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And while tackling the subject of
love signs, the author has certainly made the book comprehensive
in its sweep, duly punctuating the theory with do-it-yourself
tips. Apart from discussing the role of the sun sign on a person’s
love life, he has also detailed the influence of the rising sun
on matters of the heart. As he says, "Though your sun-sign
influences your life but mind that your rising sun can also help
you create a magical attraction in your love life which of
course is very significant in many ways". He gives a chart
to enable each person to identify his/her rising sun on the
basis of time of birth.
As for giving
practical advice is concerned, there is a sub-section under each
sun sign—called "Zodiac Zone"—which actually
details the gifts, foods, locales and even the perfume that a
lover or spouse belonging to that zodiac sign would cherish. The
only flaw with these tips is that they are not India-specific
and are full of firang ideas and suggestions. For
example, the author says that for a Taurean lover the ideal
getaway would be the unspoilt scenery of rural Ireland. How
remote and far-fetched! Holidaying in the exotic locales of
Ireland is a luxury few Taureans in our country can afford. And
surely, India too can boast of unspoilt and romantic
destinations where a Taurean lover can be wooed. But, perhaps,
the author wanted to give a universal appeal to his book.
The firang
element also finds its way into the description of physical
attributes of each sun sign. For example, a Leo woman is
supposed to have "eyes pale gray, but sometimes a
green". This description certainly does not fit a majority
of Leo women in India, where light-coloured eyes are an
exception rather than the rule.
As far as physical
traits go, there is a major faux pas in the book (or
could it be sheer coincidence?). The physical description of a
typical Taurus man and woman matches, word for word, the
features mentioned for the Gemini male and female. A Taurus man
has " well proportioned built, short stature, sensual lips,
thick set body, inclined to stoutness, rugged features and squat
appearance." Ditto goes for the Gemini male.
Besides, these
descriptions are dotted with spelling mistakes. A Taurus woman
is characterised as having "conic fingers". The author
obviously meant "conical" fingers. The book abounds in
malapropisms too. On page 71, the author writes, " Your
moods are deep, mysteries and some time governed by the feeling
and not by the fact." The word "mysteries" has
been wrongly used here in place of "mysterious." A
Libra woman is described as having "dimple or beauty sport
on cheeks". Here again, "sport’ has been muddled up
with "spot." Either the book has not been edited at
all or the proof-reader has been too star-struck to strike out
the errors.
Punctuation marks
too have been given a go-by at most places. Sample this (page
377): The author writes that an aquarius man has "Slim fine
stature, ruddy complexion, clear cut features (no hyphen used ),
drooping head, brown eyes, an attractive noble profile (comma
missing) a distinctly feminine disposition, gentle voice."
This is not to say
that the book—with the slip-shod editing and misspelt words—
does not make for interesting reading. In fact, such is the
interest that the subject of sun signs generates that even the
sworn "non-believers" are tempted to at least leaf
through pages pertaining to their zodiac sign. And not to
forget, a book like this always has the potential of sparking
off the most animated of discussions, as happened when I was
reviewing the book. A whole lot of exclamations, nods of
approval and retorts of disagreement were let loose as the book
passed hands and passages were read out from it, at home as well
as in office.
The experience was
akin to tasting a desi pizza, which, despite some firang
toppings like oregano ‘n’ olives or a not-too-well-garnished
look, is definitely worth biting into.
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LINDA
Goodman’s books have long been the Bible for those
keen on reading about sun signs or love signs. Now, fashioned
on the lines of Goodman, comes the desi Love Signs, authored
by P. Khurrana. In fact, the author credits Goodman for
inspiring this book. But he claims to have gone beyond sun
signs and their influence on a person’s love life. He has
also taken into account the role of Venus and Mars on the
man-woman relationship.
