Apr 30, 2006 02:43 AM
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(Updated Apr 30, 2006 02:43 AM)
Vikram Seth was in the limelight last month due to the release of his book 'Two lives' and this man's character intrigued me! A self-confessed gay writing a normal love-story surely must be very soughted out, I thought. Meanwhile, a friend recommended his book 'The Equal Music' and due to his insistence I picked it up.
Believe me, for people who are passionate( in can be anything... music, dance, other arts) it's a real delight. Vikram Seth is so successful in getting the passion across. Many writers begin with a theme dealing with music but perforate into sub-plots to add spice to the story but this man sticks to a very basic plot.
The plot as such is very uncomplicated - for the benefit of the uninitiated - Michael and Julia were lovers but due to differences drift away. Michael still loves Julia and after a wait of ten years sees her in an adjoining bus ( very filmi, I know) when he's least expecting it. He loses her there and along with that also a precious record that he had been frantically looking for.Of course,they meet again at his concert in London. It turns out that she loves him too and the love affair begins all over again.
However, surprises awaits them this time. Michael by profession is a violonist and Julia is a pianist. Their first meeting and their musical bond makes the journey so colourful and meaningful.
This book is spiritual in ways inexplicable...
I began listening to chamber music, Mozart and Beethoven to understand the beauty to this book.Without doubt, it's worth every effort!
Vikram Seth keeps the language simple and as layman as possible. Clearly,he's not here to show-off his language skills. A certain Siddharth Dhanvant Sanghvi should take a few tips from this style... A story simply told, leaves a deeper impression than a story with heavy-duty prose and silly jargons.
The characters are real,distinct and likable. Every character instantly makes a connection and as the story unfolds it keeps the interest alive.
Take your time, relish this book. U would want to gift it to your grandchildren when they grow up.
