Reading List 3

I finally got around to reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel. For those who don’t know it’s about an Indian boy who gets stuck on a shipwreck with an orangutan, hyena, a zebra with a broken leg and a tiger. That was enough to make me want to read it, animals CHECK. Indian boy who grew up on a zoo CHECK. Shipwreck WITH animals as main characters? definitely CHECK.

I’m not gonna write a book review here, as there are plenty already available, but i will say it is a lovely book that has measured characters and an unusual plot and that i thoroughly recommend reading it. I heard a movie is in the making (2012) to be directed by Ang Lee, I’m hoping it will be more Arthouse indie sort of film, as the story is very surreal.

I am currently reading The Family Law by Benjamin Law. I came across this book on Kamen’s coffee table, (his mum works in publishing/book industry, so she always gets books pre-release.) I haven’t heard anything about this book and didn’t think much of it, then the name Benjamin Law sounded soooo familiar. Benjamin Law is of course a senior contributor to Frankie magazine, and I love his writing, always hilarious and endearing.

“This collection of humorous personal essays is the kind you’ll want to share with your work colleagues (as I did), read aloud to your family while they’re trying to watch TV (guilty, again) and guffaw over on public transport. What is it that makes Benjamin Law’s writing so good? It’s the flair for language. It’s the sharp wit. It’s the open warmth. It’s the blend of the thoughtful, the silly and the affecting. It’s all of these things, in one package.”
— Jo Case, Readings

This book is deathly hilarious! i find myself staying up till 2AM reading and cracking up with laughter as i relate to Benjamin’s embarrassing moments, that i completely relate to as growing up part of a Chinese-Australian family. Alot of the scenarios Benjamin reminisces on are downright tragic – but something we’ve all been through, and the way he narrates with honesty and dry humour, you can’t help but laugh at yourself and take life a little less seriously.