Book review- The Seller of Beliefs by Trishala D. Shah

"Seller of beliefs", the title had my eyes turn back to the book. I judged the book by it's cover and philosophy being my area of keen interest, I had to read it.

Summary- 

The entire book states the happenings of one single day. It's a short 112 pages' book about how a bubbly, talkitive girl living a superficial life, like more people today do than not, finds the path to her inner self. The girl is forced by her parents to attend a course she's not enthusiastic is the least about. The second day of the two day course requires the students to attend a fair, where they're each given a guide. Througout the day, using various metaphors, the girl realises different aspects of a happy life. The course infact helps her (and the reader) to penetrate a layer deeper in her own self. When the day ends, marking the end of the course as well, she experiences the sense of a richer self, and ofcourse, the true identity of her teacher and the guide.

Review- 

According to one class of division, there are three kinds of books- one in which you are not quite getting a hang of the plot but the author's descriptions keep you hooked to the book; the second where the author's descriptions do not go well with you but you are enthralled by the plot; and a third where along with a great plot, the rich language has you drooling over the book. This book would fall in the second category.

I really like some of the ideas of rides in the fair that develop out of the author's imagination, for example 'the mirror of gospel truth' which makes the girl wonder what her real purpose in life is, or the 'sale tent'. But there are some other chapters which I wish the author had put more effort into creating a better idea than only penning down what first crossed her mind. The brilliant idea of the story that the author has come up with, could end up making a brilliant read too if she had used better explanations and not catered to amateur readers. Use of words like 'dumbo' and 'smarty' were a turn off for me, but then probably the author has not targeted an audience like me.

I liked the ending parts of the book more than the initial stages. As you read further in the book, you will realise the growth of the author's writing. But again, which part of the book you like (or even the entire book) will more naturally depend on what your weak point in life is. Having an inclination towards debates on the existence of God and universe and love and practice, I will give the latter part of the book a better rating. I seconded the guide's perception for who God was and I fell in love with Trishala's thoughts, how she used Shahrukh Khan as an illustrator to explain the principle of God being in everyone. Formidable!

However, I do believe another thorough and careful editing of the book could have polished it for the readers. This one gave a rather raw impression, which did need some finishing. There were, if you read closely, some instances where the author self contradicts to suit the situation and aid stereotypes. I found this more prominent in dealing with the character of the girl.

The book, as a whole, was more of the author's realisations of life, I gather, some of which she was absolutely successful in passing on to me. She was the seller of her beliefs and I did buy some on my way. The reason why I did not buy some other beliefs is because I either had my own strong conceptions of those beliefs which the author failed to break or because the others were far too clichéd for me. I say that having read a lot of life's philosophies. You could have some very different views, specially if this is the first philosophical fiction you'll be reading. In that case, the story might stay with you for some time and you may connect to your inner self whike reading it.

Philosophical fictions always make atleast one aspect of life clearer to you. This book, profused my belief in what the author prefers to call a 'stark raving madness', ie, " situations where mind and logic are not applied, where you take leave of all your senses- they go on to yield the beay moments of laughter. But you ought to drive out your fear of people. You ought to let innocence, openness and self-consciousness take over you", to quote the author.

I will not recommend the book to someone who reads a lot of philosophical fiction. But anyone who wishes to venture out in this genre must read the book once. It will help you to know yourself better. You see an author in the making and I will definitely pick up more titles by the author when they come out, for she did manage to prick my skin, if not pierce through it.

More than liking the book, I have liked author for the person she is, that is reflected from her ideas and imaginations put into the book, in a way that I'd enjoy a meet with her over a cup of coffee for a personal exchange of philosophies and learnings. (Trishala, take note! )

Find the facebook page of the book here-
https://www.facebook.com/TrishalaDShah

She's late, as usual

Writing Five Sentence Fiction on the word prompt this week- Waiting. Click here for other entries.

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I met her for the first time, my new roommate, after waiting outside our room for an hour; apparently she had been sleeping soundly inside.

I waited for her to gulp down all the shots on the table and then held her hair back while she threw up in the basin; I wasn't going to let her suffer alone.

I waited for her, wearing my white veil, while she looked at herself in the mirror for the umpteenth time, applying some more gloss now, readying herself to walk me down the aisle; I wasn't going to let her miss a minute of my wedding.

I waited for her to arrive at the venue before starting my speech, as I grabbed my first award; I couldn't do this without her.

Today I'm waiting for her again, on the death bed, creating her worried, panicked face's images in my mind; I'm not dying without seeing her for the last time.

©SoumyaaVerma

For, the House

Writing for Friday Fictioneers again, hosted by Rochelle here. 

The smell of antiquity filled my nostrils as I entered my new residence.

"You know the history," my broker had exclaimed, "Everybody who has lived here has turned out to be a legendary writer! Daniel Defoe, Dickens, Christie and most recently, Rowling."

I could be next.

"Yes, you could be!" He read my thoughts. "Sign up for a bright future, now." I bought his house and his tales.

As I now sit at the same exquisite table and write my first piece, I can already feel words coming naturally to me. You might just see my name in this year's bestsellers!

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Here's to our lucky places, lucky houses, lucky pens, lucky days, lucky colors and everything lucky. Here's to the futility of acknowledging luck.   

The butterfly effect

At long last she found that butterfly, reveling its reunion with the garden flowers. Butterflies show semblance to freedom, she had heard. Envious, she carefully grabbed and bottled it, hindering its bond.

"Siya, come on get back to studies", her mom called. Ah, reunions!

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Written for From 15 to 50 prompt by Shailaja V. She's started a new monthly challenge and it's already so much fun! Go pay her a visit.

The Map

Writing for the Five Sentence Fiction prompt- MAPS 

Image source- Creativebloq.com

I thought I knew what 'complete' felt like when he found the map to me, making me smile and laugh and cry and grow under the bubble that covered us.

Now thousand miles apart, spaces have grown in our togetherness.

But mourn not for us, for we found happiness in the drops of the sea between the shores of our souls. 

Last night, he visited, finally holding the map to my body. I think I now know what 'complete' feels like.

                                                      

Book review- Is This Love and Automn- The Last Leaf

BOOK REVIEW

Is This Love and Autumn- The Last Leaf

SYNOPSIS:

The book is compiled of two stories "Is This Love" and "Autumn- the last leaf". Both the stories, though quite different, revolve around friendship and love.

'Is This Love' is the story of how two friends find the love of their lives in each other. Vishaal (notice the double 'a') and Sheetal are liberal youngsters who live together in the same house, though never having got physically close. The two have been together for each other in the highs and lows of their lives and that has eventually led them to fall for the other, secretly. They realise this only after the entry of Aman in Sheetal's life. Caught in her own perplexity, Sheetal decides it's too late for her to revert back and ends up marrying Aman. As their journey unfolds, you will see the different shades of love that color the lives of the three. I'm not going to give the end away and spoil the fun of reading the book for you guys, but yes, the end left me the reader satisfied.

'Autumn- the last leaf' is more of a thriller entwined with love and friendship. The story starts with Neha's dream where she sees that her friend Kathy is in danger. Neha often sees such dreams which later come true. A series of events that follow make Neha realise that she is indefinitely in love with Kedar. But Kedar marries Samiksha, a charming woman and a good wife to Kedar. However, an unfortunate even in Kedar's life brings Neha back to him again. But as hard as she tries, she cannot get Kedar out of mourning. She finally decides to let her lust rule. But how close can she really get? Somewhere, Neha's dream holds the key to those unanswered events. The havoc of an obsessive love has been presented by the Author in a very believable manner.

CHARACTER SKETCH:

I liked the character of Vishaal, from the first story. He was an understanding, caring and a composed person. Sheetal, on the other hand, I could not much relate to. The author has formed her character thoughtfully and tried to make her more like the contemporary girl, and yet there were times when I wanted to shout through the book to tell her to get a spine. The characters of the second book are more relateable I think. The conflict that Neha goes through, her thoughts and her feelings are radiated through the book to the reader. Allowing Samiksha to be this beautiful person that the author has made her, was a good choice I think.

NARRATION:

If you have a O' Henry or a Nicholas sparks book in mind when you begin reading this, get rid of those suppositions. Go read this book without any expectation EXCEPT to just enjoy two beautiful stories, sitting by the window on a rainy evening. The author has used a very simple english to narrate these stories to her readers. I liked the parts where she has given a larger meaning to some smaller acts. Like when Sheetal's tear falls on a card she's reading, given by Vishaal, and it falls just where Vishaal's tear had fallen when he'd been writing the card, thus uniting the two forever- extracts the author.
I wouldn't say it was a very powerful narration, but a narration which could hold you onto the book and leave you wanting to know more as the story unfolds. Just don't compare the book with any other book of the same genre. It's not meant to be that way, the author has only intended telling you a story through her perception, her eyes. And she's done that well.

VERDICT:
I'd call it simple but intriguing.

Visit Arti Honrao's page here

An interview with Arti shall be coming up soon, so stay tuned!

The un-forked Flintstones

Writing for the Friday Fictioneers again. The photo prompt this week-

Photo courtesy- Mary Gail Stratford

“Mommy, why do we still live in caves?” asked Pebbles.