I read this book as a teen, and it left a lasting impression on me. It was brought back to my mind after reading The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson.
ThI read this book as a teen, and it left a lasting impression on me. It was brought back to my mind after reading The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson.
This story of a woman with sixteen personalities, purportedly based on real life, hooked me at the time of reading it. It was one of the factors getting me interested in "pop" psychology. Now I hear that it has been challenged (like so many similar books), but that does not take away from its fascination.
The book is well-written, even though the scenes of child abuse (by Sybil's schizophrenic mother) are graphic and disturbing. However, it lost a bit of steam towards the end, as there is no clear description of Sybil's healing process.
Split personality became all the rage in India, after the movies Manichitrathazhu and Anniyan became blockbusters....more
This was really boring: an anti-Islamic tirade. I could not finish it. Usually, even when I disagree with Shourie, I used to appreciate his skill as aThis was really boring: an anti-Islamic tirade. I could not finish it. Usually, even when I disagree with Shourie, I used to appreciate his skill as a writer - something that is conspicuous by its absence from this book.
I would recommend this book to only Donald Trump....more
An "expose" of how missionaries subverted - and continue subverting - Hindu India.
For me, it was so much ho hum. I am not a great fan of missionaries:An "expose" of how missionaries subverted - and continue subverting - Hindu India.
For me, it was so much ho hum. I am not a great fan of missionaries: I am highly sceptical of the claim that they are helping people for the love of humanity alone, and not to increase the ranks of Christians across the world. I am also aware of the fact that during British rule, they were mostly colonial supporters, if not actual agents.
But does that give one any justification to blame missionaries as a group? I don't think so. If you think they are subverting Indians through providing bread to the poor, well, provide it yourself so that they don't go to them in the first place....more
The first book by Bryson that I read - and I loved it immediately. The author takes us on a guided tour through American history to show us the storieThe first book by Bryson that I read - and I loved it immediately. The author takes us on a guided tour through American history to show us the stories behind great national institutions such as Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Coca Cola.
Recommended for all lovers of quirky historical information....more
Luckily I read this book after I got married, otherwise I wouldn't have married at all. After reading it, I sat down to discuss it with my wife (it waLuckily I read this book after I got married, otherwise I wouldn't have married at all. After reading it, I sat down to discuss it with my wife (it was immediately after marriage, and I had high hopes that we two could have long intellectual discussions in our life together). After I gave her a précis of the book, I suggested that she read it.
What she suggested I do with the book was not entirely polite.
However, I learnt one thing: women's freedom consists of NOT choosing to read feminist literature too....more
Nandakishore
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Books:
non-fiction
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