Books

Dune: Right Time to Remake the Movie


Dune by Frank HerbertJust finished reading Dune. What an amazing book! Now I understand why it is called as “one of the greatest sc-fi novels of all times”  and an “Unparalleled Achievement of Imagination“. It was a start to end read, consuming the whole of my weekend.

The book got me interested in the movie adaptation. Upon searching, I came across David Lynch’s 1984 movie Dune. Opinions are divided about this movie. It is definitely not Lynch’s best work, with most loyal Dune fans having a negative opinion about it.  Even Lynch has sort of disowned the movie, and does not talk about it in interviews etc. It did not perform well commercially either.

I have seen portions of it on youtube and I must say that I was not impressed. Some very powerful portions of the novel are presented in quite unimpressive manner. For example, see this scene where Paul rides the sand worm for the first time. Such a waste of  a wonderful cinematic opportunity.

Also, probably the technology required to present the grand canvas of the movie was not available at that time.

In short, this one is not a worthy cinematic cousin of this great Keep Reading…

Book Review: The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes


After killing Moriarty and faking his own death in “The Adventure of the Final Problem” Sherlock Holmes goes missing for a few years. On his re-appearance in “The Adventure of the Empty House“, the readers become aware that Holmes has spent this time travelling to various places including India and Tibet. Jamyang Norbu’s novel “The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes” is about Holmes’ adventures in India and Tibet during this period. Accompanied by an Indian spy, Huree Chunder Mookerjee, (who plays a role very similar to Watson) Holmes travels to India, where he dodges a few attempts on his life from Colonel Moran. Then he travels to Tibet and saves Dalai Lama’s life.

A great premise – a book on Holmes’ missing years, that too in India. The idea itself got we salivating. This should have been a great book. And it does start well. We see the glimpse of typical Holmes in the way Keep Reading…

Book Review: Damned by Chuck Palahniuk


“Watching television and surfing the Internet are really excellent practice for being dead” – excerpt from Damned by Chuck Palahniuk

Madison is thirteen year old, overweight, ignored by her movie star parents and is attracted to her adopted brother. And yes, she is dead. The novel is all about her life (?) in hell, the souls she meet there and her conversations with Satan.

After starting and not completing some of the previous books by Chuck (some were boring, some were unreadable and some were downright offensive), I had my reservations about this book. The premise of the book sounded Keep Reading…

Book Review – Radioactivity : A History of a Mysterious Science


Radioactivity: A History of a Mysterious Science, written by Marjorie C Malley, is a non-fiction detailing the history of Radioactivity and how it captivated the imagination of the scientific community as well as the industry, politicians, and the general public.

Radioactivity was not just another scientific phenomenon. It created a new branch of study in itself, had a profound impact on the society, international politics, war, business and industry and medical sciences.

This is a very geeky book with lots of scientific jargon which a non-technical person may not be able to understand without considerable effort. However, readers who have relevant technical background will find it a good and interesting read.

I loved the portions of the book which contained the stories of the researchers, even more than the technical stuff. I was interesting to know  Keep Reading…

Book Review – Mockingjay


“Because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children’s lives to settle its differences. You can spin it any way you like. Snow thought the Hunger Games were an efficient means of control. Coin thought the parachutes would expedite the war. But in the end, who does it benefit? No one. The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen.” – Excerpt from Mockingjay

Mockingjay is the third part of the Hunger games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

In every coming of age fiction, there comes a point when the protagonist takes control and starts driving the story. After this point, the turn of events in the plot should be in response to the decisions taken and choices made by her. At this point, the protagonist should be sure, confident, and taking decisions which are critical to the way the plot proceeds. This is exactly what I expected from Katniss in Mockingjsy and this is where Keep Reading…

Book Review – Catching Fire


“The berries. I realize the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable. If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self-centered, although forgivable. But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth. The trouble is, I don’t know exactly what was going on inside me at that moment.” – Excerpt from Catching Fire

Catching Fire is the second book of the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  It takes forward the story of Katniss Everdeen, who after winning the Hunger Games along with Peeta, has unknowingly become the symbol and mascot of a revolution against the capitol. By threatening to eat poisonous berries instead of subjecting herself to the whims and fancies of the gamemakers and their  Keep Reading…

Book Review – The Hunger Games


“The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes, to participate. The twenty-four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. Over a period of several weeks, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins” – Excerpt from The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the first book of The Hunger Games trilogy, is the story of Kateniss Everdeen, a young girl competing in a Keep Reading…