Making dreams come true

9 to 5 Fit: A working person’s guide to looking great and performing better! (Penguin, Rs 199) by Namita Jain promises to transform the unhealthy lifestyles of deskbound workaholics only if they can gather enough will power to forego tasty treats like chocolates, samosas and the feel good potion — alcohol. Jain, a clinical exercise enthusiast, has designed several elaborate, holistic programmes for working professionals who can barely catch a few winks in a day. There is nothing novel about the information she provides. Given the elaborate exercise routines she suggests, it is clear that Jain does not understand the work pressure in corporate offices. Moreover, smokers and drinkers may not be deterred by her repeated warnings about how smoking is injurious to health and how alcohol makes one fat. However, the illustrations and the one-liners accompanying them make the book interesting and fast-paced. Only wellness junkies, who are ready to forego their glass of whisky for a cup of green tea, can give this book a shot.

Homesick (Bloomsbury, Rs 399) by Roshi Fernando is a compilation of short stories that spans across generations. It chronicles the journey of an alienated group of people in search of a place to call ‘home’. The narrative reflects the angst and yearning of the lot, for whom “nowhere is home”. They are considered “different” in England as well as in Sri Lanka. At times, Fernando’s narrative might remind the readers of Amitav Ghosh’s novel, The Shadow Lines. For the characters, it is a desperate struggle to fit in in their adopted homeland, Britain. The author has adopted a unique style — although it is a collection of short stories, it reads like a novella. The book has to be read in order from the beginning till the end for the reader to get a hold of the plot. The book refers to the violence in Sri Lanka, LTTE soldiers and how they affect the Sri Lankans born and brought up in London, who do not have any direct connection to the events of their homeland. These people are more concerned with English politics than “the Sri Lankan army who like to repress and murder Tamil people”.

A passion beyond extremes (Frog, Rs 299) by Rajnish Gambhir chronicles a man’s battle to keep his childhood dream alive against overwhelming odds. Ashwini, who had wanted to build a wondrous castle as a child, grows up to become the toast of the construction industry. But success invariably attracts danger, and soon he is forced to confront a gruesome reality. The challenge for readers, though, would be to finish this debut novel.