 |
|
|
The Bohemian Thinker The Bohemian Thinker has taken on the challenge to read 55 books this year. 35 fiction. 15 non fiction. 5 Chinese novels. As of now... i have completed 21/55 books 13 Fiction 7 Non Fiction 1 Chinese Novel Recent Bohemian Ramblings4
I wasn't always a pessimist Listening to Joanna Wang Slowly but surely... Workaholic My favourite book and Film Blankets Laughable Loves by Milan KunderaI thought this was... A Long Walk to FreedomBought this book in Sept. An... 17. How to Get IdeasHmm..i will not say it is revo... Fortune Cookies  Blogskins Soup-Faerie.com for Cursor Bohemian Archives January 2010 February 2010 May 2010 June 2010 August 2010 September 2010 December 2010 September 2011 March 2012 September 2012 February 2013 |
Monday, September 5, 2011  I bought this book from Bookdepository for half the price it is sold in Kinokuniya. Though it is a really thick book, It is a real page turner and I completed reading the book within two hours. A very simple story. However, certain portions struck a raw nerve and caused me stop and ponder. I guess it is because the christian fundamentalist environment he grew up in strongly echoes mine and I can truly identify with the struggles he faced as an individualist, trying to survive in an environment that demands constant conformity to the norms, to often arbitrary but dictated standards... and worst of all... conformity to the crowd. Really love the recollections that he conjured about his childhood days, spent with his younger brother. Here are some portions that I identified with:  
This is a struggle I face constantly in the church or with a group of Christians. I find myself struggling intellectually to nod to the same line and unquestioningly repeat the jargon that are broadcasted at the pulpit and circulated Bible studies and repeated during sharing. It is only recently that I realized that I have never been part of the crew. Through it all, I am not a herd animal.
My brother and I used to sleep in the same bed, snuggle together in some air-conditioned room and talk nonsense before we slept.
 But I guess... inevitably as we grow, that became inexcusable. And we developed our own set of ideals, dreams and worries. Somehow, we emerged further than we ever had been... even though we started off well. This panel was followed by a panel which featured the protagonist saying, "Now he's really a stranger to me." Sometimes, I feel that way too. But oh well... I have lost my sense of nostalgia along the way.
The last portion of the book moved me inexplicably.
  This book speaks to my soul. Rating: 4/5 |
