August 4, 2008
Introduced to P.G. Wodehouse by my aunt during holidays in Siau, a village in northern India. Lazy days spent at my grandparents home, good conversation, visitors, much laughter and reading, interjected with eating guavas, hot jalebis, and other almost non stop streams of pure vegetarian food.
People seem to either get the humour or dismiss these books.
Personally some of the characters and situations in the books have me smiling, giggling, chuckling or even chortling with tears rolling down. The series with Jeeves the butler are good however my favourites are those set in Blandings Castle involving the Earl of Elmsworth and the Empress of Blandings, who knew a pig and a mild mannered Earl could cause so much chaos.
A classic sitting in my bookshelf that re-read recently is Galahad at Blandings. First published in 1965, 206 pages of light reading, contains attempts to re-unite two warring couples, unwanted marriage advances made towards unsuspecting Lord Elmsworth, a visit by a masquerading Augustus Whipple author of the beloved “On the Care of the Pig!”, a police chase, and horror a drunken Empress.
Not going to explain the plot further, better to just read the novel.
July 2, 2008
Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez
First Published: 1988 (English edition)
This is the first book from this author read by me, the language is so vivid and eloquent. My favourite aspect is the prose, whether to describe locations, settings, objects or characters that practically jump off the page.
The love story itself is stodgy except towards the end of the novel after Dr. Urbino dies, and the eighty year old Fermina Daza is pursued again by the obsessed Florentino Ariza. The second act of the love story really is beautiful, tender and poignant, everything one would imagine true love to be.
Having said that the beginning of the novel though hardly romantic, Florentino resembles a stalker rather than a dashing hero, it is thoroughly engaging. Feel sympathetic towards Florentino not because of his unrequited feelings for Fermina, but rather because of how he deceives and denies himself the truth, moving on from one physical relationship to the next never allowing himself to acknowledge emotional attachment.
Dr. Urbino frankly found to be irritating, Fermina however was very likeable, the relationship quirks between the two quite funny for example the long running quarrel over sleeping habits, and the poisonous eggplant. The accident with the parrot funny and fatally sad at the same time. So many other wonderful, very much larger than life characters such as Lorenzo Daza, cousin Hildebrande, Transito Arizo, Uncle Leo, the Captain, and the long list of unique mistresses.
This is a really enjoyable 348 page novel, to be read atleast once and then many times again.
May 26, 2008
Author: Khaled Hosseini
First published: 2007
A Thousand Splendid Suns was a Christmas present, not something I would usually pickup. Ok maybe select because of the title and cover and put back on the shelf as the back blurb is blatantly depressing. Finished reading a few weeks ago, but one one those books where certain scenes stay with you, and not in a good way.
The relationships between characters before the wars is in stark contrast with the aftermath of each sequential war. The detailed status of women and children is extremely distressing. The character Mariam has no joy after leaving her home, mother and life after simply venturing out to explore the claim upon her father.
The love story between Tariq and Laila is touching. The alliance formed between Laila and Mariam for survival and the determination to protect their children at all costs is heart-wrenching, especially moments where they have to shield their daughter Aziza from the wrath of her step-father Rasheed, or when Laila ignores beatings and other humiliations from the Taliban to make the trip unaccompanied by a male to visit her child at the orphanage.
There are details on different families with broader views such as Laila’s parents; and interesting characters such as the the kind Mullah Faizullah who tutor’s Mariam as a child; the once fearless school teacher and mentor reduced to shielding her children the same as any other woman; the female doctor’s now performing surgery in chadors with no anaesthetics, at an old school as the hospitals are reserved for men.
There are few moments of inspiration and joy in this 372 page bleak narrative. The misery, suffering, and violence experienced by the women is catalogued in explicit detail, what is missing is detail on their thoughts and emotions.
This is a hit and miss for me, not one I will read again, perhaps just pass on to someone else. Borrow from the library if you must. Dismal, dismal, dismal.
For a recent book on Afganisthan prefer the non-fiction The Sleeping Buddha by Hamida Ghafour.
May 21, 2008
Author: Monica Pradhan
First Published: 2007
Don’t think this book was intended to be a self-help relationship guide for mothers and daughters, but that is the value I gained from reading this. A light-hearted, fun and easy to read novel with many poignant moments.
Could identify so many characters in the novel with family members and other people in our lives. Started to see the relationship with my mother in a new light, with a new appreciation for her and her experiences. Contains many entertaining situations, strong heroines and other likeable colourful characters not just stereotypes.
The unlikely partner of the arranged marriage for divorced Kiran, their meeting, falling in love and the ending… Also intrigued by the exploration of past lives for Rani.
On another note this novel has recipes included, got so involved with the characters actually trialed some recipes! “Zarkha’s Gosht Ki Biryani” (Lamb & Rice Pilaf Casserole) page 423 was particularly tasty and got great response.
Cannot wait for the next book by this author, hopefully something out soon. This would also make a great movie, perhaps something along the lines of Bend It Like Beckham.
May 16, 2008
Author: Margaret Atwood
First Published: 1986
Am on page 135 of this 324 page novel and realise the content cannot be dismissed. The role of women in the fictious “Republic of Gilead” takes on new meaning when compare it to current events such as the raid on a sect in Texas this past month.
Chilling enough as fiction, made more alarming by the fact so much of this is happening in so many forms in so many parts of the world – whether Afghanisthan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, parts of India, US, or closer to home in Sydney.
Why are we so complacent about the basic human rights of virtually 50% of the human civilisation? With all the choices supposedly available so many stereotypes still prevail. Women are still seen as promiscuous when displaying the same behaviour as men in the majority of western or eastern cultures. Why is that, is it simply because we are able to give birth? Does a negative term for male promiscuity even exist?
Our so many of our reactions still dependant on the gender specifics of an issue, is it really more harmful for instance if a female teenage student is propositioned by a male teacher, is our reaction more indifferent if a male teenager receives the same intent from a female teacher?
The most visible message for me to take from this novel is our inaction, unless we do something to build upon change fought for by our mothers and grandmothers, and intitiate more change however slow this could possibly resemble a distant future in yet another country, some day. For instance try the non-fiction The Sleeping Buddha by Hamida Ghafour for an insight into Afghanistan.
Concurrently read A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle to soothe the soul. Following it up with Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (still in progress, enjoying it immensly so far) for balance and ideas.
Introduced to P.G. Wodehouse by my aunt during holidays in Siau, a village in northern India. Lazy days spent at my grandparents home, good conversation, visitors, much laughter and reading, interjected with eating guavas, hot jalebis, and other almost non stop streams of pure vegetarian food.
