JoV's Book Pyramid
Asian origin writers
The Immigrant by Manju Kapur
I find the most compelling novels are the ones who talk about the everyday ordinary life in the most extraordinary way. It was the title that first drew me to the book. I always think that for a person to test its survival skills in the fullest one sure way was to become an immigrant. … Continue reading
Gold Boy, Emerald Girl by YiYun Li
I thought it will be great if I could write a more focused review, so I am trying out a new format here today. What it is: A collection of short stories mostly revolving around lonely Chinese characters who are grasping at happier future, but are grounded in the bleak realities of everyday life. Gold Boy, … Continue reading
Please Look After Mother by Kyung-Sook Shin
If you are an Far Eastern Asian in your mid 40’s you are likely to have a mother which is less literate, who may have gone through many years of sacrifice bringing up her children, very superstitious and may practice ancestral rites to wade off evil so as not to incur God’s wrath on the … Continue reading
Dance, Dance, Dance like your life depends on it
It is difficult to write about a book you have finished awhile ago and it is even hard to write a review about Murakami’s books without sounding like a sycophant or Murakami Groupie that goes on and on to say how fantastic his books are… but the truth is : I love this one!!!! 😀 … Continue reading
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
The story, divided into eight parts, is told through the eyes of Michael Holmes, a 30-something violinist, who plays the second fiddle in the quartet (and a second fiddle in his lover’s life we will soon see!). He teaches music on the side and had an affair with his student Virginie but he never forgets … Continue reading
Of Bees and Mist : An adult fairy tale
I first came across this book because Bookie Mee told me about it. It’s an unusual cover. Worn and stained cover that has an antiquated feel about it and red shinny caricature of a girl walking towards the house in the mist. The American version says “a magical story of love and family”, the UK edition … Continue reading
Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima
Compared to the many books I have read, I count this one as one of my bold ones. Confessions of a Mask (仮面の告白 Kamen no Kokuhaku) is Yukio Mishima’s first novel. Reading my past posts, you may have sussed out my fascination for Mishima. This book published in 1948, catapulted him to national fame when he was only in … Continue reading
The Vagrants by YiYun Li
In a cold morning in March in Muddy River, and a “counter-revolutionary” – a once fanatical member of Mao’s Red Guard who became a pro-democracy activist – is to be publicly denounced and executed. Gu Shan is the 28-year-old daughter of teacher Gu and his wife, the parents who questioned themselves the cause that brought … Continue reading
As the Earth Turns Silver by Alison Wong
It is a book by a New Zealand Author,… No, let me do this again, it is the book cover that attracts my attention when it was displayed in the library shelf. 🙂 A good cover does attracts, but it is not a be all or end all for me. I do base my quick … Continue reading
Man Asian Literary Prize 2010 – Long list
I read about Wolf Totem review on Jackie of Farm Lane Book blog tonight and it pique my interest. For two reasons, first this story is set in Mongolia. Second, it is the prize winner of Man Asian Literary Prize 2007. I knew Man Asian Literary exists, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. Now … Continue reading
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Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
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