The Man who Never was

Goliath by Neil Gaiman My rating: 4 of 5 stars Goliath by Neil Gaiman is a short story which I've been meaning to read for a while now. Seeing as how I'm in my Matrix revisit phase, and going through all pieces of the extensive and engaging role, It's as good as time as any to have read it. Gaiman crafting a story based off of the ideas from Wachowski's extended excerpts for the Matrix lore; so much talent collaborated into this short work. Gaiman goes to show, yet again that good writing doesn't need hundreds of pages and overbearing plot and characters to keep you engaged. Then again you only would start reading this story, if you are already familiar with the three movies, So... Goliath, is a short yet engaging read, because it injects some new elements into the established settings of the Grander narrative. Most stories of the genre focus on the cyberpunk aesthetic, as well as the AI-human conflict and themes similar to Ghost

Asterix and the Black Gold by Albert Uderzo My rating: 5 of 5 stars It's Asterix time, once more. Boy, feels like It's been a while since I picked up one of these. But 'Asterix & the Black Gold' is the just the right kind of story to get back into the mayhem. The magic potion which gives the Gauls indomitable strength to keep the Roman legions at bay. Getafix the druid is worried over the same potion; a key ingredient required for making the potion has run out. Without it, no potion, and no super strength. Now Asterix & Obelix need to travel of Mesopotamia, in search of the ingredient; the common rock oil, which the Romans have come to call 'Ptreo Oleum'. But unbeknownst to them, Caesar has dispatched a secret agent to discover the recipe of the potion, and thwart their efforts to making them. The suave and sinister Dubbelosix. Now the duo have to face Roman legions, Spies, some hapless pirates and other challe

Thottiyude Makan | തോട്ടിയുടെ മകന്‍ by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thottiyude Makan (Son of a Scavenger) deals with the lives of those sanitation workers in the city of Alappuzha, Kerala, during the independence period. It was a time when caste and class system was prevalent and where one was born would determine every aspect of your life, from the job which you had to undertake, the neighborhood which you had to live in, the people who you could and couldn’t mingle with, who you would marry, and even how you would be allowed to die, and be buried after death. It was a viciously perpetuating cycle, as after your death, your children and their children would carry the same stamp and would forever be branded by it. The sanitation worker, a scavenger or Thotti (തോട്ടി) as they are called, works for the Municipal Corporation, governmental agency. In a time when public sanitation facilities and waste disposal networks such as sewe

അല്‍-അറേബ്യന്‍ നോവല്‍ ഫാക്ടറി | Al-Arabian Novel Factory by Benyamin My rating: 3 of 5 stars ഒരു കാല്പനികമായ മധ്യപൂർവഏഷ്യൻ രാജ്യത്തു നടക്കുന്ന പല പരസ്പര ബന്ധമുള്ള സംഭവങ്ങളെ യഥാർത്ഥ ജീവിതത്തിൽ നടക്കുന്ന വാർത്തകളോട് ഇട മിശ്രണം വരുത്തി ബെന്യാമിൻ എന്ന എഴുത്തുകാരൻ എഴുതിയ ഇരട്ട നോവലുകളിൽ ഒന്നാണ് 'അൽ അറേബ്യൻ നോവൽ ഫാക്ടറി'. ഒരു അന്തർദേശീയ നോവലിസ്റ്റ് ഇന്റെ അടുത്ത പുസ്തകത്തിന് വേണ്ടിയും വ്യക്തിപരമായ കാരണങ്ങൾക്ക് വേണ്ടിയും സങ്കല്പിതമായ 'സിറ്റി ഓഫ് ജോയ്' എന്ന നഗരത്തിൽ എത്തി പ്പെടുന്ന പ്രതാപ് എന്ന മാധ്യമപ്രവർത്തകനും അയാളുടെ സഹപ്രവർത്തകരും തുടക്കത്തിൽ ആ നഗരിയിൽ എല്ലാം ശാന്തം എന്ന് തെറ്റിദ്ധരിക്കുന്നു പക്ഷെ പുറം മേനിക്ക് ഉള്ളിൽ അവിടുത്തെ സ്വേച്ഛാധിപതിയായ അധികാരികളും അവരുടെ തലപ്പത്തിരിക്കുന്ന 'ഹിസ് മജസ്റ്റി' എന്ന ഏകാധിപതിയും പുറം ലോകം അറിയാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കാത്ത പല കാര്യങ്ങളും ഉണ്ടെന്നു അവിടുത്തെ ജനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും അവർ മനസിലാക്കുന്നു. ദിവസങ്ങൾ പിന്നിടും തോറും അവർ ആ ജനതയെ മനസിലാക്കുകയും, ആ രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ ചരിത്രം സിദ്ധിക്കുകകും അത് വഴി ഉണ്ടാകുന്ന കുഴപ്

Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews

Asterix and the Great Divide by Albert Uderzo My rating: 4 of 5 stars Somewhere in Armorica, there is a small Gaelic village much like our own, but one that is divided into two parts, each ruled by a separate chief Cleverdix & Majestix. And we are talking about Berlin wall level of separation, with instead a ditch. When the fishy conniving aptly named schemer Codfix, manipulates Majestix to side with the Romans, Cleverdix seeks assistance from his old friend Vitalstatistix. So Asterix, Obelix, Getafix & Dogmatix set out to reunite the warring village, mend some bridges, and of course mess with some Romans along the way. The magic potion & Getafix's other concoctions, after being in the background the last few chapters, are presented in full glory here. As both the Gauls and Romans manage to get their hands one some leading to some magic fueled absurdity. Gaelic problems require Gaelic Solutions The Hurricane of Puns:

Obelix and Co. by René Goscinny My rating: 4 of 5 stars Over time, Caesar has tried all manner to methods to try and subdue that one little pesky Magical potion chugging village of Gauls. When fists and spears don't work, it's time to use alternative means. That is what the dictator has resorted to this time around; commissioning the aptly named Caius Preposterous to reel the innocently naïve Gauls into the fold of Satan's playground; Capitalism. Oh, and not that anyone's keeping count; It's Obelix's birthday! So begins the long and elaborate yarn; involving Obelix's menhirs, a real life case study of when supply and demand goes haywire, and why no one should trust the modern day paradigm of creating fake value with a veneer of exclusivity. Long story short Caesar ends up getting close to Bankruptcy, Rome ends up owning a whole bunch of menhirs for no reason, and the Gauls go back to how things were at the end; again. The

Asterix in Belgium by René Goscinny My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Roman legions, best in the world when it comes to martial maneuvers...and puns have suffered long and hard the attacks of the local barbarian tribes who refuse to bend the knee. Now they have been sent to a less grueling assignment, as a form of Rest Cure. To Armorica, to be beaten up by a relatively less threatening magic potion chugging village of Gauls. Anything they reckon, is better than suffering at the hands of the Belgians, ferocious warriors whom even Caesar has proclaimed as the bravest warriors in the world. Which, does not sit well with the formerly mentioned Gauls, in particular their chief Vitalstatistix. After all, everyone knows who the bravest and most ferocious adversaries to Romans are. This mistake needed to be rectified. [image error] If you've read the story for any length of time, you can pretty much guess where it's headed to. It's off to Belgium,

Asterix and the Great Crossing by René Goscinny My rating: 5 of 5 stars Remember when I said that Asterix stories are most engaging when they are out exploring new civilizations, in a globe trotting adventures? Well, in that sense, 'Asterix and the Great Crossing' is a return to great form for the series. Chief Vitalstatistix is in a foul, er foul-er mood. His shield bearers are out sick and the culprit is Unhygenix's unique brand of odorous marine produce. You can't blame the chief. One would question the business acumen of someone who prefers to import fish all the way from Lutetia, when he has a frigging ocean right in his backyard. Anyways, the chief orders the duo to go out at sea and catch some fresh produce. The paid set out in Geriatrix's old boat, praying to Belenos. But the healing god doesn't appear that benevolent, as soon the pair, plus Dogmatix, find themselves in violent waters, and moving hopelessly further fro

Asterix and Caesar's Gift by René Goscinny My rating: 4 of 5 stars It is time for the soldiers of Rome, who have served her well, and completed 20 years in service, to be honorably discharged, with plots of land corresponding to their service. On this occasion, Caeser himself decides to grant a special gift to the Legionary Tremensdelirious, who had in a drunk disorderly rank insulted the dictator. He was given a fertile patch of land, right next to the sea, with lush vegetation and chances of good business prospect. A plot of land, which unfortunately happens to be the same village of superpowered Gaul which Rome has been trying to conquer for a while. A land which Caesar has no stake in, and has no business giving away to someone. That precisely being the point. Through another night of drinking, Tremensdelirious pawns away the marble plaque with Caesar's edict and the deed of land ownership, to the hapless innkeeper 'Orthopaedix',

Asterix in Corsica by René Goscinny My rating: 4 of 5 stars It is the anniversary of the Gaelic victory at the Battle of Gergovia, and our favorite village of Gauls are hosting a banquet, and have invited all of their friends from the nearby provinces and villages. Meanwhile, at the Roman camp, a prisoner from Corsica 'Boneywasawarriorwayayix' is being held. Now one can imagine that a Gaelic celebration is not complete without bashing up some roman legionnaires. So the Gauls, along with their allies, all powered up drinking the magic potion, attack the Roman camp, pulverize the garrison, and free Boneywasawarriorwayayix. Asterix & Obelix then decide to accompany them to his village in Corsica, to see how the locals there are dealing with their roman problems. And as expected, chaos ensues. This has got to be the most niche Asterix story that I've read. Me, who much less knows where Corsica is, or what references are being made. But th

Asterix and the Laurel Wreath by René Goscinny My rating: 4 of 5 stars Vitalstatistix & Impedima visit Lutetia with the dynamic duo, to meet her brother Homeopathix. The in laws don't exactly see eye to eye, so when one thing leads to another, the Gaul chief makes a bet that he would prepare a special dish to Homeopathix with no other than Caesar's coveted Laurel wreath. So, who else but our boys, to go to Rome, sneak into Caesar's palace and steal the Wreath. As one would expect, all manner of hijinks happen. Nothing much to write about this chapter. It's quite entertaining, with Asterix & Obelix deciding to infiltrate the palace; by selling themselves off as slaves. Things get even more hairy, when they find themselves in court, and Asterix pours out the most eloquent and heart wrenching composition of an argument….in favor of why they should throw the Gauls to the animals. Trust me, all of this does have a convoluted, albei

The Mansions of the Gods by René Goscinny My rating: 5 of 5 stars Having spent all this time in futility, trying to bring the small village of superpowered Gauls to heel, the undeterred Caesar has decided to change his approach. Instead of trying to best the Gauls in the battlefield, he now seeks to use an more economical approach. To this purpose, he commissions the architect Squareonthehypotenus to build a new city around the village, clearing out the forest, encircling the Gauls and eventually starving them out. But one thing you should know, if you try to uproot the trees, you make Dogmatix cry, and you don't want to make our cute mascot cry. So, how will our beloved Gauls deal with this problem which cannot be simply punched away? Watch on this episode of As-Te-Rix! --------------- I enjoy Asterix stories, where the magic potion is not the all-powerful McGuffin which can turn the tides of battle, and solve everyone's problems. This time

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi My rating: 5 of 5 stars It’s not often that a graphic novel demands that you sit up straight and take notice. Instead of taking us to the land of make believe, forces us to address the realities of the world, our world, which we share. Asks us to take a step back and reevaluate our views and opinions regarding something, which has at first glance no bearing on our well being as a person. But has great leverage on what sort of person you want to be, and the world that you want to leave to your children. The last time I felt this moved by Graphic novels as a medium for societal enlightenment, was when I read Maus , which Persepolis shares a lot of parallels to; whether it be the black and white contrasting art style which can go from whimsical to terrifying at the drop of a hat. Or be it the sensitive subject matter, which is hard to bear, but impossible to look away from. Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi is

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi My rating: 5 of 5 stars It’s not often that a graphic novel demands that you sit up straight and take notice. Instead of taking us to the land of make believe, forces us to address the realities of the world, our world, which we share. Asks us to take a step back and reevaluate our views and opinions regarding something, which has at first glance no bearing on our well being as a person. But has great leverage on what sort of person you want to be, and the world that you want to leave to your children. The last time I felt this moved by Graphic novels as a medium for societal enlightenment, was when I read Maus , which Persepolis shares a lot of parallels to; whether it be the black and white contrasting art style which can go from whimsical to terrifying at the drop of a hat. Or be it the sensitive subject matter, which is hard to bear, but impossible to look away from. Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi is