Book Description
Opening in Calcutta in the 1960s, Amitav Ghosh's radiant second novel follows two families -- one English, one Bengali -- as their lives intertwine in tragic and comic ways. The narrator, Indian born and English educated, traces events back and forth in time, from the outbreak of World War II to the late twentieth century, through years of Bengali partition and violence, observing the ways in which political events invade private lives.
Customer Reviews:
A journey through space and time.......2005-12-30
This is a wonderful piece of work. I was off to a slow start - but after the few pages I got so engrossed in the book, I couldn't put it down till I had finished it. Events from different eras, and happening in different parts of the world are beautifully woven into a coherent narrative. I was really impressed by this unique style of traversing space and time in a non-linear fashion. The main characters are well etched out.
The book would be best appreciated by those who have spent time in India (and know of its unique lifestyle!) and have also had a taste of the western world. However, it is a wonderfully told story, and I would recommend it to one and all.
Not upto par.......2004-09-12
I wanted to read this book as it was being praised as a 'great partition novel' and I had previously read a couple of novels set during the independence of bangladesh. However, this book turned out to be more of a love story, with very little mention of the partition of Bangladesh almost till the very end. However for the most part, it's a well written novel.
Ghosh's best.......2004-07-02
A wonderfully nostalgic tale of growing up in Calcutta, going to college in London, and unrequited love in between.
Also depicts the tragedy of the Indian Hindu-Muslim riots of the sixties. Read it!
mind blowing!.......2004-02-03
If I have to name the singlemost life altering reading experience, The Shadow Lines will be it. Given the present political situation, every Indian with even half a claim at intelligence must read this book. But despite its grounding in politics and history, the story is a most personal account of a little boy's life who drifts back and forth between Calcutta and Dhaka...and his journey where he encounters lines and barriers of all kinds, only to find that they're all but...shadow lines. Amitav Ghosh writes with a flair and a command over the language that most other authors can only dream of.
Catapulted 2 different places, times at breath taking tempo!.......2003-12-03
"The Shadow Lines" by Amitav Ghosh was written when the homes of the Sikhs were still smoldering, some of the most important questions the novel probes are the various faces of violence and the extent to which its fiery arms reach under the guise of fighting for freedom. Ghosh's treatment of violence in Calcutta and in Dhaka is valid even today, more than ten years after its publication. What has happened recently in Kosovo and in East Timor show that answers still evade the questions, which Ghosh poses about freedom, about the very real yet non-existing lines, which divide nations, people, and families.
The story of the family and friends of the nameless narrator who for all his anonymity comes across as if he is the person looking at you quietly from across the table by the time the story telling is over and silence descends. Before that stage arrives the reader is catapulted to different places and times at breath taking tempo. The past, present and future combine and melt together erasing any kind of line of demarcation. Such lines are present mainly in the shadows they cast. There is no point of reference to hold on to. Thus the going away - the title of the first section of the novel - becomes coming home - the title of the second section. These two titles could easily have been exchanged.
The narrator is very much like the chronicler Pimen in Pushkin's drama Boris Godonow. But unlike Pushkin's Pimen this one is not a passive witness to all that happens in his presence, and absence. The very soul of the happenings, he is the comma which separates yet connects the various clauses of life lived in Calcutta, London, Dhaka and elsewhere. The story starts about thirteen years before the birth of the narrator and ends on the night preceding his departure from London back to Delhi. He spends less than a year in London, researching for his doctorate work, but it is a London he knew very well even before he puts a step on its pavements. Two people have made London so very real to him - Tridib, the second son of his father's aunt, his real mentor and inspirer, and Ila his beautiful cousin who has traveled all over the world but has seen little compared to what the narrator has seen through his mental eye. London is also a very real place because of Tridib's and Ila's friends - Mrs. Price, her daughter May, and son Nick. Like London comes alive due to the stories related by Ila and Tridib, Dhaka comes alive because of all the stories of her childhood told to him by his incomparable grandmother who was born there. The tragedy is that though the narrator spends almost a year in London and thus has ample opportunity to come to terms with its role in his life, it is Dhaka which he never visits that affects him most by the violent drama that takes place on its roads, taking Tridib away as one of its most unfortunate victims.
Violence has many faces in this novel - it is as much present in the marriage of Ila to Nick doomed to failure even before the "yes" word was spoken, as it is present on the riot torn streets of Calcutta or Dhaka. But the specialty of this novel is that this violence is very subtle till almost the end. When violence is dealt with, the idea is not to describe it explicitly like a voyeur but to look at it to comprehend its total senselessness. Thus the way "violence" is brought into the picture is extraordinarily sensitive: The narrator says, talking of the day riots tore Calcutta apart in 1964, "I opened my mouth to answer and found I had nothing to say. All I could have told them was of the sound of voices running past the walls of my school, and of a glimpse of a mob in Park Circus." I have never experienced such a sound, but God, how these sentences get under the skin, how easy it is to hear that sound, how the heart beats faster on reading these sentences!
Ghosh is also a humorous writer. It is serious humor. Single words hide a wealth of meaning, for example, the way Tridib's father is always referred to as Shaheb, Ila's mother as Queen Victoria, or the way the grandmother's sister always remains Mayadebi without any suffix denoting the relationship. Also look at this passage that describes how the grandmother reacts on discovering that her old Jethamoshai is living with a Muslim family in Dhaka is outstanding and must be read to enjoy
The main characters are very real, almost perfectly rounded. I specially love the grandmother. She is the grandmother many of us recognize. In her fierce moral standards, Spartan outlook of life, and intolerance of any nonsense - real and imagined, she is as real as any patriarch or matriarch worth the name. And there is this very loveable character of the narrator. It is that of a boy who warms your heart, it is that of a man who knows and has lost love - more than once in his life - and thus makes you feel like hugging him close to your heart.
Some of the most important questions the novel probes are the various faces of violence and the extent to which its fiery arms reach under the guise of fighting for freedom. Ghosh's treatment of violence in Calcutta and in Dhaka is valid even today, more than ten years after its publication. What has happened recently in Kosovo and in East Timor show that answers still evade the modern world. On all scores, Ghosh's novel is excellent reading and would make a very impressive film. Excellent Must Read!
Book Description
The Shadow-Line, the story of the trials of a young Captain on a shop, is the masterpiece of Conrad's final creative period.
Customer Reviews:
Too Short.......2007-08-09
Conrad Not at his best but still worth reading. Only downside is that the actual story is only 70 or so pages long. When you read Conrad you don't want the story to end. Half the book is taken up with forwards and introductions.
A Lesser Known Classic.......2006-05-06
One of Conrad's best novels, less profound than Heart of Darkness, certainly, but more economically written and featuring a narrator that more readers will identify with.
The Shadow Line is a nice sequel of sorts to Conrad's great story "Youth." In that, he showed how we often interpret events differently as youngsters and years later as adults. In The Shadow Line, the young protagonist has to improvise under stress to deal with the big world he's grown into.
Like all Conrad's works, this is wordy and slow by current standards, but well worth the time and effort to read it. Great practice for high-school seniors and college freshmen who want to step up to real literature.
Oh the Humanity!.......2004-05-05
If you are ever aboard a ship with Mr. Conrad as it's captain, and you happen to notice a dead madman playing a violin while frantically following the vessel from beneath the stagnant waters of the South Asian seas, then get the H#ll off the boat before you and your crew start dropping like flies.
To me this novel was leagues better than Heart of Darkness. It's obvious that Joseph knew a thing or two about Human behavior as well as how to frighten the trousers off readers.
Crank the Windlass and set sail.......2002-09-03
I enjoyed reading about the main characters experience of crossing the line from youthfulness into true adulthood. Conrad's eloquent, descriptive, and almost surreal writing style allows the reader to almost experience the stagnation, heat, and frustration that envelop the characters in this book. Perhaps not Conrad's best book, but certainly a good read, and it is quite short and to the point. Especially if you have an affinity for sailing and the power and majesty of the sailing vessels of old. I have always felt that there is a certain amount of effort required to enjoy Conrad's books, but I also feel that this, in a sense, is directly proportional to effort in life. The more you put in, the more you get out.
The Shadow-line : a war novel ?.......1999-10-14
Many critics like to categorize novels, authors in boxes. My thought is that the Shadow-line is a novel apart. The first world war is obliquely alluded in this novel, like a Kurt Vonnegut did for the second world war in his Slaughter's house five. This is not the easier of Conrad's novel to read, though it looks like a bildungsroman at first glance. Other oblique subjects lye behind the plot and the words. A must-have !
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Joseph Conrad: Selected Literary Criticism and the Shadow Line (Methuen English Texts)
Joseph Conrad , and
Allan Ingram
Manufacturer: Methuen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 20th Century
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
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Conrad, Joseph
| Classics
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General
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Contemporary
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Conrad, Joseph
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ASIN: 0416393500 |
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Crossing the Shadow-Line: The Literature of Estrangement
Martin Bock
Manufacturer: Ohio State Univ Pr (Txt)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
20th Century
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ASIN: 0814204716 |
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The Shadow Line
Laura Furman
Manufacturer: Winedale Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
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Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue
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ASIN: 0965746860 |
Book Description
From Sarah Gabriel, a promising new voice in historical romance, comes the follow–up to her debut novel, Stealing Sophie, introducing Sophie's wild and wanton sister 'Katie Hell' MacCarran!
When Captain Alec Fraser takes custody of a beautiful spy, the handsome Highland officer must discover information that only she knows
– and refuses to reveal. With secrets of his own to protect, Alec never expects the beautiful, stubborn girl to cause him so much trouble – nor does he expect to open his closed heart ever again.
Bold enough to seduce officers and steal government documents, Kate MacCarran, the sister of a Highland clan chief, is called 'Katie Hell' for her wild ways. Determined to either escape and continue her intrigues, or to make life miserable for Alec Fraser, Kate guards a wary heart beneath all her bravado. To her surprise, the rogue officer does not succumb easily to Katie Hell's legendary allure, although his passionate touch begins to melt her own resistance. Aware that Kate holds a key to Scotland's fate, Alec strives to keep her in his custody, and then in his arms, forever. But Kate cannot allow her wild heart to be tamed by the one man who can destroy all she holds dear.
Customer Reviews:
Very Entertaining.......2006-07-14
I was pleasantly pleased with this book. I love highlander books and this was definitely worth the price. It kept you guessing throughout the book about who was on which side. I personally like Kate - she was headstrong and courageous, not the pampered little priss in many books. This is a definite keeper!
Sizzling and Seductive.......2005-11-19
The chemistry between Alec and Kate was very sensual and immediate. I found the characters of Alec and Kate to be so utterly enchanting. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. This book had everything you need to create a good romance: a dashing hero, a beautiful feisty heroine, someone who always seems to interfere with the hero and heroine, and, most of all...PASSION! The relationship between Kate and Alec sizzles and there are no misunderstandings that tear the two apart for long periods. Any misunderstandings are dealt with within a few pages and that is very refreshing to this reviewer. Keeping Kate is witty, romantic with good strong characters. Captain Alec Fraser is handsome, sexy, intelligent, but embittered by life. I am always a sucker for stories with "heartless" heroes who find their souls through the love of a good woman.
A Sassy, Sweet and Romantic Read!!!.......2005-11-10
Ms. Gabriel's second effort "Keeping Kate" truly demonstrates she's developing a very entertaining voice. This was a very enjoyable historical with a truly sassy but sweet heroine and one delicious hero.
Kate MacCarran is one beautifully sassy, bold, sensual lass. She also has more stubborn in her body than an entire highland regiment. Well, that's just fine, or at least it was just fine but it looks as is she's finally met her match. What surprises her is the fact that Captain Alec Fraser of "The Black Watch" seems immune to her fairy magic, and she's NOT immune to his good looks, and sensitive nature. This just won't do since he seems bound and determine to take her to Edinburgh for questioning into the possibility of being a traitor. The fact that she did participate in intrigues is just a small matter when compared to the feelings that she can't seem to ignore when it comes to Alec.
Alec is going to do his duty but it seems keeping Kate out of trouble is turning into more work than one man can handle. He must take her to Edinburgh but this is going to be a bigger challenge then he thought it would be. He can't forget the first kiss they shared, or the fact that she drugged him, or the fact that her courage and strength impress him. No he's got enough trouble without adding Kate to the equation. Problem is love doesn't wait for an invitation or perfect time. It just happens.
Alec and Kate are a wonderful pairing. The historical time period is truly a wonderful backdrop and vehicle for this romance. Ms. Gabriel is an author I'm going to continue to purchase as her unique voice stands out and this read is unequivocally romantic!
charming early eighteenth century romantic fantasy.......2005-10-25
In 1728 Kate MacCarran like all the women of her clan, enjoys special fairy-like powers. Her particular skill is the ability to control men like a mythological siren. Currently, the Jacobyte supporter uses her gift to obtain information from English officers earning her the reputation as "Katie Hell".
Fellow Scot, but British soldier Alec Frasier captures Kate. He plans to take her to Edinburgh, but must somehow avoid the spell that she casts on males to do her bidding. To her shock Kate feels Alec has cast a spell on her because she finds for the first time in her life she wants a man. Even more stunning is his ability to not succumb to her enchanting charm. As they travel together towards Edinburgh, both struggle to keep their growing feelings and needs for the other in line as neither wants to fall in love with the enemy.
KEEPING KATE is a charming early eighteenth century romantic fantasy starring two likable protagonists struggling between their cause and their awareness of the other. Kiss Me Kate is a fabulous siren, who seems to have met her match or at least her soulmate in Alec who wants her more than anything he ever desired in his life, but tries to hide these gut level needs. Sarah Gabriel provides a delightful historical treat for sub-genre fans.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
Anything can happen when you're sweet sixteen ...
To Do This Month
- Someone's spreading rumors about me and Aaron!
- Gossip and rumors taking over the school!
- Find out who created gossip Website
- Principal shut down all student Websites -- including my matchmaking site!
- Save Ashley's matchmaking site
Customer Reviews:
Bad.......2004-03-18
I don't like Mary-Kate and Ashley stuff. I don't agree with everything. Everything is so mushy-gushy. I encourage you not to buy Mary-Kate and Ashley stuff, instead-buy Hilary Duff stuff!
Another bland MKA story..........2003-12-30
This is Sweet 16 "Keeping Secrets," ...I think there books and movies are "soggy mush."
This book ...isn't good, however it's not the mushiest piece of junk the Olsens have ever done.
This book is about a site that is called "Beauty or Beast" where the site rates the people beauty or beast. They also post comments on what they think of the person. The girls think it's cruel, and yeah, on one hand it is, making "unanymous" comments about people.
Anyway, MK started a campaign against the site, and she looks at her rating. It's a 4.8. However it goes down as MK starts being more "wild" and wearing 8-year-old tops as crop tops! It's obv. her rating goes down...
And someone's spreading rumours on Beauty or Beast, that Ashley's b. friend Aaron is dating someone else!
Now MK & A and there best mates Brittany and Lauren are going to shut down beauty or beast, no matter what the consequences are!
So that's the plot. But to be totally honest, this book is very boring to me, a rock-chick who rules by "Emily Strange" and "Ryoko" from Tenchi Universe. I ain't fallin' for the trap these twins set up for me, of being a teenage bubblegum Barbie Doll, I am no way gonna be one of those divas.
The characters are fictional, but if these two characters in the book replaced MKA, maybe the world would be a better place. Not that I care of what MKA get up to, that's not my choice. Look, just be yourself and ... what anyone else thinks." >I am no way dissing MKA, but I hate the stories and movies they do. ...
This book is a bit more down-to-earth then maybe some of the other Sweet-16 books, ... I really want a story that can relate to real life, ...frankly, I couldn't give a ... on what you do in your ... lives. It's up 2 you.
Rock on and be yourself
Product Description
4 massmarket paperback Titles By Warren - Perfect Strangers - Nobody's Child - This I Ask of You - Keeping Kate
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KEEPING KATE
Pat Warren
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OUIMLU |
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Keeping Kate
SARAH GABRIEL
Manufacturer: AVON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739459767 |
Customer Reviews:
Predictable Formula Story ...But What Did You Expect Then?.......1998-02-26
"Keeping Kate" is a story about Aaron, a young widower who needs a nanny for his baby girl, and Kate who needs a job. Aaron hires Kate and the story starts to progress in predictable ways. A subplot deals with Kate's real mother who is looking for her three children who were taken away from her years ago. This book doesn't offer anything new to the good old romance formula. Characters and conflicts between them are rather realistic - there are no tropical islands and mysterious millionaires here. However, this also makes plot twists somewhat unimaginative and one-dimensional. I also felt that the subplot about the reunion of Kate's family was mostly an unnecessary appendage. There are neither rewarding challenges nor anything dangerous here. I would only recommend this to someone who is willing to waste a couple of hours reading insignificant, mildly pleasing and harmless entertainment.
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Keeping What's Yours
Brett K. Kates
Manufacturer: Dearborn Trade Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Financial Planning | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Tax Planning | Taxes | Accounting | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Civil Procedure | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Subjects | Books
General | Taxation | Law | Subjects | Books
Financial | English Law | Law | Subjects | Books
Private Law | Law | Subjects | Books
Civil Procedure | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0793107466 |
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Keeping Your Nerve!
Kate Jones
Manufacturer: Faber Music Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Instruction & Study | Theory, Composition & Performance | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Techniques | Theory, Composition & Performance | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0571519229 |
Books:
- The Stones Of Summer
- The Tale of the Unknown Island
- The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley Under Ground, Ripley's Game (Everyman's Library)
- The Turning: New Stories
- The Water-Method Man
- The Woman Who Waited: A Novel
- Third Girl from the Left
- Timbuktu: A Novel
- Troll: A Love Story
- True Valor (Uncommon Heroes, Book 2)
Books Index
Books Home
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The Circle of Reason
In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler's Tale
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Clear Light of Day
