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BOOK REVIEW “Water”
Author: Bapsi Sidhwa
Genre: Fiction, Novel
Language: English
Pages: 201
Cost: Rs. 325
Publisher: Penguin Viking
First Published in India: 2006
Bapsi Sidhwa is author of the novel ‘Cracking India’, which was then adapted by filmmaker Deepa Mehta for her movie ‘Earth’. She wrote the book ‘Water’ which is adapted from Deepa Mehta’s movie of same name.
The story of novel set in 1938 of India when Mahatma Gandhi and his policies were taking hold of India. ‘Water’ is a story of 8 year old girl ‘Chuyia’. Who was married to a much old man by his family as it was the customary in that time. Only after few days of marriage Chuiya’s husband dies and she becomes a widow. So she had to shave her hade off and live in ashrams made for widows on the shore of Ganga. There she had to live her life till her death. But the girl was not ready to accept her fate easily. She met other widows who have their own sad stories which led them to the ashram like her. She met a beautiful widow name Kalyani who was to put into prostitution to run the ashram. She falls in love with a young man. So the novel tells their salvation story.
The book enlightens the troubles Hindu traditions caused to widows, it made their life worse than hell in 1938. It undermines the Hindu cast system, child marriage. The book is Must Read Book, may be not for the quality of writing but for the content.
For more such Must Read Books - http://swapnil-bookreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/must%20read%20books
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BOOK REVIEW “Nana Phadnis”
Author: Dr. Ma. Ra. Kulkarni
Genre: History
Language: Marathi
Pages: 133
Cost: Rs. 130
Publisher: Dimond Publication
First Published in India: Jan 2009
If you have any interest in History and for that matter specifically in Maratha History, then you ought to know the ‘NANA PHADNIS’. Man who was one of the biggest mover and shaker in Maratha Empire history. He was touted as villain for many years, the man who started the destruction of Maratha Empire. But he was one most influential and intelligent man who made the history. His life story is nothing less than inspiring. A small time Brahmin goes on to rule the most powerful kingdom of its time that is Maratha Peshva’s empire. ‘Nana Phadnis’ was one of the greatest politicians born, in the league of the great Chanakya. Dr. Kulkarni unravel many known, unknown truth about ‘Nana Fadnis’. I think it is a must read book for any history lover.
If I have to rate this book I will give it 5 out of 10.
For more such Must Read Books - http://swapnil-bookreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/must%20read%20books
