Book Review: The Only Story by Julian Barnes (2018)

The Only Story by Julian Barnes My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars   “Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is, I think, finally, the only real question.” This sentence, which introduced this most recent book of Julian Barnes to his potential readers, … More Book Review: The Only Story by Julian Barnes (2018)

Book Review: Nutshell by Ian McEwan (2016)

Nutshell by Ian McEwan My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars [Originally appeared here (with edits): http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/li…] Pessimism is too easy, even delicious, the badge and plume of intellectuals everywhere. It absolves the thinking classes of solutions. This wonderfully sapient insight springs somewhere in the middle of this book and almost gives away the rationale behind McEwan’s … More Book Review: Nutshell by Ian McEwan (2016)

Book Review: Swing Time by Zadie Smith (2016)

Swing Time by Zadie Smith My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars [Originally appeared here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/li…] There is something about every life: ripe with memories, rife with punctures, crowded yet distinct, deceptively omniscient but a puzzle to its only custodian. Zadie Smith’s narrator in ‘Swing Time’ attempts to hold this fleeting, substantial thing in her hand and poke it … More Book Review: Swing Time by Zadie Smith (2016)

Book Review – In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri (2016)

In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri My Rating:  4 of 5 Stars A few months back, I began planning for a vacation to a foreign country, tentatively scheduled for March/ April. This time suited me professionally as my work commitments were a tad less tight. My brother, who generally makes it to these family vacations, … More Book Review – In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri (2016)