What does pink remind you of? Dark Pink? Think. Imagine. Focus. On this commonly stereotyped colour. Did you imagine something? Women? No, don’t focus. Let it all go away. Like dust flying from sands.
Dark Pink used not to be my colour for a long time. I would be told pink are for girls. Probably you too. Maybe, fortunately not. I would reject the colour. It’s since some time that I admitted to myself that all this time, I wasn’t really rejecting pink. I was rejecting being a girl, a lady, a woman. For, I’m all of them.
Where does green take you? Do you like grass? Have you touched them? Those vital delicate beings. Alive. Yet personified. Breathing. Yet speechless.
Trees come to my mind. Big bulky individuals. Silent yet brooding. Speechless yet living. Meditating. Almost, supernatural. When I hug a tree, I get this feeling. It is hard to verbalise it. I will try my best. It is the feeling when you hug a person who is swearing to protect you in exchange of sharing your body heat.
Black. This colour is most likely everywhere. Like a miscreant wearing the garbs of a virtuous, bountiful human. Okay. Think. Where does black bring you to? Is that place pleasant or no?
I embody black as a second skin. Does that make me black? Am I defined by the colour? Or do I define it? I don’t believe in following fashion. I am a maker.
I had different plans for today two weeks back. I was planning on participating into GWL’s Book Picnic. I bet it is as interesting and unique as Story Café and Open Book. Rather, you will find me at the front of house today at our Library. Because? I chose to. Book Picnic, from what I have interpreted is a space where people share and reflect on each other’s and their own experiences of reading a powerful book. But point to be noted, the books on spotlight have to reflect women, or be made through their minds or be officially providing some purpose to women as an audience.
It’s a space created for free writing and the rising discussions from it.
It’s a space to hear from scripts out of chosen books and feel the emotions the act of reading and, hearing sparks.
You will find a series of book recommendations through Glasgow Women’s Library’s Book Picnics hosted in its premises by browsing the link below:
Today, I am seeing lots of unique learners with their learning styles coming to study. In the upstairs floor. Serene and soothing. I don’t have words much about being the face, in between periods of working and interactions, I can tell you observing people through our social distancing barrier, is too, unique.
Not so quite ago, I had read Jane Eyre A Retelling by Tanya Landman. I will tell you that it is a story of a woman who has been suppressed and simultaneously trying to rise and ultimately achieved it. The retelling preserved and unleased the wonderful spirit of Jane. Jane, an inhibited yet determined and courageous woman. She is whooped into her societal and individualistic desires while trying to fend for herself. A minds-her-own-business lady.
Jane has her shackles. She is a woman beyond her age and shackles. Having her opinions. And ultimately being the only factor determining her life.
I did a research back into the original and found the following – a classic book that requires reading stamina (something I crave to find in people close to me). It has those Victorian vibes, recording a complex journey from childhood to teenage.
Both the stories, contain a revolution imbued with strong language. I would say it is a classic gothic love story as the emotion of love drives major plot turns in this. It is inspiring and provocative. I was feeling more and more surprised, not necessarily because of the patriarchal or restrictive culture that my society at home belong to, more so because I didn’t see those scenes possible.
Towards the endings, I felt Jane tracking down the ‘voice’ had an almost supernatural effect on me. It is romantic, but more than that, a romantic spiritual plot. There is that attractive tussle between heart/mind and logic/practice. There is the act of self preservation, the gnawing effect habits have. Sanity hinging on mental health.
Rochester and Jane’s budding/flowing/conflicting relationship gradually removed the consequence of their age gap.
Being called Jane from Miss Eyre.
Love, wise beyond years. Mature before age.
The part of Helen Burns is vital as what she left Jane with, was probably the act of seeking Jane took part in towards the ending.
It is interesting to note that, compared to Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre is not driven by appearances.
The most pivotal part was carried through Rochester’s actions and the way it was received by Jane, makes Jane Eyre, thoroughly a book to be relished about, by and of a woman.
That’s all for the day. You will find this retelling at our Library! Thank you for reading.
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2 replies on “Blog 2 – My Book Recommendation”
What a wonderful blog about a book that gives a different perspective to a classic!!Jane Eyre has been my favourite book ever since I was gifted a copy by my friend on my birthday… I was bewitched by the romance and the setting of the story…I had read it over n over until I came across Wide Sargasso Sea, a prequel to the novel and it gave me a new perspective on a character that was shrouded in mystery( and honestly, I never thought about much) that is Mr. Rochester’s first wife.
Every take on this story fascinates me. So when you told me about this retelling, I was intrigued. This beautiful blog has got me craving to run to GWL and grab a copy and settle myself on a cosy sofa and curl up with a hot cuppa coffee and lose myself in the familiar world of Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Great recommendation, Aishwarya!!
I am glad you feel that way Shalini! My pleasure.