shrimpuss uglous from hellus

That was the most catchy nomenclature I came across in the book :D. Ration being that this ocean dwelling species resembled a shrimp whist the discoverer found it to be ideously ugly and hell being its habitat (probably something more hideous than those hydrovents they show in the discovery channel).

I'd been grounded at home, so I went about reading a few novels day-in and out. Took me two days to complete this fello, which is pretty good given my poor reading habits. I just can't read for long, so even with frequent breaks I managed well. Seasoned readers shouldn't take more than a day.

Am a little tired of the author for his structure of the plot. And I feel the success of his books is given to his carrying the story with a good pace and very happening, like a hollywood blockbuster. His stories fits well into the movie framework. Always putting a female character in command of the chase. Not to mention that she's sexy or intelligent and kinda both. The lead male character not too good with the women obviously, protective and whose mind works when the damsel shuts down. And other very strong characters to suppliment the duo. Perfect setting for a sci-fi fantasy story.

I have to admit, even tho it ain't as good as Angels & Demons or DaVinci Code I hardly kept the book down of boredom. He sure's good at keeping the readers engrossed. Ans sure he's put in a lot of facts with his own twist to science much like Michael Crighton.

His ever-pervasive style of the villian starring upfront, I'd say he turned Angels & Demons upside-down for this opus. And his story which attacks cherished institutions makes the story even more gripping.

In fact I felt like watching an episode of X-Files at first until more and more of the political scene kicked. I was even wondering if some alien (as in wierd) creature is gonna come up in the most unassuming hour. Well no :( and still it lived up.

And as always his last chapter is about romance, as in tamil movies - The End, Ellaam Nalam (translated all's swell), And They Lived Happily There After ... And for whatever reason the guy is no good at it. Even this is very coherently adhered to in all this books.

I'd say even Chidambara Ragasiyam unfolds pretty much the same way as Marma Deesam: Vidadhu karuppu as much as Dan Browns stories. Probably the same reason I find em all holding onto me.

Definitely on my recommendation, when you want to kill time and yet feel good about how you did it ;). Actually it is a good book to read and not just to kill time. But doesn't live up to Angels & Demons, 'DaVinci Code' but comes close to 'Digital Fortress'. Happy Reading ...

We The Living - Do You Live?

Many people find Ayn Rand writings too radical and more to digest, for few are lost in the veneer of the plot. Whilst others just dun buy while it leaves other question their strong held convictions. And some people are more aversed to profanity (in their humble opinion) used though her works, oblivious to the essence expressed. Guess thats fear of being spoilt. Individuals not sure of themselves and their values, is all I can say about them.

I simply find her writings quite insightful in so many aspects and not just philosophical. As much radical and contemporary are her thoughts which question our traditional school of thoughts and customs, being open to such ideas adds to refinement of ones ideals and a better understanding of our society and its vagaries.

This is a much difficult to read book of her's compared to The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged (my favourite of her writings) for its a tragedy. I somehow sensed it to be a prequel or pedesal for her above mentioned works. A more dark and glum background per se, hopeless if I might add.

I should admit that I buy her idea of "Rational Individualism" and "Highest Reverence" to life. The reason for which I shall deffer until one of my future posts.

The is by far her work which I find purely celebrates life and the primary essence of the human intellect, without attacking society. Her emphasis that being singled out does not mean you should give in is very intriguing. Guess thats what makes a few individuals stand out of the millions.

A definite read, for champions of her work & philosophy. Definite food for thought. Happy Reading ;).

Angels & Demons

(ambigram courtesy John Langdon) click on the image to visit his web site for the more ambigrams




wow!!! needless to say ... a fine buk ... I didn't find it as engrossing as DaVinciCode / DigitalFortress (havn't read deception point yet) ... may be coz I read it in fits and starts :( ... over more than a month I presume ... time is scarce now a days ... n the acclivity of the impending tasks is unrelenting ...

the plot is archetypical of Dan ... having read his previous books this was quite predictable ... but the surprises did manifest with nicety ... I dun read too many buks so not sure if the authors work appear cliched the more u read theirs ... but this time I felt so ... definitely not "Old wine in a New bottle" ... Dan has done plenty of homework which sets this work apart ...

Highlights -

*detail* ... amazing detail ... chimerical deviations from reality gives his stories the edge ... the ambigrams amazed me ... I love patterns ... these ambigrams are a pinnacle of patterns of mathematical sublimity and artistic exuberance ... just fantastic ...

CERN is real ... antimatter is real ... thatz where the details drift to altered reality ... what CERN has to say about this is interesting ... esp for science buffs ...

the adventure was fun ... with elements of indian culture - the pranayama, yoga adding to my presentiments ... adorned the storyling ... the atmosphere @ home 2 reflected the aura in the buk (coincidence of course) ... as langdon goes down the noisome pit in hope of rescuing the 1st victim so does the power ... he goes down sweating ... I got to read it in sweat ... :) ...

the detail on the illuminati was amazin ... the cover-up was very practical ... but then as most ppl want the story is a morality tale (where the bad guy looses) ... wud have immensely njoi'd it had it been otherwise ... (win-win situation) ...

Vanilla aspects -

Structure of Dan's books -

• Our hero is awakened @ deep sleep
• a grotesque panic sticken aura to introduce
• Hero is atheletic
  
• The hero n heroine duo ... n their dominance in the story (making the plot tick)
• ooohh a pair of intelligentsia to be more precise
  
• Running for their lives all along the adventure ...
  
• The female character apparently more deft @ fights ... (cameroon's inspiration ... I'll buy this)
  
• ooops shez qualified to be a nubile person as well ...
• the Incognito micreant always in the story playing the good guy ...
• a solo hitman ... overpowering our hero ... loosing the game in an instant
  
• Twist and turns in the end (which does live up in his books) ...
• The butterflies finally cuddling ... n more ... ha ha

it was fun reading it ... a nice journey ... a definite recommendation to fiction / adventure lovers ... pure entertainment if ur a piscean for u can visualize it all ;) ...