DEVIL MAY CARE by Sebastian Faulks

Set in the era of the Cold War, this book entertains for the simple reason that for any lover of Bond, the setting is familiar and the action familiar. It is like a howmrun.

Bond here is rejuvenating his tired senses with a sojourn, when he is asked to report for duty. Sent to the land of Persia with its baths and cruel underworld, Bond is exposed to the brutal land of Iran - along with two of the most beautiful sisters he has ever met -Scarlet and Poppy.

His adversary is cruel, unfeeling and the devil's very accomplice. Bond fights him with all the booties at hand , his wits, his gun, his shrewd logic and cool.

The pace, ofcourse is not the searing action that one is used to in the Bond movies, but the paraphernalia of all Bond action is there in plenty - girls, fights, stunts etc.

For me, it was sedate reading...this Bond did not make me drool over him, as I usually do...and if one considers the Bonds that would be suitable for this Faulk's Bond, maybe Craig, with his cool blue penetrating gaze and lips that easily twist into a smile or a sneer, might fit the bill. This is that kind of a Bond...not all fun, not all romantic, not all passionate not all caring. A little sensitive, a little cruel, a little shrewd, a little lucky...

It is good to know Bond lives on.

Jefferey Archer. A Prisoner of Birth.

For the first time in many months, I read a book at a stretch.

It was undoubtedly an unputdownable book. This man, Archer, he has strong story telling ability.

For a time, as I read the book, I kept remembering pure story tellers like Alexander Dumas and Scott, whose stories pack sheer adventure and heroics of the most unexpected and romantic kind.

These books appeal to those whose visual intelligence is strong. Archer's new book is brilliant in capturing the events and bringing them before one's eyes . One can see the escapes, the murder, the courtroom scenes, the pathos of love, the imprisonment, the term at the prison, the old world humour that is intelligent and a wronged man's focussed attempt to wreak revenge on his enemies - all unfolding before one's eyes.

Pure cinema in print.

The craft of writing absorbing stories is losing its innocence. Jeffrey Archer retains that innocence and sweetness of moral fibre and old world values. There are several places where one is caught chortling, chuckling, smiling and in general, nodding one's head in emphasis.

The climax takes your breath away. You will devour each word for fear of missing something interesting.

To an English teacher, the manner in which literature and language are subtly used by the characters as part of the narrative, makes this book something that can be recommended to one's students.

There is no lurid sex, there is no pathological violence, there are no serial killers in this story. Yet, I am sure no one will put the book down till one has finished it to the last line.

It was with a sigh of satisfaction that I finally put the book, A Prisoner of Birth down. Aah, sheer bliss.