Over the last few weeks, Ive had the time and the patience to just sit back, put my legs up and read in this sleepy city.Some books Ive been reading Ive added to a list by the side of my blog.
And Ive been reading quite a bit- Im currently reading a book called "The Great Indian Novel" featured in the space on the left of my blog. An interesting read by India's unfortunate UN Secretary General candidate, Shashi Tharoor, in his pre- UN days.
The plot very intriguing- the tale of the Mahabarata retold to encompass India's journey to independence from the British rule. The narrator of the tale is an 80 something ear old man called VV and the scribe is a tall South Indian man called Ganapathi who comes dragging his heavy trunk behind him to take down VV's memoirs.
The novel is a mix of Indian mythology with history.Would give the book a 10/10 in theme- the plot leaves you with a reminiscent feeling.
Other books Ive been meaning to read for a while..and finally gotten down to ..
-The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck- A family saga that starts with the tale of a young man who builds a family and an empire in the middle of 20th century China. A capturing tale set against a dynamic background.
- A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez-Again a tale of a small town Macondo set some where in Latin America and the saga of the Buenida family. The book goes through a span of a hundred years in everyday events without making it seem boring at all.
Unlike the Harry Pottter style of relation of magical beings and spells and incidents, this book talks about the most everyday incidents in such a bizzare manner but still makes it seem true.
Like for example - the curious character of Remedios- the beauty famed accross countries around who is totally unaware of her own beauty that causes men to die! She leaves the story by floating off to heaven in the middle of the garden. Bizzare - I know, but seems true in context.
Critics call this style magical realism.
And many more books.. ive been reading are on the side. I would highly reccomend them and if youre in the mood for some quality reading, do let me know, I can lend you a copy.
This is one great thing about a small city, theres plenty of time to leisurely read a book!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
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3 comments:
Looks like your on your way to starting a library there in Jaipur, i really envy you, coz i wish had the time to do some leisurely reading, haven't managed to make the time in a while now...Hope you find more interesting and better books...i'm not sure of what kind of books you like, but i've got some which have come highly recommended to me if your interested, though i think you've got plenty to keep you busy for a while :)
how's things in jaipur otherwise?? hope your enjoying your time there, take care. :)
Don't have one preferential genre, i read everything, though i love autobiographies of famous people, some of them make for quite an inspirational read, i also happen to have some preferred authors...but mostly it depends on the situation if i'm in the mood for some heavy reading or light reading...but then again its been months since i've had time to pick up a book :(
will give you my email next time i see you online...
Hey Sneha! Read your fascinating blog! Haven't had the time to read all your posts, but I am sure to, once I get out of office for the day!
Coincidentally, I just recently read The Good Earth, while I was in China, and Marquez is an old favourite; my literature minor hangover! I also bought a copy of the Great Indian Novel a month ago, but havent got my hands on it!
Strange coincidence!
I am working currently, at Radio Mirchi.. Went to MICA after Xavier's and am currently rueing the fallouts of a corporate life!
Cheers! Keep blogging and keep in touch!
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