Book Review : The Game of Life - Stolen Hope

Book Review : The Game of Life - Stolen Hope 

Ramayana The Game of Life - Stolen Hope is the third book of The Game of Life series by Shubha Vilas. The book is published by Jaico Books. I have received this book from author who has also penned a beautiful personal message for me along with his signature. This book starts with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita's years in exile and ends with Sita's kidnap by King of Lanka Ravana. Read Review of Book -2 Here : The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams.

Cover : Cover depicts Rama's encounter with Jatayu. Jatayu who has an important role to play in this book appears apt to me on cover but featuring Sita's kidnapping on cover would have been better idea. Perhaps he has maintained the series's cover continuity to feature Rama on cover.

Plot: Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were spending their exile days happily in the forest. Lakshmana did his best to serve his worshiped brother and sister-in-law. They met various sages and helped them in getting rid from demons and monsters. They also met celebrated sage Agastya and learned about his legends from one of his disciples. Finally they set in the domain of Panchavati where they met Jatayu a giant bird who was guardian of that part of jungle. He was also the friend of their father and requested them to give pleasure to guard them from sitting high up the mountain. The part of the forest they were living came in the territory of Ravana and hence ruled by the demons. Suparnakha ,Ravan's sister spotted their dwelling place and fell for Rama and Lakshmana which lead to Rama's deadly fight with demons. Will they survive the onslaught of thousands of demon forces? How Ravana came and kidnap Sita? All these questions are answered in this wonderful book.

Highs : As I mentioned in my review of the second book the author has recorded the incidents as a true devotee and he has done a wonderful job.  His footnotes and explanations of some scenarios give readers detailed insight into these events and helped reader to understand relevance of Ramayana in modern times. The language is simple and soft. The narration take you deeper into the minds of the characters and help you to know the reasons of their particular action. I also liked the back stories of sage Agastya, its incorporation in the plot makes it more interesting. 

Lows: It is difficult to criticize such works but I found this part a bit slow in narration at certain points. The story get stable in those points. The Sita's character is not highlighted much and her perspective on issues is missing in this book.

Verdict : A must read for all those who want to understand Ramayana better and for its relevance in today's time. 

Rating: I would give it 4/5. 

Book Review : Hifi In Bollywood

Book Review : Hifi In Bollywood

HiFi In Bollywood is written by Rishi Vohra who writes for delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW). I have received this book published by Jaico Publishing House from the author who can be visited at www.rishivohra.com . His debut novel Once Upon The Tracks of Mumbai was a bestseller and awarded a special mention at the Hollywood Book Festival. Hifi In Bollywood is a story which gives you an inside into the Hindi Film Industry or HiFi.

Cover : A boy in front of Mumbai background who looks like a wannabe actor very much give the hint what is waiting inside this book. A slight glimpse of girl at one side of cover points to some love angle. Overall it's a nice cover according to the story.

Plot : Reyhan Arora who wanted to be a filmmaker in Hindi Film Industry found hard to cop with his finance degree and search for a job in California,USA. He was doing it in pressure of his stubborn father who had also planned his marriage to his friend's daughter living in America. He wanted to settle his son in America but Reyhan had some different dreams and in order to pursue them he came to Mumbai without telling his father and rejecting that girl Vanita  for a try in HiFi. On his journey in Hindi Film Industry he encountered with different people and fell in love with a girl named Viola working with him in the same movie as assistant directer like him. Would he get success in Hindi Film Industry? Would his father ever discover him in Mumbai? Did Viola also love him ? The story answers these questions with an unexpected ending.

Boiler : The simplicity in narration is the plus point of the story. Interchanging from first person to third person also looks appropriate with the flow of the story. It gives realistic view of the working of Hindi Film Industry. The characters are real and we can connect to them from the people in the film industry. I also liked the simplicity of language and the flow of the narrative. Its a total recipe for a masala entertainer.

Spoiler : The flow of the narrative is good but slow. The story lacks the high points and the twist barring the ultimate twist in the end. At times it becomes boring with some repetitive scenes. Their are missed instances of humorous situations which would if take care of definitely add to the flavors of the story.

Verdict : It tells us to follow our dreams and work hard for their success. You must read it if you are a Bollywood fan and wants to have a glimpse of working of Hindi Film Industry or HiFi as they called it.

Rating : I would give it 3.5/5.