This 2012 fiction book by Michael Palen succeeded in uplifting my spirits. Repeated failures, exasperations , absurdities and frustrations of life bring us disappointments , breed and strengthen our cynicism, sometimes make us feel that all those grand plans full of good ideals and pious intentions are just grand pretences , and finally may turn out to be delusions .Despite all this , as this story tells us , we can act in ways that are uplifting .This book left me on a real high.
In real life , we meet some good people , and a larger number who are not good.But to search for perfect , flawless persons is likely to result in a delusion .That is The Truth , which Michael Palin tells us in this very interesting and thrilling book .It is just a coincidence that at present stage , I am working in the field of environment and forests in India , and I recently visited London/UK in connection with study of wildlife.This book is set in London and in India and deals with environmental issues, along with power plays , manipulations , cost of development ,exploitation of natural resources,uprooting of local tribal population , militant extremism and other related issues.Keith Mabbut , the protagonist , finds the truth at the end of this work .
The book also raises the complex issues of our need for heroes and role models ,the issue of personal compromises and the costs to be paid , if you don't compromise.The book takes a biting swipe at publishing industry, and how publishers can become a tool in the hands of the powerful and the mighty.
Martin Buber in his book has said that fiction is the closest to truth while journalism is farthest from truth , bordering on lies.This book proved to me that truth can be revealed by a fictional story .
Palen has the ability to create , build and narrate a beautiful and enjoyable story , which is also full of truth and meaning .It thrills about Environment , a subject which really matters for each one of us.This book is not a thriller but it thrills more than a conventional thriller.It is delightful , thrilling and uplifting .I recommend you to read it .
2 comments:
Unless human beings start acknowledging themselves to be intrinsically part of environment (not just attached to it externally) where they breathe and move, the state of environment and therefore mankind, is not going to improve........
I agree .But" The Truth" says , and I agree with it , that what you prescribe is a very , very distant dream .
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