Amazing that a 19th century satire on institutional corruption should still resonate so well. I guess Death, Taxes, and Corruption are eternal. Gogol Amazing that a 19th century satire on institutional corruption should still resonate so well. I guess Death, Taxes, and Corruption are eternal. Gogol apparently had to flee Russia to avoid reprisals from officials, which doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Funny and bitter satire, lots of fun!...more
Having been a lifelong reader, I thought I kinda-sorta understood what I was reading but discovered how wrong I've been.
1. A river is really transporHaving been a lifelong reader, I thought I kinda-sorta understood what I was reading but discovered how wrong I've been.
1. A river is really transportation of your deepest thoughts and fears into a different realm. Or transformation of your life from one "bank" to "another". Or something.
2. Unless otherwise specified, every story is either a retelling or a subversion of Shakespeare, Greek myths, fairy tales or the Bible. Same goes for all characters. Or something.
3. Rain is never rain, and sun is never sun. It reflects the innermost feelings of the character upon whom rain falls, or perhaps the circumstances our protagonist finds herself in. Or something.
4. Every disease symbolizes an affliction of the mind, unless it doesn't. Disfigurement or facial tics? Symbolizes some character fault. Possibly.
5. All that violence and serendipitous meetings of characters? They may be allegories for sex or a whole range of emotions. Or not.
There is a short story at the end where you can test out your interpretive skill. Suffice it to say that I didn’t exactly knock it out of the park.
All joking aside, an interesting look at the gamut of ways literature is written and interpreted. I learned a lot although constantly reading with antenna up like this seems like a recipe for insanity. Which may go a long way in explaining the peculiar behavior of your English Lit professors.
Mr. Foster seemed to have taken a lot of effort in writing supposedly in a conversational style that teenagers may be able to relate to. However, it came off as forced and artificial to me. Personally, I would have preferred a more natural style which would have been likely more “highbrow” but at least authentic. Still 4 stars from me for the education. I will look deeper into those rainbows the next time....more
A decidedly odd book about a religious zookeeper's son surviving a shipwreck with a tiger as companion. I found some parts very thought-provoking: Pi'A decidedly odd book about a religious zookeeper's son surviving a shipwreck with a tiger as companion. I found some parts very thought-provoking: Pi's ruminations about various religions in the earlier sections in particular. Not sure if my interpretation is correct, but to me the point of the book is Pi's survival techniques all stem from conquering his fear of the tiger and in fact channeling that fear to motivate himself. The tiger probably represents human fear, pride and all our negative traits, and Pi's battle on the Pacific is a metaphor for our own journey. Definitely worth a read, but warning that the survival sections are particularly gruesome and stomach-churning. Reminiscent of the Old Man and the Sea, as many readers point out. ...more
This is a brilliant recreation of British colonial life in India and the multitude of ways it shaped, transformed and utterly ravaged entire continentThis is a brilliant recreation of British colonial life in India and the multitude of ways it shaped, transformed and utterly ravaged entire continents. The title "Sea of Poppies" is derived from the British run opium factories of India, shipping vehicles of addiction to Canton during the 19th century. Mr. Ghosh underlines the uniquely British colonial symmetry of exploiting indentured laborers in India to produce a substance enabling them to control another quasi-colony, China. He develops the human tragedies of disparate lives - from boatman Jodu, the American lascar Zachary Reid, the French orphan Paulette, and others - as their trajectories collide violently on the ex-slave ship, the Ibis making a fateful voyage to work the Mauritius plantations.
Mr. Ghosh has meticulously researched the history and the language of the time, and this book is filled with linguistic delights like "sammy-house" and "have a dekko". All in all, a truly superb novel and I look forward to the subsequent novels of the Ibis Trilogy....more
A fascinating book, dealing with how each generation struggles to communicate with its parents and succeeds and fails, both in equal part. The world vA fascinating book, dealing with how each generation struggles to communicate with its parents and succeeds and fails, both in equal part. The world views of four mothers of Chinese origin are shaped by their immigrant experiences both in China and the U.S. Their daughters traverse their lives with entirely different challenges. How these two different generations grapple with each other form the basis of the Joy Luck Club. The book is entirely told in female voices, with the men relegated to cardboard caricatures in the distant background. Highly recommended!...more
A brilliant selection of Chinese short fiction that runs the gamut of emotion - wistful longing, anger, resigned acceptance, love - its all packed in A brilliant selection of Chinese short fiction that runs the gamut of emotion - wistful longing, anger, resigned acceptance, love - its all packed in this anthology. Many stories reference the brutality of the Cultural Revolution and its untold human cost of suffering in understated tones that somehow take your breath away. Lyrical at times, these stories give an unfamiliar reader a bird's eye view into the foundations modern Chinese society. The narrative style varies from time flashbacks, fables, viewpoints from different characters, etc. Highly recommended and probably a candidate for the best fiction I've read this year....more
Superb collection of one of the great Russian writers. The stories brilliantly capture the atmosphere of the time. Gogol was a master at capturing theSuperb collection of one of the great Russian writers. The stories brilliantly capture the atmosphere of the time. Gogol was a master at capturing the ordinary travails of ordinary people and the stories evoke a sense of tragedy and a wry bitter sense of humor. Highly recommended!...more
Classic 19th century adventure yarn in the grand tradition of Treasure Island. Shipwrecks, desperate battles and of course, the young disinherited herClassic 19th century adventure yarn in the grand tradition of Treasure Island. Shipwrecks, desperate battles and of course, the young disinherited hero fighting for his rights. Suitable for ages 10-110....more
Somehow this play made a bigger impression on me when I read it last, more than two decades ago. Not sure if the play doesn't age well, or that I've aSomehow this play made a bigger impression on me when I read it last, more than two decades ago. Not sure if the play doesn't age well, or that I've aged too well! :-) Still a thought provoking examination of all the biases we bring when rushing to judgment about others. Suggests that we reflect on the experiences that have shaped our perspectives and hold the same lens to ourselves that we do to others. Worth a read, its a fairly quick one.....more
A classic Chinese novel of life and loss in the grand tradition of "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck. The narrative is unhurried and calm, even when descA classic Chinese novel of life and loss in the grand tradition of "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck. The narrative is unhurried and calm, even when describing generations devastated by the Cultural Revolution. Impressive indeed....more
A departure from my last Graham Greene read, "The Power and the Glory" which was serious literature at its best. This is a crime novel about a hit-manA departure from my last Graham Greene read, "The Power and the Glory" which was serious literature at its best. This is a crime novel about a hit-man who unwittingly becomes a social activist through his quest for revenge. The other characters are also memorable as Greene somehow (almost) pulls off a social introspection masquerading as an underworld caper. A light but satisfying read....more
A modern classic by one of the 20th century's best novelists in my opinion. Naipaul explores an immigrant's attempt at survival in Africa. Metaphors aA modern classic by one of the 20th century's best novelists in my opinion. Naipaul explores an immigrant's attempt at survival in Africa. Metaphors abound in the protagonist's experiences inside and outside - did have echoes of Conrad as many reviewers found. Definitely worth a read - the language is subtle and takes some savoring so set aside some serious reading time....more
A powerful novel of the "whiskey priest" - his disillusionment and road to redemption is a wonderful story indeed. I read the novel as depicting the tA powerful novel of the "whiskey priest" - his disillusionment and road to redemption is a wonderful story indeed. I read the novel as depicting the tussle between the humility of doubt and the arrogance of certainty. The short description mentions the inevitable victory of the Church - I couldn't rationalize any such interpretation so would welcome any explanation of this idea. My second Greene novel after the Quiet American - what a superb novelist!...more
A remarkable book in many ways - Hesse has interpreted Eastern philosophical concepts with great accuracy through the spiritual journey of a young, toA remarkable book in many ways - Hesse has interpreted Eastern philosophical concepts with great accuracy through the spiritual journey of a young, tormented Siddhartha (not Gautama Buddha) in search of life's true meaning. He experiences, learns and discards with great intellectual honesty - and we rejoice with him as he finally experiences true knowledge. As Hesse puts it, words are an infinitely imprecise mechanism to describe something that must be experienced not understood. Per the Eastern religions, we must transcend the mind and intellect with true humility to "listen to the river with no expectations and no judgments." Highly recommended....more
A twentieth century classic. Greene's searing expose of the quiet American resonates from Vietnam to Iraq. "Impregnably armed with innocence and ignorA twentieth century classic. Greene's searing expose of the quiet American resonates from Vietnam to Iraq. "Impregnably armed with innocence and ignorance", the quiet American wreaks havoc in Vietnam as the cynical world-weary British journalist watches in wonder at first, and then in increasing panic. When you consider that this novel was written in 1954 before the US anti-Communist misadventure was in full force, this is an amazingly prescient novel. Greene's portrait of Pyle seems a little one dimensional but that was probably the point. I expect this novel was incredibly controversial at the time and Greene was probably demonized as the evil Communist sympathizer or by some such simplistic label.
A absolute must-read for serious students of history and readers of meaningful literature!...more
Timeless dark tale of revenge, obsession, betrayal and destiny. Inspired countless books and movies - was actually struck by how many soap opera plotsTimeless dark tale of revenge, obsession, betrayal and destiny. Inspired countless books and movies - was actually struck by how many soap opera plots and Bollywood Hindi movies are very Shakespeare-like in their essence.
The side-by-side translations are superb for Shakespeare novices like me because it allows you to grasp the essence quickly and then dwell on the language later. ...more