Story of Honor Killing - A Sister to Honor by Lucy Ferris - A Book Review

Almost two years back we had interviewed Lucy Ferris for her (then recently) published book "A Sister To honor" (In India with Fingerprint Publishers). As a token of gratitude, we have received a copy of the book. Unfortunately, during that period we shifted job and home so this book got into our storeroom. This Diwali when we cleaned the room, I found this angry lady asking for justification for ignoring her so long. Fun parts, I took this book to my Diwali trip so that can be read with a peaceful mind.

Main characters of the story are Afia and Shahid Satar. As given in blurb, Shahid was having a good rep and challenging career to set his life in the USA. He convinced his family to send Afia for Medical studies to states. Born and brought up in the super suppressed family and culture values Afia found her class and college mates completely opposite. Though her mind showed her fear of strict traditional values, her heart ached for freedom. Things became messy when her parents/family in Pakistan saw her picture holding a hand of an American guy. Her family given Shahid impossible task of honoring family by killing his sister.

I have heard/read/seen (on screen) many cases of hour killing, this story is similar. What makes it different is characterization. How each character feels at the time of such decision, how doting love converts in extreme hate. How culture value overrides normal human feelings. The book required efforts to read it. Those who want light read can skip this book. Those who love to read a deeply narrated story can take it. Read when you can give 100% else you may leave it in between.

I give 3.5 out of 5 stars to the book.

Lucy Interview Link - Author Interview

Book can be found at - Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

BookReview - Dansh - Hindi Novel By Laxman Rao

Dansh is my first Hindi read, so it has its own importance. This book was part of my Kindle book for more than a year but I was reluctant to take Hindi books. Last month, I took this book and found it a light read.

Book Blurb

Paramjeet comes to Pune for higher education all the way from Punjab. Here he meets Lata who also belongs to Punjab. Nandini, younger sister of Lata, is partially paralyzed and needs to regularly visit therapy centre. Lata requests Paramjeet to accompany Nandini to therapy centre.

When Paramjeet begins to take Nandini to the therapy centre, she asks the taxi driver to stop in front of a house and gazed towards that house for bit long. She laughed, cried and sometimes went emotional. Then she also stops by in front of a wrecked house situated little far from the previous house and reacted the same way. This continued for several days.

Gradually Paramjeet realized that there must have been a tragic incidence in Nandini’s life due to which she is suffering from paralysis today. That incidence must be the biggest blow of Nandini’s life.

Hence, Paramjeet decides to delve what has happened in the past so that he could help Nandini overcome her ailment.

Blurb may give you the impact of some serious social topic book, but the story is not that serious. :) A guy from Punjab came to Pune for higher studies. Being a poor family fellow he knew he had to work. He found a part-time job. Through his job, he found a group of money lender guys. He joined them to earn extra money. Through that group, he met a girl. He helped the girl and her family. As usual, they fall in love with each other. And then happily lived after.

Though the book was simple, due to its blurb I was expecting some twist/turn of events. Nothing so extraordinary happened throughout the story. The boy was very lucky; where ever he went he earned money and respect. Read it if you like family drama or would like to improve your Hindi.

Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 2.5/5
2. Title - 2/5 (I didn't find strongly related title)
3. Content - 3/5
4. Characters - 3/5
5. Concept - 2/5
6. Overall - 2.5/5

Book can be found at Amazon and Flipkart
Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads