Wednesday 27 December 2017

Book: The 365 Days - Life's tale of Immigrants

#BookReviews




Title:  The 365 Days
Author: Nikhil Ramteke
Publisher: Write India Publishers
Pages: 192
Price: Rs. 110
My Rating: 3/5

Blurb:

This is a story that falls through the crevices of pitiless anonymity, yet miraculously waits to be told. 
Shijukutty, a Malayali fisherman, leaves his tiny hamlet of abject poverty in the coastal village of Vizhinjam on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, that picturesque vignette of searing beauty on the southwestern coast of India. Shiju, like millions of other Malayalis, seeks his destiny in Dubai, that gleaming global hub of fortune on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. What unfolds is a stirring story of distilled hardship, exploitation, identity, and friendship, and the heartbreaking choices Shiju is often forced to make. So what he sees is not what he experiences when he lands in a world of glimmering towers, fast-paced life, and unabashed opulence. For what he was not prepared for was the dark underbelly of Dubai beyond the shimmering mirage. 
Shiju's life is no more the same. But he holds his ground, drawing on ancient instincts of his seafaring ancestry. As things settle down around him, he is inexorably pulled into the canyon of recession...
Will Shiju be able to hold on to his dreams? Will he able to pull out himself from the whirlpool? Will he survive against all odds? Will he redeem himself? 
Nikhil Ramteke unfolds an extraordinary saga about Indian expatriates, their struggles, their alienation, and their dreams. The 365 Days is more than a story of a year in Shijukutty's life. 

Review:
Some dreams are fulfilled and some are shattered. While some turn into a living horror. The 365 Days is a book which comprises of the latter. It is a story of migrants from Indian continent and how they suffer and endure everything that's thrown their way.

Shiju, leaves his home and peaceful life and moves to Dubai in order to make money and earn himself a name. However what he gets is a big shock. The story revolves around his life and all the disastrous choices he make (or is forced to make) in name of his job.

Overall the plot is good. What I liked is the touch to the reality. While reading we can feel the pain and sufferings of Shiju and other migrants. We feel like killing the agents and others. And no matter the cost, we feel like saving these poor souls from the brutal torture. 

The characterization is decent. However at times I felt like losing touch with the lead characters. For other characters, author has done a good job in maintaining a balance between story requirement and character exposure.

What I didn't like about the story is the week narration at a few places and the way it felt dragged (to me) on certain pages. But that's just my opinion - I like fast pace on novels.

Overall it is a pretty decent read. It touches heart and leaves you with a feeling of solemness and wet eyes.

My overall rating to the book is 3/5

Do grab a copy.

Lots of Love

Sunday 24 December 2017

New Year's Resolutions

Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian Bloggers#NewYearResolutions






It's time to make some resolutions... Add these 5 for a better 2018.
  1. Instead of wishing ‘Good morning’ to the entire world on WhatsApp, Facebook etc. Start your day by wishing ‘Good morning’ to the person next to you with a heartfelt smile
  2. Instead of picking up phone or laptop all the time to pass your time, look up to your family members and talk. Talking to them will bring you closer, WhatsApp, Facebook won’t!
  3. Hug your partner instead of your phone or laptop at night. Hugging phone/laptop will not blossom anything, hugging your partner will blossom your relationship
  4. While spending time with your kids, keep your phone and laptop aside. They will remember the attention you give them, your phone or laptop wont
  5. Spending time with family bring true happiness and solve problems. ‘Likes’, ‘Compliments’ etc. from social media don’t.

Take a Pledge today to make 2018 more loving and caring…

All the Best! 

Happy New Year.

Lots of Love