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Little Moments Of Bliss is a silhouette of a feeling that resides in my heart. A software engineer by degree, a writer at heart, and a teacher by profession, I'm all that I never thought I would be. Pretty pictures,a poem that blatantly refuses to rhyme, a text from a deranged friend, a sudden gesture of love, its these little things in life, that matter and sprinkle bliss. Grace the couch and share a cuppa!

February 26, 2012

'Down The Road' - A Book Review


This review is a part of Book Review program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books.


Evoked Déjà vu !!

Title: Down The Road
Edited by: Ahmed Faiyaz and Rohini Kejriwal
Publisher: Grey Oak Westland
Published: 2011
Pages: 225
Price: Rs. 195
Genre: Campus Fiction- Short Stories


Down The Road is an eclectic compilation of twenty eight campus tales by sixteen authors. Some writers, some bloggers and some even writing for the first time. A small bunch are still living their campus lives in different parts of the country right now and that made their stories a little extra niche above the others. The whole flavor of the book binds you and impatiently wants you to move to the next one in store. It couldn't have been titled more aptly. I finished with college last year and this book evoked waves of déjà vu for me.

Caffeinated long assignments, punishments, a look here, a smile there, jumping at the sight of food like you're kept starved at home, fighting, crying, laughing your brains out, breaking up, little sweet gestures and then patching up, bunking just because you feel like it today, that first porn video you accidently saw in your friend's phone, that first stolen kiss, ragging and getting ragged, dressing everyday like you're running to meet your biggest enemy, shopping all kind of crap, crushing over the disturbingly handsome programming professor, nudging him into a laughter, xeroxing notes, doodling little hearts all over his oh-so-pretty notebook during the lecture, studying a day before the sessionals, cheating, failing terms and still not letting them affect the next days plans, missing classes every friday to catch the latest, and not to forget, the lamest release, celebrating everybody's birthday with equal enthusiasm, you and your bff bitching evil and nasty things.


Heaven it was. Our very own.

Ahmed Faiyaz is a writer with substance and he has proved this time and again in this book. Its divided into sections for the reader to grasp its purpose more clearly. Although Knockout had a confused end for me but I praise Ahmed for the rest. But Paritosh Uttam stole the limelight for me. Sororicide was touching and showed that people may choose to show you one part of them but that doesn't mean they have nothing more to them. A young school teacher is handed a bunch of bratty kids to handle. Her awkward hands dangling by her side conveyed much more than Paritosh might have meant to. Although the books mentions that Between Friends has been repeated from Urban Shots but I don't see a valid justification there. The first section Attendance is Compulsory is more of a fun roller coaster which also contains the lovable Smells Like Home. Ira Trivedi's Rishi And Me was built on teenage betrayal and it turned out really well. I was sad and sorry for her characters. But then again, her second The Music Room was even better. Read this book for her if nothing else.

The unmistakable character description by all these wonderful authors was a high for me. The stories ranged from excellent to good to bad to boring but all in all I don't think I can complain. Remember Me ? is a mere promotion of Another Chance by Ahmed Faiyaz but then again he can't blamed for that. If, by God's grace, I get my work published someday, I know it in my bones that I'd promote myself shamelessly at any and every provided opportunity. The second section deals with much mature issues like Placements, Politics and College festivals. The Cafe With no Name was a mature innocent tale. It couldn't have been better.The Worm That Turned by Malathi Jaikumar steals the show in Lights Out. Fiction on Campus was not as good as it promised it to be.

All said and done, its a light coffee read and you won't regret picking it up.

My Rating: 3.5 on 5

You can buy it at Flipkart.com here.

30 comments:

  1. Campus tales :D wowwy !
    worth i read i guess :)

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  2. It has been so long I got myself a book. This will be my next purchase

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  3. Sounds like an eclectic mix of the good and bad. I'll wait till the eBook comes out then :)

    Would you have bought this from a bookstore?

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    Replies
    1. I probably wouldn't have. It didn't suit my taste.
      I'd say wait for the e-book :)

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  4. It sounds like an interesting concept. To take the stories of students like that.

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  5. omg! A 100 scenes might have popped up in my head while reading this post! :D
    I shall soon lay my hands on this one! Good job babe! :)

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    Replies
    1. I've summarized 4 years of my college life there :)

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  6. Sounds like a interesting read.I am a little skeptical about such books! Will wait for an e book too!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'd recommend that too :)
      wait for the e-book :)

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  7. I've read Ahmed's Love, Life and All That Jazz.. It was a good read. Simple one!

    Looking forward to read this one as well. :)

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    1. I haven't read it but must've been a fun read :)

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  8. Nice review! Campus tales are always interesting and nostalgic reads:)

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  9. such books are always cute.. and an easy read. . that would make it all the more attractive. . wl try get my hands on this one . . thanks for the review :)

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    Replies
    1. Yea, it was a very light read :)
      Do read it :)

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  10. I would love to read this book. Thanks for the review...:)

    Hope can find it here...:)

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  11. I think the concept of the book is amazing and enjoyed your review.

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  12. This looks interesting!
    Not sure if it's my type of book though.
    You're good at writing reviews :D

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  13. yay they sent you a book :D :D

    Nice review :) I want to read urban shots too, so much like chicken soup na :D Chicken soup was a life saver :D

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  14. Haha :D yeah, finally :)
    I'll lay my hands on urban shots too :)

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  15. I have read a review of this book and all seem to be saying good things on this.


    Bikram's

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Scribble some love !