Reading and Revisiting Old Books for Pleasure

Reading and Revisiting Old Books for Pleasure

From the very outset I must say, I am not a guy who would read a fiction book from cover to cover.

It is almost an anathema to me.

I read the back cover first and then see whether the story has been made into a film and go and see the film instead. That was good old days when we got down all the good English films including box office ones.

Last film I saw was Karma. I went to see that film expecting to get some inspiration for finalizing my book on “Rebirth Revisited” but on the same day I wrote a stinking blog piece to say it was my bad Karma, for me to see it from beginning to end. Outright distortion on medical facts and no understanding on what is envisaged in the concept of Kamma as is said to be stated in Dhamma.

This is my entry point to state categorically that reading a good old book is an inspiration, to say the least. I could not find a single recent book incorporating evolving medical facts about the concept of Kamma but I dug into my old books and found a good book written by Francis Story. Unfortunately this gentleman died of an incurable cancer and could not finish his task but Rev. Bhikku Bodhi had compiled a book having collected his old writings.

It is not a masterpiece but it is the best book available for one to read.

If one s inquisitive, that book has enough material to dig in deeper and discover facts from fiction.

My attempt was not to recompile but to revisit the same theme with little bit of scientific thought process activated by default. So having had few old books in my collection was a big boost. Revisiting Rebirth was almost spontaneous reaction having read those old books.

With lot of human right talks on the horizon, I wanted to dig into the history of the white man in the last 500 years with special reference to South Africa. I could not find a single book in all the bookshops in Kandy city.

I did not try the University library knowing very well that would be futile.

I did not give up finding a book and for my luck there is a bookshop in Kandy, 145, D.S. Senanayake Vidiya, called “Tel” with a remarkable collection of old books.

I hit a gem pit of old English books.

I have a penchant for old books and they are enough to keep me fully occupied for the rest of the year.

I think it is worthwhile to revisit why Sri-Lankans have lost the habit of reading, especially English books. The biggest reason is that the books are written in fairly advanced English and reading and comprehension of them are not within there capability of the average young reader.

They second reason is we do not have good English teachers now and most of them have retired or gone abroad for teaching. The current English teaching in schools is very poor.

I must state that I sat the O Level examination to see it for myself 12 years ago, I got a distinction and my office boy's son also got a distinction. I am sure the examiners who corrected my paper did not understand my English and gave me a distinction by default.

The examination did not have a way to distinguish me from the teenager whose English was not at its prime.

There was a fault in the examination.

I am an examiner myself and I set a question to distinguish the mediocre from the brightest.

I call it the distinction question.

Suffice is to say we had five first classes this time and old of them got an A grade in the subject I teach passionately.

There is also a dangerous habit of trying to translate them with no attempt at improving the standard of English. I think it is far better to have a lighter and easy version in English than to translate them.

One can never get the same feeling the author had when he/she incubated the wonderful idea for the book. I tell young ones please do not read the translation but read the original.

If one cannot have the new book, go for a secondhand book.

That is not a crime.

Out of the many other reasons what stands out most is that the children are examination oriented from their tender age and not learning oriented. I hate the year five examination and I am one who is vociferous that this examination should be scrapped.

I have stated it before and many a times.

The government giving free books often not edited for 30 years or more is another factor to contend with.

It is an antithesis to me in the modern age and IT world.

We have not produced outstanding educators simply because of this reason and it is a hindrance to freelance writers of educational books.

Until we produce enough educators and good authors only thing one can do is to read old books. If you have old books please make sure they are recirculated.

The “Tel” bookshop would be an outlet for them in Kandy.