Over the years, I’ve read thousands of books.
Some shaped my thoughts and views, opinions and feelings – including novels like Margaret Mitchell‘s ‘Gone With The Wind‘
And Mario Puzo‘s ‘The Godfather‘ which made a huge impact.
For decades, I could quote even lengthy passages verbatim from the book.
“Every man has but one destiny.”
Slowly – very slowly – I’m coming out from under the ether.
After 10 magical days.
Where was I?
Transported into the past, a thousand years back. To the glamorous, glorious Chola period of Thamizhagam, in a narrative about the prince popularly known as ‘Ponniyin Selvan’.
Just so that I could go back to reading this lovely book.
I’ve enjoyed books like Martin Gilbert’s “History of the Twentieth Century” and J.M.Robert’s “History of Europe“, that portray a conventional account of how Europe evolved over centuries.
In all of these narratives, the Byzantine empire and Constantinople seemed to me, somehow, to be kept peripheral. At the edge of the canvas. Being important, yet not taking center-stage.
But in Peter Frankopan‘s book “The Silk Roads“, all of this changes.
The fountain of youth. The Holy Grail. Xanadu. Eternal youth.
Immortality.
It’s a day-dream that has fuelled many an idle holiday hour or long ride over the years. I’m sure you, too, have wistfully thought of a future that stretches out forever, with time passing you by.
But if you did extend that fantasy out, not to eternity, perhaps, but just, say, a thousand years…
What would you see?
That’s the intriguing premise behind the book I’ve just finished reading. It’s called “The 1,000 Year Old Boy” by Ross Welford.
I have a rule of thumb about reading strategies.
If a book makes me laugh out loud thrice in the first ten pages, I read it. And that’s how I came to read one of Fannie Flagg‘s with the rather unusual title: “The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion”
It’s a story founded on an intriguing premise:
What if, late in life, you suddenly discover that you’re not who you thought you were all these years?
Hello. I'm Dr.Mani, a Heart surgeon, Author and Social entrepreneur. I write and sell ebooks to help raise money that sponsors life-saving operations for children born with heart defects.
I'm also curious about things, and love to read & travel. My current Interests are Genomics, A.I. and nanotech.
