“Undoubtedly philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison.”
Lemuel Gulliver was an ambitious and naïve ship surgeon, who believed people were heroes at heart with an inherent goodwill. All his beliefs shattered when he set out on an unusual adventure on remote islands inhabited by people and creatures of different sizes.
On the first Island, the Lilliputians only six inches tall, represent the dangers of petty partisanship. The Brobdingnagians, who are giants, show him the dangers of absolute power and the importance of humility. And the Houyhnhnms, the intelligent horses, show how important it is to have reason and virtue.
However, he eventually comes to realize that the none of them are perfect, and he begins to miss his own kind.
Will Gulliver’s travels make him realize that the human race has more vices than virtues? After a thrilling and endearing journey, will Gulliver return as a changed compassionate man?
“We must not think of the things we could do with, but only of the things that we can’t do without.”
Nostalgia is a true gift of life, the ability to relive warm and happy moments through memory is a true joy. Three Men in a Boat, is a delightful and humorous novel about an endearing friendship and all that makes life worth living.
A journey through the Thames River, the story follows three friends – Jerome, George, and Harris – as they embark on a boating expedition to escape the pressures of everyday life. The fun banter between the three friends and their ability to uplift each other adds to warmth of the story.
Their getaway is a reminder to take a break with those that make them smile and find joy in simple pleasures; follow the three men through their journey, in this charming story, and take a trip down the memory lane.
“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.”
A reflective Ismael is the lens through which maniacal Ahab’s quest comes to life. Ahab is the captain of the whaling ship Pequod, and Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale bit off his leg on the ship’s previous voyage. What ensues is a mad quest against the whale and the perceived dangers of wildlife.
Through this journey Ismael raises many thoughts about man versus nature, and the nature of obsession with one’s own purpose. Ismael’s perspective creates an out of body experience for the reader, as he himself is an observer of man’s passionate extremes.
Will Ahab come out more enlightened about fate, the human struggle, and the forces of nature? The witty, thrilling and adventurous reads gives immense chances to laugh and look within!
‘I learned to look up to heaven, and to fear none but God.’
Robinson Crusoe is a young Englishman who embarks on a fateful journey to a deserted island in the Caribbean. After a shipwreck and some misadventures, Crusoe finds himself stranded on the uninhabited island, without any human being in sight.
The only tools he had were his determination, and presence of mind; armed with those he begins to adapt to his new environment, building shelter, growing crops, and taming animals. Soon he realised, that ultimate peace is in connecting with the environment around you and striving hard to build the life you deserve, irrespective of the circumstances.
Is will power and strong mindset enough to conquer the most challenging circumstances? This gripping tale of Robinson Crusoe is a testament to the human knack for survival, resilience, and the importance of self-discovery.
“I realize now that there’s a lot to be said for traveling if you want to see something new.”
When Phileas Fogg, a wealthy gentleman, impulsively bets that he can travel the globe in just eighty days, he sets in motion an extraordinary chain of events. Leaving behind the comfort of his predictable life, Fogg and his loyal valet Passepartout, embark on a race against time.
Passing through exotic lands and dangerous locations, they seize whatever transportation is at hand—train or elephant.
Their quest for the ultimate adventure is not without its challenges. Fogg has become the prime suspect in a bank robbery, with a relentless detective hot on their heels. As they journey across continents, their race against time becomes a race for their freedom.
Will they conquer the world and prove Fogg’s audacious bet right? Prepare to be captivated by Verne’s masterful storytelling as he weaves a tale of suspense, and a thrilling spirit of adventure.
“Perhaps to lose a sense of where you are implies the danger of losing a sense of who you are.”
Griffin, an ingenious research scientist, develops a process that can render physical objects invisible. He successfully performs the experiment on himself, but soon realises that it is impossible to survive oblivious to the world and all those that matter to him.
This invisible man is now desperate to reverse the process. Will Griffin be able to become visible again? Or his obsession for invisibility will result in his doom?
Considered to be a pioneer of science fiction, this novel explores the deep and unresolved ideas of science vs the universal power, the extent of human mind and the dangers of being swept by the mind’s wickedness. The Invisible Man warns about the destructive effects science can have if not practiced with limits on the human desires.
A relevant story, especially in the age of artificial intelligence.
“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as great and sudden change.”
The world of Frankenstein explores the depths of human nature and the consequences of great and sudden change.
Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss student of natural science breathes life into a creature made from stolen body parts. Initially seeking love and companionship, the monstrous creation instead incites revulsion in all who encounter it.
Plagued by loneliness and despair, the creature turns against its creator, leading to a devastating climax that claims lives.
Frankenstein serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the perils of scientific and creative ambition, the corrupting influence of unchecked progress, and the dangers of knowledge without true understanding.
A gripping tale of loss, betrayal, and redemption set across the porous maritime borders of Southeast Asia and the remote islands of the Pacific.
In God’s Ashes, an archipelago of displaced characters – refugees, dissidents, and indigents – converge in an unseen transnational crime. Years later, their hard-won reshaped identities threaten to crumble when one among them disappears. The ensuing search could upend the existing world order.
In the totalitarian state of Utopia, the top scientist developing the super chip that will propel the country to technological supremacy in the world is detained by the state security bureau. His best friend and the head of the state’s semiconductor joint venture Shan Hongbing needs to know why. As he digs in, he realizes that the eyes are also on him for asking questions. The state’s surveillance technology he reveres—which ‘keeps the citizens safe’—has now turned against him, tracking his every move at every turn to hold him in line with the Utopia’s principles. Hongbing’s attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery slowly unravels a web of politicking, espionage and betrayal, whatever it takes for the ruling party to achieve its cause. The moment he decides to flee from the system is also the time he finds himself no longer safe.
Who wouldn’t cry when they realize that they are dead?
The capital beyond twilight is full of nocturnal birds squealing annoyingly on electricity poles. Who would have known that they were messengers of death who perform music to send souls to the underworld?
Stella is a ghost boy in a skirt who lives in an abandoned tower in the middle of the capital. He calls himself the Eleventh Floor Theater Administrator. Every evening he wakes up to repeat the same routine, caring for lost children, watching a spectacular parade of the Defeated Gamblers. The boy wonders why the Reaper whom he lived with had not yet sent his soul away.
What secrets are the Reaper keeping from him? And what is he being protected from?
