A strange book, a queer melange of memoir and letters, reminiscences and speculation.
Forster writes about his time at the court of an eccentric IndianA strange book, a queer melange of memoir and letters, reminiscences and speculation.
Forster writes about his time at the court of an eccentric Indian prince. He admires the prince, for his wisdom and humour, his apparent saintliness, but Forster is also frustrated by the excesses and chaos of the court, and baffled by innumerable incongruities.
Reading this I kept thinking back to A Great Unrecorded History: A New Life of E. M. Forster, which fills in some of the blanks in Forster's personal life while living in India. Forster omits many things in this book which were revealed in his letters to personal friends and disclosed in the biography.
The back cover refers to "bewildering contradictions" and "the court of a brilliant young Maharajah." This memoir from Forster touches on colonialism, the perils of modernization, the mysteries of religion, cultural conflicts, personal relations, bureaucracy, and all that is India in its glory.
I found the experience of reading this book to be a little bit overwhelming, because of the wealth of contradictions and uncertainties. This probably reflects how Forster felt during his time at this court, observing the baffling palace intrigues but never quite understanding anything....more
Written in the 1930s, this short novel follows one day in the life of a teenage "sweeper" who, by accident of birth, inherits the family occupation anWritten in the 1930s, this short novel follows one day in the life of a teenage "sweeper" who, by accident of birth, inherits the family occupation and the designation as an "untouchable".
With an afterword by E.M. Forster, this powerful work grapples with outsized issues of prejudice, religion, destiny, and offers some insight into tactics to overcome the system. The 2014 introduction provides important context for developments since the time of the novel. Gandhi is discussed in the forward, and appears in the novel. Apparently he was an influence on Anand.
Most of the novel closely follows the sweeper Bakha, who cleans latrines and sweeps refuse from the streets. Bakha is uneducated — because he is not permitted to attend school (where he would pollute the other students). Bakha is confused by religion — because he is forbidden to enter a temple (because of pollution, etc.)
Late in the book, in a moment of turmoil, Bakha encounters a Christian missionary who has adopted elements of native dress and attempted to learn the language: "But the edge of his tongue was like a pair of scissors which cut the pattern of Hindustani into smithereens as a parrot snips his food into bits."
The missionary provides an excuse to explore the power of Christianity to improve the lives of the underclass, but Bakha is left confused. Next up, Gandhi.
The text in the late stages diverges from a clean focus on Baker's life into a muddy exploration of philosophy, and that somewhat detracts from the literary merit of the novel. What else to do, though? How else to impose this important discussion on the reader?...more
The first part of this novel, which takes place on an ashram in India, is more interesting, but the second part feels rushed, and the plot feels forceThe first part of this novel, which takes place on an ashram in India, is more interesting, but the second part feels rushed, and the plot feels forced and manipulated.
There is much to love with this novel but I struggled with it. [Warning: may be spoilers!]
The assumption is made that either the blue skinned boy is a god or he is not — is there no middle ground? Where one can be a servant of spirit, a vessel or intermediary? The binary choice here seemed forced.
Besides the rushed pace in the second half, the editing seemed a little uneven. The basic background to the "Kumari virgin" character was explained not once, not twice, but three times. Even so the background was not completely accurate (the practice does not simply occur in "a village in Nepal" but is much more widespread than that in cities and towns — in fact there may be several in a single city).
This novel also raises the issue —what makes a book quality as being LGBTQ+? The author on this book page suggests reasons it does qualify, but I am not shelving it with that label.
I've rounded down to 3 stars, because my interest waned in the last section of the book....more
A fat book about the Himalayan region, which touches on India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sikkim, Ladakh, Kashmir, and of course, Tibet; as well as coverinA fat book about the Himalayan region, which touches on India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sikkim, Ladakh, Kashmir, and of course, Tibet; as well as covering topics as diverse as the East India Company, British colonialism, the Great Game, Afghanistan, botany, mountaineering, boundary disputes, generations of Nepalese politicians and royalty, Queen Elizabeth tiger hunting, a Chinese highway into Kathmandu, more Sherpas in New York City than in Khombu, the brisk trade in rhubarb, political protests and uprisings in Lhasa, Younghusband's invasion of Tibet, Nepali migrant workers, and deaths on Chomolungma (sometimes known as Mount Everest).
Whew!
I greatly enjoyed the first several chapters about Lost Kingdoms and First Explorers, and appreciated the assertion that Tibet was not "isolated" but was trading and interacting with its neighbours throughout history. There were long-established trade routes through the mountains, and goods and ideas travelled in all directions.
However, there are long detailed chapters about Plant Hunters (think endless rhododendrons and Himalayan blue poppies) and waves of Mountaineers seeking records, glory, and early death — these sections were rather a slog. There are also long passages about the nuances of Nepalese politics, which felt overly-detailed, especially compared to other regions, such as Kashmir, that were barely mentioned. However, this author knows Nepal and the Tibetan occupation so of course he has focused on that, and brought years of research onto his study.
The result is a look at the region taking different approaches or views: through science or botany, or exploration, or power and politics.
When you walk among these mountains, you feel humbled and overwhelmed, and mounting a ridge may be startled by the view — a hidden valley, an unexpected snowy peak shimmering in the sun, or a beckoning village on the next ridge that appears so close yet will take a day to reach. Attempting this book was much the same experience — overwhelming and enriching, even daunting....more
Everything was slightly off in this book, from the title to the arrangement of the short chapters. The title tries too hard to be salacious, but many Everything was slightly off in this book, from the title to the arrangement of the short chapters. The title tries too hard to be salacious, but many of the women were not "wicked", even by the standards of the day. The chapters were short, each focused on one (or two) women, roughly arranged chronologically. Yet in a couple of instances there were generations of marriages (i.e. father married a European woman, son did too), and even though these women knew each other their chapters were told separately. The result was a narrative which never really got off the ground, mostly just sketched the barest facts about someone's life, plus lots of discussion about gemstones and the double-bladed sword of racism that cuts both ways.
The introduction tried to provide some context, and is full of examples of feisty interesting women and their connection to India (such as the Naga Queen and her Sten gun). The problem here? — these women were not part of this book. So why use the introduction to talk about interesting women who turn out NOT to be the subjects of your book about women?...more
This is a difficult book to rate because it was a painful book to read. It is an ordeal to read about children and sex trafficking, and the main charaThis is a difficult book to rate because it was a painful book to read. It is an ordeal to read about children and sex trafficking, and the main character is complicated. The book is well written and so on, but— ...more
A gritty Indian version of magic realism. Bombay the teeming city is more than a location — the setting itself offer a multitude of possibilities.
A sA gritty Indian version of magic realism. Bombay the teeming city is more than a location — the setting itself offer a multitude of possibilities.
A strange novel, full of coincidence, that somehow feels more real than imaginary. In this city, the magic of the realism is condensed and palpable....more
A big sprawling narrative that manages to be intimate and sweeping all at the same time. The story here is the birth of modern India and modern PakistA big sprawling narrative that manages to be intimate and sweeping all at the same time. The story here is the birth of modern India and modern Pakistan (that is, the implementation of Partition) but in a brilliant touch we also have —at the stroke of midnight— the birth of the narrator. (A tip of the hat, perhaps, to Tristam Shandy, who also narrates his own birth).
Writers from India are peerless in creating these big sprawling lush yet intimate novels, and Midnight's Children is fascinating, timeless, harsh, and beautiful....more
An overview of Afghanistan history with a focus on the British Invasion of 1839 — in the conflict that became known to the colonial powers as the FirsAn overview of Afghanistan history with a focus on the British Invasion of 1839 — in the conflict that became known to the colonial powers as the First Afghan War.
Modern parallels with the more recent US invasion have been widely reported but this writer tells us where he was at the exact moment he figured it out for himself (hint — not reading the NYT or The Economist, which surely would have sped up the process).
In his historical rendering of the 1839 campaign, Dalrymple paints a portrait of the British Empire (run by a limited stock company, foreshadowing the corporate takeover of the entire planet) at its most pompous and bumbling. The author has done extensive research, and uses a variety of sources (including local voices) to develop a rich tapestry, but unfortunately one featuring incompetence, duplicity and hubris.
Some things never change. There are many reasons why Afghanistan became known as "The Graveyard of Empires" — yet world powers stubbornly keep playing the game and eventually losing....more
Much to admire here. Suri is a powerful, compelling writer, with the ability to balance the detail of characters with big themes and metaphors. Oddly Much to admire here. Suri is a powerful, compelling writer, with the ability to balance the detail of characters with big themes and metaphors. Oddly enough, having become used to the voice of "Sarita" I found it jarring to switch to "Jaz". The Jazter's constant reference to himself and his body parts in the third person (while certainly and bizarrely current in a Trumpian sense) was also annoying. Overall, this novel is a horrifying glimpse of how quickly everything can all go terribly wrong....more
An excellent novel filled with petty characters and transcendent moments. Much allegory, nicely done. I'm now a big fan of Manil Suri.An excellent novel filled with petty characters and transcendent moments. Much allegory, nicely done. I'm now a big fan of Manil Suri....more
Strongly written memoir about a young man in search of himself by attempting to follow a Tibetan Buddhist path. Mostly, the book is about his friend, Strongly written memoir about a young man in search of himself by attempting to follow a Tibetan Buddhist path. Mostly, the book is about his friend, nicknamed Tsar and how Tsar's irreverence is an influence in the quest for true meaning and true spirituality. Much behind the scenes gossip of Tibetan teachers and students. I wish there were some pictures included here, even just street scenes from Dharamsala....more
There are three story lines here. One in London, following a grave robber. One purporting to be a document about Thugs in 1840, and a third story lineThere are three story lines here. One in London, following a grave robber. One purporting to be a document about Thugs in 1840, and a third story line written in a florid script which (I believe) is supposed to suggest a handwritten document. I enjoyed the London story line; the document was hard to get into, and the florid script was impossible to read (literally, it strained the eyes). I tired skipping two of the three story lines, but then thought, what the thug? and gave up. Sorry, it's not you, it's me....more
This biography of a Japanese seeker describes an "old-school" type of travel. You want to go to Tibet? First you go to India and spend a couple of yeaThis biography of a Japanese seeker describes an "old-school" type of travel. You want to go to Tibet? First you go to India and spend a couple of years learning local languages. Then you go to Tibet.
Yes, that is how to travel. You learn the local languages, and then you walk there. You walk everywhere. You stay a long time and see a lot. You lead a fascinating life. You go back to Japan and write books about your adventures. And then Scott Berry writes your biography....more
Born near the Himalayas, the child of empire, Younghusband led a fascinating —almost unbelievable— life.
It is not widely mentioned how British politiBorn near the Himalayas, the child of empire, Younghusband led a fascinating —almost unbelievable— life.
It is not widely mentioned how British politics played a role in betraying the sovereignty of Tibet, but Younghusband's invasion of Tibet in 1903 should be known for its brutality. In fact the slaughter of Tibetans using Maxim guns foreshadowed the industrial scale slaughter on the battlefields of World War I.
Younghusband's foray into Tibet seems to have touched him, however, perhaps awakening a spiritual side. A story which needs to be read to be believed....more
The winner of the Booker Prize, this slim novel packs a big punch. There is one timeline from 1923 ("Olivia's story") and a second contemporary (1970sThe winner of the Booker Prize, this slim novel packs a big punch. There is one timeline from 1923 ("Olivia's story") and a second contemporary (1970s) timeline. Race, sexuality, spirituality, class systems, gender roles, layers of identity— all of these big tickets items are filtered through a deceptively spare narrative.
This author is perhaps best known for being the screen writer/ collaborator on many of those wonderful Merchant Ivory productions.
Big themes distilled into the essence of character and rendered with intimacy and grace — that is what this writer achieves....more
This collection of "Wisdom Tales from Tibet" is a barrel of wisdom that can never be exhausted. Most stories are only a page or two, perfect for a momThis collection of "Wisdom Tales from Tibet" is a barrel of wisdom that can never be exhausted. Most stories are only a page or two, perfect for a moment's inspiration.
Fascinating little tales of all nature. Some realistic, some supernatural, some like fairy tales or folk tales from another culture. I enjoyed everything, including the illustrations.
"A Yogi Meets a Yeti" would not have been out of place in Grimm's or Anderson's fairy tales — that is, of course, if Grimm and Anderson had compiled their tales in the Himalayas....more
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