End of the year resolution

I wrapped up this year’s OBOC with Suad Amiry’s “Sharon and My Mother-In-Law: Ramallah Diaries” as the book from Palestine. I had originally thought I would read one of Raja Shehadeh’s works for Palestine, but was thrilled to find this book which also helped me towards my goal of reading more woman writers this year. Also marked my 93^rd book for OBOC – had hoped to hit 100 this year, but oh well a couple of 700 pagers and writings from my other favorite writers came out to distract me this year, so I fell short of the 100. 

 Back to this book. No matter where you fall in the matter of Israel and Palestine, what your opinions on who is doing what to whom, this book is well worth your time. Yes, it distinctly represents the Palestinian voice, but that is a voice we don’t hear in the media/ public often.  

How does one carry on living amidst curfews, shortages and ridiculous bueraucracies? How does it feel to live your life knowing your fate is being determined not by you, but in distant places like Oslo, Washington by people who don’t have to stand in line for 3 hours to get a loaf of bread, or get an Israeli id for your dog so the dog can get vaccinated, or deal with having a wall suddenly come up on land you were growing olives on or having to prop up a 90 year old woman over a fence to get her out of a curfew zone? Suad’s recipe is a bit of insanity, mixed with unwavering stubborness and a generous helping of humor.

Of late I have found myself in some ridiculous situations (sometimes at work, on the road, dealing with contractors etc) when I caught myself laughing instead of getting bogged down. Although light years from living in Ramallah, I felt Suad’s style of writing and her view on life and that of average Palestinians has a lesson for me.

Switching gears I picked up “The Dubliners” by Joyce again, and found myself enjoying it more this time around. I have a general fascination for Ireland don’t know why (maybe it was mind boggling for an Indian to associate fair-skinned folks with victims of colonialism). I devour Irish movies or movies set in Ireland, love their folk music, and their writers. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, release of Mandela, I think the Good Friday Agreement ranks as one of the important events fueling optimism around the world for people of my generation. 

Anyway I’ve told myself I would visit Dublin only after I read and understand Ulysses so that might be many many years from now. Maybe my daughter would read it before I do! But “The Dubliners” on the other hand is a fascinating read coming from someone who is not a fan of short stories. I have seen Dublin in my mind’s eye thanks to Joyce’s evocative descriptions, and this re-reading has prompted me to ditch all my other efforts and attack Ulysses one more time like Mahmud of Ghazini who plundered India 17 times (only in my case, much more timidly and so far unsuccessfully over 17 years almost!). This time I am well armed with guides that claim to help me go through Ulysses with a cheat sheet and a compass. 

That’s my end of the year resolution!