Book Review - Train To Paksitan

Book Review - Train To Pakistan

Train To Pakistan is a classic novel written by eminent writer, columnist, humorist and satirist Khushwant Singh in 1956. This book is a hard hitting account of atrocities during the partition of India. I have bought a paperback edition published by Penguin India.

Cover : Cover is showing a steam engine train of India of early year of independence. Though it didn't give you idea about the content of the book but you came to know the effect of this picture after reading the book.

Plot: The story is based in a village Mano Majra on the border of India and Pakistan. After partition of the country Muslims were migrating to Pakistan and Sikhs and Hindus to India. Mano Majra was the only village unaffected by the partition here Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus were all leaving peacefully. Juggat Singh aka Jagga a bad character in police record was in love with Nooran daughter of Muslim priest Imam Baksh. A robbery and a murder happened in Mano Majra resulted in Juggat's arrest under suspicion. Police also arrested Iqbal a political activist from Delhi who came to calm down situation in border villages. Every thing was fine until a train full of corpses arrived from Pakistan. This incident made the atmosphere tense in the village. Magistrate Hukum Singh's order to police superintendent further increased the drift among the communities. Muslims were forced to leave the village. Police suddenly decide to release Juggat Singh and Iqbal when a train going to Pakistan with Muslims of Mano Majra was planned to be assassinated by a group of Sikh youths. Juggat Singh also had a role to play. What he did? What happened to the train?  

Review : The book presents an unbiased account of the tragedy of partition. How communities living peacefully from centuries turned violent against each other just by a line drawn on paper. You will realize by reading this book where the seed of animosity was sown between the communities which affect the Indian diaspora even in present time. Kushwant Singh with his simple yet powerful style of story telling left you with some questions to think as a human being. A story which beautifully highlights the human emotions and displays the tragic turn of events with sincerity. 

Verdict : A must read of you want to know about the India at the time of partition. It will also help to understand current political situation of the country.

Rating : I would give it a full starts i.e 5/5.

Book Review : Warrior

Book Review : Warrior

Warrior is written by Olivier Lafont popularly known as Suhas Tandon of 3 Idiots and is published by Penguin Books India . I have received this book from the author. Lafont is a multi-talented and versatile personality who writes fiction, feature film screenplays, and editorial pieces, but also acts in feature films, endorses some of India’s most popular brands on television, and lends his voice to many media in many languages. A French polyglot, Lafont pursues his eclectic interests at the highest standards having worked with some of India’s most acclaimed directors on films like 3 Idiots, Guzaarish and two Hollywood films. This book is a fantasy fiction set in modern day India.

Cover : Cover is eye catching. The modern day warrior looks stunning at the background of crumbling world. The image glorifies the title and increase interest of the readers.

Plot: The world is facing it's end. Saam the last demigod son of the Destroyer - Lord Shiva on earth could only save the world from destruction at hands of his father. Saam who lives as a watch mender with love of his life Maya in Mumbai went on his journey to save the world along with six other companions including Maya and his half-brother Ara with whom he has estranged relationship. The journey with an undecided end let him discover love, trust,deceive before its final conclusion. How he save the world? Who deceive him? Will he gets united with Maya? The path to stop the End of Days is littered with death,danger and betrayal.

Thriller : This fantasy fiction will change the way you see the gods. The story is engrossing and the narrative is simply superb. How the mythology is mixed with the modern times is commendable. The way history,mythology, facts are blended with fiction make it real and believable. The language is easy to understand and the procedures and back stories are thoroughly explained which makes understanding of the narrative easier. 

Spoiler : The narrative becomes slow in the middle and thus stopping the further movement of the story. Somethings are unnecessarily added in the narrative which distracts reader from the original plot.

Verdict :  A must read for the way the subject is treated. An amusing and entertaining journey into the fantasy world existing with the real world.

Rating : I would give it 4/5.