Simon Stålenhag's trilogy ("Tales from the Loop," "Things from the Flood," and "The Electric State") is what you'd get if Steven Spielberg directed BlSimon Stålenhag's trilogy ("Tales from the Loop," "Things from the Flood," and "The Electric State") is what you'd get if Steven Spielberg directed Black Mirror while Edward Hopper handled the art direction. Across three stunning volumes, Stålenhag has created an alternate history where the extraordinary becomes mundanely beautiful � from Swedish children playing near abandoned robots to American teenagers road-tripping through a techno-wasteland.
The journey starts in 1980s Sweden with "Tales from the Loop," where a massive underground particle accelerator makes dinosaurs and magnetships just another part of growing up. "Things from the Flood" takes us into the darker 90s, where those magical childhood machines start developing something called "machine cancer" (trust me, it's as creepy as it sounds). Finally, "The Electric State" brings us to America, where virtual reality has hollowed out humanity and giant battle drones rust like abandoned roller coasters.
What makes these books masterpieces isn't just Stålenhag's breathtaking artwork � though his photorealistic paintings will make you doubt your memories of the 80s and 90s. It's how he captures the feeling of childhood and adolescence against these impossible backdrops. Whether it's kids poking at robot corpses in Swedish fields or a girl and her yellow robot crossing a haunted America, every image tells a story of wonder mixed with unease.
The text is deliberately sparse, like entries in a dream journal or captions in a museum from another timeline. But that's perfect � these books understand that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that leave room for your imagination to run wild in the spaces between abandoned machines.
My Rating - 5/5 stars
PS: Read these in the hardcover edition. Art this gorgeous deserves proper framing.
PPS: And have you heard the music playlist for this one made by Stålenhag himself? If not, here you go: ...more
In Nabarun Bhattacharya's "Hawa Hawa and Other Stories," we descend into a version of Calcutta where mercury lamps cast an unforgiving glow on societyIn Nabarun Bhattacharya's "Hawa Hawa and Other Stories," we descend into a version of Calcutta where mercury lamps cast an unforgiving glow on society's forgotten corners. This isn't your grandmother's Bengali literature—it's a feverish hallucination where corrupt officers scratch murderous itches, businessmen purchase bespoke deaths, and even children harbour disturbing fascinations.
Masterfully translated by Subha Prasad Sanyal, these stories pulse with visceral imagery and dialogue that crackles with dark humour. Bhattacharya's characters—drunks stumbling through flooded streets, retired revolutionaries clinging to faded glory, men who carry noose fragments as talismans—are neither heroes nor villains but complex beings navigating a world where power corrupts absolutely.
What's remarkable is how Bhattacharya's satire, penned decades ago, feels unnervingly relevant today. His critique of authoritarianism, casual violence, and the commodification of everything (even suicide) reads less like historical fiction and more like yesterday's news. The collection serves as both a time capsule of post-independence India and a prophetic vision of our present global condition.
For all readers tired of sanitized narratives, this book offers a bracing antidote—a literary shot of country liquor that burns going down but reveals uncomfortable truths about the systems we've built and the monsters they create. If nothing else, it's a dark dance through Calcutta's underbelly.
M.R. James's "Collected Ghost Stories" is a treasure chest of perfectly crafted nightmares that have lost none of their power to unsettle. Every ChrisM.R. James's "Collected Ghost Stories" is a treasure chest of perfectly crafted nightmares that have lost none of their power to unsettle. Every Christmas, I find myself drawn back to these tales like a moth to a ghostly flame, often accompanied by the masterful BBC adaptations featuring Christopher Lee and James Hordern's radio performances - it's become my favorite way to add a delicious chill to the festive season.
For those seeking the cream of this haunted crop, here are three of my favourite haunting tales that scared my wits all the way back in my middle school, sme 25+ years ago :
"The Mezzotint" stands as perhaps the collection's finest achievement - a story that transforms a simple engraving into an instrument of creeping dread. James's genius lies in how he reveals the horror through the eyes of various scholars who witness the picture's impossible changes. Their academic observations only heighten the terror of what they're documenting: a creature's relentless approach through the still image, night after night.
"Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" delivers another masterpiece of psychological horror, where an academic's seaside holiday descends into terror after the discovery of an ancient artifact. The story's climax, involving animated bedsheets of all things, somehow manages to be genuinely terrifying rather than absurd.
"Casting the Runes" rounds out the collection's strongest offerings with its tale of occult revenge, demonstrating James's gift for turning the seemingly mundane into something malevolent.
What sets James apart from his contemporaries is his scholarly approach to terror. Unlike the gothic flourishes of Poe or the cosmic horrors of Lovecraft, James specializes in a more refined brand of fear. His ghosts emerge from dusty manuscripts, ancient artifacts, and academic pursuits gone awry. His protagonists are typically learned men who uncover horrors through their research, creating a unique blend of intellectual pursuit and supernatural consequence.
My Rating - 5/5
PS-Just be prepared - after reading these tales, you might find yourself regarding that antique shop purchase with a bit more caution, especially if it happens to be a mezzotint....more
The 8th book in Sir Henry Merrivale's series is a scorcher! A locked-room mystery, instead of the regular verbal jousting with Scotland Yard's MastersThe 8th book in Sir Henry Merrivale's series is a scorcher! A locked-room mystery, instead of the regular verbal jousting with Scotland Yard's Masters, this time it's set up in the court with HM being the counsel for the accused and to top it off, the resolution of this "impossible" crime was rather one of Carr's best.
Would have loved some radio adaptation of Merrivale similar to Donald Sinden's Dr Gideon Fell.
Curiously, reading this and other power-up fantasy manhwas lately, reminds me of Arthurian legends, with a strong titular character fighting unimaginable evils with a trusty band of lieutenants to support. Interesting to see different interpretations of this fantasy trope in different mediums over the years. Though as much fun as the "classic" fantasy plots are, I understand the draw towards more non-traditional and chaotic fantasy plots.
A classic power-up fantasy story, in a similar vein to Solo leveling - light Novel. The magic tier system introduced here is rather cool with many claA classic power-up fantasy story, in a similar vein to Solo leveling - light Novel. The magic tier system introduced here is rather cool with many classic fantasy tropes, characters introduced in a surprisingly non-haphazard manner.
What to say, this manhwa gets better and better as the story arc progresses! The second volume traces the path of Sung Jinwoo as he levels up as a hunWhat to say, this manhwa gets better and better as the story arc progresses! The second volume traces the path of Sung Jinwoo as he levels up as a hunter while keeping his humanity intact.
It ends as it began...somewhere in the middle, and perhaps that's what I liked about this short story. Link - It ends as it began...somewhere in the middle, and perhaps that's what I liked about this short story. Link -
At an initial glance, one would say that the plot wherein the central character goes on defeating demons/beasts coming out of portals and becoming famAt an initial glance, one would say that the plot wherein the central character goes on defeating demons/beasts coming out of portals and becoming famous for it, is an oft-used trope in many a manhwa. But, I can confirm that this is so much more than that! The great art style, an interesting main character, rich lore and overarching mystery behind it all, is what makes it so much different from others.
Trust me if you are into webtoons in general, like fantasy/mystery as a genre and aren't averse to manga-style art, then this should be your next read!
By Calamity, what an absolute rollercoaster of a book, you amazingly imaginative Sanderson! What started out as a story about random people getting suBy Calamity, what an absolute rollercoaster of a book, you amazingly imaginative Sanderson! What started out as a story about random people getting superpowers with one individual, our titular antagonist, Steelheart turning out the living version of Irredeemable Digital Omnibus Vol. 1. And then follows the ambitious goal of one plucky chap called David to kill the evil Goliath that's Steelheart. But then how do we kill a god? And the answer to that is part of the charm of this book. So read on!
Josephine Tey delivers again! Though described more as a cosy mystery in a quaint English boarding school setting, I found this to be rather a deep chJosephine Tey delivers again! Though described more as a cosy mystery in a quaint English boarding school setting, I found this to be rather a deep character study on humanity, what it takes someone to commit a crime and finally how does one atone for them or rather live with it. This book though light-hearted at times is right there with PD James' Commander Dalgliesh books especially Shroud for a Nightingale in recreating the atmosphere which hangs around secluded/cloistered spaces with a murderer amongst them.
What an amazingly wild ride this has been! The finale was bittersweet at best and would definitely remain one of the best graphic novel series I have What an amazingly wild ride this has been! The finale was bittersweet at best and would definitely remain one of the best graphic novel series I have read in a long time.
Y2K is gonna get ya! That's what this volume was all about, and as great as previous ones. Its good that the authors aren't stretching the plot as somY2K is gonna get ya! That's what this volume was all about, and as great as previous ones. Its good that the authors aren't stretching the plot as some do. Onto the last one.
The third volume finds the girls stuck thousands of years in the past and they come to the origin of the time-travelling nightmare they have been stucThe third volume finds the girls stuck thousands of years in the past and they come to the origin of the time-travelling nightmare they have been stuck in. Excellent writing not just from the sci-fi angle but also touching upon the stuff which teenage years are made of - friends!
Another of my childhood favourites alongside Poirot, Sherlock and Feluda. The only detective in fiction who detested the word "detective" and rather uAnother of my childhood favourites alongside Poirot, Sherlock and Feluda. The only detective in fiction who detested the word "detective" and rather using the title of "Satyanweshi" (aka "Truthseeker" in milder terms but "Inquisitor" more formally). Byomkesh too had his own Watson/Hastings in the form of Ajit and together they solved many head-scratchers! The plots are not usually overtly complicated but rather revelatory towards the climax which is rather a pleasant sensation for any reader!
The English translation here is rather good (as attested by a Bengali script knowing a literary friend of mine) and I would strongly recommend this to anyone who would want to have a taste of Bengali mystery writing set in and around the world wars and thereafter.
A well-conceived and admirably written entry into the veritable Inspector Morse mysteries. What starts out as a body discovered in the woods turns outA well-conceived and admirably written entry into the veritable Inspector Morse mysteries. What starts out as a body discovered in the woods turns out to be a fiendish and tragic tale. And we see Morse taking his first-ever holidays all to become involved in the mystery's satisfactory resolution, which he then celebrates by taking more of those holidays! In between, we see Morse and Lewis' jocular interactions and the tragic death of Morse's only other friend Max. A worthy read indeed!
Hobbit certainly ranks as one of my all-time favourites and I keep on coming back for more. Tolkien even in this "supposedly" children's tale never stHobbit certainly ranks as one of my all-time favourites and I keep on coming back for more. Tolkien even in this "supposedly" children's tale never stops astonishing the readers with its simplicity, originality and his imaginative powers. Though the story pales in comparison to the LOTR but that's the point as its only just a prelude to a rich imaginative universe.
"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
�"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.�
These lines are scary, true and quite reflective of our society/history as a whole.
My Rating - 5/5
(PS - This was my Halloween read. Boooooo!)...more
A rather well-written account on the last days of the Soviet Union, its relationship with US during those waning days of Cold War with a rather speciaA rather well-written account on the last days of the Soviet Union, its relationship with US during those waning days of Cold War with a rather special focus on the machinations of Bush-Gorbachev-Yeltsin triumvirate. Much has been written about the collapse of Soviet Union (SU) and all too frequently, US ingenuity coupled with SU's ineptitude has been touted as one of the main reasons for the end of Cold War. This suited both US (bolstering its superpower status, Bush Sr.'s political career) and Russia (improving relations with US leading to better financial deals and more importantly, rise of jingoistic nationalism and the political fortunes of those depended on it)
Serhii Plokhy brings a fresh perspective into this by doing away with the above erroneous assumption and rather puts the spotlight on Gorbachev's out of touch idealism, Yeltsin's hunger for power and enmity towards Gorbachev, political ambitions of Ukrainian president Leonid Kravchuk as the main causes. Historically, as seen from Bush Sr.'s personal diaries, correspondences, and other recently declassified files, the role of US in the demise of SU was quite minimal. As long as treaties were signed regarding diplomatic, arms-control agreements and concessions, the US was more than happy with the outcome. Though the book also rightfully gives its due to Bush Sr. and James Baker's diplomacy in the earlier stages of the dissolution talks with Gorbachev.
It's an interesting book for many reasons as stated above but also chiefly for bringing a fresh pair of eyes on an old, tired historical narrative transforming it into a rather an important primer for understanding Putin's current political manoeuvres.
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