Long Pending Mini reviews ...

I have been meaning to post these "reviews" for quite a while now, but it just kept getting delayed. Not much to write about these, at least not enough to make individual posts. :-)

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A Quiver Full of Arrows - Jeffery Archer

I usually like Archer's short stories; more often than not, they have a great plot, and delightfully surprising twist in the end. I found the collection 'Twelve Red Herrings' brilliant. But 'A Quiver Full of Arrows' did not meet my expectations. Nothing wrong with it actually. But I think it just lacks the usual flair of Archer stories. I didn't find any story in this collection particularly remarkable, though I have come across some real gems in some of the other collections.

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The Modigliani Scandal - Ken Follet

Yet another work of fiction based on the world of art - it highlights the hypocrisy exhibited by the collectors and dealers - their allegiance to well-known maestros, and indifference to yet unproven artists (even if they are good); the extremely high stakes involved, and the abounding forgeries.

And like 'A Place called Freedom', it is also quite different from the usual spy/thriller fare of Follet. The author acknowledges that this is an experimental work, and may be disappointing to critics and readers. But I enjoyed it, I think it was quite wonderful. There are no murders, and not too many complications, though there is a chase, but this time it is for a yet-unknown masterpiece. The story progresses at a good pace, and keeps up the interest through the situations that take amusing turns, and the final twist is great. A light, fun read.

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Jonathan Livingstone Seagull - Richard Bach

I finally got a chance to read this extremely well-known and highly commended book. I liked the concept, and the way it is presented. But I am not one to go into raptures over this one. I don't particularly favor works based on philosophy, and this is quite heavy on it. But it is rather light on content - it is quite a thin volume, and most of the pages just have pictures of flying gulls - altogether it is a short story, rather than a novel. It was nice, and one can find some inspiring quotes in it, but it is not something I will read over and over again.

A Place Called Freedom

A Place Called Freedom - Ken Follet

This has a very different flavor from other Ken Follet works I have read. As opposed to modern-world, conspiracy/espionage stories I had come across earlier, this novel is a historical.

The story starts in early 18th century, in coal mines of Scotland, where every miner's sons are enslaved at birth to the lord of the mine. Thus, miners are enslaved generation after generation, and live in torturous conditions till they die of illness or accident. Young McAsh finds out that this inhuman treatment is against the law (though the poor villagers are not aware the law, and the lord refuses to acknowledge it), and becomes determined to fight for his freedom. He rebels, is subjected to savage punishments by Jamissons who own the mines, but finally escape to London. However, his life is intertwined with the family in ways neither can foresee. Jamissons' neighbors are widowed Mrs Hallim, and her vivacious daughter Lizzie. Lizzie does not submit to subordination as the women of their social class do, but defies normal conventions and seeks to live on her own terms. McAsh and Lizzie become aware of a connection between them, but the vast difference in their social status is something that neither of them dares to overcome, and Lizzie becomes engaged to younger Jamisson son, Jay.

Once in London, McAsh tries to stand on his own, but once again comes up against oppression by the rich and powerful. Once again, he challenges the authority of these people to deny him his rights. But he falls victim to the powers-that-be, and later gets convicted because of a conspiracy hatched by Jay Jamisson. McAsh is transported to America along with other convicts on a slave ship owned by Jamissions, while on the same ship, newly married Jay and Lizzie set out to America to look after family's tobacco plantations. But their fates are tied together; while other convicts are sold as slaves, Jay keeps the strongest ones for himself, McAsh amongst them. Jay's fortunes continue to decline through is ineptitude, Lizzie finds herself trapped in an unsuccessful marriage with an unfaithful husband, and McAsh finds it unbearable to accede to the whims of a tyrannical supervisor. McAsh and Lizzie make a escape to wild country; they are chased by Jay and his henchmen, but finally manage to secure their freedom.

The conditions of life in the era are very well described - lifelong slavery and torture under exacting conditions in coal mines, the harassment of unprivileged people trying to earn a decent living at the hands of rich who make the laws, and the brutal treatment of workers and convicts on American plantations in early colonial days. Though the story is predictable, the details are thorough, and cover a lot of ground in breadth and depth. It celebrates the human spirit, which can endure a lot to attain that elusive freedom and dignity of human life. On the other hand, it exposes the mean side of human nature, which can stoop to any level to attain or hold wealth and power. In all, it can be called a very good book. Although I appreciate the thoroughly-researched details, well-developed characters and finely plotted story, I didn't altogether like it very much. It's difficult to reason, but there it is. I like the stories of triumph of the spirit, but do not like to read those of unreasonable and unending treachery and oppression, however realistic - I find them rather depressing. I still less like content of violence, which tends to be downright gory at times.