Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Paul Torday)

Dr. Alfred Jones is a henpecked, slightly pompous middle-aged scientist at the National Centre for Fisheries Excellence in London when he is approached by a mysterious sheikh about an outlandish plan to introduce the sport of salmon fishing into the Yemen. Dr. Jones refuses, but the project, however scientifically absurd, catches the eye of British politicians, who pressure him to work on it. His diaries of the Yemen Salmon Project, from beginning to glorious, tragic end, form the narrative backbone of this novel; interspersed throughout are government memos, e-mails, letters, and interview transcripts that deftly capture the absurdity of bureaucratic dysfunction. With a wickedly wonderful cast of characters—including a weasel-like spin doctor, a missing soldier and his intrepid fiancée, and Dr. Jones’s own devilish wife—Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is the whimsical story of an unlikely hero who discovers true love, finds himself first a pawn and then a victim of political spin, and learns to believe in the impossible.

I have to give credit to Paul Torday for coming up with the idea of writing about salmon in the Middle East. I found it catchy, not to mention intriguing. It is a creative way of thematic storytelling in the likes of ambitious “producing snow in the desert”, or simpler terms -- making the impossible possible. The theme got me interested enough to finish the book quickly. One would wonder if this is possible or not.

Paul Torday used various correspondences via emails, diary entries, mails, and interviews of the characters in narrating the book. This is not new or unique to him of course. I have to give it to Torday for telling the story in the perception of each character without straying away from the story line.

In the story, Torday compared the theocratic government of the Middle East and the Democracy of the United Kingdom without being judgemental. The cultural differences were also touched without bias.

I found Salmon Fishing in the Yemen anticlimactic. Success and tragedy both happening at the same time was horrendous. I envisage the death of the sheikh, but what’s the need to include the prime minister in the mortality list? Worse is that all major characters did not have a happy ending so to speak.

I guess that is really the primary goal – introducing salmon in the Wadi Ayn even just for one day. But that success was not enough to give the book a justifiable ending.

Anybody with the wealth of the Sheikh could make things possible. It reminded me of Bruce Wayne who became a superhero known as Batman by being enormously rich. In real life, making salmons swim in the rivers of Yemen is really impossible. Paul Torday wants to convey the message that the first step in making things possible is believing. To quote: “Faith comes before love. Love comes before hope.”

My rating: 3/5 stars

*****

Synopsis was taken from Shelfari.com

My copy: 2007 paperback bought new from the Philippines

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Teenager Katniss Everdeen, for the love of her younger sister Prim, volunteered to join a reality TV show wherein winning means fame and losing is a sure death. Her only hope for survival was her adept hunting skills, powered by the will to return home to her family. In her painful and treacherous road to either survival or death, Katniss developed new friendship, relived agonizing losses, and brewed hatred against the creators of the game.

The very concept of the book is unique and creative. As I read, I tried to imagine a combination of the reality TV shows Big Brother and Survivor, only there are no deaths involved. The simulation of the battlefield was also imaginative which I think can be compared to X-men’s Danger Room. Minus Stephani Meyer’s positive comments, I’m sure the book will attract readers even from just reading the synopsis.

The chapters were cleverly created. The last parts of each chapter ended in such a way that one would really be enticed to flip to the next pages. The book is filled with mind-boggling twists that completed a thriller package.

The reality TV show was very much “real” in the sense that it provided Katniss a sense of home. She found an ally and a sister in Rue. Her indifference to her mother was masked by thoughts on the healing abilities of her mother which she thought would be of great use in the game. The mockingjay reminded him of his father. Peeta provided the security in Gale’s absence. She hunted to survive. Almost every part of the game can be compared to her life except for the murders.

I liked the idea of including romance in a thriller. These are two extreme and overflowing emotions. However, I think author Collins overdid it in some chapters. I understand the need to portray a plot wherein the boy is in love with the girl but the latter isn’t. However, there were parts which I know I could compare with Twilight – utterly mushy. In my opinion, I think some of the overly romantic part could be replaced with more action or suspense. The deaths of some of the Tributes were quick. I was looking for a fight probably between Katniss or Foxface, Peeta or any of the Career tributes but none. Foxface has been mentioned since early in the game but died in a poorly played death. It would have been nice to see Katniss fight an equally capable female opponent in the end.

The manner in which the 2 tributes from District 12 won is predictable. If not for the rebellion part which was a teaser to the next book, it might have ended badly.

In general, The Hunger Games is very entertaining and witty. The flow of imagination, thrilling fight scenes, and unthinkable modes of survival were superbly written. It’s difficult to stop even from the first chapter. If not for the unnecessary romantic parts, I would have given it a perfect rating. (Don’t get me wrong. The romance in the book was also intelligently created. I just think that some chapters, especially in the last parts, could have produced much stronger impact.) Probably it is just my testosterones. Anyway, I give the book 4/5 stars.

(As posted in steddysoliloquy.blogspot.com)

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

Balram Halwai was born in the “Darkness”. He grew up in one of the depressed and marginalized areas of India – so poor that the average number of children in a family is more than 10 and all of them are either called boy or girl. Before he became Balram, he was just “boy” – Munna.

This is the story of how Balram moved out of the Darkness – from being a son of a common rickshaw puller to being the driver of one of India’s wealthiest man; from being a murderer to being one of India’s most successful yet unwritten entrepreneur; from having no name to being the White Tiger.

I admit that after reading Life of Pi, I got interested to the other ManBooker Prize Winners. Pi’s story manipulated my imagination well and tickled my heart to silent bouts of laughter. I wondered if all Booker winners are as great.

The White Tiger is a highly recommendable book. It is the 2008 ManBooker Prize winner. If you enjoyed Pi’s story of childhood, spirituality, and struggles, you would also find Balram’s story amusing. The White Tiger is a story of success, albeit a morbid one. It is a picture reflective of the life in the slums of India – a long narrative of living in the Darkness.

Balram’s destiny was to be a slave from birth to death. This was because of India’s caste system, and his was never wealthy. Balram faced life’s obstacles carrying nothing but his wits and ambition.

Aravind Adiga described how it is to live in the slums of India nowadays. Aside from the caste system, India’s poverty is not far from ours. I guess we could really say that Poverty, be it in any given place, has only one face, but of multiple dimensions. Corruption is also very much apparent in our country, just like in India. It wasn’t hard for me to understand what the author was trying to tell when he talked about vote buying and bribing.

I love a good humor in a story. As you read this book, you would find yourself smiling or even laughing at some lines. I admire the author’s ability in creating a light tone on a socially-relevant story. The mood shifted to a darker one though when the murder happened. The story was serious on the parts emphasizing how the rich treated India’s poor.

Balram became rich. In my opinion, the transformation made him like the other wealthy persons of India. He forgot about his family. He also bribed people. He worked like a bigtime Mafia honcho. He became the persons he despised when he was still living in the Darkness.

I guess money really changes people’s character. Read it and you be the judge.I rate the book 4 of 5 stars.

***

I am on a mission of reading Man Booker Winners from the 1990s to present.

My book is an advanced reader’s copy I found at BookSale.

Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

Andrew Marcus is a little boy who envied his classmate Nicky Lane for having lots of facial freckles. Andrew wanted to have freckles so his mother would not notice his neck and face when dirty. Sharon offered a secret recipe – Freckle Juice – for fifty cents. Andrew was desperate and willing to pay just to have freckles. It was when he drank the concocted Freckle Juice that Andrew doubted its power.

Freckle Juice is a short children’s story. Its tone is light, suitable for kids. The illustrations, albeit large, vivid, and clear, are not that entertaining. The concept of a boy desperately wanting to have freckles is funny. I liked the teacher’s approach in helping Andrew. Instead of reprimanding Andrew (because of the blue dots on his face), she played along, offering her own freckle removal formula. Lesson: Each of us is unique. Ones attractive physical features may not look good on us.

I think this book would be better if it ended positively. There was no resolution on the part of Sharon’s misdoings. By finding another kid to fool, she remained a rival up to the very end.

If your purpose is just to kill time, you could read it. But I’m sure there are other worthwhile time consuming activities, as I am positive that there are many other children’s books better than this. I do not like it (2/5).

***

My copy was bought at Bestsellers, Robinson’s Galleria during NBS Month-long sale for only 30 Php.

Veronika Decides to Die by Paolo Coelho

Veronika, albeit being young, beautiful, attractive, sexy, and smart, committed suicide by ingesting loads of sleeping pills. Prior to the act, she wrote a letter that became her suicide note – she was committing suicide so that people would know where Slovenia is. Death came slowly. A few hours later, she woke up with tubes and catheters attached to her body. She found out that she was in a mental hospital.

Veronika Decides to Die is the story of Veronika – a twenty-ish alluring woman who decided to end her life for 2 reasons: 1) she thought everything in life is the same and 2) she felt powerless over the fact that she can’t change everything that is wrong.

In the hospital, she was told that the suicide attempt resulted to a failing heart. She was warned that she only had a week to live. Everybody in the hospital – from the staff, the nurses, to the sane and insane patients – knew that Veronika was dying.

Based on statistics, females committed more suicide attempts than males. But more males became successful in ending their lives. According to psychiatrists, females tend to be fickle, unlike men are more decisive than their gender counterparts.

Veronika was decisive enough to kill herself. Unfortunately, she failed. She wanted a comfortable, painless death; she decided to overdose herself with sleeping pills. Again, basing on suicide stats, males are more courageous in trying the painful ways of suicide. They knew that there is greater success in hanging, jumping over high altitude, shooting oneself with a gun, and slashing the wrists, among other painful, gory modes.

People commit suicide for lots of reasons. Each story, however we categorize it, is unique. Failure is one of the most common reasons. In the book, it could be said that Veronika failed to see the world in a different way. Furthermore, everything for her was the same, everything became a routine -- she failed to change it.

Failure is a common human phenomenon. Everybody experiences it. It could be the same for most persons, but the way we see, handle, and accept it are different. Psychiatrists explain that the persons who committed suicide have poor ego sets – they lack the support system, be it emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or socially. In the book, it was said that Veronika had everything: loving family, decent job, relationships with men, and a shelter. So, could her reasons justify her suicide attempt?

I do not know. I believe that anybody could commit suicide for whatever reasons. For us to better understand the reasons behind any suicide attempt, we need to dig deep within the personality of the person who committed suicide as well as her psycho- and sociocultural dynamics.

Veronika decided to die, yet death did not arrive. As I read, I thought it would be Veronika’s story all throughout, but no. Chapters were made for 4 other supporting characters: Zedka, Mari, Eduard and Dr. Igor. All of them are patients, except for the doctor.

The book was not entirely about Veronika. It was Veronika and the other characters. Veronika was just a medium for them to make realizations about their lives.

Zedka represented Depression. She was admitted due to this mental disturbance. She lost the love of her life which caused severe depression. She failed to take care of herself and her family.

In the book, Zedka was a recipient of an old, inhumane therapy – insulin shock. Insulin causes a drop in the body’s glucose levels which, in severe forms, results to coma. The purpose is to forget the stimulus of anxiety. While in coma, Zedka experienced separation from her body. Her spirit flew to places while her flesh remained on the hospital bed. When she met Veronika, she realized how valuable life is. She realized she could explore and expand her horizons. The only way to do it is astral projection. This left me asking these questions: Isn’t this unreal? How could she say she’s cured if she has another form of ‘reality’, so to speak?

Mari is Fear personified. She suffered panic attacks prior to her hospital admission. She failed to dsicover the cause of her panic attacks. She brought herself to the hospital. And though the doctor said she was already cured, she did not leave because of fear of being unaccepted by her family, friends, and the society.

Through Veronika, Mari realized that life is short and meaningful. She realized that life in the hospital is the same as life outside. She learned that there were lots of things she could do in order to put meaning to her life. She decided to leave the hospital.

Eduard could be perceived as Fantasy. This son of an ambassador became schizophrenic because he was so inclined to his “Visions of Paradise” – paintings of his perception of earthly Paradise which were inspired by a book that contained famous personalities and how they made their world a paradise. Eduard, after much persuasion from his father, decided to quit painting. But the visions were too powerful and it controlled him.

Even though I said that the book was not entirely about Veronika, I have to say that it centered on Veronika. The thought of an impending death made the main protagonist to push herself beyond her limits; to experience life without minding what others might think. Moreover, she made all other characters realize that there is life beyond the walls of their confinement – they realized that they have to live life to its fullest while they are still alive.

Dr. Igor created this theory – the cure for bitterness is self-awareness. He induced symptoms of heart failure on Veronika, thus controlling the hospital atmosphere, in order to arrive at answers.

Veronika Decides to Die also revolved on the idea that “abnormalities” are sociocultural in nature. The concept of psychological normalcy is greatly affected by the norms of our society. What we consider as normal may be abnormal to others of different sociocultural background.

Paolo Coelho’s book was not as powerful and dynamic as I expected. I had high expectations because it was included in the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. But it isn’t that bad as well. In my own opinion, to be included in the list, it must parallel with novels like The Godfather, The Little Prince, Little Women, and Kafka on the Shore. I give the book 3/5 bookmarks – a good read but not worth recommending.

***
My book was mooched from Japan. I got it in mint condition, almost. :)

Happy Birthday Paolo Coelho!

The Shack by William P. Young

Mackenzie Allen Philip’s youngest daughter, Missy, was abducted during the family weekend camp. Her body was not found except for proofs that she was brutally murdered: Missy’s red dress smeared with blood stains discovered in a shack deep in Oregon’s wilderness. Four years after Missy’s tragic death, on a stormy-winter day, Mackenzie received a simple note which appeared apparently from God, though there were doubts about it. The note was inviting him to return to the shack - the place where his Great Sadness started – the coming weekend.

Mackenzie decided to return to his darkest nightmare and the events that transpired thereafter changed his life forever.

I found the book not inspirational but rather enlightening. The Shack is a story that tackled Christianity, though it was stated in the book that Jesus is not only Christian but also part of other religions.

Debates on religion, Christianity, and even about the existence of God is as old and continuing as time. I was born, baptized, and nurtured in Catholic faith and I have to admit that my feedback on the book would be biased, as I have minimal knowledge on other established beliefs. However, I would still try to come up with a holistic review.

The Shack did not clash with my Catholic beliefs. If anything, it was reinforced. The book was like a mentor or a priest opening doors of new ideas and perceptions about God. Reading the book was like looking into an aquarium from another side – the contents have been known to you but the other sides would always look different.

It discussed the existence of the Holy Trinity: God the Father and Creator, God as Man (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. In the book, God was called Papa, a name used by Mackenzie’s family to address God. It was private to them. Jesus appeared in the book as somebody with Middle-Eastern features, far different from the stereotyped image of Him. The Spirit was introduced as Sarayu or Wind.

The Shack said that there is no hierarchy among the Trinity for the basic reason that the Three are One. Some people would be troubled by this from the premise that though they are all one, the Man does the will of the Father and the Spirit is always sent by the Father – proof that hierarchy exists. It also discussed hierarchy in society as an obstacle in forming relationships with others.

Other forms of religion do not believe that Jesus is God. For them, He is only a prophet. Moreover, some do not believe in the Holy Trinity, saying that there is only one God. I believe that a person who falls under these religions would not appreciate the book for its content and depth.

God appeared to Mackenzie as a Woman and a Mother. I liked this approach, albeit its deviation from the stereotyped image of God, because nobody really knows what God looks like. God is our Father because He is our Creator. After the week-long creation, He became our Mother, nurturing and caring. God’s personality as both parents has come full-circle. It is also evident in the Bible: Eve coming from Adam’s rib.

Jesus, in the book, was a laborer and carpenter. Mackenzie related with him easily because He was more human as compared to Papa and Sarayu. The Jesus in the book was clumsy and friendly. He joked around. He was like a brother and a buddy. I was impressed by the author’s ability to introduce Jesus as Human, albeit being God. This is a proof that God limited himself, by being human, to understand and be with us. God knows what it’s like to suffer and go through the everyday burdens of living by being Jesus.

Sarayu the Holy Spirit was the woman who collected tears. I liked the part wherein Papa said, “I would personally wipe away your tears”. True, God never promised the absence of disasters, problems, and tragedies. But He said that He would lift the burden. We cannot see God, but it doesn’t mean He is not around. He is with us, in Spirit.

Mackenzie had issues with his father when he was a child. The absence of a father image whom he could run to for support made it difficult for him to trust God, especially during his Great Sadness. The issue was resolved in the book, revealing a path for Mackenzie to completely trust Papa. The analogy, for me, is acceptable because I think it would very difficult for Mackenzie to trust God posing as an invisible Father if his own issues with his father is unresolved.

I also liked the part when Mackenzie was asked to judge God. He was asked to decide who among his 5 children should go to heaven and hell. I am not a father but come to think of it, it's hard to decide on it. Lesson: Who are we to judge other people based on their image and actions? Why do we always play God?

I tried to put myself in Mackenzie’s shoes. I believe that it was right for Mackenzie to feel anger and rage for his daughter’s murderer. In the Bible, God asks us to forgive our enemies. If somebody does something against your loved one, you fight for him/her, even if you are oblivious to what really transpired. The plot was severe: murder of the youngest child. Worse is that Mackenzie was not able to recover the body. Could you forgive the killer? I can’t. In the book, God asked Mackenzie to forgive the serial killer. At first I thought that Mackenzie would just easily forgive the oppressor, something which I find very unrealistic and non-human. But I was wrong. It turned out that Papa was asking Mackenzie to forgive the killer not only for his benefit, but also to release the person from his grip. Forgiving is offering the enemy to God. The book did not state that after forgiveness, you would be chums with your tormentor. Anger could still be felt and is acceptable. Papa only wanted Mackenzie to release the killer and He would do the rest. Papa also said (in the book) that the killer, “is also my child”. Papa requested to forgive the person everyday, until all hatred is gone.

There is so much to say about the book. I could really say that it is highly recommendable. But again, if you don’t flow with the same wave of faith, you will not appreciate it. Even if you try to digest it based on the plot, it would still coincide with ones beliefs.

The book is an easy read. It is entertaining. Some parts were funny, some were serious and dramatic. I realized I wrote a long commentary. Disclaimer: I wrote based on my own personal beliefs. I am not an expert on theology nor a person claiming to be of high knowledge about Christianity. Strict Christians, be of any sect, may find this book troubling and against their beliefs. I can’t blame them because afterall, The Shack was William Paul Young’s concept of who God is.

I love the book not because it is the “right” way of faith. I love it because it gave me a new perception of God which did not interfere with my own belief and faith. Take note: I used the word “new” and not “better”. If you are a person with an open-mind about religion issues, a mind which would want to see a different approach even if the end-results might be unacceptable, then I highly-recommend the book. I rate it 5 stars.

The Shack would be discussed by TMC’s Book Club very soon. I would write another post about the reactions of the members.

Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz

Mathilda Neumann drowned beneath the icy waters of Nagawaukee lake one winter evening of 1919, leaving behind her daughter Ruth, who then was only a toddler, to her older sister, Amanda. The tragedy caused grave depression to the family, including husband Carl. It took them years to cope and adapt with the loss, as well as the haunting memory of Mathilda. But how did she, a good swimmer, drowned? The answers remained repressed deep within their memories, as mysterious as the lake itself, until such time when everybody was ready for it.

Drowning Ruth is the mysterious death of Mathilda Neumann, told in various timelines by the narrator, Amanda, and Ruth. It was a bit dragging at first, but after the drama unfolded and the twists built up, it got really interesting. All the while I thought I understood the story, but I was wrong in the end.

Amanda is one of the main characters in the story. She was introduced as a troubled woman. The tragic death of her sister caused her to quit her job as a nurse because of somatic symptoms – in psychiatry, these are illness manifestations which have no physiologic relations, usually brought about by severe anxiety. Amanda was the only person who knew what really happened the night her sister drowned, but she kept it a secret. She tried to suppress the memory and decided to live a new life with her niece, Ruth. – both are known coping mechanisms exhibited after stressful events. Amanda experienced Post-Traumatic Stress disorder, manifested by her physical illness, nightmares, and flashbacks shortly after the event. She also had history of being admitted to a mental health institution. Keeping the secret safe was her only means of preservation.

Ruth was so young when her mother died, but she was there. She remembered running on ice, she even recalled drowning. But that was all her memory gave her. She grew up believing her mother drowned without any clear explanations on how it happened.

Mathilda, though already dead since the start of the story, was present in every chapter. As I have said, the book was told from different timelines. In a way, she was made alive in the book. Mathilda, as described by the author, was a very beautiful and charming lady. In fact, she was a better eye-candy than her older sister. There were lots of reasons why Amanda should envy her.

Though not explicitly said in the book, it was obvious that the sisters also underwent the “sibling rivalry” phase. I even assumed that envy killed Mathilda, apparently not.

As the author unfolded clues about the death of Mathilda, I made assumptions. At first I thought Mathilda drowned looking for Amanda and Ruth. Next, I thought she drowned trying to save Ruth. I also assumed Amanda left Mathilda drowning. But the ending was very different. I was surprised, and in a way pleased.

I admire how the story was written. The building-up of clues and characters pointed to various possible causes of death. Although the narration shifts from the narrator to and from Amanda/Ruth, which I found confusing during the start, it was vital in the building-up of the plot.

The story also involved 3 male characters: Clement Owens, his son Arthur, and Carl. All of them showed 3 different male personalities which highlighted the personalities of the female protagonists and how the story revolved. Clement was the love interest of Amanda. Arthur became the suitor of Ruth. Carl, as introduced, was Mathilda’s husband.

I also like the relationship that existed between Amanda and Ruth. They were not just aunt and niece living together. To compensate for their loss, a mother-daughter and sister-sister dynamic relationship existed.

I also like the idea of the lake being the central background of the story – quiet, calm, mysterious, and treacherous. The lake had been a big factor in the lives of all characters in the book.

I am not gonna spill the beans on how Mathilda died. I encourage you to read the book to find out. This book poses as a drama-suspense novel. If you hate the drama part, you might find it boring and dragging. But I could say that the death remained a mystery even until the very end.

Drowning Ruth was the first novel of Christina Schwarz. The book had been chosen by Oprah’s Book Club, the first I’ve read among their list. Initially I thought it was just some dramatic story, no more, no less. But the great suspense and storytelling of the author proved me wrong. I give it 4/5 stars.

I placed this book on my Bookmooch inventory before reading it. I never realized I'm gonna like it. Now I have to send it to somebody overseas. Well, I guess I have to share it with others.