Aamna
Not sure why I hadn't heard of this book until recently. Absolutely loved it. I think the best thing about Nagarkar is that he says it like it is; never shy of something scandalous, never employing a deliberate euphemism. The brazen innocence of his narrative is almost child-like, and that makes sense given the protagonists of the novel. The reality of Mazagaon chawl and its residents is laid bare, open for your scrutiny, just like how their lives are to each other.
Nagarkar's humour & writing style reminded me of Jerome's in Three Men In A Boat - sure they're very different books but I find them similar in spirit.
Why did I not read this growing up?! Easy non-trivial reading. Bonus: Indian travel trivia.
3.8
Smiled a lot, cried a little bit. Found the second half hurried, as the author quite literally fast forwards to his present or something close to it. Realised later it's actually a collection of his essays in The New Yorker written years apart.
Lots of exquisite sentences in here.
Found the writing style a bit old school - this grandma-esque narrative that doesn't have any faith in your imagination so it overcompensates.
But more than anything, couldn't relate to the book beyond a point. I really wanted to like this book but alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Need a time machine to go back and fire the editor. How do you write such a dull book about orgasms? Ugh, the potential for puns is endless.
More than a mere coffee table book. It was nice to read about something you've grown up with.
[Audio book]
3.8 stars
Actually looked forward to all commute this past week because I'd listen to this. Starts to decline after 70% though. Would have loved to see more of the Demosthenes/Locke storyline - it's introduced yet hardly built upon.
Found the author's note at the end very engaging as he talks about the origins of the story.
Unsure if I would have appreciated this book as much had I read it 6 months ago. But I sure do appreciate it now.
3.7
I enjoyed the first 2 and the last 2 chapters the most (the history of psychedelics and the science of psychedelics). The stuff in the middle like the vivid description of the author's trips, while necessary for the book to feel cohesive, can be skipped entirely. IMO it is like seeing a ghost or witnessing a miracle. You won't get it until it happens to you.
Some concepts I found very intriguing (Eg. default mode network). Though it all makes a lot of sense which makes me skeptical.
I was cautious. Now I'm very curious.
3.5
Great premise. The pace for the first 35% was perfect and I couldn't put it down. Thereafter it slowed down quite a bit. The writing also got less appealing; I found my highlights to be a third of the ones from the first half. Got the feeling the author rushed the second half under pressure from the publisher. But hey I'm just speculating.
Recommended reading for all women though. It's a...satisfying read.
It is, how one review aptly describes, an examination of grief. I could sympathise but that's all I felt.
[Audiobook narrated by the man himself]
Trust Fry to keep you engaged as he goes on about something as tangled & bizarre as Greek mythology. Makes you wish you had better retention abilities.