Queen Of Dreams and The Mistress Of Spices - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Queen Of Dreams

by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Paperback
Publisher: Abacus
Pages: 320
ISBN: 0349116083

"Last night

the snake came to me"

This wonderful read I picked up from a book shop in Karachi, Pakistan. I was looking for The Mistress Of Spices but this was the only book they had by Divakaruni, so I thought I would get it. And I'm glad that I did.

What really grabbed my attention was the way that this book was written. The book started with an entry from the Queen Of Dream's (that's what her husband called her) dream journal, forecasting her death. Then it continues into a narrative from her daughter's, Rakhi's, point of view. Then in certain chapters it becomes third person. I don't think I've ever read a book with more than two perspectives.

I'm definitely going to have to re-read this one because the last time I read it, I was so grabbed on that I rushed through it and finished reading it in less than three days. This book deserves more time and thought while reading.

The Mistress Of Spices

by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Paperback

Publisher: Black Swan

Pages: 317

ISBN: 055299670X

"I am a Mistress of Spices."

I've been on the hunt for this book ever since I accidentally stumbled upon the movie. After months and months of looking around, I finally found it!

This book is just pure pleasure. The poetic style of Divakaruni's writing just transports you completely into the world of Tilo, the Mistress of Spices. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading.

I am the kind of person who, when is reading, imagines the book in my head like a movie. Let me tell you something, this book was a spectacular hit movie in my head. Divakaruni's vivid descriptions of everything made this story a very enjoyable one. You never get bored when you're on the journey of learning how the Mistress went from Nayan Tara to Bhagyavati to Tilottama and finally to Maya.

However, there was one thing I didn't like. When Raven starts talking about his past, Divakaruni elaborated a little too much. Those few chapters about his past and his dreams were just plain boring. I had to force myself to get past them to get to the ending, which was also a little disappointing. But all of this is just a little dent compared to all the wonderful things about this book! So don't let that bring your hopes down. You should definitely read this.

Thank You!

Faiyaz

The Bastard Of Istanbul - Elif Shafak

The Bastard Of Istanbul
by Elif Shafak

Paperback
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 368
ISBN: 0143112716

"Whatever falls from the sky above, thou shall not curse it."

A few months ago (May) I caught one of my good friends carrying this gem of a book in Urdu School. Since I had completed all my classwork, I decided to take a quick look through it. I wasn't ready for what happened next. Almost instantly from the very first line, I was absorbed into the world of this gem. The very next day I had to go out and look for the book.

Delicious chapter titles and colourful personalities are only two of the things that you love about this book. After reading only a few chapters, you will find yourself feeling, smelling, tasting, hearing and seeing everything that is taking place in the book. This book won't fail to seduce you.

The surplus of characters in the first few chapters tempts you to put the book down. However, that is a very bad idea. As Shafak continues to develop them, you wonder if these people are real. You might even be able to relate to one of the many female characters. Throughout the book you bond with the characters, making it hard to say goodbye when the book is over. The women and their plights continue to stay with you days after putting the book down.

Full of contradictions, coincidences and surprises, this book tells the tale of an epic family saga started a century ago during Turkey's turbulent past, combining history, humour, tragedy and a little pinch of the supernatural. You will laugh and you will cry. You will be shocked, even though you might be able to see it coming, you cannot bring yourself to believe the painful truths.

I don't want to talk too much about the events in the book or about the characters because I feel like I might spoil it for you guys. I highly recommend this book to all of you out there.

Thank You!

Faiyaz