Book reviews
Current Reading List
I usually have bookmarks in several books. Here's the books I'm currently reading:
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The Framer's Coup by Michael J Klarman
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Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze
George Orwell
Orwell's "1984" presents a dystopian world characterised by the grim spectre of horrors and sterility. It portrays a society where every thought, action, and word is policed, truth and history are extinguished, speech and writing are condensed, and every member of the Party is utterly subjugated (reminding me of a few corporates I've come across). The narrative follows Winston, a worker in the Records Department, who grapples with memories and struggles to fully conform to the ideology of Big Brother and The Party.
Central to the story is Winston's love for Julia, a fellow Party member who outwardly conforms but inwardly rebels. Winston's hope lies in joining the Brotherhood (skaapkopbende), a clandestine organisation rumored to oppose The Party, and in his trust in O'Brien, whom he believes shares his disbelief in the Party's ideology. He also (mis)places his faith in the proles, the unorganised working class, as the potential foundation for an uprising against the Party.
However, The Party proves Putin-like and it is O'Brien who subjects poor Winston to brutal torture aimed at purging him of all dissenting opinions. This ordeal, culminating in Winston's betrayal of even his beloved Julia, leaves him shattered and subservient to, you guessed it, The Party.
Orwell's narrative, composed with logical precision (no doubt thanks to his wife Eileen's input - also read Wifedom by Anna Funder), serves as a chilling blueprint for mass control, detailing the methods of maintaining power and the dubious techniques of political duplicity. It offers a rather thought-provoking exploration of themes such as surveillance, manipulation and the erosion of individual autonomy, echoing the author's earlier work, "Animal Farm".
While undoubtedly a compelling and intellectually stimulating read, "1984" may not suit all tastes due its bleak portrayal of totalitarianism and its unflinching examination of the human condition. Approach it with caution and on the "Sipper" scale with a full-bodied brooding cabernet.
Johan Kaag
Kaag's journey into the life, writings and mountains of Nietzsche is a rather profound exploration into the depths of existential inquiry and self-discovery.
Nietzsche is a formidable hiking companion, especially for those who dare to engage with his ideas while trying to craft their own narratives. It's akin to walking a tightrope, where the weight of Nietzsche's philosophy threatens to overshadow one's own voice and experiences. Kaag, however, bravely navigates this precarious balance. He delves into Nietzsche's world not just intellectually, but on a deeply personal level, allowing Nietzsche to become a guiding force in his own journey of self-realisation.
The author follows Nietzsche's footsteps, understanding the philosopher's belief that history should enrich our present experiences. Nietzsche sought the mountains as a means to confront the existential void, and Kaag retraces these steps, returning to Sils Maria, Switzerland, where he once immersed himself in Nietzschean thought during his youth. This time, he's accompanied by his wife and young daughter. Although his intentions for this return trip were initially unclear, as he wanders the Alps and delves deeper into Nietzsche's works, he finds himself approaching a profound psychological breaking point.
The connection between philosophy and Kaag's life isn't as straightforward as in his previous work, "American Philosophy: A Love Story," (which I recommend you read) but this is understandable given the complexity of Nietzsche's ideas. Unlike many other philosophers, Nietzsche doesn't merely invite readers to understand his philosophy; he demands that they confront it head-on. His writing is a challenge to strip away the layers of societal conditioning and confront the truth of one's existence. In facing this challenge, Kaag grapples with his own ideals, ultimately affirming his choice of Nietzsche as a companion on his journey.
The narrative is a meditative exploration, rich with moments of self-understanding that resonate with those of us drawn to pushing our limits. As a mountain biker, I've felt the compulsory self-evaluation that comes with endurance events, much like Kaag experiences retracing Nietzsche's steps. Nietzsche's idea of "becoming who you are" is not only a profound one but an idea I've grappled with for a very long time; it can't be anything else than active growth, forever moving a necessary prerequisite. In the desert on my mountain bike, I've caught glimpses of this process of 'becoming' - the tracks representing my own winding path to self-realisation, but knowing full well that there is no such thing as 'arriving'.
On the "Sipper-scale" this book would pair well with a complex Pinot Noir - a wine known for its complexity, much like Nietzsche, layers of flavours that unfold as you sip...
J D Salinger
This book is a violent mess of adolescent angst, and it's got nothing on Salinger's earlier work. Holden Caulfield's first-person narrative is as basic and drab as it gets. He's a prep school reject who heads to New York City to hide his latest screw-up from his parents. What follows is supposed to be a wild night, but all Holden manages to do is pay a bill. He's terrified by the elevator guy and his prostitute, has a date with a girl he both likes and hates, and sees his little sister Phoebe. He also visits a sympathetic English teacher after a drunken breakdown.
There are those who wax lyrical about this book but for me it did nothing. It features nowhere on the "Sipper Scale" but should you decide to read it, stay away from anything alcoholic; the writing will induce drunkenness soon enough. Salinger's attempt at capturing adolescent turmoil is more like stumbling through a dark alley than a journey of self-discovery. The profanity-laden narrative feels like a desperate attempt to sound edgy, but is comes off as gratuitous (and even sorry). Holden Caulfield's adventures in New York are about as thrilling as watching paint dry, and his sudden decisions make as much sense as a fish riding a bicycle. It is a sorry excuse for a novel, and if you're looking for something to read, you'd be better off picking a dictionary.
