Little Women - The unforgettable classic

 One thing that I appreciate about Little women is its sheer simplicity to connect with the readers. Written by Louisa may Alcott, the novel narrates the story of four sisters – March Girls who are totally contrast in their nature. The elder sister Margaret or Meg dreams of luxurious home and amenities for her future while Josephine or Jo, the tomboyish one aspires to make her name in the world of writing. Beth is shy and homesick while Amy is outspoken showing a fondness towards art.

The novel starts with the four sisters discussing about Christmas plans and when they receive the letter that their father cannot come this christmas as he is serving in the civil war, the news really upsets March Sisters. In absence of their father, Marmee the mother takes the responsibility in upbringing the children with moral ethics, values and culture. Marmee suggests Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy to provide their breakfast as a christmas gift to the poor children staying in neighborhood. March sisters happily offer their breakfast to the poor children and turn the christmas event as one of the most memorable day in their life they would ever forget.
Laurie is another character who is memorable in this novel. Laurie stays with his grandfather alone in a big mansion without any friends for company. The march sisters befriend Laurie and develop a long lasting relationship which further continues in the novel. After Meg gets married to Mr.Brooke, the tutor of Laurie, the circumstances turn adverse when Jo leaves for New York to pursue her dreams to become writer and Beth gets fatally sick with scarlet fever after serving children affecting from the disease. Even Laurie’s dreams of marrying Jo are shattered when Jo rejects the proposal. Does Jo fulfills her dream of becoming a writer? Does Beth recovers from the scarlet fever? What happens of Laurie? Do Jo and Laurie Unite? You will get all these answers as you start reading the novel “Little Women”. Narrated in a very light hearted manner, it’s about coming of age, warm story without any melodrama.

I have read Little Women thrice, but every time I read I discovered some new aspects in the book. When I had picked this novel from bookstore, I assumed it to be similar to Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. I mostly don’t read novels with feminine background.But after reading I discovered that it was more excellent and very different from Pride and Prejudice. Little women is about friendship, family, feminine spirit and courage to achieve dreams. The bonding between Beth and Jo is narrated very beautifully in the story when Beth suffers from scarlet fever. The incidents in Little Women are the experiences of Louisa’s childhood, her sisters and her fondness towards writing.

Little Women has been made into motion picture in 1994 where Winona Ryder played the role of Josephine while Susan Sarandon essayed the part of Marmee March and Claire Danes portrayed the role of Beth. I hope someday Little Women will be remade in Bollywood with a big star cast. It is one of my favorites I always and highly recommend it to my friends. Grab the copy of Little Women, it will definitely cheer you up.

The untold story of Edith Evans

The story of the doomed cruise liner RMS ‘Titanic’ has always compelled me to research the untold mystery behind its sinking which claimed the lives of thousands boarding on the liner. The disastrous collision of Titanic resulted in deaths of 1,517 people on board leaving scars of separation, agony, pain in hearts of their beloved ones. But in this hour of crisis, one young woman dared to face the odd moments by offering her seat to a mother in the life boat and chose death over life. The name of the woman was Edith Corse Evans. Several motion pictures, documentaries have been made on the incident of Titanic sinking which focused more on the technical aspect behind its collision with the ice berg.  But sadly, very less has been written about Edith Evans who smilingly gave up her life with a noble intention to help a woman unite with her children.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a wealthy family, Edith Evans was the second daughter of lawyer Cadwalader and Angeline Burr Corse. Edith had a sister called Lena Cadwalader Evans, who was a well-known painter. Living in New York for a long time, Unmarried Edith had a keen interest in genealogical studies.

Edith never expected that this journey will be her last journey of her life. On the evening of April 10, 1912 Edith boarded RMS Titanic at Cherbourg to return back to her homeland after attending a family funeral in England. During the journey, Edith got a good companionship of group of sisters – Mrs E.D.Appleton, Mrs John Murray Brown and Mrs R.C.Cornell.

As Titanic crushed against the iceberg, the race for survival became fierce among the passengers who were dying to search life boats. The officers of Titanic rapidly started lowering lifeboats for women and children in the sea with a view to save as much lives as possible. Edith Evans and Mrs Brown were guided towards lifeboat by the officers, but the lifeboat was left short as it could accommodate only one person. Mrs Brown was desperately missing her children and was yearning to unite with her children. Edith realized her situation and allowed Mrs Brown to sit in the lifeboat because she knew there was the family waiting for Mrs Brown. The lifeboat left carrying Mrs Brown and other passengers. Unfortunately there was no lifeboat left for Edith. Even in the turmoil of terror Edith was fearless, with a satisfaction of saving a life. Slowly, the ocean liner started sinking in the sea carrying Edith Evans and several other passengers who were destined to get the ocean burial. As predicted by a fortune teller, Edith Evans was supposed to stay away from water, but destiny had different plans. The body of Edith Evans was never recovered and there was no evidence or photograph of her.  

On April 22, 1912 a memorial service was held in her memory remembering her extraordinary courage in hours of crisis. I had read the story of Edith Evans in a Marathi book which told the stories of courageous people all over the world. The saga of Edith Evans was etched in my mind and after researching as much data on her life I have taken a small effort to retell the legend of Edith to all the readers and inspire them to face the adversities of life with determination. Such a great sacrifice! Hope someday a motion picture will come up to project on the life of Edith Evans.This is the unsung story of courageous Edith whose sacrifice went unnoticed in the pages of history.

A motivational excerpt from the life of Swami Vivekanand

“You cannot believe in God unless you believe in yourself” – Swami Vivekananda”

This is a very inspirational episode from the life of Swami Vivekanand during his journey to Himalayas.
Swamiji was traveling with some monks in the Himalayas full of rough paths and long stretched roads.
There was an old man with them….He said to swamiji ‘Oh Sir, how to cross this path, I cannot walk any more, my chest will break. Swamiji said to him, ‘Look down at your feet’. The old man looked and Swamiji said “The road that is under your feet is the road that you have passed over and is the same road that you see before you;it will be soon under your feet. 

Due to disbelief, ignorance, negligence we don’t take the stride to take the extra step to move towards our goal. Even though we have the determination to struggle in the path of life, we lose out our courage to strike as we don’t possess the spiritual urge and willingness to succeed. Swamiji's teachings have always inspired me to keep moving on the rough paths of life, no matter how worse the adversities may be.

I had read this story from one of the books of swami vivekanand and this small piece of story really encouraged me. I felt this story to share among you all friends so that it gives a new lease of hope, courage, determination and faith to confront the miseries of life. The lives of great people are full of inspirations and I am looking forward to bring these stories to my readers through my blog. Come, let’s get motivated!

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm – A brilliant masterpiece

Cheerful, witty, refreshing, inspiring, awesome……. Even if I fill this blog post with million of words appreciating the warmness of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, the words will fall short. Such is the charisma of the American classic ‘Rebecca of Sunnybrook farm’ that it has entertained countless readers of all ages for several generations. Written by Kate Douglas Wiggins, this novel focuses on the journey of a girl who must adjust to every unfavorable circumstances, face the harsh treatment of her Aunt Miranda Sawyer and follow her dreams to become a educated, independent woman.

The novel begins with journey of Rebecca Rowen Randall on stage coach to Riverboro where she is going to resume a new life under the guidance and discipline of her aunt Miranda Sawyer. A lightful conversation builds up between Rebecca and the stage coach driver Jeremiah Cobb  where she shares her experiences of  her family and her farm which she lovingly calls ” Sunnybrook”. After reaching Riverboro, Rebecca is given a very cold welcome by her Aunt. As the story progresses, Rebecaa is taunted and criticised many times by her aunt Miranda who wants her to be disciplined. Facing the odd circumstances, Rebecca pursues her education and in no time succeeds in winning the hearts of her teachers.
 
On one hand, Rebecca has to confront the harsh nature of her aunt Miranda, but on the other side she gets a good guidance from her elderly friend Jeremiah Cobb who motivates her to stay in Riverboro so that she gets a proper education. Rebecca sees the bright side and determines to achieve her ambitions so that once she grows she can shoulder the responsibility of the family which is burdened by debt. Even though Aunt Miranda is harsh with Rebecca, she takes care to see that her niece gets good facilities for her studies. 

Rebecca’s life is surrounded by many other characters like  her mother Aurelia Randall, Hannah her sister, aunt Jane Sawyer, Emma Jane Perkins her friend, Adam Ladd the  businessman and Jeremiah Cobb the stage coach carrier who shows her the right direction to achieve her dreams.

I purchased this novel from a bookstore randomly and unexpectedly it turned out be a finest classic which is very unique, refreshing and readable. Though the novel is feminine,  still this novel can enjoyed by readers of all ages. Buy this book or get it from a library, Rebecca’s spirit, cuteness and jovial nature will win your heart. Come meet the wonderful world of Rebecca.

Choosing books wisely

“A person’s character is determined by the books he reads”

How truly said! Books have their impact and influence on the reader in both good and bad ways. If a person reads cheap thrillers full of sensational and erotic content, it develops a sense of suspicion, fear, uncertainty and cruelty in his mind. On the other hand a man perceives great knowledge, information and becomes intellectual under the solace of knowledgeable books filled with courage, compassion, kindness, adventure, inspiration and motivation. It all depends on the choice of the reader whether he wants to read a inspirational classic or a low grade novel full of vulgarities.

I am very fortunate to have got companionship of books written by outstanding writers like Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Thomas Hardy, Alexandre Dumas, Jules Vernes, Emily Bronte, Kate Douglas Wiggins, Jane Austen, Stephen Crane, H.G.Wells, Robert Louis Stevenson and more. The readings of this books not only introduced me to the American background, its era but also made me familiar with the distinct writing styles, genres, subjects and their perception towards their work. If Mark Twain specialized writing humor and wit, Alexandre Dumas was skilled in writing historical adventure stories and H.G. Wells focused on sci-fi stuff. Every author had his own likings and the experiences of his life clearly reflected in his writing. Whether it is Tom Sawyer, Edmond Dantes, HeathCliff, Rebecca Rowenna Randall, Huckleberry Finn, Captain Nemo or Viktor Frankenstein, all the characters from various novels have become well known worldwide.

Through the characters, backdrop and its plot, the writer tries to bring his thoughts to life on the pages of his novel which entertain, educate and inspire the reader. Readings of masterpieces have made a enormous impact on me and motivated me to be a part of the writing world. Someday I Imagine that I will succeed in writing at least one novel which have memorable characters, a great storyline which will be remembered and read by people for endless generations. If you are fond of reading, buy a good book which will not only entertains but also show you true meaning of life. Hope you will like this post

Happy Reading
Prashant

Jay Sri Ganesh - Beginning of visionary ideas

Jay Sri Ganesh,

"Visionary", the word visionary indicates farsightedness, imagination, creative thinking, the ability to think out of box and bringing out a new invention to the world. Many great people like Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, Marconi, Newton, Galileo, Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln had the instinct to achieve their goals and they definitely did! Through their hard work, determination, passion and visionary mindset, they created new milestones in their field and compelled the world to take notice of their works. I am very thankful for God to imbibe a creative skill in form of writing so that I convey my ideas to the wonderful world. Hope someday I will be able to create some visionary idea through my writings that will benefit the mankind in some way or other. 

What a great privilege for me to embark my writings with blogspot.com on ganesh chaturthi festival. Hope I will be able to convey visionary ideas, motivational articles to my readers. Keeping my fingers crossed :) Wish me Luck.

Thanks
Prashant Badiger