Stories of camels, cancer and others(IANS Books This Weekend)

Questions of self, courtroom battles, an enduring relationship with camels and story of twins: the IANS bookshelf this weekend is a tempting trolley. Take a look.

1. Book: A Fatal Margin; Author: Umanath Nayak; Publisher: Hachette;

Pages: 248; Price: Rs.350

Set in a modern cancer hospital, the novel revolves around young cancer surgeon Veer Raghavan who lands in CBI custody on suspicion of fraud, medical negligence and malnutrition - putting his reputation at stake.

Is the young oncologist guilty of committing the alleged crimes or is he fighting a gambit staged by those unable to accept his popularity?

An engrossing read, this novel by Umanath Nayak - a writer and surgeon - delves into a "crucial battle between medical science and the unpredictable nature of cancer".

The book also raises pertinent questions about the powers doctors hold over their patients "while they negotiate the thin line between saving lives and playing god".

2. Book: Camel Karma: Twenty Years Among India's Camel Nomads; Author:

Ilse Kohler-Rollefson; Publisher: Tranquebar; Pages: 377; Price: Rs. 595

Historically, the Raikas of Rajasthan have had a unique and enduring relationship with camels. Their entire way of life revolves around looking after the needs of these animals which, in turn, provide them with sustenance, wealth and companionship.

When the author arrived in Rajasthan in 1991, she was immediately enthralled by the Raikas' intimate relationship with their animals but also confronted with their existential problems. This is the story of the quest that follows to save a globally unique and humane animal culture and find a place for the camel in a rapidly changing India.

3. Book: Anatomy of Life; Author: Devdan Chaudhuri; Publisher: Picador

India; Pages: 277; Price: Rs.350

With hope of a new beginning - away from endless domestic squabbles - a 16-year-old poet moves to a new city with his recently-divorced mother.

He joins college where he meets his first love and new set of friends - offering the reader a peek into his world.

Replete with moments of happiness, confusion and even contemplation, the book paints an engaging portrait of urban experience and discovery.

4. Book: Nirmala and Normala; Author: Sowmya Rajendran and Niveditha Subramaniam; Publisher: Penguin; Pages: 202; Price: Rs. 299

While one goes on to become a heroine, the other goes on to become a normal person. Yes, we know we should put 'normal' in quotes. We also know that we should issue a disclaimer that there's no such thing as normal.

If you have ever sat through a movie wondering why in the world the heroine is playing with street children or why she seems so daft despite being Harvard-educated, you should listen to Nirmala's story.

And for Normala, well, we all know about her, don't we?