Caged Virgin
by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Ebook version

Front cover and details: amazon

Started reading 18 April 2007
Finished reading 9 June 2007

“I have nothing against religion as a source of comfort. Rituals and prayers can provide support, and I am not asking anyone to give those up. But I do reject religion as a moral gauge, a guideline for life. And this applies above all to Islam, which is an all-pervasive religion, dominating every step of your life.”

This is just one of the paragraphs found in the book that I find very stimulating and most probably would not find favour with the current intelligentsia in the Islamic world.

Her main premise of looking at ourselves again should be seriously considered by all who value critical thinking rather than being blind followers of the religion. This is especially true when it comes to the laws that are blatantly inhumane, for example stoning someone to death .

I've always believed that only God has the power to give and take a life. If we humans are supposed to be the instrument of death, then please let it be a quick death. Not prolonged suffering. The punishment, however severe would never bring back a lost life or put things back to normal for the traumatised victims. The faster the culprit is banished from the earth the better, if he has been proven guilty and really deserves that kind of fate.

A company of planters
by John Dodd

Cover and details monsoonbooks

Started reading 25 May 2007
Finished reading 5 June 2007

A planter's memoirs of his days in Malaya during the late 1950's. The book starts from the period just before Malaya gained its independence.

The matter of fact style gives an insight into his life as an inexperienced assistant in a rubber plantation until the end of his four year contract. During that period, he managed to overcome his first few hesitations about the job by concentrating on the work at hand as well as having an active social life. The new environment gave him an opportunity to savour a different culture and people.

The author's description of his fellow planters and the local populace comes alive with his sometimes detailed picture of each person. The foibles of each as well as the humdrum routine in a plantation are given equal treatment. Some of the people are dull but there is always something in each person that makes an impression on the page.

Reading this book conjures images of the days gone by when the British were still in power. But this was the period that saw the last moments of their presence in the country as the masters. By the time the planter leaves for his long awaited home leave, the country was embarking on a different path.

A period that might be nostalgic for some but disheartening to others.