Two books - Milan Kundera

The Joke

Written by Milan Kundera (not Milan in Italy), this writer can be compared to Nobel Prize-acclaimed writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Although it is quite a good read (no f-s, no vulgar language), it contains sexual innuendos that you might find laughable - literally or repulsive.

Well, I won't give out the plot unlike the three books before (albeit subtly)...


"According to Durex condoms’ global sex survey: “Czechs have sex as often as the French; they start their sexual life as early as the Dutch; and they fear venereal disease as little as the Italians.”"

Well, this was reported in the Newsweek article today, and it would be rather apt to use this to introduce the next book.

Laughable Loves by Milan Kundera

Did I forget to say that Milan Kundera is a Czech writer?

This book, is overly based on sexuality itself. It might be hilarious, but there are many instances of sexuality - enough to make you puke blood. Plot not described again, if you really have this kind of liking, take it.

Or then, be like me, and the next time you visit the library and learn to read the critic's reviews and the summary.

Three Books - at once

My Estonia

Although it claims just about a book about the author's life in Estonia, and his time in Estonia, the realization of its culture and his marriage to an Estonian, it's not all.

My Estonia, talks more about it, but everything you will need about Estonia. Although placed (inappropriately) in the travel section of the NLB library in Marine Parade (only copy they have!), it tells us its culture (don't be late or get scolded badly), or try to be American ("I eat porridge that taste sweet"). Well, although its a masterpiece embroidering his autobiography, love life and his trip to Estonia, it also shows Estonia's large improvement in terms of economy and well, anything since its re-independence in 1991 to 2000.

Although its good (I feel so), don't expect to find a copy in Singapore unless getting it at the Community Library at Marine Parade. Or ordering on The Book Depository.

Nine Parts of Desire

Let us continue on a darker tone. This book, by Geraldine Brooks, is not like any books on Islamic Studies in the world. It is seriously, unparalleled. Nine Parts of Desire, covers Islam from late King Hussein's marriage to Queen Noor (an American-Lebanese-Jordanian) from Beirut and the Jordanian's reaction to this, to the darker sides such as the Islamic man's killing of his wife for adultery. Although most books either sympathize with Islam, or denounce it like a heretic ideal, Geraldine Brooks' craft in creating this book as almost a exposition - her first non-fiction book - and her knowledge and ability to get close things as a journalist shows different viewpoints, strongly backed, of Islam, from Turkey to Jordan.

P.S. I Love You


Well this is the book I quoted from alot for the TKAM Questions. Well, this book is by Cecelia Ahern, and although many critics and bloggers deride on the fact that it made Holly go "drinking and going mad as an instance to forget [Holly's husband, Gerry]", it is a new exposure. No books in shelf there won't have these elements, unless they add smoking and doing drugs and etc, which these books are rather bland in the case. Thick, but enough to read until you fall off your chair (either sleeping, or laughing.)

A Proper End to MOV

Well, TMOV is going to end, and well, to end this properly, an essay question should be done. :)

This goes.

1) “All that glisters is not gold.” How is this theme reflected in The Merchant of Venice?

In The Merchant of Venice, this theme is reflected time after time, on different characters on the play. To introduce, as an example, the Prince of Morocco, chose the gold casket and was greeted by a skull.

Firstly, the theme of “All that glisters is not gold.” can be evidently seen in Bassanio's description of Portia. Although it is evident that he started by saying “In Belmont is a lady richly left...” , and continuing to “fair, fairer than the word itself...” and ending with “ of wonderous virtues”, it can show that Bassanio's attraction to Portia is not only of her wealth, but of her beauty and of her virtues. This shows that “all that glisters is not gold” as it shows that Bassanio's attraction is only due to her wealth, but the other appreciable qualities that Portia had, signifying that not only gold (or money in this case) is glistering (glittering).

Subsequently, the theme can be seen in the Prince of Morocco's botched casket test. It is evident, that he chose the gold casket, and was aptly greeted by a skull and the quote itself, “all that glisters is not gold.” This can also be elaborated as part of Portia's deceased father's trickery to choose the most suitable lover for her. In gold, it shows Prince of Morocco's attraction due to her wealth, and her status, whereas silver shows the person (Prince of Arragon in this case)'s attraction to her beauty . Whereas, lead shows the person's devotion. Thus, it can be shown that gold is not all that glisters, in this case, where gold is held in high regard, but the person's truthfulness and possible devotion to Portia.

Consequently, the theme is again expressed in the trial scene. This is evident in which Shylock requested his “bond” and refuted the large amount of ducats offered by Bassanio. “The quality of mercy not strained” is also not practiced by Shylock, who insist on having his “bond” and his “pound of flesh”. However, the theme is reiterated again in this scene, in which mercy is portrayed over justice, and gold is not all that matters in which Shylock got retribution for trying to claim his forfeiture and the loss of the 3,000 ducats and its interest.

In addition, the theme can be seen in the characters itself. This is evident in which from Act 1, Antonio is accompanied which acquaintances and friends, such as Solanio, Salerio, Bassanio, Gratiano, Lorenzo, Portia, Jessica and Nerissa whereas Shylock is only accompanied with Tubal, and Chus, who is not even shown in the play. This show of numbers, although may mean little, but shows that all that glisters is not gold, as there is the mix of friendship and romance.

Furthermore, the difference can be shown between Shylock and Antonio. Shylock takes his money in regard, and blame Antonio for an “ancient grudge”, for letting him lose “half a million” and for bringing the rate of usury down in Venice by lending out gratis. However, the theme is display once again, with Shylock having to almost give out all his money and lose everything he has, lose his daughter to Christianity and Lorenzo, whereas Antonio got a few of his ships returning to him, and having his friends come back all married.

Thus, showing that gold is not the integral item in every part of the play Merchant of Venice, it can be seen that the theme “All that glisters is not gold” is well portrayed, having people who likes money and gold, the Prince of Morocco and Shylock as shown, lie in misery, such as a loss of something dear to them, the moneys, a wive and a daughter.