The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

"The Perfect Marriage" by Jeneva Rose is a murder mystery with a twisted plot that has an intriguing premise. A successful lawyer Sarah has to defend her husband Adam on the murder trial of Kelly, her husband's mistress. A twisted plot is put forth convincingly until the very end, but does the writing and climactic revelation live up to the built-up suspense?

Sarah's character sketch, as a competent and successful defense attorney is one of the biggest strengths for this novel. Even that suffers from a weak writing towards the end. Adam's character on the other hand has enough presence throughout the novel that is more convincing as the vulnerable, helpless suspect who is deperate to come out of the situation he is in. The other characters are given adequate importance but there isn't anything exceptional as they come along as the usual ones in any mystery novel - some of them being added just to build up the list of suspects. 

Though the proceedings in the novel keep the readers engaging with short chapters and enough twists, the novel tries hard to satisfy the readers with a climax that throws them off-guard which might be a hit-or-miss. 

கபிலன் வைரமுத்துவின் "ஆகோள்"

கபிலன் வைரமுத்துவின் "ஆகோள்" அறிவியல் புனைவாக அமையும் ஒரு த்ரில்லர் நாவல். சங்க காலத்தில் சிற்றரசுகளினிடையே நிகழும் போர்களில் "ஆநிரை கவர்தல்" என்பது எதிராளியின் வளங்களாகிய ஆடு - மாடுகளை கவர்ந்து வரும் செயலைக் குறிக்க பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டது. இந்த செயல் ஒரு தரப்பினருக்கு வீரச்செயலாகவும், மறு தரப்பினருக்கு களவாகவும் தோன்றும். 

"ஆகோள்" எனும் பதமும் எதிரிகளின் வளங்களை கவர்ந்து அவர்களை வலுவிழக்க செய்வதையே குறிக்கிறது என்கிறார் எழுத்தாளர். இனிவரும் காலங்களில் “data” தான் உலகில் மிகப்பெரிய வளமாக கொள்ளப்படும். தனிப்பட்ட தகவல்களையும், தரவுகளையும் கவரும் நோக்கத்தில் தொழில்நுட்ப பெருநிறுவனங்களும், அதற்கு ஆதரவு அளிக்கும் நிலையில் உள்ள உயரதிகாரமும் இச்சமூகம் எதிர்கொள்ள வேண்டிய அபாயம்.

இந்நாவலின் கதையில் இந்திய அரசு கொண்டு வருவதாக "அடையாள்" எனும் ஒற்றை அடையாள ஆவணத்திற்கு தேவையான தனிநபர் அடையாளங்களான கைரேகை மற்றும் கருவிழி தகவல்களை சேமிக்கும் நிறுவனத்தில் நடக்கும் விதிமீறல்கள் இடம்பெறுகின்றன. இன்றைய தலைமுறையினர் சந்திக்கும் "identity theft" மற்றும் "invasion of privacy" ஆகியவற்றை சுதந்திரத்திற்கு முன் கொண்டுவரப்பட்ட கைரேகை சட்டத்துடன் பொருத்தி இக்கதை ஒரு புனைவாய் அமைகிறது. அதே சமயம் கைரேகை சட்டத்தை பற்றியும், அதன் பின்னணியில் இருக்கும் அரசியல் பற்றியும், பாதிக்கப்பட்ட சாதிகளின் போராட்டத்தை பற்றியும், அழுத்தமாக பதிவு செய்கிறது இந்நாவல். 

சமகால அரசியல் நிகழ்வுகளையும், அரசியல் கட்சிகளின் நகர்வுகளையும், மககளின் மனநிலையையும் நாவல் நெடுக நக்கல் நையாண்டியுடன் வரும் வசனங்கள் விமர்சிக்கின்றன. 

நவீன விஞ்ஞான உலகின் “next-gen” தொழில்நுட்பங்களோடு ஒரு விறுவிறுப்பான "sci-fi” thriller ஆக அமைகிறது "ஆகோள்".

"The Housemaid's Secret" by Freida McFadden

"The Housemaid's Secret" by Freida McFadden is a spiritual sequel to her previous thriller "The Housemaid" that has a similar storyline. Millie, the housemaid and Enzo, the gardener from her previous novel are retained in this sequel. While it is natural to draw comparisons with the prequel, does the author succeed in her story telling to make this a gripping thriller?

Millie who has been helping married women and rescuing them from domestic abuse after her similar encounter with Nina Winchester in the prequel enters the house of a zillionaire only to find his wife Wendy mysteriously locking herself up in the guest bedroom. When Millie tries to talk to her about the situation, she learns about yet another episode of domestic abuse which she might need to help with. Will Millie be able to rescue Wendy standing up against the resources Wendy's husband has at his disposal?

The novel moves at a rapid pace right from the start and there is no point where the intensity drops. Even when the storyline gets predictable because of the prequel, the novel keeps the readers engaged with enough elements of suspense. The climactic end is strewn with a lot of twists but the author manages them without becoming an overdose. 

A brilliant sequel that has a similar storyline as the prequel but with a better execution this time around!

Independence Day - Political Freedom vs Social Freedom

On the account of 77th year of Indian independence, this article is in remembrance of the freedom fighters of our country and at the same time is a reminder on the need for social freedom even today after 76 years of independence. There have been communal riots and caste-based violence in India over the past few months which made me think that there is still a long way India must travel to overthrow all forms of oppression similar to how our freedom fighters overthrew the British dominance.

There is no doubt the resilient and persistent efforts of our freedom fighters in the struggle against the 89-year British rule in India needs to be celebrated. But, the freedom of the country should mean the freedom of each individual citizen of India. The struggle for political independence finds a place in the history textbooks of schools in India. The struggle for social freedom also has a parallel history which is not reiterated enough. This struggle has been prevalent right from the pre-independence era and is still an unrealized dream. 

The constitution of India declares India as secular and deems all its citizens equal. But, the fundamental right to equality is questioned every single time when a caste-based harrassment or violence comes to limelight. The unjust hierarchical structure of caste system is deep-rooted in Indian societies, in people's beliefs and mindset. The class-based inequalities which is universal combines with the caste-based inequalities in India. The recent riots in Manipur, violence in Haryana and the caste based brutality in Nanguneri in Tamilnadu reflects the pity state of the society we live in. The penetration of this caste pride to the level that it gets carried over to the next generation is the danger our society poses.

Most of the incidents of caste based violence stem out from the unnecessary pride that the upper castes hold and the self-inflicted inferior feeling that the lower castes suffer from due to the inveterate age-old beliefs. 

Dr. Ambedkar, one of the prominent leaders India had and his writings against the social order and the social injustice stay relevant even today. Bhagat Singh, the socialist icon of India and his principles and beliefs against the class inequalities is also need of the hour. Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent struggle against the britishers and preachings on religious unity stand as a testimony to the harmony he dreamt of.

While we celebrate the history of freedom struggle and the leaders who brought about the uprising of people against the British rule, we will also acknowledge the need to carry forward the awareness about fight for social freedom. Let us unite together and be the voice against any form of oppression - be it class-based or caste-based or gender-based. 

Happy Independence day!