Haruki Murakami – Norwegian Wood, Mar 26, 2018

Seven readers showed up for the second novel of the year, the surreal and haunting story of love lost and found, suicide, sexual mores, and undergraduate life in Japan in the sixties. Haruki Murakami, best-selling author with a global readership, was presenting us his first novel to attain a readership of over one million on its first printing in Japan; and more millions abroad as it got translated into numerous languages.

Zakia, KumKum, Thommo

There was the tricky matter of selecting passages, so many of which are drenched with explicit scenes of sex; several no doubt (like Reiko’s intimate lesbian encounter with her piano pupil), would be contenders for the Bad Sex in Fiction Award. Somehow, all the readers found a ‘safe passage’ as it was termed by Hemjit, through the book, bringing out the interplay among the chief characters (Naoko, Toru, Nagasawa, Midori, Hatsumi and Reiko) without having to deal with their nether extremities in action.

Saras

Parts of the book are impressionistic, rather than novelistic; not so much telling a story as conveying the feeling of the scene. Since it has a lot to do with remembered feelings which are disappearing as time goes by, the writing takes on the aspect of painted sketches much as scenes of Hokusai’s paintings evoke a single experience felt in the moment, and then gone. One could even say some of Murakami’s settings would impel the reader to record them as haikus.

Joe

KumKum brought sandesh and singaras from Bikash Babu’s sweetshop for sharing with the readers. According to Thommo, Bengalis have perfected the art of making desserts that have just the right sweetness without cloying the tastebuds. He said Sarkars Dairy Tech has come to enjoy a near monopoly among hotels for the quality of the paneer they make, with milk imported daily by tanker trucks from Karnataka.

Bikash Babu Sweets outlet on Durbar Hall Road

Here are the lucky readers who read Norwegian Wood, heard Thommo sing the theme song, and came out happy and unscathed at the end.

Priya, Thommo, Zakia, Saras, Joe, KumKum, Hemjit (seated) 

Poetry Session — Feb 26, 2018

Catherine Stoll-Simon, Thommo

A surprisingly large turnout — seven members plus a guest — at the first poetry session of the year underscores the love for poetry among our readers. Physical absence no longer seems a hurdle to participation, for Joe & KumKum have been virtually present throughout their sojourn in USA. They send their recorded voice files, podcasts we may say, that are played at the beginning of the meeting.

Contrary to the notion of a general decline in poetry, KRG members evince a lively interest. Sunil who expressed an unease with poetry formerly, seems now a convert, a real poetry fan. He read from the poems of a Polish poet, Czesław Miłosz. 

Saras and Shoba

The presence of KRG's guest of the evening, the French artist, poet, and writer, Catherine Stoll-Simon added to the interest. She is in Fort Kochi preparing an exhibition of sacred dresses, the first of which is titled Christ in New York, on view at the Kashi Art Gallery on Quieros Street, Fort Kochi. Priya has written an article on her work in The Hindu, and introduced Catherine, whom she met during the course of her journalistic exploration.

Preeti

Although Saras has had to move to Nemmara she will try to visit Kochi on the appointed dates for our sessions. We salute her for her commitment and loyalty, and would sorely miss her if she was not present. Pamela meanwhile on a visit to Delhi sent us news of the Delhi Literature Festival (http://delhiliteraturefestival.org/) she attended.

Pamela at Delhi Literature Festival on Feb 24, 2018

Here is a group picture of the readers after the event at the Yacht Club:

Preeti, Saras, Zakia, Catherine Stoll-Simon, Shoba, Priya (Front) Sunil, Thommo (back)