![]() Book name: The Star of Kazan Author: Eva Ibbotson Genre: Childrens book, Mystery , Historical Fiction Goodreads: Link Storygraph: Link Reading the title of the book, I imagined it to be a Fantasy book given its title as well as the cover image which invokes a sense of magic and mystery. The book in fact a historical fiction/ mystery novel which is set in early 20th Century in Vienna which was a part of the Austro Hungarian and German empire at the time. However given the evocative description of the neighbourhoods in Vienna, the Spanish Riding school, brooding castles in the German countryside and food delicacies, it could very well pass for a fantasy novel as well! The novel reads more like a mystery novel with elements of suspense, adventure and even a bit of horror which makes for an interesting read. I like how the story takes unexpected turns, while at the same all the little details and hints fit together and has a satisfactory payoff at the end. The character development is really good with some really memorable character. I particularly liked the worrying professors and the antics they got upto! The novel is also set in a historical context and makes references to historical figures and famous locations in Vienna and is written in a very evocative way. It's clear from the writing that the author is drawing on her own childhood exepriences growing up in Vienna which gives it a very authentic feeling to it. The book is also very interesting in that even though its written in 1999, it has the feel of a 'classic' novel and one can easily mistake the book as having been written much earlier. Another interesting point was even though the book is meant for children, it does touch on some interesting themes. One in particular was the attitude towards servants and the expected patterns of behaviour which I haven't seen covered in that way in any other novel. Recommendation Overall, while I felt that in some places the novel could have been a bit shorter if it didn't go into a few sub plots which didn't seem to fit too well into the main story, I found the characters and storytelling to be very well done and if you like a good mystery set in a historic period, this might be a novel for you.
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![]() Book name: Passing Author: Nella Larsen Genre: Novel, Historical fiction Goodreads: Link Storygraph: Link “It’s funny about ‘passing.’ We disapprove of it and at the same time condone it. It excites our contempt and yet we rather admire it. We shy away from it with an odd kind of revulsion, but we protect it.” Set in the 1920s New York, the story mainly revolves around two women; Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. Irene has settles to a comfortable life when it is disrupted by the arrival of a Childhood Friend Clare Kendry who is 'passing' which is described the practice of people crossing the colour line and all the opportunities and dangers that comes with it. Irene who is the protagonist of the novel through whose eyes we experience the novel is a complicated character and the reader is left uncertain of her true intentions. At times she is in awe of Clare and wishes she is brave of enough to do the same while at other times she is horrified at her recklessness and the risks she takes. This also makes her an unreliable narrator, especially with her views towards Clare Kendry, the reader is left uncertain if she is describing what actually took place or what she imagines took place. Irene seems even unwilling to acknowledge what Clare has done and continues to refer to her by her maiden name and tries to remember her as she was in her youth. Irene considers what Clare has done by 'passing' as a danger not just to Clare but to her and the comfortable life she has built for herself. This is made even more complicated by the fact that Irene herself occasionally Passes in order to go to a fancy restaurant and allow people to think she is white. Hence it begs the question whether Irene even has the right to criticize Clare for Passing when she herself does it. In fact at the start of the novel, you feel that the story is being related by someone who is white Apart from barriers related to race, another theme that I saw strongly as a theme was class barriers. Irene's hostility towards Clare for her recklessness; imagined or otherwise might be due to the fact that Clare is not only 'Passing' the race barrier but also the class barrier as it is stated that Clare comes from a more humble background as a daughter of a Janitor compared to Irene's own status. Another interesting aspect where this is brought up is with regard to Irene's husband Brian who cautions their children with tales of horror such as lynching which Irene seems to dismiss fears of such things. This might be a reflection of the fact that her husband who unlike Irene is unable to pass given his complexion is fully aware of the dangers while Irene seems to take comfort in her class status and the privilege it affords. Recommendation The book is fairly short and it moves at a brisk pace which makes it fairly quick read. However the book has alot to unpack and contains many layers which you might be able to uncover with multiple readings. Quite liked the book and would recommend it. Quotes Clare remarked, thoughtfully : “You know, ’Rene, I’ve often wondered why more coloured girls, girls like you and Margaret Hammer and Esther Dawson and— oh, lots of others— never ‘passed’ over. It’s such a frightfully easy thing to do. If one’s the type, all that’s needed is a little nerve.” For the first time she suffered and rebelled because she was unable to disregard the burden of race. It was, she cried silently, enough to suffer as a woman, an individual, on one’s own account, without having to suffer for the race as well. It was a brutality, and undeserved. Surely, no other people so cursed as Ham’s dark children. “How could you know? How could you? You’re free. You’re happy. And,” with faint derision, “safe.” ![]() Book name: Elephant Complex Author: John Gimlette Genre: Travel Literature Goodreads: Link Storygraph: Link I picked up the book at the Galle Lit Fest a couple of years back where the author spoke at the event. A point that struck me during his talk is that Sri Lanka is a place of contradictions. This was especially the case to an outsider like the author where foreigners couldn't fathom how at one end of the island a raging civil war was going on while at the other end of it there was a booming luxury tourist resorts. This was mirrored in alot of the locations which the author touches on the book which intersects with the war and other tragedies where staring out to the the sea from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is juxtaposed with the sight of a cargo freighter riddled with bullet holes where the tigers made their final stand. This is a theme the author returns to over and over again throughout the book where despite all the violence and tragedy, there is some irresistible force which keeps compelling people to keep returning to the island. The author offers an outsiders perspective of Sri Lanka highlighting his travels which takes him to very unexpected places and doesn't shy away from the troubled history and where in his talk he described Sri Lankans on how we are all "Tikkak Pissu" . The book is well researched and filled with interviews with colourful personalities from all walks of life. At the same time, the book doesn't try to overwhelm the reader with facts and figures and instead its written in a way to tell a very readable story. More than a travel log, it reads more like an adventure novel and i like how along the events have been laid out, the people he interviews are framed in a way to fit a particular theme for each chapter. Ex: The courtly Kandyans, the Wild East, edgy Negombo, The tea capital etc. I particularly like how the writing and the framing shifts from chapter to chapter. While because of this it does feel at times like the events described and encounters that take place are written in a very subjective manner from a particularly viewpoint in order fit the them and where some of the encounters he describes such as his crazy driver, the ghost stories and crazy coincidences seem to be really outlandish, but knowing how many improbable things happen on a day to day basis in Sri Lanka; doesn't actually feel that far fetched and is keeping with the spirit of it! Some of the Interesting trivia that caught my attention were: Colombo lost for a piece of Cheese - The capture of Colombo by the British was conceived by a Professor Cleghorn while on Holiday where he met the Count De Meuron who was the brother of the Commander of the VOC's Swiss garrison in Colombo. They agreed on a price for the Swiss mercenaries to switch sides and the message of this was smuggled to the brother in a Hollowed out Cheese Elephant pass - The location made famous or infamous during the war, to the Vanniyas, it was also the perfect place to bring wild elephants driving them out of the forest and offering them a choice; Die, swim or learn to work which is where the place got its name An interesting visitor to Fort Fredrick, Trinco - in the late 1800s Arthur Wellesley. i.e the later famous Duke of Wellington was suffering from 'Malabar Itch'. The forts remedy was a tincture of Sulfur and Lard didn't work and as a result he missed the next ship that was to sail to the campaign to Egypt but never made it as it sunk in the red sea. According to the author, but for Trinco's cure; the rest of century would've looked a lot more French! Recommendation While the novel might seem daunting at first at over 400 pages, the writing is very sharp and evocative and each chapter is divided into a series of little vignette's which makes for easy reading .While I wouldn't recommend this book if you are looking for a more traditional travel guide and would caution that you do need some basic knowledge of Sri Lanka and its history to appreciate the novel, overall it makes for a very entertaining read. ![]() Book name: For the Most Beautiful Author: Emily Hauser Genre: Historical Fantasy/ Mythology Goodreads: Link For the most beautiful By Emily Hauser tells the story from the Perspective of two Trojan Women who are mentioned in Homer's Illiad which is the source & inspiration for many retelling of the epic conflict which is waged both amongst mortals and Gods. The two characters at the centre of the novel are Krysayis the daughter of the High priest of Apollo and Briseis, a princess of Pedasus who are taken captive by the invading Greeks and describes their experiences as they survive and attempt to shift the fate of the war. The novel is written by an author who has a historians background and hence aspects of that filter through in terms of the attention to detail given to the days of the months and time periods of the day as well as the different names used by the Trojans and Greeks who keep the same gods. At the same time the author avoids dumping too much information on the reader making it a fairly crisp and easy read. However, apart from these few details, I didn't feel like her background informed the story and characters depicted in the novel. The author doubles down on the stereotypes pertaining to different characters such as a tyrannical Agamemnon, a warmongering Achilles and a conniving Helen. Another strange aspect of the novel is the graphic descriptions of the female characters which felt like it was very much written from a Male Gaze. Would like to give the author the benefit of the doubt this is an attempt to critique the source material of the story and the context of the time period that is being depicted, though I don't see how this improves the story or what purpose this serves. The novel is written from the first person perspective of the two women and has been limited to just two characters which makes it easy follow along. However I felt that the switching between the different POV in terms of the length of each chapter felt too quick. This might have been an attempt to convey a sense of urgency and dynamism (while also trying to provide a 'cliffhanger' ending) but as a result you feel like you don't have time to sit with the character and digest what takes place. In addition, the story of the two women is punctuated by short glimpses into the life and times of the Gods who in the novel acted like Comic relief where they spoke and acted in a very modern perspective while the rest of the mortals followed a more 'classical' style which was a bit jarring. However one of the more interesting scenes of the novel was when one of the characters encountered the God Apollo and realized that the Greeks & Trojans keep the same Gods. The author decision to include the role of the Gods in the novel is also a bit of the issue is terms of the structure of the novel and the agency given to the characters who spend a sizable portion on the novel on a certain matter only for the Gods to intervene and completely throw off their planning. As a result it felt like while the author wanted to tell a fresh story, it has led to the characters having to make choices that requires a leap of logic in order to stay true to the source material. Overall, while the novel had a promising start and placed characters who had been marginalized as the main protagonist, felt the novel didn't really add anything to the Canon of the Trojan war which is already saturated with the event being used as a staging point for so many great and not so great stories using the event. Two suggestions by fellow book club members was the song of Achilles & Circe by Madelline Miller
![]() Key Details Author: Richard Feynman Genre: Autobiography Goodreads: Link Surely you're Joking Mr. Feynman' the autobiography of Richard Feynman; the Nobel Prize Winning theoretical physicist, Safe Cracker, Artist, Bongo player and all round renaissance man. What struck me about the book was the casualness and childlike wonder and curiosity he had for all things around him. Even though some of the physics might be beyond the average reader his writing style and the message of the book about maintaining a curiosity about the world around you and an attitude of questioning everything is something everyone should take to heart, As a lecturer I particularly warmed towards his experiencing about teaching and the importance of teaching students understanding about what they are learning and denouncing rote learning was relatable and would recommend you to check out some of his lectures and interviews which are delivered in an easily accessible and humorous manner. While the book is an autobiography and is more of a collection of random episodes from his life and thus doesn't have a clear narrative structure, overall I felt reading about the various episodes in his life which times are quite insane and often hilarious experiences is well worth the read and would recommend it. Quotes You have no responsibility to live up to what other people think you ought to accomplish. I have no responsibility to be like they expect me to be. It’s their mistake, not my failing. People often think I’m a faker, but I’m usually honest, in a certain way— in such a way that often nobody believes me! The first principle is that you must not fool yourself— and you are the easiest person to fool. ![]() Key Details Author: Aravind Adiga Genre: Novel Goodreads: Link Balram; the white tiger is someone born to a village in poverty. He escapes his circumstances to become a driver to a landowning family. During this period he sees how the other side of India lives and begins to yearn for it and comes to the realization that its not possible to break free without taking some drastic action The novel reminded me of a typical Dickensian hero like Pip in great expectations where he leaves the countryside to seek his fortune in the city overcoming the many obstacles in his path. In this case, instead of Victorian England, the novel is set in India during a period of transformation towards becoming a more globalized society and the clash it causes with its past traditions and norms. Like pip, the character in the novel who is nicknamed as a 'white Tiger' is identified as an exceptional individual who has to make hard choices if he is to escape the cycle of poverty his social status would have confined him to. The novel is an easy read and while the intent of the author who is writing about some that is not his lived experience, it raises some interesting issues that are worth thinking about. Would recommend reading it. Quotes “You, young man, are an intelligent, honest, vivacious fellow in this crowd of thugs and idiots. In any jungle, what is the rarest of animals—the creature that comes along only once in a generation?” I thought about it and said: “The white tiger.”“That’s what you are, in this jungle.” - the school inspector revealing Balram's true nature "I‘m always a man who sees ‘tomorrow’ when others see ‘today.’" - The White Tiger Do we loathe our masters behind a facade of love - or do we love them behind a facade of loathing? ![]() Key Details Author: Jean Rhys Genre: Novel Goodreads Link: Link This novel written by Jean Rhys in the 1960s is taglined as a prequel to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre written from the perspective of Antoinette/ Bertha who is Rochester's legal wife and dubbed the 'Mad wife in the attic' The novel is set in Jamaica after the abolition of the Slave Act in 1833 where Antoinette's family were former slave owners and depicts her early childhood, her marriage to Rochester and her arrival in England and imprisonment at Thornfield Hall. The novel touches on some aspects of Colonialism and race which is an aspect that gets very little attention in the Jane Eyre novel and is also written as a reaction against the patriarchal nature and the problematic depiction of mental illness. It is however a bit strange that Rochester gets a voice in the novel which you don't get in Jane Eyre. I Felt that he already comes across as not very likable character in Jane Eyre and there wasn't really a need to further demonize him. As a result most of the discussion during our book club seemed to center around Rochester's motives for his actions! The same goes with the depiction of mental illness as the story and the shifting perspectives made it incoherent and difficult to glean any meaningful message regarding it. Compounding this issue is the shifting perspectives style adopted by the author where without warning you jump between different characters. At times its hard to stay from who's voice is the novel being written. In a way this shows the skill of the author, but it also make for a confusing read! It's only in the final part of the novel which is also the shortest and most coherent segment where we get a glimpse of Thornfield Hall and it overlaps with the incidences of the events in Jane Eyre. While there are some interesting imagery that the novel brings up and in the way Antoinette's childhood trauma is brought full circle with how she meets her end as depicted in Jane Eyre, the novel didn't feel very coherent. Reading the novel left me unsatisfied and having recently read Jane Eyre, felt that this didn't enrich or add a deeper understanding as a result of it. It's also not a novel you can read as a standalone novel and hence wouldn't recommend it for someone who has only a vague memory of the source material. Quotes ‘Because they told me to say so and because it is true. She did die when I was a child. There are always two deaths, the real one and the one people know about’‘Two at least,’ I said, ‘for the fortunate.’ ‘Justice,’ she said. ‘I’ve heard that word. It’s a cold word. I tried it out,’ she said, still speaking in a low voice. ‘I wrote it down. I wrote it down several times and always it looked like a damn cold lie to me. There is no justice.’ I too can wait – for the day when she is only memory to be avoided, locked away, and like all memories a legend. Or a lie…. ![]() Key Details Author: Colson Whitehead Genre: Historical Fiction Goodreads Link: Link This novel by Colson Whithead primarily narrates the experience of Cora; a runaway slave from a cotton plantation in Georgia who attempts to make a bid for freedom via the Underground railroad where in the novel it is depicted as a literal railroad. While the novel is an alternate history, the horrors of Slavery are not a fiction and it tries to depict the conditions of various protagonists who revolve around this deplorable system that has been created and which has sadly been commonplace across countries and cultures. The novel is told from multiple viewpoints and takes place at different point in time, which at times can be hard to follow. But this narrative structure also allows the author to showcase the many different experiences of the oppressed communities, particularly of the female characters who are oppressed both due to gender and racial reasons and depicts the many different paths they had taken to end up in their situation. One perspective I would have liked to have seen is perspective of the communities who serve as the house slaves, slave bosses and Homer who is a willing follower of the slavecatcher Ridgeway who is the main antagonist of the novel. An interesting point that I learnt is about the oppression of Italian and German immigrants who were brought to work as indentured servants on cotton plantations as well, which gives some context to the Gangster ism that in later era's was a feature of the communities. The novel also highlights how hope and beliefs can be such a powerful driving force both for the protagonist Cora whose mothers escaped is part of the lore of the plantation while Ridgeway; the Slave catcher is very clear on the part he plays in upholding the society they had brought about I would caution that, even thought its not needed to follow the narrative, some background information is useful and also helps you appreciate the research that has gone into it. Overall would highly recommend this novel. Quotes What did you get for that, for knowing the day you were born into the white man’s world? It didn’t seem like the thing to remember. More like to forget. - Cora on not knowing her birthday A plantation was a plantation; one might think one’s misfortunes distinct, but the true horror lay in their universality. "To see chains on another person and be glad they are not your own—such was the good fortune permitted colored people, defined by how much worse it could be any moment." ![]() Key Details Author: Alison bechdel Genre: Memoir/ Biography Goodreads : Link This is a memoir of the authors childhood which particularly focuses on her relationship with the father. The title might be familiar to those who saw the Tony Award Winning musical based on the novel which was performed in Sri Lanka a couple of years back. One challenge with reading memoirs in prose form is its diffcult to keep track of time jumps and non lineary story telling which tends to be common. But graphic novels have an advantage in that they have a visual component which offers a shorthand to do such things without having to set up too much context. The art style which is influenced by the authors background as a cartoonist contrasts with the serious subject matter of the book and the literary subtexts which form an integral part of the story and which also offers a challenge to readers. While the subject matter deals with serious topics, I also like how the author has used little inserts of some dead pan humor which alongside the various familiar scenes from childhood like dressing up, camping trips makes it relatable and an engaging read. One aspect I felt the novel could have been improved upon is felt it had not made full use of the Graphic novel format where the layout and design of the images could have been used to better emphasise certain pivotal moments in the character story. Apart from that, would quite recommend the book and I would be very interested in reading her followup novel which focuses on her relationship with her mother |
AuthorAvid reader of Historical fiction, High fantasy novels, Comics & Graphic Novels. Passionate about teaching & the future of education in general. Categories
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