“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body," said Joseph Addison. Reading day was celebrated in India on Wednesday, June 19, on the death anniversary of renowned Indian librarian PN Panicker. Reading week is also observed throughout the seven days starting from the day. As the reading week comes to a close, here are some of the favourite/recent reads of a few journalists at Mathrubhumi English.
Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
I love Kafka's Metamorphosis for its exploration of how fragile and temporary a human relationship could be. It reminds me of bedridden people who rely on their families to stay alive.
The story becomes a metaphor for the loss of identity, societal alienation, and the struggle against forces beyond one's control. I still can’t figure out how a person who goes to bed and wakes up as a bug could remain sane and hope his family supports him.
Gregor's sister, Grete, initially cares for him but eventually grows distant. The story reaches its climax when Gregor's father, overcome with disgust and anger, injures Gregor severely, leading to his eventual death. - Anand P
Choosing to read Gabriel Garcia Marquez's book Until August was like getting into the mind of a deceased Nobel Prize winner. I decided to read it after my friend Rajeev, described how Marquez, even while suffering from dementia, could still write a masterpiece. It took me less time to read the book, shorter than the time taken to stand in a line to grab your coffee...huh. In just a moment, I was completely absorbed in the story and finished it at one stretch.
The story talks about a protagonist - a woman who goes to an island every August to visit her mother's grave and have romantic relationships. Her experiences with different lovers each year makes you turn to the next chapter quickly to know about the lovers. It's a gentle love story that pulls you in with every word and sentence, making you think deeply about the characters.
I can't categorise Until August as a novel; it is a collection of love stories and shows the broken parts of the characters' lives. It left a strong impression on me and stirred discussions with my friends. Choosing to read Until August, despite its flaws, made me think deeply even after I finished the last page. So, grab a copy and get ready for a read that's short on pages but big on charm! -Sadhana Sudhakaran
Regardless of how many years have passed since I read the ‘mighty’ classic Gone with the Wind, its protagonist Scarlette O'Hara still stays with me. My admiration for her is a complex mix of fascination with her character and a critical stance towards the political theme of the novel penned down by Margaret Mitchel.
Scarlett is undeniably a compelling figure, a woman of immense strength, resilience and determination. Her fierce independence and relentless pursuit of goals, even in the face of adversity, won my heart. She challenges traditional gender roles and societal expectations, refusing to conform to the demure archetype of womanhood.
Scarlett is often selfish, manipulative and opportunistic, particularly in her relationships with others. Yet, it is precisely these flaws that make her human and relatable. Her internal struggles, especially in matters of love and survival, resonate with me on a deeply emotional level.
However, I hold a critical view of the novel's portrayal of race and its historical context. Scarlett's character often downplays the horrors of slavery and the true impact of the Civil War on African American lives.
As a reader, I find myself drawn to Scarlett's personal journey and the complexities of her character, while remaining conscious of the novel's problematic aspects. - Sruthi Paruthikad
Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns is an emotionally powerful and compelling novel that captures the intense and often brutal experiences of Afghan women over the last several decades. Through the intertwined lives of Mariam and Laila, Hosseini crafts a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.
From the very beginning, I was drawn into the harsh yet vividly described world of Mariam, whose life is shaped by the limitations placed upon her as an illegitimate child. Her journey from Herat to Kabul, her marriage to the cruel Rasheed, and the pain of multiple miscarriages, all build a poignant portrayal of endurance and suffering.
Laila’s story, though starting with more privilege, intersects tragically with Mariam's. Her love for Tariq and the devastating loss of her family in the war-torn city of Kabul highlights the relentless impact of conflict on personal lives. The bond that develops between Mariam and Laila amidst Rasheed’s escalating abuse is a testament to the resilience and strength of women facing insurmountable odds.
The novel is not just about suffering; it’s about the unbreakable spirit of its characters. Hosseini’s depiction of the characters’ emotional landscapes and the socio-political backdrop of Afghanistan is masterful. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" left me deeply moved and appreciative of the complexities of love, sacrifice, and redemption. It’s a must-read that lingers long after the final page is turned. - Sia Viju
If you love literature, you would love poetry. If you love poetry, you would definitely love Pablo Neruda. When you come across a book in which the venerable bard of Chile is the central character, you would surely jump for it. Though it was published first in 1985 in Spanish, and the English translation came in 1987 under the title ‘Burning Patience”, Antonio Skarmeta’s masterpiece ‘The Postman’ , which features Pablo Neruda, the great poet of Latin America as the central character, still fascinates readers across the globe as it is filled with love, metaphors, humour, poetry and political upheaval which is a characteristic of many a Latin American novel.
The story starts in 1969 when there were enough discussions taking place in literary circles regarding the chances of Pablo Neruda getting the Nobel Prize for literature. The novel, a short one of around 110 pages, vividly tells the post man’s admiration towards the poet and the poet’s affection towards the young man. The dialogues between Neruda and Mario, punctuated with metaphors used by Neruda in his poems, makes the reading funny and interesting.
Skarmeta said that he took 14 years to write this short novel of 110 pages. During this period, Mario Vargas LLossa wrote four novels, he said. The fictional and beautiful depiction of the relationship between the poet and his postman makes the reader engaged throughout. One could feel the splendour of Neruda’s poetry and the brilliance of Skarmeta in story telling in this novel, which is being hailed as a prose-poem by the critics. - MA Rajeev Kumar
Reading this book felt like I was taking a rickshaw ride across India. As an ardent fan of The God of Small Things, I eagerly awaited this book’s release. I rushed to the bookstore as soon as it came out and began reading on the bus ride back. The fact that Roy was publishing a work of fiction 20 years after her first, made this book particularly special.
The novel centres around the theme of identity and defying labels. Its characters belong to the fringes of society, those 'unlabeled' souls who do not fit into the moulds dictated by society. In the confines of the space that they share with the dead, the living and the living-dead, they find representation for themselves. It became the space where no questions would be asked and no labels would be required, one had only to be outside the system of the duniya to be a part of their ‘Khwabag’.
Arundhati Roy has expertly rendered to the world a ‘shattered’ story, the only one where her characters can find representation. This representation is not like the giggle of the stereotypical eunuch in the pages of history, it is a journey through the minds of the unlabeled, their joys, their sorrows and their thoughts, all rendered into the pages of a novel that may one day serve as a form of historical representation of the ones who fell through the cracks of society into a ‘duniya’ of their own. And this ‘duniya’ is one that immerses the reader from the first page till the very end and it often leaves us wanting more. - Christina Alex
If you're looking for a book that can unfold your problems and simplify them for you, The Magic Mindset by Preeti Shenoy is a must-read. This book offers a very different perspective on hope, love and self-confidence. It will help you accept reality with a positive outlook.
Throughout the book Shenoy highlights that while not everything may conclude the way you aim for but there are countless ways to achieve something even better or at least move a step closer to your dreams. Her skillful storytelling takes each chapter in a new direction, complemented by small, engaging exercises that keep you hooked and motivated to complete the book.
The Magic Mindset opens up doors to an open, 'magic' mind that people tend to ignore due to fear or denial of reality. This book will guide you to embrace this route. - Aiswarya Venugopal
Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People is a book you have to pick up! The book kicks off with a bank robbery that goes hilariously wrong, turning into a hostage situation in an apartment viewing. It has a blend of comedy, drama, and a bit of a heist. Even with an intense plot, it's more of a heartwarming and hilarious mess than a thriller.
The real charm lies in the characters: a retired couple with a passion for IKEA, a young pair on the brink of parenthood, a lonely bank director, and even a mysterious guy hiding in the bathroom with a rabbit costume, each one battling their own personal demons and anxieties, making them incredibly relatable.
He weaves together the stories of these anxious, lovable misfits in a way that’s both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny. Backman’s magic is in how he tackles serious issues like mental health and human connection with humour and warmth.
You’ll find yourself laughing out loud one moment and tearing up the next. If you’re into stories that are both funny and touching, this one’s for you! - Salma Sulthana
Cornelia Sorabji's The Fire is Quenched explores ethical dilemmas, the dangers of strict traditions, and the effects of rigid rules. Set in a devout Zoroastrian community, the story focuses on Makkhi, who deeply loves her ill daughter, Khutti. Despite strict Zoroastrian laws against contact with the deceased, Makkhi defies tradition to comfort Khutti, creating an inner conflict between her love and religious duty.
Ave, Khursud's mother, represents the community's strong commitment to Zoroastrian law, contrasting with Makkhi's emotional struggle. Khursud, a high priest and Makkhi's husband, faces his own conflict between his duties and his grief over Khutti. This highlights the tension between religious leadership and personal loss.
The community's varied reactions to Makkhi's defiance show different perspectives on faith and morality. The story delves into themes of sacrifice, love, and the clash between personal conscience and community beliefs, prompting readers to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit. - Anand Prince
Wuthering Heights, The Castle, Zorba the Greek, The Bell Jar, The God of Small Things, Malgudi Days,... No book ever tops the Harry Potter series, which stirred up the universe of imagination within me, creating an impossible world through spells and enchantments. No matter people’s prejudices, this 30-year-old is proud of holding the series as the best and most favourite read because anyone who has read the whole of the series and understood its significations, will agree with me when I say it is not just a storyworld for kids. It is most definitely and unquestionably for all.
I first got acquainted with Harry Potter when I was 10 years old. I was an avid reader at the time, in the pre-social media era. I can only remember that I started reading the books. I was, straight away, swept right into the magic world of Hogwarts and Hogsmede, and when I was not there I was at least in London in the early 1990s. I finished the whole series by my early teens. Nothing else mattered to me but the wizarding world.
Even as I entered the world of literature and classics in my late teens and early twenties, the Potterhead in me definitely comes up more often than not, even as I have entered the 30-club. Harry potter is manifested in physical belongings as well, from the ‘Hufflepuff’ keychain and scarf, and the ‘deathly hallows’ and ‘he who must not be named’ jibbits charms for my shoes. There you have it! - Alaka J
My journey into comic books began in 2003-04 with a Spider-Man issue where Spidey battled Doc Ock. That vibrant, action-packed 20-page book ignited my fascination with comics, especially after watching Spider-Man 2. The heroes and villains dancing across colorful panels captivated me. However, my joy was short-lived as new comics became hard to find in nearby bookstores, and gradually, they became a rarity.
Fast-forward to 2013-14, the digital age, and my allegiance shifted to DC, particularly Batman. I was instantly drawn to the storylines of the World’s Greatest Detective. I devoured arcs like Batman: The Court of Owls, Batman: Death Of The Family (The New 52), and Batman: Zero Year-Secret City (The New 52), among others.
These comics had a profound impact on my life, teaching me about courage, resilience, and determination. During tough times, I'd ask myself, "What would Batman do?" His unwavering resolve fueled my own battles.
Now, with a collection of cherished comics, I see them not just as escapism but as sources of solace and life lessons, embracing the extraordinary within the ordinary. - Abijith Jayakumar
Published: 24 Jun 2024, 03:30 pm IST
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