Book Review: Romarajya - 2

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BOOK REVIEW “Romarajya – 2 Naples to Venice”

Author: Meena Prabhu

Genre: Travelogue

Language: Marathi

Pages: 327

Cost: 300 Rs.

Publisher: Mauj Prakashan Gruh

First Published: 2^nd May 2009

This is second part of Meena Prabhu’s exploration of Italy, the ancient kingdom of the Romans. The kingdom of Romans was so vast; it couldn’t be covered in one book, so the author divided it into two books. The first part covered the area from Amsterdam to Rome itself, the heart of Roman Empire. And the second part of the book covered remaining Roman Empire which is now in Italy and spreads from Naples to Venice. As I already mentioned in earlier reviews of Meena Prabhu’s books, I like her books as she explore the nation not only as normal travelers by visiting only wonderful traveling sites. She also gives importance to the History of the place, culture of the place. She mingles with the local people and brings out the real soul of that part of the world. I always get the feeling of traveling with her while reading.

I will highly recommend this book to everyone. This is a book for anyone who is intended to visit the land of Romans, or anyone who could never be able to afford to visit these places. I can assure you everyone will get satisfaction.

If I have to rate this book, I will give it 9 out of 10.

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Book Review: KOSALA

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BOOK REVIEW “KOSALA”

Author: Bhalachandra Nemade

Genre: Fiction

Language: Marathi

Pages: 265

Cost: 225 Rs.

Publisher: Popular Prakashan

First Published: 1963

Bhalchandra Nemade was recently in the news for his controversial book “Hindu” which was as name suggests based on Hindu Religion. “Kosala” is one of the most famous but lesser controversial novel by Bhalchandra Nemade. This book has been translated in many other languages. It has been published in Hindi, Gujrati, Kannada, Assami, Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Orria and English. Kosala is not regular factious novel. Bhalachandra Nemade did some experiment in novel writing in 1963 and it worked out quite well.

The book narrates the journey of a young man and his friends through his college years. It is an account of years spent by a protagonist. He is from rural Maharashtra, comes to Pune to pursue higher studies. The best part of this novel is, that there is no romance or any emotional drama involved. If anything there in this book, it has hardcore cynicism. Anyone who had tested failure in life will able to understand the cynicism of the central character. But it is a must read book never the less. If I have to rate this book, I will give it 9 out of 10.

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Book Review: GATHA IRANI

Author: Meena Prabhu

Genre: Travelogue

Language: Marathi

Pages: 374

Cost: 300 Rs.

Publisher: Mauj Prakashan Gruh

First Published: 6^th April 2008

Gatha Irani is travelogue written by Meena Prabhu while her trip to Iran. Before talking about the contents of the book, I will like to mention that I really like the cover of the book.

Iran is very interesting and rich country historically, culturally and recently politically also. Most travelers are not keen to go to Iran due to their hostile Government which makes even travelers comply their religious rules. Like all women cover their head all the time at all cost and many more. So Iran is generally difficult for travelers, author also had her doubts before going to Iran. But she did state in her book that although the Government of Iran is hostile, people of Iran are not. They are very welcoming and good host. Like all Islamic countries in world, there is turbulence in general Iran public. We will get to know people of Iran, culture of Iran and History of Iran through this book. And that’s what I loved most about Meena Prabhu’s books. She just explores the soul of the country, you feel like you are traveling with her. I read most of her books now and I don’t feel like I had enough. I can’t wait to get hold of another of her books.

If I have to rate this book, I will give it 9 out of 10.

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Book Review: THE CURSE OF THE GODDESS

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Author: Satyajit Ray

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

Original: Begali

Translated in English by: Gopu Mazumdar

Cost: 99 Rs.

Publisher: A Puffin Original

First Published: 2003

We all know Satyajit Ray as famous and Academy award winner filmmaker. But he was mystery writer too. He wrote many detective novels on his detective character Feluda and Feluda’s adventure. “The Curse of goddess” describes one of those adventures. An old man goes out to picnic with his big family and dies there. Everybody assumes it was “The curse of Goddess”. But was it really curse or well planed murder. Feluda has to find that?

Book keeps you hooked up till the end like any mystery novel should. Book was originally written in Bengali but translated in English by Gopu Mazumdar.

It is a Must Read Book. If I have to rate this book I will give it 7 out of 10.

Other Books by Satyajit Ray,

·         The Emperor’s Ring

·         Trouble in Gangtok

·         The Golden Fortress

·         The Incident on the Kalika Mail

·         A killer in Kailash

·         The Royal Bengal Mystery

·         The Mystery of the Elephant God

·         The Bandits of Bombay

·         Trouble in the Graveyard

·         The Criminals of Kathmandu

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