Mohit Parikh > Recent Status Updates

A magisterial subjection
of all dispersive influences, a concentration of the mind
upon the thing that has to be done, and a proud renunciation
of all means of effect which do not spontaneously connect
themselves with it—these are the rare qualities which
mark out the man of genius. In men of lesser calibre the
mind is more constantly open to determination from extrinsic
influences.

The greatness of an
author consists in having a mind extremely irritable, and
at the same time steadfastly imperial : —irritable that no
stimulus may be inoperative, even in its most evanescent
solicitations ; imperial, that no solicitation may divert him
from his deliberately chosen aims.

Good fun.

One of the best narratives ever.

Enjoyable. Some character motivations are flimsy, but I guess you can excuse that in a sci-fi? There are drugs, corporations, politicians, interplanetary wars and, as yet, occasional time travel. Can't hate it.

Technique: perfect!

Can last few pages save the grace?

Cottleston, Cottleston, Cottleston Pie,
A fly can't bird, but a bird can fly.
Ask me a riddle and I reply:
"Cottleston, Cottleston, Cottleston Pie."

Too old for this stuff?

Just finished Coetzee's essay on William Faulkner's biographers. W P Mayhem of Barton Fink is based on Faulkner!

Mr. Biswas. I am sorry for you. I am proud of you. Your life, contained within the 562 pages of a book, wasn't a waste. Not at all. Not at all.

Love you, man.

Yestereve I saw philosophers in the market-place, carrying their heads in baskets, and crying aloud, "Wisdom! wisdom for sale!"
Poor philosophers! They must needs sell their heads to feed their hearts

Pregnancy is such a commonplace event in the novel that the writer hardly mentions it and when he does, he does in a one sentence para upon the time of delivery. Very effective. I fell from a sofa laughing.

"Words are timeless. You should utter them or write them with a knowledge of their timelessness."

"We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting"

Who is this phony writer with the name spelled same as that of 'The Joke'!

Ch3 opens, "A prayer: Lord, I was in the void, infinitely nothing and tranquil. I was disturbed from that state, to be thrown into this strange carnival...and you took care that I should be endowed with all I needed in order to suffer, enjoy, understand,and be wrong; but incompatible, these gifts. I consider you the master of that darkness I look into when I think, and upon which the last thought
will be inscribed"

Taking sorcery to the next pedestal

Some great insights. Stupid plot.