July 2009

Story of an African FarmIf I were to name all of my favorite feminist novels, The Story of An African Farm will certainly be top of that list. It is a touching story covering the worrisome topics that bother us in our everyday lives and possibly in the early hours of the morning.

But first, here is a bit of background information about the novel. The Story of An African Farm is a popular novel that touches upon topical issues like feminism. Dating back to the late nineteenth century, it is one of those classics that is recognized as a timeless piece, the type which remains relevant to current times. And so you find that many consider this book as one of the earliest fictional takes on feminist themes. The author, Olive Schreiner, was a renowned spokesperson for such topics and thus, readers will find that subplots of this book were driven by her own beliefs and views. Other than feminism, prevailing themes include imperialism and religion where South African-born Schreiner painted the negative aspects of these two fields by drawing from her own experiences.

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The ‘write what you know’ adage is trite and a bit too prevalent in any discussion with friends you know that consider themselves poets, authors or otherwise. And while it will continue to be more than a frustrating quip to endure over and over again through the next sixty years of life (mine at least), Evelyn Waugh kinda put it to practice in an unassuming and all too amusing manner. Waugh’s not the most famous Brit author, but he might be one of the most funny – we can’t count J.P. Donleavy even if he was a subject of the crown, he was one of the colonized.

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The Kindle 2I've heard the complaints about the Kindle. Most of them sound pretty familiar by this point.  Namely, it won't replace a good book. The selection of 300,000 books is too limited.  According to one writer who has NEVER tried the Kindle: The e-reading experience will never beat, or for that matter match, the traditional reading experience. (The irony is, of course, that this is a Purdue student, writing for the Purdue student newspaper, online......)

I'm sorry to be so cheesy, but please don't knock the Kindle before you've tried it. If you are a reader and have the budget for the now $300 Kindle, I'd say, "Buy it!"

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Dan SavageDan Savage's "The Commitment" focuses on Dan Savage's own opinions about gay marriage and how he faces the dilemma on how to commemorate his ten- year anniversary with his life partner Terry. 

"The Commitment" opens up with the road-trip from Hell. Imagine the possible ramifications of a six-year-old who inexplicably listens to The White Stripes and Grand Theft Auto rather than the show-tunes or dance music his parents prefer, a “deaf brain-damaged, one-eyed poodle named Stinker”,  and a gay couple driving across the country through the reddest of the red states imaginable.  Before the trip, Dan tries to lay it on the line for his boyfriend Terry: “ Gay couples driving across Montana or South Dakota aren’t on a road trip, Terry. They’re on a suicide mission.”


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Susie BrightIn Susie Bright's "Sexual Reality", Susie Sexpert proves for once and for all that she can hold her own with Camille Paglia, talk more candidly about sexuality and childbirth than I ever thought was possible (this was definitely the first time I have EVER read about a vibrator in the delivery room), and discuss in depth any and all topics relevant to Susie's absolute favorite topic, sex.

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BrightonomiconIf you like funny science fiction stories or stories with fantastical elements generously mixed in with comedic moments, characters and wordplay, then I suggest settling in to read this review. It is The Brightonomicon by Robert Rankin.

The Brightonomicon traces the footsteps of a mystery-solver and his assistant whilst sort out puzzling cases and save the world (and their neighboring suburbs in England) from various evils. All these cases are connected and are meant to help the main protagonists rid the world of the greatest villain it has ever seen.


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Recently, I was looking for the name of a book I read as a kid about racism and prejudice in South Africa. That was the backdrop to the main story which in turn was about the friendship between two young girls of different races. It was a well-written, rather touching story and yes, I still don't know the name of that book. However, my quest to find its name led me to explore various lists of recommended reading for young adults. This lead to a starting discovery. Now, tell me something ... is it just me or has the number of books about princesses and ponies increased in number since I left school? Or has it always been like that?


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