My Neighbour
Osama Bin Laden is a head-turning title. Written by Yslar Tatuky, he claims it
to be a first hybrid novel. Backstaged against the charming and the lush
verdancy of Okriba, a town in Georgia, Europe; the novel has more to offer than
a relative story about the world’s once most demanded terrorist – Osama Bin
Laden.
It’s unusual
to find four consecutive introductions in a novel. But some or other way, that
made sense in developing a sense of love for the novel. Since it’s a hybrid
novel, we think it has its own slices to be shared among a host of readers. The
novel is full of stories within stories – though it is not a collection of
short stories. It commences with introductions – the author tells us what he
thought on the day when the world celebrated the news of Osama’s demise.
Further, he takes us to the beauty of Svaneti, he experiences a life-changing
alpenglow, and then we see his family roots and history, which is as
interesting as intriguing. His ancestors hailed from Japan and but landed and
settled in an unlikely Georgia. The story of eastern and western slopes’ forest
did by his grandfather and much more insights. The introductions were rich in
history and other information, well also exposed some reality about the author.
We are going to see more as we chug ahead with the novel.
Before we talk
more about the novel, let us announce that Okriba is not such a small place
that the world keeps it forgotten, rather it is famous for two sunrises in a
day, and politically many famous and controversial personalities are kept in
this town for security reasons.
According to
the author, Osama had been neutralized on 2 May, 2011. He was dead to the
world. However, Yslar sees an otherwise version of the news. In a few months
time, in his neighbourhood, he sees some unusual activities by some enigmatic men.
Later, he comes to know about that a mysterious (also equally a suspect) man
named Mustafa is invariably his new neighbour. Yslar is chosen to help Mustafa
adapting the life standards of the town, and for that he gets paid by British
Intelligence. Why is Mustafa being protected – there could be many reasons.
However, strange enough, to Yslar he looks like the deceased Osama Bin Laden. Was
it true? May be or maybe not – the real story is inside the book.
With some embarrassment,
Yslar takes time to get acquainted with Mustafa. They form a bond gradually.
Yslar introduces him to the world of literature and together they get into many
lively debates, such as on Lenin, Jews, religious disagreement, about some
controversial authors like Salman Rushdie, and so on.
On a façade,
the story of Mustafa keeps going. However, in the backdrop like banter, Yslar’s
aesthetic tastes, his habit of bonding his characters with movies and
literature and art keeps the readers amused and befuddled. His habit of comparing
the characters from movie scenes is a good gesture towards describing and visualizing
them in sheer delight and truth. On the similar lines, we got to know about
him, in his own words:
As for my appearance (and here, I will use
the advantage of a hybrid novel), I look very much like Joaquin Phoenix’s
character Theodore Twombly from Her. When I watched this movie, I was even
surprised, so real the resemblance was, as I wear my moustache exactly in the
same way as Theodore Twombly does.
More than a
strong affinity for literature, film, and music; he is a sort of a connoisseur.
He mixed his taste and preferences, along with a heavy dose of philosophy, in
work with a strong fervor, which is evident throughout the book. Remember Yslar
did study of philosophy, though he is not a philosopher, but loves being
philosophical.
As the story
of Mustafa takes charge in snatches, the author brings ahead the topic of love
and beast. The kind of thoughts he poured in are indeed thoughtful and worth
concerning. The angle of love and beast gets vantage point when Myko turns up. Who
is she? Better you read this:
You may have seen Malena by Italian director
Giuseppe Tornatore, with Monica Bellucci staring in the title role. Do you
remember the final scene when Malena comes from the market dressed in a grey
jacket? Do you remember the face she has—the weary face of a woman who is bored
and tired to death with her own beauty and men’s attention, a woman who is
trying to hide her charm and sensuality. This is what Mayko was, the most
beautiful woman with the kindest and most innocent smile.
Events of
mystery and suspense build up in and around the story of Mustafa; however, it
fluttered and looked always on tenterhooks. Despite all that, it’s a unique and
riveting read.
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