review
Uzumaki: A faithful but flawed adaptation of Junji Ito’s classic manga
After years of anticipation, the long-awaited anime adaptation of Junji Ito's Uzumaki has finally arrived. While it largely adheres to the unsettling source material, it unfortunately carries some notable flaws.
Pachinko Season 2: Mostly lacklustre, sometimes effective
The story resonated with audiences, from this part of Asia in particular, because the resilience and struggle of first-generation settlers portrayed in the series are things most of us can relate to as they are reflected in most of our parents or grandparents.
ESSAY / Manufacturing praise
Sometime ago, a writer reached out to me with a request. His debut novel was being published later in the year and he was wondering if I would be open to reviewing it. I was aware of the book, having read it when it was still only a draft. The author was not someone I only knew, either, but a mentor who had supported my writing in many ways, even through monetary means. Refusing him, then, felt tantamount to betrayal. But I had to in the end, and though he understood, I still came out of the exchange feeling guilty of being unhelpful or, worse, ungrateful.
Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department is still a confusing mess
Revisiting this album months after its release, I take away even less than when I initially listened to it front to back.
All India Rank: A refreshing take on the IIT dream
All India Rank is the story of Vivek, a seventeen-year-old boy from Lucknow, leaving for Kota to prepare for the IIT entrance exam and fulfil his father’s dream.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, an action-packed monster flick
Godzilla x Kong closely follows the connection of Jia, an orphaned girl of the Iwi tribe who was adopted by Dr. Andrews, a linguist working for Monarch, with Kong. In addition, even though Godzilla takes the spotlight of the title, the movie was partly carried by the depth of character that was portrayed within Kong.
Fallout sets a new bar for video-game adaptations
Fallout expands upon the beloved and critically acclaimed role-playing game franchise, and successfully introduces it to a new audience.
#Reviews / Crafting majesty: Tasleema Alam's royal commissions and her love for Islamic art
From gracing the majestic walls of mosques to the pages of intricate manuscripts and beyond, the appeal of the Islamic art form has persisted over centuries and captivated many. The beauty and depth of this art form attracted Tasleema Alam – an artist, designer and educator – who recently designed an Afghan carpet for His Majesty King Charles III.
BOOK REVIEW: FICTION / Unveiling the mind’s maze: Fosse’s ‘Aliss at the Fire’
A review of Jon Fosse's ‘Aliss at the Fire’ (Dalkey Archive Press, 2010)
Uzumaki: A faithful but flawed adaptation of Junji Ito’s classic manga
After years of anticipation, the long-awaited anime adaptation of Junji Ito's Uzumaki has finally arrived. While it largely adheres to the unsettling source material, it unfortunately carries some notable flaws.
Pachinko Season 2: Mostly lacklustre, sometimes effective
The story resonated with audiences, from this part of Asia in particular, because the resilience and struggle of first-generation settlers portrayed in the series are things most of us can relate to as they are reflected in most of our parents or grandparents.
Manufacturing praise
Sometime ago, a writer reached out to me with a request. His debut novel was being published later in the year and he was wondering if I would be open to reviewing it. I was aware of the book, having read it when it was still only a draft. The author was not someone I only knew, either, but a mentor who had supported my writing in many ways, even through monetary means. Refusing him, then, felt tantamount to betrayal. But I had to in the end, and though he understood, I still came out of the exchange feeling guilty of being unhelpful or, worse, ungrateful.
Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department is still a confusing mess
Revisiting this album months after its release, I take away even less than when I initially listened to it front to back.
All India Rank: A refreshing take on the IIT dream
All India Rank is the story of Vivek, a seventeen-year-old boy from Lucknow, leaving for Kota to prepare for the IIT entrance exam and fulfil his father’s dream.
Fallout sets a new bar for video-game adaptations
Fallout expands upon the beloved and critically acclaimed role-playing game franchise, and successfully introduces it to a new audience.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, an action-packed monster flick
Godzilla x Kong closely follows the connection of Jia, an orphaned girl of the Iwi tribe who was adopted by Dr. Andrews, a linguist working for Monarch, with Kong. In addition, even though Godzilla takes the spotlight of the title, the movie was partly carried by the depth of character that was portrayed within Kong.
Crafting majesty: Tasleema Alam's royal commissions and her love for Islamic art
From gracing the majestic walls of mosques to the pages of intricate manuscripts and beyond, the appeal of the Islamic art form has persisted over centuries and captivated many. The beauty and depth of this art form attracted Tasleema Alam – an artist, designer and educator – who recently designed an Afghan carpet for His Majesty King Charles III.
Unveiling the mind’s maze: Fosse’s ‘Aliss at the Fire’
A review of Jon Fosse's ‘Aliss at the Fire’ (Dalkey Archive Press, 2010)
She’s a terrible person, but that’s the point
A review of Ottessa Moshfegh's 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' (Penguin Press, 2023)