Journeying with Sheldon

As I prepared to settle down for yet another session of reading the Potter books, for what seemed probably the hundredth time, my cousin lent me a book(which I had earlier lent her) authored by one Mr.Sidney Sheldon, titled 'Bloodline'. True to the word, I had no idea what to expect of the book. Nevertheless with a sense of curiosity and an eagerness to explore this work, I cozied myself into an armchair, armed with book. The experience was truly overwhelming. The book proved to be an unputdownable one...but put it down I did..just to pick up another one of Sheldon's novels. Soon I dragged myself into the task of reading all his novels. I did this within a span of three years, until his last book titled 'The Other Side of Me' was published. Talks with a few novel buffs revealed that Sheldon was not the only writer of his times whose books invariably found themselves in best-sellers' list. His contemporaries like Jeffrey Archer, Frederick Forsyth, Ken Follett, Robert Ludlum and many others earned themselves a reputation that challenged Sheldon's. But it is impossible to ignore the incredibly talented writer who gave the world works such as 'The Other Side of Midnight', 'If Tomorrow Comes', 'Tell Me Your Dreams', 'Rage of Angels' and so many other books with substance. 'If Tomorrow Comes' is a hilariously fast-paced novel, frivolously concocted with a magnificiently colourful approach towards the ever changing style of novel-writing. 'Master of the Game' offers a surpassing view into the grandeur of the South African diamond fields, coupled with the treachery and skulduggery it takes to leap from rags to riches. A sentence or two can never do full justice to review such novels. However I find it hardly resistible to not share my opinions and views on Sheldon's novels. When categorized, I find genres such as action, drama, comedy cum adventure and mystery demanding their own share of his books. Each one is set in a background that plays the backbone, supporting the story as it dances through the ebb and flow of time. From the dusty plains of South Africa, the charming Paris and the astonishingly nostalgic Athens, to the bustling streets of Washington and the ebullient Manhattan, it is his world that he creates, where his characters make their entries and exits, leaving even the ninniest reader with the grudging bemoan of not having been to all those places. Architects, doctors, lawyers, businessman, company heads, television personalities, film stars, thieves, terrorists..you name it and Sheldon's characters have all played these parts with awe-inspiring nonchalance. I might have mentioned that just one sentence or two can never do full justice to his novels...well Bingo ! I've found this one...Pick up one of Sheldon's novels and prepare yourself for a treat..but if you've already read it..I suggest go back two lines and take my advice for free !

The Phenomenon called Harry Potter

About half a decade ago, I would've never imagined that I'd indulge myself in something as boring as writing about a book..the reason being as plain as that..I'd doze off within seconds of reading when my peers grew up reading Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and a whole range of such books meant for the young teenagers. Somehow the habit never got to me. It was then I chanced upon Harry Potter and The Philosopher's stone and launched upon the task of reading it...and read it i did. I felt a sense of childish elation...a heady feeling that evaporated the barrier between me and the art of reading. I read the book several times to my heart's content and discovered the joy of reading.. But since it is a little annoying for a reader to drink in a dozen lines of a blog , struck with the thought that they've absolutely nothing to do with the subject of discussion, let me get straight to what I really wanted to convey through this one-among-million reviews of Harry Potter. If there is anything that has enchanted and intrigued mankind ever since the beginning of civilisation..then it has got to be magic ! We tag everything that is wonderful and pleasing with magic..Well that's what Harry Potter is all about. The world of HP is split into two..the muggle world and the wizarding world and Harry is a part of both. The entire plot stems from the age-old good versus evil theme, but dished out in a manner that is refreshingly tasteful and simply out of the world. I try my best not to sound vituperative when people label HP as a kiddish work right off the bat..because though the story revolves around protagonists who attend school, the essence reaches out to every reader irrespective of age. Magic aside, this is a story( as story i mean the collection of all the 7 books) that deals with emotions that take up the foreground in everyone's lives..friendship, love, hatred, trust, anger betrayal, courage... a story that is woven from a canvas depicting human nature in its entirety and with wholesome spirit. The reader can always identify himself with the characters because ultimately muggle or non-muggle..everyone is human. Every character has a purpose and is not there just because it is supposed to be there but because the story encompasses its emotional horizons which adds a whole sense of meaning to it. The story is dependent on the characters and vice-versa, the result being a symbiotic relationship that makes you appreciate the subtlety and dexterity. Also, the humour in a very positive sense, the geniality, the welcome banter cheers you up as you travel along with the story into the realm of magic and splendour. The boy wizard and his mates have sure cast a spell on an entire generation of readers and will continue to do so for the coming years..but really as I stop to think about how little words can do to salute this phenomenon, I'm tempted to raise my hat as a coup de grace to the truly magical Joanne Kathleen Rowling !