What would you do if you get all the richness of the world overnight? I would definitely travel to all the famous libraries, bookstores and related places. Got money, why waste the chance. Let me know on the comment what would you do?
The Pearl by John Steinbeck is a small account of how sudden richness can make a person’s heart black and that too for such an extent that it can turn a person into a killing machine. We, humans are very well known for greediness, I bet animals consider us to be below them. Because more we have, the more we want. Feeling of satisfaction or content gets erased from memories and dictionaries we develop over our lifetimes.
Kino didn’t think he has gone over board with his wishes for his son and under its process nurturing his greed to such an extent that he didn’t even think once to kill . A man who lived his life simple and considered nothing more is important than family but with just a mere pearl he forgot e everything.
Kino is the perfect example of how sudden richness can make a human inhumane. Greed, attitude, paranoia, happiness at the cost of peace lost. Kino I know you had dreams for your son, wife and yourself but at what cost? Kino seems like a product of patriarchy, the way he commands his wife and she obliges.
I came across characters who would wait just to make you remind how they helped you once you become capable enough, they have expectation without any reciprocation from them, like they would not even have had helped you but still would expect you to help them.
Coyotito, kino and Juana’s son, his death was very vaguely portrayed. I feel Kino out of greed killed his own son. Because he wanted his son to have a fruitful and happy life unlike his. He wanted him to have education, job and happy family. Fast paced yet there are some needless description of things like about dawn and how a song’s notes are.
Dear Josephine, Or rather have me call you just Jo. I don’t know where to start, to be honest. I always feel I’m not who I am supposed to be in the terms of how others describe me. That’s why I am able to relate to you. Your never ending love for books, plays and pieces which you wrote, your bashfulness, and unapologetically being yourself.
I admire you for the energy and enthusiasm you possess. The way you take charge of things and the way you are strong and very brave when the times require. You make me feel that nothing is impossible if you set your mind and heart into it fully.
I felt it when you cried your heart out because out of anger Amy burnt your novel which you wrote. I felt the pain of your work turned into ashes, into nothingness and how it left a void in you enough to be aggressive on Amy.
It would have been difficult for you to forgive Amy and you felt that it was your fault when Amy fell into water from the rotten ice which broke but trust me, there was nothing you could have done. So there was this unnecessary blame which you made yourself go through. As your mother said just don’t let your temper get the most of you.
Marmee said that she should be exact the way she wanted you all to be. She should imbibe the virtues that she desired to see in you people. It seemed like a very big burden but you imbibed those virtues very, very well and it was very evident throughout your life journey.
Marmee said ‘one thing, remember my girls, mother is always ready to be your confidant, father to be your friend; and both of us trust and hope that our daughters, whether married or single, will be the price and comfort of our lives’. I could see from where you got your emotionality Jo. Marmee always reminds me of a mother who is very caring and affectionate yet, at the same time a mother who is very much responsible when it comes to help her children realise about how they are and what they are supposed to do.
I don’t know if you knew what Meg actually desired for but had to let them pass just so she can support you all in every small way she could. It was a heartbreak for Meg to let her wishes and desires die. But still she always stood strong as she, just like Marmee wanted you people to be strong.
You know Jo what’s the most painful thing in the world? I feel it’s when your siblings marry off and you don’t get to have the fun with them, the way you used to be around each other. Though I have only one elder brother, unmarried but I have cousins who are married and away taking care of their families. And it hurts sometimes thinking about how they are away and out of reach. But I also get nostalgic thinking of all the wonderful days and moments we shared.
I had my second bob cut when I was around 10 or 11 years old. I remember how I begged my mother not to take me to the barber. I cried all the way to that barber shop saying ‘mom I’ll be a good girl but please let my hair grow, please!’ and my tears non stop dropped from my cheeks. But my mom would not stop cause she knew it was for my own good. I cannot fathom how dare devil you were to sacrifice your hair like that for you father. I also know you didn’t regret it but still being young you adored your hair. I really do appreciate the way you did what you had to.
I knew, the moment you stepped into Laurie’s house you would turn the grandfather-grandson duo into good spirits with each other. No one else could have pulled it off the way you did. Cause both are very egoistic creatures yet very helpful and someone with a great creative and jolly mind, could only turn the events. I’m happy that Laurie’s grandfather learned to trust Laurie and Laurie learned to understand why his grandfather was so in cross with him.
I know, no amount of gratitude would ever be enough as you and your family reminds me how important it is to have relationships and being around people whom you love and who love you. Gone are those days when family used to be so loving and caring and affectionate. Gone are those days when children used to grow up quickly psychological when tragedy befell their families. I don’t complaint as this era has its own perks but it would have been more merry if that era of love was continued. It’s very fascinating to see how you got some luxuries from Laurence and how he found some level of familial ties by getting in touch with you people.
You grew with all your might, all your beauty and all your creativity. There were many storms to shake you and take you away with the wind but just like an old tree with deep roots you stood headfast and strong and also kept others the same way. It wouldn’t be any less if you are to be named as the woman of the year.
PS: How much I would have wanted to be a part of your so well established ‘Busy Bee Society’, I’m sure, I would have been an asset to it.
Have you ever heard a fish flying, with actual wings? Sounds very much impossible right? But a God who loves to ride motorbikes and is crazy about those, is brought into visuals through this book, by Murali K. Menon. His writing is filled with subtle puns, humor and sarcasm. A very light- heart narrative. The narrator is a deity in a village of Kerala who after centuries of being there finds love in riding motorbikes. He ends up on a journey of finding a bike with which he is obsessed, Thruxton HT.
The story is slow paced at first; description of the village, of the people, how the God was established, the friends he make and the development of his interest in motorbikes, etc, then it picks up speed when God goes on a hunt for Thruxton HT and all the events which follows.
There is one crucial issue which crept into my mind while reading this. God is adored and feared everywhere. Adoration comes through understanding his ways of work, and fear comes when we are oblivion to how he works. But when fear creeps in there are vultures just waiting to feed off from that fear. Using the name of God to fool people and making them do things which are not good, has become a common phenomenon.
Here, the narrator or the God is not exactly the way we all have always thought God to be; the all-known, well-versed, and self-actualized one. He is portrayed with simple human characteristics like being jealous, having identity- crisis, obsessed with materialistic thing and being depressed enough to commit suicide but as we know God, so of course that did not work out.
At the end when that God finally finds Thruxton HT, he rides it but instead of experiencing satisfaction or contentment he feels emptiness in him as to what next. Makes me think that sometimes when we dream of something, and the excitement of to be so close to make it true, the lesser the happiness or fulfillment we feel.
Chowfin is a character and he says “I’m not much of a philosopher but that’s among the big reasons why we ride- we meet people along the way, and we tell each other where we’re coming from and where we are going” is my favorite line in this whole novel. This line reminds me that traveling is not just going to different places, it is much more that that. The experiences and the encounters we have is immeasurable.
Have you ever felt to have a optimal living? Where you can understand how to be a happy being and trying to achieve an aim called life. Paul Coehlo has given a narrative about how to self-actualize; in terms of developing passion, compassion, friendships, accepting failures, hard work, intuition and indulgence, etc.
Tetsuya, famous for his talent of archery tells about how to learn archery to a boy who comes in search for him. Tetsuya talks about every single thing about archery and how it can be applied to the life as whole.
We all need friends, they are like second family to us. So while trying to befriend somebody, see for people who can help us go up the ladder rather down. People who share same interests and enthusiasm as us, and surrounding ourselves with the people who are not afraid to take risks, do not hesitate to accept their failures and are ready to work on forward.
Remember feeling a sudden rigidity during winter mornings. It irritates right? So basically unless we want ourselves to be completely rigid, being flexible or in other words being adaptive, adaptive to the surroundings and with oneself is important. Its like we being pre-programmed for looking only black and white and no shades between. Being adaptive means knowing when to work hard and when to take a meaningful break. Cause sometimes a break is needed to understand what are we doing is really worth it and going in the direction intended. It also emphasizes that instead of taking failures to heart it is better to intake those as valuable experiences.
It is obvious that when failures hit us we tend to blame it external issues and sometimes hold responsible the thing itself that we are chasing saying that it is impossible and how unfair it is…, etc. So wait and try to understand how and what that goal is, how it is influenced by other factors and how we can strategize to make it available or rather achievable. And try to remind yourself when failure hits, that you have worked hard enough and have shown consistent patience. This helps your journey bearable.
While facing failures it is easy to loose our peace and also our confidence but trying not to forget all our efforts and hard work we did in order to reach where we are right now helps to maintain our persistent patience.
Intentions matter. Good intentions help you get through tough times and also makes it easy for us to remain poised throughout the journey. It is always best to keep our intentions precise and clear.
Sometimes it’s ok to take things a little slow or even a meaningful rest is important so it will help us relax and also helps to understand what to do next. Butto understand the importance of time is crucial. We don’t have forever. Our time is limited so it’s better to make the most of it.
Today we may feel very happy and tomorrow we may not. Life is not always sunshine. Dark clouds can cover your sky too. So life is a mixture but just because today’s not our day doesn’t mean that it will be the same. And our attitude matters a lot. The way we look at things, at others and also at ourself is significant.
Once we have understood to appreciate these simple things it becomes a little bit easier as we know what type of outlook to have in order to live happily.
A story of liberation from shackles of the society. An account of how it takes people a lot of courage to really understand who they are and what they want to be and a narrative about transformation.
Two teenage boys, Aristotle and Dante trying to figure out what actually they are. The revelation of them being homosexuals is followed by all the events after Aristotle saves Dante from being hit by a car.
Majority of the narration is through the viewpoint of Aristotle. So there is a proper introduction of him, his family, and his likes and dislikes too. There is much less insight about other characters.
Ari (Aristotle likes being called Ari) can be seen hanging on the fine line between bravery and stupidity. Ari is brave but is indulging in certain acts which were not required. He is timid and shy. He is much more mature and inquisite compared to the boys of his age. Dante is typical example of artist. He indulges in nature, like to sketch, reads poetry and stories.
Ari and Dante meets at a swimming pool and they grow closer. They enjoy each other’s company, even the silence. Ari is a boy who is confused about his life and considers it as a universe and eventually understands that Dante is the answer for all the questions of his universe.
Ari had portrayed the typical dilemma of being close to family yet not close to an extent where his privacy is invaded.
I love Ari’s and Dante ‘s parents. They know about their kids and they support them. When Ari denies of having feelings for Dante his father and mother makes him realize that they are proud of him no matter what and he should embrace himself.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is story of an old age cafe in Japan which helps people to travel across time. By sitting on a particular seat in the cafe will get you in past or future according to your wish but you have to imagine exactly at which point of your life you want to go.
There is portrayal of dilemma, regret, guilt and love.
It’s difficult not to observe certain things while reading it. There is some kind of retro vibe to this novel. There are some insights as to how family dynamics work especially siblings rivalry, the relationship between parents and their children, when either of the spouse is going through some extreme deteriorative psychopathology and how the other one suffers.
Importance of familial relationships and friendships are never to be ignored. Family stands by and with you in every curve and turn. Though there will be disagreements and fights but that doesn’t hinder the support and strength family gives you. Friends are like second family. Those with whom we have similar interests, tastes and opinions. They too stand with us in every ups and downs.
Most of us, we dwell on our past which basically takes up most of our peace. This novel reminds me that past is past for a reason and ruminating on it will definitely do no good to anybody. In the same way future is extremely unpredictable. Who knows what is in the box of life for us in the very next moment. So in the process of thinking about future and dwelling on past we forget to live our present. Present which holds everything must be given high priority.
Every character here is a representative of different virtues and characteristics. Reality hits hard with a pinch of fantasy in this novel.
This novel definitely has my heart and there are some really important lessons to learn from.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas written by John Boyne is a fictional tale of the times in parts of Poland occupied by Germany when Hitler was the dictator. The majority of plot is located in Auschwitz(Southern part of Poland). Author John Boyen has done 20 years of research on the holocaust.
Through the eyes of two children I have many takeaways from this. It’s a perfect mix of innocence, curiosity and maturity. There are very indirect depictions of how people lived in terror every minute, the apprehension whether they wound live the next moment. While reading it becomes obvious to see the differences in the life style of different sections of society considered then. One has a lavish lifestyle yet complains about how things are unfair. Whereas one lives in complete dirt, no proper food, water, clothes or any basic amenities yet has hope to live. One get things easily and another struggles to live every moment.
As I started to read, I knew that definitely the ending would not be pleasant but I was so not ready for what happened at the end. I expected exactly the opposite. At first it took me sometime to make sense of what exactly happened at the end but when I understood it, my heart sunk.
About the characters; two kids Bruno and Shmuel who are separated by a fence. Bruno is a curious kid and seems extremely logical. Samuel is sad, skinny and kind of mature person.
Bruno’s parents are quite the traditional ones who leaves no effort to teach their children manners.
Gretel is Bruno’s sister who remains irritated majority of the time but also seems to be intelligent. She is just the portrayal of conventional girl.
Its very heart wrenching. Though described on a very superficial level, author has made every effort forming paths for us(readers) to enlighten ourselves about how the situation was. Definitely worth reading.
Very warm, ironical and thought provoking. Many social issues of large scale, are addressed in this. To name a few; terrorism, racism, immigration and issues pertaining to it. Also how different religious beliefs when clashes can lead to some devastating visuals.
A narration by Dr. Guru who, along with some of his Indian colleagues works at Amoka’s hospital, a town near Minnesota. Everything seems to be fine, when one day an immigrated woman comes to the hospital for her delivery.
It is very warm and cozy read. But be ready for some ‘sitting at the edge’ moments, literally!!! It has the elements of surprise and shock.
Every religion has it’s essence with the teaching of how to be humans or indulge in activities which emphasizes on humanity. But the irony is that today religion is being learnt on a very superficial level. This leads any religion to lose it’s ethos, (but no offense to any religion). It is crucial to understand that one must not completely nullify the religious faith and beliefs but in dire situations, humanity is something that should be uplifted.
I have observed many different cultural references among with certain visuals which seemed very simple and are generally ignored, but has created a very different ambiance and are worth exploring.
There is portrayal of the atrocities done by the higher social stratas on the lower ones. Not only economical but social and religious too, though a very insightful piece of literature I would say.
For me it felt like the author has shed light on the paths of transformation she goes through. Transformation in terms of self-actualising oneself, what one wants and what needs to be done for that. In order to gain something some other thing has to be sacrificed. And how necessity is different from luxury.
Some years of her life, she dwelled into luxury which was kicked away by her. She never wanted luxury in the price of her freedom; freedom to decide for herself, freedom to do she wants to do and freedom to help people. There was a transformation in the religious beliefs. She feared the evil and the God who was known to punish but at later stages of her life she understood that all those notions were just a lie, God was never the way portrayed by the people around her.
It takes a lot of effort and bravery to leave a life of luxury, because it is like an addiction. I would never be able to muster the courage required to leave such a luxury filled life. It takes guts!
There are accounts where it is clear that people of higher strata who also were rich left no stone unturned to torture the people of lower strata both physically and psychologically. It was also visible that not only fights between these two stratas prevailed but also between the same strata, among sub divisions; how very trivial things led to violent fights followed by many deaths.
Though I have always thought that translations miss the essence of the literature written in the original language, but this translation has very well maintained and rendered that essence.
Simple in presentation yet very engaging i would say. Ashley Patterson, employee in a computer based company suffers through a psychological disorder; Multiple Personality disorder, also known as Dissociative Identity disorder. This disorder made Ashley do some crimes which she was not aware of or had any memories of doing so. As the story dwelled into the intricacies of law after Ashley is caught for her crimes, she is left in dark as to why and how all of that happened.
The major eye catcher is how people with psychological disturbances are sometimes disregarded in terms of law and due to lack of proper evidence may be declared guilty. But this would be the scenario of many years back.
The power of media, as in not just the newspapers or TV channels but the internet also. SPOLER ALERT! The scenario was that Ashley was under trial and there were news everywhere about her. Media bashed her lawyer and her father. Internet exploded with hate comments and how the population already considered her the culprit. Come to think of it, today media has become a very powerful weapon. Good that it has that capacity but what about the hate, the misleading information, misuse of anonymity and the list goes on. I’m reminded of the dialogue “with great power comes great responsibility” from the movie Spider-Man. This line holds a very strong meaning; not only media every person who has some power should first be made to understand the responsibility he would be carrying.
A girl, in her most wonderful age of playfulness where no worries, no tension, no fear ever bothers. Imagine how such a small child will react when someone she trusted can give her the most pain and trauma. Ashley’s father whom she considered the most important person gave her the most pain anyone could ever imagine. When she was a child, hardly six year old, he molested her. Just reading it gave me chills, but I would fail to fathom how children who would have gone through such fate in the hands of their family members.
Have often heard that our health makes us the way we are, be in physical or psychological. Just as our physical health is influenced in the same way our psychological health can be influenced by many factors. Generally speaking anything and everything can influence it. One factor which is focused or rather i feel is focused on, is the family environment. Ashley knew she was being treated in a way which she didn’t like and she even tried to be open about it to her mother who blamed Ashley for lying. Ashley’s mother blamed Ashley for the fights happening between her and her husband though there is not much scenarios about the fights. What I’m trying to emphasize on is that family becomes the first and foremost agent with whom we as children come in contact with. So what our parents, our siblings or relatives who live with us do or talk to us basically shape us or have the majority of influence on us. So parents and family have responsibility to make a child grow.
In the light of the novel, only if Ashley’s father would not have molested her and, if at all her mother would have listened to and helped her, Ashley would have been able to be healthy. Not only Ashley, any child for that matter. Children are considered as pots in the process of making, so they way the potter molds the pot, that way it would become.
The language is simple, easy to understand. If you want to start reading any psychological thriller and don’t know where to start, go ahead and pick Sheldon’s book.
Simplify things 