Shine in Kashmir: Book Review

It's always a pleasure reading about India and its cultural diversity. One book or one author is not enough to capture the various shades of culture that is India. So when I came across Shine in Kashmir, I was obviously thrilled to review it. More so, because it has been written by D. Chris Castanga, who has traveled the world tasting various cultures.

Shine in Kashmir follows Justin Conrad, a 24 year old American through his journey in search of meaningful company, spirituality and the meaning of life. The book is one of the most amazing account of India that I have read in a long while. If you want to know the esoteric aspect of India, its people and culture seen through the eyes of a foreigner, this book is just for you.

All that Chris Castanga has done through Justin Conrad is soak-in the various cultures (and idiosyncrasies) of India and present them in the most vivid manner. In fact the descriptions are so visual, they made me cringe at some sections. Chris has portrayed India in such a realistic manner that it would make most Indians take offense...but that's the beauty of the narrative. It's so real that it's difficult to believe that it has been written by a non-Indian.

Justin Conrad's character is amiable but reserved, gentleman but flirtatious and is entirely believable. He is someone who travels the world absorbing the essence of cultures while appreciating the conflicts that exist within.

When it comes to narration, the flow of the book is smooth and never falters. The descriptions of lovemaking and Tantra are so beautifully captured that they are nothing but amazingly sensual. The characters get etched on to the mind of the readers long after they have finished the story and placed it on the shelf. This book will satisfy ones' curiosity for eastern culture and religious philosophies.

It’s a nice read but there are a few places where Chris infers that Hinduism is all about spirituality and yoga. It's not the case Mr. Castanga but you surely have redeemed yourself by describing India in its full glory. Bless you for that!

Disclosure: The author provided me with a review copy.

Copyright (c) Pigtale 2005-2012. Images copyright respective holders.

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Book Review of "Zor: Philosophy, Spirituality and Science"

There are three kinds of books one might have come across: One that you can connect with, one that you cannot connect with and then there is the third kind that is confusingly in between. Zor falls in the third category; Simple, lucid and thought provoking, it travels between familiarity and bizarre.

The story starts on a familiar note of an Investment Fund Manager who has seen it all, only to fall into the black hole of complacency and monotony. Then one day, John Brewster, the Fund Manger, chances upon a Haitian dwarf, Zor who changes everything. The equations that John had in his life go haywire when he starts listening and analyzing what Zor had to say..

The two almost always meet at a bar and discuss things ranging from being happy to being self. Strange explanations provided by Zor makes John change the way he has been thinking and forces him to find happiness and contentment and then almost lose all of it (I won’t let the suspense out).

Conversations with Zor lead John to take stock of his life, marriage and everything in between. The most well developed and also the most underdeveloped character in this book is that of Zor. We don’t really understand what or who is he. Mysterious at times but quite profound and crystal clear, Zor swings from Ch’i, mind, body, spirit to quantum physics, neurons and theory of relativity. It’s like moving very fast between fire and ice; suspicion and belief.

One can understand by reading the book that Zor is just a physical allegory to our perception.  Needless to say, it helps questioning our perceptions to break some myths. Simple, interesting and relatable, Zor is a book that questions our basic belief system.

There is not much of a story there in Zor but it has a message that rings loud and clear. Indians who are generally into spirituality would love to relate themselves with what’s in the book. Go read the book: it might not change your life but it will definitely change your outlook.

• Buy: Zor: Philosophy, Spirituality, and Science
• Author: J.B.
• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1452895406
• ISBN-13: 978-1452895406

Disclosure: The author provided me with a review copy.

Copyright (c) Pigtale 2005-2010. Images copyright respective holders.

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