'The Bookshelf'

Friday, 29 August 2014

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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You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Friday, 22 August 2014

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.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Tuesday, 19 August 2014

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.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

The Circle

     Author                            Dave Eggers

     County                           United States

     Genre                             Science Fiction

     Publication Date            2013

     Pages                              504

This is an exciting and futuristic book by the New York Times best selling author, Dave Eggers. It follows the story of Mae Holland, a young and ambitious girl who lands a job in the much coveted organization called 'Circle'.

Through the course of the book, she is both amazed and enraptured by the technology and the insight of the company. However, before long, Mae finds herself at the centre of this large scale change movement and she absolutely loves the attention.

The central theme of the book is the use of technology to create a much better world (as deemed by the leaders of this organization). In their view, there should be no privacy and all information should be available in full with everyone. The fundamental belief is that secrets enable immoral activities and everybody would behave righteously if they know they are being watched (and hence the need for round the clock monitoring of everybody). This cent percent openness would, they believe lead to a society which is bereft of any crime and misdoings.

While the belief sounds utopian and aspirational, at a more humane and personal level, it opens up questions around an individual's right to his privacy.

This is indubitably one of the most contentious debates of our times and in that sense, this book hits the nail on the head. While the perspectives are more from the view of those who are pushing for this change, the book leaves an engaged reader questioning the limits of information sharing.

And that is somewhere what Dave had aspired for - to raise the right questions and force people to seek answers.

In summation, I would describe this as an insightful book that leaves the reader thinking. However, the book could have surely benefited from some brevity.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Thursday, 24 July 2014

Go put your Strengths to Work

Author Marcus Buckingham

Country United States

Genre                             Non Fiction: Management

Publication Date            2007

Pages                              270

Most of us in the HR fraternity are exposed to Gallup's strength based approach pretty early in our careers. This book by Marcus who has been spearheading the strength based work at Gallup and now has his own consulting organization, takes the same beliefs and theories a step further.

The basic premise of this strength based philosophy is that all of us are more productive when our work is structured such that it uses more of our strengths than weaknesses. As Marcus says, 'success' and 'failure' are not necessarily opposites. By focusing and working on our weaknesses, we wouldn't necessarily achieve success. For success, we need to identify our strengths and work on those.

Through the book, Marcus urges the readers to identify their strengths and ensure that their work is steered towards using these strengths. While this may not always be in an individual's circle of influence, by making deliberate efforts and speaking to ones managers and consequently delivering better results (as a result of using strengths), one can make this feasible.

As Marcus elucidates, a strength is not just something that one does well in (this is a necessary but not a sufficient condition), but is something that one is instinctively drawn towards, enjoys doing and feels a huge sense of satisfaction after having done it. This is particularly insightful since so many of us merely restrict ourselves to the first part of the definition - the belief that if I am good at something that's my strength irrespective of whether I enjoy it or not. As a result of this limited approach, more often than not we erroneously allow others (mostly our managers) to identify our strengths.

I personally am a huge proponent of the strengths based approach and fundamentally believe that each of us deserves to lead a more fulfilling work life; and the starting point of the same indubitably is knowing our strengths and weaknesses and then ensuring that we spend more of our time on strengths.

In my view, this is a simple yet powerful and insightful book. A recommended read for any management professional.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

The Book Thief

Author Markus Zusak

Country Germany

Genre Historical Fiction

Publication Date 2006

Pages 550

This is a book I simply adored. It's one of those books that keep you up late into the night to be finished and then leave you with a huge sense of emptiness the next day. I am amazed at Markus' brilliance at weaving together a story around a much explored topic (Nazi Germany) with such ease and beauty. This book has been a treat like none other.

This is the story of a 9 year old girl, Leisel who comes to live with her foster parents in Nazi Germany. Against the backdrop of all that was happening in Nazi Germany in the 1940s, Markus tells the story of Leisel and how she becomes a book thief since she finds solace in the written word. The story is mostly built through the eyes of this naive girl who is smart and observant and starts connecting many dots very early in life to decipher what really is happening in Germany.

Very uniquely, the narrator of the book is Death. Given the war and the mass exterminations happening in Germany and all around, the imagery of Death as the narrator gives both a grave dimension and a certain amount of humor to the book ( Death claims that she has a hard job and gets no vacation and so on).

Throughout the story, Markus builds the connection that Leisel feels with her books. Starting from a sense of pride in learning to read and write to an absolute need to possess books to rendering solace to others (in shelters) by reading to them, Lesiel grows and matures with her books. And both literally (she was writing in her basement when air raids kill all her friends and family) and figuratively, Leisel survives those years because of her books!

Hans Hubberman (Leisel's foster father) is another strong character in the book. He plays an immense role in Leisel's life (by teaching her to read, staying up with her through the nightmares etc) and is a conscientious man keen to do the right thing. Having been saved by a Jew during the war, he can never forget the favour and in return, he paints to remove anti Jew slurs from outside their houses, gets whipped on the street for handing over bread to a starving Jew, hides a Jew in his basement and so on. Hans is a reflection of how hard it was for people like him to be themselves and survive in a Hitler led Germany.

Through the character of Max, a Jew who hides in Leisel's basement; Markus illustrates the Jewish side of Nazi Germany: a life of desperation and injustice.

Markus's story brilliantly builds upon several themes: darkness (through the narrator and the war, air raids etc); desperation (through Max and other Jews who live during that time); the love of words (Leisel) and being conscientious and scared at the same time (Hans).

This is a story that is both deep and light; it's both real and fiction. Like I said, it's simply adorable. Huge respect for Markus!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

The Razors Edge

     Author                        W Somerset Maugham

     Country                      United States

     Genre                         Fiction: Classic

     Publication Date       1944

     Pages                          314

This again is one of those books of Somerset Maughum that has decided to stay with me. And the best way for it to stay would be to feature on my blog and hence; here it comes.

This is a story about Larry Darrell, an American pilot who is traumatized by his experience in World War 1 and he hence proceeds to lead a life in search of truth and meaning. Larry's refusal to lead a 'normal life' (as defined by the society) and to take up a regular job separates him from his then fiancé; Isabel who is unwilling to get married to someone who is leading a life of wandering & searching. Isabel goes on to marry someone of her status in society while Larry fills his life with innumerable spiritual and other experiences across Paris, India and other places. The story is interspersed with Elliott Templeton, Isabel's uncle who strives thorughout his life (and even on his death bed) to lead a life of social eminence.

In usual Maugham style, the story flows seamlessly and the reader is left gripped with different characters in the book. The ending is particularly powerful where he points out that each character gets what he was thriving for: Larry - happiness; Isabel - an assured position in society and Elliott - social eminence.

This powerful yet simple book leaves me with just one thought: how each of us strive for different things in life and how it's a blessing to know what one wants out of life. While to some Isabel may have seemed selfish to have not pursued her relationship with Larry, to me she's someone who exactly knows what's important for her in life and is unwilling to sign up for something lesser. While I may not be able to associate with her aspirations, her clarity around those is impressive.

So many of us drag ourselves through life doing the so called 'right' things with absolutely no inkling of what our mind & soul truly crave for. Clarity of mind and the grit to pursue would make life so much happier!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!