I have been toying with the idea of writing a blog for many weeks now. After much procrastination, insistence of friends and lot of sincere and random reading, here I am joining the bandwagon of blogging. And as I do so, it’s only fair that my first entry is dedicated to the Great writers and thinkers whose works I have admired, revered and followed in the last few years, and who have influenced the thinking of many others like myself.
The Great 10 of all time (in no order) :-
George Orwell- I began my serious novel reading with ‘Animal Farm’, so it remains very special to me. It had this brilliant analogy, which contained my interest throughout the book and stirred up my interest in reading literature further. My second book was therefore 1984, and it only got better. Orwell’s books connect, very effortlessly, to the real world and lend an indelible impact on the reader's mind for a long time after they have been read.
Fyodor Dostoevsky- Despite reading only 2 novels by this legendary Russian writer- 'Crime and Punishment' & 'The Brothers Karmazov', I stay challenged to state that he is one of the most phenomenal philosophers to have ever lived. His grip on human psyche, seen in the context of the 19th century Russian society and influenced by the socio-political rhetorics of the same, puts him in the league of the most profound psychologists of all time as well!
Ayn Rand- Path-breaking writer, and in my opinion the most misunderstood too, Ayn Rand invented the ideals of objectivism and opined that ethical egoism and rational self interest will lead to a perfect world. Despite meeting with fierce critics of Rand ’s philosophy, I have relished reading her books for the true heroism they seek to portray in otherwise ordinary people.
Oscar Wilde- I had been forewarned about reading the Picture of Dorian Gray, as it was supposedly too much to grasp! The great thing about Oscar Wilde’s works is that they are anything but one-time reads. They keep getting better with every read ! Wilde’s sharp witticism and self-conscious contradiction is truly unmatched. Unfortunately I have been able to read only 2 works by this great author, who dared to write about being gay in the 1800s !
George Bernard Shaw- His works show great verbal wit, rebellious attitude and disregard for (English) conventions, and are a pure treat to read. Very few know that Shaw also won an Oscar, along with the Nobel prize for literature. I’m a mad fan of his quotes too, so concise yet so profound!
Charles Dickens- All of us have grown up reading stories from his plays and despite his archaic turn of phrase, so far there hasn't lived a soul that has been as humourous as Dickens. Pip, David Copperfield, and Oliver Twist have almost become historical figures!
Leo Tolstoy- When it comes to "realist fiction", nothing compares with 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karanina'. I had to slow down my reading to fully savour every word and each phrase of these books. The grandeur and enormity of his books is overwhelming.
P.G.Wodehouse- He has written the best modern-day comedy I have come across so far. The elegance and humour in his writing is class apart, i feel everyone should read a Wodehouse in his/her lifetime. I wouldn’t think twice before calling him the funniest writer of the 20th century!
J K Rowling- Okay I have to be biased about this one! As a die hard Harry Potter fan, I am obligated to admire the genius behind it. J K Rowling isn’t the most successful modern day writer for no reason- she has created a magical yet consistent and believable world! Her narrative genius and extensive character descriptions have made the books worldwide classics, besides making whopping sums of money for the makers of Harry Potter movies.
Mahabharata- There is never-ending controversy about who wrote this great epic. Ved Vyas is credited with it, but I believe those who say that it isn’t the work of a single person. Truly, it can’t be. Mahabharata is the greatest work of literature to have ever existed, capable of spawning hundreds of novels out of itself. Even the abridged, translated version of this epic holds you in awe for many days. It is rightly said about Mahabharata- "What is found here may also exist elsewhere, but what is not found here does not exist".
Don't know if you have read Robert M Pirsig, he's the author of two novels 'Zen & the art of motorcycle maintenance: An inquiry into values' and 'lila: An inquiry into morals'. Both are nice reads, though they are non fiction,its simple and not too preachy.
ReplyDeleteHave read Zen and art of motorcycle maintenance only, it's quite good and yeah simple.
ReplyDeleteHow about Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway?
ReplyDeleteHemmingway is phenomenal as well, though haven't had a chance to read any of his writings apart from "Old man and the sea" and " the Sun also rises" but he definitely is among the greatest of them all.
ReplyDeletelong time no see
ReplyDelete@Anupam- Have been off the grid for last few months, but back to writing. Read on :)
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