It's a small world

We live in a tiny world that never ceases to surprise us. A few months back a friend of mine got me some books by Roald Dahl. I read and reviewed The witches a couple of weeks back and after an interval of two serious reads, I turned back to Dahl for some much needed comic relief.  I've read used books for the bigger chunk of my life. It was only recently that I started getting fascinated by off-the-shelf  books in expensive bookstores calling out to me with their glossy covers and pristine good looks. The copy of The Twits I have is a used one. Opening the book, I saw something written on the top right corner of the page. In broken handwriting it said '1998 Happy Birthday Alice, Love Felicity' and it amazed me to no end that here I was, holding a stranger's 14 year old birthday present in my hands! I can't even imagine the places and the hands this book must have passed through to at last end up in my little book shelf, locked inside a glass door. 

 

I don't think I've written my name on a book that I've given away but lets say I did. What if someday, I get an email from a stranger living in the other corner of the world telling me he/she/it (could be a robot, you never know) that they have a book with my name on it- a book I read years ago; a book that made an incredibly long journey, captured the mind of each and every person who ever read it and that it now rests with a stranger who is somehow connected to me only by a page that has my name on it. Just like I am connected to Alice Bell (she wrote her name of the second page). Call me crazy, but I googled her name and sent an email to the first Bell that popped up!

Reading the book, I couldn't help but wonder how the same gruesomeness of Mr. and Mrs. Twit that made me flinch must have disgusted the previous owner of this book too or how the never ending evil antic of the couple on each other must have amused her just the way they amused me. 

I guess this is just one of the charms of the printed word.

Going back to a 'Witchful' past!

Surfing on the internet I came across an article listing the best children's books. Unsurprisingly, Roald Dahl's titles were a staple feature on the list. I think almost everyone has memories from Dahl's books- and his fascinating world of magic!

I suddenly realized how bored I had become of the thriller, horror and drama genres I had been devouring lately and how desperately I craved to live in a lighter, happier imaginary world. Hence, I began reading Roald Dahl's award winning book 'The Witches'. The first time I had begun reading this book was 7 years ago in my school's library, a grim room in the basement with a poor collection. Well, it had this gem so I shouldn't be complaining.

I remember how  the description of these ghastly witches brightened my eyes with fascination. Their image was still etched in my mind. Bald, huge nostrils, claw-shaped hand and square toes!!

Somewhere while reading, it hit me that I had never finished the book. I had only read the first three chapters and then left it incomplete. And for this tragedy, I blame my school's No-book issuance policy. :)

Anyway, during the course of the book, Dahl's imagination never ceased to amaze me. It takes massive talent to write books for children. Simmering complex ideas and  horrifying stories into amusing, fictionalized anecdotes is no easy feat.

I seldom laugh out loud while reading but this book made me do that with every turn of the page. The never ending Mouse-Witch chase, the disgusting witch rituals and the surprising reality of it all enthralled me to bits. A must-read for those who have been plagued by the intellectual-book-syndrome and those who want to renew their love for simple light reading.

Oh, and the best dialogue in the book comes at the end. ‘It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like as long as somebody loves you.’ 

And just so you know, these words were said by a mouse. 

Happy reading!