Public Enemies by Bernard-Henri Levy and Michel Houllebecq

Ostensibly a debate between two rival writers, this rather clumsily translated discourse appears to be more of a diatribe between a pair of rather pompous literary intellectuals.
The New York Times succinctly describes the book as a classic case of "moasting" - or the authors' mournful boasting as a means of self-glorification.
Most of the time their exchange reads like a transcript of a drunken brawl between two inebriated school boys outside the Moulin Rouge, each shouting cheap "yo momma" slurs at the other.
Yet in the midst of all their seemingly narcissistic claims to literary genius, their philosophical posturing, lofty name-dropping and measured misquoting of everybody from Marx to Malraux, the book is not entirely without merit.
On the question "why do we write ?", Houellbecq answers that it is because writing is one of the only two things that matter in life.. the other being the obvious. Moreover both are best done when one is half asleep. It then follows that writers go through life only half awake.
It's probably memorable gems like this that made the book the best-seller it has turned out to be.
Like french cuisine the book is profoundly pretentious, and like french cuisine, it leaves a pleasantly subtle after-taste.
It is to be read slowly with a great deal of attention. The devil is definitely in the detail.

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

I saw the movie not so long ago but I remember very little of it. The book, on the other hand, is different.

The writing style is simple, fluid and succint.There is no messing around with metaphors and niceties. It is almost like you were there, witnessing Li's life from cradle to crest.On the face of it, it's the story of a poor peasant boy growing up in Mao's communist China, chosen for greatness by the fates. He goes on to becoming one of the finest dancers of our time, earning glory for his country of birth, his family and for himself.Literally a rags to riches story, sans the fairy tale.

Interwoven in all this is the story of modern China, from the days when the Gang of Four ran amuck through the land, to the 2008 Beijing Olympics - Li takes us on a journey across time. The transition from Mao's "Iron Curtain" to Deng's "Open Door Policy" is narrated in an unbiased, matter-of-fact manner as a gradual inevitability, leading to the present day boom with all the trappings of a political and economic giant that China has now become.

My favourite character in the book is his Niang. She seems to be such an incredible icon , a pillar of strength and virtue, just the way every good lad pictures his mother.His Dia isn't so bad either,so often described in the book as 'a man of few words', not too different from all other struggling parents with seven or more mouths to feed. Then there are his brothers and later, their wives. A very ordinary large family typical of generations past. He talks about the present day China and the mandatory 'one child policy' which he says has created 'young emperors and emperesses who are selfish and intolerant'. I disagree with that.

What really appealed to me was the transparency of the book.Without being patronising, he makes no secret of the fact that it was indeed Chairman Mao's regime that gave him the opportunity of a lifetime in the first place. How else would a poor peasant boy from the back of beyond so unwittingly get the attention of the powers that be, and make the life in a world that was completely alien to his father's realm of reality?

Luckily for Li, his is a story with a happy ending. He had a family that he loved with all his heart, he had an opportunity to shine and he did, and later found that his hard work and grit could lead him to unimaginabale heights. All other impediments on the way were mere hiccups. In the end, he lived his dream and remained united with his folks.

He had found a way to have the best of both worlds, to eat his cake and have it too.
Definitely a case of good karma.

Dark Heavens by Kylie Chan

I have to admit this is the first Aussie author I have had the pleasure of actually reading. Kylie Chan is an Aussie whose hubby is from Hongkong. Having lived in China for many years, she actually did a lot of research into Chinese mythology and brings Chinese deities to life in modern day Hongkong in a thrilling series of books, the first of which is the trilogy, "Dark Heavens".

Xuan Hu, the North Wind and god of the martial arts, is in his human form a Chinese business man in love with a human. In his human form, he is weak and the target of attack by demons. The interesting thing is the hybrid demons being made by a super-evil super-demon thirsting to become King of Demons. (This in itself is a powerful campaign against bioengineering.)

Books in the trilogy introduce each of the deities, "White Tiger", "Red Phoenix" and "Blue Dragon", the three other Winds, depicted as interesting lovable characters with lives and tales of their own, centered around the main theme of protecting Xuan Hu's progeny and ridding the world of evil.

Not quite pulp fiction, but an interesting genre in itself. Light reading, keeps you hanging out for more.
I'm now onto the next series "Journey to Wudang", Xuan Hu's celestial abode. The third book comes out in July, completing the second trilogy. Hope to finish the first two before then.

Have a go mate, good stuff.

The Storyteller - Mario Vargas Llosa

Saul Zuratas is an astutely intelligent Peruvian lad of Jewish extraction, the son of a jewish grocer and a Creole mother. The author meets Saul at the University where they are both enrolled to study Law. Saul's father has high expectations of his son, who on the other hand finds himself drawn to ethnology, his interests fuelled by his fascination of indigenous tribes and their way of life. Saul passionately defends the rights of the indigenous people of Peru, to uphold their beliefs, their culture and individuality, in a world that is rapidly being engulfed by western aculturation, through missionaries and other agencies.
In a doctor-student format, the author skillfully presents the pros and cons of modernization of the Amazonian tribes, the pros greatly outweighing the cons. The author is puzzled at Saul's emotional defence of the aboriginal tribes, while acknowledging the downside of remaining entrenched in ancient myth and superstition. Saul suddenly announces his return to Israel, and the story takes us into the forests of the Amazon where we explore the mores and means of the Machiguenga tribes. We learn of the three most important people in the anarchic tribe - the sorcerer, the priest and the mysterious Hablador, the story teller.
Intertwined through all this is the story of Saul himself.
Over time the inevitable process of westernization takes place through religious and linguistic conversion. The Bible is translated into Machiguenga dialects, governmental heirarchy established . Yet there is a strange twist that makes us think.
It is true that superstition is a product of ignorance, leading to or stemming from fear of the unknown. Aculturation and education do take people into a more sustainable way of life. However, deep within us all, there is a uniqueness that defines us. "Culture is the way we approach life's situations, not the way we dress or speak".
Is it possible for a man of reason and scientific understanding to revert to a magico-religious culture? Why would he do that anyway, unless it is social acceptance he seeks?
I love this book. My new favourite author. At first I thought he would be something along the tradition of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He is very different, and I look forward to reading some of his more contemporary novels. Watch this space.

Harry Potter Series

I haven't been here for almost 4 months. That doesn't mean I haven't done any reading. On the contrary. I decided to do some light reading that I had deliberately been avoiding just because. But I was curious to see what the fuss was all about.
One of the items on my to-do-list was to read all the Harry Potter books at one go. And that's what I did during the last two months of the previous decade, in between visits to the East and West Coast of the USA, a wedding, and flying across the big pond to Australia.
I must say, I loved the books, except the fourth - 'The Order of the Phoenix', despite watching the movies before hand. That didn't seem to impact on my reading at all, probably because the movies were so easily forgetable compared to the books.
It was pleasant, predictable and all rather pointless, which is the whole point of leisure reading.
I shall say no more. I'm glad I read them all at one go. Seems to make heaps more sense.

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.

"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.