(Magazine Compilation – Fiction/Non-Fiction – 695 INR)
There are books that are read best sitting by tabletops, and there are books that are best kept to a long flight. But then there are some that can be taken to bed. Well, literally. “The Best of Quest” is one such. When the multi-coloured, paper-back-ish cover is flipped, what lies beyond is a copter ride to a bygone era. Put together in its present form by people closely associated with ‘Quest’ over the decades, this is a compilation of some of the starkest works featured in this erstwhile (1954-1970s) magazine.
The book kick starts with essays, dealing with all and sundry. For the reader who liked (newspaper) compilations on similar lines (Single in the City, Delhi Toh Pagal Hai), The Best of Quest can be demanding but rewarding. Though the whiff of affairs is more serious – keeping in mind the air of new-found democracy and err, ignited minds at the time – there are invaluable gems lurking in the long pieces of political, economic and social opinion. Many of these are credited to one elusive “D” (later introduced to us as Dilip Chitre, a had-been editor of Quest). Sample his “From Sex to Samadhi”, which questions tongue-in-cheek the spiritual side of the act of copulation or the sarcastic “What has Dimple got that Satyajit hasn’t?” which discusses, without fear of a Censor Board, how Bobby’s undercurrents of eroticism can easily put to dust some of Ray’s quasi-literary concepts. Well, well. There are many more delights out there, contributed by some surprising names (Khushwant Singh anyone?), and some very relevant arguments at contention.
Moving onto the poetry and fiction section does not take away anything from the riveting beauty of the forty-five odd essays. For here too, the themes are diverse, the writing styles intriguing. While “The Departure” (Yashwant Chittal) takes you through the preparations of a seemingly routine, early morning departure, it takes a while after the tale is done, to recover from the proceedings. There are more tales that add to the flavour – that feeling of belonging to an age that can now only be read about – and these tantalize. “Kalyani” (Kamala Das) and “Aunt Matilda is Ninety Years Old” (Neela D Souza) for instance, talk about issues that are discussed over high tea even in today’s society circles: an inter-religion marriage, a woman who weaves her life around her husband/demi-God. All that jazz and so convincing that you nod when a windowed old woman says “The Moon Had to be Mended” (Kiran Nagarkar).
Ah, the poetry. This part has handpicked verses from the most illustrious of Quest’s contributors. The founder man himself – Nissim EzekielΒ (on whom is featured a collection of genuinely nostalgic in-memoriam notes, right at the beginning of the book) – delights with his take on “the rarer birds”, to observe which, says he, one needs to tread deserted lanes. The verses flow free, so to say, but keep themselves restricted to familiar terrain: maidens, love and longing. This is not an immensely alluring section per se, especially if chosen as a last course, but makes for some good reading nonetheless.
The Best of QuestΒ experience, in its entirety, lives up to its name. It manages to satisfy the mental need to mull over some err, clandestine home truths – a need that many individuals (and Indians) can today relate to – and also raises several thoughts to proceed in the quest for. If prepared to invest some time and energy in reading this rather thick treasury of ideas, a reader can be a complete school of thought richer. Thumbs up!
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Hi, Thanks for visiting my space π You do have a nice space here.
Thanks and welcome to Saddi Delhi Tan! π
Wowapaluza! I remember reading about this earlier and registering a mental note that I must purchase this. Thanks for the reminder π
Paneer and pulao, you have written a wonderful review. (If only it wasn’t for BlogAdda, it would’ve been perfect!) Ha!
Kartikay, anytime. π But you know, there’s nothing like a free book. (unless it’s so horrid it’s a pain)
And hey, Blogadda’s been a lovely godmother. She’s been sending so many books my way. Glad you liked the review! π
Guess what – I’ve bought it. Loved the sentimental notes on Mr. Nissim and am now on my way to slowly but surely munch through all its pages!
Wow. π
Yes, the notes in memory make for some amazing reading. I liked the anecdotes and how they construct a mental image of Mr Nissim. All the best for the journey K! π
Oh my god .. I have such a huge list of books ot read .. it will take me long to get down the list
Ha ha… I can identify with the feeling. Good luck Bikram! π
I used to be a voracious reader, but I havenβt picked a book up in a long time. Your Review tempts me to invest in this one though!!Thanks for sharing!
Hey FashionQuotient, welcome to Saddi Delhi.
Well, who can tell, this could be the book you’ve been looking for. π Thanks a lot for dropping by!
it sounds like a great literature. All the stories are so different. But my eyes caught in that phrase: the moon has to be mended. interesting sentence
Hey Novroz…Honestly, even I was fascinated with that story title what with a history of association with the moon. π If you happen to read the book, do tell me how you found it.
Sounds interesting… Will grab a copy when I come home… I’m not sure when it will be available at the library here…
Or you order a copy online. I think it will be worth your while Pixie. π
I think it’s a ‘must get’ book. I like how you have described it in your blog. It will be worth it (I hope).
Thank you BA π I certainly hope you enjoy the read as well.
I saw this book some where and I liked it .. this review has made sure i buy it π good review !
Thanks a lot Lady N for taking time out to go through this place. π Delighted you liked the review…
Ordered in flipkart now π
muaah..thanks for the review..its tempting..
Good job done. Thanks a lot Bhavia… tell me how it was. π
Sounds like a nice pick.
All the names, including “Quest” are new to me. I guess it’s about time I changed that π
Hee hee π I am sure you’ll like the experience. The other two I talked about are fascinating reads as well, though a wee bit repetitive after a while.
Sigh! I ws nt very sure abt wanting to review this book. Nw I know what I missed!
That you did Swaram. You might like to persuade someone to pick this up for you. π
Sounds like a heavy read. π
Hear about it and now I want to read parts from it, lets see if I can borrow this from a library.
Ha ha, yes a slightly heavy read Lavinor but well worth the effort.
Do some selective reading for starters and I am sure you will like it. π
The book sounds great but I already have a lot to read… There isn’t any space left in my to read list also… π
Oops. I hope this one can sneak its way in the to-be-considered list. π
I have also received this book as part of the review programme and have yet to finish reading it. Writing the review is a still a long way off. But I have liked what I read so far. π
Oh, that’s nice… looking forward to reading your review Sudha. π