Surprise Post

A surprise post arrived yesterday. (Post being a piece of mail in this case, and not a piece of interweb writing). I opened it up to discover two things. First was a copy of Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin’s Three Cups of Tea. Second was a card addressed to me that contained some very specific instructions. I grinned wholeheartedly, and felt great inside. It was not the contents of the post that gave me such a positive feeling, rather it was the intent, action, and caring nature behind it all.

Specifically, my good friend, C, wrote me a very nice card to express that we had not spoken in a while, yet she truly valued our friendship. In order to spur some future communication she suggested an experience that we could share, even though we may not meet up again for a while. She had purchased two copies of the aforementioned book, sent me one and kept the other. Her instructions were for us both to read the book by July 2012, and then meet to discuss. It is certainly my hope that we will finish and meet up before that, but it’s nice to have a generous time-line along with a specific deadline.

I also value my friendship with C and I am completely taken with this surprise concept. I love getting post, I am a big fan of sending cards, and I definitely need to read more. Combine these all with the fact it came from someone so caring and positive and I could not help but feel so incredibly fortunate. Her unexpected act of caring made my day! It made me smile. It made me pick up the phone to call her, and then to call some other old friends I had not spoken with in a while. It also appears as though it got me writing here again.

I look forward to the book, as it is something I have only heard a little bit about, and the topic – building schools through foreign aid – is one I have heard various sentiments on. More importantly I look forward to sharing an experience with someone so intentional and caring.

Perhaps you have done something similar, or would like to try an experience like this? I encourage you to give it a go. I know I will be – don’t forget to check your post box!

Atticus, Innocence, and Imperfections

Good literature will stand the test of time, yet great literature both evolves and stays relevant as times change. I first read Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird twenty years ago following a suggestion by my father to pick it up for the summer. This past summer marked the 50^th anniversary of the classic and as previously mentioned I delved into this story for the fourth time. I turned the back cover a few weeks ago, and have since been letting some thoughts steep. Yesterday being the anniversary of King’s I Have a Dream speech spurred writing into action.

Even though it was composed two generations ago, Lee’s tale remains relevant in the year 2010. During my recent reading I discovered nuances, secondary plot lines, and a fresh take on the central theme that reveal the story to be truly timeless. Each of the following features I found striking during my recent reading could be developed into fully written pieces:

• Family is one of the key secondary themes in To Kill A Mockingbird. When we are stripped of nearly everything we are left with our name, our path, and our values. In most cases these are passed to us from family, and we will pass them along – to family. It must even be acknowledged that Aunt Alexandra’s misguided worries about family reputation are founded in principles of caring and loving for family above all else. Atticus’ devotion to his profession, to the county and to the state will always be trumped by his devotion to family. It was also fascinating to follow the growth of Jem and Scout’s sibling relationship from a new age in my own life. Finally, the importance of friends and the community in ensuring families are healthy, stable and supported is given credence with numerous examples.

• The struggles of early adolescence are timeless. Jem does not have a cell phone, a facebook account, video games, or an internet connection. However, the major questions that challenge him are still those that young adolescents face today. What is respect? What is courage? What is social responsibility, what is individual responsibility, and where do the two meet? How can the world say one thing is right, yet openly do the opposite? How does one find one’s place in this world? How does one relate to family and friends as personal independence grows? Why are people the way they are? Will innocence be lost as adulthood approaches? The lessons for these questions come from conversations and experiences – not technology. The importance of strong positive role models, both male and female – Atticus and Calpurnia in this case – cannot be underestimated during this phase.

• The struggle of right versus wrong may sometimes go deeper, and enter into the struggle of good versus evil. Atticus is a firm believer that getting to know someone will reveal how to best interact with them: that both the ills and fortunes of life should not be used to pass judgment. He is a man armed with incredible principles set in stone, yet ready to live and interact in a fluid world of differing opinions, backgrounds, and beliefs. These principles go almost unshaken throughout the story, until Heck Tate throws back the curtain on good versus evil, and that if Atticus is to truly live by his principles then he must be willing to extend them into dark places.

I am aware that the above is written rather ambiguously, but I do not want to steal away exact points and events in the story just in case there are those who have not read the book. (If you do happen to be one of those, you should go and read it right now)!

Finally, the central theme and lesson in this tale will always be important as there will always be differences. Lee calls upon us to take up the eternal struggle against prejudgement. While Atticus may seem to be the crusader and role model that we are expected to follow, Lee is aware of our own imperfections. A lesser write may have created an Atticus too perfect, and thereby off-putting. Even Atticus is revealed to be flawed. For all his brains, skills, and near omnipotence, we are also witness to his struggles and even weaknesses. It is through the eyes of a child, Scout, that this all revealed, as we are reminded of childhood, and our own innocence in her character. It is easier to follow the guiding moral of the story when we are innocent. However, just because we age, and we see the world, and we see the evil that is in it, does not excuse us from putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes, and walking around in them, before passing judgement. We can be quick to nod and say, “yes I tried to put myself in that person’s position,” yet how often do we truly take the time to not only put ourselves in that position but walk around in it, and even look back and see the path that led to that position. How different would things be then?

Atticus remains my favourite literary character of all time.

Some quotes from the story to take us out, as Lee is the better writer here:

Scout on the town’s opinion about Tom Robinson: “Well, most folks seem to think they’re right and you’re wrong…” “They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect of their opinions,” said Atticus, “but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win but sometimes you do.”

One time [Atticus] said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.

50th Anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird

It was 50 years ago yesterday, July 11th, that Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird was published. It ranks near the top of almost all must-read lists, including my own. In 2006 it came out on top of what I consider a rather highly regarded survey: that of British librarians. When asked what books every adult should read before they die, the people who are the keepers of literature listed only 30. To Kill A Mockingbird was first, The Bible was second.

The 1961 Pulitzer Prize winning piece, which remains Lee’s only novel, is a rite of passage for many high school students, even while some continue to call for its censorship. Interestingly, I read the book for the first time exactly twenty years ago this summer. I still recall picking it up in a small bookstore in the Kootenays during late July or early August in 1990, and my father recommending it. I hardly put it down until I had finished it.

I have re-read it a few times since then, yet it seems appropriate now, 50 years since it was written, 20 years since I first read it, and in the hot days of summer that are reminiscent of those hot days in an Alabama court room, to pick it up again. I have a little bit of a pressing task at hand to be finished in the next few days, but then I’ll turn to the book shelf that contains two copies – the one I first read, and another ready to give away, just in case – and start again. I have never really been one for the book club thing, but this one’s always worth talking about. Anyone ready to pick it up and read along on this anniversary with me? I have a copy you can borrow.

Books for Asia

Should Books for Asia be sending what we deem to be a good children’s book to a school in Thailand? It was a twitter post by Nicholas Kristof, a reporter for the NY Times, that put me on to this. Regular readers (all three of you) may wonder why I would ask such a silly question. I have written here before promoting fiction for children, and how a well written children’s story can be beneficial to us all. Books rank as one of the best possible material gifts one can give in my opinion. Further, literacy is a keystone to success within North American culture. Thus, I too wonder a bit at my question. Yet, what if we considered things a bit more deeply? Maybe you should watch the video first.

Some questions you might have asked: Is the happiness of these children dependent upon stories from North America? Do these children not dream already? In many ways these stories are nonsensical – what kind of ideas do they put into children’s heads? Why should your favourite book from a shortlist of five be the one that gets sent to this school? Shouldn’t the culture, community, and teacher select the book?

Just asking.   The video is well put together.   I kind of like nonsensical ideas sometimes.   I am going to vote for a book.   You’ll have to decide if you are.   I like the song.   Do you have the answers to these questions?   My answers are just more questions.   Except, I like books.

You can find out more, and vote here: http://bookvote.asiafoundation.org/

Three Day Road & Extremely Loud

I have mentioned for some time that I would write more about two books I read a few months ago – now is that time. One function of this blog is sharing cool things, and sharing can sometimes come late. I hope you’ll accept it because these two reads do offer excellent perspectives on balance. If I had written previously I may have done rather lengthy reviews, so perhaps this is best, and I will try to jump to the point about a unique piece of writing, and another piece that is the best Canadian Fiction I have ever read.

Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close can give you heavy boots and make you feel like a hundred dollars. He weaves together multiple stories with the focal point being a completely unrealistic character in nine year old Oskar Schell. However, it works. When an author exposes extremes, the subtelties of our own inbalances are drawn to light. Be prepared for some differing methods of comprehension – akin to Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime and Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I enjoy this writing, but it is difficult to pull off for a whole piece (as Eggers himself admits).

The Places in Between

Some people climb mountains, some kayak raging rivers, some perform medical feats, some jump out of airplanes, some raise children, some go into space, but I’ve only heard of one person walking across Afghanistan mere weeks after Western forces went into the country after the Taliban. Rory Stewart is an adventurer like no other I have heard of. Author of The Places in Between, which documents his journey, he seems far from arrogant or overly driven. He admits at the outset of the book that he is not good at explaining his reasons for the walk (of which Afghanistan was only a portion, having also walked across Iran, Pakistan, India and Nepal). Yet, as one reads, one gets the sense that like any true adventure, the true reasons are revealed as the adventure unfolds.

This story is outstanding. If you have ever done any adventuring on your own, for any length of time, I highly suggest you read this book. I could go on to write five more paragraphs about how incredible his journey was culturally, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. I could write another five paragraphs on how his journey is the first meaningful information I have heard, seen, or read regarding Afghanistan and its people. It completely displays everything else as close minded. However, at the end I still don’t think I could come close to doing his story justice, so you’ll have to read it.

To step out into the world and take your fate so much into your own hands you find that you must share the load with others, whoever they might be, as you come across them. As you take these risks it is your true self that you must put forward, and your true self you must live with.

Stewart is quite the amazing fellow, his walk aside. You may want to check out his biography here, or here.

Read this book.

Nostromo

If you happened to look at the Currently Reading, Listening, & Watching page recently you may have noticed that I have been trying to read three separate pieces together. With a little more time on my hands, I decided to tackle some diversity in literature all at once. Reading from different genres and different levels can be a simple, yet important step in keeping things balanced. I often don’t get the time to properly devote effort and reflection to reading. So, with time available I thought I could handle a few things at once. However, I was proven to be over zealous. Ostensibly, I became consumed by one of them as I pursued understanding, rather than just entertainment, and I had to let the other two languish. Conrad, again, this time with Nostromo, required all my reading attention up until a few days ago.

The last time I posted about literature I was extolling the virtues of finely written works intended for school age children. It now seems sensible to comment on a piece at the far opposite end of the scale. I am captured by DiCamillo’s works for children because of the metaphors, the beautiful language, and they make me smile while reflecting. My recent reading of Conrad’s writing does the same, only differently. His beautiful language also hurts my brain, the metaphors are layered so thickly I feel like I have to physically move them, and the smiles – occurring at greater intervals – are sinister in their reflections at times. In all honestly I could laugh at myself that I find both DiCamillo and Conrad, who write for completely different audiences, with completely different themes, and at completely different points in history, so similar in their captivation of my thoughts. After completing one of their stories I am excited about the next one. Admittedly with Conrad, this excitement is also fueled by the break I will be taking from reading his writing. I am hoping that my appreciation for both these authors and their genres is revealing a balanced approach to one of the healthiest hobbies a human can pursue: reading.

If you have not had the pleasure (or the torture) of reading Nostromo and have managed to live through some shorter pieces of Conrad’s than I would highly recommend you give it a try. The first quarter of the book is a struggle in finding the direction and theme of it all. One is aware that it is there, and is trying to convince oneself that Conrad knows what he is doing, not just rambling. Once the novel hits its stride, the early struggle is made more than worth it. After all, Conrad is asking, practically berating, the reader to be skeptical. Skepticism and unease are obvious, and hidden, all at the same time, throughout the South American country he has created. If the reader were not skeptical at points than a serious misunderstanding would be taking place.

The reader should also keep in mind, optimism is not necessarily the foundation for Conrad’s captivating writing. I have always enjoyed the tragedies, and Conrad does not disappoint in this vein. While DiCamillo portrays, love and hope as the keys to balancing life, Conrad makes quite plain that fear and greed are the great balancers of individuals and the collective. Conrad certainly recognizes the existence, and the struggle for love and hope. But his varied and thematic metaphors tie this to struggle to the fuels of greed and fear. Nearly everything appears to be a metaphor, or a reverse metaphor for that matter, in Conrad’s writing. Bearing in mind, this could be my over exertion to understand writing I do not engage with nearly enough. (Or chalk it up to lack of intelligence – your call).

Conrad has woven a masterpiece in creativity, in tragedy, and reveals that individual lives are the plainest and deepest metaphors for humanities struggles. The Capataz, Nostromo, is a man of the people – he is the people. Conrad’s imaginary Sulaco is filled with people, including Nostromo, that are only too true in their design.

Any other pieces of literature that hurt your brain, but that you would highly recommend?

Kate DiCamillo

Good fiction written for children is simply good fiction for all of us. While I have never read Harry Potter (collective gasp noted), perhaps the intensity surrounding all of Rowling’s books supports my initial point. The case I do have in hand are the works of Kate DiCamillo. If you’ve been paying any attention to the Currently… page you know I have read two of her books in the past few months. The first, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, was recommended by a friend. Once I started I could not put it down. With captivating writing she weaves a story that is puzzling, wonderful, tragic and hopeful. Through it all, Edward discovers what love is. While the book may be primarily intended for a grade 5 or so audience, the story and the writing speak easily to readers of all ages. Mainly, it explores the barriers and prejudgment we erect so that we might have happiness contrived (contentment), rather than genuine joy and love. It lays bare the plain truth that joy and love often involve risk, heart ache and loss. However, this story also reveals that the rewards one finds in pursuit of joy and love are infinite compared to the outlay, especially when one is in the correct state of mind. Hundreds of self-help books, and adult paper backs seek to capture the same thing, and do not even come close to the beauty, warmth, honesty and creativity of DiCamillo’s writing.

I thought so much of Miraculous Journey that it wasn’t long before I took up another of DiCamillo’s books: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Firstly, fantastic title. Then, any book beginning with an impressive epigraph, as The Tale of Despereaux does, is worth diving into. Again, the main audience may be elementary school students, but the exploration of prejudgment, love, and commitment is right for any age. This story has a special twist in that DiCamillo carries on a running aside, or conversation, linearly to the story with the reader. These side conversations are aimed at children but her voice captured me right away. It almost feels like she wrote the story for me personally. She also throws in the theme of light and dark – exposing the struggle for some sort of balance between the two.

The best things about reading DiCamillo is the balance it brings. I try to read from different genres, fiction, and non-fiction – it can all begin to blur at times, and even become a bit arduous. But a well written children’s book is the perfect balance to help me see what great writing actually is, and to keep me loving reading. It allows me to go back to reading adult fiction, biographies, non-fiction, and professional texts refreshed. I highly recommend you find a book of hers this summer, search out a quiet spot and let your imagination run. Lacking that, there are hundreds of other great children’s books out there, I hear that Potter stuff isn’t so bad. Crack one open, and fall in love with reading again.

Any recommendations from you? Of course you have some, leave a comment below or send me an email.

Love is ridiculous.
But love is also wonderful. And powerful. – The Tale of Despereaux

Striking Entertainment

The five week student strike at CNUE will come to an end tomorrow. For more than a month now it has been a challenge to fill the time. A completely unbalanced schedule has meant a lot of time to explore, eat Korean food, read, and watch films. Through no conscious plan, two distinctive parts of my entertainment have been Canadian literature and Korean films. Fortunately, the works I have read and watched have been good, and I recommend them, particularly The King and the Clown.

I have been quite impressed with Korean cinema and will be sure to explore it more, during my remaining time in Korea, and when I return home. While certain instances in the past have put me off of Canadian literature, the recent offerings I have digested are beginning to turn the tide. Apparently it only takes a spell in Korea to renew interest for Canadian writing.

Also:
-Details of recent books and films are here.
-What’s not to like about candles on all celebratory cakes – not just birthday ones?
-Yes, it’s cold.