Book - 18, Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus (2003)

by

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Book Read: 28 June - 2 July 2015

Note Written: 23 July 2015

Too much of anything can be trouble, that's what an old Malayalam saying says (well, kind of). Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche shows how too much of religion, blind faith, and religious intolerance can shatter things around you. The book talks not about fanaticism in ways of bombs, terrorism, murders and all but about the kind of fundamentalism, extremism, and  oppression at our homes. The novel has disturbed me a lot. The story is told from the view point of Kambili, a 15 year old girl, who watches many things/changes happen in and around her family- her fear and pride of her rich, devout catholic father; the strife between her brother Jaja and father, after he experience what freedom is in the poor, humble home of their aunt; the defending nature of her mother towards her father even after being violated and abused etc. There is a huge amount of conflict within Kambili whether her father is a 'villain' as such. He is a respectable man, yes, but he is intolerant in terms of religion, and engages in fierce domestic violence in the name of asserting good behaviour and faith.  It is people like him that scares me most, more than gun wielding terrorists. There were some things which I could relate to in the novel, being brought up in a conservative Catholic Christian society, where no one dares to go beyond the edicts of the church, where there is no less scope for rational thinking, and where such conflicts as in the book arise. Religion and I are in a conflict situation now. I have declared ceasefire for the time being- let's co-exist peacefully, religion. You don't disturb me, I don't disturb you. 

Movie - 17, The Motorcycle Diaries

Diarios de Motocicleta (2004)

by

Walter Salles

Movie Seen: 26 July 2015

Note Written: 31 July 2015

'The Motorcycle Diaries' was a long-pending movie for me. The urge to watch the movie was on an increase from after I finished reading the book a couple months ago. The movie is a delightful adventure experience about the road trip taken up by Ernesto Che Guevara and Alberto Granado. The experiences noted in the diary of Che has been well adapted to make this movie. Sans some changes for the effect of drama, the movie follows the book well in path. For the viewer the movie induces the feelings to embark upon such a journey ourselves- if we could get hold of something like 'La Poderosa' and some money. The journey started as fun for Che, but ended as something much bigger. This is when he began to think a lot about the injustices prevailing in the world, mainly due to economic desparities. 'Che' is now a symbol of many things- youthfulness, revolution, confidence, and much more. It is kind of sad to see him and figures like him transformed to symbols and tools of fashion and capitalism. Many icons have become mere fashion accessories now- it would be nice if people knew the value of them and wore them, but that's not what's happening now. Religion works this way too. The whole world has become one big commercial. 

Book - 17, Joy in the Morning

Joy in the Morning (1946)

by

PG Wodehouse

Book Read: June 2015

Note Written: 22 July 2015

Jeeves, Wooster, the uncle, the police guy, the scary aunt (who doesn't appear at all), the couple whose marriage plans are all twisted up, the sort of troubles Bertam Wooster gets into, the happy ending- Joy in the Morning is my first experience of PG Wodehouse and it was hilarious! Already planning to get hold of more of the writer's works. Even though in the TV series of Jeeves and Wooster, Jeeves is played by Stephen Fry and Wooster by Hugh Laurie, when I picture the characters in my mind while reading, Hugh Laurie becomes Jeeves and Stephen Fry becomes Wooster. I don't know why this happens- it's all twisted up in my mind and I am struggling with these images. Even though the British sense of humour and dialogues are a bit hard to crack into, once you are in the mood, it becomes a hell of a ride! There were times I started smiling and laughing (without sound) so hard reading the book in the MMTS train and people were staring at me. Some of the plot twists and turns were nothing shot of genius! Eagerly waiting to get hold of more Wodehouse novels. 

Movie - 16, Ee Kanni Koodi (This Link Too)

Ee Kannikoodi (1990)

by

KG George

Movie Seen: 24 July 2015

Note Written: 30 July 2015

I decided to watch 'Ee Kannikoodi' because of the post put in Facebook by Ronnie (my cousin), praising it. The movie is an investigative thriller starring Saikumar as the investigating police officer. A lady is found dead in her big mansion. Many people are questioned and slowly, bit by bit, the story of the lady is being revealed in front of us. The script is very systematic and believable. There is no much drama involved or unnecessary songs, as was the case of a typical Malayalam movie of the time. I was surprised to see Sethulakshmi, the actress (Left Right Left fame), in this movie which came 25 years ago. I knew she was a theatre artist but I didn't know that she acted in a film prior to LRL. KG George was and is one of the best film-makers in Malayalam, his 'Panchavadippalam' being my most favourite Malayalam movie. His film sense, logic, and craft is visible throughout the movie. A good decision it was to watch this film. Thank You Ronnie.

Book - 16, The Last Wave

The Last Wave (2014)

by

Pankaj Sekhsaria

Book Read: June 2015

Note Written: 20 July 2015

'The Last Wave' is a novel set in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, one of those places we 'Indians' don't often remember is part of India, others being Lakshadeep and the North East. The novel introduced me to the ways of island living, their issues with influx of people from mainland, tribes of the islands, ecology, the notions of development and progress and many more. Even though the book has a slow start and love story element is just a carrier for the other issues which are said, this is a book which made me think a lot about many issues and reality we see around us. Priscilla says this could have been written as non-fiction only, but I don't have any opinion as such- I wouldn't probably have read this if it was non-fiction unless I was doing some research or something. I think, as a novel it could attract more readers and that's what the author also tried I presume. The book slightly reminded me of 'Things Fall Apart'. While religion was a major issue in 'Things Fall Apart', 'The Last Wave' deals with cultural, economic, and ecological aspects of outside interference, influence, and population influx. The Jarawa community of Andamans is similar to the tribes of Africa described by Chinua Achebe- having lost their identity to political and geographical invasion, confused in the new world and rapid changes around them. I am of the opinion that tribes should be left alone, unless there are issues particularly necessary to their survival (natural catastrophe, epidemic etc). See, I haven't yet mentioned the lead characters yet. I have forgotten their names. That's how soon the background story is forgotten. There was a love/heartbreak angle and all. But those are not the things that stay in your mind. The end of the book, focused solely on the hero and heroine, was similar to the short story I wrote when I was at school- 'ആ ചുവന്ന വളപ്പൊട്ടുകൾ' (Those Broken Bangles). That was surprising for me. Thank you Pankaj Sekhsaria for making me think.

PS: I would like to visit The Andamans sometime- not as a tourist though-  probably as a wanderer. 

Movie - 15, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014) 

by

Francis Lawrence

Movie Seen: 23 July 2015

Note Written: 29 July 2015

From my initial hesitation to watch the movie series 'Hunger Games', due to all the colourfulness in the poster and trailers and the possible visual similarity to the 'Twilight' series, I have become a fan of the franchise. Mockingjay - Part 1 begins where it was left off in Catching Fire- Katniss being introduced to the revolution ploy against the Capitol and President Snow. Katniss is asked to be the mascot of the revolution as the 'Mockingjay' which she accepts after a while. It was a surprise for me to see Julianne Moore and Natalie Dormer (Margery Tyrell- Game of Thrones) in the movie. The signature whistle of the Mockingjay and the song gave me goosebumps while watching. Like the previous movies, Mockingjay was thrilling too, I am eagerly waiting for the final part to come out in November- this time I should watch it in a theatre. I should also get hold of the 'Hunger Games' books and start reading.

Book - 15, Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment (1866)

by

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Book Read: May-June 2015

Note Written: 18 July 2015

'Crime and Punishment' tells the story of Raskolnikov, a student. Raskolnikov- his mind, his ways, his thoughts, his crime, his anguish, his family, his world, his philosophy- are all capable of changing your perceptions on many things. Finally, I get a proper taste of what the world of Dostoevsky is. The abridged versions of many works of authors like him I read as a kid does no justice to the feel that classics like 'Crime and Punishment' gives, nor would I have been able to comprehend the complexities of thoughts at that age. Some things are only to be read, seen, and perceived at the right time in life. Even though at first I got confused with the names of the characters (like I did for Bulgakov's Master and Margarita), now I can't forget most of those names. I want to think like Raskolnikov, be like Razumikhin, love someone like Sonya does, hope and be brave like Dunya does, destroy manipulators like Petyr Petrovich- the novel made me associate with many of their thoughts and deeds. Crime and Punishment was an emotional journey for me. I will revisit the novel after some months I guess- looking forward to reading more of Dostoevsky.