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Showing posts from June, 2023

One Hundred Years of Solitude: Magical Realism at its Finest

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's " One Hundred Years of Solitude" is one of my favorite books of all time.  Originally published in 1967, it is a multigenerational  family story of the  Buendías .  The  tale of the Buendía family unfolds in the fictional town of Macondo, with its labyrinthine narrative taking readers on a journey that spans one hundred years. The book has interesting and diverse characters. From patriarch José Arcadio Buendía to the enigmatic Remedios the Beauty and the tormented Aureliano Buendía, each character possesses a distinct personality and brings a unique perspective to the story. (Spoiler!) I'm never going to forget Remedios ascending to heaven. Dramatic, amusing, magical, brilliant. While reading the book, I wanted to accurately comprehend the characters, so I actually made a sketch of a detailed Buendía family tree. Lol. Beyond the fantastical elements, "One Hundred Years of Solitude" delves deep into the human condition, exploring the...

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy, one of the great literary giants of the 19th century, penned a masterpiece in War and Peace. This is one book, I felt, that had a profound impact on me. I think I grew up a bit after reading this. No other book had such an impact on me before. Of course, now I have read more books and have found other impactful books and authors that move me. But here, let's talk about War and Peace. The novel takes us on a journey that spans many themes, including love, war, human experience, and religion. It is a dense, lengthy, and complex work and may require some effort to understand and patience and commitment to finish, but its beauty and universal themes make it worth the effort. This article examines what War and Peace can teach us about life, love, and humanity. Tolstoy's Philosophy of Life Tolstoy's beliefs and values inspire many of the novel's themes. His philosophy of life emphasizes the value of human existence, the importance of living life with purpose, and...

5 Paths to Overcoming Bigotry

In a world brimming with diversity, it's disheartening to witness the persistence of bigotry. Whether it's based on race, religion, gender, or any other aspect that makes us unique, bigotry erects barriers between individuals and hampers the progress of our collective humanity. However, amidst the darkness, there is hope. By fostering empathy, education, and open dialogue, we can dismantle the foundations of bigotry and build a society grounded in unity and understanding. Recognizing Our Biases The first step towards overcoming bigotry is acknowledging our own biases. We all possess unconscious biases shaped by our upbringing, experiences, and societal influences. By cultivating self-awareness, we can identify these biases and challenge them. It requires courage and humility to admit our shortcomings, but doing so opens the door to growth and change. Embracing Empathy Empathy serves as a powerful antidote to bigotry. It compels us to see beyond surface differences and connect ...