All Consuming : symphoney symphoney

Consumed "The Man from Earth"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:38:34 GMT

The Man from Earth

by Richard Schenkman, Jerome Bixby

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Valkyrie"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:34:59 GMT

Valkyrie

by Bryan Singer

WORTH IT!

Consuming "The Namesake"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:25:11 GMT

The Namesake

by Jhumpa Lahiri

Consumed "A Thousand Splendid Suns"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:23:39 GMT

A Thousand Splendid Suns

by Khaled Hosseini

WORTH IT!

Bumpy ride through the galaxy

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:20:02 GMT

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

by Douglas Adams

Though its crazy-quotient is up there, it gets boring after the first two books. Douglas Adam’s unorthodox storyline is to be appreciated and that the author has chosen to take the Inter-galaxy Highway less taken is definitely the USP. But hey….. I gave up after the second book because I had not the patience to remain in the crazy crazy Universe of his.

Bumpy ride through the galaxy

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:19:49 GMT

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

by Douglas Adams

Cassandra Compact : A review

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 16:14:03 GMT

Robert Ludlum's the Cassandra Compact

by Robert Ludlum

The story begins with a mafia-style scene. A guy visits his beloved’s grave on a rainy day. While he stands there feeling her absence, there is a short flashback that would have made a great movie scene.

The plot : A Small-pox sample stored in a Russian Research Laboratory is smuggled out of the country by a terrorist with a literature-filled rap sheet. He enters (... where else…) the US with the intention of a bio-war. His partner in crime – NASA, NSA and some big guns identified by endless 3-lettered or 4-lettered acronyms. How the Vijaykanth/Arjun-of-the-US – Jon Smith, a secret agent working for a secret agency reporting directly to the President, finds this missing bio-weapon and prevents a global crisis is depicted in the 396 pages.

To hell with the helio-centric theory. It’s time people realized the (micro)gravity of the Washington-NY-Centric theory. Be it King Kong or a meteor, they all want to visit New York and DC. This story is no different, only … the passenger’s name this time around is : Variola Major.

This story revolves around the power-centers of DC.

Despite being a run-of-the-mill conspiracy theory (geez! Conspiracy theories are now so cliche!), this book does kept me riveted till the end. The storytelling was easy on the ears. The web of secrecy has been well thought of. Characters come in to do their jobs and promptly die soon after (a soap-opera script-writer’s dream come true). Now thatz what I call a DO-AND-DIE attitude :).
What I liked most about this book was the subtely of narration at a lot of places.

That the stereotypical romance for the hero has been saved for another day is a reason to smile. There are just references to his relationships in the past.

The effects of micro-gravity on the virus seems to be well-researched. Nice info.

No long flashbacks, even in the most compelling situations. Just references to the previous book ‘The Hades Factor’ here and there. Looks like the intelligence team was the same for both Hades Project and Cassandra Compact. So, you wont miss much if you haven’t read The Hades Factor.

Once the mystery is solved, they bring out the name of the evil project – Cassandra Compact. Again, there is no unnecessary raving about this project once introduced to

the reader. It is implicitly conveyed that the reader should put 2 and 2 together.

All in all, it is a thumbs-up from me. Definite movie material. I’d love to see how they make this into a flick.

Wholly Cow (rated 1 star)

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sun, 14 May 2006 16:20:40 GMT

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure

by Sarah Macdonald

Completely avoidable!

Lacklustre in narration, it is boring from Page 1. Bits and pieces of information that was useful. Nothing more !

One Night @ the Call Center (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:31:09 GMT

One Night @ A Call Centre

by Chetan Bhagat

Having read ‘Five Point Someone’, I expected this to be a good read. The first few pages begin with an ‘Alaipayuthey/Saathiya’ style screenplay that seems to have become Chetan’s signature tune.

The Call center dudes and dudettes, the lifeline of the novel, arrive with a truckload (well….. I am exaggerating here !) of call-center jargon. The story is narrated through a character called Shyam, one similar to Hari in 5.some1. I have a sneaky feeling that CB is exactly this kinda guy !

The part where these folks get a call from God could have used a little more build-up. This part should have formed the crux of the book, but is sadly reduced to nothing more than a few pages.

It is almost the book-verion of K.Balachander’s Vaname Ellai , albeit sans the depth. I felt that the characterization could have been more intense than it was.

CB has thrown in all the ingredients like sex, romance, casting-couch et al…. all to make a Masala mix that leave a sour taste in the mouth!! Could have been a much better novel had he not introduced the frequent flash-backs of his dates with Priyanka that Shyam has.
1. The way he checks the reservation chart to see if there any F18-27 in the compartent. I have done this a zillion times :P without any luck !

Likes

2. The potrayal of Bakshi’s character. Believe me…. this man will definitely remind you of your (ex)Boss…. and like CB says, the Ultimate Indian Male Fantasy is to get even with your boss.

3. Debunking the Yankee superiority complex.

Dislikes

1. Everyone seems to relish using the F word and the likes.

2. Ending – a double whammy, I felt it was a very weak ending, pretty cinematic too!

3. The way the characters get even with Bakshi – Plain stupid and stereotyped.

4. Ridiculing all Americans as dumbos – Might not augur well !

A review of "Five Point Someone: What Not to Do in IIT"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 13:20:39 GMT

Five Point Someone: What Not to Do in IIT

by Chetan Bhagat

A simple short-story written well enough to keep you nostalgic till the last moment.

As mentioned by a leading daily, it feels like the paper-version of ‘Dil Chahtha Hai’. The plot revolves around 3 IIT-Delhi under-achiever dudes who break every law in the book to succeed in IIT.

The language is very readable and you are spared that walk to get your dictionary out of the attic. Chetan Bhagath seems to promise a lot more. Hope he gets better by the book.

Personally, I could relate to a lot of incidents in the story though it appeared cinematic in patches.

A few things I loved about this book
1. The Neha character provided the much-needed variety in a plot involving 3 guys who turn IIT into ‘Masti Ka Paatshala’

2. Vodka on the Insti roof. We have had fun times like this too ;(

3. Title – The title was a smart one. The change from “five point something” to “five point someone” was very creative and apt.

4. Real life characters – atleast they were potrayed so !!

Certainly worth a read !

Why I gave up consuming "Baudolino"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 05:50:42 GMT

Baudolino

by Umberto Eco

I just could not relate to any character in this novel. I managed to pull myself through the first 150 pages though :(

Umberto’s writing style seems different, but not captivating enough. I will be trying out ‘Focault’s Pendulum’ nevertheless.

A story about "A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 03:44:44 GMT

A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes

by Stephen W Hawking

First book on Physics ever since I finished college. A good book to get your gears working again :)

The book is well written and easy on the beginners (to Physics).

Particularly enjoyed the part about the Negative time Axis. Also got to know about ‘The Chandrashekar Limit’

A story about "The Godfather"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 04:40:13 GMT

The Godfather

by Mario Puzo

I hit on this novel aftter seeing many a friend going ga-ga over it. I was slightly disappointed at the end. It was a good book, but thatz it. It definitely is understandable that it created waves when it was published (before 30+ years), but if it were to be published today, it would not receive such accolades.

A story about "Last Man Standing"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 05:17:00 GMT

Last Man Standing

by David Baldacci

Snail-paced non-thriller !
The book is painfully slow and the suspense factor is a farce ! The plot flatters to deceive.

Nothing exciting about this book at all.

Only notable aspect is the hero is not the run-of-the-mill perfect-10 guy.

A story about "Six Thinking Hats"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sun, 25 Sep 2005 12:59:01 GMT

Six Thinking Hats

by Edward de Bono

PATHETIC !! The author has once logical idea – there are 6 domains of thinking. In any meeting, all participants must think in all 6 directions for a complete analysis. The point is that all must think in the same direction at a given point of time. This idea is repeated with non-descript examples over 180 pages !!!! Please avoid this book.

A story about "Deception Point"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 04:45:23 GMT

Deception Point

by Dan Brown

Another good Dan Brown novel. Not so intriguing as ‘Da vinci Code’ or ‘Angels and Demons’ though. The suspense factor is not maintained till the end. A good read nevertheless.

A story about "The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World's Oldest Religion"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 05:15:56 GMT

The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World's Oldest Religion

by Swami Bhaskarananda

Easily putdownable ! Does give u a few details, but not in a Da-vinci-code style. There are better books out there.

A story about "Temple"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 07:44:25 GMT

Temple

by Matthew Reilly

Not a great read. The suspense factor which is an essential part of any action movie/book was missing.

A story about "Thiruvasagam By Ilayaraja"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 06:22:22 GMT

Thiruvasagam By Ilayaraja

too classical for my liking

A story about "Hover Car Racer"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 04:45:37 GMT

Hover Car Racer

by Matthew Reilly

One of the best’action’ books in the recent times. It has kindled my interet in F1 racing. Nice read. Author uses rare derogatory language , which is a pleasant surprise.

A story about "Culture Shock: India (Culture Shock! Guides)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (symphoney symphoney) — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 04:08:38 GMT

Culture Shock: India (Culture Shock! Guides)

by Gitanjal Kolanad

Definitely not for the Indians. Might have been a useful guide for the foreigners (thatz the real purpose of the book, though). I found it mundane. Quit half way through it.