Question

Write a review of a book you have recently read (in approximately 300 words) for your school magazine. Make use of the given points.

Name of the book — author — publisher — readership — cover and illustrations— plot — characters — insight into some interesting incidents — message if any — appeal the book holds for you.

Answer 1

Name of the book- The monk who sold his Ferrari.

Author- Robin Sharma.

Publisher- Harper Collins is the publisher of this book and it was published in 1999.

Readership- It has sold more than three million copies as of 2013.

Cover and illustrations- Cover consists of “Red Ferrari Car” with an illustration on it as “Everything is created twice, first in the mind and then in the reality.”

Plot- The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari is the tale of Julian Mantle, a famously sought-after litigator who became a Monk. After a heart attack, his high flying career was put to a stop when he was representing the case. He had two options left—ending his career or ending his life.

Fortunately, he preferred the former, sold everything he owned, and went on a trip east to find the secret of happiness. He experienced teachers and sages who assisted, but his hunger for wisdom could not be fulfilled until he was referred to the Sages who lived high up in the Sivana Mountains, far from all culture and corruption. There he discovered the eternal ideals of enlightened life, under the tutelage of Yogi Raman and others.

To foster memorability and practicality, these values were taught using an age-long fable of metaphors (The glorious garden; The soaring lighthouse; The Sumo wrestler; The pink wire cable; The Gold stopwatch; The fragrant Roses; The diamond path). After three years of looking 10 years younger, more lively, enthusiastic, and smarter, Julian Mantle came back from the mountains. He searched out his former mate, John, and shared with him the secrets he had acquired from the mountains, with a charge to pass on the information to as many as he wished to hear.

Characters- The novel evolves, in the form of dialogue, around two people, Julian Mantle and his best friend John. During a Himalayan journey which he undertook after selling his holiday home and red Ferrari, Julian narrates his spiritual experiences.

Insight into some interesting incidents- “The Universe favors the brave.”

“The purpose of a life is a life of purpose.”

“Find out what you truly love to do and direct all of your energy towards doing it. Once you do this, abundance flows into your life, and all your desires are filled with ease and grace.”

Message that appeals which book holds- Freedom is like a house: you build it brick by brick.

Answer 2

Name of the book: The Canterville Ghost

Author: Oscar Wilde 

Publisher: Maple Press Classics

Readership: a great number of readers

Cover and illustrations: Suggestive and meaningful

Plot: The ghost in the story is real. Weary of his long, unhappy life, the ghost seeks salvation through peaceful death which is denied to him because of his diabolic act of murdering his wife. Virginia, the American girl, prays for him and weeps for him— as desired by the ghost—and Death shows mercy on him at last. The ‘golden girl’ toms out to be a saviour for him. Through her caring and concern, she proves that love is stronger than life and even death.

Characters: 

1. The Ghost: The ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville is the central figure in the novel. Unlike conventional ghosts, he is a moody, weary, helpless ghost. Though he has done enough mischief, he fails to do any harm to the stubbornly materialistic American family. He becomes a pathetic figure with repeated failures to frighten the new inhabitants. In spite of his supernatural powers, he is unhappy and yearns for the release of his soul. When Virginia helps him get peaceful death, he gives her precious jewels out of gratitude.

2. Mr Otis : Mr Otis, the American minister, is totally materialistic and ruthless in his attitude. He believes that money can buy anything, even a ghost. He does not have faith in the world of ghosts. So he confronts the ghost boldly and defeats him in his bad intentions. He is a fond father. When Virginia disappears, he does his best to find her out. He does not like British conventions and traditions. He is a thorough Republican.

3. Virginia : Virginia is a young daughter of the American minister. She is an expert rider. She loves the young Duke of Cheshire whom she marries later. She is unlike other members of her family. She remains aloof from her family’s anti- ghost campaign and does not scoff at the ghost. The ghost, too, is soft towards her. She is caring and affectionate. She takes pity on the ghost in his extreme depression. She takes a calculated risk in helping the ghost get peaceful death. By her attitude she proves that love is really stronger than life and even death.

Insight into some interesting incidents: The ghost of Sir Simon appears before Mr Otis who is awakened by a curious noise at 1 o’clock in the night. The ghost, and old man of terrifying appearance, fails to frighten Mr Otis.

When (he ghost again tries to terrify the family, hc meets the same fate as before. The twins shoot two pellets on him which their peashooters. and Mr Otis covers him with his revolver and asks him to hold up his hands. The ghost shrieks and gives his most horrible laugh, but to no avail.

The ghost gives up the hope of ever frightening the American family. Virginia happens to see the ghost in extreme depression.

The disappearance of Virginia causes a flutter in the house. It is thought that she has been abducted. When she appears finally, she tells her flimily that the ghost is finally dead. 

The ghost is ceremonially buried.

Message : Oscar Wild conveys the message that love is a potent force. It can achieve anything by overcoming all obstacles. It can conquer even life and death.

Appeal the book holds : The Canterville Ghost is a ghost story in an uncoventional for you way. The ghost has some supernatural powers but he is a weary ghost. He is unable to inflict any real harm. Throughout the novel there is nothing violent and ghoulish. The novel has a popular appeal.