I have always been impressed with Sudha Murthy’s writing, rather by Sudha Murthy herself. Her writing is simple, has a down-to-earth feel and you can so relate to the characters in her work. As is mentioned in the foreword of one of her books, she writes not with the pen, but with her heart. Her writing strike a chord and touch ur heart.
While I was browsing through flipkart looking for ‘Red Carpet‘, my eyes fell upon one of her books ‘Wise And Otherwise: A Salute To Life‘, which was on my must-read list for a long time and I am not sure how and when it had slipped of my mind 😛 I ordered it immediately and reading through the book, which are real-life incidents penned down beautifully by the author are so refreshing and motivate us to do something in life. There are 51 vignettes showcasing the different shades of human nature. There are tales about people who leave their parents in a old age home, claiming that they found them by the roadside, to tribals from whom the author takes a lesson or two home and so on. Tales about strong-willed unwed mothers, a vegetable vendor who is in a hurry to get home as her husband would be waiting for her advice with sowing seeds in their garden … the stories of these successful women cannot not bring a wide grin on ur face 😀
Book: Wise & Otherwise [Non-fiction]
Price: Rs.199/-
This book does drive home the fact [yet again] that life itself is a message and is the best teacher indeed, if we are ready to learn from it. Its a light read and those few hours are totally worth investing!
I had read her books Dollar Bahu [hv even heard this was made into a show on ZeeTV??] and Mahaswetha before.
Dollar Bahu is a tale about two daughters-in-law, one of them the apple of her MIL’s eye, being the wife of her NRI son and the other one – a simple,homely girl who is doing her best to keep her MIL happy, but fails to do so just because her husband does not earn in dollars. How the MIL realizes that grass is always greener on the other side and that its the heart which matters and not dollars, forms the crux of the story. Its a nice one .. I won’t say gr8, as I found her other books better than this one!
Book: Dollar Bahu [Fiction]
Price: Rs.150/-
Mahaswetha is an out-n-out winner. It is just another simple story of a girl-next-door, Anupama who finds her Prince Charming in a smart and successful Dr. Anand and it appears that life could not have been more beautiful. Things change when Anupama discovers she is suffering from leukoderma and what leaves her in shock is that she does not find support in her ‘doting’ husband. Its about all that she goes through while fighting with her condition and trying to carve a niche for herself at the same time. Its a truly touching tale in which she comes out strong and emerges as a woman of substance. This book has had a positive effect in one case … a boy who had called off his marriage when his fiance was diagnosed with leukoderma after their engagement, read this book and changed his mind. They are now living happily. A must read for sure.
Book: Mahashweta [Fiction]
Price: Rs.150/-
I have also ordered for 2 more of her books – Gently Falls The Bakula and The Old Man And His God: Discovering The Spirit Of India. Am eagerly waiting for the same. Until then, its time for ‘The Red Carpet’ 8)
first! 😀
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Full enjoying Sudha Murthy books?!! 😀 😀 😀
YENJOY MAADI! 😉
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loose neenu
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Can’t agree more.. I have read both Dollar Bahu and Wise n Otherwise 🙂 I too admire her simple writing yet so effective to pamper the reader to do something different.
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🙂 I hv ordered all her novels nw 😛
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Good Review Swaram..
I totally agree with you.. Her writing is awesome.. I have read Mahaswetha.. its too good and very well written. Best part is she uses simple language to pass on the message, which everone can understand. I have bought Dollar Bahu, but not yet got time to read the book..
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Hope u find time soon 🙂
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I haven’t read any of her books – but u make it sound like I have missed something! 🙂
Which book do you think I shd start with?
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Mahaswetha is nice Divz 🙂
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I have always been awed by Sudha Murthy but havent read her books yet.
Nice post.. makes me want to read these books 🙂
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They r gud for light reading Priya 🙂
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i’m gonna go get mahaswetha….looks interestingg…!! thanksss neva knew about this author… 🙂
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Pleasure Dido 🙂
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Oh yaay, Thank you so much! I have never read Sudha Murthy but her books sound very interesting. I was craving to read a good book so am super glad for your recommendation. Off I go to the library tomorrow 🙂
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Some stories r really touching .. some seem a tad bit idealistic .. but she is dng some and ideal work 🙂
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I have read some of her books but somehow found them a tad too idealistic, but I must admit she is a good writer nevertheless.
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Hmm some of them .. but all experiences she hs hd and as she says, if we travel arnd and more than that see around, we will ‘see’ such things too 🙂
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You made my job a lot easier dear…was wondering which book to pick up next…almost forgot that ‘Dollar Bahu’ has been on my list from like…forever!!
I’ve heard a lot about Sudha Murthy… high time I read her! 🙂
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Oh I did .. thatz nice 🙂
I just finished reading Red Carpet too sday .. a nice read 🙂
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I have never read any of hers before,you tempt me tp read.
And you are on book review spree these days.
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LOL I read so much but hv never reviewed and this is the outcome 😉
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I am so happy to be reading this post. Sudha Murthy is a woman of substance and I am so eager to read her books now.
Oh she is Ums 🙂
I once got a Tamil version of her book to my mil – dont remember which one. But I couldnt get to read it.
Oh i c .. ya, some of her books r found in many languages 🙂
All the stories seem to be a source of confidence for the women and its really good that she has written quite a lots. 🙂
Exactly Ums! By the, of the and for the woman 😉
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Have only heard about her a lot…never read her. Dollar Bahu and Wise & Otherwise are such pulling titles…
Want a copy each!
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Oh ok .. they make for a nice read too 🙂
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‘I have always been impressed with Sudha Murthy’s writing, rather by Sudha Murthy herself. ‘ – Me too! There is something about her that is so simple and yet so grand. I haven’t read any of her books yet – but these go on my list 🙂 I plan to pick them up in India this time. Am so waiting to read her books.
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Simple yet so grand is the right thing Smithu .. u said it well 🙂
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i havent read any of it yet but these go on my list… have heard some very good things abt dollar bahu
gosh what is one supposed to do so many books so little time 😦
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Its nice Mons .. but I liked Mahasweta better 🙂 and the ones with her real life experiences r really nice .. makes one believe in life and in oneself 🙂
And abt too many books, so so true. I finished reading Red Carpet in just a single day .. got it delivered the day before and over sday 😉 Another review and ppl wil think I hv got some review-fever. So, nt gonna review that one 😉 Nice read it was though and nostalgic .. hvng been set in Bangalore 🙂
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I’m yet to read any of Sudha Murthy’s books. But your review makes me want to lay my hands on all three of the above mentioned ones ASAP.
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They r simple and true-to-life kind Deeps … nt some out of the world happenings or such 😉
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I too respect Sudha Murthy so much that I had posted her life-story loong back 😀
How I wish u had posted this review earlier…I cd have picked these book from India when I was there 😦
All the reviews sound really good!!!!
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@deeps – will u please add ur bloglink along with ur name when u post comments
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Oh u did Nance? Hw did I miss it then? I hv read ur entire archive no 😛 😛
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Awarded!
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Thanks Swati 🙂
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Dang! I’ve been turning Landmark upside down for her books and they’re lying on flipkart? Let me go order my copies right away!
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LOL okie 😛 I found some books which were invisible @ all other outlets on flipkart 😉
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Wow! this post reveals how much you are enjoying reading as well as reviewing books 😀 😀
That was a wonderful review Swar, tempting me to get hold of those books right away 🙂
Keep ’em coming girl!!
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Reading hs always been a passion .. and I ws somehw nt able to review the books 😛 😛 Some kind of block only for review posts 😉 Glad that I am able to share it with ppl nw 🙂
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Swaram even i have not read any of Sudha Murthy’s work …..going by your review her work sounds very interesting.I wish this post was here a week back…ghy book fair just ended last week.I am going to my favorite book store this Thursday and sure going to get the books you suggested here.Thanks for sharing this,you are wonderful !!
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Oh hw I wish I hd put it up earlier too .. hope u get them soon 🙂
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Hmm…let me for once comment like normal ones who comment in yours and Smitas book reviews :
“Your review makes me feel like reading them right now. I am going to buy these books as soon as I finish commenting here. Siddha Murthy is too good an author; oh its Sudha Murthy, is it ? Ok Ok, Sudha Murthy is too good an author ”
Phew !
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Bugger!!!
You never leave such comments for my book reviews….
Never knew marriage will do this to a good friend………. 😉
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ROFL 😆
My wedding gift for u VImmuuu .. 3 books 😛
Nw, mail me ur address like a gud friend 😉
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What kinda books are you sending as a ‘marriage’ gift ?? Tsk Tsk !! 😀 😀 😀 😀
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Ahem .. so u r expecting those kind of books 🙄
Dnt act innocent nw!!!
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I’ve read Wise and otherwise and liked it..As you mentioned the language is simple and the characters are something which we can relate to…
I remember also reading something like grand fathers tales or something like that..not sure if it is her book or not..
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Was it The Old Man And His God: Discovering The Spirit Of India Mystery? I hv placed an order .. yet to receive it 🙂
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There is one like ‘How i taught my grandmother to read’ also
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gr8 reviews swaram…. 🙂 now u r tempting me to read them …. I have always admired NRN …. So let me next admire his better half 🙂
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ha ha she deserves it 🙂
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Agree with you completely on the simple and down to earth style… just finished her collection of short short stories – The bird with golden wings and the other one is waiting to be opened – the old man and his god…
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Oh I am waiting for the latter to be delivered .. nt aware of the former. Thanks for letting me know abt it 🙂
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i have always wanted to pick up her books and didnt end up doing it! will defi do it one of the days!!
nice reviews! liked!
cheers!
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Thanks Abha 🙂
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U r on roll swaram…reading so many books.. 🙂
And here i m burried deep under my certification books 😦 😦
I read dollar bahu and liked it..
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Its always been like that Rash .. I spend so much on books and CDs .. totally worth I feel 🙂 Just that I never got arnd to reviewing them before 😛
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I like Sudha Murthy’s books, and Div is presently immersed in The Magic Drum. Her writing is very simple and brings the point home in a clear, quick way. Must check out Dollar Bahu.
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Exactly Starry 🙂
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I have not read any of her book before but your review have added these books to my list.. will sure read them some time in future
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🙂 🙂 Hope u like them Ani 🙂
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I like Sudha Murthy the person more than the author. Have read ‘Wise and Otherwise’, ‘Dollar Bahu’ & ‘Gently falls the Bakula’ all in between some heavy stuff I was reading. They were nice, positive & made for light reading.
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I am yet to read Gently falls. I respect her a lot as a person and like her as an author 🙂 Nice that she shares all her experiences with people 🙂
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At last you have posted the book reviews Swaram… I told you na… you should do this more often considering the amount of books you are reading… it will surely give an idea for me to what to read and what not to read… 🙂 🙂
I wanted to buy one of the Sudha Murthy’s book titled Some ‘old man’ last friday but decided to buy some other time…
after your recommendation I think I will pick up her book soon 🙂 🙂
The reviews are short and precise… do more 🙂 🙂
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LOL Kanagu .. I did one before this one too .. u hv nt read that one probably 😉
And I am glad I gave it a try … I am hvng so much reviewing them .. prob as much as I do reading them 🙂
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Yes… some how I missed that review Swaram… will read now 🙂 🙂
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🙂 🙂 U hv been busy of late na 🙂
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I have all her books and love her writings!! My fav is Gently Falls the Bakula!! One of her best works!!
As far as I remember none of her works were originally written in English 🙂
As far as this book is concerned the one story story which has remained with me forever was the son leaving his father at the old age home!!! Somehow all her stories touch a chord na!!!
Lovely reviews 🙂
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Oh wow! U hv all of them!
I am waiting to read Gently falls too 🙂
That story really touched me too too Smita and the one in which the tribal tells her about the humility in receiving! Awesome!
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Thanks for the reviews..will buy one of her books next time I visit Crossword.
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Pleasure Reema 🙂
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the stories of each book seems to appealing. May be I should get hold of one.
thanks for sharing 🙂
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Hope u like reading them too 🙂
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Now I need to go find one (or all) of her books..and start reading as I can find some time for reading.
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Nice! I have read only Mahashweta by her, and I thought it was very well written. I have heard of Dollar bahu, and with your synopsys, I actually think I should pick it up!
Have fun with all the reading 🙂
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Thanks DI 🙂
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Hey Swaram, I am not sure why but I did not find her writing very impressive. It is probably because I expected too much from her books owing to the amazing personality that she is. I’ve liked Mahasweta up to some extent but not the others.
Oh ok!
But Hey! I agree to every word you have written about the lady herself. 🙂
Did you know that when she was working for the Tatas, she went up to JRD Tata himself and asked an explanation about some rules that did not allow her to work like she wanted only because she was a woman. What fearless daring!
Ya heard abt it many times and read it in almost all her interviews too 🙂
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Hey G, I thot u hv forgotten me and my blog .. so happy to c u here 😉 Hw r u dng 😀
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Wow that was an excellent review. Need to pick one of those after I finihs my current Jeffary Archer reading..
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Oh which one r u reading?
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A prisoner of birth
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Oh ok 🙂
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read only Dollar Bahu…..good review
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Thanks sarita 🙂
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I had watched ‘Dollar Bahu’ serial, long back. Sudha Murthy’s biography and her stories were published in Ananda Vikatan, the famous Tamil weekly, some years back, like a weekly serial. I enjoyed reading them. She is a great lady. I have read that she has opened many libraries in small small towns throughout Karnataka too. She is a simple and down to earth lady, which is very rare to find in these days, Swaram.
Will get the books shortly…you have reviewed them beautifully.
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Oh I hv only read abt that serial Sandhya .. hv nt seen it 🙂
She hs done a lot of work @ the grass root level Sandhya and visits the needy personally .. wonderful person indeed!
Thanks Sandhya 🙂
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🙂 goodiee another review 🙂
😛 😛
As a person Sudha murthy seems to be an extremely humble and a strong woman but as a writer I wasn’t impressed.
Oh ok .. I like her writing 🙂
I have read her Gently falls the Bakula. When I picked this book Appa gave me a derogatory look and said you’ll not like it 😀 I wanted to prove him wrong but alas, couldnt!
Oh naanu odilla; but hv read its one of her best 😛 Ivathe nalhe ne I will get the book 😉
I had a lot of expectations from her writing. But was disappointed. I found her to be very predictable and the plot kept slipping. Not sure if I’ll read any of her other books :p
Oh the book I hv reviewed here is of her real life experiences .. so plot ella enu iralla .. may be u cn try this one 😛
If you are looking for Indian writing suggest you to read Anita Desai. My current favorite 🙂
Oh, I luved Lavanya Sankaran’s writing … full Blr nalli set stories in Red Carpet 🙂
Chitra Banerjee is my current fav …. wil get some of Anita Desai 😀
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Have you tried Anita Nair, I love her Ladies Coupe and also Mistress…
Chitra Divakarunni is my all time fav…
I have not had the patience for Kiran Desai but her mom’s writings are really good… Have to try Sudha Murthy…
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Anita Nair .. I liked, but never gt arnd to reading her again 😛
My current favs r Chitra Banerjee and Joanna Trollope 🙂
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NOTED! amazing review and at the right time, when needed some books recommendaton now..soon, I will be done with Jeffery archer’s “KANE & ABEL” and will want to dig in more in Landmark!!!!
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Oh cool 🙂
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Should lay my hands on them…
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😀 😀
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thus far I had only admired Sudha Murthy as the great force behind Narayan Murthy, and had not known of her writing! After that shameful admission, I’d like to alos admit that I’m not surprised that this great woman would be capable of such lovely , sensitive works! And yes like Vimmuu said…I do actually want to buy her book NOW after reading ur review! Lol!
(Haila! the prev comment was mine too pls cud u put up this one as that was with my mail id ! tch!)
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Done that Indy .. and u sure u r saying that like Vimmuuu .. bcoz am sure he wil never do what he said lol 😉
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Another book review…good good…
🙂 🙂
I haven’t read any of her books, like the sounds of Mahaswhetha and Wise n otherwise, will order and read and let u know…
Sure 🙂
I’ve been a fan of her articles that come in the papers n magazines..can’t agree more, she has a beautiful style of writing which definitely comes and leads to the heart
Oh ya ..I know she writes but hv never read any of them 😛
and i got an award…hee hee thank u sweets..
My pleasure dear 🙂
cya
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I have never read her books. Guess it is a good pick of the week. Will get a few. Thank you for introducing me to some more good books.
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U r welcome Tikuli 🙂
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Now these books has to added to my book shopping list when i come to hyd.Heard about sudha murthy from my mom .
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When is ur next trip Sari 🙂
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I wanted to come in june but hubby won’t come with us,he can come with us only in dec.So maybe in dec we all will come
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Hw I wish its June 🙂
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like many others have already said here, the books sound damn interesting, never knew Sudha Murthy wrote (ya, I know, ignoramus, me)
going to buy Mahaswetha, as per your reco to Divz
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We do read so much abt her service et..al that we may skip that she is a gud writer 🙂
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Very nice review Swaram. Like the others, even I didn’t know she had written so many books, and good ones in that. I will begin my quest now :-)))
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Oy, which of these are in Inglis? I just placed a reservation for ‘Mahashweta’ in my library, and then realised it was either Malayalam or Kannada?
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LOL .. all of them r available in English Pal. I hv read only the English versions 🙂
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Hey i read the Wise and Otherwise..i really liked the way Sudha Murty has written it..very smooth and direct dil se 🙂 I like her simplicity in life 🙂
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Me too 🙂
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I haven’t read her books, but I did read about her and I still am amazed at the beauty of her soul! Amazing person.
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Ya she is 🙂
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She writes simply and wisely. Even my mother, who is not too hung up on English, loves her books!!!
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Oh ya .. some light n relaxed reading 🙂
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Books mēlē books mēlē booksu. Odhakkē maathra time sikthaa illa. A few more books queued to be read. Thanks. There are a few people who strike you with their simplicity. Sudha Murty is one.
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Oh I know .. I can’t stay without reading atleast for an hr daily 😛 Somehw, got to make time 😉
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Hmm not my type of books , though very simple and clear review 🙂
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🙂 🙂 I am nt much of a picky reader, though I luv some kinds 😉
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Me 2. I think it is wonderful how the women came up so well in life, when all they had was an aim to do something. Now, we have all the facilities … but …
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🙂 🙂 The aim makes the difference 🙂
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wish i could find something to really look fwd to
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I am sure u will 🙂
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I only have seen the tv adaptation of dollar bahu. Liked it. I like the lady and so might pick up these too.
Thanks for sharing Swaram.:)
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Oh u hv seen that one Indy? thatz nice 🙂
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Nice reviews, Swar. Sudha Murthy is very similar to R K Narayan in detailing simple life.
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Hmm u r rt Sols 🙂
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That was a nice review girl. I havent read any of her books so far. After reading your post, I think I should grab one of them soon.
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I finished reading Gently falls the Bakula sday … its a beautiful book 🙂
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i haven’t read any of her books so far ..nor I knew about her books …and there was a serial over it by same name ..how can I miss any serial name ..that’s truly a shame for serial buff like me ..hmmm
ok let me see if I can grab copy…I like reading the book and them comparing them with the movie/serial based on it ..
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LOL Vandana .. hw ws the serial? I hv always loved books more than their adaptations. Somehw, I wander off to their land while reading a book .. does nt happen to me with a movie 😛 😛
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I didn’t see this serail…I have seen movies and then read the book ..yeah I do agree somehow book does come out on top …except Harry Potter books 🙂
I love watching those movies than going through book
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Call me weird .. but HarryPotter, somehw I can’t take either 😛 😛
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Hey,
Nice review here. I want you to check out this new book review blog Book Reviews
Would be great if you want to join our blog.
Cheers
Booklover
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Hey thanks. I did check out ur blog the other day. Hopped over from ‘BondwithBooks’ 🙂
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wish i could find a real aim
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🙂
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Thanks Swaram..i have never read her books, but now i have too 🙂
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I think u will like them 😛
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hey swaram! thanks for visiting my blog and liking the sidebar! 🙂
sorry for such a late reply. i was planning to drop in but didnt get time. so finally i am here 🙂
i too absolutely adore the book “wise and otherwise”. such a simple read yet thought provoking, the bits from experiences of life of Sudha Murthy are really touching. in fact i recommended this book to many people. i absolutely agree with you that she doesnt write with a pen but from her heart and that truly reflects in her writing. 🙂
and as for the blog…….the name gives such positive vibes “the song of life” ……really nice!
hope to drop in again when i get time.
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Hey Arpit .. thanks for all the nice words 🙂 Hope to c u arnd 🙂
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Thanks for the review Swaram; I got to read this one 🙂
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I luved reading them and dng this review Laks .. pleasure is all mine 😀
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award for u.. http://mindfull-meanderings.blogspot.com/2010/04/awards-awards-n-more-awards.html
130 comments!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks Shruti 🙂
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That is one woman whom I admire a lot. It is amazing how grounded she is. I have read most of her books and “Gently Falls the Bakula” is one of my favorites 🙂
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I read it sday and luved it too 🙂
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Yeah, she’s an admirable lady indeed. I’ve read most of her books, and they’re lovely. While they’re not high literature, they’re good stories, with strong messages. Wish she would write more. And now I want to read her books in Kannada, the originals. *thumbs up*
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I hv nt read any of them in Kannada too .. shud do that sometime soon 🙂
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Hey,
Nice blog here. I want you to check out this new book review blog Book Reviews
Also look at our Facebook page too. Thanks and happy book reviews
Cheers
Booklover
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Will surely do so 🙂
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I loved “Wise and otherwise” :)))))))))
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:)))))) Hey Nova, nice to c u here …hw hv u been?
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This was mah 1st book by sudha murthy and i serously fell in love with her writing ….it wsa the most amazing and eye opening book on humanity ….It displayed that not everything is bad in india thers good people also there dng good things to others . ……I have recommended the book to every1 i know 🙂
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🙂
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