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serg_k's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
froggin_around_'s review against another edition
5.0
if I were to be objective, I would probably say that this book had too many complicated long sentences, that it close to no plot and it had way too many philosophical divagations. and I wouldn't be wrong.
with other books that have these features, I always say that it feels like too much effort was put in so as to sound smart and deep, while ignoring everything else. but maybe I am wrong when I say this about those books, maybe I'm just not the right reader. and I really hope that each of those books is able to offer its readers the incredibly profound experience I had with Anuk Arudpragasam's book.
I've never read a book (maybe a single poem, but not a full book) that resonated so much with me. every single word spoke to me in a way I didn't think words could. I read this book slowly, in permanent amazement, fascination, and sometimes shock when I could not distinguish my own thoughts from what I was reading, or when I found for the first time the description of a feeling that I've been feeling forever.
fun fact: on page 120 I underlined a paragraph and wrote "best part of the book". little did I know that every paragraph was going to make me want to write that.
this book is now me.
with other books that have these features, I always say that it feels like too much effort was put in so as to sound smart and deep, while ignoring everything else. but maybe I am wrong when I say this about those books, maybe I'm just not the right reader. and I really hope that each of those books is able to offer its readers the incredibly profound experience I had with Anuk Arudpragasam's book.
I've never read a book (maybe a single poem, but not a full book) that resonated so much with me. every single word spoke to me in a way I didn't think words could. I read this book slowly, in permanent amazement, fascination, and sometimes shock when I could not distinguish my own thoughts from what I was reading, or when I found for the first time the description of a feeling that I've been feeling forever.
fun fact: on page 120 I underlined a paragraph and wrote "best part of the book". little did I know that every paragraph was going to make me want to write that.
this book is now me.
sophietys's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
victoriathuyvi's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most profound books I've ever read. Though the lives discussed in this book are nothing like mine, I felt pieces of me resonating so deeply within the text. For a book with more interior thought than action, I could vividly picture every single scene despite knowing so little of Sri Lankan history and culture. To the point that the last (chronological scene) felt real, like I was listening to the crackling of the fire as I watched the pyre burn. I held the book to my chest. This is one I will cherish for all my life.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
5.0
After the war has ended, a man takes a long walk in Columbo, Sri Lanka, and later he takes a train to attend the funeral of his grandmother's caretaker. Along the way, he remembers other walks and other train journeys he took in India with the woman he fell in love with. Anuk Arudpragasam's novel has a deceptively simple framework from which he explores the aftermath of Sri Lanka's long war on its citizens and the life of those who leave their home countries.
And while all that would be reason enough to make this novel a stand-out, the real reason to read A Passage North is for the writing, which is beautiful. Arudpragasam describes the places Krishan travels through and exists in so as to make the reader feel present in a specific place and time, to see things through the protagonist's eyes and to understand the people he interacts with. This is a remarkable novel and I'm glad that it has been put on the Booker shortlist.
And while all that would be reason enough to make this novel a stand-out, the real reason to read A Passage North is for the writing, which is beautiful. Arudpragasam describes the places Krishan travels through and exists in so as to make the reader feel present in a specific place and time, to see things through the protagonist's eyes and to understand the people he interacts with. This is a remarkable novel and I'm glad that it has been put on the Booker shortlist.
thebobsphere's review against another edition
4.0
The journey is a constant feature in literature, within this ‘genre’ A character goes on a voyage and ends up reflecting upon themselves, or coming to a realisation about their existence or even rejecting everything and they just keep on travelling until something happens to them. Some examples: The Savage Detectives, The Stone Junction , The Exodus narratives. In the film world Pixar built it’s entire career on the importance of the journey, and that’s just naming one cause that can go on forever as well.
Anuk Arudpragasam’s A Passage North is also a journey novel:
One afternoon, main protagonist, Krishan discovers two messages. One is about his grandmother’s carer dying and the other is from a girl he had a relationship with back in Delhi. Krishan then decides that the right thing to do is attend the funeral of the carer, despite the fact that it is in the north of Sri Lanka, which suffered under the civil war.
The book is divided into 10 chapters. One could say that they focus on a premise and it is explored in a philosophical manner. One chapter is about death, another one is about the many faces of love, another is about politics, especially the Tamil Tigers. These sections are not just cod philosophy: Arudpragasam digs deep and as Krishan is analysing his life he begins to notice that maybe all the problems which occurred could have been anticipated, like his break up or the carer’s actual death but at the same time an sort of existential mentality begins to overcome him.
As this book is full of Philosophical meditations, there is no clear answer: some realisations, but nothing concrete. As all journeys end : the analogy that life is a journey is strong in the book, Krishan finally knows that this journey has ended once he sees the carer being cremated. i.e everything ends in flames.
A Passage North is open to many interpretations, and who knows, maybe mine is incorrect but it is this aspect of the book that will divide readers. This is a rambly novel, filled with long sentences which need reflecting after reading. Some may enjoy it (me) some may find it off-putting so I am hesitant in recommending it. If you are ok with philosophical (and I mean PROPER philosophical, not the Alchemist) novels then I do suggest one reads it. Trust me, in it’s odd way the reader will benefit form these meditations.
Anuk Arudpragasam’s A Passage North is also a journey novel:
One afternoon, main protagonist, Krishan discovers two messages. One is about his grandmother’s carer dying and the other is from a girl he had a relationship with back in Delhi. Krishan then decides that the right thing to do is attend the funeral of the carer, despite the fact that it is in the north of Sri Lanka, which suffered under the civil war.
The book is divided into 10 chapters. One could say that they focus on a premise and it is explored in a philosophical manner. One chapter is about death, another one is about the many faces of love, another is about politics, especially the Tamil Tigers. These sections are not just cod philosophy: Arudpragasam digs deep and as Krishan is analysing his life he begins to notice that maybe all the problems which occurred could have been anticipated, like his break up or the carer’s actual death but at the same time an sort of existential mentality begins to overcome him.
As this book is full of Philosophical meditations, there is no clear answer: some realisations, but nothing concrete. As all journeys end : the analogy that life is a journey is strong in the book, Krishan finally knows that this journey has ended once he sees the carer being cremated. i.e everything ends in flames.
A Passage North is open to many interpretations, and who knows, maybe mine is incorrect but it is this aspect of the book that will divide readers. This is a rambly novel, filled with long sentences which need reflecting after reading. Some may enjoy it (me) some may find it off-putting so I am hesitant in recommending it. If you are ok with philosophical (and I mean PROPER philosophical, not the Alchemist) novels then I do suggest one reads it. Trust me, in it’s odd way the reader will benefit form these meditations.
snoyce7's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
btrillz's review against another edition
1.0
This was disjointed, boring, and pretentious. I went into it expecting an exploration of the effects of war but all I got was a self-loathing man who couldn’t really relate to anyone and loved to complain.
nivaasini's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75