243 replies to this topic

[Judi]

iwanttogoback, on Mar 14 2007, 11:02 AM, said:

judi

are you familiar with 'plain tales from the raj' by charles allen? they are a compilation of stories of brits who lived in india in the period loosely known as the raj and are absolutely fascinating.

I am indeed - although I have now lost my much-loved copy Must try to find another one somewhere.

[kullukid]

Judi, on Mar 14 2007, 12:03 PM, said:

I am indeed - although I have now lost my much-loved copy Must try to find another one somewhere.

Me too!! I have a really good quality hardback copy with some wonderful pics of those times. I've read most of his other books too such as "The search for Shangri La" "Soldier Sahibs" & "A mountain in Tibet" about Kailash, he's one of my all time faves on India/Tibet & their history.
Erm Judi, you've got me worried now, are you in the habit of loosing books?? Hope you're taking tender loving care of my J. Corbett books KK

[Judi]

No, KK, I'm not in the habit of losing books (especially if they belong to other people!!!!!!) - so I can assure you, yours are quite safe with me. As it looks like there may be another north of England Tree meet early in the Summer, I promise to return them to you then (if not before)

[tstan]

My train book this last fortnight has been "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith - I watched it on TV but, as always, the book is much better! It has interesting Indian - in the wider pre-partition sense of the term - themes as well as many missed stations!

[kullukid]

Judi, on Mar 14 2007, 06:04 PM, said:

No, KK, I'm not in the habit of losing books (especially if they belong to other people!!!!!!) - so I can assure you, yours are quite safe with me. As it looks like there may be another north of England Tree meet early in the Summer, I promise to return them to you then (if not before)

Another meet-up sounds good to me, Howie was saying he returns in June & would like to meet up again....see you there. KK

[iwanttogoback]

'a house for mr biswas' by vs naipaul.

it's the first of his books that i've read and i love it, it's so funny and well written.

[Yashodhara]

I am not a big fan of V. S. Naipaul, but I really loved "A House For Mr Biswas". iwanna, if you like him, check out his "Letters Between Father and Son" if you haven't already. You will learn many interesting facts about his family background.

Come to think of it, "The Mystic Masseur" is quite a funny little book too. Ehemm, did I say I did not like Mr Naipaul very much?

Edited by Yashodhara, 27 March 2007 - 06:54 PM.

[Ray kelleher]

Yashodhara, on Mar 27 2007, 01:20 PM, said:

I am not a big fan of V. S. Naipaul, but I really loved "A House For Mr Biswas". iwanna, if you like him, check out his "Letters Between Father and Son" if you haven't already. You will learn many interesting facts about his family background.

Come to think of it, "The Mystic Masseur" is quite a funny little book too. Ehemm, did I say I did not like Mr Naipaul very much?

India a Million Mutinies now is a good fave of his for me....

[iwanttogoback]

'mr biswas' is my first naipaul novel and, so far, so good.

i've just finished vikram seth's 'an equal music'. again. absolutely glorious and as i am now the proud owner of my very own copy, i can read it again and again and again.

[Jock & Di]

iwanttogoback, on Mar 28 2007, 02:24 PM, said:

'mr biswas' is my first naipaul novel and, so far, so good.

i've just finished vikram seth's 'an equal music'. again. absolutely glorious and as i am now the proud owner of my very own copy, i can read it again and again and again.

I just noticed "An Equal music" in Angus & Roberston. Will have a closer look. Any recommendation on Vikram Seth's "A Suitable Boy" 1400+ pages?

[Shilpaks]

read vikram seth's suitable boy ageeeeeeeeeeees ago....thought id do weight lifting with the book hhehehe but sorry dont remember if i liked it or not, it was quite a while back that i read it

[Yashodhara]

Jock & Di, on Mar 29 2007, 11:08 AM, said:

Any recommendation on Vikram Seth's "A Suitable Boy" 1400+ pages?

Reading "A Suitable Boy" right now, so far I like it very much. One has to be in the mood to get immersed in that story completely, it is like a looooong river flowing, but very rewarding. There are many plots and even more characters in it, so especially at the beginning one has to be careful not to be confused. The atmosphere is very dense and absorbing. I would certainly recommend it.

Edited by Yashodhara, 29 March 2007 - 03:51 PM.

[iwanttogoback]

absolutely jock, it's a wonderful read.

'an equal music' is completely different, and not a scrap of 'indian-ness' about it, but it, too, is wonderful.

let us know how you get on.

[Jock & Di]

iwanttogoback, on Mar 14 2007, 08:32 PM, said:

are you familiar with 'plain tales from the raj' by charles allen? they are a compilation of stories of brits who lived in india in the period loosely known as the raj and are absolutely fascinating.

Iwttgb, I just finished "Plain tales......" Fantastic history. Reminded me a bit of the time we spent in Papua New Guinea over self-government and Independence- on a far grander scale of course. PNG was peaceful in comparison.

Edited by Jock & Di, 21 May 2007 - 10:24 AM.

[Jock & Di]

iwanttogoback, on Mar 29 2007, 08:15 PM, said:

absolutely jock, it's a wonderful read.

'an equal music' is completely different, and not a scrap of 'indian-ness' about it, but it, too, is wonderful.

let us know how you get on.

Up to page 42 !!! Already extended at Library once. Guess I will have to buy it. I have been reading others though.

[jyotirmoy]

Any of you read "The Tales of Rajputana" by Todd?

[Jock & Di]

jyotirmoy, on May 21 2007, 03:14 PM, said:

Any of you read "The Tales of Rajputana" by Todd?

Not me, do you have a precis Jyotida?

[jyotirmoy]

Jock & Di, on May 21 2007, 08:15 AM, said:

Not me, do you have a precis Jyotida?

This quite an ancient book written by William Todd. In Rajasthan there used to be a tribe of travelling folk musicians who composed songs about the deeds & lives of the great Kings of Rajasthan. They travelled from village to village singing these songs and passing on history. Todd's book was based on these and also extensive research carried out by him. The book contains romantic stories about the great Ranas, descendents of the Suriya Vansa. Very fascinating stories and facts that bring alive the glory of those olden days.
Abanindranath Tagore wrote a similar book called "Rajkahani" in Bengali. I understant English translation is available.

[batistuta]

Completed Never Let me Go from Kazuo Ishiguro. He is a great story-teller and the truth about the the children hits you hard. A very compelling read.

[iwanttogoback]

Quote

Completed Never Let me Go from Kazuo Ishiguro. He is a great story-teller and the truth about the the children hits you hard. A very compelling read.

have you read 'the remains of the day'? also by ishiguro.

isn't he just a brilliant writer. he uses words with such precision and clarity.