The book is a laudable effort by Randy Pausch.Soulful,moving and fairly inspiring.It failed to have the expected effect on me probably because I have read Tuesdays with Morrie earlier and was familiar with the nuances of this kind of a plot.So Randy is a professor at a university,diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer,3 small children and a wife.With six months, till the cancer cells obliterate his immunity.He therefore tries to maximize the memories he can leave behind for his children in the form of video-tapes,photographs and his book.Emotional insurance as he impressively described it. What he meant by that is a record encompassing their time spent together,life lessons and things he would have liked to teach and discuss with them.The book also highlights the importance of hope and strength.
Maximum City is a powerful description of Amchi Mumbai, by Suketu Mehta.As a former mumbaikar I can relate to so many of the various comparisons,messages and statements he is driving home, in his fabulous narrative non-fiction.He combines the zeal of an investigative reporter and an inquisitiveness of a voyeur ,giving us insightful glimpses of this dynamic metropolis. The book is filled with measured wit,outrage and opinion of the writer and his love-affair with the city ,which is revolting,repugnant yet incredible at the same time.
In other news,I am starting Shantaram.That's gonna last me a lifetime by the looks of its thickness and my erudition speed.Especially since I keep getting distracted with Vogue and Cosmopolitan :P
2 comments:
hmm...maximum city...i guess you could say was a great narrative....but dont you think he was more preoccupied with gangsters and bar dancers than the other nuances of the city...now don't tell me thats what mumbai is about!!!
Well Mumbai is a bit about dance bars and gangsters.The common people dont come in contact with it.But for eg the bombblasts,chaotically affect every common man even though they have nothing to do with gangsters.
I relate to the parts like the building he stays at,plumber and other normal day-to-day things.
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