Kiran Desai has written two books, both novels. The second, The Inheritance of Loss, was the winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2006. It is a grim look at life in a rural area of India, the majesty of the Himalayas in the background, and the plight of one of its sons, who has emigrated to America. She pulls no punches. It is not a flattering portrait of the human race, India or America. Although it does not flow as smoothly as most novels, it is valuable for its insight into the third world. Much of the events are seen through the eyes of a sweet teenage girl whose parents have died in an accident, and who has gone to live with her grandfather, an educated, retired misanthrope, one of the most infuriating characters I've ever encountered. The trials of the illegal immigrant are very interesting, as he moves from one menial job to another. The action is set in 1986, a time when Nepalis revolted against the local government. The situation is captured well. I was surprised by the depictions, since I often read of India's booming economy, which has lifted millions out of poverty. Perhaps the improvement began later. As for the prose, at times I had great difficulty with it. I find it curious that the author has not followed up her success with another book. The 235 customers who have rated the award-winning novel at Amazon forge to a consensus of three on a scale of five. I say 3.25. For it to have earned the top spot, I suspect it was a weak field that year, or politics was involved.
The madness continues: a co-op penthouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan has sold for 70 million, a record. (NY Post)
Your tax dollars at work: for the fourth time the Administration for Children's Services has paid for a citizen's sex change operation. Price tag: $46,000. (NY Post)
Yesterday Mike Delio, a junior at Carle Place H.S. on Long Island, made his first varsity start. He'll have a hard time besting it. He pitched a perfect game, striking out all 21 batters he faced, many on his wicked knuckle-curve. (Newsday)
The floating book shop enjoyed rare good weather. Everyone was in better spirits. My thanks to the kind folks who bought books. All but one was in Russian. I sold all twelve that were on display. My thanks also to Natalia & Benedict, and the elderly woman who seems to be in her 90's, who donated books.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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