Submit your Article

Gurcharan Das’ latest book, a memoir entitled ‘Another Sort of Freedom’ is a compilation of reflections on the author’s own life events, from early childhood till his septuagenarian days. In order to write about his early childhood, he utilizes the diary of his mother. From his mother’s diary, he concludes that he was a difficult child.

The initial part of the book recollects his childhood as a troublemaker, how partition destroyed the lives of Muslim and Hindu people, divided the communities, and created hatred for one another. The partition’s hangover is still vivid to the author as he along with his family had to leave Punjab without any preparations, just with clothes, a few essentials and importantly their own physical bodies. Gurcharan recalls the memory of his junior school days frequently throughout the book, especially that of the stealing of a rich kid’s pencil box and handing it over to a poor Muslim friend Ayan without anybody knowing about it. Later, the blame rests upon Ayan who is punished and the author, despite his interest to save Ayan, keeps silent and becomes a mere spectator. The author regrets this throughout his life for not speaking up the truth and saving his friend.

The author’s life seems to be interesting for readers who find him traveling to many countries frequently. Initially, he gets the opportunity to study high school in the US because his father is a government engineer. Later, the author secures enrollment in Harvard University for an honors degree in philosophy. Instead of taking the path of Doctor of Philosophy, he decides to try his luck in business, starting his career as a sales manager. The journey of his life is written in a linear and vivid fashion. He follows his heart and despite many hurdles in his career, he continues to progress ahead and becomes a manager at a young age. There are many stories of his career, something mid-career professionals can get inspired from.

There are a few connections with Nepal in the book. Donald J, the roommate of the author, who happens to be an avid reader of Nietzsche, leaves a copy of ‘Thus Spake Zarathushra’ to the author when he leaves for a trek to Nepal. Gurcharan falls in love with Nepali woman Bunu whom he encounters at a theater. There are some cultural differences between Nepali and Indian traditions which the author narrates as they were. Though there were mishaps in the wedding ceremony, the author manages to fix them right. The author’s meetings with different people in his life gives him lessons about life to live lightly. The core message Gurcharan preaches is, “Take your work seriously but do not take yourself seriously.” The words like ‘lightness’ and ‘lightly’ are repeated in many instances to emphasize that our being should be light. One should not take oneself too seriously and perhaps due to the same reason, the author follows the heart and takes an early retirement after reaching the top of his corporate career.

The author also shares life incidents when he seems to be pressured by the corporate rat race. Without any remorse, he shares how he had started to speak to himself alone and how he thought depression was taking his life. In such difficult phases, he sought the reference of the ‘Upanishad’ and drew analogy. He says that man’s search for meaning is due to the second Upanishadic bird that is the observer of the first bird, our regular physical body that follows the daily routine. That same second Upanishadic bird questioned the dull routine of the clock following man, without any natural joy. Following the same bird, Gurcharan takes an early retirement from Procter & Gamble as a vice-president in order to become a full-time writer. Though the writing job was a Sisyphean task to him, similar to the business career he was in, he found more freedom and satisfaction in the writing job, which he used to do as a weekend writer, just after graduating from Harvard and joining the business world.

The book is profound and philosophical, allowing readers to draw many comparisons and contrasts between the author and oneself, inspires us to live lightly and follow our natural instincts. Personally, reading ‘Another Sort of Freedom’ took me to the memory lane of reading the ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’.

Autobiography 

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/199623354 

Another Sort of Freedom

Gurcharan Das

Year: 2023

Publisher: Penguin Allen Lane

Pages: 296

I have three copies of ‘The Palace of Illusions’ by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni on my bookshelf. Every time someone borrowed my copy of the book, I bought another one because I would want to read it again and it wouldn’t have been returned. Now that all the borrowed books have made their way back to me, I have multiple copies. But I don’t mind it at all. I like looking at the forest-green spines with yellow letters and because there are three of them, it stands out.

I recently gave away quite a few books but I didn’t want to give away a single copy of The Palace of Illusions because I know I will eventually recommend it to someone and they will want to borrow it. It’s a book that brings back happy memories as I grew up watching Mahabharat on TV.  This is Panchaali’s Mahabharat. Narrated by Draupadi, the wife of the Pandava brothers, The Palace of Illusions gives a woman’s perspective on an epic that has largely been shown through the eyes of men.

Mahabharat focuses on the Pandava brothers and how they grew up. Divakaruni’s version tells us about Panchali—her birth, upbringing, her complicated friendship with the enigmatic Krishna, and her secret attraction to her husband’s most dangerous enemy. Some conversations and stories would perhaps not have seen the light of day hadn’t it been for this reimaging. There are a lot of important events of the Mahabharat in the book but it’s the quieter moments, of introspection and affection, that stand out. The peaceful years after marriage, and moments after the battle of Kurukshetra shine light on the essence of life. It makes for an insightful read.

Most of us have watched or read some version of the Mahabharat. But the story will still enchant you as you will see a completely different side to it. You will also come to view Karna, whom we know as Arjuna’s archnemesis, in a renewed light. One of my friends said The Palace of Illusions did what her parents couldn’t during her childhood. It got her interested in Mahabharat. And the book is indeed fascinating. It’s a fresh take on an ancient tale. You get to know the women much more intimately than you do in the original epic. Here, the women are the heroes. And you couldn’t cheer for them any louder if you tried.

Mythology

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1774836.The_Palace_of_Illusions 

The Palace of Illusions

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Published: 2008

Publisher: Picador

Pages: 360, Paperback

“Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. An anniversary they will never forget” reads the blurb of ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ by Alice Feeney. I bought the book for my husband as it will be our 10th marriage anniversary in the next couple of years and I thought I would spook him with a twisted book. But Rock, Paper, Scissors is mediocre at best. The setting is eerie but that’s about it. There is also something quite déjà vu-ish about the story but that could easily just be me having read a lot of thrillers and watched as many on Netflix.

Feeney has written several books but this was my first time reading her work. I wasn’t familiar with her writing style and that should have given a sense of newness to the story. That it didn’t do so makes me believe all thriller writers follow a trope and once you are familiar with it, it’s not difficult to see where the story is going, no matter who is writing it.

Rock, Paper, Scissors is about a couple who go away on a holiday. Adam and Amelia want to reconnect and rekindle their bond. They were once madly in love but lately, they find that they are unable to understand each other. The therapist suggests they go on a trip to try to relax and mend things so when Amelia wins a weekend getaway on a work raffle, the two pack their bags and leave. The place they end up at, braving a storm, is an old chapel converted into a holiday home.

The story is narrated alternately by Adam and Amelia, giving you insights into both their worlds and perspectives. As far as characters go, both of them are flawed and selfish. I didn’t like either of them. They were always blaming each other for everything. When Adam is telling his story, he is making Amelia seem bad. And when it’s Amelia’s turn, you are sure Adam is the problematic one. There is another character, Robin, who comes in a little later and adds a bit of intrigue. Who is she? Why does she have a key to the chapel where Adam and Amelia are staying? Is she trying to spook them?

But the problem is that there are only a few characters, and it’s mostly all about Adam, Amelia, and Robin. You know one of them is responsible for everything bad that is happening but you don’t know who and you are given very few clues to guess as well. Adam has prosopagnosia, meaning he can’t recognize people by their faces. He watched his mother get killed but couldn’t describe the driver to the police. He lives in guilt that his mother’s killer walked free because of him. You realize this is an essential part of the story but how it factors in on what’s happening isn’t clear till the author decides to shove it in your face.

As far as thrillers go, Rock, Paper, Scissors is average. Though there is tension on almost every page, much of it feels forced and fake. Don’t read it on a gloomy day because it will make you feel lonely, sad, and hollow.

Thriller

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56269064-rock-paper-scissors 

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Alice Feeney

Published: 2021

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 312, Paperback

I watched Spy × Family on Netflix a year ago. I wanted to read the books first as I had heard great things about Tatusuya Endo’s artwork but I couldn’t find the manga anywhere in Kathmandu. The online bookstores, which generally have titles I can’t find anywhere, didn’t have the books either. I was contemplating asking a friend who lives in Japan to get the book series for me when, lo and behold, Bookverse stocked them. I bought six volumes in one go. The manga series has 12 books. I’m hoping the bookstore will bring the rest soon.

The manga series has great artwork. You can get lost in a page for several minutes. The expressions of the characters will blow your mind, and make you laugh out loud. Though the story is simple and engaging, you will want to take your time with it as it’s entertaining and each page has something or the other you will want to look at for a while. For those of you who are new to manga, it might take some getting used to as you have to read it from right to left—the reverse of English which is read from left to right.

The plot is convoluted, crazy, over-the-top, and so much fun. Twilight is a spy. He works alone and he is great at his job. But for his next mission, he has to create a family as he has to infiltrate a school. So, he needs a wife and a child. Enter Yor and Anya. They are meek and thus the perfect candidates. But Twilight doesn’t know that Yor moonlights as an assassin and Anya can read minds. The fake family now consists of a spy, an assassin, and a mind reader, all of whom are keeping their real identities a secret from one another.

Then there’s the issue of Twilight (or Anya) still having to pass a rigorous interview process at the school to gain access to another student whose father is his target. For that, he must train his fake/temporary wife and daughter how to act like the perfect family. All of it leads to some hilarious and heartwarming moments. Twilight, Yor, and Anya are strong and lovable characters, each with backstories of their own. You will identify with at least one of them.

Spy × Family is a laugh riot. It’s also a wonderful tale of a found family. There’s a lot of suspense and intrigue to keep you hooked. The Netflix adaptation has two seasons with a total of 37 episodes. Each episode is 23 minutes long. It’s as good as the manga series. The characters come alive before you and it’s such a pleasure to watch. Read it or watch it, the choice is yours. But don’t miss it. Better yet, do both. You won’t regret it.

Manga/Graphic Novel

https://www.goodreads.com/series/265020-spy-family  

Spy × Family

Story & Art by: Tatsuya Endo

Translation: Casey Loe

Published: 2020

Publisher: VIZ Media, LLC

Pages: 12 book series, Paperback