One of the most beautiful things regarding life is the way everything changes. While the prospect of being part of something new does sound very appealing, sometime it also brings a bit of uncertainty, insecurity and why not, confusion. But the result is usually worth all the troubles!
It's been quite some time since I haven't done this - and I am feeling a bit shy starting to write. No worries, it won't take long until I'll get over that - in fact, writing and taking photos were two of the things that I missed a lot in this period. There's so much to catch up!
I've just finished reading the above mentioned book. If I forgot to say, Pascal Bruckner is and will definitively be for a very long time my favourite writer. The way he presents things, the way his characters are built, how they talk and how they feel - can really trigger some strange and unpredictable emotions in the readers' hearts. For example, one of the things that I noticed while reading "Bitter Moon", and now "Parias, or the temptation of India" - was the ability of the protagonists to induce a feeling of attraction, lust and temptation for things which would otherwise seem repulsive, outrageous or disgusting.
That's exactly what happened while I was reading this book. At first, I was very much annoyed, repulsed by the way India was described. Poverty and dirtiness were always in the spotlight, to the point where I was almost determined to close the book and forget about it. But as I was progressing through the action, I noticed something unusual: while the main character, Frederick was very much disgusted by the country, he was also feeling very attracted by it. Why? Probably because of what India really symbolises, maybe for the author or maybe in general.
India is also presented, though mostly in an indirect manner, as a mystical place, with a drop of fantasy, where everyone wants to find their path. A bit discouraging is the fact that there are so many failures, European junkies and hippies are presented as lost souls which forgot their way to salvation. I think this helps in building the image of India as an "abyss", as the starting quote states: "When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you." (F. Nietzsche). It's not the kind of place where you can find your path without any risks; actually, finding the path is close to impossible - and it's very likely for one not even to realize that the goal was actually attained.
Nietzsche's words at the beginning of the book provide a very subtle clue of the way in which characters see India. Have you ever placed your hands over your eyes during a horror film, not to see the scary scenes? You did end up watching the film to the end, right? Well, at least that's how I usually do. I believe we're all inclined to have an attraction towards the unexpected, the unpredictable and the uncontrollable. We like to play with fire from time to time, because it makes us feel alive - we look into the abyss, but in the same time we like to feel our ropes holding us from falling. It's really a pleasant feeling of enjoying a night in a cemetery full of zombies, while eating popcorn on the living room couch. I think this is exactly what the characters see in India - they see adventures, unpredictable events, dangers and of course, well earned rewards - but in the same time they are a bit reluctant in their quest, in cutting their ropes and looking at the abyss in a free manner.
The end of the book was a bit unexpected (*spoilers ahead*). I never believed there would be a happy ending, but my notion of "happiness" was quite different. In fact, it is a happy ending, it just depends from what side you want to look. With all the mysticism, fantasy and adventures that took place in India, I never expected Frederick to stay and give up to a prosperous future in the European society. Why did he decide to leave the train? I'm still not sure about this, but I believe he wasn't happy with his future; it was just "okay", nothing out of the ordinary. Not even his fiancée could make him regret his decisions - during his last visit in India, he mentions that he doesn't even know what to write her. On the other hand, India doesn't offer him anything, but the prospect of failing. It's the abyss that attracts you inside, calling and trying to corrupt you with dreams that might, or might not come true. I don't think the end result matters that much, as someone said "it's the quest that matters, not the reward". Frederick will probably enjoy his life fully, because he was able to give up to the security of a future and follow his own path.
Towards the end, there are a few words that seem to repeat themselves; they might provide a better clue: "Nobody disappears in India; India is the mother of all. If he had stayed here, he would have found his way." or "Probably your son has found a new home."
All in all, it is really a great book; complex, with a lot of events and well polished descriptions - it reminds me of adventure books, but in the same time with a very deep meaning. While different, the book does remind of "Bitter Moon" - two of the characters reappear and more hints are provided regarding their future. Considering this, it would probably be a good idea to read "Bitter Moon" before this.
