Writer and Reader.

Michel Foucault was quite a central figure in my uni days. I studied his theories during undergrad and I drew upon his 'technologies of self' in my master's dissertation... So when I saw Patricia Dunker's 'Hallucinating Foucault' on sale, I knew I had to get it.

And surprise surprise!! I actually enjoyed it (maybe its because I didn't know what to expect)!!

In summary, 'Hallucinating Foucault' is about a postgraduate student who is writing his thesis on French writer, Paul Michel. His girlfriend encouraged him to look at Michel's biography more closely rather than focus solely on the text. He then decided to move to Paris for two months to find his object of research and hijack him out from the mad house. The protagonist came across Michel's letters to Foucault and made some major discovery. He befriended Michel, they eventually became really close, went on a trip, visited some places...and it got a little Nicholas Sparks-ed.

What I really liked about this book is that it explores the connection between reader and writer. I've never really thought of this as an obsession. When the reader dies, will the writer still write?

My only problem with the book is the name Paul Michel. I kept thinking that Paul Michel is Michel Foucault. (Foucault's full name is Paul Michel Foucault). But this two are different figures and Paul Michel is a fictional character.

Maybe it's a little pretentious but its a short (less than 200 pages) and lovely book. Best read when you're commuting, waiting for the laundry, or when you are bored at night. There's not much action in it but it's the kind of book that you will want to finish it as soon as you can.

A Paul Michel quote to end this post
“The love between writer and a reader is never celebrated. It can never be proved to exist. But he was the man I loved most. He was the reader for whom I wrote.

Burning Bright.

Dystopia fiction is my second favourite genre (just after crime) and when Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 was sold on a discounted price, I knew I had to get it.

In summary, "Fahrenheit 451" presents a future American society where books are outlawed as it is the source of unhappiness whilst a fireman's job is to burn any books that are found. (The title refers to the autoignition temperature of paper).  

Guy Montag is a fireman. He thought he was leading a happy life until a mysterious neighbour questions his life and perceived happiness. It was simple basic questions but Montag was highly disturbed by it. 

Then one day, Montag and his colleagues received a tip off about an old woman who kept a collection of books at home. While other firemen ransack the place, Montag stole a book before the burning starts. The woman refused to leave her house and her book, choosing to set herself on fire and her suicide shook Montag to his core. He tried to speak to his wife about it but she was only obsessed with her shallow TV dramas. 

This is also when Montag realised that he needs to do something. Memorise books, fight the system, rebuild society....

Overall, this is a pretty good read. Bradbury's writing style is simple yet beautiful. His choice of words compliments each other so well that at one point, it felt very poetry like. The nature of this novel may seem a bit extreme but its a powerful and relatable commentary on humankind's suppression on things they cannot control. Books encourage thinkers? Let's burn them! People have too much time? Keep them occupied with TV!.... Sounds familiar?