[Book] The 100-year-old man who climbed out the window and disappeared

Author： Jonas Jonasson  
Year: 2009

I agree with first phrase of Marie Claire's review of  this book, such a a playful book; however, in my opinion, it's more than remind us to live life to the fullest, it's a review of significant events and memoirs in 20th century. It's hard to believe what happened in Allan life, or in fact, it's impossible to happen. Even though, I guess everyone would love to listen to stories of grandpa life long experience; especially when they represent the social context and movement then. By learning the past from the elderly,  you'd get a clearer idea of how incredibly this world moved on. 

Allan view of politics and religions

Growing up experience social political system changed rapidly, Allan define himself as no interested in any politics related topics and refuse to pick a side. Ironically, later his life always crushed in complex relationship with well known politician from all over the sides: Fascist, Capitalist, Communist, Socialist. By accidentally had the only Capitalist of the town exploded into pieces, forecast his successful life as a destroyer and confusing implication with political strategic. I'm quite impression with the way the writer arrange Allan met up with all great politician like Truman, Song Meiling, Stalin, Mao, Kim Young Il...

With his rich experience, Allan always affirm his attitude towards religion, atheist. From the earlier history, there's a firm connections between religion and power control. Since the date Christian had become official religion of Roman Empire, it gained power and shared glory with those Majesty. The pastor in Iran brings along the idea of how far religious propaganda can be seriously taken? When you found your endless and enlightenment, should you go further by spreading this delight to others? The pastor no doubt want to relieve public sorrow; however, his way of combine religious and politics made faith been forced but not a freely choice. No one has the right to  force others to do or follow anything. Too much propaganda for an unclear purpose in a large scale, and even worse, not at the right time can lead to tragedy. 

"To keep on saying the same thing over and over again thus served no purpose."

[Book] The Chrysanthemum and the Sword - p.2

Giri to one's name or clearing one's name, explanation for high pressure and great number of people commit suicide when dealing with pressure situation. Competition is not always the best way for people to get improved, or at least in Japanese case. Some can't bear the pressure, and humiliation of being failed; and they choose to end up their life as way of running away from public's judge. "American condemnation of suicide makes self-destruction only a desperate submission to despair, but the Japanese respect for it allows it to be an honorable and purposeful act. In certain situations it is the most honorable course to take in giri to one's name. "(pp.166) Mostly all the religions discourage and take it as desperately act when somebody want to kill himself. Under deep impact of Buddhist - Zen, I wonder what's their opinion about one's end up life unnaturally?

[Book] The Catcher in The Rye

Little, brown and company, NY 2001

Our main character, Holden Caufield is an attentive observer and his mind overflow with thousand of both sense and nonsense questions. Very sensitive and clear description about people and problems around. We can figure out those kind of characteristics in people that we met everyday. And when you've clear mind about something, people think that you are psycho. That's bring trouble in social interaction, all the  relationship seem so phony. As the way Caufield respected English teacher Mr.Antolini explain:

 ...you're not the first person who was ever confused and frighten and even sicked by human behavior...Many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now (p.246).

Right now, means everything temporarily happens like this and it's gonna be normal if you learn to adapt to the crowd and stimulate their "normal" behaviors？An inspired human can bring the lost sheep back to his track?

The expectation din get fulfilled and he keeps nostalgic about old good and young days. Depression is the feeling appear almost in every start of new chapter. And he depress about almost everything. When a person lost in his own feeling trap, that's gotta be quite an ocean for him to over cross. He'd be in thirst of being accompanied, being responded and being understand. In short of 2 days long, Caulfield wanted to find a companion, no matter that listener is taxi drivers or a whore. Somehow, this lonesomeness finally bring him to negative-over-reaction, from our point of view. From his view, it's the impatient of failing of getting other understand his expression. The thing haunted is that will normal and not lonesome one, have the great patient to spend time and attention to those lonesome? Or they you think it's not their business and better getaway from this mess. Lonesomeness, the biggest matter of human being. It was 50 years ago, and it still appear now.

[Book] Lost Horizon

Yinlin Press 2011

First fictional book I decided to buy after 3 years studying in Taiwan. After learning from teacher about Tibetan literature, as well as seeing my friends pictures of visiting Tibet, I want to have more imagine about this mystery part of the world. I've got review "This book is best remembered as the origin of Shangri-La, a fictional Utopian lamasery high in the mountains of Tibet". And later, I've got the book on my shelf. 

It was so excited for me until finishing reading first chapter of the book. Second, third and fourth chapter comes with more and more impatient in me. Where's the description of the landscape I expected? To me, this book fail in fulfill my desire of imagine Shangri-La. It brings other social matters, and focus on people super long conversations. Shangri-La is peaceful and beautiful as a certain without describing how is it?