I read Kazuo Ishiguro's first novel

Kazuo Ishiguro's first novel, A Pale View of the Hills, is about a Japanese woman who remarries, relocates to England, and how her decision to live life in this way is so much similar to Sachiko, the woman she had met long time ago, and her child Mariko who loved cats.

Nowhere is it told blatantly that she is a woman who decides on her own, or is strong. But she does make decisions in the end. She turns out to be a woman with a mind of her own.

The feeling of Japan - Nagasaki and Fukuoka - of England (London, and rural England), and of America - in the American tourist they meet at a fair - are well-blended into the story, without being loud about it. Things are implied, soft and subtle, and one could feel the Japanese etiquette and reverence in the way they spoke.

The effects of World War II, in the thread of the father-in-law coming to visit them comes through clearly. The postcard representation of the War symbols are to an extent funny and humorous to her.

There is an underlying thread of suspense and mystery. There are at least stories beautifully intertwined.

Admired Sri Lankan Writer

Reef, by Romesh Gunesekera, the Sri Lankan writer, is one of the most beautifully written books I've evr read. It is small, yet detailed and subtle. Every word evoked the Sri Lankan land and seascape. The descriptions of the surrounding vegetation, and of the food, which was a focal point, was real.

The words are precise, and not superfluous. Just the way a book should be written.

Triton worked as a cook for Ranjan Salgado, who researched the sea. Nili came to live with Salgado. Friends and parties happened. Then Salgado and Nini quarelled, and split.

Salgado and Triton went to London. Salgado returned to Sri Lanka hearing that Nili was in a sanatorium. Triton stayed back and worked at his own restaurant.

Throughout the book, there was a lot of interwoven description about the Sri Lankan insurgency. But nowhere was there any jerky movements in the pace of the novel. Everything was smooth and believable.