Bound In Love -Review

Bound in love is third book written by Neil D’Silva. Neil primarily writes horror genre and his previous two deliveries viz. ‘Maya’s New Husband’ & ‘Evil Eye and Charm’ are doing magnificently wonderful. Neil has received acclaim from contemporaries & readers alike.  I am yet to read his previous works but nevertheless I got hold of Neil’s third installment Bound In Love. Bound in Love was self published my Neil.

This book is short story collection in which Neil explores the most clichéd word of our times, ‘Love’. Neil explores it in various relationships, different time frames, parallel universe, and various strata of the society.  Neil brings out emotions pertinently & also manages to hold reader’s attention in each story.  Be it No Chocolate For You where he has formidably used a parent’s worst fear and its consequences, or No Greater Charm where he explores how Love can draw one to insanity and scheme; Neil scores.

At the Next Stop had a delightful twist, A Song Without Music ended on a likeable note (I am completely aware what this author can do to its characters).  The Other Face of Love is peek in into life of an ambitious son and his mother, again in this story Neil brings out how we do not value what is closer to our heart.  The Shoe that Didn’t Fit is about how one can screw their own life blinded in Love and The Lion And the Queen is an erotica with violence.  This story stands tall among the collection.

New Wine, Old bottle is another tall story from entertainment Industry.  Throughout the story I worked around the idea whether this is a true story. Did it happen to any yesteryear actor?  Needless to say its fiction and Neil’s characters in this and all stories (except for The Queen and The Lion) were closer to reality. You may have met them at your home, or they are your friends or at a party.

The Makeover, The Death of Parker Greene, and Julie’s story are noteworthy.

I used Smashwords to download the book & they failed to send me cover of the book. Nevertheless cover looks wonderful.  Neil told me that Bound in Love was one off experiment and he would concentrate on writing horror which he specializes in. 

Book Review: Made In India -Biddu

Made in India is Autobiography of  Biddu who made a name for himself in Music worldwide. In India he is famously known for "Aap Jaisa koi", "Made in India" and the one album which sold 100,000 copies on its launch day, "Disco Deewane".  His contribution to Indian music scene is meager compared to what Biddu has done internationally. He has sung, written and composed many songs in his long career which he begun at an early age.

Biddu was born at the time when World War II had just ended, India was infant, and above all Bangalore was a VILLAGE.  In those times India was ridden with socialism and kindness. Biddu's autobiography is alot about how people were  kind to him. Be it a Jockey from Calcutta, an unknown man from Mumbai streets, or a Food vendor in Iran. Not to mention "Band -Aid"  who met him at Najaf and many more during his pilgrimage in Middle East .

It doesn't mean the unkind didn't exist.The whole world wasn't really so hunky-dory to him. Biddu like any other musician only learned with time about the importance of safeguarding financial interest. He himself confesses be it the wedding at Hyderabad where he played first time outside Bangalore or Trinca in Calcutta, he could have played it for free.  He was only glad to receive money.

Liquor or Marijuana is easy to come by in his field but he did not heed to any such addictions. As a reader he earned humongous respect. However, Biddu had one obsession apart from his music his long hair.

The book is an honest account of  Biddu's aspiration with tongue in cheek humour. The flow is smooth and there are  many delightful revelations about music and second half of 20th century .

The book is highly evocative and my favorite instance is Biddu contemplating to become a  conductor in  London bus service. A long haired, smart, good looking chap with guitar hung by neck, and wearing Afgan coat who collects tickets would have been quite a sight.

This is the Journey worth reading even in paperback.

Rating- 4.8 out of 5

Disclaimer: This Book was received in a Giveaway and I also know Ritesh Kala of Read Out Loud who are associated with the book. (How I nearly missed receiving this prize is another blog story)