Games At Twilight

Games At Twilight is a collection of eleven short stories that elegantly describe everyday life circumstances. Ms Desai's descriptions, though detailed, are spry and engaging. When I finished reading some of its short stories they left me with the impression that nothing elaborate happened. Rather, reading those stories was an opportunity to reflect upon common day-to-day events, to reflect upon one's life.
       When briefly discussing this apparent bareness of content with Heidi Zeigler, she told me that sometimes authors intend to show how life is a string of unmemorable events and that only in specific moments does an epiphany come to us. That only on those rare epiphanic occasions we get the clarity of vision to make a (relatively) important decision. And that these moments are precisely what makes our lives interesting. This sentiment, methinks, accurately describes what Ms Desai achieved in this book.
       Another interesting and important aspect of this book is Ms Desai's graceful and educated use of the language. I quite enjoy reading texts that are rich in new vocabulary to learn. Of course, this is relative to each of our own limits of knowledge. What I meant to say is that I loved delving into my dictionary and learning the meaning of so many interesting words that appeared in this book.
       I highly recommend reading Games At Twilight and am very much looking forward to having the opportunity to read more of Ms Desai's literary creations. Many thanks, Heidi, for introducing me to these worlds.

Half of a Yellow Sun

"Grandpapa used to say, about difficulties he had gone through, 'It did not kill me, it made me knowledgeable.' O gburo m egbu, o mee ka m malu ife."

"I remember."

"There are some things that are so unforgivable that they make other things easily forgivable," Kainene said.

(Adichie, C. N. Half of a Yellow Sun. p. 435. United States of America: Anchor Books, 2007).

       I firstly want to thank Heidi Zeigler for having lent me this fine book. Half of a Yellow Sun is an intense book that tells about the Nigeria-Biafra War. Even though this is not the first book I read that is based in Nigeria, it feels as if this is my first approach to Nigeria's history. Ms Adichie achieves portraying a Nigerian mood, especially by including words in Igbo, that got me quite involved in the story. Her blunt treatment of classism, xhenophobia, and racism certainly reminded me of some unfortunate aspects that also happen here in Mexico.

       One of the things I enjoyed particularly about reading this book is that it taught me about real events in other parts of the world. Each time I have the opportunity to expand my knowledge and undestanding of human history I feel grateful for being aware of more of it. It was harrowing to read about the desolation that comes with war but at the same time it was amazing how Ms Adichie is able to convey these feelings of desperation through her writing.
       Reading this book also reminded me how similar humans are despite our being in different sides of the world. This is something I wish I had more present in my mind.