Book Review: Norwegian Wood

    

    For the first time in a very long time, a book has touched me. As I just finished this book, my mind has been attached to the characters and their impression on me. When I first bought the book, I carried a very minimal expectation. I was hoping the novel would be straightforward and not as gripping as it turned out to be. But to my blissful surprise, the novel proved me wrong. 

    The story is simple, and not complicated to understand at all. The youths especially will develop a liking to the story and some of us can relate to it too. The tale is told by a teenager Watanabe, who has established a peculiar type of relationship with the people around him. Each of the people he associates with has its own story, each has its own philosophies, each has its own personality. 

    Yet, the narrator is never content. Melancholy is a serious thing. He has complicated relations with the ones he adores the most. At times it's difficult for him to choose, what he really wants. The narrator is all over the place. He seems to be drifting around absently without realizing the true essence of his movements. The dilemma is real here. And Mr. Murakami displays that confusion as if it were our own. It puts us at the edge of our seats, hunting to know what might happen next. 

    The tragedy is portrayed in a raw fashion. No detail is sugarcoated and used as a way to somehow glamorize the book. Its intricate turn of events surprises the reader at some point. I, myself have stared at the wall wondering how'd that happen? The story grips you in such a way. The writing/translation is smooth and easy to read. Heavy moments in the story are written with such simplicity that it makes the tale tenser. 

I've read a handful of books this year, but this one certainly tops the list. 

Do give it a read.    

Chapter 1

Part 10 

(End of chapter 1) 

What happens when dreams die young? Feat. Sushant Singh Rajput

    I always wonder what happens to that dream; that person; that moment when the soul decides to go after something but couldn’t achieve it. A dream; a passion to go after something is one of the most charming things a human can do. Especially in this junky modern society where everything is cheap except for unadulterated realizations. Amid this, to gather a source of contentment, hope, a passion for something, is feasibly the only way one can maintain their sanity. But what happens when that dream dies young? What happens to that passion which dies halfway on the finishing line? What becomes of that young jubilation which could have been achieved?

    Maybe you know by now, this piece can be relevantly dedicated to one man who died on the way to achieve his dreams. He had prepared a to-do list before he reached to his last breath. But the latter breath arrived soon and took him away, while on the course to achieve that young jubilation. Dear Sushant Singh Rajput, I wish the few dreams that you were contented with, gave you the warmth which almost felt like your late mother’s hug. I wish your passion burned so hard that toxic people around you couldn’t fight that fire. I wish the reveries, to which you lived through were as magical as one feels deep in the state of euphoria. Before your light died, I hope your brighter as sunbeam's passion scattered all over the barren field. A field only you knew existed. A field of loneliness, a field of betrayal, a field of toxicity, a field of resentments. You shined so bright that something cast an eclipse on you.  

Sushant ticked 12 out of his 50 wishes

     But what of your unachieved whims? What of the innocent ideas that kept you up at night? What about your passion for astronomy? What about songs you loved? What about spreading some light and smile in this crappy milieu of ours? What about Sushant? What about…? What about…?

    I am not going to say “I miss you,” or “please come back,” I see such comments everywhere on social media and I find that rather cringy. Following his account now and liking his posts now and wishing he wouldn’t have killed himself is just whack. Because you wouldn’t have given a shit if he was living and suffering. Had he came out with his depression, you would have told him “just another celebrity craving for attention,” So don’t give me all that crap. As Anne Frank said, “Dead people receive more flowers than living ones because regret is stronger than gratitude,”

    What happens of the person who has so much life left in them, dies? What happens of the life inside of them waiting to be lived? It dies with them. The dream dies with the person. Sushant didn’t just sacrifice his breath, he sacrificed his dreams because somehow this vile world grips your neck so hard that not even your dreams can pull you back.        

Book Review: The Da Vinci Code

Reader and the book

     

        I have been meaning forever to read this highly anticipated book. Today, I finally succeeded. I finally read “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown.

    The main reason I picked out this book was because of the man Da Vinci himself. Many months ago, I posted a blog about the man himself. There, I listed some awesome facts about the universal man and why I admire him so much. Well, after this book I’ve gravitated further towards him and the world of arts.

    From the start, this epic piece of writing from Mr. Brown snatches you from your roots and stems. Its amazingly peculiar storyline will keep you wondering. Even more ravishing is the fact that how unpredictable this piece remained throughout its almost 500 pages. You can never guess or assume the events unfolding next. It’s almost like Game of Thrones, the plot you guess is always wrong. From the Louvre (Which by the way falls under one of my bucket lists) to the churches, to Westminster Abbey, to the large chateau, and many more sites where this fast-paced story travels, the writer takes you along with him. You’re the other agent or the other symbologist besides the two protagonists, the writer makes you feel that way. (No spoiler here) 

David and the book cover 

      

     I will never feel the churches of London, or the arts and museums of Paris the same way. Not to miss the most anticipated “The Last Supper” which, absolutely blew my mind. The entire part where I read about it (no spoilers ahead) I kept the painting beside me as the characters kept unfolding the intricate details hidden behind it.

    I cannot imagine the amount of time Mr. Brown has spent researching for this epic novel. Hats off to the creator. Never have I ever read such a detailed and exciting novel. In the end, though, I was a bit disappointed and amazed at the same time. The ending didn’t have the firepower with which the story began. But nonetheless, it provided valuable insight and it was written rather beautifully.

    Mr. Brown made me miss Mr. Da Vinci, the Louvre, and the thrill that comes in decoding ancient codes that are so deeply interconnected with historical art. All in all, it’s a book for the ages. Especially for the art and literature geek like me.           

Chapter 1

Part 9 

Are you the center of the universe?

     

    Our mind plays tricks on us all the time. It convinces us that we are the centre of the universe. It tells us that every move of ours is being watched. It tells us that no matter what we do, we can never do enough. 

    It somehow brings us under the shadowy gaze of insignificant bystanders. Yes, insignificant is the right word for it. People know nothing about your journey. They have zero ideas about what goes inside of you. So, why let them affect you? 

    Be your own architect. F**K them. Let their opinion go to garbage. This is your life. You are the sole traveler on this path. Those bystanders you feel watched by are just passing through. They're not here to stay. 

    So, do what your core desires. Do what you want man! Don't you see the power of your will and desires? All the adventures are waiting to be discovered. All the designs are waiting to be made by you, the architect. Don't live for the bystanders. Live for yourself. 

    Players on the ground don't play for the audience. They play for themselves. 

    Be the player.

    Play for yourself. 

    Take the reward. 

    Good luck amigo! 

Chapter 1

Part 8 

    

     

Who says we can't reach to the stars

     

    

    What is it about the stars and it's peculiar existence? Its ecstatic beauty is often portrayed in the tales of forever happiness. Or maybe it is over fantasized by the romantic poets? Maybe stars are just another prey of romanticism. Who knows? After all, they are just a burning piece of the heavenly body. Is it precious? Ask the poets. Is it reachable? Ask the scientists. Both will give you different answers when asked upon about the stars. If you are hopeless and not romantic then to you, it may seem nothing more than just "something" that exists only for the sake of existing. It is just another part of your routine that does not interfere with your capitalism-inspired life. 

    But all in all, its existence depends on what soil your seed has been planted on. The stems of your brain and the roots of your heart will ultimately shape your opinion about the stars. This heavenly body is a terrific topic to make casual talks for scientists at lunch. But for kids, and poets they are a source of wonderment. 

    Dare I not miss to mention souls hunting for wanderlust. For they hike, miles to set up camp and gaze at the stars. Their body tired from the uphill is welcomed by the galaxies far above. They connect with the dark matters millions of miles away. Their aura speaks to the eyes 👁️ filled with wonderment down below. And who says humans have traveled to space since the dawn of science, they've been doing it before the letter "s" of science was written.

And you think we can't reach the stars? 

Ask the poets, they go there every day. 

Chapter 1 

Part 7 

Wu Wei: The art of floating

Wu Wei (Chinese) comprises of two words: Wu and Wei.

Wu: Non, not, negation

Wei: making, forcing

    The perfect translation of Wei according to Alan Watts is forcing. Hence, Wu Wei becomes “not forcing” Mr. Watts was a British writer and a speaker.  Many people confuse it with passivity. Many think it is not doing anything. It is the art of, in fact, inaction. Which, if to understand its true meaning, is untrue. Wu Wei is the art of not forcing. We, in life, are desperate at times. Wanting something so earnestly that we try to force the situation. Which, is the opposite of Wu Wei. It is in my opinion the science of acceptance. We are unhappy with our lives, many of us are. We don’t accept it in the way it is. We want something different, something new, something to the left and something to the right. We seldom say “my life is perfect,” We barely make an effort to float with our life.

    Watts explained Wu Wei in a way that says, “It is the art of floating, not rowing,” When we row the boat we force it to the direction we desire. Whereas floating has contrasting meanings. It is trusting the direction of the boat and sailing along the water. Wu Wei is the latter one. It is acceptance. It is the art of not forcing. I wrote a quote on my study table that reads:

          

We cannot see the sunrise and the sunset at the same time

Don’t try to have it all

Embrace what you have. Hold what you get.

                                                                                          Anish Ghimire    

     

I want to end with a quote from William Shakespeare that says, “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at its flood leads to fortune.

Wishing a good day to the few ones who read my blogs

Chapter 1

Part 6

     

Paras Khadka : The magic man of Nepal

     

    "Paras Khadka the magic man of Nepal" one of the commentators proudly announced on the world cup game of 2014. That time when the entire nation cheered and sang proudly the national anthem with hands on their chest. That group of men led by our phenomenal captain has achieved great feat over the years. Not just on the field but also off the field. To promote the game and to bring Nepalese people together, he was always there and forever will be. 

    Today, the magic man has announced his retirement from all international cricket. This retirement hurt the most. I was a little sad when in 2018 Ab de Villiers announced his retirement. But this, by far, cuts the deepest. 

    I remember, when desperate to meet the magic man, I went place to place with my cousin, just trying to get a glimpse of him. And months later, finally, I was able to shake his hand on bhrikutimandap at the college exhibition. That day, I still recall, is one of the best days of my life. 

A moment with the man himself 

     

    Sadly, I couldn't catch a glimpse of him on the field. I missed the opportunity to watch him play and hit those long towering sixes. 

    I used to turn on the TV and yell and scream when he hit those runs. The confidence, the ferocious display of sportsmanship, and the passion to deliver for the nation, he had it all. A century against Namibia, a century against Singapore, and that breathtaking last over against the Netherlands providing us with our first ODI win. These are just a  few notable moments, there are numerous more moments like these, that make the man he is today. 

The magic man, the greatest sports personality this nation has ever produced. 

Nepali cricket and all of its fanatics will miss him dearly. 

All the best for your second innings Paras dai.

Now it's time to support Nepali cricket off the field. 

Gem of our nation

Chapter 1 

Part 5