The Good Old Books
by shz
I was in Bangsar briefly just now. That’s where I get my occasional dose of worldly needs. And one of it was the search of good movies at those DVD shops selling not only new released, but some old and foreign ones too. Back in UK I fed this need of mine by renting at Blockbuster frequently, especially I lived just across the street from it. I’d examine the cover, the pictures, tried to remember the actor’s name, see if they’d won anything or whether I’ve seen them in their previous works. Read the usual one sentenced review from the critiques which mostly were very misleading. Hoping the money I was going to pay will be worth the gamble. Occasionally I get lucky, and some of the bets turned into my favourite movie ever. JFK, Meet Joe Black, Departures, Before Sunset, The Shawshank Redemption and The Kite Runner, to name a few.
The Kite Runner. What masterpiece that is.
I was there quite early and the shop was not even opened yet. I decided to wait out at the most logical place to kill time – The Borders. Usually being the shallow me, I’d head to the magazine section. Flipping through the glossy glam magazines that would immediately give me the rush to go to the boutiques and stock up “fashion”. This time I had a different urge. I went to the novel section and read a bit of Haruki Murukami. Strangely titled, ‘What I Talk About When I Talk About Running’. “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” it said. I snickered. Then read a bit of Norwegian Wood. “Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that.” Haha, am feeling the love for this guy already. Then found out that Hillary Duff apparently wrote a book, until “Hey.. The Kite Runner!”
Its easier to read a book when you already know what it was all about. The introduction part when Amir received the phone call from Rahim-Khan. The part he and Hassan played as a child.. I skipped of course, I was there to kill few minutes, not days. Then I skipped to one part which was not done in the movie. One whole chapter of Rahim-Khan telling the story of grown up Hassan, how he persuaded Hassan to go back to Kabul and how Hassan’s mother, Sanaubar, who left him when he was a baby, came back to find him. This character was literally not in the movie by the way, just mentioned once, but not of her name. And I could feel my eyes tearing up as I read these words:
Her good eye rolled to him. “I have walked long and far to see if you are as beautiful in the flesh as you are in my dreams. And you are. Even more.” She pulled his hand to her scarred face. “Smile for me. Please”
Hassan did and the old woman wept. “You smiled coming out of me, did anyone ever tell you? And I wouldn’t even hold you. Allah forgive me, I wouldn’t even hold you.”
I finished one chapter just in time Fakhrul finished purchasing his Top Gear. What a waste, I could add RM25 more and get The Kite Runner. But RM25 equals two discs. Maybe later I thought. But the point is, I’d forgotten how good it felt to flip papers filled with beautifully written words and have those emotions dwelling up inside by reading it. I miss reading books. I couldn’t even remember why I stopped reading books. Perhaps I got used to looking at pictures in books as an architectural student rather than reading written words. The assumption that made me regret a little. The last book I read was, well, this is soooo embarassing – Sophie Kinsella’s The Confession of Shopaholic. It wasn’t even good. And the movie was worse! The fact that made me regret a lot.
They always say, movies (that are based from books) make only half of what’s written in the book. I was prejudiced then, I had always thought the movie was as good as it gets. How naive and ignorant of me. Its time to grow up. Its time to read books again and more importantly, read the rest of The Kite Runner’s stories. Because suddenly I remember why I stopped reading – there were no Facebook and Twitter then. And I must bring this patheticalness to end.
The Kite Runner. Highly recommended. Beautifully written. Quite emotional for me.
His second novel, Ten Thousand of Splendid Sun – quite nice too. It made me depressed for a week.
Yes. Got a lot of catching up with books to do!
Do read Haruki Murakami’s! You sure won’t regret 🙂
I hope he’s not too complex for me. For a celebrated author? I’m sure there’ll be no regrets! Just don’t know which of his novel I should start with.
Yes, I agree with Fajar. Please read the books. I found myself deep in tears reading them. I skip the movie cos yes, movies that are based on books don’t do justice to the original stories.
But Moose, I watched Twilight movie first, then read the book and found out loving the movie plot more. Maybe the cullens mysterious looks had spelled me. I somehow found some of the scene in the book unnecessary and less-mysterious. But i know most people said books are always better than movies. : )
Yes you MUST read the book. It’s much more deeper and elaborate. I cried much more reading both Hosseini’s books. Worth buying. Lasting shelf-life. Unlike errr.. shopaholic. Ngehehehe.
I knowww.. Shopaholic, what was I thinking?!
I know this much is true -Wally Lamb…errrm if u havent 😀
Salam, Im librarian from selangor public library. its good to hear tat u wanna start reading back. insyallah we have lots of books for you to borrow in our new library. i like the way u express your writing in blog and also your comment. i really hope that u can come to our new library in shah alam and give your comment. i luv to hear comment as an architect and also as user. for your information we just open our library last month, we have gymnasium, 6D theatre and also interesting kid area for daisy to explore. I would love to arrange special tour for you and fakhrul. u can check comments from our visitor
http://koonch.blogspot.com/2011/08/perbadanan-perpustakaan-awam-selangor.html
http://kastatelier.blogspot.com/2011/08/selangor-new-library.html
fadzli.fauzi@gmail.com
Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Selangor
Jalan Kelab Golf 13/6
40100, Shah Alam
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: 603-55197667
Faks: 603-55196045
Oh wow. The library looks amazing. Shall try to drop by sometime, although Shah Alam is quite a distance from Kajang. But since you’re offering a special tour, will ask Fakhrul and let you know! Thanks so much for dropping by my boring blog.
we’re open weekdays 9.30 – 6.00, sat and sun 9.30 – 5.00 except public holiday. let me know if you want to drop by, i will give my contact no.
Rok:
I’m not a fan of Twilight series, so can’t comment much. But having said that, I have to admit that some movies based on books can be quite interesting. Harry Potter is one good example, in fact, it exceeded my expectation.
Hi shaliza, because of your great review of the book, I will do it for my literature project.. Thanks so much for giving me such a brilliant idea..
Hi Haneem. I’m so glad my so called review inspired your literature project. I haven’t read the book when I wrote this, but now I’m just through Chapter 11 and it hasn’t disappoint a bit so far, I’m sure it won’t disappoint at all given that I can’t seem to put the book down!
At the end of the book, there’s a discussion questions that might be helpful for your assignment!
You’re welcome. Have you seen the movie though?
Oh Shaliza, I haven’t seen the movie yet and I wish one day I’ll get the movie.. well, I love reading too.. I would suggest The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. And also The Longest Trip Home by John Grogan.. I used to go and buy at the MPH or Borders or Popular but now I opt to online bookshop. I recommend you PenjajaBuku, Books-2u and Debook Room. You may find them in FB. They’re selling cheap and u can just order from them. I bought The Longest Trip Home (hardcover) and it only costs me RM40..If i’m not mistaken.. So, enjoy your reading! Make sure you have the LED reading light!
[…] post and decided to get one for themselves too! At that point I was starting to regret writing The Good Old Books and went straight to the counter. To my relief, there was one last copy left and I almost screamed, […]