I just finished reading "enchantress of Florence" by Sulman Rushdie. It was my first Rushdie book. Though I had started reading "Moor's Last Sigh" a decade ago, I couldn't go beyond first few chapters. The language was too complex for me, and I had a terrible ( still do) habit of knowing the full meaning of every word before moving on. Ostensibly, at that time, I used to do this with every written thing that came my way especially the film glossies that were my staple read those days. It did help me while I was preparing my the MBA entrance exams and needless to add vocab was my favorite section. Now, I don't think there is anything left to say about the style magical realism, baroque style of Rushdie. However, I needed just three evenings (2-3 hrs daily) to finish this book.
The plot was revetting with so many literary devices thrown in that after a while I stopped paying heed to it and started enjoying the book. There was too much history thrown in, History of medival Italy, Mughal India and Turkey Ottoman empire. A few referances to sexual practices in those times did make it more engaging reading experience. And come to think of it, Rushdie writes that two third of florence was gay. Umm, Oliver Martinez!! where are you ??I am coming to you. ( Though, a quick google check tells me is he is of french spanish descent...oh never mind, I don't mind them either)
if any one of you ever reads movie reviews by Taran Adarsh, he has a line that he uses in every reivew. Classes vs Masses. Before I fall in the trap of reviewing this book, let me just say I found it an interesting read, somewhat pacy unlike other books I often pick up and it certainly have class for masses.
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i started reading 'satanic verses' once but i found it stupid in the fact that he un-necessarily makes simple things complex. the samet thing happened with 'God of Small things'....but may be i was too young to read those books about 7 or 8 years back. i'll start with 'children of midnight' i think (but no time soon)
ReplyDeleteI agree with ur point that some writers do make try to make things complex, but I hardly feel "God of small things' falls in that category..though it's not a simple novel but i find it very crisp and to the point. where every line, every word has some deeper resonance..
ReplyDeleteI think every book requires a certain framework of mind and your appreciation also depends on what's happening to you around then..may be it was not right time for you..but do pick it up again..I strongly recommend
Interesting review. Not many people had nice things to say about this book. Usually that gets me more excited about a book. :P ...
ReplyDeleteHowever, your review has encouraged me more to check out this book.
Also, I agree with you that one needs to be in a particular frame of mind to understand certain books. Personally, I feel that I wouldn't have like GoST in 1997. So I'm glad I read it this year. I really enjoyed it.
*flygye
It's "midnight's children". :P ... and I second lob in recommending you to try GoST again.
midnight's children children of midnight....what matters is that u understand
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I have three Rushdie books which I've started reading and left after a few pages. I was very, very young then. I will take them up again after reading this.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I totally agree with the fact that you can't enjoy certain books when you are too young (or old for that matter) or when you are in a particular mindset.
Thirdly, I'm (guess what) reading 'A Line Of Beauty' by Alan Hollinghurst right now. My thire attempt.
These attempts don't mean that the books are bad. Just that I'm lazy and my life is weird.
clamour can u make the comments pop up instead of changing the page pls :)
ReplyDeletehmm..i will get back to the books but not anytime soon. i am off books for quite some time now. basically off fiction. now a days its history books that light my fire.
the thing u said about GOST is exactly what i don't like about a book. why does every sentence have to have a deeper meaning laced in? i would prefer Daddy Long Legs any day to GOST.and when is Ms roy coming up with another one? has she said everything she had to? or is she going to make us suffer with those insufferable articles on outlook n frontline. i can never make head or tail of wat she's saying. she's trying been there done that. theatre films books marriage divorce shes' tried hand at everthing. Kriss if the book is not able to grip you even at third attempt, its not laziness. Blame the author (s)he could not write well enough ! down with complex writing writers boo !!!
did i mention that rushdie has twisted history in his trademark sick manner in enchantress of florence. therefore read it, enjoy it, but don't bet your life based on it
ReplyDeletefly, dude, i am not big on rushdie but he the "twisting" of history is magic realism. We all know it ain't true.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think if a writer is true to himself, he should write a book which he would want to read. And each book is not meant for everybody. there is a defined audience. For eg, i for the life of me can never read either the lotr or the harry potter series. but millions of other people would disagree with me. doesn't make me dumb or the writers boring. to each his own. however, both tolkein and rowling have created such amazing worlds out of thin air, which is commendable. writing a book which more than one person would want to read is an act of bravado in itself .. :P ...
Rambws--> I never tried to review the book except for the fact that I added that Taran Adarsh line cheekily ( I bet you won't know or care to know who he is ;) )
ReplyDeleteI liked the book for the simple reason it was not dull. There was too much happening and you sort of like the cliffhangers at the end of every chapter, unlike most of literary fiction ( Do u knw Flygye and I have debate on what you read??)
@Kris-->thanks for coming here..I liked the TLOB as a book and chose it as a nick coz I was too lazy to get creative and think of something else..I am planning to read TLOB again and may be then I can review it..but don't leave it midway, despite being based in eighties the nuances of gay life are universal and you will see the connect
@Flygye--> i will do the 'pop up' thing..but I can't condone anyone who doesn't like GOST..I have met of number of malyalees who debunk this book but considering my family history ( i am sure you have read my home truths) it rings so true to me...Obviously, this book is semi-autobiographical but the interesting point is that it's got so many undercurrents: Class conflict, political unrest, Women's status in society etc..you just need to be in right frame of mind before picking this up :)
Rambiws--> Do pick up 'Alias Grace'..It's again historical fiction by my fav author Margaret Atwood- not much pacy but it does take you to a different era ( very imp for me coz I don't like reading abt stuff I am familar with)
please dont say anything against GOST...it is the best book I have read till date...arundhati roy just floored me...i wud say the initial 30 pages of the book are the most difficult to read...once you are over that and have understood the family tree, the book is as smooth a read as a mystery novel....but obv, there is no comparison between the two...there is a reason why GOST won the booker...i have met scores of people who couldn't go beyond the first few pages, i have met others who did not like the book at all..and as rambs has said, to each his own...
ReplyDeleteand CC, am reading the nigeria one now...very nicely written...but have just started...so lets see how it goes :)