Who's reading what,when & the experience

capt_mahajan · Nov 10th, 2007, 20:20

"That Man on the Road"
Telugu short fiction (translated in English) edited by Ranga Rao.

Something is lost in the translation, but am enjoying it.

Aishah · Nov 10th, 2007, 22:24

Finally finished John Lanchester's Mr Phillips - 'dazzling and delicious' says New York Times Book Review, but personally, I found the ramblings of a recently -made- redundant accountant's mind became very boring in the end, with a rather depressing finish. At first very funny, but in the end I think the character was too stereotyped reducing every event in his life into percentages, accounting calculations etc. The book is a day in his life with some very contrived incidents to bring drama into it. Did finish it however...
Now reading one of M.M.Kaye's detective stories - Death in Kashmir - set in 1947 - captures the fading days of the Raj in Kashmir and Peshawar just prior to Partition. Very gung ho and jolly hockey sticks and a Mills and Boon style before they modernized and got very raunchy i.e. around the 70's - early 80's.(Not that I am a Mills and Boon fan, I had a close friend who wrote them!}

wonderwomanusa · Nov 10th, 2007, 22:29

I'm part-way through the first volume of MM Kaye's autobiography and though it's very interesting to hear about Shimla at the turn of the 19th Century, there's 'way more focus on day-to-day life than I find necessary and can't imagine slogging through a thousand more pages of this!

Nick-H · Nov 10th, 2007, 22:40

Mills and Boon got raunchy? I didn't know that!

capt_mahajan · Nov 10th, 2007, 23:36

Hey, in those days heavy breathing with things heaving was raunchy

Next on the list, the umpteenth reading of Khushwant Singh's "Train to Pakistan"

I dont think much of him as a writer, overall. Except for this book. Proabably (was it?) his first.

Nick-H · Nov 11th, 2007, 00:21

heavy breathing with things heaving is stillraunchy!

paulie90 · Nov 11th, 2007, 04:20

For a incredible look at the underbelly of Mumbai this is it !
www.shantaram.com
author Gregory David Roberts
if you are traveling it could be a little bulky at 1000 pages!

machadinha · Nov 11th, 2007, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conor M

I've just started reading 'The Al Qaeda Reader'.

That's a great tip Conor, the reviews alone there are quite interesting. Thanks.

Aishah · Nov 11th, 2007, 10:21

Nick - they are definitely more explicit now, adding 'throb' was what the editors called make more raunchy!!!!In those days a lot of use of metaphors - fire, conflagration , smouldering...blah,blah,blah
Captain - I liked his 'India Burning' read quite a while ago, but I thought his views interesting, gave me an insight into political situations at the time, and I thoroughly agreed with his idea that all religious announcements, music etc. should not be amplified. OT - just this morning reading Oz news where a 25 year old man was shot for not turning his music down, he was injured.Also KS's premise that religion should not influence government - words to that effect...

Yesterday's news was Norman Mailer has died, at age 84.

machadinha · Nov 11th, 2007, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aishah

Yesterday's news was Norman Mailer has died, at age 84.

Ouch. Hadn't caught it.

Nick-H · Nov 11th, 2007, 14:27

I have just begun More Die of Heartbreak by Saul Bellow.

Isn't that a great title?

Being bookless for my return flight, my friend gave me Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby. I've read a few chapters, but I can't really agree with the assertion on the back cover that it is a good read even if you have no interest in football.

dhans · Nov 11th, 2007, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conor M

I don't like Dalrymple anymore. He should have stuck to travel-writing, at which he was excellent - 'From The Holy Mountain' was the best.

Read 'White Mughals', thought it was crap. I started reading 'The Last Mughal' during the summer, but got bored quickly.

I've got the same feeling. What I like(d) about Dalrymple is his contemporary travelwriting combined with a thorough historical scholary background. It seems he has chosen to write books based only on the latter. Which is a pity. I finished White Moghuls, it wasn't really bad, but I'm in no way inclined to buy his next books.

Hans

PS what I'm reading now: Hollywood station by Joseph Wambaugh, his best since "The Choirboys".

2020angel · Nov 12th, 2007, 10:00

'Animal's People'...Excellent read...made me laugh,made me cry...and made me very angry at big companies who shirk responsibility,and the gorvernments that allow them to.

sam371 · Nov 13th, 2007, 02:33

Just finished "Into Thin Air".
Starting up "Inheritance of Loss"

Casey · Nov 13th, 2007, 03:03

A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul. I am enjoying far more than the Mystic Masseur.

Nov 10th, 2007, 22:24	#812
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,961	Finally finished John Lanchester's Mr Phillips - 'dazzling and delicious' says New York Times Book Review, but personally, I found the ramblings of a recently -made- redundant accountant's mind became very boring in the end, with a rather depressing finish. At first very funny, but in the end I think the character was too stereotyped reducing every event in his life into percentages, accounting calculations etc. The book is a day in his life with some very contrived incidents to bring drama into it. Did finish it however... Now reading one of M.M.Kaye's detective stories - Death in Kashmir - set in 1947 - captures the fading days of the Raj in Kashmir and Peshawar just prior to Partition. Very gung ho and jolly hockey sticks and a Mills and Boon style before they modernized and got very raunchy i.e. around the 70's - early 80's.(Not that I am a Mills and Boon fan, I had a close friend who wrote them!} __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Nov 10th, 2007, 22:40	#814
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,773	Mills and Boon got raunchy? I didn't know that! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Nov 11th, 2007, 04:20	#817
paulie90 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: BOULDER, CO. Posts: 20	Shantaram For a incredible look at the underbelly of Mumbai this is it ! www.shantaram.com author Gregory David Roberts if you are traveling it could be a little bulky at 1000 pages!

Nov 11th, 2007, 10:21	#819
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 4,961	Nick - they are definitely more explicit now, adding 'throb' was what the editors called make more raunchy!!!!In those days a lot of use of metaphors - fire, conflagration , smouldering...blah,blah,blah Captain - I liked his 'India Burning' read quite a while ago, but I thought his views interesting, gave me an insight into political situations at the time, and I thoroughly agreed with his idea that all religious announcements, music etc. should not be amplified. OT - just this morning reading Oz news where a 25 year old man was shot for not turning his music down, he was injured.Also KS's premise that religion should not influence government - words to that effect... Yesterday's news was Norman Mailer has died, at age 84. Last edited by Aishah : Nov 11th, 2007 at 11:37. Reason: Adding a bit more..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Nov 10th, 2007, 20:20	#811
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,101	"That Man on the Road" Telugu short fiction (translated in English) edited by Ranga Rao. Something is lost in the translation, but am enjoying it.

Nov 10th, 2007, 22:29	#813
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,479	I'm part-way through the first volume of MM Kaye's autobiography and though it's very interesting to hear about Shimla at the turn of the 19th Century, there's 'way more focus on day-to-day life than I find necessary and can't imagine slogging through a thousand more pages of this!

Nov 10th, 2007, 23:36	#815
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,101	Hey, in those days heavy breathing with things heaving was raunchy Next on the list, the umpteenth reading of Khushwant Singh's "Train to Pakistan" I dont think much of him as a writer, overall. Except for this book. Proabably (was it?) his first.

Nov 11th, 2007, 00:21	#816
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,773	heavy breathing with things heaving is stillraunchy!

Nov 11th, 2007, 14:27	#821
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,773	I have just begun More Die of Heartbreak by Saul Bellow. Isn't that a great title? Being bookless for my return flight, my friend gave me Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby. I've read a few chapters, but I can't really agree with the assertion on the back cover that it is a good read even if you have no interest in football.

Nov 12th, 2007, 10:00	#823
2020angel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Brighton Posts: 67	'Animal's People'...Excellent read...made me laugh,made me cry...and made me very angry at big companies who shirk responsibility,and the gorvernments that allow them to.

Nov 13th, 2007, 02:33	#824
sam371 Dreaming of India... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 377	Just finished "Into Thin Air". Starting up "Inheritance of Loss"

Nov 13th, 2007, 03:03	#825
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 637	A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul. I am enjoying far more than the Mystic Masseur.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Himalayan reading	mountainman	Books, Music, and Movies	126	Sep 30th, 2008 10:03
India Reading	coconut wireless	Books, Music, and Movies	7	Mar 8th, 2007 12:30
recommended reading?	redleader	Books, Music, and Movies	6	Oct 4th, 2005 14:06
Nadi reading	Wanderratte	Chai and Chat	1	Nov 23rd, 2004 17:07
Research reading	jgbrowning	Books, Music, and Movies	11	May 23rd, 2004 07:06

User Name		Remember Me?
Password