Meena Arora Nayak

Review Headline
Indian Jurassic world of animals and creatures

My Thoughts
Mythology helps us how to express to the human race the thought process of an ancient civilization. Myths are the instruments to transport one back to the delightful state of imagination, after which it touches the real and the unreal. Myths are glimpses of the strange and beautiful world through stories which deal with numerous aspects of natural surroundings, social life and environs, such as creation, natural resources, and the superhuman actions of gods and humans. Whereas Folklore comprises the unrecorded traditions of a people—the collection of traditional customs and stories passed through the generations by word of mouth.

Indian mythology is an interesting combination of both, more prominently. Be it about Lord Ganesha, the golden deer in Ramayana, or the Pushpaka Viman; there are numerous stories where birds, animals, trees, flowers and other creatures are blended into the mythology.

This book by author Meena Arora Nayak explores various creatures from various traditions of Indian mythology. The book is divided into five categories: Creatures of the Sky, Creatures of the Sea, Creatures on the Earth, Creatures of Air, Water, and Land, and then the Worms, Insects, Reptiles, and Dragons, and Creations of Amalgam. Most of these stories are from Indian mythology; some stories are from other cultures. Overall, this book is a good collection of 55 stories, and each story has its flavour and fragrance. Physical descriptions of the creatures mentioned in the stories reflect the author’s in-depth research and analysis.

The book also lists creatures across religions, customs and geographies. Books like this will validate the Indian contribution to world literature where Harry Potter, Twilight and Jurassic Park books and movies are accepted widely.

Pick it if
- you wish to explore the other side of Indian Mythology and stories.
- you like to read about fantasy creatures in folklore stories.
… (mais)

After reading the book "A Dust Storm in Delhi" by Meena Arora Nayak, I have identified several positives and negatives.

Positives:

The author has successfully captured the essence of Delhi and its socio-political climate in the 90s. The setting and background of the story are vividly described, making it easy to imagine and visualize the scenes.

The characters in the book are diverse and realistic, each with their own unique personalities and struggles. The author creates strong connections between the characters, allowing the reader to become invested in their lives and decisions.

The book touches on several important social issues such as women's rights, corruption, religious intolerance, and poverty. These issues are highlighted through the character's stories, making the reader not only entertained but also informed.

Negatives:

The writing style of the author is sometimes dense and difficult to follow. The use of lengthy and complex sentences often leaves the reader confused, and the narration shifts abruptly making the story hard to follow.

The book has several storylines that are not adequately developed, and some are left unresolved. As a result, the ending seems rushed and unsatisfactory.

The book has a slow start and it takes a while for the story to pick up, making it difficult to maintain the reader's interest initially.

Overall, "A Dust Storm in Delhi" by Meena Arora Nayak is a well-written novel that touches on several important issues, but its flaws with pacing and writing style may make it difficult for some readers to fully engage with the story.… (mais)