The Complete Mystery of Matthew Alcott Posted by Drac , Friday, July 27, 2012 at 3:04 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, Outskirts

Title: The Complete Mystery of Matthew Alcott

Author: Michael Oborn

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Genre: Fiction

The Complete Mystery of Matthew Alcott by Michael Oborn is an extravaganza of Joseph Smith with stiff analysis of traditional Mormon church’s behavior all draped in splendid wit. 

Matthew Alcott, a former historian for the Mormon Church, discovers a lost revelation received by Joseph Smith in the private papers of Brigham Young. The astonishing truth he stumbled upon makes him acquainted with a new side of Smith and his relationship with women. Matthew decides to expose his findings by writing a book but Church authorities will do anything to silence him. 

This novel, unlike other pretentious ones, is an unambiguous thriller based on the background of Mormonism. Instead of books that rebel religion, author here tries to tickle how everything is justifiable in the name of God. The cultural values of religion and its importance in one’s life in the face of human values have been cunningly bought up in a new light, providing enlightenment through entertainment. Irrespective of your religion, this book includes a message to learn for every reader.  

Writer has portrayed the protagonist as his alter-ego and tried to convey the subordination of women by Mormon Church in a very intelligent manner, allowing the readers to use their clout of perception and sift their standing. The prominence of Joseph Smith through the eyes of someone who is excommunicated from the Mormon Church is exceptionally articulated. The boldness of writing binds the reader throughout the book making it a delightful page-turner.  

Rating: 4.5/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Kitnay Aadmi Thay? Posted by Drac , Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 3:44 AM, in Labels: book, non-fiction, Westland

Title: Kitnay Aadmi Thay?

Author: Diptakirti Chaudhuri

Publisher: Westland

Genre: Non-Fiction

Kitnay Aadmi Thay? by Diptakirti Chaudhuri is, as the name suggests, a trivia book of Bollywood (or Indian Film Industry, whichever you prefer). A compilation of 50 lists starting from the opening credits to The End is filled with minutiae, backstage insights and fun quiz to delight the bollywood thirsty soul. Lists of typical mom & dad, list of child actors, movies that have not been made, list of makeovers, legendary confrontations, endorsements in movies are there to name a few. 

This book, in a nutshell, is the essence of writer’s blog Calcutta Chromosomes. Though I never visited the site before, Kitnay Aadmi Thay provided a joyful ride to the movie bug inside me. There are many trivia books available on Hindi cinema, but those which include Manmohan Desai as well as Rohan Sippy are very few. The list of Amul’s posters and the backstories dissolved in all the lists are the finest part of the book and showcases author’s in-depth research and keen observation. 

I found the book incomplete at many parts; the lists weren’t as elaborated as one would guess. Still writer has done a great job as any fan would know that Bollywood is such a vast subject to cover anything in a single book. Hope the writer would come up with many more volumes to enroll the latest quirks and innovation, all wrapped up neatly in his humorous style.  

Rating: 3/5

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogadda.com as part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Black Bread White Beer Posted by Drac , Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 3:23 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, HarperCollins

Title: Black Bread White Beer

Author: Niven Govinden

Publisher: HarperCollins India

Genre: Fiction

Black Bread White Beer by Niven Govinden tackles one of the most important issues of human society, marriage, in a most subtle and passionate way. 

The whole book wraps up in span of just a day; Amal Joshi is driving her wife Claud from London to her parents’ country house. Claud’s recent miscarriage of 21 days had down-hilled their already shattering marriage. Amal, a brown guy who converted from Hindu to Catholic; to marry Claud, a Britain brought-up white, is finding the still persisting differences inescapable.  Two adults committed to each other have to struggle their disparity of gender, religion, backgrounds and races in the hope of a better future. 

This book might appear dark at first glimpse but it’s the subtext which really makes the reader to think about the fragile nature of a relationship in this fast paced life. How your society influences your morals and choices, the inability to communicate with the most important person in your life and those feelings which always lack expressions are beautifully bared in a deliberated manner. 

Though the characters never opens up as one would expect and the narration portrays only Amal’s point of view, author has done a commendable job of getting into the brain of a grieving man who is trying to soothe her wife and at the same time fighting with his own pain and inadequacies.  Although it’s a slim book with slow story flow, the fresh view of writer over modern society and hidden criticism makes it a great read. 

Rating: 4.5/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Where Has Oprah Taken Us? Posted by Drac , Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 12:32 AM, in Labels: book, non-fiction, ThomasNelson

Title: Where Has Oprah Taken Us?

Author: Stephen Mansfield

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Non-Fiction / Biography

Where Has Oprah Taken Us? By Stephen Mansfield may look like a biography meant for every fan of Oprah, but it is not. Though the writer has done a lot of research and provided a complete timeline of Oprah’s life, she is being targeted here for her spiritual beliefs.

Mansfield has provided a lot of facts about the celeb and showcased her upbringing and spiritual growth with much clarity. Her show’s transformation from 1994 up till her retirement from TV has been keenly evaluated pondering all the Gurus she followed, or endorsed in other words. This book attempts to define the base of Oprah’s spirituality and its sources. Beliefs of Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, Rhonda Byrne are cited along with all the cornerstone of Hinduism and Buddhism she follows in her own way.

Mansfield has been very gentle while portraying Oprah’s New Age religion but with a sense of disappointment and he used relative points in history and from Bible to contradict it. Writer’s interpretation of Oprah’s belief might be disheartening for the reader, depending on what you believe.

I am not a fan of Oprah’s “Imagine it and it will be” theory either but I do believe that every religion in the world points out to the same thing and it is more important to Believe than to fight over whom to believe. Let it be God, Allah or just yourself. If you look through my view, there is not much difference in Bible’s Apotheosis and Oprah’s self-actualization, just words at play.

It is important to cleanse your brain and get out of the conservative attitude before you read this book, listen to the writer being as neutral and you will definitely learn something about your spiritual standing. My advice for the reader is to get all the facts and make your own interpretation.

Rating: 3/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”