This book, is a model for what humanity should be, and a commentary on how we treat each other globally, and how that effects the world.
Winner of the Kiriyam Prize (The Kiriyama Prize is an international literary award given to books which will encourage greater understanding of and among the peoples of the Pacific Rim and South Asia) for non-fiction in 2007.
The story starts as young Greg Mortenson, a former army medic and nurse, stumbles ill and exhausted out of the mountains of Pakistan, after a failed summit bid on K2 (the world's second tallest mountain, and by many accounts more technically difficult that Everest, the tallest). After losing his way to the city he planned to go to, he arrives in the small remote village of Korphe, where he is sheltered and cared for during his recovery. He soon becomes very attached to the people of the village. While there, he tries to provide whatever medical assistance he is able to, and soon is dubbed "Dr. Greg". Appalled that the children study in an open field, he makes a promise before leaving, to build the village a proper school.
For many, the story would stop here, but not for Greg Mortenson. For him and his organization, this is where the story starts. Along with Jean Hoerni, he co- founed the Central Asia Institute, and has been working to educate children in that region ever since.
A remarkable story, filled with interesting people and encounters. Well worth reading!
Showing posts with label Award Winners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Award Winners. Show all posts
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
While reading this book, several people told me what a good book it was. Even People who didn't know me. I fully agree.
"Life of Pi" was winner of the Man Booker Prize for 2002, and winner of the Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction, as well as being shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction.
On it's surface, this book is a delightful and entertaining tale. But much like the ocean much of this book takes place on, there is immeasurable depth as well.
This is a story of a young shipwrecked boy, and his unlikely companions as they bob in the sea in a lifeboat. Danger looms both from the sea, and from within the lifeboat. Martel's writing is fresh and often funny, and most of all, very entertaining.
A great read.
"Life of Pi" was winner of the Man Booker Prize for 2002, and winner of the Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction, as well as being shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction.
On it's surface, this book is a delightful and entertaining tale. But much like the ocean much of this book takes place on, there is immeasurable depth as well.
This is a story of a young shipwrecked boy, and his unlikely companions as they bob in the sea in a lifeboat. Danger looms both from the sea, and from within the lifeboat. Martel's writing is fresh and often funny, and most of all, very entertaining.
A great read.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures - Vincent Lam
Giller Prize winner for 2006.
Lam weaves a tale of the inter-connected lives of a group of med students, as they work their way from pre-med courses, to med school, and into practice. His characters are complete and well rounded, each with bright wonderful qualities, and dark flawed qualities as well. His tale shines light on the pressures faced by those in this profession, and how they choose to cope with those pressures.
A good read.
Lam weaves a tale of the inter-connected lives of a group of med students, as they work their way from pre-med courses, to med school, and into practice. His characters are complete and well rounded, each with bright wonderful qualities, and dark flawed qualities as well. His tale shines light on the pressures faced by those in this profession, and how they choose to cope with those pressures.
A good read.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
A Complicated Kindness - Miriam Toews
I was a little disappointed with this book.
That is not to say that the book was bad, only that it did not live up to my expectations of it. This book won the 2004 Governor General's Award for literary fiction, and was a finalist for the Giller.
I found it incredibly difficult to connect with the lead character, or perhaps it was more a matter of not being particularly sympathetic to her, as I did not find her to be extraordinary in any way. All adolescents have difficulty fitting in and feeling like they belong. I did not feel her to be much different than any other person her age; drinking, smoking, staying out late, and other forms of challenging authority are normal - and her family’s religious affiliation just did not make it enough of a stretch for me. Only as I came to the end, did things seem to stray from the normal, and then the pendulum had swung too far, and it just seemed bizarre , but without substance.
That is not to say that the book was bad, only that it did not live up to my expectations of it. This book won the 2004 Governor General's Award for literary fiction, and was a finalist for the Giller.
I found it incredibly difficult to connect with the lead character, or perhaps it was more a matter of not being particularly sympathetic to her, as I did not find her to be extraordinary in any way. All adolescents have difficulty fitting in and feeling like they belong. I did not feel her to be much different than any other person her age; drinking, smoking, staying out late, and other forms of challenging authority are normal - and her family’s religious affiliation just did not make it enough of a stretch for me. Only as I came to the end, did things seem to stray from the normal, and then the pendulum had swung too far, and it just seemed bizarre , but without substance.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Late Nights on Air - Elizabeth Hay
I found this book a little difficult to "get into". That being said, once I did, it was a good book.
This book won the 2007 Giller prize, and although good, my own preference would have been to
M.G. Vassanji's "The Assassin's Song", since I found the characters in that book immediately more engaging.
It is easy, however to see why the critics liked this book. The relationships in this book are real and complex, and the rugged, barren, backdrop of the North provides a perfect setting. Hay's characters navigate their lives, sometimes with the help of, and sometimes in spite of, each other, as they share their most life defining experiences
This book won the 2007 Giller prize, and although good, my own preference would have been to
M.G. Vassanji's "The Assassin's Song", since I found the characters in that book immediately more engaging.
It is easy, however to see why the critics liked this book. The relationships in this book are real and complex, and the rugged, barren, backdrop of the North provides a perfect setting. Hay's characters navigate their lives, sometimes with the help of, and sometimes in spite of, each other, as they share their most life defining experiences
Saturday, February 23, 2008
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
One of the best books I have ever read!
It is no wonder that this book won many titles; the Giller Prize in 1995, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book in 1996, The Los Angeles Book Award for fiction in 1996, among others, as well as being shortlisted for several other highly regarded awards, such as the Booker Prize.
Mistry is a master storyteller.
A Fine Balance, is a touching, beautiful, and yet sad tale. Intricately woven, and multi-dimensional this book will stay with you. Set in India, during a time political upheaval, corruption, and crushing poverty, four lives intermingle with each other. Though their initial meeting have them suspicious of each other, as they each face crises they come to depend on and bond with each other, in a deep and beautiful way. This books presents the best and the worst of what the human race has to offer.
It is hard to put into words my feelings on this book without saying too much for someone who has not yet read this book, but will read it. I can only say, as cliche as it is, this is a must read!
It is no wonder that this book won many titles; the Giller Prize in 1995, the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book in 1996, The Los Angeles Book Award for fiction in 1996, among others, as well as being shortlisted for several other highly regarded awards, such as the Booker Prize.
Mistry is a master storyteller.
A Fine Balance, is a touching, beautiful, and yet sad tale. Intricately woven, and multi-dimensional this book will stay with you. Set in India, during a time political upheaval, corruption, and crushing poverty, four lives intermingle with each other. Though their initial meeting have them suspicious of each other, as they each face crises they come to depend on and bond with each other, in a deep and beautiful way. This books presents the best and the worst of what the human race has to offer.
It is hard to put into words my feelings on this book without saying too much for someone who has not yet read this book, but will read it. I can only say, as cliche as it is, this is a must read!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes
A great book that has withstood the test of time.
Originally copyrighted in 1959, this book is still available for purchase brand new. The story is as viable today, as it was in 1959, and still as meaningful. Warm, thoughtful and touching, Keyes deserved the accolades and awards given for this book, including the Hugo Award in 1960, and the Nebula Award in 1966.
The story went on to be adapted for stage, T.V., and movie (incidentally winning the lead actor Cliff Robertson an Oscar Award).
The story follows Charlie, a mentally impaired person in his quest to become "smart". He is brought to a lab and introduced to Algernon, a mouse who has had an operation, that has greatly increased his intelligence. Charlie soon receives the same treatment, and before long has reached genius status. Soon, our new genius notices changes in Algernon, and must come to terms with what these changes mean to him.
A social commentary on how we treat our mentally challenged segment of society, as well as the ethics of medical experimentation.
Originally copyrighted in 1959, this book is still available for purchase brand new. The story is as viable today, as it was in 1959, and still as meaningful. Warm, thoughtful and touching, Keyes deserved the accolades and awards given for this book, including the Hugo Award in 1960, and the Nebula Award in 1966.
The story went on to be adapted for stage, T.V., and movie (incidentally winning the lead actor Cliff Robertson an Oscar Award).
The story follows Charlie, a mentally impaired person in his quest to become "smart". He is brought to a lab and introduced to Algernon, a mouse who has had an operation, that has greatly increased his intelligence. Charlie soon receives the same treatment, and before long has reached genius status. Soon, our new genius notices changes in Algernon, and must come to terms with what these changes mean to him.
A social commentary on how we treat our mentally challenged segment of society, as well as the ethics of medical experimentation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
