Chapter 1: Greek Lessons

What a disaster!

Book Review

Greek Lessons

“A body born to embrace someone, to desire to embrace someone. I should have embraced you as hard as I could, at least once before that period of our lives passed us by. It wouldn’t have hurt or harmed me to do so. I would have withstood it, survived it.”

The novel explores the lives of two characters grappling with the loss of their senses: a woman losing her hearing and a man losing his sight. A highly observant woman, who is learning ancient Greek, grows intimate with her tutor. Over time, they bond deeply, forming a profound human connection. The story delves into how they experience the world and express their painful pasts, weaving together themes of loss, resilience, and the fragility of human perception.

I began reading this novel for the book club discussion and realized I had added The Vegetarian to my "To Read" list in 2019 but forgotten about it. Now, I’m determined to finally read it. When the author won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2024, I revisited her works and was surprised to discover that her name was already familiar to me. The book was originally published in Korea in 2011, with its English translation released in 2023.

This short novel seamlessly shifts between the inner worlds of its characters, capturing their emotional intensity in brief, powerful bursts of prose—a testament to the author’s exceptional writing. The dark tone and concise sections effectively convey the characters’ struggles, making their experiences feel immediate and visceral. What stood out to me most was the interplay of loss, symbolism, and philosophical musings delivered by unnamed narrators. At one point, I found myself reflecting: When you begin to lose precious senses against your will, do names even matter anymore?

Throughout the novel, passages intertwining literature, philosophy, and insights into human nature are layered with the narrators’ profound sense of loss. This meditative quality makes the reading experience both melancholic and intense, leaving a lasting impression.

A Poem

Three Things To Remember

As long as you're dancing, you can
    break the rules.
Sometimes breaking the rules is just
    extending the rules.

Sometimes there are no rules.
  
       - Devotions, Mary Oliver.

Links from the Internet

Dua Lipa in conversation with Olga Tokarczuk

Dua Lipa recently interviewed Olga Tokarczuk as part of her book club, Service 95. Their conversation centered on Tokarczuk’s gripping mystery novel, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. I read the book in 2023, and it was my first experience with Tokarczuk’s work. Written in a page-turning style, the novel captivated me, particularly its exploration of the culture of hunting in Poland.

During the interview, as the discussion turned to the use of astrology in the novel, Dua made a comment that stood out:

“I don’t have a personal therapist, but I have a personal astrologist.”

I found it both funny and cringey at the same time—a moment that perfectly encapsulated the quirky, offbeat tone of the conversation. 😄

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Podcast by Colm Tóibín

Colm Tóibín, the author of Brooklyn and several other novels, in 2022 discussed Claire Keegan’s novel Small Things Like These in a two-year-old interview that I stumbled upon recently. The book is a fictionalized account of the Magdalene laundries, and last year, a movie adaptation of the same name was released.

During the discussion, Tóibín dons his writer’s hat, asking insightful questions about character development and suggesting alternative approaches to certain narrative choices. His style of questioning deepened my understanding of the novel and the socio-political climate of Ireland in the 1980s. Even in the midst of such a pensive conversation, Tóibín’s subtle sense of humor shone through, adding a layer of warmth to the discussion. I rate this as one of the finest book discussions I’ve encountered!

Dublin Literary Awards Long List

The Dublin Literary Award has longlisted 71 books, nominated by 83 libraries across 34 countries. This year’s list is particularly exciting, showcasing stories from diverse cultures and perspectives. Among the nominees are seven books by Irish writers, including well-known authors like Colm Tóibín, Nuala O’Connor, and Paul Lynch.

I’ve already selected a few books from the list to add to my reading pile: The Most Secret Memory of Men, The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years, and Martyr!. Each one promises a unique and compelling narrative.

The winner will be announced in May as part of the literary festival, and I can’t wait to see which book takes the top prize!

From the Vault

Fernando Pessoa tasting a sample of wine at the Abel Pereira da Fonseca winery in Lisbon, Portugal. Source.