Mother's day

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I've never bothered about these 'days' come and go and I would not know if not for all the social media messages. So we didn't have any major celebration planned or anything. Just our usual Sunday meal.

Not until my little one surprised me with a lovely greeting card that she made at school.

Since school was closed for the Spring break in the previous week, she had to hide the card from me for a whole seven days until it was finally Mother's day and she could give it to me. I always knew there was something under the bed, but I had to exercise a whole lot of restraint too in order not to sneak a peek because she forbade me to do so. I succeeded, just as well as she did!

It was overwhelming and yes, it did succeed at reinforcing the joy, the huge privilege that being a parent brings with it. All the sacrifice, pain, efforts equal to nothing when you see a little girl jumping with joy, eyes gleaming, waiting to hand over a handmade gift.

The husband, who seemed a tad jealous of the two of us frolicking around (though he would never admit it), watched from a distance, asking why there was no card on Father's day. Yes, why not? I must drop the hint to her female class teacher when I meet her next.

The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike # 2) by Robert Galbraith

It was revealed a little after the Cuckoo's Calling was published that Robert Galbraith is simply a pen name for J.K. Rowling. Well, well! After reading Casual Vacancy, I'd vowed to myself never to pick up a Rowling again. I could not deal with the author of Harry Potter debasing herself to such an extent. Sigh!

But a Rowling by another name... that was different wasn't it? The reviews looked decent so I picked up Cuckoo's Calling and was surprised by the quality of writing. I actually enjoyed it. The plot by itself wasn't much to write home about. But the characters were adorable, just like in HP.

Ever since, I had The Silkworm on my reading list for the local library. I didn't think it warranted a purchase as I didn't find CC that great. After about a couple of months of tracking the book every time I went to the library, I finally laid my hands on it three days ago. And wasn't it worth the wait!

Cormoran, Rowling's detective has evolved and the way the book progresses is reminiscent of Agatha Christie's slow and relaxed style. The plot itself is complicated and keeps the reader guessing. The character of Robin, Cormoran's assistant is so good you can feel her pain at being torn between love for her fiance and loyalty to her boss.

I subjected myself to three nights of sleep deprivation simply because the book was impossible to put down. I can't wait for the third one in the series, and that one, I plan to purchase.

This is a sequel but is pretty independent of the first one, so you could easily pick up #2 before #1 in the series. But once you read The Silkworm, please don't go back to Cuckoo's Calling.

If you are a Rowling fan, and irrespective of whether you liked Casual Vacancy or hated it like I did, please do read The Silkworm. It is such a treat! If you have never read Rowling before, do make haste.

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (no spoilers)

I am a book person. I prefer to read the book over the movie, or at least before watching a movie adapted from the book of the same title. I think that the picture that a book can paint for you cannot be converted into equivalent screenplay no matter how talented the director. I maintain this without exception. There is only one movie that I have seen in my life that came very close to the book: Only Love based on Erich Segal's book of the same name. I think the strength of the movie was in the beautiful music, something that Segal brilliantly described but could not bring to life. The film director could.

Anyway. So the book I want to write about is Gone Girl. Without giving away too much, the protagonist couple has their differences, and one fine day the wife goes missing. The author then takes us through a journey of lies, disbelief and mistrust.

The book starts off slowly and I know of several people who gave up about a third into the book. The ones who persisted emerged spellbound, for Gone Girl is a story you can love and hate at the same time. You can despise the characters but you will love the author for his craftiness, his handiwork, his sheer audacity in penning a story like that. It is simply superb.

I could do a more detailed review but I'd rather you read the book than read this review!

Do not miss Gone Girl. And yes, read it before you watch the movie.