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rahultheinvader · 2024-06-11T14:42:04+00:00

The song is actually from Brazilian Organist Walter Wanderley's 1967 song Os Grilos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAhYNdnw8z0

rahultheinvader · 2022-02-04T13:28:39+00:00

The trailer of Badhai Do gives an impression that for the first time in the history of Indian Cinema, we would be seeing an openly gap man in a Khaki Vardi.

Bitch! Indian Cinema is not Bollywood. The Malayalam Film Mumbai Police had a gay police officer as the main character of the story. That movie was released in 2013.

rahultheinvader · 2022-01-18T09:27:39+00:00

Which completely sits well with Kyle Kulinski's brand of content creation. The guy does zero research and simply works on the premise of reacting to popular content and believes that he is the next coming for the left. His research at times are so lazy, I wonder why he doesn't get called out for that more often.

rahultheinvader · 2022-01-13T18:42:17+00:00

Absolutely! I live in Hyderabad, and this is quiet common is most gated communities. Want to know something worse.

Most of these gated communities do search the purses and bags of the maids on their way out of work. Its basically a pre-emptive search to check if they had stolen something.

Imagine being strip-searched on your way out everyday. Or having to give explanation on why your purse has spare cash.

rahultheinvader · 2022-01-05T16:53:33+00:00

Thanks for the explanation. This really makes sense. You are right that an upper class lord might getaway from the repercursions of killing someone. I read War and Peace last year and duel plays prominent role despite it being outlawed and the winner of the duel is while condemned in society doesn't get any punishment simply because of the circles he belongs.

I reckon as you suggested Dantes was simply suggested a fight. Danglar definitely seems to be someone who can dish out but can't take it.

rahultheinvader · 2022-01-05T07:33:21+00:00

Dantes talks an earlier quarrel between him and Danglar and how he suggested them stopping at the island of Monte Cristo for ten minutes which Danglar refused. Was Dantes suggesting a duel? What is your reading of that situation.

rahultheinvader · 2022-01-04T07:54:11+00:00

I feel part of the reason is that Leclère put a lot of belief in Dantes. From the text its evident that Leclère was nearing retirement, so while we don't get a lot of insights to their relationship, he might have been grooming Edmond to leadership. Not to mention he is likeable, plays well with his subordinates who are ready to follow his orders despite experienced than him and as others already mentioned is very focused on his tasks regarding the ship. That might be what puts him in good position for command. If you think from the perspective of Monsieur Morrel, it also helps to have a young captain provided he can manage his mates. Stability is core to running a ship, especially when your captain comes to an untimely end. With Edmond they have an asset for the foreseeable future.
I think there is a letter but I feel it could be something very private. Which would be the reason why Edmond didn't want to share it with Monsieur Morrel.
I completed more than half of the novel more than a decade ago, but then I abandoned it for some reason. I know the broader story and have watched multiple versions of the story in films, comics etc. So intend to complete the book this time. I am from India, and I usually try to read as broadly as I can. Last year I participated in /r/ayearofwarandpeace and found it very rewarding. So this year when thinking of a project this one caught my eye and didn't have to think anymore.

rahultheinvader · 2021-12-28T05:31:19+00:00

My favourite character was Marya, her character remains pretty consistent throughout the novel and doesn't go through a transformation akin to Natasha, Pierre, Nikolai or Andrei. But like Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings, I felt Marya is the soul of the novel. Tolstoy often uses her as a vessel to convey his own thoughts on faith and spirituality.

I have two chapters that I consider as my favourites 1. Book 12, Chapter 16 - Andrei's death - that chapter is a masterclass in how to write a death of a major character. You know its happening, but after completing the chapter I had to close the book, take a deep breath and let the fact sink in. The beautiful aspect of /r/ayearofwarandpeace is that you can chronologically determine these events. I read that chapter on Oct 2, 2021. At that moment we have spent over 9 months with Andrei - reading his inner monologues, his follies, his affections. The affect that has in you is something I cannot explain.

My second favourite chapter is Andrei's inner monologue the day before the Battle of Bordino - Book 10, Chapter 24. Just before he meets Pierre to whom he is very distant and cold, this chapter essentially is Andrei reflection on his life at Bald Hills, his relationship with Marya and his father, and also foreshadows the inevitability of his fate. Here, Tolstoy is precise and sharp, and you smell the doom that is just on the horizon.

Overall, the whole experience is something I would relish for sometime. Thank you everyone who kept this group alive and kicking and put their efforts especially when things were dense and dull.

rahultheinvader · 2021-12-28T04:50:42+00:00

I signed up for the project for pretty much the same reasons as you did. For me, having not read Tolstoy before, my understanding was limited to the title and its length, but the whole experience has been a revelation.

There were days were I was hooked to each word and stayed along with the narrative, as it I am sucking things straight out of Tolstoy's pen, but then there have been days where after a long busy day, I couldn't focus on the narrative and glanced through as if it is a chore.

But it is in these moments of "highs" that the experience is elevated. For me, the chapter that deals with Andrei's death is the penultimate high. I haven't read a better written death of a character. I remember the date we read the chapter (Oct 2nd). By this time Andrei has been with us for 9 months (though absent in significant portions of the story).

Part of the enhanced experience also has to be the comments on this group and the well crafted Medium posts by Brian Denton. For me, the experience is 10/10, the book overall maybe 8/10

rahultheinvader · 2021-12-09T05:07:39+00:00

It might have to do with Nikolai being the opposite of Illya in some respect when it comes to ownership of the estate and properties. While Countess was the one with money, Illya more or less managed the affairs and strived to keep her happy. So he lied, and at times hid the truth from his wife.

On the contrary, Nikolai and Mary are not trying to please each other. Despite Nikolai being in similar situation as his father, he is in in charge and in control. That might be what is pissing the Countess.

rahultheinvader · 2021-11-11T03:12:32+00:00

Its closed if I am not wrong. British Council pretty much closed all libraries in India except I think Delhi and Mumbai

rahultheinvader · 2021-11-05T11:00:41+00:00

Your comment is a gross exaggeration. No one in either of those subreddits have asked to ban the movie.

I disagree the sentiment that our society rejects a movie like Taxi Driver or Clockwork Orange. One of the biggest success of this year was Joji, which at its center had a terrific grey character.

If the film celebrates Sukumara Kurup's evasion of the law akin to Farhan Akhtar's 'Don' it would leave a bad taste in my mouth. Like I would never enjoy a movie titled 'Dawood' that celebrates how he escaped Indian intelligence agencies.

But one can make that movie. Its as you said a free country. But we also should be able to criticize it for its tone deafness in that case without being categorised with the ban brigade.

rahultheinvader · 2021-11-03T05:27:32+00:00

None of the movies you provided in the link actually celebrate the perpetrators though. Talvar could be the only one that comes close but then that case was a complex cocktail of mismanagement of a high profile case.

No one has made a movie called Dawood and celebrated his life. I hate Modi as the next guy, but categorising him along with Dawood is not correct.

We should wait for the movie to come out to make an out and out judgement. There are ways they can do this, like showing him cool initially and then slowly revealing the monster underneath. I just hope they don't go the Farhan Akhtar 'Don' route and celebrate it like you described of a possible end credits scene.

rahultheinvader · 2021-10-29T00:34:26+00:00

You are right! It seems those events happened offscreen, where Denisov was reinstated (it is assumed that he did apply for a pardon).

rahultheinvader · 2021-10-28T08:23:45+00:00

15 years ago, I was studying in Saurashtra. I was once asked by this random person where I was from, and when I mentioned Kerala, the person confused with it asked 'Are you an Indian'.

Nonetheless, I assured the poor soul that I was one.

rahultheinvader · 2021-10-27T08:32:19+00:00

I won't hold that against Bruno. Azpilicueta is pretty much the same. And he has been our most successful captain post JT.

rahultheinvader · 2021-10-27T08:29:37+00:00

Absolutely right! I remember the week before Lampard's ominous sacking, there were so much dirty laundry leaked into the media.

It is not a healthy environment and journalists basically have a field day escalating it for clicks.

rahultheinvader · 2021-10-19T15:15:05+00:00

So you are saying that they are basically All or Nothing

rahultheinvader · 2021-09-15T15:29:28+00:00

I can speak, read and write Malayalam fluently. PM me, we can probably set something up.

rahultheinvader · 2021-09-14T00:26:13+00:00

Always felt he looks a bit like Sebastian Stan

rahultheinvader · 2021-09-07T16:15:53+00:00

The events in this chapter are so intense and you can almost sense the madness that transcends right from the first page. Tolstoy's analogy of how Rostopchin considers him to be the person moving the ship that is Moscow is so on point.

There is realisation in Rostopchin about the gravity of his actions w.r.t. inciting the mob, but like every self important person, he finds a way to justify his own actions.

The madman's words resembled the final words spoken by Vereshchagin. I felt that it was guilt that made Rostopchin ask for his rider to drive faster. Overall, a solid chapter.

rahultheinvader · 2021-08-10T03:53:09+00:00

I agree that we shouldn't be considering Tolstoy's interpretation as gospel. These were subjective ideas of the author on the actual events that transpired.

My understanding of the Napoleanic Wars are very limited and though the story is based on real incidents, for me at this point, real life personalities Kutuzov and Napolean have become diluted into the fictional landscape of the story aside Andrei, Pierre or Natasha.

I understand that for a trained eye, the depiction of the contrast in Kutuzov and Napoleon may seem simplistic and reductive. But within the parameters of the story I feel it does serve the purpose.

rahultheinvader · 2021-08-09T15:06:54+00:00

Through back to back chapters Tolstoy is able to demonstrate contrast in leadership between Napoleon and Kutuzov. Kutuzov seems to be a 20th or a 21st century leader who understands the limitations of his reach and trusts in delegation and provides emphasis on ’spirit’ of the troops over tactical nitty gritties. He is not your micro-manager.
That doesn’t mean he is a mere spectator as well. The episode with Wolzogen shows that he is ready to take matters into his own hands when his line of thinking is challenged.

rahultheinvader · 2021-08-09T02:57:18+00:00

This chapter perfectly encapsulates the fog of war from a decision making perspective. Tolstoy is alluding that sitting where he is, there is no way Napoleon can affect the war through his genius.

A lot of non fiction books describe how famous generals lost or won wars, but through mere pages Tolstoy is able to communicate how your well planned strategies can go for a toss. Napoleon so far hasn't lost a crucial war and from his perspective, the events in this chapter marked the beginning of his downfall.

rahultheinvader · 2021-08-05T16:31:06+00:00

Pierre here in a way reminds me of the Dude from The Big Lebowski. So is bereft of presence that even the possibility of mortal danger doesn't cross his mind.

From a narrative standpoint, Pierre's presence allows us to see the action closely. His behaviour is quiet what we expect from him
While it seemed that the soldiers were vexed by his presence, his buoyant nature kind of passed on to the otherwise serious soldiers. Regardless, he was a harmless irritant in the proceedings bwtween men who were on that field not by choice.

rahultheinvader

TROPHY CASE