Keri Saheber Munshi: An Engaging Historical Novel

Keri Saheber Munshi is one of the oldest historic novels that has Calcutta as its backdrop. An interesting story that dates back to the time of the British Raj. It tells an exciting tale about the time when the city of Calcutta was just formed under the British Patronage. It tells us about the British people, the natives, the culture and customs of the then India and the beginning of a new era in India - the era or reason and enlightenment.

The novel includes historic characters like Raja RamMohan Roy who is considered as one of the first enlightened people of India and William Kerry, a Churchman who contributed heavily in the pursuit of Knowledge among the people of Bengal. The main character of the novel is RamChand Basu who was appointed as the manager or munshi  of William Kerry who came all the way from England to spread the words of Jesus Christ among the people of India. The story deals with Basu's tussle as he was caught amidst two cultures and two religions. Basu was in pursuit of knowledge but at the same time he felt strongly for his religion too. He was the pioneer of modern Bengali proses. He was a man of modern thoughts that were induced by the western culture and he strongly felt that its the time when a change in the social norm is required. He also protested against Satidaha, a cruel custom in which hindu widows were burnt alive in the pires with their dead husbands with or without their consent.

The story also tells about the the socio-political scenario of Bengal. It deals with the pains of everyone, the British youths, the local people, the English Maidens as well as the Bengali Belles. It is truly an aweinspiring story.

Bloodline: Feel the Thrill in each Page

Last Night I was reading Bloodline- another great piece of work by Sidney Sheldon. I love her work. There is a certain charm, charisma and ease with which she binds her stories. Blood line is indeed a gripping story and an interesting read. If you love reading thrillers then you have no way out but to let yourself lose in this engaging plot. When I was reading the book I cannot stop, eat or sleep. It was 4:30 in the morning and all was quiet in the part of the city I live except for sounds of some heavily loaded trucks on the highway and I was leaning on my back with the book on my hand, tensed and at the same time excited to know what will happen next- is Elizabeth going to die? Whose that killer who wants to destroy Roffe and Sons for his or her own benefits?

The story was really gripping, the characters were engaging. However, I did not like the snuff film part, it somehow did not fit into the entire story. To me it was an unnecessary addition...the plot was already thick enough and the whole story could go very well without that part. I also felt that the story ended in a hurry. I could have become more interesting if some lights were thrown on how the murder of Sam Roffe took place.

The book has got huge appreciation from the critics as well as the readers. The newspapers flooded with the appreciation of the book. According to New York Times the book was 'Absorbing and eminently well-crafted' while Daily Mail found the book 'Contains the three basic Sheldon ingredients - glamour, intrigue and sex.'

The book cover is interesting and so is the story that changes its backdrops fast and shows new faces behind old masks. truly a breathtaking story of greed, betrayal, sabotage and the ties that can kill. The book shows the troubled time of the Roffe empire- established by Samuel Roffe, a visionary man who had ambitions and the zeal to be the best, who could do anything to fulfil his dreams to be rich and to be free- anything, even murder. The Qualities remained in the bloodline and were the roots of all problems and the key to its solutions.