Paths of Glory - Jeffery Archer

I am a fan of Jeffrey Archer's fictional writing - and this book was no exception. Although Archer has presented well researched facts, this should not be treated as a factual book about Mallory but instead to be read as a story. If you see just the plain words this book could be called a catalogue of one person's achievements and set backs, but being the consummate story teller that he is - Archer has woven facts with fiction and created an amazing tale of Mallory's obsession. Despite the fact that I have no clue or love about Mountaineering or rock climbing, it's a testament to Archer's story telling skill that I was so engrossed in the book that I could not put it down until I finished it.

This book was a quick easy read told in Archers own style, but still I could not but feel disappointed that there were not more details given. I would not probably understand complicated details about Mountaineering, but still it seemed as if there were no details about the hard ships encountered by Mallory and his team. Please do not take me wrongly, I loved this book, but some how I did not feel how hard it was to climb Mount Everest when I read this book. I mean from Mallory's perspective it might not have been hard, but I knew from facts that it indeed was and it did not come through in this book. Also I felt like he could have developed a little bit more insight about what motivated Mallory etc. My two cents anyways.

But the book is absorbing and hard to put down. You would think there would be nothing interesting about Mountain climbing and a mountain itself, but the way Archer writes, you are transported to a world where the Mountain is transformed into something else, where time is enchanted and passes quickly and before you know you are the end of the book. I ended the book with feelings of wanting more, sadness for Mallory and his wife, euphoric feeling that Mallory had indeed succeeded and more. Definitely a must read recommendation from my side.

As I end this post, wanted to quote the the description on this book as mentioned on Archers's own website, highlighting the last line from it.

"This is the story of a man who loved two women, and one of them killed him.

Some people have dreams that are so outrageous that if they were to achieve them, their place in history would be guaranteed. Francis Drake, Robert Scott, Percy Fawcett, Charles Lindbergh, Amy Johnson, Sir Edmund Hillary and Neil Armstrong are among such individuals.

But what if one man had such a dream, and when he’d achieved it, there was no proof that he had fulfilled his ambition?

Paths of Glory is the story of such a man. But not until you’ve turned the last page of this extraordinary novel, will you be able to decide if George Mallory should be added to this list of legends, because if he were, another name would have to be removed. "

Lost in Twilight series

My Life was going normal until my friend Anjali told me that she had bought the first two book in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and then it turned upside down. lol. I know I am kind of exaggerating it, but this series is just amazing. I have read all the four books in the series non-stop and in a way it was good that I arrived late into this frenzy and got to read all the four books in series. I had read quite a few Vampire related romance novels by Tereasa Mediros earlier and had liked them. The TV Serial Moonlight based on Vampire and falling in love with a human was also one of my favourites.

I have read a lot of reviews on these on various sites. They range from Most Favourite to hate it...Which in itself is kind of unique. From the opening statement you might have realized that of course I love the series despite the romantic cliches. I think the most engaging thing I found about this series was the witty and humorous narrative that kept me completely engaged and was indeed a page turner. The cliff hanging endings for each chapter also helped of course. Meyer may not be a great writer, but she is a great story teller. The series has quite a few moments of insight into life, mortality, soul and love and Meyer has a gift to create artistic and sensual imagery of her writing.

A wry and sometimes witty narrative voice that engages the reader, complete with a few surprising moments of genuine insight about life, mortality, and love, combines with a gift for artistic and sensual imagery.

I do agree with many reviewers about Bella being whiny, shallow and having very low self esteem. But again this is just how the author felt her heroine should be and everyone feels like they would have portrayed her differently. But that is how she is. The number of times she feels or tell that she is too good for Edward also grated on my nerves some times. I am like just get on with it!! I also think that Meyer has portrayed Edward as being tortured and angst and could have developed his character more. He who has been in existence for more than a 100 years could have been portrayed differently - again that is just my opinion. But then again how many women have not fallen in love with Darcy type character who are brooding, angst, intense and are slightly controlling as well...too many? Yeah totally.

So in essence less-than-perfect characters experience for the first time the vampire-human love and all the joys and pains accompanying it actually make the book more interesting and not less. There were humorous dialogues and upbeat situations in the book making it really a feel good book. For example there is a scene in the book where Edward is taking Bella to meet his family for the very first time and she is worried that they might not like her and Edward comments that - "You are not worried that you are going into a house full of Vampires but the fact that they might not like you?"...Which I thought was really cool.

If you have not already read the book, please read it with a open mind and then let me know if you liked it or hated it!!! You might be surprised at your reaction.

Happy Reading
From the one is currently re-reading New Moon (2nd book in the series)

Judas Strain by James Rollins

James Rollins is relatively a new comer in the Science/Fantasy fiction arena, but he has made a good impression on me with his writing, his imagination, character development and able to keep the reader engrossed in his created world. He has also managed to continously improve. Any Action or adventure author would always trying to strech the limit of credibility a little, but what I like is how James Rollins brings in the right mixture of science/facts to make this strech feel real. :)

I am still in the process of reading Judas Strain, but the first chapter was totally amazing. I mean a good first chapter always sets the trend for the book, it makes the reader want to know more, it raises questions that you want answered, it intrigues you and more.. The voyage of Marco Polo from Asia back to Europe was really well written....

I do not want to write more about the story and plot and spoil the surprise for your if you have not yet read this book. On the other hand, if you have already read the book, then you know :)

The very first book I read of James Rollins was Sandstorm. It was just an amazing book and then after that I tried to catch hold of all his books and have read most if not all of them.

Cannot wait for his latest book "The Last Oracle". Am I greedy or what?....Yet to complete Judas Strain, but already wanting his next book....lol.

Have a good weekend and more to come next week.....

Reading Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's books

I have become a great fan of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. She has a way of portraying the women that stirs something deep within my own heart. She weaves a world of fantasy so good that you are lost in it and it is hard to put the book down lest you have to face reality....

Recently I read her book "Sister of my heart" which portraits the life of two girls growing up together and how their life changes after marriage and how they seek each other to comfort them in times of sadness and tragedy.

Divakaruni has described the Bengali life very well and does a great job in building up the relationship of the sisters.

Great book to read and would recommend it to all.

On a side note, there is a sequel to this book called "Vine of Desire" which for some reason I did not like as much.

But I really liked her other books - "Mistress of Spices", "Queen of Dreams" and "Palace of Illusions".

More about my thoughts on Palace of Illusions in my next Post.

Cheers and have a great week.

PS: I know I have been kind of lax in posting to my blogs. But hopefully I am back on track and will post more often.

Back to Miss One Thousand Spring Blossoms

Miss One Thousand Spring Blossoms by John Ball has always been one of my favourite books. Am back to reading this.

John ball has done great job in narrating the experience of an American facing the Japanese culture with the fine tunes of romance woven in it. The characters of people are nicely built. The description of Japanese culture is excellent. The author has dealt the realationship with Richard and Miss One thousand spring blossoms with great sensitivity and very realistically. The supporting characters play a very strong but subtle role in bulding the story. A great reading.... Really a master piece from a great story writer. A Must read.