The Good man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ - Phillip Pullman

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A revered, controversial story told in a different light.

The Christ controversy was made popular by Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code - for me. I was unaware of it it till then and thereafter began reading up a lot about it ever since. Not of them were that good. Coming across this one was a big plus. It offered a very simplistic perspective and talked to me in a language I understand - how stories evolve and change over a period of time.

Considering the author is a well known atheist, it was interesting to see his version of the story. What I liked is that there is no open criticism but more of a gentle nudge towards an alternative version. I am not religious and more fascinated by the theory. Pullman is a storyteller after all and his logical and pragmatic approach serves the story well. The afterword is the best part where he explains his reasons behind the story. 

Gist:

A set of twins are born at the same time - Jesus and Christ. However Jesus is marked for popularity whereas Christ lurks in the shadows. People are drawn to his persona but with it comes the pitfalls of being a rebel. On the other hand, Christ is the cool operator, who finds himself an unwilling participant in the order of events. Very cleverly told in a layperson's language the story covers the crucifixion and also the resurrection. 

What works:

• There is no lengthy explanation instead the author delves right in. It has a fluid style and bears the direct approach of a children's book. The only difference is that though it is a linear narrative, the layers are added slowly adding complexity and dimension to it.

• Loved the way the author has used simple, direct language to narrate the story.

• Throughout the story, it did not claim to refute claims or challenge any theory. It is simply a story and up to the reader to make sense of it. It is a mature work and to me is a testimony to the author's talent.

• I loved his explanation of the miracles which made perfect sense to me although I can imagine it may annoy a believer.

What doesn't:

• Nothing really. It is a quick read and offers a great perspective on a much debated concept. For someone who is fascinated by the religious theory, it offers a great insight into how the politics of it works. 

Highly recommended for those who are interested in concept of Christ and Church.

Also for those who simply love a well told story.

The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star - Vaseem Khan

photo courtesy: goodreads.com

Secrets, social message and a detective with his elephant in tow- great combination.

This delightful series is a joy to read. This is my second one and I was happy to see that the lightheartedness of the previous one is maintained in this one too.

This time however, the focus is on Mumbai's film world - popularly called Bollywood - where Chopra and his elephant associate are called in to investigate a high profile kidnapping.

Gist:

Chopra, an avid lover of Hindi films is called to a yesteryear actress' house after her son goes missing while on stage in full public view. Meanwhile, Rangwalla, the assistant goes undercover after the head of the eunuch community calls in asking for help. 

What works:

• The detective and his elephant work very well together. There are some interesting scenes that make good use of the elephant assistant that make for an entertaining read.

• Using Bollywood as the background makes for an interesting setting. Loved making way into the world of arclights and the secrets that surround the people who live in it.

• Also like the way Khan philosophizes without sounding preachy.

What doesn't:

• The sub mystery did sound a bit "filmy". The ghostly singing in the Haveli is reminiscent of old Hindi movies, I remember watching as a kid. In this fast paced life laced with technology, it sounded a bit dated. Having said that, it did provide an enjoyable diversion to a degree even if it sounded tad unconvincing.

Overall, another light refreshing read a story of lies, secrets set in the glittering world of the Hindi film industry. 

  

The Ugly Five - Julia Donaldson

photo courtesy: goodreads.com

An interesting picture book about animals and beauty.

Donaldson is a favourite in our household and we must have read and watched her Gruffalo and Stick man at least a hundred times. 

Her ability to create an animal like Gruffalo with its prickly back and warts was something my 4 year old boy totally loved. (A Gruffalo soft toy often goes to bed with him.) My daughter on the hand, loved the Room on the Broom witch and the Christmassy Stick man and the adventures they have. 

I reckon what appeals to them is the rhyming way in which the story unfolds and transports them to a fascinating world.

Personally, I love her books too. Whether it is the monkey puzzle where the monkey is on a lookout for his mum or the superworm with its multi faceted skills, I loved reading them as much as my kids. Not to mention Axel Scheffler's illustrations that bring them to life. So when this book came to us, we already had a sense of what to expect and how good it should be.

Gist:

It is the African plain and as you look around the animals at the watering hole, you notice there are some animals that look different. They stand out from the crowd, and as they are first seen from the perspective of the other animals and then they introduce themselves you can see why. The ugly five then make their way through the forest and and then something happens that brings about a change in perspective. 

I could see that the story moved beyond the obvious fact about ugly animals and talked about the concept of beauty. But it is a picture book after all and I was clearly not the target audience. I handed it over to my little ones for review.

My 4-year-old boy's review:

"I like the animals. They are big and scary. I like the activities at the end."

My 7 year old girl's review:

"I first thought it will be for babies since I did Donaldson's books in my reception class. But as the story went on, I was curious to find out who these animals are. The pictures are really good and I like the different words she has used for rhyme. These ugly animals are not 'so ugly' after all."

One liked the illustrations and the animals more whereas the other liked the message and the style of story presentation. 

Both agreed....

that they liked the other older books better. But then they have read and re- read those for ages. This one does not rank up there for them but they conceded that it was a book they would want to go back to again.

Revised Review

Its been a few weeks and my 4 year old brings back the book ever so often. He loves reading it again and again. A sure hit there.

The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel In the Crown - Vaseem Khan

photo courtesy: goodreads.com

A crime story set in Mumbai 's bustling street - with an elephant.

I came across this book after attending the Asian Writer Event which celebrated the its 10th anniversary. The event was a day filled with interaction and workshops - a truly inspirational event that brought published and established writers together. Vaseem Khan, the author was on one of the panels talking about his crime series involving a detective solving crime with his pet elephant.

What a hook! I love crime thrillers not only for their stories but also for the detective's persona and the other small bits and bobs that accompany though not necessarily part of the core crime story.

The first story introduces a retired inspector Chopra, who is bequeathed a baby elephant Ganesha .  Together he and the animal together solve a mystery. The series continues with the second story, where Ganesha, while settling into the family, helps Chopra once again to another mystery concerning the theft of a remarkable jewel belonging to the British Queen.

Gist:

Inspector Chopra is at an exhibition of the crown jewels that are being displayed at the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai. However, the jewels are stolen, literally in his presence and Chopra finds himself in the middle of it trying to find out who could have stolen it.

What works:

• The setting is great, the background information with which Khan constructs the persona of Chopra is good. He builds the background well with attention to detail.

• The narrative is fluid. To me this seemed like Death in Paradise - a british crime series set in the Caribbean, -  in a Mumbai setting. 

• There are so many peripheral characters, Poppy the wife, Poornima the painful -mother-in-law, Irfan the orphan and also Chopra's nemesis, Rao. Loved the way the characters are fitted around the story, with different strands continuing at the same time. 

• Khan shows a good understanding of the city he sets the story in. Reading about the Prince of Wales Museum and Madh island - places close to my "Bombaywalla" heart felt good and it was great to see him have such a good control of the place he writes about.

What doesn't:

• The setting clearly works and while Khan seems to have got the series firmly on hand on track, there is a nagging doubt of what will happen once the elephant goes older. There are mentions that the maturing of an elephant takes a long time....but then at some point that police truck is going to be a bit tight for an elephant....

• Also Inspector Chopra in Brihanmumbai police seems a bit improbable when compared to a Inspector Shinde. Khan justifies the name though to a certain extent by giving a plausible background although one cannot help wondering if market forces are at play...

Overall an enjoyable murder mystery. But in addition it is also an emotional story, with moments of philosophical introspection and they are so well layered that it makes for a wholesome reading experience.

A lighthearted, well plotted murder mystery by an author who writes from heart.