Books were an intimate part of my formative years. My father, an immensely intelligent but uneducated visionary placed a high value in education and reading in general. He made sure we were surrounded by books- an amazing thing considering where I grew up.
Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven series transported me from our four-roomed township dwelling to a world of adventures, castles, moors – a beautiful experience that cemented my love for the written word. I devoured great literary works by Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Charlotte Bronte, Thomas Hardy. I discovered Alice Walker, Maya Angelou (my absolute favourite!), Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Charles Mungoshi, Wole Soyinka – and hundreds more. In later years I stumbled on pop psychology, and have paid my dues to the Dr Phils and Eckhart Tolles of this world. Honestly, if someone could pay me for every page I have ever read – I could decently retire on the French Riviera.
But, (yes I know, Ms Meyer said not to start a sentence with "but"), but, once in a while you come across a book that completely captivates the essence of your being; A book that persuades you to slow down, to stop, to think, re-examine - A book that challenges your status quo – and Ayaan Hirsi Ali `s “Infidel - My Life” has been such a book for me.
"Infidel -My Life" is by no means the greatest of literary works (Of course I should know – I have had an illustrious reading career!), but the story is riveting, captivating, heart breaking. It tells of a girl’s journey from a third-world, poverty stricken up-bringing, a world of abuse, of arranged marriages to a world of asylum seeking, college and degrees, a world of Dutch politics, of film making, of writing - It is a remarkable tale of struggle, survival and making it against the odds, by an ordinary (or is it extraordinary!), intelligent, courageous, beautiful woman!
When I could eventually put it down, after relentlessly working through the 368 pages in nineteen hours – I cried – no, more aptly, I wept. I wept for myself, for my daughters, for my sisters – I wept for all of us beautiful people, who read many a great book, remain unmoved, unchanged, lead mediocre lives, hide behind our upbringing, behind inactivity, procrastination – more excuses – never conquering our small worlds. I wept.
Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven series transported me from our four-roomed township dwelling to a world of adventures, castles, moors – a beautiful experience that cemented my love for the written word. I devoured great literary works by Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Charlotte Bronte, Thomas Hardy. I discovered Alice Walker, Maya Angelou (my absolute favourite!), Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Charles Mungoshi, Wole Soyinka – and hundreds more. In later years I stumbled on pop psychology, and have paid my dues to the Dr Phils and Eckhart Tolles of this world. Honestly, if someone could pay me for every page I have ever read – I could decently retire on the French Riviera.
But, (yes I know, Ms Meyer said not to start a sentence with "but"), but, once in a while you come across a book that completely captivates the essence of your being; A book that persuades you to slow down, to stop, to think, re-examine - A book that challenges your status quo – and Ayaan Hirsi Ali `s “Infidel - My Life” has been such a book for me.
"Infidel -My Life" is by no means the greatest of literary works (Of course I should know – I have had an illustrious reading career!), but the story is riveting, captivating, heart breaking. It tells of a girl’s journey from a third-world, poverty stricken up-bringing, a world of abuse, of arranged marriages to a world of asylum seeking, college and degrees, a world of Dutch politics, of film making, of writing - It is a remarkable tale of struggle, survival and making it against the odds, by an ordinary (or is it extraordinary!), intelligent, courageous, beautiful woman!
When I could eventually put it down, after relentlessly working through the 368 pages in nineteen hours – I cried – no, more aptly, I wept. I wept for myself, for my daughters, for my sisters – I wept for all of us beautiful people, who read many a great book, remain unmoved, unchanged, lead mediocre lives, hide behind our upbringing, behind inactivity, procrastination – more excuses – never conquering our small worlds. I wept.
You have a way with words..very elegant in your expressions..keep writing and will follow your advices always...books are forever for sure!!! Impressive stuff..
ReplyDeleteAny critic would appreciate such moving literature.Thank you for weeping for those who remain unchanged.At least we still have some love in this world.Keep writing and touching hearts nomatter how few.
ReplyDelete