Rangeen Kagaz adds color to my day – Blogadda review 15

She says she can relate my book with the work she’s doing and it warms the heart. Somewhere there’s a smile on my face as I type this for I feel she understands why though the situations mentioned in the book are not new, they are intriguing.

I love the fact that she found a part of the book a literature read (first story) and it reminded me of my Professor at ISB who wants to make a few parts of that story and another as a part of the coursepack for next year! She says -

While reading the book, the first few stories appear a little unoriginal. While the words are hers, the style of capturing the well-known subjects like gender discrimination etc. isn’t new. The first story especially felt like the general literature on the topic. However, as you progress through the book, her stories get captivating. She has addressed a variety of important issues and seems to have covered an exhaustive list of them.

What I love most about this review, is the fact that my book to her is worthy of being a “sound initiator” which is indeed what it is to me too! The first step in delving into the causes I hold so close to my heart.

A wonderful review for which I cannot be more thankful!

Full Link: http://lekhika-devu.blogspot.in/2012/02/review-of-calendar-too-crowded.html

Tags: ACTC, blogadda reviews, book reviews

She finds it to be “same old new stuff” – Blogadda review 14

They say that “old wine in a new bottle” is often worth a look, and she gives the book a chance, through this review for that. She feels it highlights all what the Fourth Estate is already talking about, but then again also highlights the soft nuances I have tried to highlight.

However Sagarika falls short on her promise to talk about hidden realities.(or maybe I did expect a little too much)  The Fourth estate has been throwing stories of dowry deaths, female infanticide and rape on a daily basis.  Though the stories are not like “news”, they do sound overtly familiar,with stereotypical notions

Yes indeed they are common for I wanted them to be common – I wanted to make realize through stories that the incidents which are labelled as far and few are too extreme to be ignored and the ones which are common should not be taken as “yes heard of” but should raise questions in our minds and help us to resolve to act! Let it be a one time read, but if for once a reader feels yes there’s something he/she should do, my job is done and done well!

Having said that am thankful to her for the optimism she’s seen in the book, for it is that which shall help me decide my next course when I take on the society to act for all the causes I have mentioned in the book. It’s a wonderful detailed review that makes me sit back and be the devil’s advocate towards my own baby. And guess that is what shall help me realise where to head. Thank You Menachery!

Full Link: http://sameoldnewstuff.blogspot.in/2012/02/calendar-too-crowded.html

Tags: ACTC, blogadda reviews, book reviews

She gave my book a chance – Blogadda review 13

I love this review for the fact that I have been able to touch her unexpectedly! If you are wondering how’s that, here’s what she has to say -

“I had no idea what I was getting into, when I agreed to read and review Sagarika Chakraborty’s “A Calendar too Crowded” but I must say now that I am moved, sad, happy and baffled (I am not sure this was possible!)”

With people saying that my stories are nothing new in their messages, I smile when this review realizes the questions that I seek to raise.

“ We have no time to think about it, much less do something about it. Does having these dates on a calendar help those women who are locked in a room with their hair cut off, and having virtually no one and nothing of their own, just because fate took her husband away? Today also some of the communities, doesn’t allow widows to take part in celebrations… why?”

It’s not about the atrocities that I want your reiterate to you, but the questions that lie hidden and I thank her for realising the same. Thank you for understanding what makes up my baby!

Full Link: http://givingreadingachance.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/a-calendar-too-crowded-review/

 

Tags: ACTC, blogadda reviews, book reviews

Anand says it is a showcase of “poverty porn” – Blogadda review 12

He says, he wasn’t too keen to do this review, but I am more than glad that it he did it! I realized so much from this review that i cannot thank you enough, Anand! He says in his own words…

I’ve been putting off writing this review,  because  I don’t like what I want to say about the book. I don’t like being harsh and the book should be read widely, but I am harsh in my review and now, getting ahead of myself.

I am loving it when people say that it strikes them that they have read these stories before. I don’t know why it’s considered to be negative? My attempt is indeed to make you think through stories of all those voices you have heard before. This is my first step towards social consciousness, what is yours?

My stories are based on research of two years and i know what he means when he says the following, hence I smile, for that is exactly a hidden reality I want to highlight subtly -

There is a reason we refer to extreme imagery associated with development work as “poverty porn”. In their quest to draw the attention of the world to the horrors poor people suffer, they end up robbing the poor of dignity. As far as fund-raising goes, photographs of hungry naked kids do work, but at what cost?

But Anand, you do make a good point in making me decide my next step, in making me wonder now that I have raised so many voices, how do I act to make a difference and I cannot thank you enough for that!

I know my words are lost in your plentiful world but yours are welcome in my budding authorship era, for they shall surely make me grow to be a better one!

Full Link: http://anandphilip.com/too-crowded-a-book-review/

Tags: ACTC, blogadda reviews, book reviews

A Lot of Pages likes the one I penned down! :)

Yes, I approached them to review my book, because I love the way they do it! A bunch of them are like you and me, but they join hands together to encourage budding authors like me to be better and grow. Arpita Mahapatra reviewed my book and should be lauded for her wonderful efforts.

Arpita, you stole my heart with your lines where you said,

“There are very few authors who weave fiction with reality so dexterously that their book despite being patently didactic captures your attention, and keeps you hooked until the very end; and Sagarika Chakraborty is one of them. Here is a writer who boldly and explicitly challenges the preconceived notions of a biased, male-dominated society. And what’s more, she does not only question the integrity of men, but also that of the hard-core feminists who believe they are establishing their independence and individuality by going against accepted social norms, sometimes at the cost of missing out on some precious experiences of life that are so vital to the emotional, psychological and social growth of a human being.”

I cannot thank you more for noticing that I am not a feminist supporter myself nor is this book a feminist perspective. it’s all about womanhood I have screamed often and your words soothed me that somewhere readers are appreciating the same!

Recently reading a review where the reader says I am taking the path of Slumdog Millionaire  (highlighting poverty porn), Arpita assures me that it’s not the case for she understands and says -

“Despite the serious subject matter, the book never blankets you in misery. “

Though tempted, to quote more would be to steal her thunder and thus I leave it here with a BIG THANKS to Arpita and Alotofpages for their brilliant support and great work!

Kudos guys!

Full Link:http://www.alotofpages.com/2012/02/calendar-too-crowded-sagarika.html

Tags: ACTC, book reviews