Freedom at Midnight

This is a free and relaxing weekend, and I have no mood to do any housework. After lunch, I was standing in front of my small home library and searching for a book to read. Suddenly, I saw one admirable novel. I use the word 'Admirable' with an intention of showing respect. Respect, for all the brave soldiers, who gave lives for the nation. I read this novel 4-5 months before.

"Long Years Ago We Made A Tryst With Destiny, And Now The Time Comes When We Shall Redeem Our Pledge, Not Wholly Or In Full Measure, But Very Substantially. At The Stroke Of The Midnight Hour, When The World Sleeps, India Will Awake To Life And Freedom."

'Freedom at Midnight'! A book with a specific release on the political climate surrounding Indian Independence in 1947. Book starts with the meeting of Lord Mountbatten as the viceroy of India. The title of the book comes from the famous speech of the first Indian Prime Minister Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru delivered at midnight, August 15, 1947, when India gained its independence. This book is written by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. It was first published in 1975. It depicts the last days of Britishers in India and then covering up the events of Indian independence, the partition, and death of Mahatma Gandhi.

In this book, I find three major stories - 

First, related to India's partition into India and Pakistan, 

Second, the Partition and its consequences, 

Third, shaping of new India and the death of Gandhi.

The most critical thing that I find in this book is the partition of the boundaries. Partition became more complex by the long-standing dispute between Hindus and Muslims. Major problem in dividing the nation was, how to divide it on basis of religious & spiritual differences. That was obliged to have effects not only on the lives of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, etc. but also on the economy of India, Pakistan & Bangladesh. The violence between Hindus, Muslims & Sikhs is described in depth. There are many sad anecdotes of  involving normal men & women. The book makes various incursions into different but related incidents. Well defined Father Mahatma Gandhi character makes the reading more attached. Also, the conspiracy to assassinate Gandhi portrayed in a magnificent detail made me sad. 

I find this book, simply written with all the relevant details. I can not think of any other easy way to explain the complexity of Indian Independence. Though I am not a historical book lover, but I must say that not for a single moment, I felt bored while reading this book. It also made me cry many times. 

Conclusion - Freedom at Midnight is an excellent tale of India’s freedom and destiny. Perfectly written by the writers in the simplest way that anyone can understand and appreciate the history of India's independence. It is a best history books I have read and one of the must-read books.

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

Today, I am going to write about a book - Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. I found this book while searching for another book in the crossword. I found the book title attractive. I went through some pages of this book; it was entirely different than what I usually read, so decided to give it a try.

The book is good and easy read. I think it makes every person more understandable, but sometimes I felt that it's not based on reality. The reason is, the writer wrote it with assumption that all men are alike, and all women are alike. He points out all women as housewives or homemakers, who loves shopping. And all men as workers, who come home from work and watch sports on TV. According to me it is not true in today's time. All the examples and descriptions given by the author are not perpetually valid for all. It depends on how you have been growing up.

But yes, I must say it is a nice book for improving relationships and helps men & women to understand each other. It helps in deep understanding of their differences.

I want to share one line from the book - “It reveals how men and women differ in all areas of relationships. Not only do men and women communicate differently but they think, feel, perceive, react, respond, love, need, and appreciate differently.”

Conclusion - I do agree with some of the points in this book, but not with all the points. Sometimes things are repeated that makes it little boring. Overall, it was an ok ok reading experience for me.

Gone with the Wind

It was a fresh morning, I was having my tea on the balcony and enjoying the refreshing air. In the background, Mr. M. Rafi's playlist was going on. Beautiful romantic songs were running. I was not in a hurry like other mornings because it was the holiday, and I had no plan to do anything. I wanted to take a rest at home only. After tea, I saw my bookshelf or we can say my small library.. :) I noticed one book named 'Gone with the Wind'. It was an old book, and Condition was also not good. My husband read it when he was doing his graduation. He told me that 'Khushboo this is a classic love story, you should read it once. You will love this book'.

I took the novel and sat on the chair. It was written by 'Margaret Mitchell'. She was an American author, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937 for her novel 'Gone with the Wind' published in 1936. First, I felt this book would be boring because it has more than thousand pages but it wasn't, and I kept reading.

It's about Scarlett O'Hara who was used to live in the environment where she pampered a lot, and all the things were excellent. She fell in affection with Ashley Wilkes but he doesn't reciprocates and marries Melanie Hamilton instead. Then the story goes regarding how she grew mature during the American civil war and how in the end she understands that it's neither Ashley who loves her and nor she. It was 'Rhett Butler' who loves her very much, and she realizes that she also had feelings for him.

This novel has all the things; story, love, romance, sensations, moods, circumstances, history, life, etc. The thing that I admired most were the characters. Every single character was just perfect.
Scarlett O’Hara- She was beautiful, pampered, stubborn and very strong and determined female.
Rhett Butler - He was a dark, handsome, charming  man and a passionate lover.
Ashley Wilkes - A good human being, an army man, and a lovely husband.
Melanie Hamilton - A kind, plain hearted and calm lady.

Other than those four I also like Mammy and Aunt Pittypat Hamilton's character - the author did the justice for the characters. I strongly feel that every single person in this story was important. Not only characters but also the war seen described in the novel is very realistic. While reading this book, sometimes I found myself in the era of war. I feel connected myself with the story.

Conclusion - 'Gone with the Wind' was that classic love story that made me cry and made me smile. Now, this is the one of my favorite novels.