India Books

If you cherish "As a Man Thinketh," then "Above Life's Turmoil" will not fail you. In this book, Allen disects the human condition and like a master physician, he offers solutions in his haunting and truthful style. This book is beautiful. As with Allen's other works, I re-visit the pages of this book often. Read it yourself and see why.

In this work, Babb asks an interesting question. Why would Jains fast and starve themselves when they believe that the beings they worship are not only unaware of their existence but also can in no way help them even if they wanted? It is a fascinating book that explores this as well as ritual in jain culture. It is based mostly on the authors work in India. It is quite descriptive and can be understood by all as he expains many aspects of Jainist thought.

In addition to describing the various rituals in play, the author also gives a very thorough explanation of the dieties and their roles. Furthermore, he effectively compares Jainism with Hinduism and Buddhism making the distinction much clearer. This is a difficult task when dealing with Indian religions. Finally, Babb does an excellent job of incorporating the ideas and stories of the people he interviewed into the work.

This is a path-breaking study of tribal-hinduism cultural interface, hopefully students and scholars will make use of it to reject the notion of "great" v/s "little" traditions of Hinduism.

Yes, this book is written by V.S. Naipal's father. I found when I sought out and read it, after studying "A House for Mr. Biswas" in university, that it read very much like the landmark book of V.S. Naipal. I learned more about the relationship between father and son, and how finally the father's book came to be published, and it put "A House for Mr. Biswas" in a whole new light. I highly recommend reading these two books together for anyone that "A House for Mr. Biswas" really appealed to, as it did me. I will not say more about Seepersad Naipal's book, so as not to influence the reader, and as well, I recommend learning more about the relationship between these two men. The father's seeming obscurity as compared to his son's being very well known juxtaposes in a very interesting way while reflecting on their respective literary works. Edna K.

After Empire is a revealing window into identity and displaced cultures. The novelists featured are themselves unique writers and have interesting personal journies that are reflected in the book. While at first reading the book may appear academic in approach, it is certainly not an intimidating read for those with an interest in literature and the way in which race, ethnicity and culture form individual and national identity. An intellectually challenging and fascinating exploration of the perspectives of the colonisers and the colonised .

OV Vijayan is one of the world's greatest writers of short fiction. Unfortunately he has not received the publicity he deserves. This collection is superb; ranging from horrifying allegories of power and corruption to biting sarcasm and satire to stunning stories of transcendental mysticism. Vijayan has translated the stories himself from Malayalam, and his language is fabulous -- in fact, I have read the stories in both the original and in translation and I am hard pressed to tell which is better. The almost-Victorian language he uses for his tales of terror adds deliciously to the gothic horror. In his transcendental stories, his language is much more naturalistic. There are several masterpieces in this collection: the title story, about a simple peasant going to the jail to receive the body of his executed son; the brilliant 'Wart' about absolute power; 'Airport' and 'Little Ones' about the magic that underlies Vijayan's mysterious Malabar Coast, India's stunningly and lushly beautiful Emerald Coast in the state of Kerala. This collection has been reissued in a new Penguin India Collected Edition -- along with novels "Khasak", "Infinity of Grace" and the "Saga of Dharmapuri". Definitely recommended. I am amazed Amazon does not carry this Collected Edition as it only came out in 1998. On another note, "The Wart" is being made into a film by filmmaker Murali Nair who won the Cannes 1999 "Camera d'Or" for best debut film. Presumably this will be a good film. Also, Vijayan is busy at this time translating his latest novel, "Generations", another masterpiece, a semi-autobiographical family saga a bit like Faulkner's or Marquez's or Gunter Grass' work.

The story of a chapter in the life of a person who is open to her whole environment. Without pre-conceptions to project at the local Nepalese villagers, where she lived during this story, she was welcomed by a community. She was drawn into the heart of their households to stir interesting foods around the fire. The ceremonies are described with clear articulation and a both academic and spiritual understanding. For Monica Connell flew to Nepal an anthropologist and returned years later, a phyilosopher.
This book was republished in German in summer, 2001.

Gloriously illustrated childrens book.

A wonderful story about the pastimes of Krsna, the perfect child.

When his friends are swollowed by a great serpent monster, Krsna must find a way to save his friends. With his special powers he slays the demon and rescues his friends.

Wonderful stylistic illustrations full of glorious detail and clever perspectives - the boys running through the forest, trailed by shadows and the shadows of the birds above and so on.

I'm so in love with this book, which was one of my childhood treasures, that I am going to purchase the two available second hand copies for my son and his cousins.

In fact, the illustrations which are slightly reminiscent of the earlier Disney movies (such as Beauty & the Beast) inspired me to become an animator.

I can't wait for the next generation to enjoy them, and this is one story I would kill to see an animated adventure of. Until then, love the book!

Very worth adding to your collection, and is a book which will surely be requested repeatedly.

kotori - ojadis@yahoo.com

This is an excellent showcase of the Indian Mughal art - the Taj Mahal being the epitome. Giv es an excellent overview of the history. The commentary is good and the pictures, escpecially of the Taj on a moonlit night, are breathtaking.

Also gives a brief on places to see in and aeound Agra. Makes one want to visit Agra more than before.

Oh man these guys are really fantastic. After reading this book and applying the simple principles within my AIDS cleared up within TWO WEEK.

A++++ would recommend to anyone with AIDS!