Snow

I always entertained a deep interest in Nobel prize winners because I am curious to know why they were given such a prestigious award. Snow, by Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, is one of them. This beautifully crafted story in a remote Turkish town of Kars is as much about politics as it is about love. What sets this book apart is the author's ability to mold his characters and make them likeable even if they are antagonists. The precision with which he details their gestures, actions, and interactions can only be envied. It makes the reader feel like they are in Kars, experiencing everything first hand. There are many symbolic references, such as the snowflake, which adds to the mysticism of the journey.

The novel follows an exhiled Turkish poet named Ka who returns to Kars to write about suicide girls and more importantly, to reunite with beautiful Ipek. During his stay, Ka ponders about the existence of God and the meaning of happiness. This makes the readers think about the same things throughout the book. I believe the author wanted to emphasize how little people need to be happy. Happiness is not found in freedom, in achievements, in expression, or in money, but the ability to share all those things with the loved ones. Everyone needs to find what makes them truly happy, at peace, and go after it.

The book seems to have an even more profound meaning - it has been written for both the Western world and the Turkish people. On one hand, it wants to show the Westerners that people even at the most remote corners of corrupt countries have great ideas and artistic talents that should not be ignored and undermined. On the other hand, the book attempts to explain to Turkish people the reasons behind the revolution and progress. This books is for anyone who enjoys debates, well-rounded characters, poetic tone, plot twists, and learning about another culture. I give it an A+.

Tess of the d'Urbevilles

Having never read Hardy before and knowing that he was a respected writer of his time, now considered a classic, I wanted to find out why. I chose Tess of the d'Urbevilles because the plot appeared intriguing and I burned to know how the story ended. It is a hefty read at 460+ pages but oh is it ever worth it! This novel has the ability to move the most closed up person from the roots of their being. The touching details of love, the internal suffering of the characters, and the tragic consequences are so intricately woven into the reader's mind that they become a part of oneself.

Tess Durbeyfield is a young farm girl who learns that her family is a descendant of a noble knight lineage called d'Urbevilles. For lack of money, her parents send her to their relative's house to work in the garden. Little did they know that Alec D'Urbvilles would lure her into his trap and that her life would be forever changed with that decision. Although he was handsome and showed affection for Tess, he was also short fused and naturally sought danger. His forceful persistence made Tess uncomfortable and she couldn't bring herself to love him.

Shame forces Tess out of her hometown and into a dairy farm where she meets Angel Clare. Here they fall in love but Tess keeps her secret from him, even on the wedding day, for fear she would lose him. When she finally opens up to him, Angel is shaken by the deception and decides to leave. He didn't know then that his escape would bring him more sorrow and she didn't know that he still loved her. Long time passes before their reunion, bringing along consequences that are both tragic and beautiful.

After reading the novel, I couldn't help but think that there may be people out there who live their entire lives with physical, emotional, and/or mental pain. That their life has no purpose while they are alive. That only after they are gone, life suddenly has a new meaning for the people around them. How wretchedly unfair and wasteful it is, to lose life in order to find a new one!

Sylvanus Now

After reading 'Downhill Chance' by one of Atlantic Canada's best authors, Donna Morrissey, I was left pondering the novel for quite some time. A couple of years later, I ran into 'Sylvanus Now', her third book, by pure accident. Knowing how thoroughly she crafts her characters, I was convinced this book would live up to my expectations. Once again, my instinct proved me right.

Set in the 1950's fishing community of Atlantic Canada, the story is an unlikely one. It follows the lives of a young couple, Sylvanus and Adelaide, who, engulfed with sadness of tragic losses, yearn for a happier life. The intricate details of their relationship, namely what they thought of one another, the intense conversations, the simple acts of heed - all in the name of love - were masterfully described by the author. With so much sorrow and communication barriers that resulted from it, the reader is left wondering whether there is any hope for the young couple.

The fact that the characters were so deeply portrayed, almost as if they really existed, made the reading very enjoyable. It also made it possible to relate to a lot of them, especially Eva (Sylvanus' mother) and Florry (Adelaide's mother). Even though the book is named after Sylvanus, I got a feeling that his wife Adelaide was the main character, that the story revolved around her, her ability to regain strength to move on with life and support her husband's wishes even though they may not be her own.

The nature surrounding the fishing outpost is immensely beautiful. The sea serves as a metaphor for both danger and hope. The neighbouring forest is so vivid in imagination, you can almost smell the pine trees and see them swaying in the wind. I hope that one day this novel will be adapted into a film because it would be fulfilling to see the characters and the nature come alive on screen.