First impression

"ONE reason I became a full time son of a bitch and have never deviated from my chosen career as a sneering churl is because the money is so good. In a world where most journalists are more than happy to service movie stars, captains of industry, and people like Bill Myers, I have carved out a financially remunerative niche as one of the handful of hired guns that editors can turn to when they need a fast, efficient hatchet job."

That really sums up Joe Queenan's life for about 50 years. In short, Queenan has never had a nice word to say about anyone. Till suddenly, after turning 50, he begins to feel a curious sense of loss and isolation. Looking around, he sees for the first time the icons of goodness for what they truly are - just plain simple people who enjoy helping others - be it Sting, Susan Sarandon or Richard Gere. And so Queenan sets out to change himself and embarks on an inward looking journey of spiritual regeneration. He decides to go the whole hog and advertise simultaneously the fact that he is on the way to becoming a "good man."

Queenan in his inimitable style, has just pulled the rug from under most Americans who typically attach themselves to a cause a day. He buys pencils only made from trees which have not been cut down as a threat to the environment. His paychecks support breast feeding as opposed to bottle feeds. His T-shirts proclaim "defend the earth" and other such fads. But it is not easy to be good, as he discovers along the way, specially if you have been a jerk, and a successful jerk at that, all your life.

His children view him with suspicion, his wife gets tired of his do-good act and even his friends, if he has any, look askance. While turning into a good and saintly person is an experience that Queenan launches into with great enthusiasm, he finally finds out that it is also an expensive business. And so our crooked friend goes back to his old ways. As he says "it's all really a question of dollars and cents... practising random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty is fine as a hobby. But I'm not going to quit my day job."

My Goodness, Joe Queenan, Picador, price not mentioned.

* * *

THESE are people like you and me. Not too great, not well known, but with a strange quirk of character that leaves them in situations where life takes them on a strange meandering path. Ruskin Bond, master storyteller, captures the simple little moments of different lives in engaging portraits and cameos of people from all over the country. Real or imagined, each character is gifted with a peculiar and interesting side which makes their story all the more mysterious and attractive. A favourite with children, this collection of short stories speaks volumes of the power of observation that the writer has. Definitely a book to be read at leisure.

Friends in Small Places, Ruskin Bond, Penguin, Rs. 250.

* * *

IS this then the Indian version of Mills and Boon? A girl grows up under the influence of a heavily violent and psychotic mother. A

disgusted father, who, nevertheless tries to love his daughter. Realisation comes early on for Devyani, the little girl. There are no dreams to be shared, only a gnawing void that refuses to fill even as time flits by.

Till she discovers a teacher in her school who takes it upon himself to push her out of the hole she has created for herself. But growing up is never easy and Devyani soon finds herself being turned away as society demands a discreet hypocrisy, that even her favourite teacher has to abide by.

Life rolls on and she finally, through a broken love affair, an illegitimate pregnancy, discovers the panacea for all ills - success at work, or so she thinks till she predictably meets a handsome, rich man, who she thinks falls into the category of a lazy, womanising male. But Devyani realises that she can be wrong and finally accedes to the man of her dreams. A familiar enough story recommended for all teeny boppers.

Spring in My Backyard, Debotri Dhar, Regency Publications, Rs. 195.

* * *

FICTION pitted against reality. Surreal against grotesque. Shiva 3000, looks at a society that has, on the one hand gone ahead in time, but on the other continues to draw heavily on the influences of a bygone era. There is Rakesh whose only mission in life is to kill the Baboon Warrior; Vasant the royal enginer edging on saintless; the Kamasutrans who, true to their name, live only for their own brand of pleasure. In this strange epic tale, there is a flavour of science fiction, interwoven with legends and finally stamped with the authenticity of Indian culture. Read it. If your mind can jump levels and sub levels.

Shiva 3000, Jan Lars Jensen, Rupa, Rs. 195.

SUCHITRA BEHAL

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