(Image Credit: Vikatan Publications) The most sedate of the series, Volume 3 methodically and meticulously lays down the platform for its penultimate and ultimate companions. Kolai Vaal (“Killing Sword”), is that ominous portend, the devious and scheming lull before the storm, the clairvoyant of coming events that begin casting their murderous shadows. Vanthiyathevan and Arul … Continue reading Ponniyin Selvan – Kolai Vaal (Volume 3) – Kalki Krishnamurthy

(Image Credit: http://www.amazon.com) Richa Mishra’s India’s Oil Story is a sneak peek into the trajectory of the measures undertaken by a nation to extricate itself from the burden of external dependency, and in striving to attain self-sufficiency in producing one of the most important commodities (if not the most important) that binds together 1.4 billion … Continue reading Unfilled Barrels: India’s oil story – Richa Mishra

(Image Credit: netgalley.com) Kay Harel informs us about the elucidation of the great novelist Henry James after the latter visited Charles Darwin at his house at Down House. According to James, “Darwin is the sweetest, simplest, gentlest old Englishman you ever saw…He said nothing wonderful and was wonderful in no way but in not being … Continue reading Darwin’s Love of Life: A Singular Case of Biophilia– Kay Harel

(Image Credit: Ananda Vikatan) The genius of Kalki is an almost deliberately understated – muted even - brilliance. After almost 450 pages overlaying 2 books, in Chapter 13 (that is prosaically titled “Ponniyin Selvan”) of Volume 2, the author in an incredibly matter-of-fact manner conveys one of the most important (if not the most important) … Continue reading Ponniyin Selvan – Suzhar Kaatru (Volume 2) – Kalki Krishnamurthy

(Image Credit: http://www.goodreads.com) “Amarar Kalki avargalin Ponniyin Selvan Mudhalaam baagam (Pudhu Vellam) Mutrirum” (The immortal  Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan Part -1 (New Water) ends thus). My most excruciatingly slow read has also been my most satisfying - ever. I am always of the uncompromising belief that a movie adaptation can never be compared to, and can … Continue reading Ponniyin Selvan – Volume 1

(Image Credit: NetGalley.com) A heartwarming and faith affirming story that will act as inspiration for children and parents alike, Carolyn Watkins' "I don't Want to Move", makes for a very positive and optimistic read. Little Charlotte's parents are moving, and this means parting with her trusted set of friends, bidding goodbye to her lovely old … Continue reading I Don’t Want to Move