Sasidhar (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} psasidhar) wrote,@ 2008-04-27 22:16:00 |
|
Indian Stereotypes!
My favourite author's favourite author wrote a new book - The Elephanta Suite. Three stories set in India. The key words, "set in India," immediately attracted my attention. A traveller author writing about India. And Pico's favourite, to boot. I had to pick up the book.
"As ever, Theroux's portraits of people and places explode stereotypes to exihilirating effect" is the description on the inside-flap.
I had a mixed reaction to these stereotypes. The stereotypes he chose as the main elements for the stories - a wealthy couple exploring spas, a phirang's encounter with prostitutes near Gateway of India, a woman who comes to Bangalore to meet Sai Baba - I didn't care too much for. I have seen/heard of/stayed away from worse during my travels in India. But the other subtle stereotypes he writes about within the stories, his keen observation (he gets it right all the time), and his crisp writing captivated me.
psychelone, make a note.
My favourite author's favourite author wrote a new book - The Elephanta Suite. Three stories set in India. The key words, "set in India," immediately attracted my attention. A traveller author writing about India. And Pico's favourite, to boot. I had to pick up the book.
"As ever, Theroux's portraits of people and places explode stereotypes to exihilirating effect" is the description on the inside-flap.
I had a mixed reaction to these stereotypes. The stereotypes he chose as the main elements for the stories - a wealthy couple exploring spas, a phirang's encounter with prostitutes near Gateway of India, a woman who comes to Bangalore to meet Sai Baba - I didn't care too much for. I have seen/heard of/stayed away from worse during my travels in India. But the other subtle stereotypes he writes about within the stories, his keen observation (he gets it right all the time), and his crisp writing captivated me.
psychelone, make a note.
