Fact vs. Fiction - musings from book club

[fox_c]

So for this month's book club, we read the novel Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, which is based almost entirely on the author's own life. Evidently, after reading the author's website, many came away with the impression that the book is indeed fact, not fiction, a point which I think is silly. People were aghast that I wouldn't take the author's assurance of this point blank - never mind that he states quite clearly that it is indeed a novel, not an autobiography. And there's something about that wide-eyed instance that still rankles me a bit, and I'm not really quite sure what it is. Same thing with the Da Vinci Code, what is it about some books that make people take complete leave of their senses? Absolutely, let's have books that explore the world around us in interesting ways, but it seems to me to be a bit foolish to take it all in at face value. But then again who hasn't read at least some book that didn't completely capture their imagination and, when the book was finished, left the real world looking a bit drab? Those in my mind are some of the best kinds of books, but just because we may wish we inhabited that world, won't make it so; and besides, it gives us even more incentive to keep reading good books.

*sigh* I really sound like a depressing fuddy-duddy don't I? Taking off everyone's fun, sparkly, rose colored glasses. When did I become such a cynic?

On the otherside, I whole-heartedly reccomend Shantaram to all of you. Really fascinating read, though more than just a little violent. Escaped Australian murderer comes to Bombay and is embraced by major mafia don - not going to be all fluffy clouds and pink bunnies. But it is a great read and has some really interesting philosophical moments, despite all of raayat's eye rolling.