Friday, October 31, 2003
Am now two thirds of the way through Yann Martel's Life of Pi. It's not half as offensive to me now as it was when it began - i didn't like the arrogant tone of the beginning section and thought that his debates on both zoology and religion were flawed bordering on stupid. zoos were good he claims because ultimately they give the creature what they need and make their life easy and should an animal be able to choose then he too would wnt to live in this hotel existance. but why is the human way of life better than the animal one? with no form of exact communication between species how can we presume that the human system is better than the animal one and why should animals be subjected to it? why, above all, is it necessary to find a moral and philosophical hierarchy int he whole system. i find it hard to accept. ditto his musings on religion. the whole christianity section with the gentle and welcoming priest in kerala didn't ring true - all i could think of was what if he'd spoken to the priest of frank mccourt's angela's ashes? would he not be a christian then? suzy was great in her pious speeches of the good news but absolutely horrible as a person (well, housemate)- inconsiderate and hurtful...
the bit where he confidentally predicted the moment of death and the agnostic's failure to comprehend God's existance was risibly arrogant (p 64) - where does he come from telling the reader bout the moment of death? how might he know?
anyway, now he's in the middle of the ocean and we know how long he's going to be there - which means we know that he gets out although the fate of the tiger is still undecided - and i think he's just trying to gross out his reader by talking of blood, feces and urine and somehow become more truthful. i'm not so sure.
the bit where he confidentally predicted the moment of death and the agnostic's failure to comprehend God's existance was risibly arrogant (p 64) - where does he come from telling the reader bout the moment of death? how might he know?
anyway, now he's in the middle of the ocean and we know how long he's going to be there - which means we know that he gets out although the fate of the tiger is still undecided - and i think he's just trying to gross out his reader by talking of blood, feces and urine and somehow become more truthful. i'm not so sure.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Bel Canto by Ann Prachett
This book was so amazing that I tried my hardest not to finish it - even beginning a dry book of litcrit essays to pad out my reading time. it's a fictionalised account of that infamous kidnapping case in south america that lastest months (and ended i think with sas involvement but am not sure) but is not intended to be a historical or factual tale. the emphasis instead is on the relationship between all the hostages and terrorists and the reader develops the same understanding of the groups, defined by nationality, gender, age, attraction and their growing bonds - and overall the translator highlights the use of language in these - and all - relationships. a tense, real and very true depiction of people. an honour to read.
This book was so amazing that I tried my hardest not to finish it - even beginning a dry book of litcrit essays to pad out my reading time. it's a fictionalised account of that infamous kidnapping case in south america that lastest months (and ended i think with sas involvement but am not sure) but is not intended to be a historical or factual tale. the emphasis instead is on the relationship between all the hostages and terrorists and the reader develops the same understanding of the groups, defined by nationality, gender, age, attraction and their growing bonds - and overall the translator highlights the use of language in these - and all - relationships. a tense, real and very true depiction of people. an honour to read.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
This is a beautifully written book that explores the history of familial relationships and the importance that memory has in these relationships, while also exploring the shaky basis on which memory might be have been formed. it raises a number of intersting issues and is wonderfully evokative of a number of eras and places, and the ensuing mentalities of the different people populating them. Set in and around York the author is clearly writing on something and somewhere that she obviously knows a lot about. great read.
This is a beautifully written book that explores the history of familial relationships and the importance that memory has in these relationships, while also exploring the shaky basis on which memory might be have been formed. it raises a number of intersting issues and is wonderfully evokative of a number of eras and places, and the ensuing mentalities of the different people populating them. Set in and around York the author is clearly writing on something and somewhere that she obviously knows a lot about. great read.
