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Three Men in a Boat
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Three Bots in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Lurkers)
Question: You must've had a image of KS uncle in your mind based on his writings/other knowledges? So, this autobiography, did it surprise you? (I highly doubt that lol)
Also, do you think RKN will surprise us? I mean RKN kinda comes as a rather reserved kind of person.... At least to me....
Also, do you think RKN will surprise us? I mean RKN kinda comes as a rather reserved kind of person.... At least to me....
Mod
Q: Any autobiography surprised you so far? I can't think of any at the moment.
RKN... i don't think it will surprise us.... the fact that we pick that autobio sometime would be surprising though :P
Mod
This is the part I liked the most so far.
Have you also obsereved that he kind of maligns his wife and uses negative examples against her... in one of his other books, I've read essays where he clearly confronted having pretty harsh relations with his wife.
Mod
If not for that book, I wouldnt have been able to relate the context.
(view spoiler)
Was KS with congress or against it? Feels like with congress based on his contacts and relations.... but looks like anti because of all that bashing... anti Indira,... returning award...
you'd know better?
Mod
but going by the length of the chapters I think it should be okay.... you wont be far ahead I guess (or may be much behind?)
Hello G!
Just finished chap 6!
Enjoyed it better than the last two...
Gorab wrote: "Q: Any autobiography surprised you so far? I can't think of any at the moment.
RKN... i don't think it will surprise us.... the fact that we pick that autobio somet..."
ALL OF THEM!!! :D :D
Actually, I've not read that many autobios, but the ones I read......were.....not what I expected them to be :/
1. The first one I read was Malala's. It was good, just because I didn't know much about the girl beforehand, so no expectations. It was a smooth read. Enjoyed it then, but now I think it was especially tailored to make readers feel more sympathetic towards the girl. Can't believe I fell for it. I admire the girl. She's a brave and intelligent lady, but it was too soon for an autobio.
2. second was Wings of Fire by our beloved former-president, Kalam sir. It was an accidental read lol. WE ALL respect Kalam sir. I picked this with lots of expectations ("highly motivational"). There was an excerpt from this in my textbook in school. 8th/9th/10th std, I can't remember, but what I do remember that even then I didn't like that piece. I find the autobio, and his other writings in general, void of any emotions. I once tried his Ignited Minds and had to give up after some 50 pages!!
That book was so optimistic it hurt my invisible emo-self
3. Oh, where do I begin with this one!? Gandhi, Gandhi, oh dear Gandhi!!
The absence of narcissism in this book arghhhhhh (whose very presence in Malala annoyed me lmao)...I mean I was reading Bapu's autobiography, I expected to find the anecdotes justifying his "Mahatma" title, like the one where he walked on water, or the one where he revived an almost dead child, or the one where he came back from dea...well, you got the point! He did NOT talk about his miracles....actually, not his fault. That autobio covered events till 1915 only...and the person we grow up admiring and loving was post-1915 Gandhi. That's why I am very looking forward to read his biography by Guha sir. I'm sure he'll present him in a very positive light...I mean clearly Guha sir likes Gandhi, otherwise why would he name his masterpiece "India After Gandhi" and not "A Short and Brief History of Post-Independence India", or simply "India After independence"? "Gandhi Before India", "India After Gandhi", like India revolves around Gandhi? Actually, it kinda does, except they keep changing the Gandhi :P:P Not anymore though ...
4. And now this. But I'm not gonna say anything now...let it go with the flow...
Am I very hard to please? :(
Oh, and the only biography I read, Into the Wild, was pure gold, and became one of my all time-favourite book. Biography rocks, autobio not so much :P:P:P
PS: I'm neither high nor drunk :/
Just finished chap 6!
Enjoyed it better than the last two...
Gorab wrote: "Q: Any autobiography surprised you so far? I can't think of any at the moment.
RKN... i don't think it will surprise us.... the fact that we pick that autobio somet..."
ALL OF THEM!!! :D :D
Actually, I've not read that many autobios, but the ones I read......were.....not what I expected them to be :/
1. The first one I read was Malala's. It was good, just because I didn't know much about the girl beforehand, so no expectations. It was a smooth read. Enjoyed it then, but now I think it was especially tailored to make readers feel more sympathetic towards the girl. Can't believe I fell for it. I admire the girl. She's a brave and intelligent lady, but it was too soon for an autobio.
2. second was Wings of Fire by our beloved former-president, Kalam sir. It was an accidental read lol. WE ALL respect Kalam sir. I picked this with lots of expectations ("highly motivational"). There was an excerpt from this in my textbook in school. 8th/9th/10th std, I can't remember, but what I do remember that even then I didn't like that piece. I find the autobio, and his other writings in general, void of any emotions. I once tried his Ignited Minds and had to give up after some 50 pages!!
That book was so optimistic it hurt my invisible emo-self
3. Oh, where do I begin with this one!? Gandhi, Gandhi, oh dear Gandhi!!
The absence of narcissism in this book arghhhhhh (whose very presence in Malala annoyed me lmao)...I mean I was reading Bapu's autobiography, I expected to find the anecdotes justifying his "Mahatma" title, like the one where he walked on water, or the one where he revived an almost dead child, or the one where he came back from dea...well, you got the point! He did NOT talk about his miracles....actually, not his fault. That autobio covered events till 1915 only...and the person we grow up admiring and loving was post-1915 Gandhi. That's why I am very looking forward to read his biography by Guha sir. I'm sure he'll present him in a very positive light...I mean clearly Guha sir likes Gandhi, otherwise why would he name his masterpiece "India After Gandhi" and not "A Short and Brief History of Post-Independence India", or simply "India After independence"? "Gandhi Before India", "India After Gandhi", like India revolves around Gandhi? Actually, it kinda does, except they keep changing the Gandhi :P:P Not anymore though ...
4. And now this. But I'm not gonna say anything now...let it go with the flow...
Am I very hard to please? :(
Oh, and the only biography I read, Into the Wild, was pure gold, and became one of my all time-favourite book. Biography rocks, autobio not so much :P:P:P
PS: I'm neither high nor drunk :/
Gorab wrote: "I'm running 3-4 chapters short if you consider a chapter a day....
but going by the length of the chapters I think it should be okay.... you wont be far ahead I guess (or may be much behind?)"
I'm not much behind you...just one chapter @_@ I'll ketchup with you soon....read on...
but going by the length of the chapters I think it should be okay.... you wont be far ahead I guess (or may be much behind?)"
I'm not much behind you...just one chapter @_@ I'll ketchup with you soon....read on...
And all that Nehru-bashing was necessary? *eye-roll*
Why do all the people I like hate each other?
First, KS calls RKN a second- grade writer (HE WASN'T, OKAY?? HE DESERVED MULTIPLE NOBEL....but racism, you know *shrugs*)
Then KS goes on and tells lies and spread rumours about Chacha Nehru
Then Miss Roy has her opinion about my Gandhi dear
Then all my real life friends hate Miss Roy...
and the list goes on....:(
I'm such a little boy...how am I supposed to handle all of this???
Why do all the people I like hate each other?
First, KS calls RKN a second- grade writer (HE WASN'T, OKAY?? HE DESERVED MULTIPLE NOBEL....but racism, you know *shrugs*)
Then KS goes on and tells lies and spread rumours about Chacha Nehru
Then Miss Roy has her opinion about my Gandhi dear
Then all my real life friends hate Miss Roy...
and the list goes on....:(
I'm such a little boy...how am I supposed to handle all of this???
Mod
Gorab wrote: "Have you also obsereved that he kind of maligns his wife and uses negative examples against her... in one of his other books, I've read essays where he clearly confronted having pretty harsh relations with his wife."
Umm..what? His wife? Dear sir, most of the time he was busy talking about other people's wives, he hardly said a word about his own wife....
on a serious note, right. He mentioned many times about his strained relationship with Kawal, but didn't bother tell us why was it so! I mean if it were the autobiography of some normal person, i would've understood that it's kinda private matter, but in this very book, Mr. Singh was talking about attending orgies they would hand dictionaries from their dicks to compare the god-knows-what!! So what privacy? Whose fault was it that made their boat rock so much? Did he allow her wife the same kind of freedom he was enjoying?
Umm..what? His wife? Dear sir, most of the time he was busy talking about other people's wives, he hardly said a word about his own wife....
on a serious note, right. He mentioned many times about his strained relationship with Kawal, but didn't bother tell us why was it so! I mean if it were the autobiography of some normal person, i would've understood that it's kinda private matter, but in this very book, Mr. Singh was talking about attending orgies they would hand dictionaries from their dicks to compare the god-knows-what!! So what privacy? Whose fault was it that made their boat rock so much? Did he allow her wife the same kind of freedom he was enjoying?
Gorab wrote: "Chapter 7
interesting how Mano Majra came into existence. can't help but observe that even when Mr Singh claims to be broke, he took just one servant with him to cook and look after!!!
and that to..."
LOL...His father was really smart. His empire grew up in very less time...Delhi, Shimla, Bhopal..damn...
Goddamn son of a ......millionaire...he was *me not jealous at all*
Also, the concept of trinity in every character!!
I already had plans to re-read Train to Pakistan this year, now I'm even more excited....it would be a fun game to guess whose Brahma is more dominating..and who is more Shiva-like :P:P
interesting how Mano Majra came into existence. can't help but observe that even when Mr Singh claims to be broke, he took just one servant with him to cook and look after!!!
and that to..."
LOL...His father was really smart. His empire grew up in very less time...Delhi, Shimla, Bhopal..damn...
Goddamn son of a ......millionaire...he was *me not jealous at all*
Also, the concept of trinity in every character!!
I already had plans to re-read Train to Pakistan this year, now I'm even more excited....it would be a fun game to guess whose Brahma is more dominating..and who is more Shiva-like :P:P
Gorab wrote: "Ch6 - Remember Mr Krishna Menon from IAGandhi?
If not for that book, I wouldnt have been able to relate the context.
Don't know much about the Maliks (btw... the Maliks sounds like a Muslim surna..."
Not sure about Maliks.
Till the last I was like "hmm...Menon, the name sounds familiar...", but when he mentioned Menon being a Defence Minister and the Indo-Sino war, it all started making sense...I got reminded of IAGandhi...
Fun-Fact: We have read two accounts of Krishna Menon sir so far...one by a renowned historian, and one by a person he worked with....and now, if everything goes according to plan, I'll be reading Nehru's autobiography (another one!!!) this year...Don't you think it would be interesting to know his stand on this whole topic? if yes, please join ;)
"Was KS with congress or against it? Feels like with congress based on his contacts and relations.... but looks like anti because of all that bashing... anti Indira,... returning award..."
HE WAS A COMMUNIST son of an industrialist lol...:P:P:P
I guess smart people don't side with parties, they side with people ...
I mean you mention his contacts all being Congressmen, but during 50s and 60s, all powerful people were from Congress..there wasn't any alternative then, was there?
So far, he hadn't shown any specific political ideology...I guess now that he's became a writer, we would get to know more about it.
If not for that book, I wouldnt have been able to relate the context.
Don't know much about the Maliks (btw... the Maliks sounds like a Muslim surna..."
Not sure about Maliks.
Till the last I was like "hmm...Menon, the name sounds familiar...", but when he mentioned Menon being a Defence Minister and the Indo-Sino war, it all started making sense...I got reminded of IAGandhi...
Fun-Fact: We have read two accounts of Krishna Menon sir so far...one by a renowned historian, and one by a person he worked with....and now, if everything goes according to plan, I'll be reading Nehru's autobiography (another one!!!) this year...Don't you think it would be interesting to know his stand on this whole topic? if yes, please join ;)
"Was KS with congress or against it? Feels like with congress based on his contacts and relations.... but looks like anti because of all that bashing... anti Indira,... returning award..."
HE WAS A COMMUNIST son of an industrialist lol...:P:P:P
I guess smart people don't side with parties, they side with people ...
I mean you mention his contacts all being Congressmen, but during 50s and 60s, all powerful people were from Congress..there wasn't any alternative then, was there?
So far, he hadn't shown any specific political ideology...I guess now that he's became a writer, we would get to know more about it.
Arpit wrote: "And all that Nehru-bashing was necessary? *eye-roll*Why do all the people I like hate each other?
First, KS calls RKN a second- grade writer (HE WASN'T, OKAY?? HE DESERVED MULTIPLE NOBEL....but r..."
LMAO!!!! Quite explicit indeed this content is! :P
Incidentally, which book of KS are you discussing? Or are you discussing KS the man?
Mod
Not really surprised that you' d be surprised with most of them :P
Are you hard to please?? I don't think so (view spoiler)
Mod
Why do all the people I like hate each other?
First, KS calls RKN a second- grade writer (HE WASN'T, OKAY?? HE DESERVED MULTIPLE NOBEL....but r..."
LOL! This was too good!
When did KS spread lies about Nehru? ... Its all truth isn't it :P :P [btw I really have no idea on this]
Also notice KS personally knew Ruskin Bond, Nirad Chaudhury and VS Naipaul.... and many more good writers.... opininion about RKN is his own taste... but he is knowledgable in that field and is entitled to hold and share his opinion.
RKN may not be that sophisticated... and thats why we love him? Same for RB :)
Mod
Mod
Mod
Mod
Uncle Khushwant has redeemed himself!! Praise the Lord, praise the Lady!!
Oh, I've forgiven him for all the buggery he has made us endure so far. The second half of the chapter 8 was BEAUTIFUL!!
Simba *Heart-emoji*
Oh, I've forgiven him for all the buggery he has made us endure so far. The second half of the chapter 8 was BEAUTIFUL!!
Simba *Heart-emoji*
Gorab wrote: "Except for the past couple of chapters, I felt enraged many a times for his obsession with sex and including those useless details in an autobiography!!!! why o why!"
Same. Sometimes I felt it was TOO much, but then I reminded myself that it was written by the same person who wrote The Company of Women!!
Also, both of these books were written during 90s, when he was in his eighties.
According to Sardar uncle, "as a man gets older, his sex instincts travel from his middle to his head". So, yeah :P
Same. Sometimes I felt it was TOO much, but then I reminded myself that it was written by the same person who wrote The Company of Women!!
Also, both of these books were written during 90s, when he was in his eighties.
According to Sardar uncle, "as a man gets older, his sex instincts travel from his middle to his head". So, yeah :P
Mod
where is truth? where is love? All I see is a little(?) malice!
Mod
And this reminds me of a short story by Mr Singh about a ministers foreign travel itinerary on tax payer's money ;)
It was a pretty sarcastic story... oh wait. It wasn't by Mr Singh albeit RKN! Yes in his book Salt and Sawdust, it was one of the essays.
No wonder they were good friends seeking writing inspiration with each other :P
And that reminds me.... we did discuss about a hypothetical situation when RKN and KS write a novel in collab... RKN will be the main Dal and KS being the punjabi tadka over it :D [We discussed this right? Or am I dreaming?]
What are you talking about, sir? There is love, love, and only love! Although Singh sir had a different notion of love than us :P
Just finished the 9th chapter! I'm liking these chapters more than those of his foreign visits :D
Just finished the 9th chapter! I'm liking these chapters more than those of his foreign visits :D
Am I the only one, or do you also get the feeling that the whole book is written in a comedic tone? Like, even he is talking about serious matters, I can't take them seriously now.
For instance, take that cow/butchers incident. Pardon me for being insensible, but I was laughing out loud when reading that part, because he wrote it in that way.
Imagine a Sardar in suit-boot, trailing a cow, and then bunch of angry men marching with him from one station to another, then to a veterinary doctor! What a sight it would have made :P
Or that part, where a Pakistani delegate wanted Singh Saab to bring him a woman to spend his evening with, and when Sardar uncle refused (of course!), he was like, "well, if no woman, then at least organize a press conference for me", and then no-one turned up!!!! WHAT kind of comedy is going on??!!
Not that that I'm complaining, I could do with few laughters these days :P :P
For instance, take that cow/butchers incident. Pardon me for being insensible, but I was laughing out loud when reading that part, because he wrote it in that way.
Imagine a Sardar in suit-boot, trailing a cow, and then bunch of angry men marching with him from one station to another, then to a veterinary doctor! What a sight it would have made :P
Or that part, where a Pakistani delegate wanted Singh Saab to bring him a woman to spend his evening with, and when Sardar uncle refused (of course!), he was like, "well, if no woman, then at least organize a press conference for me", and then no-one turned up!!!! WHAT kind of comedy is going on??!!
Not that that I'm complaining, I could do with few laughters these days :P :P
Didn't know he was the founder-editor of Yojana! Well, no-one reads that magazine nowadays other than UPSC aspirants :P
Gorab wrote: "I'm somewhere in the middle of Ch8...
And this reminds me of a short story by Mr Singh about a ministers foreign travel itinerary on tax payer's money ;)
It was a pretty sarcastic story... oh wait...."
I need to read Salt and Sawdust soon. (Interesting title!!)
nnnn....I think we discussed that, I think. I think.....I think we did, didn't we?
And this reminds me of a short story by Mr Singh about a ministers foreign travel itinerary on tax payer's money ;)
It was a pretty sarcastic story... oh wait...."
I need to read Salt and Sawdust soon. (Interesting title!!)
nnnn....I think we discussed that, I think. I think.....I think we did, didn't we?
Do people really talk like "Yum Yum Yameer Yumpee"? @_@
One more thing. KS Uncle can make fun of anyone/anything, but it doesn't sound mean or rude at all. At least not to me :)
Though sometimes pretty cheap :P
One more thing. KS Uncle can make fun of anyone/anything, but it doesn't sound mean or rude at all. At least not to me :)
Though sometimes pretty cheap :P
Mod
Just finished the 9th chapter! I'm liking these chapters more than..."
Lies, Lust and A hell lot of Malice!
Mod
Mod
Tells a lot about his own character even though its sugarcoated with funny sounding incidences.
Mod
Mod
LOL that part was really very funny!
Mod
Correction. I stole some time and read Ch8 and half of 9.
Simba part was very good :)
I don't know.... i can never keep pets... but always feel enlightened hearing such pet stories :)
Mod
Yes they do... some of them...
Have you heard about Bobby Ganesan?
Just finished chap 10!
(view spoiler)
No, never heard of Bobby Ganesan. It seems a restaurant or something, if I believe Google. So, about Bobby...?
(view spoiler)
No, never heard of Bobby Ganesan. It seems a restaurant or something, if I believe Google. So, about Bobby...?
Gorab wrote: "Ay ay ay... the readers are not supposed to be judgemental with any autobio. Holee crap! Forgive me my sins me lord!"
The sin is unforgivable, buddy! But lose not hope, for He is very kind. You might be forgiven if you read both volumes of A History of the Sikhs and give 2 bottles of scotch to needy people.
On a serious note, I THINK I WILL try those volumes some fine day. I mean I'm impressed by his research and hard work, so yeah :D
The sin is unforgivable, buddy! But lose not hope, for He is very kind. You might be forgiven if you read both volumes of A History of the Sikhs and give 2 bottles of scotch to needy people.
On a serious note, I THINK I WILL try those volumes some fine day. I mean I'm impressed by his research and hard work, so yeah :D
Mod
Gorab wrote: "Bobby Ganesan
Friend 1: dinner treat machi... come to bobby ganesan..
Friend 2: come to wat??
Friend 1: bobby ganesan da...
Friend 2: i dont know the place da... ill come to ur house.. we'll go ..."
Big LOL!!!
Off-topic: I remember back when we used to quote posts with spoilers, the spoiler part always turned to a message saying "Spoiler Removed", but these days I see it gets expanded instead of being removed. It's not right.
Friend 1: dinner treat machi... come to bobby ganesan..
Friend 2: come to wat??
Friend 1: bobby ganesan da...
Friend 2: i dont know the place da... ill come to ur house.. we'll go ..."
Big LOL!!!
Off-topic: I remember back when we used to quote posts with spoilers, the spoiler part always turned to a message saying "Spoiler Removed", but these days I see it gets expanded instead of being removed. It's not right.
Gorab wrote: "I'm never going to read the history of Sikhs... like never ever :D"
Never say never ;)
Never say never ;)
Finished 12th chapter.
Oh my god!!! This was some HIGH VOLTAGE DRAMA!! I don't remember reading it like this in IAG.
Oh my god!!! This was some HIGH VOLTAGE DRAMA!! I don't remember reading it like this in IAG.
Mod
Mod
Indian Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Swami and Friends (other topics)A Fine Balance (other topics)
The Portrait of a Lady (other topics)
Fight Club (other topics)
A Fine Balance (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Edwin Arnold (other topics)Yuval Noah Harari (other topics)
Ruskin Bond (other topics)
Vikram Seth (other topics)
John Boyne (other topics)
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One not interested in "flesh", other very much interested in "flesh" lol