Exploring the Bookish World

Brink is the English translation of the popular Kannada novel ' Anchu ' by S.L. Bhyrappa. Translated by R. Ranganath Prasad, Brink  is a psychological fiction which addresses an important issue - mental health. The plot centres around two lives - Somasekhar and Amrita. Somasekhar, an architect by profession,  is a widower, Amrita a university lecturer, is an estranged woman. She lives with her two children. The two fall in love with each other. But their journey is not an easy one as Amrita goes through bouts of depression, sudden mood swings and suicidal tendencies. Somasekhar loves Amrita unconditionally and tries to anchor her life, while she goes through a whirlwind of emotions. The book gives a detailed description of Amrita's feelings, the pain she goes through, and how Somasekhar tries to help her with his sincere love for her. The plot is really interesting and profound. However, there's one major aspect of this book which made it quite a tedious read - the tra

  A collection of 101short poems, Neeraja Kona's  Waves, Sand & Magic  is a thought-provoking read. Life and love are the two main themes on which the poems are based.  This book is not just a collection of poems. Each poem is accompanied by a beautiful photograph. The presentation is wonderful. The author has brilliantly depicted the emotions in very few words, through her poems. It seems like the author has captured a moment, a feeling in words. Each one is unique in its own way. The words echo love, pain, disappointment, gratitude, - that constitute the journey of life.  The title of the book-  Waves, Sand & Magic  - perfectly captures the theme of the book. Among the hundred-and-one poems, some of my favourites are -Becoming, Within, Bridge, Airport, Paradox, Flirt, Chase, and Signs.  It is a very short read. It took me just a few hours to complete reading the entire collection. I not only loved reading the poems but also the beautiful photographs. Each picture had a me

  A Plate of White Marble   (Bengali:  Swet Pathorer Thala ) by Bani Basu , is an important read. It was originally written in Bengali and was first published in 1990. The book is translated to English for the first time by Nandini Guha . The book tells the story of Bandana - a young, educated and modern woman who loses her husband at a very young age. The author begins with a description of a North-Kolkata Bengali household, the house at Number 45 Shyambazar Street; in the year 1955. Bandana is the widowed daughter-in-law of the house. She is just 27. She is being forced to lead a life of austerity as a "virtuous widow", by her in-laws. However, Bandana eventually stops confirming to the orthodox traditions which were being forced upon her. She devotes her life for the sake of her only son, Roop. But... Life is unpredictable. It takes the most surprising turn when it is least expected. Bandana's life takes a turn when her uncle arrives at her house. Unable to witness he