Sudden Onslaught
She heard the sound. She looked up. Apprehension filled her face…Sweat broke out on her forehead…The last three steps to safety…..she broke into a run…..
What happens next? I am sure, whether you are 6 or 60, you want to know... everyone loves a story! Precisely why; many a times, a non-fiction book can’t keep away the yawns (will come back to an exception) while fiction stimulates and is hard to put away till we are done with it. And if the story/book ends in a clear outcome; good, bad or sad (like in most classical literature); it settles something within us, allowing us to experience ‘closure’ and move on... an advantage that art (which imitates life) has over life, which ironically is pretty miserly in affording us cathartic moments! On the other hand, an ‘open to interpretation’ ending piques the curiosity but leaves us with a vague sense of ennui...
There need be no consensus on what constitutes ‘enjoyable’ (each to their own), but essentially, good fiction is first and foremost a story well told. Language and craft are indispensable elements but often, the adjectives, metaphors and other attention seeking grammar nearly hijack the plot and overshadow the storyline! Paradoxically, simple writing (not to be confused with the banal) is often a tall order; with word smiths, at times, being naturally inclined to fanciful prose...
Another core component is the basic integrity of the writer to the book; written, as a prize winning author recently confessed, because, “the book begged to be written” and not with an eye on the bestseller charts. When integrity, story and craft mesh seamlessly, it results in passages that flow and seem to be effortlessly written; establishing a ‘connect’ with the reader and making for a great reading experience...
Personally, I build a relationship with each book I read and in the process also build an impression of the author in my mind. If perchance, an opportunity to interact with the author materialises, and he/she matches my perception; it raises the comfort level and enhances the pleasure in the piece of work. Unfortunately, the delight is marginally dimmed when the real person and the literary persona seem at odds...
I simply read...newspapers, magazines, books (fiction and non-fiction), blogs et al. But in fiction I am partial to Indian authors. My all time favourite remains R. K. Narayan! The town of Malgudi and its inhabitants had me utterly engrossed and I always wished that there could have been many more stories about the fictional town and its very real characters...
A few other names (not all in the top 10 circuit) that come easily to mind (in no particular order of preference and without offence to the ones left out in lieu of a challenged memory!) are: Khushwant Singh, Mrinal Pande, Jhumpa Lahiri, Bapsi Sidhwa (Pakistani author), Rama Mehta’s ‘Inside the Haveli’, Satyajit Ray, Manju Kapur, R. K. Laxman, Anurag Mathur’s ‘The Inscrutable Americans’, Sudha Murty, Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee, Rohinton Mistry and in the newer lot, Chetan Bhagat and Namita Devidayal among others...
The exception to the rule; and the one book that I particularly loved reading and recommend to most people is, ‘India Unbound’ by Gurcharan Das. Although, a non-fiction book, it is first and foremost a story, 'well-told,' about India's economic history post Independence, with the watershed being the opening up of the economy in the 90s. Simply written and optimistic in its outlook; it comes together beautifully in a comprehensive assimilation of economics, history, social and political aspects interspersed with personal anecdotes...a must-read for those interested in understanding India’s economic background...
And finally, ending the suspense of the incomplete opening story, here is the entire tale in only 50 words!
Sudden Onslaught
She heard the sound. She looked up. Apprehension filled her face…Sweat broke out on her forehead…The last three steps to safety…..she broke into a run…..but she didn’t make it! ‘I must remember to carry an umbrella,’ she thought, surrendering to the onslaught of the rain!
Incidentally, being a book-lover and long- time reader; the above blog simply “had to be written!” The purpose being to highlight personal observations and not intended as a critique...
Do write in and share your favourite stories, books and authors and view points...
No comments:
Post a Comment