The Day of the Jackal - by Frederick Forsyth

The Day of the Jackal (written in 1971) is a very remarkable and exceptionally stunning political thriller novel by English writer Frederick Forsyth about a professional assassin nicknamed as 'The Jackal'.

The job of this hitman is to assassinate Charles de Gaulle-President of France and he has been contracted by a group opposed to president's policies on Algeria.

Not only does the reasonably well-informed reader know that, historically, Charles de Gaulle was not assassinated, but Forsyth actually makes a point of telling us this early in the book. So, in a most important sense, we know from the outset how the book ends. And yet, it is one of the best examples I've read of page-turning, heart-stopping, breath-holding suspense writing.

With a meticulous personality and obsession with planning to the last-minute detail, 'The Jackal' is one of the most intriguing and enigmatic characters ever created in the thriller genre.

His precision, work ethic, fastidious planning—it almost forces you into admiration and at some level you may even want him to succeed even though he is a cold-blooded killer who eliminates anyone hindering his progress without hesitation or remorse.

The other lead character is - ofcourse a police detective - Claude Lebel. Its extremely thrilling to read Lebel narrow-in on Jackal through tireless and methodical police work.

If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you riveted from start to finish, The Day of the Jackal is the book for you.

A TV adaptation was released in 2024, in which 'Eddie Redmayne' plays the role of the Jackal. The director has taken some cinematic liberties to alter the plot a bit, but it still stays quite close to the original plot of the book.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Another English classic I picked up this year  - 'Jane Eyre' is a novel by English writer 'Charlotte Brontë', published in 1847 under the pseudonym 'Currer Bell' to disguise the fact that the author was a woman.

An enduring love story and undisputed classic, 'Jane Eyre' is full of passion, mystery, tragedy, and most importantly a strong-willed beloved heroine.

it is ironic that at a time when the Charlotte felt compelled to hide her true identity, Jane Eyre provided a story of individualism for women.

This masterpiece introduces one of fiction's most memorable protagonists ie Jane. As a child, orphan Jane Eyre suffers under cruel guardians and harsh schooling, but her indomitable spirit shines through against the greatest odds. When she takes up a position as governess at Thornfield Hall, she meets and begins to fall in love with mysterious and brooding master of the house, Mr Rochester. The secrets of the house and from Mr Rochester's past are soon revealed causing a heartbreak for Jane. Her life takes few turns in the course and as they say takes a full circle at the end.

Though it falls under genre of romantic classic, the romance is very very suttle and deep without any explicitly. A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre dazzled me with its passionate depiction of a woman's search for equality and freedom.

The classic has been adapted in many other forms like opera, film, theatre plays. The most recent film adaptation was released in 2011, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, and starred Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre and Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester.

The Second Lady

 'The second lady', written by famous American author Irving Wallace, is a fascinating USA-Russia cold war thriller.

When I read this book for the first time, I was in 9th or 10th standard and ofcourse I read the translated version back then.

The plot of the story was so intriguing that I had to look for original book when started reading English novels.

The story goes like this - To grab an inside information over a politically critical matter, KGB (Soviets intelligence agency) plots an unbelievable plan to replace the American First Lady with a look alike, a Russian actress with  strong resemblance who has been tweaked and trained to perfection over the period of three years.

The replacement happens as planned but un-foreseen hurdles keep cropping up in the secret mission.

We have to keep in mind that this book was released in 1980. The secret services of the time had been small force then. The internet, mobile phones were atleast fifteen years away from becoming mainstream reality. So the story has to be lived in the period it has been told.

This book has everything that a perfect novel demands - gripping plot, love, drama, action, entertainment.

Irving's writing style is not very tricky but the overall storyline and continuous twists keep readers hooked till the end. 

The nail biting and unusual climax left me absolutely stunned.

Certainly an entertaining and unput-down-able page turner read, wonder why it didn't get converted into movie or TV series.

#2023readinggoals

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

 Written by Alex Michaelides, this book was the Winner of 'Best Mystery & Thriller of 2019'. 

It was appearing on all online forums, social media channels  as well as leading book stores as 'a 'must-read'.

It is a psychological thriller - story of a woman's (Alicia) act of violence against her husband and her therapist (Theo) who is obsessed with uncovering her motive.

Alicia is caught after killing her husband and who has remained silent ever since.

The narration of story is split between these 2 leading characters, Alicia through her diary pages and Theo's POV.

The book is easy read, its not very fast paced but doesn't get boring either.

Though the plot is gripping, the twists and ultimate turn was not much convincing.

In my humble opinion, it is a bit over-hyped novel but certainly one time read if you are mystery lover.

Consequences series by Aleatha Romig

 Todays blog is about 'Consequences' novel series, set of 5 books, by American author Aleatha Romig.

This is a mixed-genre novel. It can be categorized as a psychological thriller, dark romance, mystery. 

It tells a story of battle between a protagonist and antagonist which plays out like a battle of wits and it starts as dark as well as disturbing one. In a nutshell,  it is a story of 'Stockholm syndrome' (Google it if you don't know what it is). 

Clair Nicholas  wakes up in a suite owned by Anthony "Tony" Rawlings, a charismatic manipulative powerful man. She is told she signed an agreement with Rawlings that if the money she owed him is not paid back, she would become his property, She had no way to pay him.

Tony tells Claire it's simple: Follow my rules, actions have consequences.

She is trapped in a very strange, abusive relationship with Tony. 

But it is not a typical alpha male dominating submissive lady kind of storyline at all.

The entire plot is quite original, completely unpredictable and intriguing. It's a full bundle of emotions thrill,  anger, sex, lies, obsession and a complete roller coaster ride through n through. 

When I started this series and managed to complete few chapters,  my immediate reaction was - what the Hell? I loathed Clair and hated Tony. During the course of first book itself I really considered giving it up and thought it's not my cup of tea to survive reading such a dark story.

As a woman the violence, brutality and humiliation Clair faces was thoroughly unsettling, infuriating for me.

But Aleatha Romig definitely knows how to keep her readers hooked!  

   
It took me from 2 weeks to 1 month to finish each one of the books. And I still don’t know how I managed to pull through this experience. I can only blame author's talent and my  curiosity. At the end, it was worth pondering how story started and where has it landed. 

So if you want to experience a novel that will stick with you for a long time,  go for this series. As they say, get yourself Aleatha'd.

Jack Reacher

Few years back, I stumbled over 'Jack Reacher' accidently and unexpectedly.

While wandering through library shelves, I picked 'him' up randomly without knowing background, character as such.

But post that first encounter, he had been in my system forever and my immense liking for him only kept on growing with every next rendezvous.

so who is 'Jack Reacher'? 

Jack Reacher is a fictional protagonist by British author 'Lee Child', who has featured in series of crime thriller novels and short stories.

The uniqueness of this character is - he is ex-military, extreme minimalistic-living lifestyle, a drifter who wanders America with no destination on mind and invariably gets himself in dangerous situations.

The only belongings he has are a toothbrush and an ATM card. No house, no mobile, no wife, no ties. He has an internal clock and knows precise time without looking at the watch. He doesn't own pair of clothes, he simply discards the in-use ones and buys a cheap new set when needed.

He is a well-balance of physical strength, primitivity and acute deduction skills. (probable recipe :) - James Bond minus fancy gadgets and fights, add super investigation skill of Sherlock Holmes).

His personal motto 'Hope for the best, plan for the worst' is my favorite tagline too and have used it umpteenth times in my management gyan sessions. 

Reacher's family background, military days are revealed in some of the books in bits n pieces, but every book is a stand-alone read in its own and you don't have to read them in particular sequence.

Two novels about Reacher have been adapted into Hollywood films, namely 'Jack Reacher' and 'Jack Reacher - never Go Back' starring Tom Cruise as Reacher. Another novel has been adapted into an Amazon Prime Video television series starring 'Alan Ritchson' as Reacher.

BTW, Tom Cruise's casting as Reacher was severely criticized by fans (like me!!!)

If you are still newbie to the aura of Reacher, can start with any of these novels 'Killing Floor', 'One Shot', 'Without Fail' and thoroughly enjoy the 'Reacher' phenomenon .

Eat, Pray and Love

Finished reading 'Eat, Pray and Love' 2 months back. I wanted to write about it ever since. the reason it took so long to pen down my thoughts was mainly due to fact that I was unable to conclude my own opinion about this one. this happens rarely with me as typically while reading the few chapters of any book, i either like the book or dislike it.

I had read the Marathi translation of this around 8-10 years back. somehow it didn't make a lasting impression that time. Either the emotions and gravity of Elizabeth's own words was lost in the translation or may be I was too young that time to be able to relate her exploration towards E-P-L.

EPL is memoir of American writer Elizabeth (Liz) in her thirties, who after her divorce decides to spend next one year in Italy, India and Indonesia searching for 'everything'.

She eats well in Italy, experiences prayerful meditation at an ashram in India, and meets a variety of loving individuals in Indonesia.

Like I said, this book took me on a whirlpool ride, i honestly could not decide if I loved or disliked it.

At one hand, I was thrilled to read about her multi-country, multi-culture, "looking at rest-of-the-world through American eyes" experience. but at the same time, at many spots it would force me to think this writer as the most self-absorbed person.

My biggest problem with this book was I had difficulty at times believing if Liz actually achieved the enlightenment she talks about because most of the times she is so internally focused. 

Italy part was quite ok. 2nd part of India experience - being Indian and Hindu, I have fair idea how tough & how long it takes to reach the state of igniting your kundalini and to even experience the glimpse of out-of-worldly experience which Liz claims she had in Ashram. The 3rd part in Indonesia - was again quite believable for most of the part.

In the end the overall effect on me was rather like sitting at a party listening to someone telling a long involved story all about themselves, and you're alternately annoyed and fascinated, so you want to get up and leave. But she's just so entertaining that you keep telling yourself you'll leave in the next minute--but you end up sticking through the whole story.

When the fascinating journey of reading this memoir ended,  I couldn't help rolling my eyes and thinking "huh, this is a tale of a privileged but emotionally self-indulgent woman who is unsatisfied with her life." but at the same time it also tipped me to think if I get an opportunity to spend one year as all-advance-paid job to explore the world on my own terms, would I do anything differently?

The book became more famous after the movie was released with same title as of book starring Julia Roberts as Liz. 

Anna Karenina

My first long read of 2021 is 'Anna Karenina', an timeless classic by Russian author 'Leo Tolstoy', published in 1878.

A complex novel, acclaimed by many writers as one of the world's greatest novels, 'Anna Karenina' deals with troubled affair of a married woman. But that is not the only theme in this novel. It also describes a vast panorama of contemporary life in Russia in 19th century along with politics, religion and humanity.

In my true opinion, the title of this novel is little misleading because the story solely doesn't revolve around Anna. The parts of the book that focuses on Anna's story do portray her character, passionate affair with Vronsky, agony of a mother and later her downward fall.

The other half of novel is devoted to 'Levin', a country landowner, who is in constant search for meaning of life.

Both these leading characters ie Anna and Levin, do not even meet each other till 80% of story is told.

But only towards the end I realized the contrast of characteristics these 2 display towards finding peace of heart.

Considering the length of the novel (approx 1000 pages), it is bound to have many characters. Tolstoy has made each of them fully human, everyone with their own vivid characteristics and flaws.

While reading this long saga, somewhere half way through I realized that I have stopped judging the morality of characters and merely accepting them as they are.

The original novel was ofcourse written in Russian. The English translation in illustrated version that I read is peculiarly worded. eg women are not 'pregnant' but they are 'with child', people are 'deceived' and 'received', things are 'Capital' and so on

Also there are peculiar things about Russian society like 2 words names, mentions of common domestic helps like nurse/footman/doorman, peasants and their lives etc 

The novel has been adapted into various audio-visual platforms including opera, film, television, ballet, and radio drama. 

The prominent and latest one is the movie with same title as of book, released in 2012 featuring Keira Knightley, Aaron Johnson etc

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Book review

Today I am writing about novel 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by famous Afgan-Americal novelist Khaled Hosseini. His debut novel 'The Kite runner' is the one which is probably most famous and also has been adapted into a film with same name. 

Personally, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' affected and left lasting effect on me than 'The kite runner', may be because the former is more feminine oriented. 

As an Indian, whenever we hear Afghanistan, we think of it as a dry country that is full of unreasonable religious extremist, gun-carrying bearded men traveling in jeeps and burqa-clad women. All of Khaled's books give a very good glimpse of how prosperous, nature-blessed and rich cultured this country was at once upon a time.

The story gets unfold on the background of era in Afghanistan when the Soviets took over in 1980s through post 9-11 Taliban control.

Mariam and Laila, who are protagonists of this story, are from different generations with no blood relation but their lives meet at the crossroads due to unfortunate turns dictated by their own fates. In a way, it mirrors and reflects back as a metaphor for their country's brutal and bruised history. Along with the story of their lives, you get an outline of socio-political situations that conquered this once beautiful country to devastated conditions. 

Khaled's narration is absolutely gripping, mesmerizing and builds a vivid picture which can be easily visualized throughout the book. 

Even if you may have heard/read about the oppression of women under the Taliban regime, it will still bring a real shock to get full measure of it through the eyes of Mariam and Laila.

Below are some quotes that I would like to mention here as they provoked my deep thoughts - 

"Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter. Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always."

“Marriage can wait. Education cannot...Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated. No chance.”

“A man’s heart is a wretched, wretched thing, Mariam. It isn’t like a mother’s womb. It won’t bleed. It won’t stretch to make room for you.”

This novel is certainly not a fun read but a very deep, incredibly infuriating and emotionally challenging one. It weaves thirty years of turbulent Afghani history through an intensely powerful story of families, friendship and ultimately, hope.

The Thorn Birds

As part of my reading goals of 2020 (reading at least few classic books), the recent one I picked up was 'The Thorn Birds'.

It is an epic novel by an Australian novelist 'Colleen McCullough' written in 1977.

The novel is the best selling book in Australian history, and has sold over 33 million copies worldwide.

This post is not a book review but my own perception and views about leading characters and their entwined story.

It is an opera-ish saga spanning over 3 generations of Cleary family, set in the Australian Outback

Though primarily it will fall under 'romance' genre, it is much more than just a passing romance. 

It has its bit of a romance but more of relationships, struggle of loyalties and beliefs, morals and sacrifices.

The character portraying is what makes this book stand apart. Every character is so well detailed, you can see them come alive while reading the novel.

The protagonist is the daughter of Cleary family, Meggie. The story swirls around Meggie and Ralph de Bricassart who is a catholic priest.

Both these lead characters are very well portrayed and the book sketches emotional struggles, defeats and affection from both of their views.

Personally I could not relate to the eternal love between Meggir and Ralph with their 18 yrs of age difference, but what appealed the most is the theme it is based on - knowing very well what can never be yours and still not knowing who you'd be without it

The plot is well weaved and irrespective of whether you like the turn of events or not, you are bound to accept them as they happen.

The 3-genrtaions of Cleary ladies with distinguished characteristics make their lasting impression very well throughout.

So it is indeed an engrossing and captivating story. The eagerness to uncover Meggie and Ralph's destiny won't let you put down the book till you finish it.

There is also a TV-mini series adapted based on this novel, broadcasted n 80's.

Gone With The Wind (GWTW)

One of my reading goals of 2020 is reading at least few classic books. It seems only fitting that the first one I finished in this category is truly epic and classic  'Gone With The Wind'.
GWTW is a novel by American writer Margaret Mitchell, first published in 1936.

Before going into the book and movie details, let me put down some interesting facts about GWTW -
- As of 2014, a Harris poll found it to be the second favorite book of American readers, just behind the Bible.
- More than 30 million copies of this novel have been printed worldwide
- it received the prestigious the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937
- The author 'Margaret Mitchell' wrote no other book after GWTW, it is the only novel she wrote in her lifetime
- She started writing it in 1926 and eventually finished in 1936. Also the book's final moments were written first and then wrote other events that led up to them
- The book is accused of being 'racist' and has great deal of racism, in content as well as language. The N-word and the euphemism “darkie” are all over the place
- The movie with the same name was released in 1939. It received 10 Academy Awards (eight competitive, two honorary) from thirteen nominations.
- For movie, casting took 2 years and the "search for Scarlett" led to 1,400 women being interviewed for the part.
- After the first release in 1939, the movie has been re-released many time with improved technology and restoration. But there is no known re-make.

Now coming to the novel - frankly this post is not a book review. There are ample reviews available on net that describe the story-line, characters and era context. What i have put down is how I have perceived the characters.

As an Indian, I didn’t study the American war history in my academics. What I know about it has been cobbled together from bit of my reads and research lately.

GWTW is a war era novel but undoubtedly remarkable and unique reading experience.
It is indeed a long read, near to 1000 pages. Took me 4-5 times the time compared to what I take for any std size novel.
But I have never been so enthralled in any book. In spite of its length, I was never bored and constantly picking it up for reading as and when I could.

It is very difficult to place this book in a single genre. GWTW is not just a romantic story involving Scarlett, Ashley and Rhett but also a well researched account of the American civil war.
Along with portraying the era, characterization and artistically-drawn relationships are the best things about this book. Each and every character is so brilliantly portrayed, and the lead characters are so fully rounded that you can barely believe they're fictional.

Both Scarlett and Rhett, bounce off the page and overwhelm your thoughts even after you finish reading the book.
During the read, you may like or dislike these lead characters, but they encroach your mind throughout.

There is everything in here. A brutal war and its aftermath, moving romance, virtues of ethics and morality, all centered around one of the most complex characters in all of literature, Scarlett O’Hara. It is a bold of author to sketch the protagonist female as selfish, spoiled brat, materialistic bitch.
But in spite of all this, she still emerges as powerful, fiery woman.

Then there is Rhett, the only character with the ability to conquer Scarlett. He is an absolute alpha mate.
Just like the ladies in Atlanta I found myself at times entranced by his charms, but at many occasions I did not like him as well. I sympathized with him and was often amused by his sarcasm and satire. A classy anti-hero.
The evolution of his relationship with Scarlett is so carefully and artfully structured that the final 100 pages will make your heart ache.

I haven't watched the whole movie yet, but have seen few clips on web.
Both, Vivien Leigh and  Clark Gable, seem perfectly fitting in the characters of Scarlett and Rhett.

So overall, an incredible classic converted into equally epic movie, immensely special and the one that will posses you for a while.

Bird Box - book review

Recently finished a book ‘Bird Box’  by Josh Malerman.

Later I discovered that its been converted into netflix movie too starring Sandra Bullock.
The book can be described in 1 word as ‘creepsville’. It is incredibly engaging, horror/psycho suspense novel which takes post-apocalyptic theories to next level.

I do not want to disclose whats so scary about it but imagine a world in which you are constantly threatened and you need to train yourself to defend without seeing what are you fighting against.

On my first day of reading rather on first night, had to shut off after few pages as i was s***t scared to read further. On 2nd night I progressed with more chapters but when i woke up in the morning.. the first thought that crossed my mind was not to open my eyes.

The whole story and its climax leaves many open questions and perpetual desire for more answers. But it still succeeded in keeping me fully engaged till the last chapter.

To sum it up, its an extremely interesting, unsettling, fast paced read that will keep you on the edge.

Do let me know if you have also read this book or watched the Netflix version and how did you find it.

#2020readinggoals