Book Review: Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson

 

Book Title: Most Ardently Yours
Author: Freya Sampson
Genre: Romance, fantasy
No. of pages: 317

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of many romance novels, must be in want of a book boyfriend."  

Such an imaginative, funny, entertaining and exciting read!

Zoe, once an aspiring romance novelist, has given up on writing and relationships. A voracious reader, she’d rather spend time with her book boyfriends. And who could be more eligible than Mr Darcy!

One rainy afternoon, she stumbles into a handsome owner of Baskerville Books, one of the classic but unassuming bookshops. He refuses to sell romance books, apparently hates romance novels because he believes they’re toxic. 

“What about Jane Austen? If you tell me you haven’t heard of her, I might have to walk over there and punch you.”

Irked by his adamant views, she does something inexplicably reckless. She spots an old copy of Pride and Prejudice tucked away on a shelf and when, Nick, the owner,

refuses to sell that copy, Zoe thrust it into her bag and runs away with it.

Guess what? It’s no ordinary copy, because, the next day, Zoe miraculously summons Mr Darcy. A bewildered Darcy from the nineteenth century is now living with her in her apartment, while she tries to hide him from the world, for she desperately wants to be with his favourite fictional character, whom she has been in love with since she was a teenager. It turns out he has stayed in this world way longer than he should have.

Okay, please don’t roll your eyes, but I haven’t read Pride and Prejudice. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. One of the funniest aspects of this book was Mr Darcy’s regency era manner of speaking, which the author managed to keep remarkably distinctive throughout. Although the two stories are quite different, sometimes it reminded me of the movie Kate and Leopold.

“A nightmare? I have no sense of where or what this abominable purgatory is, only that I must escape it before I am driven to despair.”

“What in the devil’s name is that?” he cried. 

“Don’t worry, it’s just Mr. Wickham. He likes to sleep under—”

I stopped when I saw Darcy’s cheeks flush red. “The scoundrel George Wickham is here too?” he roared. 

“Oh no, no, no, it’s just my cat.”“

“Am I to bathe without a manservant?”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

There were many exciting twists and turns in the book that kept me hooked.
I liked Nick and his chemistry with Zoe. 

There are so many characters yet it never felt confusing, as it often happens in most books with a sizable cast of characters.

Although the story got pretty thrilling towards the end, it meandered a bit and felt stretched. And that’s my only problem. Zoe’s feelings and dialogue got a bit repetitive. The ending could have been crisper. 

Considering it was an advance review copy, I really hope it went through another round of editing before publication.

Overall, an out and out entertainer. A must read if you are a Pride and Prejudice fan. Thank you, Netgalley for the review copy.

 

When No One Was Looking: A House With Trapped Memories

When no one was looking, I found myself sitting at a lakeside. The sunshine played over the water, and reflected a lovely mix of green and blue. I looked up to see the clear cerulean sky with a few puffs of clouds, tall trees framing it. 

I had no idea what this place was.

And then I sensed something and turned to my left. I saw you walking towards me, smiling brightly. You were wearing the same red sweater I knitted for you when you were just four years old. I smiled back as I noticed a flute in your right hand. I exhaled in relief, feeling assured and relaxed. That you were coming to me. Where else would you go?

And then, suddenly, it’s all dark. Like a television has been switched off.

My eyes flick open, my heartbeat racing. I close my eyes again. I don’t want to wake up, not yet, but anxiety is not letting me sleep. I open my eyes, and they land at the wall sized, curtain-less window. My sleepiness vanishes, my anxiety diverts.

It’s not my home!

I can see the vast, greyish sky. Fluttering crowns of trees. A gentle breeze flows in as it belongs here. Maybe it does because I don't. What am I doing here? Then the realization nudges me. We arrived at this new house last night. I sigh as I look at the disorganized room. 

After a while, I am sitting on the windowsill, with a hot cup of tea, stewed with elaichi and some coffee.

This new house is on the 4th floor. The hazy morning fills me with freshness. I can’t remember the last time I was awake this early. I can see a roseate hue appearing in the sky. There’s a park in the society premises, abuzz with many people even though it has just dawned. I get a bizarre feeling. Like when you’re among so many people yet you’re alone.

There’s a group of old men, sitting on the ground, under a tree. Amaltas tree. Bunches of yellow amaltas flowers hang as if eavesdropping. Three tired women are sitting on a bench nearby, chatting. I don’t think they come for a walk. It’s just an escape from their hectic life. A chance to have some ‘me time’, away from family and mundane routine. 

A roar of laughter attracts my attention. A group of people are laughing, raising their hands up. Just like that. I take the last, cold sip, wondering how anyone can laugh without feeling it.

Who wouldn’t want such an airy house, such peaceful beauty outside their home? But, I don’t feel peace. I look around the room as though I’m trying to find something, but there’s nothing familiar I can spot. What am I looking for? Memories? Your memories that are still trapped in the old house?

Our old, rented house was a crammed tiny flat with no such views. You could just see each other’s balconies or walls and faint glimpse of a road passing by, busy, buzzing with blares. Sunlight and air struggled to find a way in. It was home that carried a lot of things – my joy, my pain. Your memories, your existence. Our togetherness. 

Your smile floods my heart and a fresh pang blooms. 

It was that house where I found you. It was that house where I lost you. The bed where you had lain, smiling. The floor where you lay lifelessly. 

The house where I saw you for the first time. Where I heard you for the last time. That cosseted your fragrance and memories carefully long after you were gone.

Suddenly, I feel a desperation to go to that old house. It’s the same feeling I experienced in the hospital where you breathed your last. How I started to feel a deep connection with that hospital room instantly when the doctor said, ‘Let him go.’ 

I felt I could stay in that crowded hospital forever if you stayed. 

But you didn't.

When you were gone, people consoled me, saying, ‘He was not yours.’ It was so ridiculous that I wanted to laugh. But I cried.

The heaviness leaves my heart and reaches to my throat and then to my eyes. It happens all the time.

There’s a kind of loneliness that I like to share with you, through your memories. It's like a tender thread connecting me with you. Nobody can snatch this thread from me, no matter where I may go. No matter how many new memories I make. 

I feel warmth on my feet, as golden sunshine enters the room. I look at the park. It’s almost empty now. Time to get busy. But, I’ll be back with a lingering melancholy to sit with you, yet again. 

Book Review: The Heart of Everything by Marc Levy

Book: The Heart of Everything 

Author: Marc Levy 

Translator: Maren Baudet-Lackner

Pages: 205

Publisher: Amazon Crossing 

Price: ₹129 (free for Kindle Unlimited users)

Book Source: Netgalley Review Copy

'Even stories that seem impossible can become real if just two people believe in them.’

One day, I happened to watch a film called ‘Just Like Heaven’, or maybe someone has recommended it on Twitter, I don't remember. I loved the film. And later re-watched it. When I googled it, I found out that it was based on a French novel, ‘If Only It Were True’ by Marc Levy. And with that search came another, very familiar book cover: ‘The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury’, which I had already read but, sadly, couldn't remember the author’s name. The author was Marc Levy, and I remembered that I had loved that book too.

And ‘The Heart of Everything' is no exception either. I loved it. There's a fascinating common factor of all three books I mentioned —they all have an element of fantasy or magical realism,
which makes the story even more intriguing and fascinating

‘The Heart of Everything’ tells a heartwarming story of Thomas, a pianist, and his dead father, who suddenly appears in front of him five years after his death, with a very strange request and a shocking secret that dates back to thirty years ago. And hence, they both, yes both, travel from Paris to San Francisco.

The book is all about this journey and the beautiful bond of a father-son duo. I won't tell you more, but it was such an entertaining read.

The writing is lovely, the conversations so endearing. The dialogues were so interesting and witty, from which pops out effortless humour. You might feel that humour is inappropriate for the setting (I sometimes felt bad laughing out loud) but it comes so naturally.

Every character, including the secondary ones, are so well defined. Thomas, as his father says, is such a nice man! Raymond rocks.

The ending, though, is poignant, a kind that fills you with a sense of loss.

‘There’s nothing funny to me about leaving you. But I’ve always found humor to be the most elegant strategy for dealing with adversity.’

I will definitely read more of Marc Levy books, as he is becoming one of my favourite authors. Pick this book up. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you, Netgalley for the review copy.

Book Review: Lonely People Meet by Sayantan Ghosh

 

Book: Lonely People Meet 

Author: Sayantan Ghosh 

Publisher:Bloomsbury India 

Pages: 218

Price: ₹282 on Amazon 

(Kindle copy available).

Book Source: Personal copy (Won it as a prize for my Bookish League - hosted by Ritu - Post - When No One Was Looking: a Bookish Dreamscape

Unique storyline, interesting storytelling and very engaging writing. 

I don't want to reveal much about the plot because it would ruin the fun; I’ll just say that, as the title suggests, it's about dealing with loneliness and holding on to memories. 

On an extraordinarily ordinary day, Karno accidentally meets Devaki. An instant bond is formed and thus begins a friendship —one that gradually leads to love and longing, one-sided perhaps. Just when Karno begins to absorb the feeling of love, one morning — right after a beautiful night — Devaki is no longer a part of his life, and he is left struggling to deal with her absence and the ache it evokes. 

‘I never knew the weight of an absence could be this heavy.’

—from the book.

Lonely People Meet is an intriguing story that encloses a deliciously sharp twist at its core. As the story unfolds, you find yourself walking alongside Karno, searching for answers with him.

I had earlier read a lovely story by Sayantan Ghosh featured in an anthology ‘Best Friends Forever’, and when I came across his debut novel, I really wanted to pick it up. This book carries several striking stories within the story, which I loved. I instantly connected with the author’s writing style and the feel of it. For me, it was a slow burn read, not because it lacks pace, it's just my mental state was a bit different when I started reading it; I just wanted to savour it. 

Devaki is a fascinating character and I found Karno endearing, a lost soul in several ways. Another character who stood out for me was Faiza. 

The only thing that bothered me was that, at certain places, the writing becomes overly descriptive and reads like political commentary. It feels more like the author's personal opinion rather than the character’s narrative, which is fine but it felt slightly out of place for a fictional story. 

Overall, it's a different, soothing read, which I genuinely enjoyed. Definitely looking forward to his next book.

Some quotes that touched me:

‘All of us die twice in a single lifetime. Once when our body perishes and our mortal remains are buried or sent to the pyre. And again, when we fade from the memory of the last living person who remembered us.’

‘Sometimes sadness can be strength.’ 

‘One of them was meeting a long-lost lover, while the other was looking at a total stranger.’

‘In abandonment she had found the strength to renounce her memories.’ 

My English Translation of a Beautiful Hindi Poem by Rajeshwar Vashisht

 

The famous writer and journalist Sanjeev Paliwal ji recited a beautiful poem by Rajeshwar Vashisht on Twitter. (He recited my write-up too, and I was so thrilled and honoured!). You can listen to it HERE, if you want.

Rajeshwar Vashisht's poem is so beautiful that I wanted to translate it.

Here's the original poem:

प्रेम फिर से लिखा जा रहा है

नदी के जल में 

घुल गया है सुनहरा सूरज

नीचे तक झुक आया है 

नीला आकाश

काँप रही है हवा, 

और तुम लिख रही हो 

कोई कविता 

तितलियों के पंखों पर!

तुम्हारी आँख से 

काजल लेकर 

साँवली हो गई है साँझ 

आसमान में आँसू की तरह 

लटक रहा है चाँद। 

अपनी तर्जनी के पोर से 

तुमने उसे छुआ 

और वह बह चला नदी के साथ!

तुम पढ़ रही हो मेरी कविताएं 

जो तुम से शुरु होकर 

तुम पर ही खत्म होती हैं,   

तुम्हारे स्पर्श से 

जुगनुओं की तरह 

चमक उठते हैं मेरे शब्द, 

अर्थ उड़ते हैं आसमान में

चहचहाते पक्षियों की तरह!

सुनेत्रा,

मेरे और तुम्हारे बीच,   

फिर से लिखा जा रहा है प्रेम 

किसी अनूठी हस्त-लिपि में! 

 

—राजेश्वर वशिष्ठ 

Beautiful, isn't it? Now my Translation (with permission). Not as beautiful as the original, maybe, but here it is!

The amber sun blends into the river,

cerulean sky bowing to the horizon.

The air quivers 

as you write poems

on the wings of butterflies.

Taking kohl from your eyes, 

the evening has grown dusky.

The moon hovers in the sky

like a tear poised to fall.

You brush it with your fingertip,

and it flows along with the stream.

You're reading my poems

that begin and end with you. 

My words glimmer like fireflies

at your touch.

Their essence drifts across the sky

like birds singing as they fly.

Sunetra,

Love is writing itself anew,

between you and me

in handwriting exquisitely unique.

What do you think?

This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon. 

Sharing with ECM community hosted by Manali and Sukaina 

Book Review: The Truth About You and Me by Emma Cooper

 

Book: The Truth About You and Me

Author: Emma Cooper

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Source: Netgalley

The Blurb:

Maggie always wanted to be an astronaut but ended up being a cleaner. She loves her job. 

Every Friday, she attends the last showing at her local indie cinema after finishing her job. 

One night, Jack, the owner of a popular bookshop (and a voracious reader who has lost the ability to read after an accident), goes to the same screening. These two strangers are about to fall in love – there’s just one complication: Jack knows nothing about Maggie. 

Maggie knows everything about Jack. How? Because Maggie has a unique gift of knowing exactly what the person is thinking the moment she touches them. 

Over a series of Fridays, Maggie and Jack get to know each other, but the closer they grow, the bigger the secrets that could tear them in two. 

One slight touch, and she knows that she isn’t the total stranger he thinks she is.

Will she risk everything to tell him the truth – or is true love something that only happens in the movies?

My Thoughts:

This is my second book by Emma Cooper, and I’ve loved them both.

They're both love stories with some surreal elements. The last book (that I read), ‘The One Before the One’ was

a time travel romance,

and this one has a touch of magic realism, which makes for a really fun combination.

Emma’s writing is very engaging, the execution of the story smart. This story is told from the dual point of view, with the switch in perspective happening exactly when it needs to. 

The truth about Jack and Maggie: we know the truths from the very beginning, and yet the writing and storytelling kept me hooked. Even the informative descriptions about Alexia (the inability to read because of a head injury) and the secret behind hearing people’s thoughts didn’t feel like fillers. Also, the author has managed to build suspense that keeps you intrigued.

The characters: I really liked Maggie and Jack and their wonderful chemistry. It was so pleasant and endearing when they were together. Nell and Riz were two very interesting characters that added an extra layer of depth to the story.

My only quibble is that a few portions felt a bit drawn out —for instance, the time Maggie spends at Jack’s home. Although it was a significant part of the plot, I felt it could have been trimmed down a little. Also Maggie’s moments with Derek didn’t really contribute to the story. But apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon. 

A Girl With a Fountain Pen

Image source: Pinterest

The crisp November breeze waltzes inside the dimly lit room, as I watch you from the corner. You stare at a blank screen, the faint blue light falling on your face. Your arched eyebrows join into a frown, as you struggle with your story ideas bubbling inside your head. Did I ever tell you that too many ideas bursting at once can hurt as much as having none? No I haven't —we haven't talked in a very very long time.

‘One idea at a time?’ I whisper but you don't pay attention.  

‘What’s wrong with me?’ You blurt out in frustration. ‘My imagination has conveniently set off for a long vacation, I guess.’ You heave a deep sigh.

I skip a beat when your hand moves towards me, but you pass me by and reach for your phone instead.

I watch you in desperation as you scroll the screen. 

‘It’s been more than 40 minutes, my lady, and you haven't written anything. Switch off the laptop maybe?’ I chime but you ignore me, yet again. 

Why did you even bring me to your writing room if you won't even look at me? Don't you smell the metallic scent of ink drying inside me?

Remember your school days? We were so close. I used to smile giddily as you filled me with royal blue ink, not caring about the blue stain on your soft fingers. I’d gulp down the ink, sighing in satisfaction, as I moved on your notebook.

‘Try me, maybe? I might help unlock your imagination.’ I offer again, but all in vain. 

You put the phone back. Right beside me. I yearn for attention, you know that? But you don't touch me. 

Getting back to the blank document, you type a few lines. I feel good, it's okay as long as you're writing. Suddenly, the room darkens, just a patch of light landing on your face from your dearest laptop. The electricity has gone. After a while, you groan, and the room has plunged into complete darkness. You’ve switched off the laptop as well. 

I am about to doze off when a yellow glow blooms. You have lit a pale blue, scented candle. Is it lavender or rosemary? I wouldn't know. You put the candle on the side table, and it warms my body. And right then, our eyes meet and lock for a moment. A smile flickers on your lips as you pick me up. Your erstwhile favourite fountain pen! Can't tell you how giddy I feel, my heart warmer than the glow of the candle light. 

You settle in the chair and open a notebook. And just like that, you are writing again! My flow is scratchy in the beginning. It hurts a bit but I absolutely don't mind. You shake me a few times, sloshing the ink back to life. I chuckle. And, this time when my tip touches the surface of the notebook, I glide gracefully across the page. 

‘Oh, the joy of writing with a fountain pen!’ You murmur, and I swell with pride. 

I can feel you smile, as you fill the page after page. Ink might dry again, someday, but tonight it flows, and so do we. 

This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon. 

My Hindi Translation: You Weren't Mine But You Mattered by Eric Wilson

My Hindi Translation 

तुम मेरे नहीं थे,

पर तुम अहम थे मेरे लिए।

मुझे कोई हक़ नहीं कि मैं तुम्हें याद करूँ,

बिल्कुल नहीं!

तुम मेरे थे ही नहीं कि मैं तुम्हें थाम सकूं,

या कि खो दूं।

मगर फिर भी, तेरी याद से 

मन के किसी कोने में इक हरकत सी होती है, 

जैसे कोई डोर जिसे मैं बाँधना भूल गयी।

अजीब है ना ये?

किसी को चाहना 

बिना ये जाने कि उस प्यार की जगह क्या है?

मानो कोई राज़ 

जो सीने में एक धीमा सा दर्द बनकर रहता है…

तुम मेरे नहीं थे,

पर तुम बेहद 

अहम थे मेरे लिए।

This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 

मेरे सपनों की कविता

So we speak in our dreams and understand what others are saying, but do you ever hear a clear voice —someone saying something significant and insightful like a quotation —without knowing where it came from?

I wrote a little poem inspired by such a voice someone whispered in my dream: 'जैसे सूरज की किरणों ने बारिश की बूंदों को छू लिया हो।'

तुम्हारी बोलती नज़रें

प्यार की पहली झलक थी

जो मन में ऐसे बसी मानो

कभी ना बुझने वाली दीये की लौ।

और तुमसे मिलना कुछ ऐसा था 

जैसे सूरज की किरणों ने

बारिश की बूंदों को छू लिया हो।

When sunrays touch suspended raindrops, Physics does a colourful poetry of its own, no? That's what I thought when I woke up hearing these lines. 

This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.