Many times I thought about writing a review for the book- “Tall
Man small shadow”. I have never written
a book review before and to make the matter more complicated the book is written
by my father. Can any son write about his
father objectively? Will a son’s praise
not be viewed as a natural way to express gratitude to his creator? Will a son’s
criticism not be rated too harsh and an act to separate his identity from that
of his father?
I had written a few lines about his book on some websites
based on my preliminary reading of his manuscripts. I had read a few chapters
of the edited version but had never read the final book until a few days back. Only
now I feel I can write about the book. Here is what I felt:-
1. The story is arranged in short chapters, with
each chapter written from a different point of view. A single scene when viewed
from different angles gives the reader a holistic view about the lives of book’s
characters. However there are times when the reader is left slightly confused because
of the multiple angles.
2.
The characters are intertwined by a series of coincidences
in a very real-life setting. Whether these coincidences are fabricated or not,
the reader is free to have his own interpretations.
3.
A few lines where I could not help but marvel at
the simplicity of thoughts are-
a. Perfection if pursued could dispense the
need of God.
b. If it is death, I am dying every moment. If
it is life, I am living every moment.
c. Mere talent may lead to frustration and
pessimism.
d.
When he
fails to understand, he philosophizes.
4.
The experience of reading this book is like
reading many books in one. Many questions, many philosophies, many thoughts
left just short of their conclusion. Sometimes entertaining, sometimes deliberating.
Reading his first book, I could feel that he has many more
books in him and perhaps many more philosophies.
I believe in the
saying-“An author should be judged by his best lines.”
And I know, his best
is yet to come.
1 comment:
Hi,
Just stumbled upon your blog. Good stuff. Keep writing.
Cheers
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