The Monkey King - Timothy Mo

This writer has been in discussion for a while, with the release of his new book Pure, which I guess was published after a long gap. Timothy Mo became a popular figure along with Salman Rushdie and Kazuo Ishiguro in the 80s after few successful novels. Like the other two, he too have a mixed background. Born to a Hongkong father and a British Mother, he too writers about the duality of culture and the life spent between Orient and London.

The monkey King, is his first published work and the only one I've read so far. Set in Hongkong, following the life and fortune of a rich business family, he explains the book is result of his early days in Hongkong. Hongkong , where the Portuguese ( in Macau), Chinese, British and Indian (due to British Influence during war) culture intermix is an interesting place. The World War is ended and Japanese have returned. The Post war depression is evident Wallace Nolasco, with his Potruguese background from Macau, is now married to the daughter of Mr.Poon, a wealthy businessman in Hongkong. Moving into his house, Wallace soon realised that all is not well for him at the new place. An autocratic family , with Mr.Poon controlling the affairs with his iron fist, had no power to either Wallace( his son-in-law) nor his wife beating son. A crowded house-hold which included many Amah's for house duties and a couple of unmarried sisters, apart from the Poons and his grand children. Wallace, status and his respect in the house is directly related to Poon's behaviour and Wallace realised that he was short sold and the promised dowry was not given.

His act of rebel did not have any direct consequences with no other support to his mission. However, he slowly changed the tactic to work around his wife and Poon's grand children. Often spending time outside the house, exploring Hongkong along with his wife and few other company, which seems to have caused some disturbances in the house. However, Mr.Poon had other plans. Using Wallace's connections and his easy going nature, he wanted to expand his business. Planting Wallace in one of the state agencies, and befriending the authorities, he secured a huge contract for rebuilding. The irregularities were found out and Wallace with his wife were moved to a farm house in the country to avoid any repercussions. Working among the locals and the revelutionaries, Wallace build his clout in the country as well , before he was called back to take over from an ailing Poon. The last par of the book is the rule of Wallace, on building his empire back.

A three part book, the first focussing on the Poon house , the second on Wallace's time in the country house and the third on his return and building the empire by himself. The language and style is something very similar to the books you read from the orient. The use of Hongkong diction and the local idioms, the mix of few local expressions were interesting to note. The sly humour which is in abundance is very entertaining, especially in the early pages with Poon family. By rebelling the Poon's Wallace is not only questioning the family, but some of the age old practices and tradition of the Cantonese living. He is an outsider, hence take the liberty to continue to be an outsider.

I am not sure of the connection with the old Chinese folklore of 'Legend of the Monkey King". However, I do feel there are some strong references to the tale of Monkey King to Wallace. The book is not too absorbing and engaging. The language is such , detached san emotion. Its a good book, but nothing spectacular to talk about.

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The Monkey King (1978)

Timothy Mo

Abacus

215 Pages
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Confusionism in Timothy Mo's The monkey King, L A Times,

The Magic Flute ( Krishnavatara I ) - K M Munshi

Years ago, I read Kulapathi K M Munshi's krishnavatara, translated into Malayalam, when it was published in pieces in one of the leading weekly. Now, when I had a chance to read the whole series again, in English, I thought it was a good idea to revisit. K M Munshi, one of the pillars of modern Gujarati Literature is known more for his works associated with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and his efforts to publish books for the general public at affordable rates.

Story of Krishna is part of our upbringing. Every Indian, would have gone through the stories in various doses and forms. One, he is a colorful character, a bit of kiddishness, lot of naughtiness, a lover boy, a master manipulator and a clear headed task master. He can wear the appropriate mantle as he deem fit. Around the divinity and the supernatural ability, there is a face of an adorable young boy. Despite the burden of being the 'avatar' of the Lord Vishnu, his character and mannerisms often are too grounded and can be related to any common man. Perhaps, that make him the most sought after person from the scriptures. Derived out of the epic Mahabharata, later developed into another mega scripture, Srimad Bhagavata, , probably is the first dedicated literary work on the life of Krishna. However, there were many many legends and versions of the text available through out the centuries around Krishna.

K M Munshi's version of the story do justice to the mostly told and perpetuated version, at least in the initial book. A series of 7 book ( the eight book which was being written was left incomplete, due to his demise in 1971) on Krishna is is written and published between 1962 to 1970 completing lifestory of Krishna. The Magic Flute, first of the series takes up the pre-birth days of Krishna until the death of King and his uncle Kamsa. What was interesting is the way he mixed the legend of Radha into his narrative , without causing any narrative disruption. In the Chapter where he introduced Radha, he spends more than a page of notes, mentioning the controversy surrounding Radha, on how it was not present in Mahabharata and Bhagavata, but remained in the hearts of millions of people.

I believe, it is a self translated book and it do have its own drawbacks. The language, may be intended, is a bit text-bookish and uneven. It improved as we progressed through the book,though. For those who look for it, it can be a very spiritual experience, and those who would like to see the humane side of the God, it has ample scope of interpretation. May be the humanisation of the various characters without deviating from the core is the highlight thus far.

In the introductory chapter, K M Munshi, explains, why he chose to present the story of Krishna.

Wise and valorous, he was, loving and loved, far-seeing and yet living for the moment, gifted with sage-like detachment and yet intensely human; the diplomat, the sage and the man of action with personality as luminous as that of a divinity. The urge therefore, came upon me, time and again, to embark upon a reconstruction of his life and adventures by weaving a romance around him.

This is the first book and another six to go. To me this is more than a 'refresher course'. It is the effort of one of the classical writer of the 20th century that needed attention and a re-look.

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The Magic Flute ( Krishnavatara I ) ( 1962)

K M Munshi

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

249 Pages
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Fermat's Enigma - Simon Singh

"I think I'll stop here ", concluded Prof Andrew Wiles , his third and final lecture of the series at the Cambridge University, to the transfixed audiences which included some of the prominent mathematician of the world. Only a few understood those symbols and equations that was scribbled on the board. But most of them knew that they witnessed one of the biggest moment in the history of mathematics. The 300 year old, longest standing mathematical problem has now been solved. Fermat's Last Theorem, which puzzled, frustrated and challenged the brilliant minds across the globe for over three centuries is now been addressed. The Misery resolved, the mathematicians around the world is now rejoiced.

Some of the toughest problems of the world are simple, yet difficult to prove. We all have learned the Pythagoras' theorem of right angles triangles.  a (2) + b(2) =c(2) where c represents the length of the hypotenuse, and a and b represent the lengths of the other two sides.

Mathematician who followed, Pythagoras , like Euclid , Dyophantus and the those of Hypatian school of Alexandria made early progress in the development of Mathematical Sciences. During renaissance period, the newly learnt wisdom of Arab's and the Eastern world, the European thinkers and mathematicians gave giant leap to the science of mathematics.

In the early 17th century Frenchman Pierre de Fermat, an amateur mathematician was famous for his riddles, usually aimed at those across the Channel at England. While exploring the Dyaphantus book 'Arithametica' he wrote his famous observation which later came to be known as 'Fermat's Last Theorem' , tormenting the mathematicians around the world for next three centuries. His theorem states that no three positive integers a, b, and c can satisfy the equation an + bn = cn for any integer value of n greater than two. On the margins of the book he also noted that "I have discovered a truly marvelous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain." 

Cubum autem in duos cubos, aut quadratoquadratum in duos quadratoquadratos, et generaliter nullam in infinitum ultra quadratum potestatem in duos eiusdem nominis fas est dividere cuius rei demonstrationem mirabilem sane detexi. Hanc marginis exiguitas non caperet. ( it is impossible to separate a cube into two cubes, or a fourth power into two fourth powers, or in general, any power higher than the second, into two like powers. I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of this, which this margin is too narrow to contain)

The master riddler, now sent the world in a spin with rather innocent looking observation. The next few centuries saw mathematicians trying to find out the elusive proof, which Fermat supposed to have found but did not bother to write down for want of space in the margin ! The "number theory " branch of mathematics saw quantum progress, thanks to one riddler called Pierre de Fermat.

The world had been seeing many such conjectures and theorems over the years. Many were either proven or broken with the latest methods or the technological improvements, largely with the invention of computers. However, this one remained elusive. Some people even gave up trying, despite some large amount of money being promised by many institutes and individuals.

Simon Singh's book on the triumph over Fermat's theorem , takes us through this mathematical journey. From the early days of Mathematics, secretly hidden in the "Pythagoran sects" later flourished under the various rulers and thinkers in the early ages, to the days of Fermat and the later mathematicians, directly of indirectly influencing the progress in number theory. This book, resulted of a documentary he directed for BBC on Andrew Wiles ( see the you tube link here) , is a detailed exploration of the birth and its progress through the millennium, the centuries, decades and years of progress of mathematical wisdom.

There were tricksters as well. People who churn out 'theorems' and conjectures to the world, And there are many which at the first look appears to be true. Look at the below sequence.

31 ; 331 ; 3,331 ; 33,331 ; 333,331 ; 3,333,331 ; 33,333,331 ...all these are prime numbers. However, the next number in this pattern 333,333,331 is not a prime. 333,333,331 = 17 x 19,607,843.

Similarly, Euler , 18th century mathematician extrapolated the Fermat's Theorem with his on version. Euler's conjecture said , there are no whole number solution for x 4 + y4 + z4 =w4. For two hundred years nobody could prove Euler's conjecture.On the other hand , nobody could disprove it by finding a counter example. LAck of counter example is a strong evidence in favour of the conjecture. Then, in 1968, Naom Elkies of Harward University discovered the following solution

2682449(4) + 15365,639(4) + 18,796,760(4) = 20,615,673(4)  , thus proving Euler's conjecture wrong..

Various mathematical wiz-kids attempted this theorem, moving towards the proof. In the 18th and 19th century, the proof for the power of 3,4,5 and upto 7 were established. But none of them is not good enough in the strict mathematical arena as the proof for the theorem. With the help of the computers and the progress over the centuries, mathematicians now are able to use the new techniques and tools that are available to them. Improvements in the other areas of mathematics, especially in the algebraic equation helped advancement in this regard. Then in 1959, two Japanese Mathematicians, made a great announcement comparing 'elliptical equations' to the 'modular forms', which later came to fame as Taniyama-Shimura Conjecture. There were attempts to prove this and a theorem comparing Taniyama-Shimura conjecture to the Fermat's Last Theorem was evidently established. Which in other words mean that if Taniyama-Shiumura Conjecture is proved, Fermat's Last Theorem is true. With the renewed vigour, mathematicians around the world got back to their scratch pads, trying to get the conjecture proved.

Andrew Wiles, by now a professor at Princeton , had his childhood dream on working and proving Fermat's theorem. The rest of the book is on his 7 years of efforts , his small achievements and many set backs on working on his dream project. to protect his efforts and achievements ( you do the 99% of the works and taking it from here someone else completing the job, thus taking all the claim is something he wanted to avoid) he worked in secrecy, even hiding from his own close associates and friends.

While Andrew Wiles was shut himself in a room working with single objective, a Japanese Mathematician Miyaoka in 1988 announced to the world that he has found a proof, shattering Wiles dreams. However, to the relief of Andrew, his claim was also failed to break the long pending wait for proof , triggering an interesting graffiti at the NY underground with the artist declaring " I have discovered a truly remarkable proof of this, but I can't write it now because my train is coming."

Then on the eventful day 23 June 1993, he announced to the world at his alma matar , in the presence of his mentor , that he had found the proof to the Fermat's Last Theorem. But the process of verification and authentication remain. The journal has to recruit some of the best judges to go through his manuscript and scrutinize every line to make sure there are no mistakes, any points overlooked or made any un-clarified assumptions. As feared, there was a glitch as one of the points did not work in all the possible hypothesis. To cut short, the next one and half years were heartburn for Andrew. As is in many cases, he was about to abandon his effort and accept the inevitable, the solution to the problem appeared to him. He was more relieved than elated.

Now that the long standing problem is solved, the mathematical world is suddenly has no new challenge (well, not to this level of complexity). That also means, the world need another motivation that can trigger the next wave of progress. As Wiles mentioned, the sense of purpose is now lost. The remaining of the days will not be as directed as it used to be. There is still hope for the enthusiasts. Most of the methods and tools by Andrew Wiles and his contemporaries were not available to Fermat while he worked on this. And if his claim is true, then there is a much simpler way to prove the theorem. The quest is now on to find out the proof Fermat had in his mind..
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Fermat's Enigma ( 1997)

Simon Singh

Anchor Books

315 Pages
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NY Times, Leegruenfield,

Underworld - Don DeLillo

The day Bobby Johnson hit a home run to win the National League title for Giants against Dodgers, USSR successfully detonated the second Nuclear Bomb. Don DeLillo's master piece starts at this moment, with the match description and the boy who managed to collect the ball that went into the crowd, which his alcoholic father sells to an enthusiast for 23 Dollars.

The united states in the second half 20th century, the war is won and after the nuclear bomb is dropped in Japan. The imminent threat of USSR are looming in the air, the world is getting divided between the Socialists and Capitalist economies. USSR is building capabilities to compete with the mighty US. The explosion of the Nuclear Bomb is one of their signal to the other world of their intention. Cold war between the nations are at the peak. The Cuban Missile Crisis, the McCarthy era, nuclear proliferation and the rest of the events that was prominent in the 50 years since the World War. The common lives in the US is deeply influenced by the effects of cold war. The anxiety, the fear resulting in various precautionary measures. Children are brought up with emergency measures. These realities of the new world is the back drop of DeLillo's novel.

However, DeLillo construct his mammoth book around Nick Shay, a garbage and waste collection and disposal expert ( who incidentally now owns the baseball that was hit for the home run in 1951. Nick with a past of an accidental murder, being in juvenile retention center before beginning his new life at a Jesuit Reform School. Most of the events revolve around Nick and his immediate surroundings, his wife who harbors an illicit relation with his close friend, his brother, other friends and colleagues. Structurally told in reverse chronological order fro the 90s to the 50s through it various incidents rebuilding the life during cold war.

With these loosely held narrative, he builds the modern American society under the influence of the economic and political scene. However, this book is not much of a plot, a character development or a story. Its about writing. May be that is why the experience is in reading. Its too intelligent to the reader. Its is too perfect from the construction and the formation of words , sentences and paragraphs. In its effect to retain the medium at its prime, the rest are not given much importance. The world continue to discuss this as a literary phenomenon ( as the greatest American Novel of 20th century and all that) is precisely comes from this ambiguity that he build around his own world. The controlling hand of the writer is omnipresent often hindering the smooth reading. Which is why even after reading this mammoth book, one can not warm up to it.

The reaction within me was contradictory. Glorious at times, Boring and pretentious at places, engaging and interesting at places, yet dull and dragging at other times. Its massive, by size and accomplishment. Its definitely not an easy read and not easy to fully comprehend. I think he manages to bring out the frustration, fear, anxiety and related major events during the cold war years. At the end, its a sense of relief after you are through with 830 pages.

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Underworld ( 1997 )

Don DeLillo

Picador

827 pages
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Wiki Entry, Guardian, Review and Responses, The New Canon

Chowringhee - Sankar

Few novels have the ability to captivate you. There are no major twist or turns like a thriller, the story is simple and normal, yet absorbing. The book could be noted as dated, for it is written and published in 1962, yet it has an aura of freshness around it. Set in the early 50s, in a Metropolitan hotel in Calcutta ( named Hotel Shahjahan ), this often anecdotal, mostly incident based narrative revolving around the hotel employees and the guests takes us to an entirely different world of existence. The worlds war II is ended and the Britishers are folded back to their country leaving India to the control of Indians. However, many Victorian lifestyle remain with the urban elite of India, with their evening parties and elite gathering.

Told in first person narrative by Shankar , who started his career under Calcuttan barrister Noel Barwell ( an overlap with the writer Sankar can be observed here) after his father passed away, before being employed at Hotel Shahjahan which boast its Victorian heritage. Young Sankar, a novice join the work group at the Shahjahan Hotel as a reception help, being recommended by his friend Byron an Anglo-Indian private detective. Under the fold of experienced and dashing Satyasundar Bose ( Sata Bose as he is called) , Shankar learns the primary lessons in managing the hotel. The functioning of various teams, the men behind these tasks and their own life beyond what is exhibited to the guests with a smile. Shankar realises the dual world that exists within the hotel and outside on every character he meet , be it the guests , the businessmen who frequent, the hotel staffs or the manager himself, to which he is a silent witness and often made to participate . Beyond the facade of the building, has a life which are hard and often sad. The manager Marco Polo, an Italian who moved in to take charge from a reputed hotel in Rangoon had his own past connected to the city. A story of love and treachery, so is the 'dhobi', a brahmin lament over his ill-luck of having to wash dirty linen. His mentor Sata Bose , the stenographer Rosie, the musician Gomez, various dancers who frequent Shahjahan to perform Cabaret are treasure trove of stories and experiences to tell.

It is this duality of life, I guess, makes this novel interesting to read. Forced to present themselves to the world demanded by their profession and an inner world which is suppressed to the small world of their own existence. Shankar does a marvellous job in getting these dual world to the best effect with sublime use of language and emotion. While the story moves through a predictable outcome at the end, the importance is not for the plot per se, but for the narration and narrative space. Shankar , writes some moving episodes of the lives of few individuals, in its richness and depth. One Dr.Sutherland, who comes in search of his ancestors, The Scottish Dancer and her dwarf brother, the Air hostess who falls in love with Sata Bose, the musician Gomez and his 17th century Mozzart, Brahms and other records, Rosie and her failed marriage, the hostess at the Suite number one employed to entertain the corporate guests for a business family who committed suicide, the filmstar who take refuge at the hotel running away from her husband... Sankar gives some memorable and characters to the readers,

The beauty of the book is in its mosaical narrative. The kaleidoscopic images of the interconnected members of the hotel and the guests. Those with long lasting involvement and interests in the hotel. Microcosm of the world revealed within the four walls of the empire of Shahjahan hotel. As one character says "every brick in this Hotel has a novel in it".

Interestingly, this book was written and published three years before Aurthur Haileys celebrated Hotel, which went on to become a best seller book as well as movie. Aurthur Hailey's book deals with the happening around the hotel and not much to do with the inner lives of its employees and its guests. I haven't read Joseph Roth's "Hotel Savoy", which I understand is a different class altogether. To me, despite its lack of wholesomeness, this book has some beautiful writing, remarkably translated by Arunava Sinha.

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Chowringhee ( 1962 )

Sankar ( Mani Sankar Mukherji) - Translated from Bengali by Arunava Sinha ( 2007)

Penguin Books

403 Pages
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Guardian, the Economics, Behind the scene, Neel Mukherjee

ലൈവ് ഗ്രീന്‍ - 30 (Live Green 30) - Ajith Janardanan

Few years ago, Jose Saramago published a book called "Death at Intervals". Building up a world of chaos at the result of death's absence, in his own inimitable style. Satirical , witty and with great restraint ( its easy to go haywire with such a theme), he produced a brilliant work to me the last significant work by the Nobel Laureate. When I read the blurb of Ajith Janardanan's new book, the reference of Saramago's book came into mind. I am not comparing a novice to the Nobel Laureate, but bringing to your attention a class work around death, or its absence there of.

Ajith Janardananan's short Novel, which won the Manorama Online Novel Carnival award ( I guess it can be read online here), looks at the duality of world, where the mortals, won over the death thus eventually achieving what the entire human civilisation was working towards for generations to generations. They discovered the magic medicine, to prevent death and aging. However, for every step towards progress(?), there have to be an opposition. There were equally strong rejection to the medicine ( called Live Green 30) and defying the will of God by the other half of populace. The world debated and split in line with their believes. Those who supported 'immortality" chose to find their own world called "Bravo" and those who wish to remain faithful to the God's wishes retained their world 'Alpha'. A Great migration between the worlds ensured clear differentiation despite the initial chaos and loss of human lives.

For the people of Bravo, the initial excitement did not last long. The population grew in the absence of death. The had to mandate that people take necessary precaution ( giving up birth) before they have been accepted to the fold of 'immortals' by ceremoniously taking the 'Live Green 30'. There were rebellious voices which had to be curbed. The inventor himself ( One David Kinman) came out against his invention ( albeit discreetly). Many people grew disappointed with life and wanted to return to the normalcy. There are no new births of kids and many professions seems to be of no value in the new system ( gynecologist, teachers).

On the other side of the world, David Kinman's son ( who along with his mother refused to move to the new world) trying to find remedy to his father's mistake. He believed it is his moral obligation to correct his father's error. While the youngsters are now finding the 'immortality' an attractive options and certain quarters are rumored to have been developing the clandestine version of Live Green 30. There were also news of an imminent attack by the Bravo , struggling to provide for its growing population with resources.

It is in this world where few youngsters in Bravo, attempting to make some changes. They build temples, "old age homes" for people disillusioned with life, maternity clinic for those refuse to tow the line of authorities. They also wanted David Kinman to break his silence and talk to the world, by attempting to get an interview published. The book then looks at the various possibilities for both Alpha and Bravo voices of rebel and authorities , not very convincingly though.

While the short novella has nothing to claim in the literary side, it is a curious attempt to build upon a possibility in its fullest extend. To me, Ajith Janardanan had succeeded in that front. Despite few clieched, often expected lines of writing, it did bring out a freshness in the narration in Malayalam writing.

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ലൈവ് ഗ്രീന്‍ - 30 / Live Green 30 ( 2012)

Ajith Janardanan

D C Books

79 Pages

Rs 55
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A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali - Gil Courtemanche

".. talked without stopping, about AIDS, about corruption and about massacres. He repeated what (he) had said a thousand times before...."

The story of every genocide takes the same often narrated path of violence and massacre. The second World War, the balkan conflict or what the world witnessed in Africa. The story of molestation, violence, rape and massacre repeat itself, by merely changing the country or continent. Canadian journalist and writer, Gil courtemanche, brings the world attention again to the gruesome history of the 1994 Rwandan genocide with a powerful, violent and often angry portrayal of the war time Kigali. The writing is hard hitting, it is upsetting and he uses extreme graphic images be its the effect of AIDS, the massacre or the rape of women.

Hotel des Mille-Collins, at the centre of Kigali is the nerve-centre of the actions in Rwanda. Apart from hosting the UN peace keeping soldiers, it is also the point of action for various Global organisations, working in Rwanda, like the UNICEF, Red Cross, French and Belgian embassies, the rich expatriates and the high class prostitutes. Bernard Valcourt, a Canadian journalist ( an alter ego of the writer), comes to Kigali to set up the television station in Rwanda with the help of Canada. Widowed, and his daughter now married and settled, he accepted the assignment to escape his boring life. The telecast project is perpetually delayed, and he and his crew are now opened to the world of another epidemic that is creating havoc in Africa - AIDS. Focussing his camera and his journalistic intuition, he and his team set about filming some of the victims and their last days. Though he made several friends amongst the victims and was able to film some of the touching scenes of their last breath, his documentary did not receive the attention neither in Rwanda, nor to the rest of the world.

Death and sex are two companions in the street. Scores are dying of AIDS, and the rest are victims of the violence. Machette clad predators on prowl for their victims, so are the prostitutes carrying deadly HIV virus.

The build up for a potential show down between Tutsis and Hutus were already evident. There are sporadic incidents of violence and arson. With most of his friends belongs to the minority Tutsi community, his attempt to bring justice to those affected were received with no enthusiasm from the ruling majority, and he was often warned with dire consequences. His diplomatic immunity , being a Canadian did not help him, and his attempts to get the international attention to the crisis, about to explode had no success, barring a small publication based out of Belgium. As one after other of his friends being killed by a meticulous planned genocide by the Hutu majority ( a plan very similar to what we had seen in the extermination of Jews in the first half of last century), Valcourt continue to work on his capacity.

The crisis blow up with a full scale action of murder and mass migration of Tutsis after a political crisis resulted in the murder of the President, the country goes into chaos. Anarchy rules and the foreigners are rescued to the nearby countries. Valcourt, now in love with a local girl Gentille, a Hutu with the physical features of Tutsi, refuses to leave and plans for his wedding. The Rwandan crisis now turns into a war after the Tutsi rebel regroup (with the help of Uganda) and return the favour. Now the exodus is from the Hutu quarters and no one is safe in the streets any more. In an attempt to flea , Valcourt and his wife was stopped and she was detained for not having the valid identity papers. Few pages of notebook, reveals the fate of her post separation.

"This novel is a novel. But it is also a chronicle and eye witness report." asserts the writer. Most of the characters and places are real and their 'real names' are used confirms the preface. While the theme is the genocide, he turns the mirror to the world community at large. Rwandan history until the second half of 20th century marred by Belgian rule , who spread the seed of hatred among the Tutsis and Hutus. They continue to supply arms to the warring factions ( Machettes from China the granades and firearms from French continue to enter the country by dubious means). Even at the height of the sectarian conflict, the UN peace keepers, the French or the arrogant Belgian soldiers refused to intervene. To the western world it was a news in the inner pages of the newspaper. The cry for help fallen into deaf ears, until late into the conflict. Though the peace was restored after a long time, the scars remain intact, albeit subdued and hidden.

Immediately after reading the book I watched the movie 'Hotel Rwanda' again the same night. Incidentally both claims to be based on real characters. Events in both, the book and the movie are happening at Hotel des Mille - Collins. Both happening at the same time and through two different perspective. While the movie, restricts its focus on the 1994 genocide ( a week to 10 days probably), the book has larger canvas, including the AIDS epidemic and the initial build up of the violence. Movie appealed in the visual sense, but the book seems to have been much more deep into the conflict, through the personal experience.

Very disturbing and haunting tale of violence with some graphic description of the rape, violence and death. It is difficult not to get carried away in such a tale, and he maintain a commendable restrain in his narrative. Anger, frustration, helplessness and cynicism influences the writing, despite his attempt to be im-passionate. The thin line between fiction and non-fiction often smudge. A very important recount of one of the dirtiest events of human history and not necessarily a literary phenomenon.

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A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali (2000)

Gil Courtemanche ( translated from French by Patricia Claxton 2003)

Canongate

258 Pages
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Guardian Review, Montreal Mirror, Mostly Fiction, Good Reports

കോട്ടയം 17 - Unni R

It's been long since I read a good collection of short stories in Malayalam. Here is a good surprise.The voice is fresh, the theme is contemporary yet cleverly chosen, the plots are measured , the language is lucid yet attractive. There is no effort to work around the same cliched approach of the baroque and vivid description. Hence the freshness in words. Not that all the eight stories are brilliant, or better to one another. Three of them were fabulous and the rest were good to mediocre. That is besides the point. What Unni has tried to attempt is to look at the current issues of the generation in his own perspective and put them in a voice that is different.

The opening story (thodinappuram parambinappuram) about a blind lady with her grand daughter, seeking unknown lands through her inner vision, The world outside to her was the description of the places by travellers, or the books of legendary travel writers. Their experiences and what they witness become her view and experience. For Sulfath and her grandmother, it is important to imbibe these short sojourn into the world of unknown an escape from their harsh realities.

Anandamargam, follow a group of middle age ladies in their 'picnic' to Munnar. Away from the shackles of life, the office, the family restrictions , the group decides to make the most of it. At the age of mid forties, the social taboo restricts them from expressing themselves and this opportunity let them vent out all that were hidden for a long long time. There is no fellow office staff who despise them, no society to watch them. Their cry of freedom , though, limit to alcohol or few steamy conversations or few shouts to the wild without any inhibition and they are happy about it and content.

The symbolic 'Leela', which I understand is now being made into a movie by Renjith, revolve around the fantasy of a middle age person to have sex to a young girl in the presence of an elephant. In fact, the girl leaning on the trunk of the elephant and he entering her holding on to the tusk. What is needed is the elephant to begin with and then the girl who is willing. He and the narrator begins their trip cross crossing the state following one lead to other.

Rest of the stories, thread the similar track in terms of theme and treatment to a lesser effect. Kottayam 17, another symbolic tale of a childless family, who 'lift' the Infant Christ's idol from the church, 'Enteyanenteyanikkombananakal' on a book lover, trying to come to terms with the selling of his treasured possession are fairly good. Couple of the others are mediocre.

Good collection of stories, and importantly a different voice , in general.

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കോട്ടയം 17 (Kottayam 17 -  2010 )

Unni R

96 Pages

Rs 60
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Mr Norris Changes Trains - Christopher Isherwood

Couple of years ago, I read " A Singleman" and I was hugely impressed with this writer. It was JP who suggested I should be reading his 'Berlin Stories'. Mr.Norris Changes Trains, is an impressive book, while I have not read the other, Goodbye to Berlin. English born writer spent many years in Berlin, in the early thirties, witnessing the rise of Hitler and the Nazis to power and his books can give us remarkable insight to the socio-political undercurrents of Berlin, prior to the World War II.

Mr.Norris changes trains also focusses on the political scene of Germany, with the increasing influence of the Nazis, the persecution of the Communists, the French and English spy works in a subtle story telling. At the outset this looks like typical fiction focusses on the idiosyncrasies of one Arthur Norris and the narrator William Bradshaw ( the middle name of the writer himself) , the English expatriate in Berlin, who acquaint Norris during a train journey to Berlin. Mr.Norris, with his classy mannerisms, his lifestyle that suits the upper class with his fine tastes of food, drink and women manages to put up a great show to his new friend with all its grandeur. Bradshaw, lives in a small room , earn his living from teaching English, it awed by Norris and his way of living. It was evident that all that was shown up front has some thing cooking up underneath. Norris, supposedly doing some business with his associate Schmidt , seems to be hitting rough weather. Leaving Berlin, norris seems to have found new home at Paris, and it was only after amassing sufficient amount of money, he returns to Berlin.

Schmidt is having his way around Norris, evidently black mailing his and threatening him. Norris, manages to convince Bradshaw for a favour with his aristocrat friend Baron Pregnitz, for a meeting with a mysterious Margot from France, in a Swiss ski resort, which potentially bring fortunes to Norris. Bayer, the Communist leader of Berlin, summon Bradshaw from Switzerland and reveals the secret nature of Norris' business with the French intelligentsia. Newly crowned Nazi leadership is tightening their hook on Norris and the communists ( who, including their leader Bayer were executed by Hitler's police) and Bradshaw prepare Norris for his eventual escape from Berlin. However, as the title reveal, the journey does not end for Norris as he moves from one continet to other from one country to other. Novel ends with a quote from the post card that was sent by Norris, from Rio to Bradwhaw " Tell me, Willian...what have I done to deserve all this ?"

It isn't the mysterious nature of Norris and the revelation of Bradshaw about the clandestine activities of him that makes the book interesting. It is the subtle moods of the situation in Germany at that time of writing the book. The book was written and published in 1935, while Hitler was rising to power. Isherwood does not try to hide the names and places of people in the political and power centers. He also observe the minute changes in the social structure, the Jews, the gaining of Aryan superiority , the dwindling influence of Communists, the spy network and the secret services.

The style and language is perfect, with the characterisation of Norris and his prudent ways. However, you are constantly reminded of the the style that was associated with the first half of the twentieth century. Good book, easy read, but I recommend 'A Singleman' to this.

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Mr Norris Changes Trains ( 1935 )

Christopher Isherwood

Vintage

230 Pages
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Wiki

The Room and The Dumb Waiter - Harold Pinter

The room, originally written and played in 1957 is the first work of Harold Pinter. The familiar absurd, ambiguous yet disturbing plots and scenes did originate from his earliest work itself. Having read a few of his plays already, I guess this was easier to get into. However, the same disturbing conversations( and monologues), the end page twists and the contradicting narratives makes it very interesting to read. While not getting into the summary, one can get the glimpses of the 'suffocating life' that Rose and Bert living in the small room. Her constant reassurance of her life with cosiness and the warmth of the room, is enough to make it obvious that the reality is the opposite. Never leaving her room, she take solace in her state of mind with the status of others. Captive and restrained her movement within the room by her husband, while he takes his evening drive, Bert is trying to protect her from something. The arrival of the mysterious man living in the basement, creates curiosity in her when he sends across his intention to meet her, through the land owner. The Blind Negro Riley, comes up to the room, while Bert was away, asking her to "come home to her father". A possible escape from her detained life to the open world, which she possibly had lived before her living with Bert. In the end, Bert returns after his evening drive and murders the Blind Negro, possibly to protect Rose from her disturbing past ( which few theories associate Rose to be a prostitute and the Blind Negro her pimp).

The dumb waiter, to me is more profound in its arrangement. Two supposedly hit-men are waiting in a room in the basement for their job assignment. The hierarchy of the two member team is clear with Ben acting as the senior member and Gus the junior. The wait is perennial, and while there Gus is questioning Ben on their job, even their role in the assignment, when Ben is immersed in the newspaper, often reading few snippets ot Gus. As the tension mounts, between them , there is a mysterious 'dumb waiter' the floor above, who sends across food orders to the duo down below. Surprised over the choice, two men, sends across the few food items that left with them, which has no co-relation to what was asked. As the tension increases with the wait, the duo gets to physical assault. Through the waiters 'talking tube' comes the signal , while Gus is in the bathroom, about the arrival of the victim. In typical Pinter style, it turns out that, as Gus enters into the room, he is the one who are to be eliminated by Ben. It is sort of evident that the instigators of violence are the victims of the game, at the end. I've read elsewhere that the caste was two Irish actors as the hit-men, giving it a political angle.

Small book, with two of his early plays, is the typical Pinter affair, which I like. Absurd, often comical conversations, the gallant twist to the end and the after effect that linger over a long time. Fabulous.

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The Room and The Dumb Waiter ( 1957/1959)

Harold Pinter

Methuen Co Ltd

71 Pages
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Wiki - Dumb Waiter, Wiki - The Room , Guardian, The Crimson

ജാഗ് രഹോ - Aniyan Madambu

Aniyan Madambu was once active in the Radio circuit with many radio plays written and directed by him. I understand, that he had also directed few for the local gatherings, be at the schools, libraries or temples. Like many , he too disappeared from the scene busying himself with his personal /family life. It is after a long time that he is attempting to get back to his long lost skill. As the introduction says, this book came into light after an incident at the famous Melpathur Auditorium of Guruvayur Temple and was written at the same venue.

Threading the path of the life and disintegrating social fabric, in the middle part of the twentieth century with the decay of a temple and those who live around the temple surroundings. The old Namboodiri priest 'Musamburi' , the temple supporting ( kazhakam) Varrier family, the Edakka exponent Marar , Nambisan and other representatives of the temple community goes through the decays of their own life as well as the temples ( or the society in general). Built upon the pathos of these struggling families and the exploitation of the others of these simpletons are the theme of this short novel.

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ജാഗ് രഹോ (Jag Raho) ( 2012 )

Aniyan Madambu

Samrat Publishers

79 Pages
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She Lover of Death - Boris Akunin

Good light read amongst some of the heavy reading I was having in the recent times. Boris Akunin, is one of the new era writers emerging from Russia and is immensely popular. I haven't read any of is other works, but this isnt one I would hold him in high esteem. A rather simple mystery thriller, weaved around the theme of suicide club, around Russian Capital Moscow in the 1900, Boris Akunin, construct the story typical of any thriller with its twists and turns. He progresst the novel, through the press reports, diary of one of the member of the society and an insider report to the police.

As we comes to know from the press reports in Moscow Couriers and Moscow Gazette during the period of August to October 1900, we come to know the existence of a secret sect 'worshipping Death' , and embracing it at regular intervals, leaving aside a departure poem. Young Marya Miranova, reaches Moscow from the Siberian town, introduced to the club by one of her acquaintance, get attracted to the club and to the powers of its mysterious leader. As the suicides continue , creating newer vacancies in the club, the authorities ( through the informer) and the press continue to bring out the details to public, but with no success in cracking down the group. It's after 5-6 deaths, comes in the hero in the form of a 'Japanese Prince' with his charm. He makes no attempt to hide his intention to Marya ( Now known as Columbine in the society) to dismantle the team. The rest of the pages goes through the typical cinematic fashion with suspects, deaths, and action. The mystery is around the deaths. Are they suicide or serial killing ?

The writing is very ordinary and plain at most places. ,except with the 'Lovers of Death 'and their poems dedicated to death. I haven't read any of the 'Fandorin Mystery Series' ( I think this is the 8th book of the series) and given my liking I'm not likely to read any. I found the characters and the plot very ordinary with no novelty to offer apart from the three way narration. Not sure how a regular crime thriller reader like this book.

In this Interview, Boris Akunin Says 'I finished She Lover of Death and saw that it was like one hand clapping, which is all right for Zen but not good enough for literature'. That is precisely, what I thought about the book. Beyond the structural variation, few good parts of writing , the rest is very mediocre.

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She Lover of Death (2001)

Boris Akunin ( translated from Russian by Andrew Bromfield 2009)

Phoenix

263 Pages
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Wiki entry, Guardian

The Insatiable Spiderman - Pedro Juan Gutierrez

"He doesn't like your books."

"Ahhh..."

"He says that they're indecent."

Years ago, I'd read "Dirty Havana Trilogy" of Pedro Juan Gutierrez. I distinctly remembered the overdose of sex and filthy writing about sex through out that book, Presented as the Havana neighborhood in its actual glory of poverty , of desire, of sex and the alcohol in its true colors, the book caught the attention of the worldwide readers, despite the overdose of all that was said above. The instiable spiderman, is the return of the old theme with the same protagonist , his own alter ego, Pedro Juan.

Now living a simple life( after being removed from hs job as a journalist) amongst few novels in publication and his other interests of women and painting, 50 year old Pedro Juan is doubting whether he is loosing his interest in life. His relation with his wife is in the decline ( he can not bring himself to kiss her, let alone having a nice time with her). Reminiscing in his attic, during the day while his wife is away at the Pizza joint to work ( because that pays more than her qualification as a microbiologist), the lonely writer, painter have the memories of his earlier adventures ( especially with women) in his company. Between alcohol , cigarette and ogling the enormous rear of black women, he doubts himself of his capabilities as a man. The person whom he confides his issues re-assure him that this is natural at this age, but he himself managed to retain his potent until 76 years. Spending his time between his unsatisfactory wife and his gossipy mother( as he often visits her) while not writing or painting, Pedro Juan , reflects on the present day Havana and its poor/middle class population.

This is not a plot driven novel, nor it has any pretense of a mega novel of Cuban existence. The 160 pages of fantasy , desire and sex - despite the claim of 'slice of Cuban Life' , does not really impress you. Various caricatures of people who make a short visit in the novel are interesting, but they are all peripheral to the central character and his general boredom with life. The possibilities of sex is everywhere. Book starts with a rape scene in NY, there are orgies in the park, a quicky round the corner, prostitutes, every second person he meets in the way had some relation with him in the past ( some for 3 years, some much longer and some for a few hours), there are visiting expatriates, people who come to Havana from other part of Caribbean looking for rum and dance, masturbation and whole lot of dreaming all associated with sex. To the "Insatiable Spiderman' who is on prowl through the streets of Havana, every thing revolve around the possibility of sex and desire. Sex is substitute to every thing. In a society under oppression, a society living in constant poverty and moral degeneration, sex , alcohol and dancing are the ways of bringing out the hidden anger and anxiety in public.

"Don't be stupid. Wake up, you're in Cuba. The poverty we've got now will be the same in twenty years, in thirty years. This chit doesn't ever get sorted out."

I'm not a great fan of filthy writing, which is abundant in this book, may be a little lesser extent to "Dirty Havana Trilogy" (Dirty Havana Trilogy was much more complete that this as a book). However, whenever he is out of these area of filthy writing, we see a brilliant writer trying to show his mettle. There are many fantastically written paragraphs at many places, which leaves one bewildered, on why hasn't he used this capability to some better effect.

"..bacause you are looking to shock and you are boring. You always write about the same shit, about poverty and crap like that."

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The Insatiable Spiderman (2002)

Pedro Juan Gutierrez ( translated from Spanish by John King in 2005)

Faber and Faber

163 Pages
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Independent

A Chancer - James Kelman

James Kellman's books aren't an easy read. Most of them around the working class life in Glasgow and around are gloomy in general and hardly with any optimism. His heroes while being part of the larger working class fraternity, are loners and and aloof. This is my third book of him and I was more prepared to this time with his style and the overall outlook.

Tammas, is a twenty something compulsive gambler in Glasgow. His world , after leaving his job, revolve around betting dens. From race courses, to Casinos, to Dog racing tracks and often with cards. Typical to the stories in such cases, he win occasionally and looses more often. Usually, with no money, he lives with his sister and brother-in-law, often being at the receiving end of their displeasure on his indecisiveness in life. Its the alcohol and the betting that drives him through out the day. His couple of attempts to get back to normal way of living, by joining the factory did not last long - less than a day in his last attempt. The closed environment of the factory set up suffocates him, making him leave that for good.

There is no real motive in his life and he has nothing to look forward to. The wandering from pub to pub, from one race tracks to Casino is what tick him along. His friends, are now taking serious steps in life, one leaving for Hull city to play in their Club, while another is migrating to New Zealand, yet another planning for his eventual move to Manchester, where he is expected to get jobs in the mills. All these do not affect Tammas, nor is he persuaded to join them. He is also passive to his girl friend Betty and avoids her. The 'Giro' that comes in the weekends are hardly enough and he is usually 'skint' by Tuesday. He then has to pawn his 'suits' or any other items from his sisters household to run the rest of the week, until the next Giro.

The book progresses through these lines, slightly getting repetitive and dull to some extend. This book is not plot driven nor it is a great story telling. It moves through the life of Tammas at uneven pace. It is only in the end pages, that Tammas likes to take his chance with life, after he falls in love with a lady whose husband is in prison.

This book will bore most of the readers, unless you are familiar with James Kelman's style. There are no events unfolding which are significant. There are no dramatic moments. The writing is different and the page is full of swear words. The language is with Scottish dialect ( I am used to this after reading Kelman and AL Kennedy) .You often get a feeling that the writer has abandoned you with his protagonist and you both are left to find your own way. Once you are used to this, you find the reading much more relaxing. Having said that, I preferred his short stories to his novels , from what I have read.

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A Chancer ( 1985)

James Kelman

Picador

308 Pages
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Read: Here is a profound essay on James Kelman, and particularly on A Chancer.

Sophie's Choice - William Styron

Many World War II based novels, that came into prominence in the later part of 20th Century are mainly from Europe, especially that are on the the theme around holocaust. Most of the stories are similar with various degree of suffering and survival. You find many of them are repetitive and predictable to an extend. When I picked up Sophie's choice (after gathering dust for good 10 years) , I was prepared to read yet another holocaust story. But this was surprisingly different in its approach The protagonist is an American, young wanna be writer in his early twenties and the victim or sufferer is not a Jew as is in most of the cases. Hugely successful upon publication, this was later adapted into an Oscar winning movie, with Merryl Streep winning the best actress portraying Sophie, the holocaust victim.

Year 1947, America is recovering from the great depression and the aftermath of a long war. Stingo, upcoming writer employed with McGraw Hill ( similar to William Styron's own early years),loses his job and moved in to a Brooklyn new house run by old lady. The Pink house,as he call it, also has other inhabitants of various cultural and economic background. Stingo was in particular attracted to a a pair and it took no time to befriend them. Mercurial , short tempered Nathan, who works at Pfizer doing some major research according to him and his possible girlfriend Sophie, who a polish born holocaust survivor. As the tale progresses, Stingo get to know them better and the infatuation or lust towards gorgeous Polish beauty and his instinct as a writer, get his to know the past of Sophie through various drinking sessions and other meetings,

Sophie, already married twice and given birth to two children, before being retained by the German's for allegedly taking meat to her ailing mother. Her father, Professor at the Warsaw University, strong anti-Semite, whose rhetorical and writings causes enough disharmony in the society was also not spared by the Germans. All the academics of the university, that include her father and husband, was shot during occupation. Her knowledge of short-hand ( learned to support her father and her knowledge of German, helped her to get a job at the commanding officers quarters, her son being send to the Children's camp. Her attempt to reunite with her son ( we are yet to understand the plight of her daughter) , she tries to seduce the German Officer. Despite the promises, she was denied the meeting and was taken back to the camps.

However, the relationship with Nathan goes through major swings, due to his sudden shift of moods. Its either the all night noisy sex, or the abuse and insult and him packing off to his brother's. However, for Sophie, its only Nathan left in this world. An anemic, frail Sophie was rescued, treated and fed by him on her arrival to the country. Nathan, as is revealed later, is addicted to drugs and and a suicidal maniac , and the mood swings are a result of these extreme reactions. On an eventful night, Nathan quarrels with Sophie and Stingo, and leaves the place threatening to kill both of them. Fearing danger, Stingo and Sophie escapes travelling to his country farm in the South. Concluding the her story after giving Stingo a night to remember, Sophie return back to New York to be with Nathan and to the possible death.

On completion of reading this mammoth book, what stuck me first was the flawless execution of the book. Its constructed brilliantly and narrated fabulously. The use of flashbacks, the bits and pieces of information that arranged as perfect makes this a good read. The three parallel threads - the tale of Nathan and Sophie , Sophie's reluctant reminiscence of her life in Poland and the concentration camp , Stingo's own personal battle with manhood after two miserable encounter with women, and his lust on Sophie - were aptly paced and placed.

One of the drawback of this was that the story is as told by Stingo and his understanding of Sophie's life. At times, this seems to hamper the power of her life. Even the crucial moment of her life, where she was made to decide between her two kids (You may keep one of your children. The other one will have to go. Which one will you keep?) upon arrival at the concentration camp, wasn't very moving. Only when she tells later " Suppose I had chosen Jan to go . . . to go to the left instead of Eva. Would that have changed anything?", you see the impact of the earlier part.

Sophie is ashamed ot her own past, her fathers writings and being part of it in someway ( noting and later typing) she carry the guilt in her. She is also trying to get rid of those suppressed guilt of unable to save her children and about the choice she had to make between her children. She later tries reason it out and console herself saying - "Suppose I had chosen Jan to go . . . to go to the left instead of Eva. Would that have changed anything?". Nathan, is the most interesting character. A Jew, continue to be tormented over the events across the ocean, like most of the youths, succumbs to depression and drugs. Living a life hidden from the outside world ( he even lies to Sophie about his job), Nathan confronts his own demon and always under psychotic tension. Stingo is the alter ego of Styron. A young apprentice in the McGraw Hill in New York, writing his first novel ( which comes in the book which Nathan does the initial reading and praise him for their quality) living in a rented place.

Its these vulnerability of these individuals and their peripheral characteristics make this a strong case for a book. To what extend William Styron manages to capture these subtle changes can be debated. But to me its a well crafted and well executed book.

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Sophie's Choice (1979)

William Styron

Vintage Books

632 Pages
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Other Essays : London School of Journalism, Book Slut , Wiki

Closely Observed Trains - Bohumil Hrabal

It is amazing how such a short book can create such a profound impact on the readers. In mere 90 pages, Czech writer Bohumil Hrbal create a magic that refuses to leave me even after 10 days. I would have read this book 4-5 times, in complete or in parts, so much for its impact on me. I realise, such was the general opinion of the readers of Hrbal. I havent seen the movie, but its visual adaptation, came out an year after the books release, had caused a similar reaction to the movie lovers.

Year is 1945 and German's are loosing grip on the Word War II. The allied forces are winning, and the Soviets are advancing in the Eastern front.

"By this year, the year forty-five, the Germans had already lost command of the air space over our little town. Over the whole region, in fact , and for that matter, the whole country"

The continued bombardment and other disruption causing delay in the functions of the rail system ;"Morning trains ran at noon, the noon trains in the evening". One for the German flight was shot down over the town and soon its parts metamorphosed into "little roofs for rabbit hutches and hen houses, leg guard for motor-bikes and other useful things by the town people. 20 year old Milos Hrma, is an apprentice in the towns railway station, strategic and important for its position. They are expected to make sure that the trains carrying the returning German Soldiers, devastated from the Eastern front, have a smooth transit. Milos Hrma, lives in his on fantasy world , fighting his own battle. We understand, that he just returned from hospital from a slit wrist, attempting to commit suicide, after a disastrous first sexual experience. He is fighting the battle of his own impotency , while living the tale of his own supervisor's adventurous life in the station with the "Telegraph operator", where she was found with the Station stamp all over her backside on the station masters couch. 

German trains are important and had to be closely watched for their safe and uninterrupted passage. A failure to which might get the attention of Gestapo. Working on the monotonous task of clearing the train signals, the book now focuses on Milos Hrma and his growing up to manhood. It is important for him to erase his past and gain confidence on himself. The process is not only with the girl , but to the society that ridiculed him. What we see in a superbly built climax is just that, where he confront the train load of Nazi munitions in a singly executed rebelleous act of sabotage.

Its a simple story, told in an impeccable style. Eventhough the reading is deceptively straight and funny, its rich and dense beneath these words. Milos Hrma's fight is not only his but of Czeckoslovakia, against the Germans. The act on a 'sense of purpose' is the country's attempt to shake its impotency. The small railway station is the microcosm of the people with "collaborators, resistants, the rest who get laid. While observing the returning trains, for Milos Hrma, he himself is being watched.

Despite its size, it progresses beautifully. With the initial description of the war front, with the imminent defeat of Germans, Hrbal, tells us the family background of Hrma, before taking us to the railway station of action. Hrma's story of failure and his return to the work is mentioned in beautifully mixed flashback. Language is simple and poetic. However, what makes this book interesting is the possibilities of reading within the lines. Outstanding work of fiction.

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Closely Observed Trains ( 1965 )

Bohumil Hrabal ( translated from Czech by Edith Pargeter ( orig. English Translation in 1968)

Abacus
91 Pages
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Other reviews : Asylum , Pechorin's journal, About.com Classic Literature

ചാവുതുള്ളൽ ( chavu thullal ) - Raju K Vasu

The hoopla about dalit writing, I guess, is now died down. However, there are many writing about or centered around the people of lower status in the Hindu hierarchy that gain prominence. I guess most of them, were of experimentation with the language and the reflections of a counter culture. The social, cultural , historical , political and economical aspect of these lives being told from their point of view may not be very relevant to the current generation. But, there is a past of great struggle and oppression over many centuries, that are now being talked about.

Raju K Vasu's attempt to bring this into the foray, centering around the 'pulayar' community, looking at their life in the early decades of 20th century. They are untouchables, has to move away 60 ft, from the upper caste , cant drink water from the well, and no entry into the temples, or the temple streets. They were restricted to the hard labour for the Feudal lord, living in pitiable conditions. They were not allowed to cover their upper part of the body ( women included) and were subjected all kind of torture, humiliation and servility. Makeshift shelters to sleep, water from the river, toddy at the end of the night, quarrel over trivial matters, women and sex takes most of their time.

They depends on the upper caste for their survival. Working long hours to ensure the rich stays rich, living on meagre earning given by them, living in the place given to them they had no escape. Their women were often used for 'pleasures' by the lords, and any attempt to rebel were treated with exile, or even murder. However, the situation gradually improved during this period as social and political reforms took the state of Kerala by storm in the first half of the 20th century. It is this era, Raju K Vasu tries to recreate, in a style and language of those on the poorer side.

Neelay and Mylan, siblings , sons of Kurumban lives along the back waters of southern Kerala. Kurumban, who built the check-dam with the help of 'their gods' ( They are sure it is divine intervention as the stone refused to settle at the place for a long time), had to see its destruction after 25 years. It is said to be because of his young wife 'Valli's adulterous relationship, that the dam collapsed, as the God's were upset with it. Karumban, who married Valli after his wife died and only after his kids are grown up and started having their own family was aware of his young wife's other relatiohships. Kurumban did not live long after the collapse of the dam. Disaster stuck the family again, when Chirutha, daughter of Mylan was found dead, after being raped. Chirutha was everyone's favorite, capable of managing two families as the elders go for their daily labour. The young Namboodiri boy was suspected , but there is no way a low caste to get his justice in the legal systems. The young blood and the harbored vengeance, had Neelan getting rid of the culprit, killing him. As things turned out, every member of the family, except Mylan and his wife ( they can't leave the place of their daughter) moved eastwards, to Kanhirappilly and up in the high-ranges, working for the new rubber plantations of Christian rich, or with the Europeans in their Estates.

While the story per se, is nothing great to talk about, the interesting take on the changes in the social structure is handled pretty impressively. To Neelan and his team, the new place is something beyond their imagination. There aren't any talk about untouchables and every one is equal. Many of his relatives and friends from the lower caste are now converting themselves to Christianity, trying to get themselves accepted into the new lifestyle. However, the upper caste Christians aren't too happy to accept them to their fold, creating a new church for the converted 'pulayas', continue to keep them away from the mainstream. The converted Pulaya's continue to be tormented between the "God Jesus" and their own many Gods and ancestors that they carry with themselves. However, conversion to Christianity, helps them to earn the daily labor, which otherwise would have been deprived. This place also has no taboo, in wearing dress covering the whole body and there is no 'Feudal Lord' of the yesteryear , who demand 100% servility. The act of rebellious nature did start from their previous place. Ayyankali and the 'Sangham' are active at many places, and many youngsters are getting involved in their activities. However, the fear of repercussion is in the air and holding many 'pulayas' from taking open stand against their lords. But, they do their own way of rejection. Neelan's activities of pushing the 'Post-Man' into the mud, the act of murder to bring justice to the killing, the stealing of toddy and the resulted friction with the local Nair, who ended up in the well.. there are stories for the Pulayas to talk about over the mug of toddy and laugh.

The novel suffers from many things. One, the story line is wavery. It jumps from one thread to the other with no convincing progression. It also, lacks from its structural compilation. I get a feeling as a boat abandoned at the middle of the river allowing itself to choose its path and shore. A better arrangement of the chapters and the overall flow would have made this a better book. Raju K Vasu, like many new writers are relying heavily on the language to create the atmosphere and fails to develop the characters. Neelan, Chinnan, Kali and many others that take prominence at various pages fails to grow into the epical form. As he moved towards the last pages, the myths and the local legends of ghosts and other bodies take over the narration dampening the build up thus far. May be this would have been the cause of my disappointment. But there are brilliant passages at many places and some of the peripheral characters have brilliant caricatures. His writing is touchy and maintained the same level of control over the clever use of dialect. Despite numerous flaws, it still, is a good book.

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ചാവുതുള്ളൽ ( chavuthullal) 2011

Raju K Vasu

D C Books

208 Pages

Rs 120
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Houseboy - Ferdinand Oyono

"Brother, what are we? What are we blackmen who are called French" ? Asks Toundi just before his death. It is the question asked a good number of Africans who worked with and for their colonial masters. They learn French and can converse with their masters, be the interpreter as and when needed, and do their house hold scores working for them. Toundi runs away from home unable to stand his punishing father and take refuge in the church, getting himself baptized to Joseph. Death of the father at church made his life difficult, and it was the new father who recommended him to the house of the Commander. His fluent French and learnt mannerisms and cleanliness ( the transformation of the African identity to the European ) had gone well with the Commander and soon he become the trusted houseboy. His dual life of being a French at the house and an African to his friends is an interesting point of observation.

Arrival of the commandant's wife ( the most beautiful women the country has seen) has made the situation little tense. Initially she charmed everyone who met her and made an impression to the locals ( as the comment on her beauty and her style) and the other Europeans. It was her friendship with the Boss of the Jail , turned the situation worse. Often witness to the infidelities, being forced to be the messenger boy between the lovers, Tuondi's loyalty is now under question. The often touring Commandant, indeed comes to know his wife's improper behavior resulting in a showdown. Toundi is suspected to be spreading the rumours , and the act of vengeance by the lady increased, despite the refusal of the Commandant to replace the houseboy. Eventually , they get him falsely accusing him of theft. Arrested and tortured, he was left to none but himself to defend. Escaping the torture and interrogation, he runs away to the nearby Spanish Colony, where he succumbs to his injuries and dies.

Book is written in the form of diaries, introduced by a nameless narrator who witness Tuondi's last minutes and recover his diaries.

"Father Gilbert says I can read and write fluently. Now I can keep a diary like he does. Keeping a diary is a white man's custom and what pleasure there is in it I do not know. But I shall try it out"

This book is originally published in 1956, four years before the independence of Cameroon from French ( in 1960). I can understand the significance of this book, at the time of publication on the lrger scope of colonial Africa's literature during the days prior to independence. It is also evident that this complex social structure of Whites, the in between and Native live a life that are delicate and often rely on mistrust. Cameroon-born Ferdinand Oyono is trying examine these relationships in this very short and straightforward tale. It might also be one of the important book with reference to the effects of colonial rule in the African Literature.

On the other side, reading it now 55 years after its publication, did not create the strong impression that it would have caused then. It reads like a plain story of a houseboy in European Quarters, caught for theft and dies during ( or as a result of) the interrogation. As it is with every colonial states, they learn the language of their masters, and try to imitate them in their own life. apart from the clever use of form in the way of a diary, it does not have anything unique in the narration. However, I also get a feeling that a lot was left unsaid ( we can understand that as it was published when the French were still in power) and those missing pieces reconstructed by the reader gives this small book a larger perspective. Having said that, I can sense the overall importance of this book in the colonial literature of Africa.

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Houseboy (1956)

Ferdinand Oyono ( translated from French by John Reed 1966)

Heinemann

122 Pages
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Africa Book Club, New Times Ruwanda, Wiki Entry