Comments on Out came a thought and then another...: Guest Post: Lost in Translation

The said 'K' refers to one 'Krithiga', which coinc...

2007-01-19T23:26:38.059+05:30

The said 'K' refers to one 'Krithiga', which coincidentally happens to be me.

I am so getting fired for doing this, my replies, if any, in blogs are limited to a mere "Thank you for such and such link". But still, one must do what Lavanya says. (Being the Greek Echo that she is, she might toss in a greek curse otherwise. ;-) )

@Chenthil:

[Random x,y,z] author will change your idea of Indian Writing in English - said a lot of people, and hence the scepticism. Amitav Ghosh and the Prince of Ayodhya series are some exceptions. (I haven't read Samit Basu, who did create some ripples awhile back) I did enjoy them, but they remain exceptions to an idea instead of causing earth-shattering change in perspective.

@ Madhusudanan:

I really can't agree. A new found love of mine is reading aloud(That no one listen to it, is another story :-))I shouldn't be comparing apples and oranges, but try reading (aloud or otherwise), say 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' and a Dan Brown novel. You'll know what I mean.

@ Uber:

The context needs a lengthy explanation - on reading practices, why I read what I read and all that. May be later. Conclusion - if only it so easy to conclude things and say Q.E.D. As such I haven't made up my mind to read an Indian author (again), but I am not going to swear on my life that I will never ever read one.

@Vi:

Ah yes, the plain old - I tend to associate with the setting, blah, blah, the characters, blah, blah. But really do you associate yourselves to what's described on the pages of a contemporary "Indian Novel in English"? I certainly don't. I mean authors should be given creative license and all that, and heck, to exaggerate is one's birth-right but I find that the characters are distant and detached and the setting, vague.

@ all,

Suffice to say that I've said what I have to, but if you still take pleasure in rattling my cage, I can be reached at

krithiga[dot]ganesan@gmail[dot]com

Chenthil: I agree with you. Would also recommend t...

2007-01-19T22:22:39.802+05:30

Chenthil: I agree with you. Would also recommend that Ms.K read Amitav Ghosh. I intend to write a response to her post in a few days. Shall add more recos there.

Madhusudanan, Uber, Vi: I shall let Ms.K respond to all of you. Thanks for stopping by.

I think for some (or most) people it's taking plea...

2007-01-19T21:44:22.255+05:30

I think for some (or most) people it's taking pleasure in the familiar, but yes--Indian Literature can get tiresome. I've read it, enjoyed it, but I don't put much stock into it.

PS: I'm trying to work my way through A Suitable Boy right now. :P

Things obviously seem quite closer to the heart. I...

2007-01-19T19:23:51.003+05:30

Things obviously seem quite closer to the heart. I would liek to know the conclusion and ithe context?

Many nice points. But I personally don't agree tha...

2007-01-19T05:20:46.826+05:30

Many nice points. But I personally don't agree that American author's lack the prose of English (British) ones. Yes, the English is different (forced or not) from a purish point of view and sure the street language has a lot lacking- but thats true for any language on the streets. Its like comparing tamil spoken in Tamil Nadu and that in Srilanka-- there is bound to be difference. One is not necessarily better or worse- just different.

Ms. K, Amitav Gosh is one author who will change y...

2007-01-17T21:44:27.166+05:30

Ms. K, Amitav Gosh is one author who will change your idea of Indian Writing in English