Thanks for this - what an insightful way of looking at her novels. I've had The Luminaries on my to read pile for aaaages and you've inspired me to dust it off and get started!
Ah interesting - I will see how I get on! Good to know they’re quite different, in case I hate The Luminaries I won’t let it put me off reading any more of hers then
After a friend recommended Luminaries, I’ve wanted to read it, Harriet. He thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks, Shruti. I loved Birnam Wood for its present day tensions in an activist group. Some may think it’s too interior, but Catton did a good job keeping the tension, and throwing in humor. Shelly’s scheme to quit the group is hilarious.
Great guest post. The question of destiny is put under the microscope. Shruti examines the question by considering eastern and a western perspectives both involving close observation. Thanks for this. It is worthy of a lot of thought and consideration especially in these times.
I also thoroughly enjoyed this essay! Curious on what you mean by eastern vs western perspectives regarding destiny? I know in Luminaries, Catton uses western astrology as inspiration for her characters. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Catton refers to western astrology and the eastern astrology that I think of is from India where it used to have a big part in everything from who one should be married to and even the marriage date. The thing I think of is that birth is something that one has no control over. And in love marriages in India a gentleman and a lady now often ignore astrology if they've done their close due diligence of one other. Yet in some arranged marriages even though they were strangers, it worked out just as well just as the astrology said it would. There is no clinical research to verify astrology works and some that says it doesn't. Yet there are some things in life that are confirmed by experience if not by science. And also things that defy belief from some people like how there are so many Indian women who become excellent doctors. I don't know what their astrology charts said. But even if it was no, they ignored it and became an excellent doctor or judge despite all obstacles. I think the key is to carefully evaluate all factors regardless of whether from science or culture/mythology. Or don't too easily dismiss the 5,000 year old life experience truth of India and overly favor clinical observation. Mythology is mythology because it can often communicate wisdom of the past that would otherwise be ignored or forgotten if not for being embedded in India's culture. All factors need to be carefully considered. So let either fate or destiny help you if they can or ignore them if they don't because they will only block your way forward. I may oversimplify but there are hazards to overcomplicating things as well.
Thanks for this - what an insightful way of looking at her novels. I've had The Luminaries on my to read pile for aaaages and you've inspired me to dust it off and get started!
I actually really didn’t like The Luminaries 😅
But it’s well written and carefully structured, and lots of people loved it! Hope you find something to enjoy in it
And even if you don’t, consider picking up Birnam Wood - one of the best contemporary fiction books I’ve ever read.
Ah interesting - I will see how I get on! Good to know they’re quite different, in case I hate The Luminaries I won’t let it put me off reading any more of hers then
After a friend recommended Luminaries, I’ve wanted to read it, Harriet. He thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks, Shruti. I loved Birnam Wood for its present day tensions in an activist group. Some may think it’s too interior, but Catton did a good job keeping the tension, and throwing in humor. Shelly’s scheme to quit the group is hilarious.
Great guest post. The question of destiny is put under the microscope. Shruti examines the question by considering eastern and a western perspectives both involving close observation. Thanks for this. It is worthy of a lot of thought and consideration especially in these times.
I also thoroughly enjoyed this essay! Curious on what you mean by eastern vs western perspectives regarding destiny? I know in Luminaries, Catton uses western astrology as inspiration for her characters. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Catton refers to western astrology and the eastern astrology that I think of is from India where it used to have a big part in everything from who one should be married to and even the marriage date. The thing I think of is that birth is something that one has no control over. And in love marriages in India a gentleman and a lady now often ignore astrology if they've done their close due diligence of one other. Yet in some arranged marriages even though they were strangers, it worked out just as well just as the astrology said it would. There is no clinical research to verify astrology works and some that says it doesn't. Yet there are some things in life that are confirmed by experience if not by science. And also things that defy belief from some people like how there are so many Indian women who become excellent doctors. I don't know what their astrology charts said. But even if it was no, they ignored it and became an excellent doctor or judge despite all obstacles. I think the key is to carefully evaluate all factors regardless of whether from science or culture/mythology. Or don't too easily dismiss the 5,000 year old life experience truth of India and overly favor clinical observation. Mythology is mythology because it can often communicate wisdom of the past that would otherwise be ignored or forgotten if not for being embedded in India's culture. All factors need to be carefully considered. So let either fate or destiny help you if they can or ignore them if they don't because they will only block your way forward. I may oversimplify but there are hazards to overcomplicating things as well.