Son of Witch

Title: Son of Witch

Author: Gregory McGuire

Series: The Wicked Years

The second book in the Wicked series is a tale of a young boys search to know himself and what he discovers at the end of the journey. Liir is abandoned in the company of Nanny and Chistery the monkey after Elphaba's unfortunate death. Lonely and confused, Liir arms himself with the cape and broom of Elphaba and sets out with Dorothy, the scarecrow, the cowardly lion and the tin man to the Emerald City hoping to find his probable half sister Nor. This journey takes Liir through the prisons of Emerald City and a quest that ends up with him taking up Elphaba's cause which was to ensure that the Animals had their rights and that Quadling country would be free. In the process he learns to navigate the broom, destroys the Wizards most destructive weapons and finds the answer to the question that has been troubling him all his life. Was Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west actually his mother?

I found the book to be very intense even though its story lines deceives readers, giving them an idea that this is probably a humorous book. The same goes for all books in the Wicked series. The book is rich with language and definitely made me learn a lot of new words. The sincerity of Liir's search for his half sister and the path o finding himself was very endearing. A good read, if you don't mind serious and intense books.

I am definitely going to read the third book in the series which is "A Lion among Men"

Slumdog's Oscar: What it can teach us

The much awaited Oscar night is over at last and our very own slums shined bright with ARR at its helm. I was bowled over by his acceptance speech which was a 1 minute lesson in humility. Thanking the great G and his mother, he had absolutely no airs about him and could have very much passed for the guy next door who had just strolled onto the red carpet.

I see a lot of people around me who walk around as if they were God's gift to humanity (yeah right!). They talk and continue blabbering because they probably love the sound of their own voices. On more than one occasion I have been able to see through these folks..they have no clue of what is going on and what they are talking about. Having done nothing on their own they seem to live out of someone elses achievements and ideas and lie like nobodies business. Listening to such folks gives me migraines and after a certain point of being jailed in such conversations, my eyes see their lips go blah, blah, blah while my mind is plotting its escape.

In the midst of a world like this, ARR stands out. A man of few words but full of knowledge and talent.First I loved his music but I am convinced that it is his character that probably makes him the genius that he is and my hero! Now, more than ever I am convinced that empty vessels make more noise.How do you deal with empty vessels, nee people in your life?

Equal Rites

Title: Equal Rites
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld series
Genre: Science Fiction, Humor

Summary: The first book in the witches’ series of the Discworld novels. This book is one to tickle your funny bones. The book follows the journey of one girl to attend wizard school at a time when women were not allowed into the university. Esk, an 8th daughter of an 8th son is erroneously made the heir of a wizard before his death. Apparently the dying wizard thought that she was a boy! Granny Weatherwax the formidable witch of the village “Bad Ass” (yes that is correct!) helps her to become a witch and a wizard! The novel is about the battle between the sexes and is filled with plenty of humor, a mysterious staff and adventures that keep you turning the pages.

My favorite character was definitely Granny Weatherwax. An extremely confident and intelligent witch who gets things done her way and fixes most people by just staring at them!

I wonder if JKR could have possibly borrowed a lot of ideas from these books which were published in the late eighties. The book has references to the school of wizardry called the Unseen university with its mysterious cellars, library full of live books, gargoyles on building columns that move away when it rains so that they can avoid getting wet, wizards dueling etc.,! Seems Hogwarts was just a richer version of the “Unseen University” so called because it is not visible to the normal human eye. There are also references to plants that scream when uprooted which was JKRs version of mandrakes and much more. I simply enjoyed the book and would definitely read it again in the future.

Close on the heels of the women in India trying to beat down the Rama Sena and other stupid groups with pink lingerie and more, I thought that it was perfect timing that I chose to read this book!

Verdict – Buy and Read. Definitely one for your personal library.

Finished: 16th February 2009
Rating: *****

The Pink Chaddi Campaign

This is totally amazing and hats off to the brave women and men who came up with this idea and are doing everything possible to stick it to the Rama Sena. Here is my contribution to your campaign - Right now all I can do is spread the word and pledge my allegiance by sporting the logo of this campaign on my blog! All you fellow bloggers against all this monstrosity, please do join the motion! "Yo Rama Sena! In your face!!!! You guys are pathetic loosers and we will rock u!!"

Here is the link to the details of the campaign. Join and let these jerks know we won't put up with them!

Pramod Muthalik, loads of "jaadoo ki jappis and chaddis coming your way"! Courtesy the women of India who can make chapathis and go to the pubs!

Happy Valentines day all!!!

http://www.thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/

Life, Universe and Everything

Title – Life, Universe and Everything
Author – Douglas Adams
Series – Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Genre – Science Fiction, Humor

Summary: Once again, the book was a journey through space and time that made me loose my way around the pages every now and then. This book is no exception to the usual crazy humor that is a consistent throughout the series. Arthur tries hard to find the meaning of Life, Universe and Everything and in the process saves the Universe twice and rescues the ashes. By ashes I refer to the ashes from burning the cricket stumps of England and the cricket series for winning back the same. Being one of the keys to destroy the universe the ashes are stolen by the alien robots from Krikkit so that they can destroy the universe. There is also a lot of insight about the planet Krikkit, which was probably the source for Cricket and the usual weird characters that range from a talking, flopping mattress, a floating couch landing in the middle of Lord’s and and a floating party! Does Arthur find what he is looking for? What is the meaning of life? Is it really the number 42?Find out all this and more while reading this book!

Verdict –Borrow and Read
Finished: 6th February 2009