The Wallflower
****
(On the scale of 10)
Itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny silly light-deprived girl, we all called Wallflower!
Okay, that’s some crappy poetry, agreed but Wallflower is a kind of book that can get you started on Manga. It tells the story of an extremely weird and awkward teenager called Sunako, who lives in her own shell and takes pride in looking ugly. When she is forced to share a house with four charming young boys, her life becomes hell. The four stylish boys want to turn her into a lady and forfeit paying the rent to Sunako’s aunt.
Pick up the book to experience Manga, especially if you are a girl who is even remotely interested in comics. The art is very curious; it changes with angles and perception. As usual, it is drawn in black and white. And, it is always fun to read a book backwards. Go for it. A very simple Manga that can open a whole new world of graphic-storytelling for ya!
The Fifth Mountain
*******
(On the scale of 10)
Paulo Coelho’s books have this unique quality that I call simple profoundness.
The Fifth Mountain is a spiritual fiction that tells the story of prophet Elijah from the bible. In his trademark uncomplicated manner, Coelho talks of the deep philosophy of destiny, doubts, and discoveries in an introspective struggle of the protagonist. Elijah, a young man pronounced to be a prophet, flees his country to avoid being killed by Jezebal, the beautiful princess from Akbar married to the King of Israel, who has ordered her soldiers to slaughter all those who refuse to give up their one God in the name of Bal, the God of Akbar. Coelho tells the tale of the prophet’s discovery of his strength, his weaknesses, love, faith, and the supreme power.
As usual, one finds various nuggets of wisdom within the pages of the books. A few favorites are:
- If you have a past that dissatisfies you, then forget it now.
- A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.
- Sadness does not last forever when we walk in the direction of that which we always desired.
What fascinates me about this book is the fact that this is not the kind of book that interests me. I am neither into philosophy nor into religious sermons. I am not even sure I agree with the author’s belief most of the time. All the same, Coelho’s writing is so gripping that one finds oneself mesmerized into reading the whole book. For the simple pleasure of smooth and easy-flowing words, I’d probably pick up yet another book by the author.
