Journey Under The Midnight Sun

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Book: Journey Under The Midnight Sun

Author: Keigo Higashino

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Language: English

Pages: 539

The best way to start reading journey of the year is by picking up my favorite Keigo Higashino's Journey Under The Midnight Sun.

The story begins with the murder of a pawnbroker in an abandoned building in Osaka in 1973. Detective Sasagaki is entrusted with the investigation and he finds many clues and possible suspects, but unable to zero down on particular person. Because of this the case is closed as unresolved, yet Sasagaki finds it difficult to let go. So his obsession continues with suspects and he follows their life for two decades. It is his belief that the very first crime has caused ripple effect that resulted hurting many other people.

From early on readers get to know who the murderer is. The mystery lies in how and why. And when that unravels you're in for shock and empathy.

The story is narrated from multiple point of views and lots of characters get introduced as it progresses which can be little overbearing especially with names. Still you get the hang of it. There were reference to video games, computer technology and hacking, Yom Kippur war, economic crisis, and brilliant insight into Japanese culture and lifestyle.

For me nothing can go wrong when it comes to Higashino, so I might always be partial.

Pachinko

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Book: Pachinko

Author: Min Jin Lee

Genre: Historical fiction

Language: English

Slowly but steadily I acquired a taste for historical fictions. Until Pachinko happened I knew nothing about Japan-occupied Korea.

The story follows life of Sunja who becomes pregnant at 17 by an older married man with Japanese wife and three children. A young priest Isak falls sick on the way to Japan while staying at an inn run by Sunja's mother. Mother-daughter duo nurse him back to health. Hearing about Sunja's situation, Isak promises to marry her and takes her to Japan with an assurance of good life. But he is soon arrested by Japan law enforcement for practicing his faith in Japan as a Korean.  Sunja and her sister-in-law take charge of the situation to run the household. However, destiny had different plans for them.

This multi-generational book spans between 1910 to 1989. It deals with imperial Japan's colonization of Korea, discrimination, racism, horrors of World War II, traditions, family dynamics and above all perseverance to move on with life despite all the hardship they have to go through.

And Pachinko is a Japanese gambling game played on a vertical pinball like machine. To see the reference one must read the book.

A wonderful read of the year.

A Gentleman in Moscow

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Book: A Gentleman in Moscow

Author: Amor Towels

Genre: Historic Fiction

Language: English

“If patience wasn’t so easily tested, then it would hardly be a virtue.”

In the beginning of the year I made a conscious choice to pick books set in different parts of the world. There is a famous saying in Kannada 'Desha Nodu Kosha Odu' (Travel the world-read books). Since traveling is restricted I metaphorically transport to these countries to hear about the stories. I've even zeroed down on where to stay when in Moscow. It maybe entirely different establishment now, but since it is still functional why not get a sneak-peak into Count Alexander Rostov's life.

In 1922, count Alexander Rostov was sentenced for life on house arrest at the Metropol Hotel,  Theater Square, Moscow because of his alleged anti-revolutionary beliefs.  Now he is not allowed to stay in his unusual luxurious suite,  but in a small attic room. Not the one to mop around Rostov accepts the situation he is in. He is charming, witty, kind, intelligent, more over a gentleman through and through.

Spanning over 30 years this historic fiction gives insight into the Russia's tumultuous past of Bolsheviks time. Initially it takes time to get used to the narration. Once established it is a thought provoking read.  

Aarya 2

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TV Series: Aarya 2

Language: Hindi

Cast: Sushmitha Sen, Sikander Kher, Ankur Bhatia, Maya Sarao

Genre: Crime/Thriller/Drama

Streaming: Disney Hotstar

Having loved Aarya season 1 we were excited when season 2 aired on Hotstar. Ah! The disappointment.

Aarya is back from overseas with children under witness protection. She changes her mind about convicting her father and brother. Now, she has to face the wrath of both law establishment and Udayveer Shekhavat. Her youngest son is undergoing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder, teenage daughter is suicidal, and eldest son is overburdened with responsibilities. There was an attempt on her life when staying in safe house. She is not sure of the enemies. She is trying very hard to sell the pharmaceutical company with brother Sangram. He goes missing, only to be found dead later. His lover Hina blames Aarya for the death and abandons her newborn son. And Russian drug dealers does not stay behind either. With no other option but to pull out her claws and stay atop of matters for the safety of her family.

Episodes are slow and situational scenes are repetitive of season 1 except for the last episode. Then it was too late to call it a good show.

Pushpa The Rise: Part 1

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Film: Pushpa The Rise: Part 1

Director: Sukumar

Language: Telugu

Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Dhananjay, Sunil, Fahaad Faasil

I had three reasons to watch Pushpa and multiple other reasons not to watch. Still braced it with open mind with the intention of not missing on good cinema.

'Pushpa The Rise' as name suggests is story of Pushparaj and his advancement from a coolie to a powerful smuggling syndicator of red Sanders, a rare wood that only grows in eastern ghats of southern Andra Pradesh. Two subplots, one his romantic liaisons with Srivalli and other his troubled humiliating relationship with his half brothers runs paralally.

Despite all the raves, hypes and marketing I found this film below average. Just old wine in a new bottle.  

Drishyam 2: Resumption

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Film: Drishyam 2: Resumption

Language: Malayalam

Director: Jeethu Joseph

Cast: Mohan Lal, Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil

Streaming On: Amazon Prime

We watched Drishyam 1 (now since we have 2) in Kannada first and loved it. Since we know how Ponnappa family got away with the murder it never made any sense to watch it in other languages. So, obviously were quite excited about the second.

Six years after the incident George Kutti (it took a while to get used to) now owns a cinema theater. He is an aspiring writer and wants to produce movies. His elder daughter suffers from PTSD while younger one is her usual teenage rebellion self. These along with George Kutti's debts and alcoholism worries his wife Rani to no end.  She seeks comfort in the company of her neighbor, Saritha, a victim of domestic violence. And as expected their family entangles in criminal investigation yet again.

The first half of the film is really slow. The second half picks with twists after twists at a breakneck speed. For one twist the makers took inspiration from Keigo Higoshino's Devotion of Suspect X as they did in Drishyam 1. An alright film.

Pukkate Salahe

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Play: Pukkate Salahe

Language: Kannada

Genre: Comedy

Troupe: Vikasam

Director: Ashok B

Artists: Ashok B, Gururaj Reddy, Prabhakar, Mala Sujith, Jairam, Phalguni, Kiran Devraj and others.

Everyone's life had come to a standstill due to the obvious. So was our theatre hopping. When above drama was to be played we were all game.

Pukkate Salahe (Free advice) is a play written by Dundiraj, a famous Kannada writer who is specialized mostly in short humorous poems (hanigavana).

A popular TV show where the guest is a self-appointed astrologer who doles out suggestions to various callers from different walks of life with numerous problems.

The drama is a satirical take on our society. The humour is just right. It managed to touch sensitive issues without offending anybody. And one get to hear various dialects of Karnataka. You wouldn't even realize how one-and-a-half hours was spent.

We had watched Vikasam's 'G.K. Mastarara Pranaya Prasanga' last year. We couldn't help but wonder if Ashok B (director/astrologer) had played Rama's role in Poulasthyana Pranaya Kathe.

What we watched (Pukkate Salahe), is their 48th show and make time for it if you enjoy theatre.