Wednesday 22 August 2012
Wednesday 15 August 2012
the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society
what i originally thought was a book of alternative genre (credits to its unusual name) turned out to be one of best reads I've had in a while.
it was a while that i looked forward to long bus journeys even after a tired day at work, and a while that i jumped onto my bed, in office wear and hands unwashed after stroking the condo cat, and read ferociously for 2 and a half hours straight. i finished the book and went without dinner!
the story is based in the channel islands in 1945, just after the end of the German occupation. the entire book is written in the form of letters exchanges between the main characters, and depict so realistically human emotions of empathy, light-headedness with an overarching nonchalant dignity associated with a love interest, bravery amidst suffering in wartimes, sarcasm, humor, unconditional giving by people who have suffered, friendship and love.
most of all, it reminded me of how beautiful communication becomes when it takes place through letters. with the technology we have nowadays, why would one write lengthy, entertaining letters to update another on his life? less is the need to string beautiful chains of words, and gone is the true meaning of keeping in touch- satisfying a genuine interest in the life of another.
communication these days seem more an activity to pass time on the train, to coordinate schedules of a group of people, elevated chatter that never delve deeper. we just don't give ourselves the luxury of time to think more pensive thoughts and pen them down, ink to paper.
I think that beautifully phrased thoughts make one think of the world as a more beautiful place, and thus one a kinder and more appreciative soul.
i was also saddened, trying to lap up every morsel of information in the book after finishing the story, when I read that the author had passed on (at an age of 74) and this was the only novel she'd written..I wish she wrote more!
and a pity we don't write letters anymore.
it was a while that i looked forward to long bus journeys even after a tired day at work, and a while that i jumped onto my bed, in office wear and hands unwashed after stroking the condo cat, and read ferociously for 2 and a half hours straight. i finished the book and went without dinner!
the story is based in the channel islands in 1945, just after the end of the German occupation. the entire book is written in the form of letters exchanges between the main characters, and depict so realistically human emotions of empathy, light-headedness with an overarching nonchalant dignity associated with a love interest, bravery amidst suffering in wartimes, sarcasm, humor, unconditional giving by people who have suffered, friendship and love.
most of all, it reminded me of how beautiful communication becomes when it takes place through letters. with the technology we have nowadays, why would one write lengthy, entertaining letters to update another on his life? less is the need to string beautiful chains of words, and gone is the true meaning of keeping in touch- satisfying a genuine interest in the life of another.
communication these days seem more an activity to pass time on the train, to coordinate schedules of a group of people, elevated chatter that never delve deeper. we just don't give ourselves the luxury of time to think more pensive thoughts and pen them down, ink to paper.
I think that beautifully phrased thoughts make one think of the world as a more beautiful place, and thus one a kinder and more appreciative soul.
i was also saddened, trying to lap up every morsel of information in the book after finishing the story, when I read that the author had passed on (at an age of 74) and this was the only novel she'd written..I wish she wrote more!
and a pity we don't write letters anymore.
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