Friday, October 29, 2010
Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon
This was a bit lame after "Wonder Boys" and "The adventures of Kavalier and Clay". Not surprising, since "Mysteries of Pittsburgh" was indeed the author's very first book. One can see his arduous attempt at mimicking Dickens in his depiction of the human condition in modern day America. The murky, seedier side of reality portrayed by Chabon, reminds us of how easily we too can become victims of circumstance. In his own subtly humorous style, the author takes us through the smog of depravity as he unravels the drama of the life of Art Bechenstein.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
"Bright-sided" by Barbara Ehrenreich
The cover states "How the relentless promotion of positive thinking is undermining America". The author goes on to dissect the pathology of positivism and positive thinking across the spectrum of human existence from the trauma of cancer survivors to the angst of the global financial crisis.
She explains the origins of the highly exaggerated and popularised view-point of right thinking bringing right results, the results being largely confined to material prosperity. A negative attitude is frowned upon in all spheres of human activity leading to severe disciplinary action and even sacking in the workplace. In a very academic, business-like manner she decries the cheerleader-like promotion of fake happiness, quite rightly proclaiming it to be the source of all evil.
I have my own reservations regarding this book. This is not one that I would have picked off the shelf on my own. This was one of the books recommended by my book-club, a luxury I can indulge in during my time off work! Reading through the chapters is like walking down a street of ugly appartment blocks, each one identical to the one before. The names of the blocks change, but everything else remains the same. One keeps turning the pages hoping for a change in the scenary, waiting for that twist in the plot. We've got the idea by chapter three, and yes, I can see what you are trying to say. The author doesn't stop killing mosquitoes with a sledge hammer. She goes on to make that molotov cocktail that will completely eradicate the insect kingdom.
It doesn't work does it.
This is not an author I would like to meet. This is one cantakerous grouch.
She explains the origins of the highly exaggerated and popularised view-point of right thinking bringing right results, the results being largely confined to material prosperity. A negative attitude is frowned upon in all spheres of human activity leading to severe disciplinary action and even sacking in the workplace. In a very academic, business-like manner she decries the cheerleader-like promotion of fake happiness, quite rightly proclaiming it to be the source of all evil.
I have my own reservations regarding this book. This is not one that I would have picked off the shelf on my own. This was one of the books recommended by my book-club, a luxury I can indulge in during my time off work! Reading through the chapters is like walking down a street of ugly appartment blocks, each one identical to the one before. The names of the blocks change, but everything else remains the same. One keeps turning the pages hoping for a change in the scenary, waiting for that twist in the plot. We've got the idea by chapter three, and yes, I can see what you are trying to say. The author doesn't stop killing mosquitoes with a sledge hammer. She goes on to make that molotov cocktail that will completely eradicate the insect kingdom.
It doesn't work does it.
This is not an author I would like to meet. This is one cantakerous grouch.
"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert
By now most of you must have either read the book or seen the movie. The Wikipedia describes the book as 'one woman's search for everything across Italy, Indonesia and India'. I beg to differ.
Elizabeth Gilbert, a recently divorced woman, unable to cope with life for reasons untold, finds herself weeping uncontrollably on her bathroom floor. In what seems to be an epiphany, she decides she needs to go to Italy to speak Italian, a language she loves. And then she decides she needs to meet up with her spiritual guru in India.If that was not enough, she also remembers a wizend old medicine man in Bali and his hot prediction of her return, which somehow seems very significant.Unable to decide between the three options, she travels to all three destinations, seeking whatever it was she was she wanted to find, presumably an answer to her prayers.
In Italy she finds herself eating everything she could get her hands on. One would suppose that is all there is to do in the land of Da Vinci, Gallileo and Pinocchio. She ditches her Italian classes in favour of the 'real thing' - chatting with people in restaurants and cafes while expanding her gastronomical prowess.
In India she checks into an Ashram whose identity remains undisclosed. Her quest for spirituality is interspersed with dreams, visions and a lot of frustration. She eventually seems to graduate into a state of contented sanity, which speaks volumes about the benefits of scrubbing the floor. Believing that she has found the God of her dreams she moves on to Bali looking for the medicine man.
He has no idea who she is or what on earth she is talking about when Elizabeth finally finds her man. Well ofcourse he has to keep his business going. Many tiresome pages later she finally finds what she has been looking for all along - a lover.
The book left me indifferent, unimpressed and a bit bored. Like vapid pasta.
Elizabeth Gilbert, a recently divorced woman, unable to cope with life for reasons untold, finds herself weeping uncontrollably on her bathroom floor. In what seems to be an epiphany, she decides she needs to go to Italy to speak Italian, a language she loves. And then she decides she needs to meet up with her spiritual guru in India.If that was not enough, she also remembers a wizend old medicine man in Bali and his hot prediction of her return, which somehow seems very significant.Unable to decide between the three options, she travels to all three destinations, seeking whatever it was she was she wanted to find, presumably an answer to her prayers.
In Italy she finds herself eating everything she could get her hands on. One would suppose that is all there is to do in the land of Da Vinci, Gallileo and Pinocchio. She ditches her Italian classes in favour of the 'real thing' - chatting with people in restaurants and cafes while expanding her gastronomical prowess.
In India she checks into an Ashram whose identity remains undisclosed. Her quest for spirituality is interspersed with dreams, visions and a lot of frustration. She eventually seems to graduate into a state of contented sanity, which speaks volumes about the benefits of scrubbing the floor. Believing that she has found the God of her dreams she moves on to Bali looking for the medicine man.
He has no idea who she is or what on earth she is talking about when Elizabeth finally finds her man. Well ofcourse he has to keep his business going. Many tiresome pages later she finally finds what she has been looking for all along - a lover.
The book left me indifferent, unimpressed and a bit bored. Like vapid pasta.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)