Disgrace - A Novel by a Great Novelist

I chanced upon a new novel recently. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee is a rather dark but mature novel set in post-apartheid South Africa. It deals with the changing social landscape in the country with a new beginning. By the time I finished reading the novel it was hard to decide for whom I felt more sorry - the father or the daughter. Coetzee style of writing is very appealing and impressive. Good enough to have won him the Nobel Prize for literature in 2003.

Disgrace itself won a Booker in 1999. In fact, in 2006, a poll of 'literary luminaries' by The Observer (UK) newspaper named it as the 'Greatest Novel of the Last 25 Years.'

Five Point Somone

I'm on a novel reading spree these days. That's one of the good thing about taking a break from work.

Did hear a lot about Chetan Bhagat's 'One Night @ the Call Centre.' But trust me, 'Five Point Someone' is a must read novel for all those who want to relive their college life. Once you start reading the novel there's no way you want to put it down. Each page reminded me of my hostel days at AMU, my own alma mater. Needless to say I enjoyed it thoroughly. Very nostalgic indeed!

And now I wonder which is better - 'Dil Chahta Hai' the movie, or, Bhagat's novel.

The Train to Pakistan

Now this is one novel I wanted to read ever since I heard of it years back. Unfortunately, I couldn't for one reason or the other. I'm glad that I read it finally, few days back.

The novel is set against a wonderfull backdrop of the rural India. What made it special (I guess this goes for most of the novels) is it's climax. It reminded me of 'A Tale of Two Cities.' Khushwant Singh should be proud of his work. It surely is an Indian classic!