Lust, Caution - A review

The book is written by Eileen Chang, a Chinese writer whose works are considered to be among the best Chinese literature.

I had to read the story twice because the writing is terse in many places. Of course, I read the English version as I don’t know Chinese.

That said, the key to understand the story better is to also watch the movie by Ang Lee.

The story is set in Shanghai and is about a young girl, Wong Chia Chi who is a student and member of a political theater group. She and the group members use their theatrical acting abilities in active resistance to the Japanese occupation in China in the period of 1938 - 1942.

Wong disguises as a married sophisticate of a business tycoon. She enters the circle of Mr. Yee who is a Chinese collaborator and nemesis of the resistance. Wong is assigned the role of influencing Mr. Yee by getting intimate with him. She carries out her task by participating in tea parties, gossips and mahjong games of Mrs. Yee.

During the course of the story, Wong finds herself both intensely attracted and repelled by Mr. Yee. The erotic scenes in the film are powerful and move through various emotions.

Eventually, Wong falls in love with the man she is up against and finds it hard to kill Mr.Yee. She is wrapped in deceit and betrayal and becomes party to it.

The story in the book is very short, but the film is three hours long and Ang Lee, the director has taken a good time exploring human behavior.

The story has a stark, unsentimental conclusion that could go either ways for readers.
I find the ending confusing and abrupt with the protagonist failing in the task she set out to do.

Overall, the story isn’t a fast-paced thriller but thought provoking if you like a long drama.

On a different note, I'm half-way through Mitali's Secret Keeper and will keep you posted on that soon.

What's on your reading list now?

Meme tag

I got tagged on a meme in Danika's blog.

It was fun and here's a little of me for you.

The rule is to answer the following 5 questions 5 times and then tag 5 more people to do the same.

Question #1 – Where were you 5 years ago:

1. Lived in Bangalore, India
2. Slept every night on a cool red-oxide floor
3. Learnt to cook south Indian food from my mom
4. Fell in love with an amazing man who became my husband
5. Learnt to play the violin

Question #2 – Where would you like to be five years from now?

At home -
1. Shaping my imagination into reality through writing
2. Learning to play Beethoven
3. Believing in the road forward
4. Having the courage to follow my heart and Keep looking for what I love
5. Becoming an incurable optimist and contributing beyond myself


Question #3 – What is on your to do list today?

1. Write a scene draft
2. Read chapter 6 of “ The Secret Keeper” by Mitali Perkins
3. Walk my dog
4. Write pending email responses
5. Check the rose and hibiscus plants in my garden

Question #4 – What snacks do you enjoy?

1. Mom’s Papadums – dry roasted or deep fried discs of lentil crisps from South India
2. Doughnuts
3. White chocolate
4. Mom’s home-made Potato Chips
5. Roasted almonds


Question #5 – What would you do if you were a billionaire?

1. Continue feeling bothered by poems and plot lines as they pass through my ears while watering plants in my garden, while cutting vegetables, while making a meal.
2. Experience the sheer joy of showing up to write every day. Without fail.
3. Love what I do.
4. Be inspired by some of the most extraordinary aspects of being that is
within the people around me.
5. Do what I believe is great work.


Consider yourself tagged -

1. Perception

2. Hema

3. Angelina Hansen

4.Arjun Rajendran

5. Vijaya Bodach


Even if you aren't tagged, just pick any one or more of the five questions above and do write to me.

Best,
Suma.

Saturday Morning at 10 am

Its drizzling outside my window –

Which means I can’t sit and stare here



Or here



But, I'll manage to indulge in this book this weekend -

while Duke, my dog nibbles my feet under the couch

and as vegetables cook in a tamarind gravy for Bisibele Bath in my kitchen.

“Lust, Caution” written by Eileen Chang is a story of love, betrayal and manipulation set in Shanghai during World War 2. The book is also made into a movie.

I’ll post a review for it in my next post.


That said, I came across an old article about how some of our favorite writers write.
I’m sure you’ll find this quite intriguing.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748703740004574513463106012106-lMyQjAxMDA5MDAwNjEwNDYyWj.html


Have a great weekend everyone

and

tell me what you did when it last rained.