I'm not surprised this "provocative" biography, blending fiction and non-fiction through imagination, came from the fella who went viral for tearing lI'm not surprised this "provocative" biography, blending fiction and non-fiction through imagination, came from the fella who went viral for tearing large books in half "out of love".
There's this AI story that I often think of - A professor puts googly eyes on a pencil and waved it at his class saying "HI! I'm Tim the pencil! I love helping children with their homework but my favourite is drawing pictures!" Then, without warning, he snapped the pencil in half. When half his college students gasped, he said "That's where all this Al hype comes from. We're not good at programming consciousness. But we're great at imagining non-conscious things are people." This book reminds me of that—we're great at imagining that Dostoevsky's passionate dramatic life mirrored his novels, and our minds want to resolve the 'clash of voices' into one (but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the suffering Dostoevsky went through to hold a divided, dissonant chorus in his heart?).
That's likely what makes this book work. I hope I haven't reached this conclusion mostly because I felt like I was being walloped over the head with Dostoevsky's gambling addiction by the end. The approach didn't ultimately hit the mark for me since I'm unsure which other author it would work for. I think I might be shaking my head instead if, say, Fitzgerald's alcoholism or Woolf's bipolar disorder was romanticised like his. Alex Christofi's storytelling was spot-on though, and the footnotes had me laughing out loud, making it an easy entry into a genre I have never enjoyed....more
Italo Calvino, writing about why one should read the classics, said "A classic does not necessarily teach us anything we did not know before. In a claItalo Calvino, writing about why one should read the classics, said "A classic does not necessarily teach us anything we did not know before. In a classic we sometimes discover something we have always known (or thought we knew), but without knowing that this author said it first, or at least is associated with it in a special way. And this, too, is a surprise that gives a lot of pleasure, such as we always gain from the discovery of an origin, a relationship, an affinity." For me, expressing my thoughts about my all-time favourite comfort classic feels like navigating through a labyrinth of personal connections and evolving perspectives.
Throughout my life, this book has been a steadfast companion, its themes shifting in resonance as I've grown. In my childhood, I was enamoured by the hero's journey, the epic quest. As a teenager, it was Gollum's struggle, torn between temptation and redemption, that drew me. Now, in my late twenties, the theme of friendship and fellowship strikes a chord.
Of course, what truly sets Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings apart is the unparalleled depth of the world he created—an intricate tapestry of history, languages, cultures, and mythology. While the series is a classic tale of heroism and villainy, it has complexity, exemplified by the journey's end as the hobbits return to a scarred homeland, confronting the harsh reality of war's aftermath in the once-idyllic Shire.
The Lord of the Rings has always held a special place in my heart, evoking a sense of wonder and awe, a rare series that speaks to both the child and the adult in me. If it holds significance for you as well, chances are we'd become fast friends....more
Chomsky and Pappé argue in Gaza In Crisis that while war may seem inevitable, to act as if it is would be the gravest mistake. They propose a two-partChomsky and Pappé argue in Gaza In Crisis that while war may seem inevitable, to act as if it is would be the gravest mistake. They propose a two-part plan that aims for a one-state solution: strengthen democracy in the US so people's voices shape foreign policy, and challenge propaganda in Israel to promote critical thinking. ...more
During my visit to Kashmir this winter, I picked up several books to better understand the region. I was especially excited to read "The House that SpDuring my visit to Kashmir this winter, I picked up several books to better understand the region. I was especially excited to read "The House that Spoke" by Zuni Chopra, as magic-realism is one of my favourite genres. However, I was disappointed to find the novel too simple in both its story and writing style. Overall, it didn't live up to my hopes.
When I flew to Kashmir this winter, I made it a point to learn more about the region. My first encounter with Kashmir was at the age of 10, when I visWhen I flew to Kashmir this winter, I made it a point to learn more about the region. My first encounter with Kashmir was at the age of 10, when I visited the Pakistan side with my father, Azad Kashmir. Now, at 28, I had the opportunity to visit from the India side, Jammu and Kashmir. Armed with only a faint awareness of its history and politics (neither of which have held much appeal for me as avenues of comprehension) I turned to literature instead: non-fiction with 'Territory of Desire: Representing the Valley of Kashmir,' fiction with 'Haroun and the Sea of Stories,' and the space in between with 'The Country Without A Post Office.' As I walked through the snow of Pahalgam and Gulmarg, was rowed across Dal Lake in Srinagar, Agha Shahid Ali's deliberately fragmented imagery of cracked portraits, flickering oil lamps, the saffron hue of the sun, and the picture-perfect yet hauntingly distant half-inch Himalayas, captured within a postcard from Kashmir, starkly contrasted with the stark reality of 'blood sheer rubies on Himalayan snow' unfolded Kashmir before me, weaving together beauty and brutality in a manner that was inescapable. I'm grateful to have found his poetry, as it has permanently shaped how I see Kashmir....more
The Brothers Karamazov is a blend of contrasting worldviews, embodied by its characters - the cold rationality of Ivan, the altruism of Alexei, and thThe Brothers Karamazov is a blend of contrasting worldviews, embodied by its characters - the cold rationality of Ivan, the altruism of Alexei, and the passion of Dmitri; this array of perspectives prompts readers to think about their own approach to life.
As I navigated the exceptionally well-woven web of relationships and ideas in this novel, I couldn't help but reflect on parallels with my own life and those of my friends. Some of my friends resemble Alyosha, embodying gentle stoicism, innate goodness, or warm empathy. Meanwhile, like Dmitri, other friends find ourselves wrestling with our demons, troubled by imperfection and impulses. Some of my friends also resemble Ivan, rationalizing all behaviors as “everything is permitted” (and who dares to counteract like Father Zosima, with a “everyone is responsible for everyone and for everything”?) However, all of us contain multitudes inside us, and Dostoevsky's refusal to offer a definitive answer reinforces the complexity of human nature, where morality is not a fixed point but a shifting landscape shaped by individual choices and circumstances.
So the novel probes the question of life's best path, mirroring the Karamazovian brothers' dual nature, each harboring conflicting abysses within. In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov's turmoil stems from a relatable clash between his ideologies and conscience, echoing Dostoevsky's own inner struggle amid surroundings of moral ambiguity. Dostoevsky's personal battles, including a gambling addiction, epilepsy, torments endured such as the famous mock-execution ceremony which involved being led to believe he would be executed by firing squad before being spared at the last moment, serving as a form of psychological torture intended to break his spirits, jail time, and complex relationship with an avaricious, tyrannical father as reflected in Pavlovich's character (which the friend who cheekily recommended this to me was aware would resonate) shines through in this novel as a lifelong contemplation on the nature of good, evil, free will, and duty. Perhaps Dostoevsky believed that through such contemplation one could find redemption by embracing the truth of life's suffering....more
As I approach my third decade I appear to have found less than a dozen books that have resonated, shaped my perception of, romantic love.
Love as grieAs I approach my third decade I appear to have found less than a dozen books that have resonated, shaped my perception of, romantic love.
Love as grief in 'The Great Fires', regret in 'Remains of The Day', sickness in 'Love In The Time of Cholera,' delusion in 'From the Land of the Moon,' guilt in 'Atonement', power in 'The Song of Achilles', repression in 'Twilight', destruction in 'Wuthering Heights', meaning in 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being'. I've only recently started making sense of my confusion, but I expect to lose track of any understanding of romantic love again soon. The rest of my sentiments regarding it are best expressed by poets like Rilke or Cummings.
Can we not be forgiven if we believe books, like romantic love, can serendipitously find us at the right moment then? Alain de Botton, with his insightful and humorous philosophising, has helped me condense my thoughts on romantic love, and I anticipate chuckling for quite some time over the line, stuck in a sticky note above my desk, 'We are all more intelligent than we are capable, and awareness of the insanity of love has never saved anyone from the disease.'...more
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