Lemony Snicket - II

I have finally finished the series “A Series of Unfortunate Events”

Like I have said in my earlier blog, only the first book would be the more enjoyable one because of the writing style, gentle humour, and a totally different perspective of the narrator, etc. But it is the same in all the thirteen books so it gets a little boring for a grown up to read the entire thing in one go. So from the second book onwards you tend to focus on the plot. These books are meant for kids, so the plots would be comparatively bland. Also, we are so used to reading books with happy endings so despite the author’s continuous reminders that this is a “series” of unfortunate events and happy ending is not nearly possible, we, I, still expect something good to happen to the Baudelaires. Ok I won’t give away the ending. The Beatrice’s part in the story was cute.

Not in the mood to write anymore.

The setting of the story, the twists, plots sometimes are ridiculous. But if you ignore the rubbish the story actually is very close to reality.

Mr. Darcy

“

...

"My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them—by which means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents."

"Your humility, Mr. Bingley," said Elizabeth, "must disarm reproof."

"Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast."

"And which of the two do you call my little recent piece of modesty?"

"The indirect boast; for you are really proud of your defects in writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of thought and carelessness of execution, which, if not estimable, you think at least highly interesting. The power of doing anything with quickness is always prized much by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance... "

This is one of my favourite speeches in Pride and Prejudice. I love the Mr.Darcy character. He is simply perfect! Other people in the book have accused him of being arrogant, Miss Lizzy included. I have never felt he was arrogant from the start of the book; proud maybe, but not arrogant. Not even in his introduction scene at that ball. I don’t want to start describing my love for this book and Mr. Darcy because that is not what I wanted to write about. There are more than enough opinions out there already.

There are a lot of people around us like that Mr. Bingley. Hell, I’m like him sometimes. We tend to take pride in certain things that are not particularly “laudable”. Like how Bingley talks of his way of writing here in the speech above. When people say things like that to me, taking pride in things that are definitely not something to be proud of, I so badly want to snap back at them! But, it’s not a nice thing and it is not worth the trouble I would be in later. A few real examples, from real people I know....

“I can NOT wake up before nine in the morning” What happened that day when you had an interview? You did not sleep the night before, I suppose, so you needn’t “wake up before nine”??

“I’m too lazy!!” Yeah you are. You should go see someone about it. It is really, really annoying. It is even more annoying when you say it as if you have won something! As if you are doing us all a favour being lazy!!

“I don’t get angry that often but when I do it’ll be a pandemonium!!” Do you even know what that word means? You get angry ten times everyday so I have been facing ten “pandemoniums” a day, everyday since I know you! Jerk!!

“I get mad when people drive slow...” “I...”

And sooo many other sentences that start with ‘I’ and are centred around ‘I’. This is one of the few things I so badly want to bitch about, but I dare not. Because, like I said before, it is not a nice thing to do and it would only make me feel bad later. Moreover, I'm one of them too! It is simply in the human nature to tend to be attracted that which is generally not good. Simply, we like being a little bad and we also like making fun of the good ones. And we are proud of it sometimes because we are a little afraid that someone might point it out to us. So we ourselves declare under the facade of "confidence" and get away with it.

So, done bitching, I'm done retrospecting. Now wishing - I just wish there are more Darcys and less Bingleys around! World would be so much simpler and life a lot easier..!!

I wish I was like Darcy...true to myself and more importantly, true to everyone else.

Story PartII

**Contd.**

He is trying to convince me? "No" I snapped back.

"Of course you are!" he replied with a mock sincerity etched on his face.

"No, I'm Not!" I told him, stressing every word. Urgh! Why is he smiling?

"What?" I asked. "Nothing" came back a prompt reply. Jerk! I don't have the energy for these games.

"I really do not know if I'm that easy to be manipulated but I think I can tell when a guy is being honest. Even if the guy is you, Mr. Smarthead! I know that you are never convinced easily, in spite of which I am not going to put extra effort in telling you that you are my best friend and you are too special to me! You are not just a friend to me and you know that!"

What has gotten into me? There was no call for me to say all this. Why did I have to tell all that? I did not wait to see his reaction or to listen to what he was saying. I almost ran out of there, leaving all my things behind. I didn't have my bike keys or the money to pay for the bus fare. I wanted to go away so far where I don't have to face him. I need to get out of the college at least. There was a taxi and I went home and locked myself up in my room. I told mom I wasn't feeling very well and I wanted to sleep.

Telling someone that they are special is nice, surely not a bad thing. But to me, for us, it was like admitting...admitting I don't know what! I did not realise I have been crying. Why am I crying? Oh, I know! It is possible that I have just ruined everything! I don't even know if he is being honest when he was saying all those nice, sweet things. Now, even I don't want to face him. Oh God! What have I done! I fell asleep sometime later.

It was dark when I woke up. Lying there on my bed I thought about how foolish I acted and how worried my mom must have been. Its silly and I almost laughed at myself. Why would he not talk to me? I just told him he was special to me, just like he told me; there's nothing wrong in that! Silly me! I went to the kitchen and mom started jabbering away. Somewhere along the chatter she told me that he had come home to drop off my stuff and that he inquired about me. See, gentleman!

The next day the gentleman did not come to my class. He must have been busy. He must have been busy for two whole weeks.

I did not make any extra effort to "build" our friendship other than the casual replies to his courteous 'Good morning! Have a nice day!!' messages. I did not want to seem desperate and he clearly is appreciating it. I have been extra cheerful for those two weeks. Particularly when I was around the people he was friends with, just so he'd know I was not melodramatic either. When someone asked me why "my friend" was not coming, I told them that I did not know, as casually as I could. Turns out I'm not that good at doing this. After a while I gave up and I had to let the disappointment seep in.

But something was definitely not casual about him. He seemed to have adjusted his timings because I never saw him in the usual places - canteen, parking lot, playground even! He was clearly avoiding seeing me. I did not want to admit it and told myself that he was indeed busy! After two weeks or so, he came to my class. He was walking towards my desk and it was like the past few days never happened. I couldn't help but smile at him. But he on the other hand was looking resolutely at something else, as if to avoid catching my eye. He came over and instead of taking his usual seat opposite mine, he went on to the seat next to me. Suddenly, I felt my face was hot. He did not come for me! The realisation, rejection were suddenly hitting hard. I wanted to make another dramatic exit but my body felt like lead. I could hardly move my fingers. It was not a silly mistake after all. I could faintly hear his voice, saying something about farewell party. It was not making any sense to me.

After that, I saw him in my class often. But never to see me; not once did he acknowledge my presence. He never talked, not even a 'Hi'; he passed on messages to me through someone else; he did not even look at me! I was invisible to him now and that hurt more than anything else. He was the one person whom I trusted and shared everything; and he confided in me his deepest secrets. We had just two more months of college. I wished every single day that the college would end faster so I wouldn't have to see him everyday and go through with the pain it's causing me.

There were exams and farewells and slam books during the last days and thankfully the days were too hectic for me to wallow. As the last day was nearing, I have decided after a lot of thought, to talk to him for one last time. After all, I might not see him ever again. However hard I tried, the thought that I might never see him again was killing me. I did not know how long it would take for me to get used to the fact that he is no more in my life. On the last day the air in the college was thick with emotion and excitement. Somehow the population seemed to have doubled and the classes, walks and everywhere were crowded. The day passed like a blur, too much activity. Even throughout the excitement I never stopped searching for him, asking anyone who knew him; but he was no where to be seen. By the end of the day, I have decided that he must have guessed my decision to talk to him. He knew me well I thought, a small consolation in the disaster. I sighed resignedly. I did not want to think more about it.

That evening my friends have planned for a party at Divya's home, just close friends. I was glad I was invited. I certainly did not want to be alone. I was the last to reach Divya's place. Everyone were celebrating, talking and making plans for the future. A little later Divya came over to me and asked me to go the terrace and told there were others there. I went not thinking why she had only told that to me.

When I reached the terrace, there was only one person present. The one person I wanted to be with more than anyone else. I was shocked, no doubt, to seem him. He was not smiling, but his face was serene. I did not move from where I was standing and nor did he. I don't know for how long we have been like that staring at each other, me in disbelief and he, well, I couldn't read his expression. He started walking towards me slowly. And I still couldn't move. I did not know if wanted to run towards him or away from there.

He came and stood near me. I could see his eyelashes. He took my hand gently and held it tight. There was already a lump in my throat and my brain was fuzzy. I couldn't breathe properly. All the feelings that I have been blocking out and denying were rushing back along with the pent up anger and frustration. And before I knew it there were tears rolling down my cheeks. He was still looking at me, now with a smile spreading slightly. He let go of my hand he was holding for a long moment and suddenly, he took me into his arms, as if explaining his brief absence in my life.

And then he leaned in and whispered in my ear, the three words I so longed to hear.

This time I knew he'd never let go. He never did!

Story Part I

This is about me and a guy, let's call him X. We were in the same college, different sections. But we were not friends until third year. Before that I have only heard about him, never talked. He was one of the popular ones of our college. He was smart, intelligent; he sings and is active in so many clubs/associations. I was the "invisible" kind. I always preferred low profile and I was happy that way. Also, I secretly had a crush on him. In our third year, however, there was a symposium and we both were on the organizing team. Me and him in particular were in charge of invitations and some of the speeches. So that was when we were introduced to each other for the first time.

I remember the first day he spoke to me. On the first day of our work it was hard for me to not notice that he was even better than what I've already heard of him. Naturally, he was doing all the work and I was standing along the sidelines watching. He tried to involve me too but I was too nervous. My close-to-panic state did not go unnoticed. He smiled lightly and started talking as if we were old friends, joking and laughing all the time. I eventually got comfortable and got back to work, this time with my involvement. That day I went back home feeling proud of myself. That night I got an sms from him 'No one can intimidate you unless you let them. Goodnight!' Such a gentleman! 'Goodnight' was all I could reply.

We have worked together for two months and the symposium was a success. How can it not be when you have someone so talented as a partner? But it had also meant that we wont get to work together as team now on. Everyone else was celebrating. I was the only one who was not participating. He came to me after a while and started introducing to some of classmates. Some of them were girls who were all fluttery around him. This bothered me a little but I have put on a convincing smile and survived it and the rest of the day.

After that I only saw him in canteen or at the parking lot. We smiled at each other courteously. But each time, I felt terrible after that. I missed him!

One day, he came to my class during lunch break. He came and sat on a bench in front of mine, facing me. I was busy at that time, there was a practical that afternoon and I was hurrying through the last minute revision.

"Hi" I said with a smile in my voice and a bit of impatience too.

He smiled back at me. "What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Nothing. Had to borrow something from Ajay. Did you see him?" Ajay was in my class and my friend too.

"Think he went home. His exam was in the morning." I told him.

"Oh OK! No problem! Good luck by the way!" he called after me as I was running into the lab. I was already late. It was not bad as I feared. Went home smiling remembering the unexpected visit. When I got home, my mobile was blinking. One unread message it said. It was from him.

'I knew Ajay left. Wanted to wish you for your exam. Miss you.' It felt like someone has tickled me in my stomach.

'Did my exam well. Thanks for coming. Maybe you're a good omen ;-)' I wanted to tell him that I missed him too but somehow did not want to admit it. Definitely not to him.

His visits became regular after that. Always during lunch. Everything was going on the usual - classes, practicals, canteen and hanging out at friends' places on weekends, with a small exception - he's included in almost all of those. Given my actual feelings towards him at the beginning, I always thought I was more 'serious' one about our friendship.

One day he was sitting in my class as usual. He turned to me suddenly and said "Did you know? You are my first friend here, in this college." This is hard to believe and I was starting to get defiant thinking 'He's either lying or flirting. Either way it isn't good!'. I tried searching his face but it had never looked that sincere.

"How come?" I asked trying to keep my face straight.

"What do you mean how come?" he asked promptly.

"I'm not your first friend here!" I blurted out. "I mean you are quite popular and we became friends only now! You had three years in this college before that! Are you telling me you did not talk to anyone before?"

"There were people around me all the time, yes. I always had someone to hang around with. I did talk to people before. I never shared."

I tried hard but I could not suppress the smugness in my smile. He smiled back. The familiar fluttering in my stomach came, with double the intensity. "I'm honoured!" I tried to sound casual. Why the hell was I blushing?

"Are you always convinced this easily?" he asked, looking a little amused.

**to be contd.**

Lemony Snicket – A Series of Unfortunate Events

The age group prescribed for this collection is 7 to 14. I saw this movie. I liked the movie; many of my friends did not. So just started reading and I’m happy I did. I sometimes feel smug that I have read so many books. I did not really read so many books but I’d like to think so! ;-) When I come across some new, different book title it makes me feel as if I’m missing out on so much. A Series of Unfortunate Events is one such thing. The story, the story-telling is quite unusual.

This is a story of three children –orphans – who are constantly facing troubles. Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are the three unfortunate children who lose their parents in a terrible fire. Mr. Poe, the banker who is in charge of the Baudelaire fortune, has to find them a guardian until Violet turns 18. Their first guardian, the main villain of the story, Count Olaf is an evil, shrewd man who is always making plans to make the children’s lives miserable so he could get the Baudelaire fortune.

Wherever these kids go their troubles follow. I won’t tell how unlucky they are or how depressing this story is, because the Lemony Snicket person (the narrator of the story) tells us that at least once in every chapter of every book. And there are thirteen books. Children who are sick of reading Cinderella, Snow white, etc will find this so refreshing. Not just the children, sometimes the unusual grownups like me who love reading books that are listed under the genre ‘Children’ or ‘Young Adult’.

There is a subtle, mild humour mostly in the form of Sunny Baudelaire, sometimes the Count Olaf team and the writing. The plots are quite good. The characters are well defined. There is suspense that is handled well. I have not yet reached the end so I cannot really comment more on this. The usual parameters that are used for a book review cannot justify these books. You just have to read at least one to know what I’m talking about. Admittedly, you might get bored after second or third books. The plot is more or less the same and the ‘humour’ is the same old, same old. I, however, am still reading because I just want to know how it ends.

Also, I liked so many characters, this means so many rantings coming up..!

Sons of Fortune - Jeffrey Archer

Just finished reading this and started typing because later I might forget what I wanted to say.

This is a story about Nat Cartwright and Fletcher Davenport, twin brothers who get separated at birth. They both are brought up by different families, attend different schools and go on to pursue different careers. One becomes a successful banker and the other a senator. At one point it so happens that one brother has to defend the other in a murder trial. Later on, they both contend for Governor. Yes it sounds so cliché but wait till you read the book, it gets more cliché.

If you want to know the story just read the back cover of the book. It is the narrative that keeps you reading. Calling it ‘narrative’ makes it sound a bit boring, because there are also twists and suspense and courtroom drama (only twice but still!) and the success stories of the two brothers. The story weave is just perfect. It is not always you find a book that makes the most normal, mundane things interesting.

‘Leaders are born not made’ – the classical leadership theory says so. Both Nat and Fletcher were ‘born’ leaders not ‘made’. I really enjoyed reading their speeches. They’re all too political, yes, but they make good sense.

There is this villain Ralph Elliot. He seems to bother both Nat and Fletcher for no apparent reason, just for the fun of it. Ok that might not be true but there is no more to this character in the book so I’ll assume anything want. He does villainous things because that’s what villains do!

Also, except for this villain, there are no other hurdles to both the heroes. Their lives are so easy – bed of roses. Then again, I cannot complain about this because, this IS the reason why I watch movies or read books. I want to read stories that restore your faith. If I wanted to know a story that is close to REALITY, I might as well ask the person sitting next to me in a bus or somewhere, about his/her life. I wouldn’t bother sitting up late at night and read this 500 page book.

Nat and Fletcher will come to know in a not-so-unusual way that they’re brothers. But the dialogue between them after that is too cheesy. For me anyway. Gets tiresome towards the end. I felt the suspense was too long – ‘the counting of the ballots’ was the suspense here! I had to skip through those pages not because I couldn’t wait to know the end; I just wanted to finish it!

If you have read Kane and Abel, you might have the feeling that the author wanted so badly to write another book with a similar plot. But it is a good read on the whole.