Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne ― Feb 10, 2012

  Martin Rowson's graphic version of Tristram Shandy

Sterne's novel has caused trouble enough in the past to readers; KRG won't be the last group tormented by the fanciful prose and the meandering narrative of this famous book. If the fault be Sterne's wayward tendency to stray wide and far from the narrative, listen to his defence: “Digressions, incontestably, are the sunshine;—they are the life, the soul of reading!”

Talitha reads about the right use and application of auxiliary verbs, according to Walter Shandy

KumKum's whingeing made Joe expect 'storm and rage' at the reading … but the surprise was the immense mirth that took hold once the readings started. Each reader tried to bring out the sense of fun and mild bawdiness which pervades much of the book.

KumKum swears she'll never again allow Joe to select a novel alone

'God' occurs 106 times and you might think it a treatise on religion. Indeed, Sterne subjects religion to satire, and brings the learning of an ordained minister to bear on the Inquisition, the rites of excommunication, circumcision, papists, hypocrisy, and other religious subjects. But his purpose is ungodly.

 Sunil reads Sterne's dictum that an ounce of a man's own wit is worth a ton of other people's

Perverse as Sterne might have been in his idea of a novel, there is no sign of fatigue on the faces of the group below ― only the sense of having had a good time!

Sterne's humour and satire prevailed over his troublesome digressions - 

Priya Talitha, Zakia, Thommo, Gopa, KumKum, Sunil, Joe

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Poetry Session on Jan 17, 2012

Nine readers participated in a rousing session of poetry that included the poetry of the Sufi poet and mystic, Hafiz, from Iran, and songs by the popular Hindi film script-writer and lyricist, Gulzar.

  Zakia, KumKum, Marianne, Priya, Sunil, Thommo, Mathew, Bobby (back)

We had a guest from Sweden, Marianne Hård, whose interest stemmed from the fact she is a member of an all-women's reading group running for ten years in her home town of Holmön. They read fiction, meeting by rotation in their homes, and having supper after the event. There are ten members, and being all women, they naturally discuss other things besides literature.

 Marianne Hård, travel operator from Sweden, & author of book on Kerala tourism

The recitation ranged from the comic verse of Lewis Carroll to the religious poetry of George Herbert. Talitha even recited a couple of her own poems, which she hopes to publish in a collection. May she succeed!

Three poets were repeated: Larkin, Seth, and Angelou – testament to their popularity. Here are the readers at the end of the session in the Library of the Cochin Yacht Club. We thank the Club for its continuing courtesy in offering a congenial space to hold our sessions!

 Zakia, Marianne, KumKum, Talitha, Thommo, Priya, Bobby, Joe, Mathew, Sunil

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