I had begun reading an unusual book called 'blue:
The Tranquebar Book of Erotic Stories from Sri Lanka' edited by Ameena Hussein. It is recommended
as a break-through in Sri Lankan writing. Here's a book review of it by Sharanya Manivannan.
This is definitely not a genre I read. But my rationale for picking this up was: Why not just see another person's perspective about an aspect of life that you know nothing about?
The problem is: As a reader, I felt a complete disconnect as I began reading this book. I could not understand what made so many young writers put in so much effort to write this kind of fiction. This book, no matter what the reviews say, is not a milestone in Sri Lankan writing. I couldn't tolerate it at all.
This is definitely not a genre I read. But my rationale for picking this up was: Why not just see another person's perspective about an aspect of life that you know nothing about?
The problem is: As a reader, I felt a complete disconnect as I began reading this book. I could not understand what made so many young writers put in so much effort to write this kind of fiction. This book, no matter what the reviews say, is not a milestone in Sri Lankan writing. I couldn't tolerate it at all.
Coming back to the genre of erotic books, the
last book I read was 'Autobiography of a Sex Worker' by a Malayali woman - this was at
least three years ago. After reading the book, I found myself able to empathize with
sex workers in India. I saw a different world that shocked my sensibility
and yet I began to feel for these women.
You
may surprise someone by seeing real life and real people differently. That's
one of the reasons I love to read. When I read, I don't 'judge' people. I love
and accept them. I question their choices out of curiosity and not necessarily
to be critical of them.
Most
importantly, you become so involved with the characters and their lives that you begin to
rework your perspective on people, their lives and choices.
We
need more stories - erotic or not - to carry us away into a world of
imagination. After all, it is only during these times that your creative spirit
is rediscovered and savored.
How do you like to explore newness and creativity - be it in books, films, stories you read? How open are you to "shocking" stories and how does it change the way you relate to real happenings in the real world?
I would love to know your thoughts.
Comments
Eroticism and pornography are subjects we may not find appealing, but like you said, looking at these with open minds, I have realized that there are vast segments in society who rely on books/media to feel complete in their unfulfilled lives. And there are others making easy money out of this weakness. i've heard Tarun Tejpal is a big writer of erotic :)
Personally, I have a work timetable and some weekend goal for personal growth. I enjoy doing art & crafts, read my email subscriptions or squeeze in a book at bedtime. (I'm struggling to complete Lance Armstrong's Its not about the bike!!!!)
Its genuinely difficult to be focused and not have an uncorrupted mind, but I try to imagine that there is a beautiful rainbow beyond the horizon!
I'm actually the opposite - I know what I like and rewatch or reread what I enjoy repeatedly. lol If you liked it once, you know you'll like it again.
While new genres and different books can probably open up our minds and lead us to different ways of thinking, life's too short to spend our time on things that don't connect with us. My 2 cents anyway.
I hadn't known that Tarun Tejpal is an authority on erotic writing till I picked up one of his books from the British Library and couldn't push myself to read more than three chapters....it was not exactly the kind of literary masterpiece I thought I would look forward to reading...so, left it there..:))
The Lance Armstrong book is a well known one and I am keen to read it some day. Love the way you talk about the beautiful rainbow beyond the horizon. With you, on that.
Loved the way you have summed it up in your words: Life's too short to spend our time on things that don't connect with us.
Loved the way you have summed it up in your words: Life's too short to spend our time on things that don't connect with us.