The Silkworm - Book Review

Well, I hope you are not wondering why have I put up a picture of J K Rowling next to a book authored by Robert Galbraith.

The Silkworm

J K Rowling
J K Rowling is Robert Galbraith. Robert Galbraith is J K Rowling. The famed writer of The Harry Potter series has penned her second book under the pen name Galbraith, after the success of The Cuckoo's Calling mid last year.

Coming to the book itself.

For those of you who love Rowling's writing, this one is a sheer delight. Flawless narration, vivid illustrations of the background and piercing insights into the characters make reading The Silkworm a pleasure.

Set in London, in the early part of this decade, the book is a crime-murder mystery-detective thriller. The book explores the dark undersides of literary circles in London. Jealousy against Talent, Love versus Lust - all are explored in this book. 

The hero of this book is Cormoran Strike, ex British Army, now detective, who has an uncanny knack of solving murder mysteries. And the one in the book is as gruesome and gory as it can get.

Assisting him is his affable secretary-assistant-aspiring investigator Robin Ellacott. She is bright and pretty, with an envious fiance, all along trying to make her mark by assisting Strike.

J K Rowling loves symbolism. They were abound in Harry Potter. And they are abundant in The Silkworm too. Symbols, sometimes dark, sometimes grey, form a major part of this mystery. Understanding the real meaning of these symbols keeps the reader engaged.

To keep things simple, the number of characters in this book are less than 20. This make it easier for the reader to understand and keep track of the story. The characters themselves are quirky. Hidden by their masks, these personas disguise their real selves.

The book has generous moments of lust, subtle moments of attraction, a good deal of jealousy, some child like innocence, aspiring writers, Godfathers, et al.

All in all, the book is a perfect murder mystery, garnished with Rowling's fluid narration and story telling. Don't miss a chance to read this one from Rowling's stable.

I am personally waiting for her next book.

P.S. The book has a bit for bloggers too - quoted right below.

~~
'Why?' asked Strike heavily.

'Why what?' said Robin, looking up at him.

'Why do people do this?’

‘Blog, you mean? I don’t know… didn't someone once say the unexamined life isn't worth living?’

‘Yeah, Plato,’ said Strike, ‘but this isn’t examining a life, it’s exhibiting it.’”
~~

The Silkworm - Book Review The Silkworm - Book Review Reviewed by Vyankatesh on Sunday, August 24, 2014 Rating: 5

3 comments:

  1. looking forward to read it.The book review seems interesting.

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  2. A slow and indulging novel by JK Rowling. I Like her style and narration, the plots build up slowly and keeps you in grip till the last page.

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  3. Love mysteries ? you will dig this one. the background setting , the language, the plot , the characters .. its all mesmerising! she did got out an 'inner bloke' to pen this one ! happy reading!

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