’’In my judgment, when the United States says there will be serious consequences, and if there isn’t serious consequences, it creates adverse consequences.’’
--George W. Bush, Meet the Press, Feb. 8, 2004
( I have a devious desire that this idiot gets elected again as the president. That way I will be assured of another four years supply of Bushisms! ).
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In a nation obsessed with ridiculous debates whether gays should marry or not (come to think of it, it sounds so very silly when people start claiming Christian values, religious sentiments, conservative bullshit to support their claims against, when it is as simple as two individuals choosing to like each other and staying with each other!), it is impossible to spend a day watching TV without the mention of Sex, Sleaze or anything equally sensational on TV.
Janet?s nipple-gate event only proves the heights (or rather depths) this society has reached; Britney Spears forms an icon to generation here, and that only indicates the shape of things to come. Sometimes, Saas-Bahu serials provide the mental relief from such sordid surroundings!
The first things I want to find out about The Inscrutable Americans is whether Anurag Mathur is related to Spookdum Swami. If he is, kripaya bathaye! Secondly, I really want to know the inspiration of the hero and his friend came from. A village gook named Gopal meets a sex-starved hyper active Randy (whose name suspiciously sounds funny) when he comes to study at the United States. The Inscrutable Americans is a hilarious take of one man?s journey in the land of supposedly free, democratic and blessed by the lord!!!
Per se, The Inscrutable Americans is an average book, but it is in its simplicity and not trying to achieve too much that appeals you. For example, Anurag Mathur doesn?t aim to provide nostalgic saga of immigrants, but simply a year in the life of Gopal when he comes to United States to study. Along he meets his first friend and probably his last friend too ? Randy ? who tries his best to get him laid but to no avail. In essence, the book is nothing but one boy?s quest of the glory hole, and in between interspersed with Gopal?s own observations of American College life and its bundle of eccentricities it brings with it.
Having myself been at heart of college life here, its impossible ignore Gopal?s shrewd observations about Americans in general - a fact I am sure which germinated within author?s head when he too stayed as a student here. His observations of Americans confused between their personal privacy and their public privacy had me in complete splits! There are some supremely well crafted incidents in the book, but the one which had me in complete howl right in the bus was Gopal?s stint with a Pimp who offers him vegetarian cats. (gosh gosh ? enjoy the pun). Subsequently, his frustration at having dished out 75$ for a Swedish massage had me in fits too; I can easily sympathize the situation there!
Along with the hilarious insights, Anurag Mathur cleverly digs at several issues raking this country like racism, color problems, the hypocritical views of the conservative idiots, and general American lowness in IQ when it comes to knowing about outside world.
But probably the funniest parts of the book belong to Gloria (the hostel care taker) and her ridiculous poems, along with Gopal?s letters to his brothers. Note the language he uses, and the ever slow increase of American idioms in his letters, especially when he coolly mentions ? Take it easy now.
The writing isn?t anything literary or great, but makes for a very comfortable reading. On the flip side, the book does tend to go overboard in reciting Gopal?s experiences, and while at times seems to drag too. However as said earlier, it was not meant to be a literary classic, so just enjoy it as it comes.
Overall
On the whole, The Inscrutable Americans is a good enough book to be picked up, and finished in a jiffy! While its observations may strike non-experienced readers amused, its really the ones who?ve pursue the holy grail and tread the path to cats that will find this book interesting!
One word ? mood for light reading? Pick this one!
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The above comment on Bush is not to be taken very seriously! The world will be much happier and safer places without Bushes and his bunch of cronies out.
’’More Muslims have died at the hands of killers than ? I say more Muslims ? a lot of Muslims have died ? I don’t know the exact count ? at Istanbul. Look at these different places around the world where there’s been tremendous death and destruction because killers kill.’’
--George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004 (Exactly what was the point?)