Few books

Being on vacation with nothing much to do has its perks – like tons of free time for reading! It’s the perfect way to escape the rain and heat when nothing outdoors seems appealing. In the past three weeks, I’ve devoured several books.

First up, I tackled Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons” and “Digital Fortress.” While these were entertaining reads, they felt repetitive compared to “The Da Vinci Code.” If you loved that book, then my apologies if I offend you! Reading all three feels like Mr. Brown is trying to recapture the magic of James Bond in each story. There’s always a glamorous female character, and the plots all seem to unfold in the alluring, yet distant, setting of Europe.

For American readers, Europe might seem like a completely different world, with language barriers every few hundred miles and drastic shifts in everything from food to culture – even facial features! It’s not like the US, where you can cross three time zones and still find the same experience. Brown capitalizes on this perception by placing his characters and convoluted plots in the charming alleyways of old European cities, making them seem more exotic than they might be.

There are also concerns about Brown’s research. In “Digital Fortress” he uses terms like VLSI and PGP in the same breath, suggesting a shaky grasp on supercomputers, parallel computing, or even basic computer functionality. Has he ever been to a data center? The technical shortcomings are just one example. In “The Da Vinci Code” set in Paris, a character drives a smart car through the Tuileries Garden, which simply wouldn’t be allowed.

Enough ranting about Dan Brown! I’m sure his popularity will wane as readers catch on. In today’s literary world, creating bestsellers can feel a bit like Hollywood making a hit movie with a swarm of screenwriters. Marketing plays a huge role.

Thankfully, I moved on to some truly exceptional books. “The Glass Palace” by Amitav Ghosh is a masterpiece. The characters and setting, spanning three generations across the vast Indian subcontinent, are phenomenal. The story resonated with me deeply, perhaps because my ancestors lived just a few kilometers from the border as drawn by mapmakers.

Speaking of cultural understanding, I’ve encountered Westerners who can’t fathom why an Indian Maharaja might order a diamond necklace from Cartier. They seem to think these rulers were simply oppressing the poor. “The Glass Palace” beautifully challenges that assumption by portraying India as a land brimming with opportunity and wealth. While I hold no loyalty to Maharajas, I firmly believe Westerners have done far worse throughout history for their own gain. Even today, they often cling to a superiority complex, ignoring the rich history that existed before the Industrial Revolution.

Next, I delved into Wings of Fire by Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. This autobiography by India’s former president, the “father” of Indian rockets and missiles, needs no introduction. But for those unfamiliar, it’s a truly inspiring read. The book chronicles the dedication and hard work of Kalam and countless others who brought cutting-edge technology to India, a source of immense national pride. Most importantly, these advancements were achieved indigenously!

There are sections I wish every Indian could carry with them. If the social and religious harmony Kalam describes existed in today’s India, we could have achieved even greater prosperity. As an engineer myself, I recognize the book’s technical language can be a barrier for some readers. The frequent use of acronyms like PERT charts might go over their heads, as did some for me.

If a skilled writer could take Kalam’s beautiful poems and incredible life experiences, documented in his diary, and weave them into a more accessible narrative, this book could become a modern-day “Gita” for India.

Rounding out my reading spree were two books by Chetan Bhagat. One explored campus life at India’s prestigious IIT engineering institute, while the other delved into the lives of young Indians working the night shift in booming BPOs (call centers). Both were decent reads – engaging enough to keep me turning pages, but not profound enough to leave a lasting impression. They’re written in a modern style, reminiscent of Mira Nair’s “Monsoon Wedding,” perhaps hoping to appeal to a broader audience beyond India.