John Keane’s book contains a wealth of interesting information on the past, writes Robert Rowthorne but it is of scant use to those seeking enlightenment about the future.
The subject matter of this long book is the history and future of democracy. Despite the word “death” in its title, the author is an optimist. Democracy may [...]

A no nonsense hands-on guidebook for foreign investors in India
This book is useful reading for all board members and CEOs of the many multinationals that look in India’s direction, writes Reginald Massey
In spite of the worldwide credit crunch (a banker’s euphemism for the dreaded word Depression) and its repercussions on India, investors and entrepreneurs in [...]

Although understated, Christine comes across as an indomitable character. The book is warm and intimate, without being sentimental,
says
Migel Jayasinghe
I have only a nodding acquaintance with Christine Wilson, the writer, having seen a reference to her novel The Bitter Berry many years back.  As a schoolboy, I vaguely remember reading excerpts from writings of her father, [...]

She leaves the reader free to pursue his or her own convictions while providing points of entry into alternative ways of thought
Manjula Padmanabhan
This is an exceptionally well-written and sensibly argued book about that most insubstantial of human experiences, the world of dreams. The author offers a selection of theories and case-histories concerning this twilight realm, [...]

Bombay Gardens has a multiple layer of plots that add to the richness of the book……….. issues of identity and of belonging are at the heart of Siddiqi’s novel
says Debjani Chatterjee
Jameela Siddiqi’s name will be a familiar one to readers of Confluence because of her informative articles on the music of the Indian sub-continent. [...]

Poetic account of a nation’s troubled awakening
When Sri Lanka – or Ceylon, as it then was – was granted independence in 1948, the event was regarded by its middle classes with a mixture of satisfaction and foreboding.  As the British administration was replaced with home-grown public school and university men, many expected the nation to [...]

Unfortunately Ameresekere fails to deliver, and one is left feeling short-changed
says Migel Jayasinghe
This is a collection of 12 literary items which the publisher describes as ’stories’ on the back page. These strange ’stories’ failed to impress me as in any way worthy of the fanfare with which they are presented. A BAFTA award-winning filmmaker, this [...]

Thieme’s purpose is clear, his arguments convincing, and his analyses coherent
says Padmaja Thakore
‘…what does one do with a novelist apparently so easy, whose plots are simple and views nondescript? Is it possible to say anything at all about him without sounding platitudinous?’ asks P.S. Sundaram (135) referring to R.K. Narayan. Critics, at times patronizingly, describe [...]

Ranchan sums up superbly the amazing ability of Ruskin Bond, ‘the old man of the hills’,
says Reginald Massey
BONDING WITH BOND: a psychoanalytic study of the man and the writer, by Som Parkash Ranchan. Chandigarh: Graphit India, info@graphitindia.com. ISBN 81-904236-6-5.HB. 214pp. Indian Rupees 353.00.
Ruskin Bond’s name is virtually unknown outside India even though in the [...]

“In December 2004, I released a book titled Concepts in Law,” says Carmo D’Souza.  “Ms. Ingrid von Heiseler, who had helped me to edit the book suggested that I should put those ideas in fiction.”  D’Souza eventually realized that “a fiction piece on legal concepts” was possible.  And so José’s Dreams, sub-titled A New World [...]