Androcles > Recent Status Updates

Will I ever finish this ...?

I hit the proverbial wall with this book a few days ago (too much data to take in), but I'm back on track and absorbed now e.g. Pakistan's role (Gen. Zia al-Huq) in aiding King Hussain of Jordan against a Palestinian 'uprising'. I had forgotten all about that. Now we are being taken down the road of Russia's invasion of Afghanistan and its consequences on Pakistan's relations with America, Iran, the West and others.

Dear Tariq, this is obviously an important and seminal book which will no doubt give me a better understanding of the current difficulties between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the West. And hopefully answers to many questions.But I am only able to read about 5 pages a day as there is SO much data to absorb. Please be patient with me.

I found the chapter on Vergil somewhat uninspiring. The next one on Propertius whom to my shame I had never heard of is fascinating. Another Roman poet consumed by his passion for a feisty woman - in this case Cynthia.

I should be reading more of this to help me better understand the current problems. But there seems to be no time. No time. No time... maybe I should get up earlier?

Ali writes as he speaks. I can hear him as I read. Complex. Reading in short stretches.

Strange to be revisiting these characters after such a long time. I am almost fearful of catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror and seeing myself as they see me rather than how I see myself.

Yrsa takes us into a strange world of torture, witchcraft, unusual sex and body-modification in this Icelandic thriller. Yes, there is a touch of Stieg Larsson and it is certainly more up-beat and 'fun' than her compatriot's (Arnaldur Indridason) books but not as deep or thought-provoking.

Am enjoying being educated by this author. On a poem by Catullus he comments: "... and its true theme is the fascination and terror which can be inspired in a sensitive soul by the subliminal powers of orgiastic religion and the dominating character of an evil woman." Mmmh, powerful stuff !

Nothing like a bit of *** *** to start a Scandinavian thriller with. My first read of this author. Interesting so far. Her style reminds me somewhat of early Val McDermid.

I love Anne Zouroudi's writing; the way she strips her characters and the Greek landscape bare to reveal their soft exposed underbellies, warts and all. And dancing almost mystically amongst the wrinkles and sagging flesh is the fat man Hermes Diaktoros in his white tennis shoes turning over these troubled stones to reveal beneath an unexpected sparkling diamond.

Reading snippets from 'Poets in a Landscape' provides a marvelous respite and counterpoint to the daily 'cut-and-thrust'. Yesterday I spent a little time with Horace in the Sabine hills which resonated with some long-forgotten distant childhood memory: "Hail, Bandusian spring, clearer than crystal pure,fountain worthy of sweet wine and of wreaths of flowers .... "

Am bogged down with rather too much description of religious sects. Notwithstanding, some of the prose is lovely: here, Sister Pelagia is approaching the port of Jaffa: "But shortly thereafter the doors of darkness opened slightly. First a solitary light appeared, like a pale star, then another beside it, and a third, and a fourth, and soon the cliff city came tumbling out."

So much has happened and I'm barely 1/3 through. Complex & I am in fear of sister Pelagia losing her virtue! But Boris wouldn't let that happen, surely?!

A slow somewhat disordered start, a bit like the 6.23 train from Paddington. But now steaming ahead smoothly - and beginning to really enjoy the complexity.