Impossible task. Review on 5 Best Books

When I saw in Mouthshut the topic on 5 best books, I till date avoided writing on this, to me it is an impossible task. I have grown up between books, other than my family the book is my friend, philosopher and guide. Actually the books have made me what I am, they taught me, they moulded my character, they gave me knowledge, they formed my ideology, they inspired me whenever I needed, they motivated me, they made me feel, they made me discovered, I laughed with them and I cried with them.

Fortunately I am and Indian and a Bengali, India’s vastness and Varity coupled with philosophical grandeur and religious tolerance has given me the broad outlook to know about the world. Being a Bengali I know three great languages, Bengali, Hindi and English, all of which have rich literature, great writers and excellent translations. Another great influence in my reading habits is the city of Calcutta, culturally rich, vibrant with top most intelligensia and resources.

Though I still find is impossible to write on best 5 books, I could not resist the temptation to write on few things about few of the many books which contributed immensely in making me and entertaining me, that is why I have chosen the title Impossible task->1 may be if time permits I will write few more reviews on this topic.

First I will try to write few lines on five books(out of many excellent ones) which helped me to understand ourselves, i.e. how we are all across the globe.

From Volga to Ganga by Rahul Sankirtayan:- Rahul Sankirtayan was a great scholar who traveled all across the world including Tibet where he spend many years with Buddhist monks and did an extensive research. The book  From Volga to Ganga originally written in Hindi is a collection of short stories based on characters, the first being ‘Diva’ a character around 5000 BC and last is written on 20th century back drop, in this chronology of  six thousand years he unfolded the ascent and history of ‘Aryan’ civilisation. Written in very lucid style this book helped me to understand ourselves.

For whom the bell tolls by Ernest Hemmingway:- This book is a masterpiece by Hemmingway is based on his first hand experience of  Spanish revolution. The greatness of the story lies on true and realistic picturisation of human even in most adverse conditions and how the humanity shows its face even under immense hate. In the present context I am getting the enlightenment from this book.

Grapes of Wrath by Jhon Steinbeck:- I consider Steinbeck to be one of the greatest American story teller, his strength is detailing of the character of the story, this book is on the life of the American cotton pickers, their joy and sorrow, their love and hate, their passion and their human face even under most adverse conditions. The book is a very moving and ultimately help to restore your faith on humanity, I still remember the last para of the book very moving.

Manor & Estate by Isaac Bashevis Singer:- Isaac Bashevis Singer is renowned for his masterly powers of story telling, his epic work consist of two books ‘Manor’ and ‘Estate’, Singer depicts, through the history of one family the evolution of Europe and its Jewish community from feudal traditions to the modern world.

One hundred years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez:- Only few novels change people’s lives, this one is one of them. A band of adventurers established a town in the heart of South America jungle. The occasion marks the beginning of the world, of a great family, of a century of extraordinary events. I have written a review on this novel earlier in Mouthshut, but this novel has cast such a spell on me I have mentioned it once more.

In few lines I have definitely not been able to bring out the greatness of the above great books and neither I have the capability, my only intention is to share with my fellow mouthshutters my feelings. May be I will come back with my inputs on few more, the constant encouragement I received from you all is keeping me moving.

Thank you,