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Showing posts from July, 2024

Later by Stephen King

I’ve read a few of Stephen King's books – It, Pet Sematary, Salem’s Lot, and The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger. Out of these, It and Pet Sematary really grabbed my attention. I’m not a huge fan of horror, but there’s something about King's writing that pulls you in, even if you’re not into scary stuff. My friend and I recently decided to read Later, one of King’s shorter horror novels. I had no big expectations—I just wanted to see what the book was about. Later turned out to be a really easy and enjoyable read. The story is narrated by a young boy who can see and talk to dead people. For some reason, he keeps reminding the reader that it’s a horror story. As I read, I thought, "Okay, but I don’t feel the horror yet." It was only towards the end that I felt the horror kick in. I was expecting something, not sure what, but other than whatever was in the book, to happen. But I realized that what I was waiting for or thought was supposed to happen would happen later . I fel...

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

Fan of Leo Tolstoy's works here. I've read his epic novels, "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina." I've read some of his short stories, too. "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" may be my favourite. But this blog is about "The Death of Ivan Ilyich." "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" tells the story of Ivan Ilyich, a successful judge in 19th-century Russia. After falling seriously ill, Ivan starts to reflect on his life and realizes that his relentless chase for social status and material success has led to a shallow, unfulfilling existence. His life is filled with superficial relationships and a loveless marriage. Facing his mortality, Ivan undergoes a profound transformation, discovering the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and living authentically. In his final moments, he finds peace by embracing these newfound values and acknowledging the emptiness of his previous pursuits. When I was living alone, I often found myself thinking...