I haven't been to Paris. And if I someday visit the place, I'm probably going to soak in all the tourist spots - The Siene, the Louvre, the Eiffel TowI haven't been to Paris. And if I someday visit the place, I'm probably going to soak in all the tourist spots - The Siene, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the cafes. To experience the city like a native, the only option for the tourist is literature. And if you're looking to sample Paris and get immersed in the underbelly of the city, pick up Despentes' Vernon Subutex! Finished the first of the trilogy and can't wait to begin the remaining two.......more
The violence in this makes me want to see the movie which predictably was controversial and also acclaimed! Two women going on a murder spree fuelled The violence in this makes me want to see the movie which predictably was controversial and also acclaimed! Two women going on a murder spree fuelled by booze, sex and drugs! ...more
Finished this in a single sitting. Ernaux's memoir (?) about her anxiety-laden year of passionately loving a married man. This sort of blind passion iFinished this in a single sitting. Ernaux's memoir (?) about her anxiety-laden year of passionately loving a married man. This sort of blind passion is exactly what scares me when being with a woman. Ladies, why do you make it so hard? :)...more
Lancon was one of the survivors of the Charlie Hebdo attack. This difficult book (probably due to the poor translation?) is his account of surviving aLancon was one of the survivors of the Charlie Hebdo attack. This difficult book (probably due to the poor translation?) is his account of surviving and recovering through the ordeal of multiple surgeries and physio therapy session. His lower jaw was shot off in the attack.
For some reason, immersing myself in his travails and depressing journey was comforting. The fact that I knew he's recovered and is now leading a 'normal' life was probably what kept me on the book. ...more
This was a unique and powerful read. Though autobiographical in its form, Ernaux uses the life of an unnamed woman born in 1940 and captures the flow This was a unique and powerful read. Though autobiographical in its form, Ernaux uses the life of an unnamed woman born in 1940 and captures the flow of her life till 2006. Ernaux, through the woman, records the tumultuous changes that swept through France and the world during this period. Growing up in the post World War French rural countryside, the memories of her parents, going to college in the 60s, the University Strike of 68, the Algerian War, Sarte and Beauvoir's looming influence, the explosion of free love, the eventual rise of the Right, the immigrant (Arab) influx, the Islamization of France, mass consumerism, the Chirac years, 9/11 and upto the coming of Sarkozy are the main pivotal points. Through all this, Ernaux captures the confusions and humanness of the mind of her heroine - love, marriage, parenting, children, domestic life, sexual escapades and the eventual coming to terms with the approaching end.
I loved it and learnt a bit of the French psyche. Having just finished a series of Houllebecq books, this added some additional perspective. ...more
Isn't flying a magical experience? What makes it so? The mastery of man over the elements, the power of engineering and the collective efforts of so mIsn't flying a magical experience? What makes it so? The mastery of man over the elements, the power of engineering and the collective efforts of so many minds behind each flight are probably some of the reasons. Wind, Sand and Stars is probably one of the most intense and meditative works of all time on the phenomenon of flying. The heroic efforts of the early pioneers, the exploration of the unexplored, the politics of the lands visited made this such a powerful work. ...more
Houllebecq is a strange animal. His writing can seem banal at times. But it still has an irresistible pull that keeps you going. The Map and the TerriHoullebecq is a strange animal. His writing can seem banal at times. But it still has an irresistible pull that keeps you going. The Map and the Territory is at one level an exploration of art's relationship with the world. But the story was narrated through the interactions between a portrait artist and his subject - in this case Houellebecq himself..I've learnt quite a lot about French society throigh his writings. Planning to pick up Serotonin soon. ...more
Houellebecq is such a refreshing voice. I've never been a great fan of speculative fiction. But. books lile Submission make the subject such a joy. InHouellebecq is such a refreshing voice. I've never been a great fan of speculative fiction. But. books lile Submission make the subject such a joy. In Submission, we have a lovely, mediocre professor coming to terms with the Islamization of French society. The ideas explored are deep and done in Houellebecq's typical style. ...more
How can a book with tons of graphic sex be boring? In spite of this, Houellebecq still manages to drive home the deeper point about the role of free sHow can a book with tons of graphic sex be boring? In spite of this, Houellebecq still manages to drive home the deeper point about the role of free sex in Western liberal societies, the Asian sex tourist havens that cater to these demands and of course Houellebecq's favourite theme - militant Islamism. Overall, a nice racy read to also appreciate the fissures of our world....more
A novella in which Michelangelo is imagined to have travelled to Constantinople to design a bridge for the Sultan of the Ottomans. Vivid in its descriA novella in which Michelangelo is imagined to have travelled to Constantinople to design a bridge for the Sultan of the Ottomans. Vivid in its descriptions, the short work manages to capture the times in which the genius lived. ...more
I didnt expect this to be a book about Business case studies. The main point he makes here is about the loop which drives habit - a trigger, the actioI didnt expect this to be a book about Business case studies. The main point he makes here is about the loop which drives habit - a trigger, the action and the sense of gratification. To highlight this, Duhigg explores multiple businesses to drive home his point of how change can be driven. ...more
Read the French version with a dictionary and by taking notes thanks to my rudimentary knowledge. The effort was draining but the sheer brilliance of Read the French version with a dictionary and by taking notes thanks to my rudimentary knowledge. The effort was draining but the sheer brilliance of Goscinny kept dazzling through out. Laughed out loud more than once. ...more
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