BOOK
REVIEW (ACTIVITY): BOOK REVIEW AS AN ART, SKILLS OF WRITING BOOK REVIEWS, BOOK
REVIEW ON YOUR FAVORITE BOOK (FOR EXERCISES REFER REVIEWS ON THE LIVING
MOUNTAIN)
1. Book
Review as an Art
2. Skills
of Writing a Good Book Review
3.Sample
Book Review on a Favorite Book (Inspired by The Living Mountain reviews)
1. BOOK
REVIEW AS AN ART
Book reviewing is not just
a summary of the story. It is an art
that requires the reader to understand, reflect, and express their thoughts
about the book. A good book review presents the content, theme, and value of
the book in a personal and thoughtful
way. It also gives readers a reason to read (or avoid) the book.
Book reviewing combines
both analysis and creativity. A
reviewer must pay attention to the author’s style, the message in the book, and
how it connects to real life. This process makes book reviewing a unique form
of art where the reader becomes a writer.
2. SKILLS REQUIRED TO WRITE A GOOD BOOK REVIEW
To
write an effective book review, a student or reader must use several skills:
a. Reading Comprehension
Understand
the story, characters, setting, theme, and message clearly.
b. Critical Thinking
Be able
to think deeply about the ideas in the book—what they mean and how they relate
to life.
c. Expressive Writing
Write
clearly and honestly about your feelings and thoughts.
d. Balanced View
A
good review includes both positive and negative points, not just praise or
criticism.
e. Personal Connection
Link
the book to your own experiences or views, making the review personal and
meaningful.
3.
SAMPLE BOOK REVIEW OF “THE LIVING MOUNTAIN”
Book
Review: The Living Mountain
By Amitav Ghosh
Genre:
Environmental Fiction / Short Story
Published:
2021 (originally in The Guardian)
Summary
of the Story
The
Living Mountain is
a short fiction story by Amitav Ghosh that tells the tale of a powerful
mountain called Mahaparbat,
worshipped by local people. The story is narrated by a woman from a tribal
community who recalls how the mountain was once a living, breathing part of
nature. It provided water, peace, and balance to all life around it.
But one day, scientists and
developers came with their machines to explore the mountain. They wanted to
build roads and tunnels in it. Despite warnings from the local people, they
continued to break into the mountain. Soon after, disasters started to
happen—floods, sickness, strange diseases, and the collapse of life.
Main Themes and Messages
- Man vs Nature: The story shows how humans destroy nature for greed
and development.
- Respect for Indigenous
Knowledge: The local people knew that
the mountain was alive and sacred, but no one listened to them.
- Environmental Warning: The story is a warning to modern society—if we don’t
respect nature, nature will fight back.
- Spirituality of the Land: The mountain is not just a rock—it is alive,
spiritual, and part of the earth’s soul.
Personal
Opinion
I found The Living Mountain to be a powerful
and emotional story. Though it is short, it gives a deep message. I liked the
way Amitav Ghosh used simple storytelling to explain the big problem of climate change and human greed. The story made me think
about how we treat nature today. It also helped me understand that indigenous people are not
backward—they are wise and connected to the earth.
Strengths
of the Story
- Strong message about
environment
- Emotional and thoughtful
language
- Cultural respect for tribal
communities
- Easy to understand but deep in
meaning
Weaknesses
- The story is fictional, so not
all readers may take the message seriously
- It is short, and some ideas
could have been explained more
Conclusion
The
Living Mountain is
a story that every student and adult should read. It teaches us the importance
of listening to nature and respecting the knowledge of native people. If we
want a better future, we must protect our mountains, rivers, forests, and all
living things.
Rating:
★★★★★ (5/5)
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