ahsan88
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Jinnah of Pakistan by Stanley Wolpert.
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This is the first Rushdie book that I have read (well, almost). Being a Science student, I was quite glad I would never have to take English again in University. And then I decided to take a course from the English department last year, and I was hooked. Wish I had explored more subjects earlier on but a Minor in English will have to suffice I guess. Good luck on your thesis by the way.
This is interesting. Whippy, how are you finding the book? Since you are not from India, I would like to know how you are interpreting the book. What I find is that a lot of Western folks tend to homogenize post-colonial authors by approaching the novel with a mindset that the book is a national allegory of some sort (but I do think Saleem's disintegration represents disintegration of the nation)
There are a lot of references to Hindu epics, various religious customs of different people, and 'physical' India; so, I wonder how easy this was for you to understand. Even I had some trouble with some of the references.
Fantastic book so far and surprisingly, it resonated with me right from the start. I am reminded of Barthes' 'The Death of the Author' even more when reading Midnight's Children
Probably the first book I have read which mixes post-colonialism and post-modernism and more refreshingly, while it deals with the 'clash' between tradition and modernity, it doesn't attempt to reach a conclusive remark. Meaning, it never conclusively says which one is better but rather, the book keeps on exploring and probing; questioning the idea that everyone lives in the same now and questioning 'progress' & 'reasoning' (a tool for colonialism most would say).
It's really hard to wrap my head around post-modernism literature sometimes but I find that the sentiments that arise from postmodernism; this book captures it to quite a great extent and for me, through it's projection of language, culture, history and identity, I guess it reflects my own hesitance towards the idea of an objective truth, and furthermore, the way I see it, it reflects the acceptance for multiplicity, or acknowledging that perhaps there is no one version of anything; like when it comes to literary text, history, reality, etc.
I just saw this. I liked the book because some of its philosophies resonate with Islam. The idea of the ONE according to Coelho perfectly fits with the idea of an omnipotent and all-knowing god. Moreover, he suggests that the attributes of god and his signs are so numerous that they should be intuitive to anyone. In other words, he seems to be saying that by not paying attention to the signs human beings are denying their fitrah by being oblivious to god. Furthermore, Coehlo’s description of the Sheppard’s life is very similar to what I’ve heard in a lecture by Shaykh Muhammad alShareef in describing Rasool Allah saw. According to a hadith, all prophets were once Sheppard & their lifestyle helped them ponder god as well as become patient in dealing with people. This is why I thought the book was inspiring since I was able to make similarities with some of the Islamic text with the book. However, the mystical stuff near the end of the book was just super imaginary and shirki as per Muslim POV, nonetheless, it was still very deep and interesting to read.
On a side note, I doubt a Harry Potter fan would actually enjoy a dry book like that though. No offense![]()
My dislike for the book has nothing to do with it being "dry."
I understand the connection you made with Islam as I also appreciated those aspects of the novel. However, the novel as a whole just fell short. The story had potential, but the author kept it at a very elementary level. The novel is just full of one cliche after another. Not to mention, Coelho's "original" story line is extremely similar to a story from One Thousand and One Nights as well as an old European folktale.
Was the novel interesting? Yes, it was. Was it overrated? Yes, easily the most overrated book I have ever read. It boggles my mind that so many people found this book to be life changing.
I would say The Kite Runner was miles better than A Thousand Splendid Sons. I was disappointed by this book.
I am currently reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave written by Himself.
Well, Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie was an excellent read (highly recommended).
Currently reading The Glass Palace and Sea of Poppies (amazing, amazing book) by Amitav Ghosh.
With regards to the thesis, my interest lies with the Satanic Verses and his subsequent fiction. The reaction to the Verses has been over-storied already, but a relatively untapped idea is how Rushdie's narrative strategy changed afterwards. India was still a set and setting for him, but he became more focused on characterisation and inner monologue, in a bid to represent the difficulties that artistic and creative figures face. He of course is a prime example of a misunderstood/disgraced writer (depending on your opinion) that has a dilemma in how he communicates with his audience. He used novels such as Haroun and the Sea of Stories, The Moor's Last Sigh and Fury as both shield and sword in a bid to have his artistic licence respected.
Have read Midnight's Children and Sea of Poppies. Amazing books both though for a layman Ghosh is more readable. The second book in the Ibis Trilogy is 'River of Smoke' which I have already queued up in my rental list.
Haha, you seem to have the same taste in novels as me, and your signature resonates with me as well-excellent quote
I was actually going to ask you, how did you find the novel, 'Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India' ?
Last Book I Read
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Pakistan by Imran Khan
Our Lady of Alice Bhatti by Mohd. Hanif
how did you find it? I think this will be the next one.
INHERITANCE last book of the inheritace cycle (eragon, eldest, brisingr) and wow what a book probably the best book i have read if no its up there.
Currently reading 'Wise Man's Fear' by Rothfuss.
Mostly just interested in fantasy fiction (Tolkien, Feist etc.)
Wise Man's Fear is a great follow-up to Rothfuss' debut. Shades of Potter but more darkly done.
Edit: I've started on 1Q84 by Murakami. Heard rave reviews lets see. Also halfway thru By Light Alone-Adam Roberts. Interesting premise where people do not need food and as their hair soak up energy they need to survive.
Last Book I Read
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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Amazing read!
Wow, you've got it memorizedIt is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
The last book I read was Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. It was a nice light read for girls.
I'm currently reading Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult. I've been disappointed by her new books over the past couple years (they all seem to follow the same formula and have become very predictable). I wasn't going to read this one, but I went and saw her at a book signing where she talked about the research regarding wolves that went into the book. It was fascinating stuff, so I gave in and bought the book.
Muhammad - by Martin Ling is quite amazing.
Currently reading Bookie, Gambler, Fixer, Spy by Ed Hawkins.
Interesting and at times depressing read particularly as a follower of Pakistan cricket.
No need to be shakespeare..there have been great writers in english like R K Narayan, Ruskin Bond, Mulk Raj Anand..followed by Vikram Seth, Jhumpa Lahiri..and now we have Chetan Bhagat and his brothers writing for teenagers.. from such glorious writers to so low.. actually i dont dislike CB as much as I dislike the success he has got..and the effects it has on the english story telling in india.