Enakkaaga

I recently read Helen Simonson's debut novel Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. இளமை மாறி நடுத்தர வயதான பின் நிகழும் தனிமை மற்றும் சந்திப்புகள் பற்றிய இயல்பான கதை.

இயல்பான கதைகளில் நான் கவனித்த ஒன்று: கதை-னு சொல்றா மாதிரி பெரிசா ஒண்ணும் இருக்காது. The same I believe holds true for M P L S as well. அன்றாட வாழ்க்கை நடப்புகள், 'feelings,' ஊர் விவகாரங்கள் - இவை தான் கதை அம்சம்.  The English countryside that at times can get brow beaten to boredom on back covers and forewords somehow comes alive in a quiet no-fuss manner. Expected and typical elements of subtle humour and sparkling wit refresh you continually. Small and big, young and old characters are drawn out in stencil like patterns...many characters many shades, but no turns or surprises. And I am no Janet Maslin.  As you might perhaps find out for yourself, அது review.. இது புடலங்காய் :-D

சொல்ல மறந்துட்டேன்....இந்த book படிக்கும் போது எனக்கு வந்த சந்தேகம் - is passion really a necessary element between a couple. ?  Simonson, to add credibility to her plot, entertains no doubt.

One sentence I loved reading absolutely and combed the book cursorily before I had to return it to the library in a rush.....sorry I didn't search hard enough to quote it precisely here.  Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali are conversing. Mrs. Ali rests her fingers on the Major's hand in the middle of their conversation. [Or at least that's how I remember the scene].  Simonson says the Major kept so still at that moment - as one might do if a butterfly were to land on one's hand.. I really liked reading that.