Hindustan Times
Once More, With Feeling
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve had nothing new to read. That’s because I took a look at my bookshelves, realised I had these books because I wanted to keep them - i.e., presumably I had thought that they’d be good to re-read - and figured, what the bleep. Let’s avoid the bookshops for a bit. Let’s re-read.
So that’s what I’ve been doing.
And it’s been SO much fun.
For starters, there were all the P G Wodehouses that I haven’t re-read in years because, well, the books were there. I could always re-read them whenever I wanted, and besides even memories of plots and passages make me happy. So for years I’d affectionately pat the spines of the books in passing, then go read something else.
Also, since I became a member of Wodehouse India, a group of fellow fans (lunatics, every single one of them. Completely wacko and constantly flinging breadrolls around), I’ve had the privilege of browsing madameulalie.org.
You probably don’t know about madameulalie.org. I didn’t either, till I joined Wodehouse India. It’s the continuing result of much hard work by some of these aforementioned lunatics who track down out-of-copyright stories, poems and articles by Wodehouse, convert them to text and upload them on this site for the happy edification of lunatics such as myself (and the rest of Wodehouse India and all Wodehouse fans everywhere).
So I haven’t needed to re-read my old Wodehouse books. There’s so much on Madam Eulalie that’s new Wodehouse to me.
But two weeks ago I re-read Leave It to Psmith and fell about laughing. Then there were the Jeeves and Wooster books. And the Blandings books. And my particular favourites (possibly because I remain juvenile in my thinking), the school stories.
I’ve also been re-reading Agatha Christie. Not only the Poirot books, but others I’d mostly forgotten, like the Tommy and Tuppence stories and some Miss Marples. I’ve been on a murder mystery binge for the last six months, but Christie, I have to say, cannot be matched. Her books are so good.
But best of all was my rediscovery of Sweet Chillies, by Balraj Khanna. I just can NOT understand why this book didn’t become a bestseller when it was published 16 years ago, and why it seems to have gone out of print.
It is absolutely hilarious, sometimes bawdy and totally Indian in every way. (Note for Akhilesh: I don’t know what you like to read, but judging from your comments on my Kerala post, I think you will love this book. Good luck finding it, though.)
Sweet Chillies is set in post-Partition Chandigarh and is about Omi, just turned 21, married against his will to Munni (but when he sees her for the first time on his wedding day, he falls madly in love (and lust) with her and she with him) and determined to be a millionaire by the time he’s 25.
It’s the sequel to Nation of Fools, which is about how highly-ambitious Omi managed to turn his small-time halwai father into the owner of Chandigarh’s swankiest restaurant.
I’ve read Nation of Fools, but don’t have it (something that gnaws at me all the time, it is SO frustrating when I want a book and can’t find it). But Sweet Chillies, I think, is better. In fact, it is brilliant. I’ll say it again: It should have been a bestseller. That it wasn’t shows we really are a nation of fools.
(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
Loading ...Posted by Kushal Rani Gulab on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Filed under books · Tagged books, Madam Eulalie, PG Wodehouses, Wodehouse fans, Wodehouse India
Note to Kushal :
Since you so highly recommend “Sweet Chillies” I should read it , must read it, will read it !
But here is the problem: It is out of print and you yourself warn me that it might be difficult to find it.
So, here are some ideas to reolve the problem:
1. Since you have a copy of it, why not lend it to me to read? I promise to return it back after reading.
2. If you fear that I may dissappear with the only copy you have ( a legitimate fear, I might add, from your view point) then you could get the book photocopied and send to me.
3. Alternatively, I keep travelling to Mumbai, where I presume you are based. So the next time I am there - you can lend me the book and say lock me up in a room, only to come out having read the book and hand it over to you then and there.
Seriously though, I will definately try and read this book. But do help me out in case I cannot trace it.
By the way, your views on Dan Brown’s latest book, if you have read?
Regards,
[Reply]
Kushal Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
If you’re comfortable with online purchases, Akhilesh, then both books are available at abebooks.com (abebooks is a conglomeration of secondhand booksellers around the world, though no Indian bookseller seems to be part of it as of now). And not too expensive either. If not, then there is a problem. You’re right, I am not parting with this book. As it is I had four years of mourning when I thought it was lost, but it turned out to have been pinched by my sister and I promptly pinched it back.
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Akhilesh Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I am on my way to reading an Indian author’s book after a long long time. Thanks to you. Just placed the order for Sweet Chillies on abebooks.com
It says shipping time is 3-7 days. So will have to await it’s arrival before I can lay my hand on it.
And if it is really as good as you describe, then I become a reader of your blogs for lifetime !!!
Regards,
[Reply]
Kushal Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Oh come on, Akhilesh. I am cynical about most Indian writing in English, but even I concede that there’s some nice stuff sometimes.
Who are the writers / what are the books that put you off?
And that was fast work at Abe Books!
Akhilesh Reply:
September 27th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Kushal,
Many of the acclaimed Indian fiction writers are actually plain mediocre - where are the James Joyce or Margaret Mitchell or Joseph Heller’s in India - or P G Wodehouse or Agatha Christie, or even a Dan Brown or Fredrick Forsytths’ of the world.
Think about it. India has one of the largest english speaking population in the world. Yet very few really good novels churning out from India.
However, you asked about put -offs - well the “put-off-queen” title unquestioningly belongs to Shobha De.
Because of the sheer hype that sorrounds her, I have tried at various times to read her works, but have to concede that never have been able to complete even one book ! But what is appaling is that in my line of work I encounter so many women who simply cannot stop gushing about her. I juts hope you are not one of them.
Still implore you though to give one shot at writing.
Kushal Reply:
September 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
If Shobhaa De is your touchstone, then no wonder you dislike Indian writing in English. I’ve never understood why her books sell - and how someone who writes reasonably well in newspapers and magazines can write such bad novels. Though that is one reason why I don’t intend to write a novel. Unless I have a good story to tell, I shall not write a book. As of now, I have no story to tell. And as someone who’s written non-fiction all her life (I hope!), I’d be rotten at characterisation, I know.
You may want to contribute to the debate on this topic that’s continuing http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/voices/oh-for-a-book-to-ban. It is great fun.
And I’d like to recommend The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes by Jamyang Norbu. I loved this, can re-read it any time, and it is still available at the bookshops.
Akhilesh Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
That’s a unique gem of knowledge you have let us all know : ” And as someone who’s written non-fiction all her life (I hope!), I’d be rotten at characterisation, I know.”.
I have written non-fiction all my life too ( mostly for corporate presentations, reports and starteic plans
) and sometimes on current issues in my blog. Many of my friends had me beleive that I could write a novel too !!
Thanks for stopping me in my tracks and making me wiser !
Akhilesh Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Read it as ’strategic plans”
Kushal Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Hahaha! Don’t mean to put you off writing Akhilesh. Just wanted to show that writing reasonably well for mags and papers doesn’t necessarily mean that you can write a novel.
Post partition, that reminds me of Khushwant Singh’s Toba Tek Singh, a short story on partition…its amazing how in the story a mad man makes more sense then all those who are sane..
Would surely indulge in sweet Chillies soon
Thanks for the interesting post as always!!!!
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Sana Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Its SADAT HASAN MANTO….thats a biiiig mistake!!sorry!
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Kushal Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Grin, yes, Sana. But this book is nothing like that. It’s FUN.
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Thanks for the Wodehouse link. I have been scouring the Project Gutenberg link to download Wodehouse and much else. I love the sweet mischief in choosing Madame Eulalie as the name.
O BTW, I recently downloaded all teh Asterix as PDF from Torrent. Someone with access to the Kharagpur IIT Library has been doing this hardwork. Good for him / her.
Second, even when I have new books, I do normally snatch a few pages from this book and another ten pages from another - all based on the triggers the new book has pushed…dunno if this a typical reader’s behaviour. One would think so. In fact, many a times, one gets so engrossed in the older book, that it is put down only after reading the rest of it.
Personally, one of the greatest pleasures in my life is to re-read the favourite passages of books that have been my companions through my life.
[Reply]
Kushal Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
You’re most welcome, Partho. It’s a great site. Keeps me endlessly entertained and I love seeing how Wodehouse matured as a writer.
Where oh where did you download the Asterix from?
And I have come to understand that there is no such thing as typical reader behaviour. If you love to read, how does it matter how you read? For instance: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/sep/23/bacon-bookmark
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Nimmy Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Asterix. Asterix. Obelix. Where. Download. Where. Asterix. Download. Where.
Wait. Let me first calm down a bit. ———————–
Ok. Now. For God’s sake, please tell me from where you downloaded the A&O books from? The URL. Please. Jump. Jump. Please. In return I will wish you, your family, your children, your grandchildren, and their children happiness, health and prosperity.
Regards
Nimmy (A fellow lunatic at Wodehouse India)
[Reply]
Nimmy Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Sigh. I hadn’t actually calmed down. Correction: Please tell me where you downloaded the A&O books from, Partho?
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Partho Reply:
September 27th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
heheh!
Nimmi, its swell to see such enthu for A&O.
I’ve downloaded it as a Torrent from Piratebay.org.
Here’s the link…its a set of PDFs
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4719517/Every_Asterix_Comic_in_English_PDF_s
Enjoy!!!
Partho Reply:
September 27th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
BTW, I hope you know about Project Gutenberg…a huge set of Freeeeeee books there
Just checked out abebooks.com
Would love to order, but the shipping charges are a deal breaker.
Why can’t we have a service within India that ships such cheap books for free???
[Reply]
Kushal Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Nowhere NEAR as good as abebooks, but you could get lucky here: http://www.secondhandbooksindia.com/index.htm
Have fun!
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Kushal Reply:
September 26th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Also, if you have a friend or relative in the UK or US or Canada, get the books you want from Abebooks shipped to them, and when they visit, they can bring them for you. Means you’ll have to be v-e-r-y v-e-r-y patient, but it’s better than not having these books at these prices, right?
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Anamika Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Hi!
Second hand book lovers - please do visit Blossom book house on Church street in Bangalore. Their collection is just amazing (no, I don’t work there, though I wish I did!). We have even managed different editions of some books, some with their old covers intact. The helpful staff is an added bonus.
Kushal Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Yeah, yeah, Anamika. Blossom is not the secret you think it is!
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love your articles in Brunch
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Kushal Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Wow! Thanks Raja.
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I am on to christie again. Picked up an omnibus of Ariadne Oliver specials (can you believe that) which I am devouring. Sweet Chillies if i recall is bawdy indeed; very funny but almost borderline porn! Ms De should definitely read it to polish her act a wee bit …
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Kushal Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I want the omnibus please. And Sweet Chillies is bawdy, but definitely not porn.
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Hmm… I read blogs on a similar topic, but i never visited your blog. I added it to favorites and i’ll be your constant reader.
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anytime.
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Thanks for introducing Wodehouse India site. Can’t think of anyone who has made writing humour into a very very fine art. I am re reading Somerset Maughm’s short stories. Among Indian authors I would suggest Mukul Kesavan’s “Ugly Indian”.
Except Feluda, can you suggest any writer in Hindi or vernacular language ? I found Kaka Hathrasi quite funny !
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