This is a story set against the backdrop of the Indian war for independence. The war was fought on several fronts – non-violent as well as violent. It will be extremely difficult to say what got us freedom – it was a culmination of the efforts of all. Suraj, the lead protagonist, coming from an affluent family in east India is one such hero.

But the story starts in 2000. We are introduced to Prithvi who is in jail as a corrupt customs officer. He is a top intelligence officer, who is working undercover to trap a corrupt politician. And right in the beginning, we realise that he takes after his great-granduncle Suraj, who would go to any extremes for the successful execution of the plan. This sets the tone for what is to come in the following pages. And the story does not disappoint.

We travel back to Bengal of the pre-independence period. Suraj is born into a conventional family. But Suraj is unconventional. He is a complex character. He loves his parents but is unable to show his love. He is introduced to revolutionaries early in his life, and his focus changes. He is an active member of this war for independence. He takes risks that others will not take. His life is a deception – for the goal of freedom.

The Eclipsed Sun is a work of fiction, but references to many well-known revolutionaries with whom Suraj came in contact and who influenced him make this an extremely relatable story.

The story gets a little drawn out sometimes, but overall, I loved the storytelling. There was not a dull moment. The other characters in the life of Suraj are also well-written. They are strong characters by themselves as they support the story of Suraj. I am looking forward to a sequel narrating Prithvi’s story.

The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of Behind Closed Doors (2023), The Gymnast (2022), and The Life and Times of a Common Man.

Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, The Author Show, Guest Blogs, and Creative Writing Workshop.

All of us, or at least most of us, have secrets in our lives – either those that we did not divulge or those that were kept from us – almost always to not break relationships.

Enakshi, a 25 year old young woman, the lead protagonist of this book, also has one such secret kept from her, though hinted at by her close ones. She could not guess, not could I, till the truth hit us, almost towards the end of the book. Surprisingly, it did not break Enakshi, nor her relationships – they became stronger, with an empathy difficult to see in current times.

In between, we have the 25-year-old Enakshi completing her business management, and going to Chennai for her internship. If hell would have a name, it would be this city for the lady. She is required to study the market by a strict boss, who refuses to acknowledge her. She is clueless of the local language, faces unknown biases – gender, no toilets for women in the field, sexist innuendos, a stalker, etc etc.

I loved the way that the author tackled sensitive issues, never faltering. There was not a dull moment. The other characters were also well etched, even as they supported the story of Enakshi.

That is the beauty of the storytelling of the young author.

The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of The Gymnast, and The Life and Times of a Common Man.

Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, The Author Show, Guest Blogs, and Creative Writing Workshop.

This is the story of Vivek and Lucy and their love for each other. Vivek is missing for two years, feared dead in a flight that could not land in Bhutan due to poor weather conditions and the plane is presumed to have crashed. Lucy is trying to pick up pieces of her shattered life as she is asked to travel to Sri Lanka for work, where she meets a look-alike of Vivek, who does not recognise her.

The above broadly describes the storyline, which should lead to a predictable happy ending, as Vivek makes an entry in the story somewhere in the middle of the book. It is the twists and turns in the story that make it interesting.

The language is simple and easy to read. My complaint is about editorial inputs – grammar and vocabulary. A fast read, which will appeal to movie buffs.

The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of The Gymnast and The Life and Times of a Common Man.

Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, Author Show, Guest Blogs, and Creative Writing Workshop.

Circumstances can bring out the worst or the best in us. We may endlessly argue about the bad in a person, but there is also good, which may manifest in adversities.

This Pulitzer award winner novel is about the best that a human being can be. Marie Laure’s father builds a model of their Paris neighbourhood for her to navigate the real streets when she goes blind at the age of six. German occupation of France forces them to flee to Saint-Malo on the Brittany coast to live with a grand-uncle, with a national treasure in his custody. He builds another model of the new neighbourhood for his daughter.

In a parallel track, Werner, an orphan in Germany, is enchanted by a radio. He goes on to master the skills to repair radios, and joins the Germany of Hitler, as a tracker of radio signals by the resistance. Travelling through different countries with the German army, he lands in Saint-Malo.

Here, the paths of the two orphans merge. Here, they display the strength of character, that raises them beyond the ordinary.

This is a heart touching story that makes you believe in the good in you in the difficult times that we are living in.

The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of The Gymnast and The Life and Times of a Common Man.

Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, Author Show, Guest Blogs, and Creative Writing Workshop.

Women have been traditionally relegated to the background since eons, more in a supportive role to the family. The bias continues to this day, despite more of them now coming forward and successfully managing both professional and domestic roles.

This book is an attempt by the author to showcase the story of one such strong female. She has her own individuality and does not hesitate in expressing her feelings. This is the new woman. In fact, there are few other women in the story, who are equally strong; and pursue their desires.

The book deals with one aspect of the modern woman – her physical desires, and her pursuit of the same, even outside of conjugal bed. Her other pursuits – personal or professional are mentioned in passing.

The author has handled a bold subject with sensitivity so that it does not turn into erotica.

The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of The Gymnast.

Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, Author Show, Guest Blog, and Creative Writing Workshop.

Past is the stepping stone to future. A good or a bad future is for us to build on the foundation of life gone by. But what if the past is not the immediate past, not even decades old, but one that goes back centuries! And if it was so traumatic that forgetting it is a tempting invitation!

The book is the story of Kashmir, not only in the present, but one that is built on centuries of persecution. Aditya is a young priest, who returns to renovate a temple, demolished eons ago, and whose ancestors perished in a futile attempt to save it.

Next to the ruins is a mosque, and Anwar is the son of the Imam. He has vowed to create an Islamic Kashmir. Torn between her love for the priest, and her faith, is Zeba, sister of Anwar.

This is a great story – of a search for roots, and about the strength of forgiveness. There is yet hope – for the future.

The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of The Gymnast.

Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, Author Show, Guest Blogs, and Creative Writing Workshop.

A young woman – she is the sister of the evil sarpanch; her husband – a young man liked by the villagers and a leader to the underprivileged for which he is murdered on the behest of the village head; the young man’s precocious sister; the beloved Raja Saheb; a young doctor settled in USA; and his wife.

The village festival held every 12 years is the setting where all the characters come together. Miracles happen during the mela as Lord Shree comes down amongst the devotees to bless the devout and finish evil.

As I started reading the book, I was certain that I would not like the story – I am not a fan of the supernatural genre. I was mistaken. It was a light breezy read once I had gotten over my initial shock of miracles. Besides, I have been a big fan of the many Bollywood potboilers, and the story reminded me of the movies from the 70s.

The book needs few editorial inputs.

The review is by Sanjay Chandra, author of The Gymnast.

Contact sanjaychandra59@gmail.com for Book Reviews, Author Show, Guest Blogs, and Creative Writing Workshop.