The Runaways: Fatima Bhutto

Fiction

Verdict: Read it!

This novel was one I picked up in the bookstore. It was a long time ago! I'm not a collector you are! Ahem.

I haven't read anything from Fatima Bhutto prior to this. Layla runs away from her dead-end family in her dead-end town to find religion and adventure as a religious fanatic in a far away desert. She has a boyfriend, Monty, that she leaves behind. In an epic show of love he follows her and tries to save her from herself only to end up almost dying himself.

Pakistani authors always fascinate me as I'm deep into Indian literature and the flavor is definitely different. The reader is never completely sure if Layla ever loved Monty or he was just a piece of furniture in her life. The reader is also never let in on why Laila ran away to be an extremist. That drove me crazy for a long time after reading this book. I'm not a muslim, I've never leaned towards the extreme anything which makes it more difficult to understand. But I do understand running away. And sometimes that only makes sense to the person running.

Its a simple read. While the book is long, it doesn't take much digestion time. But it does leave you with questions and thoughts. 

Read it!

~Becky~

The Tablighi Jamaat - Ziya Us Salam

NonFiction

Verdict: Read if you're interested in small sects of Islam

This was a passing fancy that I was curious about, so picked up. The Tablighi Jamaat is a sect of Islam that had it's start in Delhi. It's focus is in proselytization and prayer.  They have their own community, norms, dress, and belief system.

This book was interesting as even someone living in india, I hadn't heard much exposure to the Tablighi Jamaat. There was a big uproar at the begining of covid about how meetings contributed to the spread, but to be honest, this isn't really a cause for interest here. People do what they'd like, regardless of the impact on others and I didn't pay too much attention to it. 

Examining the principles of the organiztion in contrast with the mainstream flavor of Islam was interesting to see. I'll avoid commenting on any of the philosophical or cultural differences as I don't feel it's my place to comment on those areas.

I did see a lot of judgement from the author on whether or not the Tablighi Jamaat was a good, correct organization within the structure of Islam or not. I personally felt this didn't have a place in the book as it was more of an informational book, but I can see how the author might have felt the need to clarify his feelings for other Muslims. 

Read it if you're interested in this subject.

~Becky~

The Tibetan Book of Death - W.Y. Egans - Wentz

Non-Fiction

Read it

I find learning about culture exhilerating, especially those that seem super exotic from my own. I've been meaning to read this for quite some time. I knew the title wouldn't exactly be similar to what's in the book, but a book about Book of the Dead is pretty interesting to contemplate. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't what it was. That being said, it was a fascinating and well worth the time read.

When I first started it, the initial chapter/introduction are intimidating. Like Advanced Level college intimidating. I wasn't sure I would be able to get through it. I decided to stick it out and I'm glad I did. The book walks through a ritual that Tibetans follow upon and after death. What cultures think happens after death is usually interesting, this was no exception. It was compiled with the help of Tibetans for translation.

Tibetan Buddhism is a pretty esoteric religion. I've been through the college level intro into what is Buddhism, but like anything else, the more you dig the more you find. The author and translator have helpfully added many many footnotes that I relied upon to help my understanding. The idea of  "Bardo" or the plane one finds oneself after death was especially interesting to contemplate, as were the different things that can happen according to Buddhism and how strong the person's belief was. 

I'll definitely say this was not something everyone might enjoy reading. But if you would like to Geek out and understand what Tibetan Buddhists think of what happens after death, this will definitely be a good one for you.

Read it.

~Becky~

The Assassin's Song - M.G. Vassanji

Fiction

Verdict: Read it!

M.G. Vassanji is also a new author for me. This novel, internets, is why I pick up books by new authors. Once in a while you find something amazing.

It took me a little while to get into this book. It opens up and shares it's secrets slowly. But the further in you get, the more you must think - especially if you have ever had family expectations or religious doubts. 

Karsan, the protagonist, grows up in a small Gujarati village. His father is a revered holy figure from a small sufi shrine. Karsan is expected to fill his shoes one day and grows up with this expectation on his shoulders. As happens with many children, Karsan grows up and begins to resent the expectations on him. He overcomes his family's reluctance and goes away to the US to study. Granted, it happens through pure chance and good luck, but sometimes small incidents like this can massively change a life trajectory. 

As his mind opens and he is exposed to many different experiences and knowledge than his village, Karsan decides that he is going to turn his back on filling his father's shoes. As expected, this brings about a rather large rift in the family. Karsan never sees either of his parents alive again, and his relationship with his brother, who becomes a Muslim and is chased by the police for circumstances that are never verified. Karsan is able to shuck off the expectations of family and community, but sometimes decisions come with unseen and unavoidable consequences. 

Woven in with this story, is the story of the pir in which their dargah is built for. Stories, lore, and myth surround the pir and follow Karsan through his life and bring him comfort even after he has decided that he won't follow his father's path. Such is the case for many who turn their back on religion and tradition. Many still find comfort from the songs, lore, and community.

So many themes, so much thinking. Definitely a must read.

~Becky~

The Immortals of Mehlua - Amish Tripathi

Daddy G and I decided to read this book and the next together with our Justbooks membership. I'll get into some of the problems with Justbooks in another post.

This book is a novel by an Indian author that weaves together a story with some religious folklore. It starts out a bit slow - it took me a while to get into it - and slowly reels you in and gets deeper. It is also curiously absent of all the pathos that I usually notice from Indian authors. It's a pretty light read unless you pause to contemplate some of the good vs. evil themes that become apparent later in the book, which I totally recommend. That's part of the fun. I'll have a review for the second book, The Secret of the Nagas, when I finish it also.

Verdict: I'm recommending this one. It's a good time pass and an interesting way to look at religion, morality, and good vs. evil. Read it and contemplate.

From the Archives: God is not Great - Christopher Hutchins

Mood: Content   

Listening to: Scooby Do

In the interest of returning to some-what rational posts rather than just emotionaly driven ones, I decided to blog on a couple books I have been reading for the past few weeks.

As you may or may not know, I'm an atheist. I have been for a few years now. However, I was brought up in a decently traditional Dutch reformed Christian family. I had seen Christopher Hutchins previously on Jon Stewart hawking his book and have been wanting to read it ever since.

This book was interesting for a few reasons. As an atheist, I am often puzzled at the motivation that people have for so staunchly sticking to their religions. This book investigated it in detail. While the title indicates an attack on "God", Hutchins pretty much skewers organized religions (mostly western, but also eastern) as well. He brings up some very interesting points for those who are familiar with religion, the bible, the Quran, and the Talmud. He examines how religion has influenced society and the power structure.

On a negative note, Hutchins is negative to the point of being vitriolic. He comes off as both defensive and scornful of anything at all relgious. He even goes after Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and the Dalai Lama. It's a little hard to read past the scorn to the logical rebuttals of religions and God at times.

Over all, I found the book very interesting and logical, even if he was a little angry about it in the process. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you are already an atheist. Even if you are, you will probably still find it a little offensive. I found the attacks on Mother Theresa, Ghandi, and the Dalai Lama a little much. I'm all for the dissection of organized religion and a patriarchal, power hungry god. Not so much for people who have done a great deal for humanity and happen to be associated with a religion. As Hutchins himself mentions, good deeds are not intrinsically tied to religion. It's possible to separate the people and the deeds from the religions they represented.

Verdict: Read it if you're an atheist and want to examine the need for religion in the masses and all the negative influences that religion and god have had on society. Keep and open mind and try to see past the negativity.

Happy New Year to everyone. May you continue to find happiness.
Have a good week.
Becky