Reading Writings

Sometimes pain tends to get masked behind a sense of narcissism, especially when it involves your significant other. Nina's Memento Mori is a kind of self introspection that the author indulges in as he writes about himself remembering his wife. He focuses on himself as he narrates incidents revolving around his wife. This elegy is more of an autobiography as per me. Mathias does write straight from the heart. Some readers might find it hard to relate through the narration, however, those who have lost their spouses to death would very well understand the emotions underlying this piece of writing. There are breaks in the narration but these are like deliberate attempts to both break the monotony in writing as well as to portray the train of thoughts as they happened. The language is not simple but that is a trademark of a writer with vast amount of writing experience behind him. To say that Nina was his inspiration to write would be an understatement. In fact, she is exa...

Every child is unique, a universal truth. However, the moment he or she is able to discover the magic within him or her, it becomes priceless. Unfortunately, the very need to be accepted by peer group might hamper the child's development. The plot revolves around Evie Everyday, a witch who has magical powers within her. But she prefers to change herself and hide her magic so that she is liked by her friends. But does this turn out to be in her favour? Well, to know that please read about Evie in this delightfully wonderful story. Elena Paige is a writer to look out for because she creates magic in this piece of her writing. The language used caters for the reading needs of 9 to 11 years old children. The writer also uses imageries extensively. These imageries are vivid and appealing. The only major issue I found as I read it out to my 6 year old was that the narrative was a bit jerky. There were breaks which could have been avoided. Despite the discontinuity, the story is ...

Near the end of Nabokov's Lolita, Humbert makes an honest admission: "[A]nd it struck me...that I simply did not know a thing about my darling's mind." That line sums up the isolate game of memorializing a deceased loved one, which is the basic tension in Nina's Memento Mori, an elegy to Mathias Freese's lost wife. The profound responsibility of answering the question "Who was Nina?" is left to the lone memoirist: I can say or write anything I want about her...There is much writerly power in that. I am the executor of her probate in all things now. She is mine now in ways she could not be when alive. I am the steward of her memory. Freese ends up analyzing himself, putting the "me" in "memento" and the "i" in "mori," thanks to ever-giving Nina posthumously providing a therapeutic mirror or "Rosebud," which Freese appropriates from  Citizen Kane . But Freese mourns more over the burden of exis...

It’s 1971 and a university art instructor has just been informed that his contract won’t be renewed. His life is spiraling out of control. He decides to set out on a solo hiking trip across the U.S. Two men, offer to pay him $50,000, to set up a drug deal in Mexico. He agrees to do it, with the hopes that he will finally be financially secure. In 4,500 miles, he encounters a 7-day rock festival in the woods, an invitation to a lynching, Mexican drug dealers, near death in the wilderness, a spiritual awakening and a ride with a Hell’s Angel. His exploration covers homelessness in Haight-Ashbury, an urban, mega-warehouse commune, a bizarre New Year’s Eve and a stabbing in a cheap hotel. He learns to cope with vigorous hardships of nature and living off the land; hitchhiking and sleeping in strangers’ homes. After the drug deal fails, his designs for a unique energy-efficient building system score him a collaboration with a prestigious, San Francisco architecture firm. He unsu...

The book promises to do what it aims to do. It helps introduce and bring out facets of a russian tsar, all under 60 minutes. The book is a quick read and gives out glimpses of a man who is considered to be a psychopath in the history books on Russia. The writing is really simple and can be easily understood. The best part of this book is the fact that all possible facets of this fascinatingly despicable Tsar of Russia has been covered. The imageries are vibrant. Though this book offers snippets only, it does kindle the desire to read up more about this tyrannt. A very well written work for sure. The entire theme revolves around Ivan and all possible facets of his characters have been well brought out. To sum up, if you are a history buff and would love to read about russian history then this is a must read for you. It is concise and short, however, it guarantees to inculcate a sense of curiosity in the readers for sure. P.S- Thank you Tyler for an amazing read. This is ...

What an awesome story! I was transported back to my childhood where I grew up reading about fairies, dragons and princesses. The plot revolves around two brothers and a camp. I can't reveal more except that it is a fantasy if that is your genre. On thee whole, the book is a definite must read. The language is simple and the narrative is compelling. There are no breaks in the narration and that is the best part. There are loads of imageries, visual, aural, tactile. These mental pictures when replicated, on the big screen or the television as a series, would create a blockbuster for sure. Writing for children is not an easy task. Victoria writes while retaining the childlike innocence of all its characters. Hence, kudos to her for penning a story that transports the reader to the lands of magic and fantasy. Besides Aiden and his brother, there are many other characters. Thankfully, they support the storyline and enhance the plot. The characters have been etched out clearly...