Blog Number 101 - Book Update

For some of us the easy way to keep our sanity in financially troubled times is to simply stay away from predator lenders (I love that term), the stockmarkets and shop at discount stores. For some others, its to run. For those who remember the Pathan (atleast he likes to think he is) who valiantly ran 650km across my homeland has once again embarked on another crazy adventure. Staying true to his vision, if I can walk it then he can run it, he is going to run through Lebanon. And he convinced his foolhardy cameraman, Des, to click his spurt through Beirut. Stay tuned here to record their progress. Between work reading, articles from friends, the Economist and my regular newspaper digests when travelling I don't seem to be able get much time for casual reading. I also seem to be shifting more towards non-fictional reading and biographies. The designer on the other hand continues to devours volumes by the dozen. We are thinking of investing in new shelves. It was not part of the dowry kitty. The Agony and the Ecstasy - One word summarises this book for me - Inspirational. It records the painful toil of a great human being dedicated to only his work and who lived for his family. Inspite of being set in trecherous times, he seemed to coast above it and fulfill what he beleived in. I find it inspirational because of his work ethic and his focus on his vision on how things were to be done. No easy road for this man. However it is often tinged with his seemingly egotistical thinking which is often manifested in his temper. The book is often a bit patronizing such that sometime you get the impression that its written by a lover and not a biographer. Its also the best book to read before visiting the renaissance city of Florence. Inspite of not knowing a lot about the region, I think I would like to read a few more book about this period and its artists. This is definitely a top 10 book for me. There is however a lot of detail in book so it can be a hard read especially about his formative years. Warning - you may be left with the feeling that you're leading a passionless life after reading this book, such is the investment Michelangelo makes in what he beleives in. I would like to read this book again sometime. The Elephanta Suite - This is not a feel good book. Its also the perfect book for the narcisstic Indian. I often meet brethren who cannot shut about what a fantastic place they come from and continue to extol the fine virtues of Indian to their attentive future euro/dollar pimping tourists friends . There have been many books to that effect also. This is perhaps one of the few that is against the tide. Not sure I am excited about the book but like it for it being different. Its a compilation of short stories, I would have changed the order of the stories, the latter stories are a bit more interesting. It needles together the religous rioting, the suave Indian career bugger, animals, the godmen, poverty, the uninitiated fumbling male and many other things that make my country special. Overall a book worth my time but a poor to read for those who are trying to glean some input to build a mental picture of India. Or maybe it is? Disgrace - Coetzee is a well known author and is distinguished by winning the booker prize twice and in which Disgrace being the cause the second time around. Its a very hard book describe. It debases humanity's own very soul but it also is the sad truth that many refuse to acknowledge. Its conceivable storyline, especially if you are familiar with the new South Africa, is harsh and the contrasts it brings forward are even less palatable. Its comparable with the new South Africa. It seems like the country has moved ahead but forgot to read a few chapters in between but at the sametime grateful its ahead. It describes the clash of times in rural Africa. For example, rape at which one would balk at harshly but instead the argument seems to be between whethers its the price to pay for living in rural Africa or is it payment for the attrocities commited in the past. I think Coetzee has done a remarkable job in presenting the thinking of both races well and also the distinction in attitudes in the 2 different generations in these races. I connect with a lot that is in the book because it is in someway the Africa I knew while I was growing up and the Africa that I saw when I was there last. Verdict - Very nice but not for everyone.