The Letter Project: #1

Hey, hi.

Well, I do not know how to start so let's just begin with the fact that this is a new project that I have kicked off finally, after weeks of procrastination. What project, you'd ask? See, basically, I thought of writing a letter everyday, not really addressed to anyone in particular, merely pouring out whatever comes to mind at the end of the day. I know it sounds weird, but isn't it fascinating to discover how the person turned up to be the person he or she is today? I mean, just think about it, like say 20 years from now I might end up being a different person altogether from what I am today; with different believes, with different ideas and with different approach to things. And as they say, 'Nature changes gradually'. Hence, I firmly am of the opinion that over a period of time, reading these letters will provide an insight into how I came to be. Originally I planned on writing these letters on paper and not typing them out anonymously on a blog, but the thing is I am unsure how private I will be able to keep these letters.

Anyway, I am lost actually. There are so many things going in my mind right now but somehow I am not able to type them out, I mean, when I think, things just flow; ideas which are not even remotely connected to each other just flourish out of nowhere. By the way, talking about 'flow', I finally pushed myself to pick up and read Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I remember, how I came to know of him through a tribute paid to him, on his death, by Jhumpa Lahiri. If you do not know already, Jhumpa is my favourite author and I make it a point that this does not remain a secret. I mean, I love the way she writes. The words and sentences ooze simplicity, yet the way they weave a deep narrative is phenomenal. So yeah, it was through her tribute I register an author named "Gabriel Garcia Marquez" in my head and also the fact that his short stories are the real deal. 

I picked up this copy of Strange Pilgrims. What drew me towards this particular work, you would ask? Well, although "Love In The Time Of Cholera" and "A Hundred Years Of Solitude" are touted to be his best works, they are vast! I am not really scared of the volume, but scared by the fact that in case his writing style goes bouncer on me, these two great stories won't leave the impact that I desire. Also, as I told you about how I made a note of the brilliance of his short stories, it was natural that I would gravitate towards them. Browsing through Flipkart, Strange Pilgrims just struck the chord. Yes, that is how I zero down on my reads; I buy or borrow whichever title and teaser (the little summary on back of the book; I don't know the actual term for it) manages to tempt my imagination.

Basically, I had tried reading this book as soon as I bought it, but honestly, it didn't really strike a chord at that point. The word play seemed too forced and the narrative bland. Thus, I did not manage to go beyond ten pages. Today, after a month of thinking about South America (its colonial history, the indigenous people, Che's road trip, the modern day culture and the economy) I made up my mind to try reading it once again. This time, I feel I wouldn't be disappointed because I am getting his style of writing now, which is very smooth. The transitions in the story are so effortless and beautiful that it is really hard to break-free from the story. In the first short story, titled "Bon Voyage, President", the 'awaiting for death' part really piqued up my sentiments. I am trying to picture how after a lifetime, the lifetime doesn't quite matters. Reliving past glories, evaluating former relationships and counting last breaths is all that a normal day comprises of. This reminds me of the book "The Sense Of An Ending" by Julian Barnes which explores the past dug out by the retired protagonist, Tony Webber. 

Anyway, the letter has gotten too long and literature-centred, right? I do intend for the letters to be the former but not the latter. I mean, I do not read literature all the time, in the first place! On the flip-side, I do like stories and more so, picturising them in my head. Did I tell you about the countless thoughts that take shape and come alive every other moment in the form of tales in my imagination? Oh wait, some of them are visions of future and replay of past scenes too. Isn't it funny how the past and future both seem to blend into the present, shaping up this moment's experience? Too deep, I know. Thank your stars that I need to sign off this letter now, nevertheless, tomorrow's shall await you. 

-The Perplexed Stormbringer.