A Passage to India

     Author                        E.M. Forster

     Country                      England

     Genre                         Historical Fiction

     Publication Date       1924

     Pages                          293



This is a book written by an Englishman in 1924: at the height of India's independence movement. The fact that it's written by an Englishman and protrays an almost honest and unbiased view of the bridge that existed between the British and the Indians make it an interesting read.

However, I found the book far from engaging. In my view, reading a book is like embarking on an emotional journey; and there are some that just put you at the centre of action (almost making you feel like a character in the book) and others that leave you as a bystander (or a reader). Unfortunately, this book made me the latter. It's a fine story of an Indian and his interaction with different English men and women but it surely lacks the punch that make 'good' books 'great'. 

The central theme of the book is the wide bridge that exists between the two societies and the way Indians are treated by the British in their own country. While some English men and women question and in a subtle way oppose this 'not so pleasant' treatment of Indians, the British Raj largely believes that their job is to maintain peace and order in the country rather than being pleasant and friendly. The overriding belief is that Indians who are beset with their own inter sect clashes are far from capable of running the country on their own.

Another important theme that Forster skillfully develops through the course of the book is the feasibility of friendship between an Indian and an Englishman. While Aziz and Fielding start off as friends, very soon the deep rooted animosity between the two cultures and the lack of trust takes over resulting in the loss of this friendship. Thus, Forster evolves the notion of friendship during the course of the book: while in the early part of the book it seems that individuality and mutual respect are more critical to friendship than societal norms, the same does not hold true towards the end of the book when external circumstances colour this friendship for good.

Forster ends the book on a rather strong note from Aziz who believes that while India may have its own problems of inter sect clashes, it is clearly against the British rule and could get united to push the British out. This in a way gives an indication of the Indian freedom struggle to follow.

All in all, it was an interesting book but it did not move me emotionally or engage me as much as I would have wanted it to.

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Man's Search for Meaning

     Author                         Viktor E Frankyl

     Country                       Austria

     Genre                          Non Fiction: Psychology

     Publication Date        1946

     Pages                          165






This book came highly recommended. Given the intriguing and thought provoking title, and the fact that it's a 150 page concise book, I was more than tempted to pick it up post my recently concluded escapade with the 900 plus page 'Anna Karenina'.

Through this book, Victor Frankyl, a psychiatrist by profession, chronicles his experiences as an inmate in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War 2 and his psychotherapeutic method for dealing with such experiences. 

The first part of the book which deals with the author's personal experiences at the concentration camp is insightful. The fact that he analyses how people react to such experiences rather than just relaying these experiences as a work of historical fiction, make the book different from the host of other books on this subject. Victor throws light on how man can get used to any circumstances and how in such extreme conditions, he regresses to just fulfilling his basic needs and develops an almost uncanny insensitivity to others. One of the most disturbing impacts of such conditions is the loss of the sense of being an individual (with a free mind) and the constant threat to ones values. Such situations leave men with just 2 options - to either add a deeper meaning to life by being brave and dignified or to forgo all dignity and become an animal in this fight for self preservation. While very few men manage to do the former, the fact that even one can do it makes one believe in the feasibility of the same.

Through the second and third part of the book, Victor builds his psychotherapeutic method called logo therapy. While the details of this were too technical for my comfort, what has stayed with me is that ones mental well being depends on a certain degree of tension - between what one has achieved and what one still aspires to achieve - finding that deeper meaning in life. So many of us today suffer from what is called 'existential vacuum' or inner emptiness. As Victor aptly remarks, one can find meaning by devoting himself to a cause or by experiencing beauty/love or through the attitude one develops towards unavoidable suffering. 

In a snapshot, while the latter part of the book was a little technical, overall it's been insightful and thought provoking and definitely worth a read. 

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Anna Karenina

    
     Author                        Leo Tolstoy

     Country                      Russia

     Genre                         Fiction: Classic

     Publication Date       1877

     Pages                          864

One of the longest books I have read in the recent past. But a much awaited and wonderful read. I am amazed at Leo Tolstoy's ability to weave a beautiful story that touches upon love, insecurities and societal norms against the backdrop of Russian contemporary politics.

Through this book (first published in 1878), Leo Tolstoy has skillfully crafted the story of Anna, a high society woman who falls in desperate love with Count Vronsky and defies all societal norms to be with him (leaving behind a husband and a son). She is, however, not treated well by the society which almost completely shuns her while Vronsky continues to enjoy a social life. Interwoven with this is the tale of Levin who enlightens the readers on the Russian peasantry system and his search for a deeper meaning in life; while being married to the wonderful and sensitive Kitty.

What has particularly touched me about this book is how an intelligent, self assured and an almost formidable woman like Anna can fall prey to insecurities and jealously over her relationship with Vronsky. It's a classic case of how each of us harbour vulnerabilities within us; irrespective of the persona we present to the world at large. And it's no surprise that society plays an immense role in our sense of self esteem and worth. Having been shunned by the society, post her relations with Vronsky, Anna grows anxious and isolated. And this further fuels her already growing insecurity.

It is this insecurity over Vronsky's love for her and her nagging pain and guilt of having left her son 'motherless' that lead to her tragic end.

Life is not simple. It has it's shades of grey. Accepting the greys and cherishing what is brings along is my takeaway from this almost impeccable piece of literature.

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!  

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So, do check it out and Happy Reading!