The funda of Mix-ology - Mainak Dhar

Call it a coincidence, if you will, but the second book I am going to review has again been written by another geek (i mean it in a positive way off course, grins) from that heavily worshipped institute in India - IIM A. Now looking at what this Mr.Dhar and that other Mr.Bhagat have come up with, IIM A might just as well transform into a School of writing, and pretty successful one at that! Don't believe me, then try this one out - and before that - try my review out. IIM or no IIM, writing is my thing (winks).

Ok, now that the sufficiently funny introduction is over, lets get back to business. Mix-ology is one hell of a read for me, coming at a time, when I have been going through exactly the same emotions as the protagonist displays in the beginning couple of chapters, and which, pardon me, might make this review a bit biased. But is it not another star for the writer, that he has connected with a bloke like me, in the beginning itself and already I am ready to say that the book is good, even before I have read it through? Anyways, that brings us to the rest of the process or the rest of the book left to be read through, which was absolutely a breeze, believe me. Never once, was I able to put it down in the last 3-4 hours that I have read it (yes sir, I have just read the book and writing my own review on it, I should be getting a life, right?). It was well-paced and gave quite a few instances of food for thought time and again. The imagination of the author was awesome and he has really used a nice storyline to put across one of the most serious messages on life, atleast pretty serious at my age. What message? Nothing out of this world as such, the truth we all know, the fact that is ever-present and ever-obvious, the golden principle that still shines or glitters - you curious enough now? So go read the book now - it is just a 100 bucks and a paltry 148 pages - easy on both the wallet as well as the restless mind! But - before this review sounds as something Mainak Dhar must have paid me to write, lets do give a few critical comments - the author is good, the style nice and the content intelligent, however, as Chetan Bhagat has rightly proved, the success of the book doesn't really matter on these 'trivial' things (mind you, I love Chetan Bhagat too, refer to the first review - wow am i marketing guru or what?) it takes something more for your book to be read and loved and talked about, things like marketing (the way I myself tried in the previous brackets), media connections and publicity, and a solid publishing house to back you up! Admit it guys, have you ever heard about Mainak Dhar? He has already written five books previous to this (or so his introduction in this book claims). But again, to give some credit to Chetan Bhagat, Mainak lacks the humour or the entertainment factor, Chetan's books are written for the majority junta and they bloody entertain. Also the language used in this book is a bit too literary compared to the easy, simple and light language used by Chetan Bhagat - in short the book might lose interest of the people who don't list reading as their first passion, or the second, or are trying a book out for the first time, or are reading because they have nothing better to do - see what I am doing - I am trying to put an example of a too literary language, and showing how it can lose the reader's interest (in case you were wondering). Gosh, I have written so much about the authors and so little about the book - so here goes,
It is the story of a young man caught in the drudgery of life, where life is so not what he had expected it to be. Caught in the rat race, disillusioned, toying with the idea of giving it all up and flinging himself in the dream world of writing, he is caught up in an out of the world experience which somehow puts things in perspective for him. Each chapter begins with a really aptly written poem, which frankly captured me, and the poems are bloody awesome. I am not really sure if they are original or printed with permission, but in any case, if the author has written these poems, hats off to him! With the risk of being sued, I write one gem I found particularly endearing -

Stumbling along the road of life,
exploring new paths, yearning for those,
long lost in the mists of time,
searching for a place called fame

Callused soles, tired feet,
scorching glare of the ego's sun,
but still charting the paths ahead,
searching for a place called success,

Never stopping, never looking,
Searching for a place called wealth.
A broken sign on the road reads
'Did you see the flowers on the roadside?'

Into the Wild

The movie reviews-series funnily starts with a movie that leaves me bloody scared if I am ever gonna feel again, what i felt, while watching this movie. I have always taken pride in being able to put everything in words and being able to paint a picture with words, as vivid as it can get. But, God, I really have to admit this is one of those rare times that I am almost speechless and at a loss of words to describe the intense connection I felt with this story. If you think I am exaggerating, you ought to check this movie out 'Into the Wild'. But mind you, please watch it when you are alone and in the mood for some deep contemplation, it is no way a movie you choose to watch when you are having friends over for the night!
Ok so now that you all set, lets get on with the actual movie- it is basically about the age old strife of man- freedom in its truest sense- freedom from the materialistic world, the man-made stuff, freedom from all emotions, freedom from relationships, basically everything that holds one down and chains you not physically, but in your mind. The protagonist decides to break free from all these 'things', this is exactly how he refers to the world, and runs free into the wild, into the nothingness of life. He burns his degree, destroys his license, his social security number in an attempt to destroy his materialistic existence. He then sets off in his car, which he leaves on the way, to destination Alaska- to live life in its truest form- where all a man needs is food and all he sees is the sky above and its just himself to be heard, and just himself to be talked to. The movie is as much about his life at Alaska, as his experiences on the way, the people he meets, the attachments he almost makes but still stays true to his journey's aim - Alaska. The subtle message is masterfully delivered- life is off course pointless albeit- it is all about experiences, about doing what one has to do, and then doing some more! The climax is what really says it all, and does define life and happiness and the purpose of all the chaos around us with the punch that these 'real things' deserve. The performances are measured,natural and totally upto the level demanded by the deep content of the script. The actor rocks, and I am really surprised how him and this movie did not get the attention it so warranted. The background score takes the viewer to another world, and if you are the kind who listens to those lyrics in the song, you ought to check out the songs in this movie. They are artfully used at appropriate scenes and work well in increasing the overall impact of the storyline. And yes, for those who do think about the nuances that go on behind the scenes, this movie has been directed by none other than Sean Penn, so you can, but understandably, now, expect much more than this review will ever force you to.And did i tell you the not-at-all trivial fact,that this story is based on a true person, man, I can't believe someone from mankind had the guts to do this thing in search of freedom! Hail Christopher Johnson McCandless,I bow to thee! I sign off with a quote from the movie
"Rather than love and money and faith and fame and fairness, Give me Truth!"

2 States by Chetan Bhagat

Off course, the series of reviews should start with none other than our very own beloved Chetan Bhagat's latest '2 States'.Frankly, I have almost given up on him after the disastrous 'The 3 mistakes of my life' - reading which turned out to be one of the 3000 odd mistakes of my life. What then has convinced me to try out his latest? First and the most important reason, pardon me if i say it out loud and shameless, its bloody cheap.I can anyday waste my 100 bucks on a bad book than on a good girl - assuming that the latter is the best thing a guy can spend his money on.And second and more important, my time is cheaper than my money, I am in no dire want of hours spent on wasting away and so why not waste it on the 4th attempt by a certain Mr.Bhagat who definitely deserves it for his fresh and most-entertaining 'Five Point Someone'. So back to the point now,this book has turned out to be one of those nice surprises- not really surprising that one gets more when one expects none.It is back to the basics, no heavy duty stuff, fresh light narration and real smart and witty comments added in at just about the right moments.He doesn't waste much time in the now boring tale of how the boy woos the girl, and then again he doesnt waste much time in the now popular tale of how the boy dos the girl, instead it is one fresh take on what happens after.It is the oft neglected tale of the families concerned, in the most subtle and humourous manner.It is definitely funnier than all of his previous books,he has most certainly realised that humour is the most powerful device to stay on the best selling list.About the story, it is fast paced and holds your interest all through the whole of it.The two different families - the Punjabi and the Tamil - have been created well and do evoke smiles at the quirks and the eccentricities that they suffer from.A very subtle and deep message that I personally liked was about the future son or the daughter being an Indian - not a Punjabi or a Tamil.
His trademark filmi (bollywood) touch is again prominent in the over-the-top dramatic fights between the son(Krish) and his father and true to style, the father doing a complete turn around in the end and making it a happy ending for all.This is one thing I really don't like about this author though, he has started writing books thinking about the end possibility of them being converted into movies, just my opinion again! But all in all,as we might all agree, the bottomline matters, which in case of writing a book means entertaining the reader. And hell yes, this book was an entertainer in all respects.It made me smile,laugh at times, and most importantly, it made me read itself right through the end, something that is becoming difficult for me in the last couple of years. So there you go, thats '2 States' in my view, worth a read once and definitely worth spending that fast losing-value 100 rupee note on.