Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tell it to the Trees


OR

why not tell it to the crows - more "Indian" don't you think?

Okay for you guys wondering what I am talking about its- Anita Rau Badami's "Tell it to the Trees" - new novel.

Reference to the crows comes from another book "Crow Lake" by Mary Lawson.

Crow Lake is about a young girl, living in an isolated rural community trying to come to terms with her parent's sudden death in a car crash. Closely woven in this tale is that of an violently abusive father. The countryside is beautiful, lonely and cold...

Tell it to the Trees - no surprises here - is about a young girl whose mother is killed in a car accident. Closely woven in this tale is that of an violently abusive father. The countryside is beautiful, lonely and cold...

There is a depth of emotion, a delicate balance of sibling dynamics and a magnificent use of winter weather in "Crow Lake". Above all the novel ends awash in a resurgence of hope and successfully ties up loose ends in a subtle yet satisfying manner.

Unfortunately "Tell it to the Trees" has none of that intelligent plotting or story telling. The sickening element makes further mockery of the book. The only good thing I can say about it is that yep Badami knows how to construct good sentences - but that is about it.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My Dad could have been CEO but he's a Janitor Now

BECAUSE...

He just HAD to see me perform "Twinkle Twinkle" or shoot the incredulously, amazing, terrific, unbelievable goal that won the match for our Little-Guys-Playing-In-The-Neighborhood-Park game just 1 second before the closing bell.

And to get there:

1) Dad gave up the opportunity of a lifetime
2) He ran 20,000 miles in under 6 seconds, swam in shark-infested waters, broke a Dinosaur's neck, was given 10,000 traffic citations and so on
3) He and Mommy almost broke up - but just cause he made it to the concert/game Mommy forgave him and gave up our handsome super rich neighbor next door (stupid woman)
4) Theoretically we are all supposed to live happily ever after - can you imagine doing that on a Janitor's paycheck?


I really wish Hollywood would STOP making movies with this theme. I was just thinking if this were in real-life it would be so much better for the whole family if Dad did grab that opportunity. He would be a happier man and in turn his family would benefit. As for Junior he'd forget all about that silly unimportant concert/game.

Here's the trailer from one such movie...