Book Review: PRIVATE by James Patterson

James Patterson is known for suspense and thriller novels, moreover this was a best selling one so once I saw this book in my new library (yeah, we moved once again), I had to give it a read and I was not quite disappointed. Actually I started this one after I completed the famous "The Devil Wears Prada", which I felt was very slow and boring. I think that is because I had seen the movie before and reading the book didn't piqued me that much after that. So Private was kind-of a fast read.

Jack Morgan is the main character. He worked in military, serviced in Iraq, had a came-back-from-death incident, returns to his normal life and takes over the private investigation company of his father, eventually finds huge success out of it. Then on, the story revolves entirely around the investigation company, with his colleagues, his relationships,  his success, his fears, so on and so forth. He gets many private investigation requests from top shots. "Private" picks some of it and drops some of it. Most part of the book dealt with the serial killer investigation, which was the most interesting one of course. The online gaming stuff felt real, eventhough I am not even sure if such thing really exists. The most boring case, if I had to pick one, would be the NBA game case.

PRIVATE has some amazing set of investigators on its sleeves. My most favourite pick is Sci, ofcourse for being the computer geek.. yay.. and some of the other characters reminded me of the so many investigation serials that comes on tv forever. Coming to his relationship part, basically Jack just sucks. He doesn't know how to be in a relationship, or may be, like he says in the book, he is scared of any relationships after seeing a bad one between his mother and father. Anyways, I find it to be new, since most of the films and books tend to go on a path of, a successful guy gets the most beautiful woman ever attitude. But this one didn't. The way he mourns about his failed relationships, his fears by keeping it to himself and when he wanted to open to a trusted person, they just screw up on him. Those scenes were kind-of interesting and gave back the same I-don't-care attitute on the protagonist. I found it to be very practical.

The dreams that he gets, anonymous calls that he gets never felt like that was needed at any point. I thought those scripts were added just to make his character look like a complex one. His inner thoughts on how he left a person who can be saved from a burning helicopter, but instead took his nearly deceased friend out of it was reasonable. Atleast, I felt so when I read the book. The way Jack's inner thoughts were written was commendable. Overall I liked how his character has been developed in the book. Really nice writing. Unlike any other investigation thriller books I've read, this one dealt with more than two or three cases which I felt was a nice approach to deviate the reader's mind from guessing the main stream investigation plot in the book.

The writing was so good that not at any point it felt like for-the-sake-of-writing. One of the most gripping ones was when Jack found about his present GF's suicide attempt, he meets her at the hospital. And the way the lady lets him walk over her was very nicely written. It was not at all sentimental. After watching so many happily-ever-after movies, this one felt so real. Finally, I will definitely read the other books of James Patterson. As far this book is concerned, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not even once I felt like its going slow. I will definitely recommend this book if anyone is interested in reading a investigation thriller.

Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Here is my first official review of a book. I know I don't read that much but also I am not new to novels. I've read some nice fiction novels that was for time pass and stuffs like that. I shared my opinion on how my read was but I got to tell you that this book really inspired me to write a review on it. So lets just jump into it.

The novel talks about the life of Nigras & the white people in 1960s in Jackson, Mississippe. White people being the rich community and Nigra women being the maids in the white's houses. The novel depicts the thoughts of the maids in a witty way. The main characters are 3 white woman, Leefolt, Skeeter, Hilly. (Well, I don't exactly remember the full name..but this should be enough to recognise). And the story revolves around the maids and there are so many, most importantly Aibleen and Minny. Aibileen being the polite and caring character and Minny being the typical southern girl (atleast as far as I know it) with a temper that she cannot control.

The white community comes up with this idea of constructing a bathroom for the black maids in their backyard and they are not allowed to use any of the ones in the house which are meant for the family members. And the white ladies have a campaign to acheive it in Jackson, Mississippi. The head of this campaign is Hilly, a very polished and strong attitude lady with money and power. And the other white ladies go abide with the words of Hilly. This is just to give a gist of how the story goes and how the maids react to it. And if you are expecting for a revelation or any kind of movement that gets started by the black maids, you are in for a reality check and this just makes it as one more want to read the book. So its all about how the white community treats the black ones. Ofcourse part of it is fictional. And yes you have to believe it !! People I really want to talk more about the story but I don't want to spill and spoil it. And I am always open to discuss about it in the comment section if someone already read it or interested in reading it. So let me know.

The author, being a white woman and born and raised in Mississippi has a very clear picture on what has to be said in the book and I could literally imagine every word that she said about the place, the time that the story evolves, the people and their thinking. It felt like as if I was right there in that space like a mute spectator watching the story. It was just absolutely amazing and a phenomenon effort of her. This is her first book and it is already a movie. No wonder. I regret that how I missed to read this book long time back. I've not yet watched the movie. Hoping to see it soon. After reading the book, I was curious about the author and was searching for her in the web and came to know very interesting facts about her. This story of hers was rejected 60 times before it was actually published which basically means that the writer edited the story 60 number of times. Crazy isn't it. I absolutely love the book except that there are parts where it was a little sluggish but nothing like I-am-feeling-sleepy kind. So I wonder if my opinion would be the same if I read the book before those 60 number of edits. I guess I just have to wait and see how her next book turns out to be.

The character I love the most is Aibileen. It has such a charisma. The story starts with her and ends with her. The way she was physically described by herself in the story was plain straight and practical. She is one of the unforgettable character for me. I just love and adore her. And the most favourite scene of mine is when one of the maids talked about the dead baby in her arms. Oh my god ! That was so raw and touching. I have a water connection in my eyes and no wonder I see myself crying at 2 or 3 places when reading the book. Just so amazing to recognise what a book can do. To rate it, I'll give 4.5 out of 5. The 0.5 goes for having a bit slowness in the middle of the story. I guess 4.5 for the first book is a tremendous acheivement. I am sure going to buy my own copy.

Book Reads - My Opinion

I've updated a long time back about a book, Where Eagles Dare (WED). I finished it and also I've read many other books post that. Definitely, I would like to comment about "WED". Its an interesting novel and after seeing my post, one of my friend had told me that a movie was made out of it. I did'nt really knew it. And I am currently in search of that movie's cd. I like the serious way in which the book was written. It was a real thriller. The characterization of the artists in the novel is so strong. Hope I dont get disappointed with the movie. Indeed, I've also heard that its been done by Clint Eastwood. So I believe it will be worth to watch it.
The other books I've gotten hold of includes, "Tell Me Your Dreams" by Sidney Sheldon, "Can You Keep A Secret" by Sophie Kinsella, "The Undomestic Goddess" by Sophie Kinsella. I am also currently reading "The Winner" by David Baldacci.
Sidney Sheldon. I am always a great addict to his novels. He has a knack of narrating stories. Tell me your dreams is one among his best. I can read it any number of times. Its such an entertainer. The lead character has such a charisma to it. And evey time I read it, I give my own climax to the story. Its so new eveytime for me.
Books of Sophie's are like going for a vacation. Yeah !! It has everything in it. Like our masala movies. Love, Romance, Tragedy, Suspense, Dramas, and can list forever. Things that are missing is the songs & fights. If you add it, its a perfect Indian masala movie. I love reading it. However, I am not sure of watching it ;), I mean the typcial indian masala movies (its high time we need to change on this).  Not that I don't like movies that's been taken from Sophie's novels. I am waiting to watch Undomestic Goddess. Heard that its going to be released by 2011.
Now, its "The Winner". I've been reading it for a long time. I don't really find much time to finish the book. I read this book before going to bed. I have so many on my plate these days, so I am really not that much into reading when I go to sleep. Hope I finish it soon and  I will keep you updated on this.

Where Eagles Dare

I am done with "Where Eagles Dare", a suspense novel. An interesting novel with an unexpected ending. I have not predicted the climax of the novel during my read. The characters in the novel are formed so very well and I am really not surprised that its been recommended by so many of them I know. Ahead is "The Winner by David Balducci. I have not even started it but I am totally excited since this book is yet another recommendation I've got.

Book Reads

I spoke about the famous Barrington-Woods combo in one of my previous post, that's New York Dead and Dirt. Those were decent reads. And post which , I've read another series of the combo, Dead in the Water. It was also a similar kind. I definitely needed a break from Woods books. So thought of going for another author and now I am reading Where Eagles Dare by Alistair MacLean. So far, its interesting and for sure a page turner. Got it recommended from one of the web portal and the novel seems to be worth it in investing your time. This book, I got it from my local library and the book was funded by the town and was bought in the year 1967. The price of the book at that time was $4.95. Interesting, huh !! Will keep you updated about the novel when I am done with it.

NEW YORK DEAD

Read this book and happened to be my first one of Stuart Woods. Well, I am now completely impressed and hooked to his writing. Heard about the great combination of Woods & Barrington and now I am in search of it. New York Dead is the first Barrington,i.e., Stone Barrington( a character) novel of Stuart Woods. It sure is a page turner. Eventhough I could guess the climax, its a top-notch that tied me all along. Now here goes the look out for the combo#2 :)