The Age of Reason - Jean-Paul Sartre

This is a humble attempt to understand and appreciate a renowned work by the most famous author Jean Paul Satre whose thoughts and philosophy had never ceased to enchant readers world wide. I had an opportunity to read the book “the Age of reason “by Jean Paul Sartre, a renowned author and philosopher who advocates the philosophy of Existentialism, a philosophy I am still struggling to comprehend. Everyone has their own definition of freedom. This doctrine advocates that each individual is responsible to give meaning to their life, not situation or religion. From what I understood it is a kind of freedom, to think and act according to our will and be responsible for the outcome. I was very much fascinated by this idea from a long time, only I never knew about such a term.

It was fate or destiny that brought this book to me, I never had thought I would understand or appreciate such a style of fiction. But one could only be awestruck by such a great work of art and wish if we could also have a life, a bit absurd but free from all bonds.

The main protagonist Mathieu, is not a typical hero who is perfect and adorable, he is just an ordinary being with human weaknesses and vices.  The story starts with a conversation between Mathieu and his lover Marcelle, where she is revealing the fact that she is pregnant with his child. Mathieu is not elated or dejected but confused. He knows it is he who is responsible and Marcelle is the one who is suffering. They decide to get rid of it, an action which is not at all acceptable from a respectable middle aged professor. The fear that he would lose his freedom and that he would be tied with the bond of matrimony is stopping him from accepting his responsibility. Though he is not married to her, he is concerned and in a way cares for her and doesn’t allow her to meet any unprofessional abortion doctors. His relationship with Marcelle is platonic but he is in a way caring He tries his best to raise the money and goes to the extent of stealing money from a Singer Lola , a middle aged singer who is the girl friend of one of his closest disciple Boris. Lola, Boris a young boy who feels he has no future, his sister Ivich,Brunet –Mathieu’s communist friend, etc are the important characters in focus. The story happens in the background of Spanish civil war.

He is in such a confused situation and he tried to escape from the situation by spending time with Boris and his Sister Ivich. Ivich is a very Strange character, who is very young and enjoys her freedom to the full extend. She is youthful and at times she behaves in an eccentric manner.  Mathieu is very much attracted to this young girl whose spirit of freedom fascinates him. She is strong yet vulnerable, delicate but at times violent. He shares a strange bond with her, which is above infatuation or love. When she cuts her hand with a knife he too does the same in a desperate means to connect with her.   

Another important character is Daniel who is known to Mathieu. Daniel is very much close to Marcelle but Mathieu is unaware of this kinship. Marchelle calls Daniel Archangel. She feels very comfortable with him and thinks he understands her better than Mathieu. He makes her realise that she, from her heart of hearts wants the child and that the child too needs her.

Mathieu steals the money from Lola for the abortion in a desperate way but Marcelle refuses it. Daniel now act as a true hero and confess his affection for Marcelle to Mathieu, despite that fact that he is a homosexual .Daniel could never love her in a romantic way, but  his fondness for her makes him take such a decision and accept her with the child. Daniel detest Mathieu and in a way is taking his revenge. Mathieu is bewildered and helpless, he now realizes what he had lost; A comfortable and happy life with his wife and kid, but at the cost of his obsession, his freedom. He accepts that everything is happening due to his own actions and takes sole responsibility for his fate. He feels he reached the age of reason, that he is capable of making reasonable judgement. There is no more absurdity no more confusion, he is all alone and there is no one else to blame.  

This story deals about complex human behavior and relations. Socially accepted rights and wrongs can sometimes vary from personal judgement. Mathieu cannot be blamed, but one can only sympathise with him.  Is he selfish, does he consider his freedom worth more than a life? It is very difficult to understand the thought process. There are many people who must have undergone similar situations in life. Is it their decision or fate that had changed their lives? To be or not to be that is indeed the greatest question anyone will face in life. And yes I feel we are solely responsible for our actions.

on the anvil -

The dream of a Celt - Mario Vargas Llosa.
The Outsider - Albert Camus

comming up- tribute to marques...

1. chronicles of a death foretold.- Marques....
2. love in the time of cholera
3.one hundred years of solitude.
4. Of love and other demons

Review:Aleph - Paulo Coelho

Aleph is a beautiful narration of a journey, a spiritually enlightening journey which the author takes to discover the reason for his spiritual stagnation. How we all wish to go on such a journey, to find oneself, and hence throughout the story one feels, it is our journey and that we too are travelling along with the author.

The story starts with the author performing a strange ritual with his guide or teacher whom he calls J. every time he learns a new thing, he feels he will reach spiritual liberation, absolute peace but at last everything seems absurd to him. J suggests that in order to find answers to his present woes he should understand the past and for that he need to go on a journey.

Paulo Coelho mentions about the Chinese bamboo which does not show any signs of growth but suddenly shoots up at the end of fifth year. In fact all the growth takes place underneath. This establishes so many things. One, to grow the base, or roots should be strong, second, we need to be patient and have perseverance to achieve any result. Third, a lot of effort is required for anyone to become successful, though these efforts may not be visible to others. It is such a simple thing yet has got so many implications.

The author travels to many countries to find out someone or something which will help him to relate to the past. He takes the Trans Siberian route, along with his publishers, to meet his various readers en-route. A complete stranger, an extremely talented violin player accompanies him in his journey and tries to find reason to spend more time with him. Then one day the author experiences ‘Aleph’, a state of trance where time, space and all the points in the universe converge. It also happens when two people whose destinies are intertwined meets at the right place. He realises that Hilal, the violin virtuoso was none other than his love from 500 years ago, his past. He needs her forgiveness for he had betrayed her in a past life. Hilal forgives him for the crime he had done in his past life. Thus at the end of the journey he finds peace, his soul is cleansed.

Hilal and the author share a special bond, a special love that is so magical. Sometime it happens, we feel a close connection as if we find our own refection in someone else, but they may never be a part of our life, maybe they were somehow related to us in another time, in another life. Maybe their soul could have been a part of our soul some other time.

This book is about love, so pure and deep that it traverses beyond time, beyond space yet does not demand anything, just as the author says, "a love with no name and no explanation, like a river that cannot explain why it flows in a particular course but simply flows onwards."

Review:Manuscript Found in Accra - Paulo Coelho

Manuscript found in accra is acollection of extraordinary insights about love,loss,change,luck miracles and so forth which can be passed on to generations.Two brothers found an urn full of papyruses in hamra dom Egypt. Later it was discovered that these were very valuable and ancient manuscripts which were not included in the New Testament. Most of it is now kept in the Coptic museum of Britain. Paulo Coelho came to knew about this from a collegue,and he get hold of another manuscript which contain the teachings of a person known as a Copt. He has transformed this into an interesting storyline which happens in ancient Jerusalem at the time of crusaders invasion. The mysterious and wise person called the copt counsels a group of person who have assembled. They are all anxious about the invasion of their town and have so many questions in their mind. Some worry about the days to come and some about the days they have wasted without love.

This work is not just a simple novel but a book of wisdom. The copt answers the questions of the people assembled and it is really amazing that at the end most of the unanswered questions we have are answered. The problems we face in day to day life, defeat ,fear, lack of confidence, resistance to change ,indecisiveness etc and about the things that we think are important like beauty, luck, elegance ,sex, love etc. The style of narration reminds us of Khalil Gibran’s “the prophet”.

The copts tells about defeat. “Only he who gives up is defeated. Everyone else is victorious.” “ The important thing is to get back on your feat.” He also talks about the positive side of solitude.” It is the moment when our soul is free to speak to us and help us decide what to do with our life.” The best advice that anyone can give is:”Live the life you always wanted to live. Avoid criticising others and concentrate on fulfilling your dreams. This may not seem very important to you, but God who sees all, knows that the example you give is helping Him to improve the world and each day He will bestow more blessings upon it.” His words have the power the rise the spirit of any depressed soul. He covers almost all human emotions, weaknesses and joys. Lastly he gives an important lesson in life, a warning. “The enemy is not the person standing before you sword in your hand. It is the person standing next to you with a dagger concealed behind his back”. Most of us fail to understand people. Most of the time, the one who betrays are those whom we believed are besides us all the time with a pleasing smile. He adds “never repay hatred with hatred but with justice. The last words are “ go in peace” and that’s what we all yearn for and I truly believe that after reading the book the quest for peace and a better life ends here . 

Review: The Winner Stands Alone-Paulo Coelho

The winner stands alone is the latest book written by Paulo Coelho, unlike his earlier work this novel is a psychological thriller which tries to portray the darker side of human mind. The plot revolves around the central character Igor Malev who is a Russian telecom giant .The other important characters are  Ewa, Igor’s Ex wife, her new husband the rich and successful fashion designer Hamid Husain, Gabrila an aspiring model, Jasmine, another young model and inspector Savoy who wish to prove himself by solving the murder mysteries at Cannes. The narrative style of this book is somewhat different from other serial killing stories, as the reader know who the culprit is. Igor Malev had promised his wife that he would destroy the world for her, to win her back. The motive for killing is to win back his lost love, but that is not at all justifiable. Sometimes it makes us wonder is it love or envy that’s making him do such heinous acts. He couldn’t understand why his wife left him, He is successful, handsome intelligent and loving. He had always given her freedom to pursue her dreams, yet she left him for a successful fashion designer. Igor goes to Cannes, where Ewa and Hamid has gone.Igor tries to send her messages, that he is capable of executing his promise.

 Igor’s character is insensitive and moronic except for a few instances when he doubts whether all these are worth and then a girl with dark eyebrows tells him that he is justifiable. Igor had faced so much suffering in his youth and his days as a soldier had made him tough and he doesn’t mind killing someone just because that person spoiled a fine evening with his beloved. He uses sophisticated weapons to kill unknown innocent people and there is no remorse or regret. He is polite and sophisticated and easily lures his victims to death.

In between, the writer tells us interesting stories which has got deeper philosophical meanings, like the story of the seagull and rat, the story of loya jirga tribal, king who rebuilds a new kingdom as he feels it’s always possible to start again. Another interesting part is the list of normal things that javits keeps, which make us, laugh and think at the same time.

Paulo tries to convey that the most normal person has secret desires and negative thoughts, most of them are buried deep inside us. Igor on the other hand believes what he is doing is for the sake of love. He even believes that he is freed a spirit from suffering, when he kills his first victim (sacrifice), the young Olivia.

This story also tells us about the behind the scene life of actors, models, aspiring models, and the film field, the haute couture, the cat walk, glamour and glitz. The so called super class, how people can compromise their morale, can subject themselves to any level of humiliation, to pursue their dreams, how meaningless is this rat race. As the name suggest, the winner always stands alone.

  For those who are ardent fans of Paulo Coelho’s philosophical, thought provoking work with inspiring words, this book will be a disappointment. And for those who like novelty, suspense and out of the box thinking, it is welcome change.