Book review : A place called here.

Title.   : A Place Called Here 

Author: Cecelia Ahern

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'I was convinced that you couldn't replace what was lost. I insisted on things having to be found.' 

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Sandy shortt is obsessed with missing objects, things as well as people and have an living agenda to get to the bottom of things. The obsession started when her classmate went missing at the age of ten. And at thirty four, she is running an missing persons agency and helping those in need of searching for those loves ones. But things go surreal when she finds herself in a world where all things missing goes including people. There is a whole different planet out there but will she able to find her way back to the real world?

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A place called here is my first book of Cecelia Ahern. The book, though looking bulk, is relatively simple to read. Sandy Shortt is a stubborn woman who prefers to be alone in her search for missing people. She loses friends and even family in the process and finally loses herself. The story emphasizes  that people get lost while searching for other things, sometimes by choice and sometimes not. People lose other people when they are not paying close attention. The book puts forth  the point that whatever the situation, people find the way back home by  themselves or with the help of others.

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The character details are in depth and relatable. The struggles one faces while losing a loved one is detailed perfectly. 💜 

The idea of a missing people's world is really  interesting and intriguing. That part of the book was narrated in a way that people would like to get lost to witness it atleast once. But not be able to get out of there is the only disadvantage. There are also other interesting aspects in the book like the missing laughter, lost and found in the missing world and so on.

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The thing I disliked most about the book is the ending . It's quite anticlimatic and there are no details regarding the fate of the people in the missing world. Will they be able to find their home as emphasized in the book? And there is also a series of How and Why regarding Sandy Shortt that needs answering. 

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The book is quite interesting in some parts, emotional in some but also dissapointing in some. If you are a fan of fairy tale like stories and of the existence of parallel universes, A Place called Here is your cup of tea. 

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Rating: 4.5/5

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Book review :Palace of illusions.

Book name: The Palace of illusions.

Author.      : Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

'And there he was, sitting across the fire, smiling that charming, infuriating smile. Was my anxiety causing me to hallucinate? “A situation in itself,” he said, “is neither happy nor unhappy. It’s only your response to it that causes your sorrow. But enough of philosophy! I’m hungry.” '

Palace of illusions is an engrossing retelling of the great epic Mahabharat from the perspective of Draupadi. The story unravels with the birth of Draupadi and narrates her viewpoint of the world and the male chauvinistic society. She was unique, smart, impatient and had an unending need to know everything. The story also reveals the not so good side of her driven by revenge and also of her forbidden love with the nemesis. 

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This is quite different from all the retellings of the epic in that it tells it from the standpoint of one the greatest female character. It is also different in a way it reveals the alternative side of all characters involved. From Karna to Arjun, from Kunti to Bheeshma, there is a vulnerable side to everyone's character and is being detailed greatly. The novels fills in all the gaps that is not being told in almost all other versions of Mahabharat. The ending is done beautifully and gives a complete satisfaction. Krishna's character is nevertheless charismatic throughout and gives out serious Life lessons that is appropriate in all walks of life. 

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I have always wanted a retelling from the perspective of Panchaali as I have always read and seen it from the angle of the Pandavas and sometimes Karna. She undergoes a great deal of struggle, from her dreams being crushed to her being publicly humiliated and a great deal more by losing her loved ones and being the reason of it all. Through all of it she stood strong and never lost her hope. I loved the way her mind worked in the novel and all her aspirations and dreams. 

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The novel could be a little difficult to understand if you are not well versed in Indian mythology. It will be a delight to everyone who loves mythology. It is a five star read for me. 

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Rating:5/5💜

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