idiosyncrasies. A forbearing woman finally retaliates against her domineering husband in a spectacular way. A couple’s marriage is bordering on madness. This collection consists of eight dazzling stories that brilliantly portray the violence and mysteries in the lives of ordinary people. Each page of the book is shot through with precise language, vivid details, and intense emotions, making it a refreshing read.

Marriage is an interesting concept, and Sacheth explores this idea of love, relationships and marriage in this collection of eight stories. Each of the stories is unique in the way it takes up the concept and Sacheth introduces a twist that you would not have imagined. The storytelling is very powerful, and the short stories make for an interesting read. The one thing that stood out for me was that despite the stories being short, Sacheth manages to capture the emotion he wants to portray very beautifully. Another aspect of the book is that it is not just about the idea of marriage, but also how the society looks at this relationship and how the societal expectations an affect the individuals who form this institution. The climax of each of the stories is a wonderful way to close the stories and specially the way the author does is quite unexpected.

Coming to the characters in the book, the eight stories span across cities and age groups which makes it an interesting mix of people who are almost in the same boat, yet each one is rowing through their own storm. Sacheth’s character description and word pictures have been given time and effort which improved the storytelling to a great extent.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read short stories with a twist and a lot of drama. The book scores a 4.25/5 for me.

I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Get your copy on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

Sherlock and Devdas-Manav Vigg

Book: Sherlock and Devdas
Author: Manav Vigg
Publisher: Authors Upfront

Do you think crossovers can be interesting?

Sherlock & Devdas were never meant to be together. They belonged to different worlds and nested different conflicts. Early in his crime solving career, Sherlock is learning his way with deductions and is on the uphill path to his first big case. Devdas, on the other hand, is drunk and torn after Paro’s marriage, and is on his downhill path to self-destruction. But one unexpected event shook their worlds and brought them together. A heist. While Sherlock would have loved to prove himself as a detective alone, there are things known only to Devdas about the stolen artefacts. A modern twist on the legendary characters – Sherlock & Devdas pairs two completely opposite yet eccentric personalities in an epic adventurous journey.

The story is an interesting crossover of the two characters who are the two most celebrated characters in the literary world and have had retellings of their stories time and again, and most of them have gone on to acquire cult status. Manav creates a plot that brings these two unlikely characters into the same timeline and space to build an engaging story. The idea to set the book in Delhi, away from their natural locations was quite imaginative. He puts the best of the qualities of both the characters and uses them to solve the interesting case of the missing artefacts. The concept of the story is well planned, but the problem is in its execution. The book repurposes and reuses the signature dialogues of both of them and apart from these quirks, I don’t believe that these 2 characters didn’t add much value to the story. The climax seemed a bit stretched out and I think the overall reading experience could have been improved if the book had been a bit crisper.

Coming to the characters in the book, Manav has repurposed Sherlock Holmes and Devdas to spin the story, and he uses their characters’ signatures to build this story as well. The usual mix of the characters from the two stories are all here, be it C.L., or Paro or Mrs. Hudson. Manav adds local characters too, but that seemed quite less and the overall focus is too much on the two central characters.

Overall, an interesting story that explores a wonderful idea. The book scores a 3.94/5 for me.

I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon here.