First impressions
SUCHITRA BEHAL
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Next; Michael Crichton; Harper Collins; Rs. 195
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FOR those who think of scientists as forgetful and gentle little harmless men, Michael Crichton's new book reverses almost everything. His take on genetics leaves the reader with almost hysterical wondering where human beings stand if this should ever happen.
The story opens with a young student from a prestigious university being shadowed to discover what he plans to sell. Even as the agent loses sight of the freshman, other characters jump in. At stake are many pharma companies with their big dollar grants and their strange research papers. However once you get behind the scenes there is more dirt being dug up.
Crichton's futuristic world reads like a thriller where men, scientists and exotic creatures intermingle freely. Reminiscent of Jennifer Government by Max Barry, Crichton creates a world, which challenges our sense of reality, and leaves us disturbed and shocked.
Umrao Jan Ada; Mirza Muhammad Hadi Ruswa; Orient Paperbacks; Rs. 175.
SHE would have been forgotten had her life and times not been made into a film. Umrao Jan evoked much interest with the release of the film of the same name. But fact and fiction have a habit of merging and blurring the lines.
In reality, Umrao Jan was no great beauty. Her great gift lay in her voice and her unique ability to compose verse. Her story, told in her own words to Mirza Muhammad Hadi Ruswa and translated from Urdu by Khushwant Singh, traces her life from her childhood.
Umrao Jan wielded much power over those who visited her. Brought up to observe the finesse and etiquette for which the Lucknow courtesans were renowned, she was also a woman with a great presence of mind. But, like most courtesans, she is finally left all alone with her memories and little money.
This novel recreates her fascinating journey through old Lucknow, the palaces of wealthy nawabs, the luxury of the courtesan's abode and their incredible need to find a partner true to them.
By The River Pampa I Stood; Geeta Abraham Jose; Srishti; Rs 100.
IN the backwaters of Kerala stands the Gold House. Its occupants have many stories to tell and some secrets lie locked away till the eldest daughter of the house lies ailing. Always the rebel, she has set her standards way above those around her. She has lived life by her rules. But now, it is time to come clean and as she waits for her favourite niece to be by her side, Annama, as she is now known, wonders about the past. At the same time, her niece discovers different facets of her aunt's life, many of which throw up quite a few surprises. However, she keeps these to herself, promising to fulfil her aunt's last wishes. Spanning over a century, this story also covers the lives of Kerla's Syrian Christian community, a people who abide by age-old conventions abhorring change of any kind.
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