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Reluctant Fundamentalist

6/28/2013

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So I'm a bit behind...
Last week Curious Endeavourances met once again to discuss another monthly read. 
My GoodReads review:
The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a eloquently delivered monologue-style narrative that is framed as a single-sided conversation between a Pakistani man named Changez and an unnamed American man he meets in Anarkali. The book is a smooth quick read yet feels more and more intimate with every page, as if the reader is eavesdropping on a personal conversation, and I don't mean purely in regards to the framing of the narration since it felt to me that the pauses to address the nameless American shattered the illusion of this world rather than invite me in. The direct addressing and restating of what the American man supposedly says at times feels too forced, not only in its unnaturally eloquent delivery which rarely occurs in conversation, especially a prolonged conversation that is supposed to pass over several hours; but upon accepting that, it also feels too convenient, knowing that there is a pattern to beginning and ending a chapter with acknowledging the framed conversation and how the topic must then jump back to the lengthy life-story being delivered by Changez. At the same time, once the narrator is deep within the storytelling, I am completely enthralled as an audience. It is a story of identity, of finding one's self, of the twists, turns, questions and revelations of establishing personal values as life changes and grows, leading you to decide who you are and who you want to be. 

I read this novel as a bookclub selection, and while I did not dislike it, I do not feel it has become a part of me as other books do. It feels like a first year university assigned reading, one that is supposed to shock you and provoke discussion since it's the first time you've ever been asked to have your own opinion on something and are out of practice, and given that the back of the book is riddled with discussion topics, I imagine that that is what it was intended for. But I never felt shocked by the narration. Perhaps it's because I'm not American and thus the impact of revealing mixed feelings about American identity is hardly surprising to me. A touchy subject like 9/11 I am readily willing accept alternative perspectives on and may even have a few of my own. It's not an anti-American book by any means, but it definitely examines the metaphorical pedestal that all major super-powers have occupied at one time or another and how it effects those on the outside of it, whether that be in politics, business, academia, or even love. 
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Do You Hear the People Sing?

6/28/2013

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Broadway Across Canada has delighted us again! The moment the lights went down, that powerful thunderous overture latched onto my heart, causing me to brace myself in anticipation for "Look Down." It did not disappoint. Les Misérables is spectacular in story, music, lyrics, and this production blew me away with the whole bundle! If I can only gush about one thing, I have to single out the set design. The set pieces, the lighting, and above all, the seamless, ever-changing backdrops that brought us into a dark and magical world that was both so real and out-of-this-world all at once. From the very start I was in awe of the visual feast laid out in front of me, and at each scene the meal got richer and richer! The barricade, the sewers, the fall of Javert! Delicious!

The whole company was brilliant, synchronized like beautiful clockwork. Jean Valjean and Eponine had the voices that stuck to your insides and lifted you up, even when breaking your heart. I wish I could have said the same thing for Javert - I would have liked to see a stronger presence in him, but the actor still did far more than I could ever hope to dream of so I can't knock him down too much for it. Given the whole, I can't criticize any part of the performance. It was perfect. I am so glad that we got tickets to this event, I'm so glad that the troop came despite the flood issues in Calgary, and I'm so glad that Calgarians flocked to the theatre, full house, to give these amazing artists the standing ovation they deserve! 

Another show shirt for my collection. I'm starting to like this new tradition.

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Contest Closed

6/15/2013

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So I had the total intention of throwing around some mini-promo's prior to the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway thing, and then all of the sudden I get an e-mail saying that the winners have been chosen and it's the 15th already! What happened to my week?!?!?!

So we're skipping over the promo and diving right into the congratulations! I'm a little sad that all 3 copies will be going to the USA when there were other eligible countries to choose from, but depending on how this one goes I might put together a few regional giveaways later on to give more people a chance (and also more global coverage for me! Shameless promotion!). 

No new writings as of right now. I've been reading like a mad-person trying to get the book club plus the the giveaways that I've won read and reviewed before I leave in a few weeks. So much excitingness, so little time!

I am very interested to see how the world responds to Freakouse. I know that it won't suit everyone but I haven't had anyone read it before who had no idea what he/she is getting into! Must not panic...
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Frivolus Cake - A Poetic Remix of CuriousEndeavourances' Titus Groan

6/10/2013

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The Poetic Remix of – Curious Endeavourances: Titus Groan

I've been to the press that their recorded mustang interior aronson a

cloud

Where we meet everything

Anything we don't actually caravans are where

hammered act

And keeping Perry and had felt the pinch from the

couple Ackerman tactics

First in an apple actually knew a little bit carrieon may next club

meeting

Standing

Date

I'm actually i'm at competitive na blair

and agnostic e at the book redid saying in a book called lick it

fredericks, off that I know we are all, and let nature is a from lake that's in

university, university of british columbia

Yeah that works and that we are no longer in the same boat case,

and I have now a new Albert in the email account Gary Hankins, too

and went back down, everything died confidant, stereotype, August Alberta

anti-western scroll and the fishermen has brought about by fishermen's fare

really anything that's leaking actions,

attic

uh... and then and the undecideds

 and it cat fight started

I have a very comfortable life

and they're going to happen, to have you, got to raise an aspiring author at the

Hilton Hotel, wait a little bit,

Equity progress,

Shailendra yet

And, and easily just graduated from visit

there's going to be elected degree in English literature, so right now actually

that's going to be pleasing,

Look at the time!

and is added but rather as the rest of the Zambia

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A Little This, A Little That

6/10/2013

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Wedding: Check. Post-wedding clean-up: half-check. Curious Endeavouraces June book read: Check. GoodReads giveaway 1: Check. GoodReads giveaway 2: not check. 

Between my wedding, my grad on Wednesday, and leaving the country in a few weeks, I don't know when I'm going to get all of these books read let alone keep up with Knightsbridge. 

My own giveaway is fast approaching. In 5 days the wait will be over and I will be shipping off 3 copies of Freakhouse to who-knows-where in the world. I hope that each of them go to a different country but I have no say in that. 

In the meantime, here's a review (or I guess 2 reviews) of a giveaway book I received. It's called Flightless by Keri Neal. I posted it on the CuriousEndeavourances blog. It's pretty much how I spent my day once I finished reading The Reluctant Fundamentalist for book club. 

It's not too late to get reading for this month's hangout. I finished the book in 3 days, and I think that was the longest read among the 3 of us... I had a busy week, guys :(

Wish I had more to update you all on, but I don't even have wedding pictures to share yet!
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