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| (Book Cover Source: Goodreads) |
Poems are piece of art which can express the beauty of life in just few lines. A single poem can teach and extremely important and valuable lesson which cannot be understood even after reading a long article....and that too in just few lines. That's the beauty of poems and the power which it has. The book which we are reviewing today is one such compilation of various poems. Before I start talking about the book....I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the author of this book Kartikey Sehgal for sending a copy of this book for review.
So let's quickly take a look and synopsis and start with the actual review:
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The author takes twelve 'classical' love poems and relates them to our present day life.
Every chapter begins with a lovely classical love poem, and then the author connects it to our modern life.
Some lines from the book:
'What do we need? A place and time where what twitters is the bird, and we interpret it in a million words.'
'Those sighs make songs, they make poetry. And nothing is truer than that which comes from the fountain of soul.'
'And without poetry how will we consider the feelings of those luscious women who make daily efforts on their face and hair? Is is not a compliment to a woman's efforts to tell her poetically that she has 'Traced every lock with fond delays, And, doting, lingered there'?'
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The beauty of the poems is that they are subjected to various interpretations. Two people may interpret the same poem in a different fashion based on the experiences they had. In this book, Kartikey Sehgal is trying to portray his interpretation of twelve classical poems and tries to link it to our modern day life style.
When I got this book and...I was pretty excited to start reading it. I actually loved the concept of relating the classical love poems with the modern interpretation of love. This is something...which the young generation people can easily relate to and would love reading. The concept of rekindling the classical romance is very much interesting and fascinating. At few places....Kartikey Sehgal has explained some of the poems in a really beautiful and simple fashion....which definitely caught me by surprise.
I must say that I did love some of his interpretations but I did't agree with each one of them. Can't actually complain much about this as those interpretations are very much subjective. Also in some interpretations...I felt like Kartikey Sehgal was trying to fit in the modern aspects forcibly...which actually affected my reading experience. I wish....Kartikey Sehgal could have been a bit more natural while expressing those views.
Also....one more thing which I would like to see get better is the inter connectivity between two subsequent poems...as that will greatly improve the reading experience a lot. While moving from one poem to another...I felt like they lack connectivity....this thing takes away the effect and experience which the previous poem had on the readers mind.
It might appear as if I am bashing about the book....but the thing is I sincerely want to see this book get better in the next version as I genuinely feel this book can be a lot better as compared to its current state.
So to sum up, I was not very much impressed with this book...I did love the concept but it lack in the execution part. To rate this book, I would give it 1.5 stars out of 5. I am really skeptical as to recommend this book to any one...at least not in its current state. Still, if you want to check this book out....here are links to the Amazon for the same.
Amazon India: Into My Heart by Kartikey Sehgal
Amazon US: Into My Heart by Kartikey Sehgal
So that's all with today's review post. If you are a person who loves reading poems just like me and have enjoyed today's post then don't forget to smash the like button and share it among the reading community. Also don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the blog to get all the new posts right into your mail box.
So until next time....this is me Sushant signing off. You guys have a great day.
CIAO.
Thank you for the review Sushant. I appreciate you attempt to provide unbiased reviews unlike some others.
ReplyDeleteThere can be no inter connectivity since each poem presents a different facet of love, and life.
You have appreciated the explanation as 'beautiful and simple' which for me is worth several pretty review stars. That's a big achievement already. As for fitting the modern aspects forcibly, I do mention about this at several places: I excuse myself from the poem at hand to bring to attention a point or a thought. Of course, our thoughts on modern life cannot be the same. I wish it had not taken away from the review. To just render an example -- in a poem about Miss Cloe coming home late, and her lover unable to scold her because of her cleavage and her beauty, I bring the reader to a slightly separate thought:
"When we separate, when we fall apart, feminism wins, patriarchy wins, and all those concepts and formulas win. We don’t win. We lose."
I do this just to bring home the point that men and women can make separate deals. They can be happier without falling under the influence of feminism, patriarchy and such other terms. They can be like Cloe and the poet. Finally, I sum up my expalanation with the thought that poetry affords us a glimpse into life itself.
This will not be possible if I connect every poem. That is another book altogether. You have rightly stated the subjectivity quotient. You have praised the writing. I find the rating inordinately harsh -- only because what you cite as a distraction is actually the purpose. Each poem brings home an aspect of love. College romance, nature, dating, patience to stand under a tree and wait for someone...
I can't complain though. Considering that some other reviewers demand money! You know that and I know that.
Thank you for reading; I will, however, recommend this book to your readers with gusto. It's a labour of love and it's a rare publication. It takes on a big challenge -- to connect people to poetry in simple words. I do think the rating is harsh and I hope the above reasons offer support.
It's not a grouse. I only mean to offer something you may have missed. We are entitled to our views. We are soldiers in our effort towards good literature. If you are in Mumbai, do come for a workshop I do sometimes.
Regards.
Kartikey Sehgal