Shadow of Life

It was a strange book but had a good story. The ending looked abrupt to me, not like leaving you in the middle of nowhere but more of giving you expectations to have more eventually yet ended up bland. Perhaps the meaning or rationale is left with the readers. I had a fair idea that what would happen in the end, but despite that, something was missing. The story revolves around Lennie and George, who are inseparable. George is intelligent, Lennie is dumb. George has the mind, Lennie has strength. Their equation is fascinating as they keep looking out for each other for their own needs and desires. You might feel they are doing it out of an obligation, but then you won't feel the same after a while. It is just like you do things which you despise for the people who are close to you. Such things make little sense to outsiders, but your inner circle can correctly guess your intentions. Also, the title didn't make sense to me. I was trying to relate it with the incidents in the boo...

It is an actual story of a refugee family, who landed in the US on the day when Donald Trump won the election. It shows the life of people who come from other countries in the hope of living a better life, but end up having a difficult one where they struggle with the new place and new policies. Their life was horrible where they were living earlier because nobody would leave their own country just like that unless they have a life threat. But coming to a new place comes with its own set of solutions and problems. People who are resident of the said country might feel that refugees are taking up their rightful space, but one should not forget that they had no other option and one should be compassionate enough to help them whenever needed. We only see the privileges they are getting and overlook the hardship. Here, the family came from Jordan and they were grateful for the house they were provided. But they have to become self-independent in 4 months, which isn't a simple task beca...

Shall I call it beautiful or ugly? Distressing or comforting? I’m unable to put a finger at one emotion because it takes you through a journey of emotions where at one moment you feel cheerful after a while, you become confused, then stand in awe of the beauty of human conscience. It is not an easy read. It will pinch your nerves and will make you breathless; choke you so that you become lifeless but leave an iota of hope to move forward. Susan, the protagonist, is an Iranian woman who lives in Erbil and is a casualty case in the face of war. Why do I say that? Because the life of a woman in middle East war zone areas means nothing. They treat women like slaves, and it is their fault that they are born as a woman. She is a part of a caravan where strangers become acquaintance on whom you depend for your life. Not everyone will be pleasant and empathetic, but some might teach you how to be kind. This book evokes emotions will full force and shuts them up with equal measure. I took a...