25 August,2026 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini Varma
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My college roommate visited Vietnam and got me Nguyen Phan Que Mai's book. While the USA-Vietnam War is often touted as one of the greatest successes (or failures, depending on who you talk to) in military strategy, the novel talks about the cost borne by the soldiers, the Vietnamese women and the children of these unions. We go through the stories of four children as they navigate life after the war. War wreaks havoc on all families involved, and this book is worth reading to see that it's not all Presidents and Generals, but the foot soldiers and the farmer's daughters that find comfort in each other in the Hollywood bar in Saigon who are caught in the crossfire.
David Adjmi's play is about a 1970s rock band that makes it big, all while their relationships and substance abuse tear them apart. It is loosely based on Fleetwood Mac's period of recording Rumours. Their songs are lyrically profound, arranged and composed by Will Butler (former member of Arcade Fire). They capture the fragility of people in pursuit of their dreams and the kinship they lost in their attempts to make a hit album rather than make music.
Colin Walsh's book is both a mystery and a tender coming-of-age story, where a group of six teenagers navigates life after one of them suddenly disappears. The novel shuttles between timelines and narrative voices, following the characters well into their adult years. I particularly love how it captures the rush of teenage-hood - where the world feels so big and so conquerable at the same time.
I recently read Premchand's classic and would wholeheartedly recommend it. Through Hori's simple dream of owning a cow, Premchand crafts a deeply moving story about the crushing cycle of debt and systemic exploitation of farmers by landlords and moneylenders. It is a powerful reflection on poverty, dignity, and injustice. The book is strikingly relevant even today. I ended up reading more of his works after it.
I finished re-reading Osamu Tezuka's graphic novel recently. It's about an orphan child seeking to avenge his parents' murder. Accompanied by a warrior who is entirely built prosthetically, Dororo travels far and wide across fictional places in Japan living a life of adventure and making light of life-threatening perils. I am a fan of Tezuka, and keep collecting his books. His eight-part Buddha series is a wonderful set to read. I picked up Dororo at the Matrubhumi Store at Kochi Airport.
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