The Stop at 'The Stop Over'- P-Review

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The Stop Over book is much talked about book over every possible medium like Facebook, Writeup Café etc. I came across this book through word of mouth recommendation from one of my fellow blogger-cum-friend. The most enthralling thing of the book is the cover page; it is sober, subtle, pleasing, and elegant. The book is the photo-fiction, which is a new concept that evokes curiosity to pick a copy. The book has more than 100 photos to support the stories and the characteristics of the book, 4 different stories set up in four different locations. The Tibetan wheel of wisdom, A rocking horse can gallop too, The sun shines forever, I hear them calling are the names of the chapters present in the book that are awaiting its reader to read. The masterpiece belongs to Ram Prakash and Deepa Pinto, the notable newbie in the writing genre.

Superstar India: From Incredible to Unstoppable - Shobhaa Dé - Review

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Shobhaa Dé, the name itself strikes the chord. Everybody knows her for her works, her attitude towards her life. The book names Superstar India, was my first read from her. However, I had a great deal of expectation from this much read and recommended books. I used to see this book in most of my friends hands. Out of sheer curiosity, I tried this book. Sadly, it did not touch my level of expectation I had.

Anyhow, the book is about her views on India, proud feelings for being an Indian and sharing the same age between her and the Independent India. She managed to touch every section one would really want to know for instance politics, welcoming color television sets to India, Indian women, Indian marriages, dictatorship in countries like China, China made products, value of money, her childhood and her children, advent of mobile phones in India, transformation of India from post-independence to pre-independence, etc.

I will not deny the facts for whatever she has written. She is true about the system of our country in political terms. She is not wrong when she spoke about the status of women in India. Nevertheless, I was disappointed more because there was nothing special. I have read so many storied of such kind. When I had updated my ‘Facebook’ status regarding my current readings, one of my friends commented that Shobhaa Dé could have used it as her personal diary instead of publishing the book. Rude isn’t it. However, it was my friend’s take on it.

I am a slow reader when it comes to non-fiction. This book took me nearly 3 months to finish. I had to take a break while reading them. Anyhow, my rating would be 3/5. Better go and read other books from the same author. I partly liked the linguistic used while writing. It was a blend of English with some Hindi and French phrases. You can give amiss to own this book. 

(c) Reviewed by Sridevi Nayak Karopady