The Spider's Temple

The book I'm reviewing is called, Touching Earth by Rani Manicka. The first page begins with;

The woman stretched out her neck and howled like a wolf. She tore at her hair until clumps came out in her clenched fists. With the same fist she beat the dull earth. Alas, alas, the boy was dead. She sprang up suddenly, her eyes wild. 'Do not touch him until i return,' she instructed and ran all the way to the bodhi tree to fall at Buddha's feet. 'Oh Enlightened One,' she cried, 'My son is dead. If you are indeed the true master, then bring him back to life.' Budhha opened his eyes. Perhaps he wanted to tell her about the inevitability of birth and death for the unawakened, but he must have seen the dust of dreaming in her eyes, so he told her, 'go forth and bring me a handful of grain from a home where death has not yet been, and i will return your son to you.' Overwhelmed by gratitude and joy the woman bowed many times before she withdrew to begin her search. She searched, and searched, and searched, and...

Now, what did that mean to you? Maybe it's just me but when i first started reading this book, honestly, i couldn't make a head or tail of what she was talking about!

She then introduces the characters one by one in a first persons' point of view. After reading it for a while, you will start to appreciate the way the book is written. The way it was intricately woven is mesmerizing.

The core of this book is about drug addicts. It is quite creepy at times when you realize how deluded addicts can be and the crazy things they are capable of doing. The place where they are drawn into addiction is called The Spider's Temple. I will leave out the rest of the details for you to find out should you decide to read it.

My verdict :



I would have given it four hands if it weren't for the fact that i don't really like thought-provoking books.. You guys might like it though. And by the way, Rani Manicka is a Malaysian international bestselling author. Dear friends, this time there is no denying that 'Malaysia really Boleh!!!!!'

n a d s