Our next read is going to be a book by the acclaimed writer of The Reluctant Fundamentalist- Mohsin Hamid. This book is called How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia ( does it have 7 simple steps, I wonder?! ;-) ).
Anyhow, the story is about a young boy's journey from poverty to corporate tycoon and naturally there is a love story which, I think maybe the backbone - the bit which will keep us turning the pages.
Here's what the review on Goodreads says "Romantic without being
sentimental, political without being didactic, and spiritual without
being religious, it brings an unflinching gaze to the violence and hope
it depicts."
We've decided to read this as Mohsin heads to our part of the world for the Sydney Writers Festival.
Our book club is attending the opening address which features Mohsin's speech and we are excited to hear him - yeah baby- bring him on !
( We have also read The Reluctant Fundamentalist and we needed two sessions to discuss the book ! )
So - off to this exciting read and our review will be posted in a few weeks.
Friday, 8 May 2015
Tell Tales:
How to Get Filthy
Rich in Rising Asia.
Mohsin Hamid
Mohsin Hamid, the Pakistani born acclaimed writer of The
Reluctant Fundamentalist and Moth’s Smoke has written his third book “How to
get filthy rich in rising Asia”.
The reason we chose this book was because we are going to
hear Hamid at the opening address of the Sydney Writers Festival in a couple of
weeks and it just seemed logical to read one of his books.
We met last night over wine and coffee (we are free to
choose our poison!) and had a lively discussion with the group being clearly
divided in opinion.
Some of us enjoyed the book and some of us were disappointed
and found it not as engaging as we had hoped.
I think the book caught us off guard.
From the title, there was an expectation of
reading a self-help book that would proclaim to be “all-knowing “and give you
clear and simple mantras for amassing wealth. This could be the one- the one
with some invaluable gems, which would lead to your fortunes.
Now, personally – I have no time or use for these kids of
books but since we were going to read a Mohsin Hamid book and this was going to
be it, I at least hoped this book would be genuine and would offer a refreshing
perspective on amassing your fortune. And if nothing else – I at least knew
what I had signed up for.
Surprisingly - this book is nothing of the above really. It
is a story. A story of a cook’s third son and his infatuation, struggles, love
and life journey set in the glitzy backdrop of rising Asia. The story spans
eight decades.
Hamid takes the boy through 12 steps and writes about how
this boy amasses wealth in the Asian country. Each chapter begins with a piece
of advice .For example “Move to the City”. (So, maybe this is meant to be the
self-help bit – not sure!)
The story
trails the boy as he moves to the city, gets an education, sets up many
industries, loves a pretty girl and gets married to his wife.
And while telling the story – Hamid incorporates other
issues being faced by many of the Asian economies like corruption, bribery, politics,
beaurocratic agendas, failed marriages, divorces and the new age lifestyle.
The story does not have any names- no names of characters or
places and Hamid mentions that he found this very liberating as the story could
literally be of anyone from anywhere in Asia.
At the time of
writing the book, he had moved back to Pakistan to live with his family and his
book is partly reflective, inspired from the broad arc of three generations
under one roof.
The structure of the narrative takes time getting used to. It’s written in second person. It left
most of us confused in the beginning and wondering what the book was really
trying to be.
I actually thought, in the first few pages that this was
going to be one of those books that I would just have to get through for the
book club!
I did get interested in the story slightly later and wanted
to know if the boy would make it and how it would end.
The book actually ends with – not the rags to riches typical
character in the midst of his industrial empire and surrounded by his wealth,
but in a hotel with a few belongings in a suitcase and little money.
His brother-in-law, who is also his deputy cheats him of a
lot of money and runs away with his funds while he is recovering from a heart
attack in hospital.
His son lives in America and visits once in a few years and
his wife leaves him for another man.
Towards the end of his life he finds solace with the pretty
girl whom he has loved from the beginning and spends his time with her taking
walks and enjoying conversation.
Hmmm. So, in conclusion – the book is a self – help book of
how not to focus on amassing wealth but living well and meaningfully with the
people you love.
Anyhow- that’s how we concluded our discussion.
Exciting times around the corner- We are heading to see and
hear Mohsin Hamid at the Sydney Writers Festival Opening address in a couple of
weeks.
Cant wait!
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Unabashedly and blissfully soaking in different cultures and diversity through books !
Very proud that our book club "Tell Tales" is now running into its second year.
From its humble beginnings and initial hiccups -we've now settled into a rhythmic pace.
This year - inspired by momssmallvictories - we decided to do the travel the world through books challenge.
Our Goal - To read 6 - 8 books over the next 9 months from different parts of the world !
We've just finished reading our first book - The Forgotten Daughter by Renita D'silva.
The club unanimously ( which is rare ) loved the book !
Such a clever and compelling story invoking the sights and sounds of India. One could taste the coconut barfis and the fish fry.
She effortlessly transports you to India with her writing and so artfully and intelligently delves into the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship.
So our first travel has been to the Indian Sub-continent in all its in-definable glory !
Looking forward to posting about our next travel !
Dolly Singh Miranda
Tell Tales member
From its humble beginnings and initial hiccups -we've now settled into a rhythmic pace.
This year - inspired by momssmallvictories - we decided to do the travel the world through books challenge.
Our Goal - To read 6 - 8 books over the next 9 months from different parts of the world !
We've just finished reading our first book - The Forgotten Daughter by Renita D'silva.
The club unanimously ( which is rare ) loved the book !
Such a clever and compelling story invoking the sights and sounds of India. One could taste the coconut barfis and the fish fry.
She effortlessly transports you to India with her writing and so artfully and intelligently delves into the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship.
So our first travel has been to the Indian Sub-continent in all its in-definable glory !
Looking forward to posting about our next travel !
Dolly Singh Miranda
Tell Tales member
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