A Refreshingly Promising Debut

Book Review: 
Visions of a Summer Past

Author: Avishek Gupta

Rating: 4.5/5

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/359WoRM





When I picked up Avishek Gupta’s debut novel ‘Visions of a Summer Past’, I was intrigued by the title of the book. Half way down this absorbing novel, I had no doubt that Gupta had chosen a befitting title. It is not easy to write a non-linear story with long time leaps, to periodically switch between the past and the present, and to keep the reader engrossed all along the journey. However, full marks to the author for beautifully portraying glimpses of pre-independent India as well as 21^st century United States with equal élan. 

The fabulous mix of fact and fantasy add an old-world charm to this novel. This is a unique story of magic realism and I don’t want to divulge details, lest you lose the charm. But hat’s off to the author for skilfully switching between timelines like a pro. His attention to detail while elucidating the life in Dhaka is brilliant. Each time the backdrop changes, the author meticulously recreates the setting and the transition appears seamless to the reader. 

A fresh plot, neatly drafted characters, and a story that wraps mystical elements intelligently make this an engaging read. You cannot read this book in a hurry. You need to take time to understand and empathise with Prafulla, Asmani, Rohit, and Celeste as they experience a series of life-changing events. The sea of emotions that each character feels is portrayed subtly. 

The author’s writing style is poetic and graceful. Understanding the mindset of characters who lived in the 1940s and then interpreting the circumstances in a way that the reader can relate to them is no mean feat! But the author achieves that effortlessly with his vivid imagination and thorough research. Portraying so many different emotions across multiple time leaps through so many characters is incredible. 

Though the book does well in its 200 pages, I wish it was a bit longer. I would definitely like to read a sequel to this book. 

To sum up, ‘Visions of a Summer Past’ is a heartening tale of love, spiritual bonding, and deep faith. I would recommend this book to all bibliophiles.

 

A Soul-searching Saga to Calm Your Mind

Book Review: Karmic City- The City of Lord Brahma

Author: Hema Myer Sood

Rating: 4.5/5

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/35GvBxk

Hema Sood’s thought-provoking book ‘Karmic City: The City of Lord Brahma’ is deep, soothing, and insightful. It is the author’s first book in the ‘Karmic City’ trilogy. As I started reading this inspiring tale, I was enamoured by the vastness of the subject the author has chosen and the beauty with which she has expressed her points of view on a variety of ideas. The book encourages readers to dream and exercise the inherent power of their imagination. It elucidates how tapping the energies within us and channelizing them in the right direction can lead us to unravel the mysteries that have intrigued people since ages. 

This unconventional story revolves around an entity, aptly called ‘Soul’. The Soul guides the key characters in the book – Aditi, Vaidehi, Virat, and Kartik – towards their path of destiny and encourages them to deep-dive into soul-searching. The story progresses through the spiritual experiences and realisations of the characters and their conversations with Soul. Though the Soul talks about Lord Brahma and gives references from holy Hindu scriptures, this is not a book about religion. It seeks to establish the undeniable bond that exists between an individual and their soul. Each soul has its own journey and with concentration and meditation, one can attain wisdom. The positivity in the book is sure to rub on you.

The references to the Cosmos, the seven auric layers, and the five elements was invigorating. I learned something new and am intrigued to read the other two books in the trilogy now. Though I may not completely agree with all the concepts discussed in the book, I applaud the author on her extensive research, spiritual knowledge, and impactful insights. It is never easy to write a book like this one!

The author’s writing style is captivating and her language is flawless. The writing is powerfully soothing and, in many places, it reminded me of my favourite author Paulo Coelho. I was in awe of the beautiful poetry in the book, all penned by the author herself. 

This book is a guide to positivity and can help you focus on your chosen goal in life. Apart from those interested in spiritual readings and motivational books, I would highly recommend this book to students of philosophy and psychology.

Delighted to receive an autographed copy of
the book from the author :)