Book Review

Bombay Duck is a Fish
Kanika Dhillon
Westland
Rs. 195

If someone told me I’d be reading a book titled Bombay Duck is a Fish, I’d probably have looked at them, convinced they were delusional. But it seems that the universe has a funny sense of humour. Well for one thing, I did end up reading the book and for another, I found myself pleasantly surprised.

The story revolves around a girl Neki Brar, an aspiring film-maker trying to make it in Bollywood. Now, the plot doesn’t scream “prize winning novel” but then again, let’s not be hasty whilst judging. Keeping aside the clichéd story line, what drew me to keep reading was the simple fact that this book, though fictitious, might still be privy to what really lies behind all the glamour and make-up of a film set.

And Dhillon delivers. Slowly but tactfully she snakes her way right to the belly of the beast, where all the dirty, dark secrets of film-making lie. It does help that the author has first-hand experience since she worked her way up the ladder, having started as an assistant director and is now a screenwriter. Although, I wonder where the autobiographical elements of the story end… the protagonist hails from Amritsar, so does Dhillon. Neki managed to bad an AD position in a on a Fiza Kareem movie in the story while Dhillon assisted Farah Khan on Om Shanti Om… it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out the inspirations for her characters but the piercing question is how much of Neki’s life ties in with Dhillon’s rags to riches story. But that’s beside the point.

Dhillon’s characters have quite a bit of bite to them. Every detail she spent in spinning the story only makes you sink deeper into the journey Neki makes. From a naïve young girl to someone who manages to find her place, make an impression but then sink into an abyss of irrevocable desolation – ultimately leading to her ruin. The book has many colours to it, serving as an American dream of sorts (here more like the Indian equivalent of the American dream) to an example of how too much of a good thing can sometimes be bad.

Nearing the end of the story and completely caught up in Neki’s life by this time, you really don’t know what to expect. I have to be honest, the way Dhillon chose to end the story left me a bit confused. I don’t know if Neki goes through with what she sets out to at the beginning of the story or if she just fades into nothingness as most people who enter the film fraternity do. All I know is that it left me wondering about what really happened.

My take 

Though not ground breaking, Bombay Duck is a Fish is gripping and will have you glued till you’ve read it cover to cover. Steer clear if you want to make it in Bollywood though…

By Charlene Flanagan

Book Review

Chocolate_Guitar_Momos
By Kenny Deori Basumatary
Tranquebar
Rs. 200

Never judge a book by its cover. Well, in this case, that’s exactly what I did. Completely intrigued by the name, it was no surprise that I dropped what I was reading and began skimming through the pages of my new fixation. The book kicks off with the protagonist Joseph, a struggling musician, getting dumped by his third girlfriend, after a five-year-long relationship. What transpires next is Joseph’s downward spiral into depression and self-pity, followed by a wild goose chase of a girl he believes to be his soul-mate, hilariously presented by Basumatary. Though he misses his mark on strong character development, there are some amusing individuals we come across – Joseph and his friends, Moon the Internet Café owner and even Babu the bodyguard-cum-driver. He merely paints rough sketches of the persons they are, especially Joseph. I would have preferred a more compelling personality in the protagonist. After all, a story is only as strong as its characters.

An emotional rollercoaster entwined with back-stabbing friends, match-making sessions and an overly romantic male character is somewhat reflective of the chic-lit genre but Chocolate_Guitar_Momos presents a guys version of a break-up and what it means to take a chance on someone else. Filled with pain and disappointment and interspersed with a few moments of happiness, the novel breaks its narrative with intermittent comic relief. The story of Joseph’s quest is a laugh riot, as he ‘pokes’ around on Facebook looking for his soul-mate. It makes a profound decree on love and how life is never how we expect it to turn out.

The book perfectly portrays Guwahati and the bordering states in the North East. Having grown up there, Basumatary is familiar with the place and the cravings of the Assamese youth. However, the ending is not what you might expect, in keeping with the optimistic tone of the story. One might wonder if the author himself is happy with how the novel turned out. Honestly, it looks like he rushed through the last few pages, maybe in his hurry to meet a publishing deadline but the urgency in which he ends the novel is a clear indication that there is still a long way for Basumatary to go. Maybe he did not have a Pulitzer in mind when he set out to write this.

My take 

Read it for some frivolous fun and interesting anecdotes on travelling in the North East. Chocolate_Giutar_Momos makes for a fun read but plays out more like a light-hearted travel guide considering Basumatary’s familiarity with the place.

By Charlene Flanagan

Cruel Intentions

He came, like a touch upon the hand,
With eyes a glorious green,
So suddenly, it was hard to stand,
Nothing but a face was all she’d seen.

Standing tall, his head up high,
A smile that could melt any heart,
Every breath held a sigh,
Every man kept his woman apart

His strong form now seemed near,
Looking like it was carved of stone,
Hands that make someone quick to fear,
And another soften when alone.

Exuding confidence and abundant charm,
Poised and ready to proceed,
Walked to her, extended his arm,
Promised to fulfil her every need.

She’d known too much to believe his talk,
Her guard was up all the while,
She’d known the moment she saw him walk,
The moment she saw him smile.

She had known all about his deeds,
Warned, to watch and be aware,
He’s the cause of the heart that bleeds,
The man that doesn’t care.

She watched as he hopelessly tried,
An impression he had to make,
For he could not hurt his pride,
His reputation was at stake.

“Perhaps a dance may change your mind,
And show you that I’m good,
A bad standing left behind,
I am just misunderstood.”

He moved so elegantly, yet so bold,
Strong hands gentle to the touch,
Something about that tender hold,
Made her want him quite so much.

Sweet talk eventually gained control,
She gave in to passion’s trust,
The stain of sin upon her soul,
Betrayed by the night of lust.

The plain deceit, the obvious lies,
False words to trap and trick
What hides beneath those glorious eyes
Are thorns that pierce and prick

Arrogance, personified by this man,
Prides himself in another’s pain,
Out of choice, because he can,
For nothing but selfish gain.

Charlene Flanagan

Love Game

Scarlet lips begin to curl around
The cigarette that she holds
Sweet smoke fills up her every breath
As another night unfolds
Staring at her reflection
With a deadness in her eyes
She lowers her head, turns off the light
And stifles her desperate sighs
Stumbling down the road she goes
Clothes outlining her perfect shape
This night, like every one before
Allows for no escape
Preying eyes with every step she takes
Leaves her lost and in despair
But she carries on in a hopeless daze
Avoiding every stare
Rounds a corner to that one same spot
Takes her place under the stars
With one last drag of her cigarette
She began waving down the cars
Remnants of the girl she was
Stare back with fleeting hope
From the reflection of a tinted glass
A customer she tries to rope
If only she could finally see
Eyes filled with love instead
Be done with pantyhose and heels
And pay per hour motel beds
If someone could look past her flaws
And try to make her whole
They’d see she’s just a frightened girl
A weary, wounded soul
If someone tried to understand
Leave nothing left to hide
Put a smile back on her tainted face
And make her stand with pride
But she knows too well not to hope or pray
Life had nothing good in store
She knows the price of happiness
And wanting so much more
Heels click along the concrete road
Though it feels like sinking sand
She walks toward the waiting car
And takes the driver’s hand
She shakes away that hint hope
Slowly creeping in her eyes
Adjusts her dress, wipes away a tear
Stifling those desperate sighs

Charlene Flanagan

Together Forever

The night was dark, the wind blew strong,
The road ahead was cold and long,
This lonely path she had to tread,
She did not know what lay ahead.
Her heart to no one did belong,
She walked for miles till he came along,
A handsome young stranger, humble and kind,
Of noble descent, with a beautiful mind.
He saw the girl and instantly fell
In his mind and heart she began to dwell,
All day long he would smile and dream,
Take walks along the gentle stream.
He would see her and his pulse would race,
One look and blood rushed to his face,
He knew just then that he had fallen in love,
With an angel sent from up above.
She could feel love for him begin to grow,
When and how she did not know,
All she knew was that those feelings ran deep,
She prayed this love was for her to keep.
The pain she endured for all those years,
With no one to wipe her bitter tears,
Once bitten twice shy, that’s what they say,
Should she let love pass, let it slip away?
She knew just then, she had to tell,
To confess that she loved him as well,
Whether hurt again she did not care,
With him this love she had to share.
For days he wondered how she would feel,
When finally the truth he would reveal,
Would she glance and then turn her head?
Or would she make him wholly hers instead?
So finally when his mind was made,
He bought a ring with diamonds laid,
Walked up to her, asked for her hand,
He finally decided to make the stand.
Like a rainbow forming across the skies,
A sudden brightness filled her eyes,
“Yes,” came the reply, “Yes I will,
Be yours forever till time stands still.”
Now here together on sacred ground,
Happy that each other they had found,
With only love and happiness to give,
Together, forever they will live.

Charlene Flanagan

Untitled...

Last night I saw cloudy skies
Before the first rain falls
Heavy drops of painful cries
Seemed to muffle my desperate calls
I could see us standing miles apart
While you soaked in the heavy rain
One look was what broke my heart
When I saw those tears of pain
I began to run closer to you
So I could wipe the tears
To erase the hurt I put you through
To fight away those fears
But as I ran, you kept moving back
Kept moving further away
Maybe it is something I lack
That just won’t make you stay
But I had to fight, to make you smile
Even with the rain pouring down
And if it took all the while
I would wipe away that frown
But just then, I awoke
With a quiet, muffled scream
Never had I felt the choke
Of a horrid and painful dream
So I pick up the phone to make a call
To make the pain die out
And just your voice can calm my all
And drive my fear and doubt
So even if a dream can scar
It doesn’t make it true
For all the pain seems so far
When I’m lying next to you

Charlene Flanagan

I Waited...

I wished for love on a falling star
I prayed it would come true
And when I least expected it
I stumbled upon you
The twinkling stars, the silver moon
Nothing can compare
To the way you smile, you hold my hand
Or how you stop and stare
To the love you have that only grows
The warmth of your embrace
Your laughter like the sweetest song
Or that look upon your face
Each passing day brings us close
Makes us stronger with each fight
And all the hurt, and tears and pain
Banishes in your light
So here I am, lost no more
With a heart all full of love
I waited on that falling star
And my angel from above

Charlene Flanagan