Mocking Jay- Review

‘Very disappointed’. I am surprised that I gave 2 stars. Usually I tend to be liberal with my reviews, or have I become more conservative with the increase in number of books I am reading. This one certainly didn’t live up to my expectation of Grand finale. Is it because I miss old peeta so much? Is it because it made me hate Katniss more than ever? Or Am I being too judgemental?

I had a really hard time understanding what was happening. Well, that’s not totally unpredictable considering my inability to read in between the lines (I am working on it, really!). But the writing is not up to the mark with it being quite chaotic, repetitive and unsatisfying even. The story line which I thought would be riveting is only fair at the most. I am sure Suzanne Collins could do better.

The first book was marvellous, really amazing! What a gripping tale, strong almost strong characters. I loved each and every one including Gale and Katniss despite me being the one for ‘Team Peeta’. The second book made me adore Peeta, lost a little confidence with Katniss, but overall was a reasonable read.

There was such a good plot, so much hype and build up for something great to be discovered, but I felt utterly let down by the 3 rd book. Except for few scenarios here and there, Katniss is adrift in the realms of self-loathing and self-pity, throughout the book. This is not the Katniss we were introduced to in ‘The Hunger games’. Many of the scenes are so lame if I can call that. May be I am too old to be reading teenage stuff, but still I thought that they deserve better. The ending is exactly what I Imagined wanted it to be when I finished the first book. Nevertheless I am far from being content. Because the ending seems so incongruent and unreasonable. Well, in my view this Mocking Jay didn’t deserve neither Gale nor Peeta.

I actually want to rant about what all I would like to change in the story, but that would be showing too much spoilers there. (Hint: Lot less killing and of course, complete makeover of Katniss’s attitude towards others and herself). OK, fine, I will just stop now with one more line. It’s Ok, but it could be better.

-Sh

DON QUIXOTE- A REVIEW

Many thanks to Stockton reading challenge which made me revisit my childhood memories and read a novel which I devoured as a child. I still remember frantically searching for books that I could read among the heap of old newspaper at the paper recycling shop during my school days. I got all excited when I found this amazing novel mainly because of its reputation during the time of revolution (We were reading all about the revolution, Cervantes’s Don Quixote and Dante’s Divine Comedy at school and I could boast that I read one of them!!) It didn’t fail to live up to my expectation then and it didn’t fail now either.

It’s amazing, how a person could create such unique characters. Knight and the Squire who are made for each other with their lively conversations. It’s hard not to be respectful of the Knight, Don Quixote de la Mancha, Knight of the Lions, formerly known as Knight of the Long face. Mad yet polite, Brave yet humorous... The novel, although written 400 years ago, still feels fresh as grass, and so relevant. There is the right dose of Courage, insanity, humour, heart-warming nobility and striking reality. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Long live the knight errant! Long live the Squire!! And long live Cervantes!!!

To Sev with love..

I always had a soft corner for Severus, since the first book, since the first encounter, long before the deathly hallows. I think I knew that behind his strange demeanour, despite the uncouthness, there would (must) be an untold story of love and hatred, sense of longing long lost in the pursuit of power and superiority. Most of it, i would like to think, came from the abomination, the hostility with which he spent his childhood and adolescence, which made him edge towards the wrong path.

Certainly, he did realise his mistake, although he was too late. Afterall, remorse cleared him off the misdeeds and was willing to make up for it. No matter if its wizarding world or the muggle world, LOVE is the magic word, the word which heals all the pain, shows us the right path and leads us onto thus. Not to forget, it also usher us to fight wars and kill people. Severus said he could do anything for his love (He loved Lily for nearly all his life and he loved her alone, none else. Eventhough he knew she can not be his, he only desired for her safety. Her presence is all he needed. It was enough that he knew he loved her, no matter if she even cared about him).

I owe him, my deepest respect and love for his sheer act of bravery and the long lasting love. At the end, Harry says that Severus is the bravest man he has ever seen, I completely agree with him...

P.S: Joanne made me fall in love with wizarding world and all the characters in there. I know its weird to write about Severus Snape of all, but I think its one the beautiful characters she has created, nevertheless less talked about.