A great collection of short sci-fi stories to start the year. More science-driven than most, and it's exactly what I love about the author. So happy IA great collection of short sci-fi stories to start the year. More science-driven than most, and it's exactly what I love about the author. So happy I discovered his writing.
It's remarkable the anticipation prowess Egan had since the 90s and so on, and how much of what he conjured seems to come true in the tech developments of today.
What I liked most: the disruptive, hypnotic poetry of his images. The way the humans he paints do not become less tribal as they become enlightened. Our Lady of Chernobyl was my favorite story of this cycle. Very poetic.
What I have mixed feelings about: in every story, at some overwhelming point, a woman has to cry :)).
I utterly, completely fell in love with this book. The social issues discussed and the vivid colors of every group and stance described are wonderful,I utterly, completely fell in love with this book. The social issues discussed and the vivid colors of every group and stance described are wonderful, with a detached, contemplative kind of emotion which is pretty difficult to find, for me.
Most of the book is written in a third person tone, except for a few chapters written from POV, but for a character which isn't remotely a main one. This I also liked.
In short, it is a book about creating a small ministry of utmost happiness as an enclave amidst the chaos and horrors of violence, interethnic war and terrorism. As improbable as it may sound, a transgender Muslim woman, a lower cast, traumatized Hindi man, an atheist woman who tried belonging to various militant groups before, and an imam build a home for themselves in a graveyard, and even open a hospitality inn in the same graveyard.
The book explores the world of contemporary unrest and discontent in India and Kashmir, but also the almost extinct world of Old Delhi and the world of Hijiras (transgender men communities which are both abhorred and revered, a mystical status one achieves only by being an outcast), as well as beautiful Urdu poetry and so on. It is a mosaic of beauty which I will not soon forget. ---------------------------------------------------- A few of my favorite excerpts: "When people who had been injured were taken to the hospital, mobs attacked the hospitals. The police would not register murder cases. They said, quite reasonably, that they needed to see the corpses. The catch was that the police were often part of the mobs, and once the mobs had finished their business, the corpses no longer resembled corpses." (p 44)
"One of them was recently blown up outside his mosque by a bicycle bomb. he won't be hard to replace. The only thing that keeps Kashmir from self-destructing like Pakistan and Afghanistan is good old petit bourgeois capitalism. For all their religiosity, Kashmiris are great businessmen. And all businessmen eventually, one way or another, have a stake in the status quo - or what we call the 'Peace Process', which, by the way, is an entirely different kind of business opportunity from peace itself." (p 148)
"In Kashmir when we wake up and say 'Good Morning' what we really mean is 'Good Mourning'." (p 229)
"I would like to write one of those sophisticated stories in which even though nothing much happens there's lots to write about. That can't be done in Kashmir. It's not sophisticated, what happens here. There's too much blood for good literature." (p 229)...more
I didn't really expect to like this book so much, when I judged it, initially, by its first chapter. It tells the story of a woman who gradually decidI didn't really expect to like this book so much, when I judged it, initially, by its first chapter. It tells the story of a woman who gradually decides to belong to herself first and foremost, because only then she can dedicate time, affection or attention to anyone else around her. The idea may seem a healthy one, but not a terrible novelty. Buuut, at the time when the book was written, it was very new indeed. Furthermore, at the time, few authors dared approach the matter of female infidelity so independent from finger-pointing and moralistic approaches. What I liked most about The Awakening is the fact that each emotion, thought and action are described very naturally, not in a sentimental or emphatic or overly-describing way. Just as you would think of your own actions when you are too busy performing them and only marginally aware of their meaning put into (inner) words. It's really lovely to read and feels intimately connected to your own ways of seeing and feeling (and, ultimately, experiencing) the world.
The additional short stories present in the volume are enjoyable as well, though maybe not equally impressive. All of them take place in the Creole area of New Orleans and its surroundings. ...more
I bought this book quite a few years back (as a gift, initially) and return to it from time to time. Winter seems like the ideal setting for it, so I I bought this book quite a few years back (as a gift, initially) and return to it from time to time. Winter seems like the ideal setting for it, so I gave it a go just now, after almost 5 years.
It's full of lovely kids-style poetry and rhymes, delivered in the same creepy-cute fashion that all Burton fans can recognize from a mile. The illustrations are eerie-pretty as well. You know that feeling you have, as a fan of Burton's movies, when you watch his short animation Vincent? You can tell how it contains some buds that developed later in his major works. Well, it's same with this little book. I wouldn't recommend it to actual children as a bedtime story, of course (too creepy and gory), but it's also impossibly cute at the same time. Sounds strange, but it works (in the same way Burton can make it work - think Corpse Bride or Beetlejuice). :)...more
My absolute favorite fairytale since I was very little, it completely shaped the way I think and feel. I know this seems overstated, it's not. The booMy absolute favorite fairytale since I was very little, it completely shaped the way I think and feel. I know this seems overstated, it's not. The book is fully of beautiful symbols and myth allusions and although you can see the style has indeed grown old (people aren't as fascinated with the occult or with alchemy as much nowadays - and I'm grateful for it), it's still a wonderful read for any age. If you read nothing else this year and have to choose only one book, let it be this. Just don't expect it to be anything more than a beautiful fairytale and you shouldn't be disappointed. ...more
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