Books I Read In April 2021

April was a weird and difficult month for me. Confronted by challenging situations, I felt like I lost touch with the outside world as I found myself enveloped in unprecedented circumstances. The only consolation in all this was the swift movement of time. Time passed so quickly that I did not realize when I reached the end of April.

For the month of April, I had resolved to read 4 books and managed to read 3 books which is quite an achievement for me considering how I was thrown off my schedule due to some emergency. And I enjoyed reading the three books each belonging to a different genre. 

1. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Synopsis: Isobel is an artist who creates enchantingly gorgeous paintings for the fair folk. Such is her art that humans and fairies have never seen such magnificent paintings ever before. Isobel may be a master at her skill but it does nothing to hide the fact that her fairy clients scare her. The fair folk is notorious for availing human services and granting them a wish but not without trickery that makes them regret asking a wish in the first place.

But Isobel is smart and cautious. She knows how to accept a fairy’s gift without getting too greedy. One fine day, the autumn Prince Rook appears at her doorstep after being recommended by another fairy to try out Isobel’s portraits. As she completes Rook’s portrait, she ends up painting human sorrow in his eyes. Since human emotions are alien and even forbidden amongst the fair folk, Rook is in danger of losing his royal status and even his life.

To make things straight, he picks Isobel from her house and together they set on a journey to the royal court where Isobel will be tried for her crime. Their journey, however, is full of interesting encounters that bring the two of them close compelling them to confront a forbidden romance.    

Review: Booktube made me buy this! Actually, another book titled ‘Sorcery of Thorns’ by the same author was recommended by several Booktubers and one of them mentioned that this author’s previous book i.e. ‘An Enchantment of Ravens’ is also quite interesting dealing with the ‘hate-to-love trope, which is one of my favorite tropes. So, I gave it a try.

There is hardly any ‘hate-to-love transformation between the two characters as they are attracted to each other from the very start. Even though Rook is supposed to be intimidating at first, he quickly exposes his ‘good side’ making him the quintessential bookish romantic lead. It is not that Isobel brings any change in him. He is a nice guy from the start so there is no major character transformation in the story.

Also, even though we are dealing with the fair folk, we hardly see any magic in the story. There are tense moments but it did not excite me a lot. However, it was a quick and easy read. I found our main leads likable. The first half of the story is interesting because you feel intense trepidation not knowing what to expect in the fairyland. For me, it was the last bit towards the climax that disappointed me. Other than that, the book was a good read.

I give ‘An Enchantment of Ravens’ 3.5 out of 5 ratings. An easy, breezy read. 

2. South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami

Synopsis: Giving a brief description of any Murakami book is a difficult task. But I’ll try my best.

Following the life of Hajime, the story starts from his childhood in a small town in Japan. Growing up Hajime had a lonely childhood being the only child of his parents. His only friend was Shimamoto who, like him, was also an only child and hence they both connected well. The beautiful Shimamoto had her own struggles as she suffered from polio and limped with one leg. But this unique quality of hers had Hajime attracted to her.

As they grew up, they grew distant as Hajime goes on to another city to study and gradually loses contact with Shimamoto. Years later, Hajime is happily married with two kids and a beautiful wife while successfully running two bars in the city. One day he happens to meet Shimamoto and his life takes a complete U-turn. His feelings for his childhood love are revived and what happens thereafter pushes his life into disarray.

Review: Reviewing a Murakami book is not something I feel I can do because most of the time (actually every single time) I do not understand his stories. I read his books only for his writing. There is something strangely alluring and magnetic about his detail-oriented writing style. He mentions the most mundane and even inconsequential of daily activities and I love reading it. With any other writer, reading too many details would tire me out but not with Murakami. I like reading anything he writes. And the same applies to this book too.

The story of Hajime and the women in his life is quite engrossing. In this book, we learn about his relationship with the three (actually four) women in his life and how each one impacted him (and how he impacted their lives). Hajime is loyal to no one but his desires. The women in his life like him because he sees and admires something that no one else appreciates about them. He may have his share of romance with different women but in his heart, he knows his love belongs to Shimamoto. And as if his wish is granted, years later she finally comes to meet him.

I am not sure what kind of a genre such a romance belongs to. I did not really like the characters in this book especially the selfish Hajime. But I cannot deny that the story arcs are interesting. Murakami’s writing is so smooth that I kept me going till the end.

I give ‘South of the Border, West of the Sun’ 3 out of 5 ratings. Read it for Murakami’s enchanting writing. 

3. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

Synopsis: Sentaro is a dorayaki (a Japanese pancake filled with sweet bean paste) seller who is a reformed criminal. He runs the confectionary shop only to be able to pay back the money he owes the owner who helped him out of prison. His real dream is to become a writer someday.

One day, an elderly lady named Tokue, visits his shop and offers to prepare sweet bean paste for him at less than half of what he would pay a regular help at work. Sentaro is skeptical as not only is the lady too old to do such manual work but her hands are also disfigured which would make buyers uncomfortable.

He refuses her help but the next day she brings him a sample of her sweet bean paste and Sentaro is left stunned at the mouth-melting consistency and unique taste. He then hires her and his life never remains the same again.

Review: I loved this book. I loved its thought-provoking plot, realistic characters, and Sukegawa’s magical prose. This is a short book but very impactful. It is not a preachy book where the lead meets a catalyst who changes his perception and makes him identify his calling in life. It may give off that vibe but it isn’t really like that. In fact, the lesson this book serves is a lot deeper than that. It is about embracing the ups and downs in life and making the best of any situation no matter how challenging it may be.

I give Sweet Bean Paste 4.5 out of 5 rating. It is a short and thoughtful read. Do not miss it.

 

Apart from these, I have also been listening to ‘Killing Commendatore’ on an audiobook app. Since it is my first time trying an audiobook I am finding it a little difficult to keep up with the narration. Especially when I try to multitask. But I feel I’m getting accustomed to it and shall be done with the book soon. In May, I plan to read more books and along with that I also wish to re-read a book I read years ago. If not that, then at least try to finish a book I left mid-way for whatever reason. I have my fingers crossed!

 

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