A Dance With Dragons

                                                     

A Dance With Dragons
Author - George.R.R.Martin

Main Characters - Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Stormborn, Jon Snow, Arya Stark, Jaime Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Brandon Stark, Barristan Selmy, Quentyn Martell, Davos Seaworth, Theon Greyjoy, Jon Connington, Asha Greyjoy, Melisandre, Victarion Greyjoy, Kevan Lannister, Areo Hotah.

‘A Song Of Ice and Fire’ better known to the layman as ‘Game of Thrones’ series can undoubtedly be regarded as one among the best adult-fantasy series of novels. Through his series of books George.R.R.Martin takes you on a ride through a mystical world of dragons, dire-wolves, sorcerers and some characters that are sure to become a part of your life.

The fifth book in ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series takes complications to the next level. If you have not read the first four books of the series then this one is not for you.

There seem to be too many characters and story-lines that even the avid fan might get confused at certain points and will have to turn back a few pages to remember what the writer is talking about. The character list that is put up on top are just those that through which the writer narrates the story in this book alone, that is, many characters who make an integral part of the story-line are left out in that list.

Quite a few characters and narrations are included which makes no sense at all at certain times and we feel that the writer is just trying to prolong the series as much as he can, but often at the expense of the fans. Some might even feel that Martin is trying to be next Ved Vyas or Homer, though the optimist may believe that Martin will put everything into one box by the time he concludes the series.

A Dance With Dragons is still a better book than the previous one – A Feast For Crows – and the story except in some chapters is narrated through the characters who enjoy a huge fan-base. Though as always Martin has managed to end the various story-lines with a jolt and that is sure to leave the fans yearning for more.

The unwanted excesses are neatly trimmed off in the HBO television series and if you are not a voracious reader you may do well to stay away from the book as the television series explains the story with much better composure.

                                                           

Opinion : "It’s safe to say that no work of fantasy has generated such anticipation since Harry Potter's final duel with Voldemort." - The Washington Post

Rating - 4/5

Playing It My Way

Title            : Playing It My Way                                        
Author       : Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Genre         : Autobiography

Indians have always cheered when Sachin Tendulkar came to the middle as a cricketer. And there was no doubt whether India would cheer him on when he started his new innings - that of a writer. Sachin Tendulkar's much anticipated autobiography, 'Playing It My Way' has made it to the best-seller list in no time.

 But, is the book worth your time? I would say "no". No, provided you are not a cricket enthusiast who can't tell Sachin Tendulkar's score against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup from memory. This book is more of a journey through the great man life between those 22 yards over 24 years.

It does provide light into a few personal stuff, like his romance with his girl friend Anjali, whom he later married and his early training days with Ramakanth Achrekkar. But these occupy just a few pages of the 400-odd page book which is more like a brief commentary of the matches he played and most of which is stuff we already knew.

Still, the book does set some spark, especially when Tendulkar in one chapter accuses the 'ringmaster' coach Greg Chappell of trying to oust Rahul Dravid from captaincy and of expressing his desire to control Indian cricket for years to come. He also, expresses how disappointed he was with Dravid when Dravid decided to declare an innings at Multan in 2004 leaving Tendulkar stranded at 194*.

Barring, a few such moments like these the book is dull and doesn't provide much relief to some who isn't so keen on following cricket. And Tendulkar as always, decides to play it safe and fails to make his point on the biggest scam in Indian sports history- the match fixing scandal - in which his team-mates including a former captain was involved. He opines that it would be unfair to comment on things that he did not have direct knowledge of. But, by failing to make a comment against anything that would jeopardize his interests Tendulkar once again keeps the ball along the ground when the crowd had expected a pull shot from their Master Blaster.

                                                            

Opinions
"All in all, Palying It My Way has all the strokes of a Sachin Tendulkar century. There are punches off the front-foot, some cut and drives, a few vicious pulls, but alo a few deliveries to which he has shouldered arms. It may not be a perfect innings, but it's a knock that had to be played. Particularly in a country starved of cricket literature despite our mad passion for this crazy game." - India Today

Verdict
'Playing It My Way' may not be the best sports-autobiography that was ever written, but it was written by the best sportsman India has ever produced. You wouldn't want to read it for entertainment or for knowing the inside story of some great scandals that rocked Indian cricket. But, still if you are a cricket fan you wouldn't want to miss this stroke from the Master Blaster. And, yes, there are some exceptionally good photographs from Tendulkar's private collection that you wouldn't want to miss either.


Rating : 3.25 / 5.00