Novels that changed me

God Father

Well, everyone knows about this movie. The movie really did justice to the book. I got the book from Raja Rajeswari mall in kovai and started reading at 6 AM next morning. I just wanted to see what the book was about before leaving for college. But, I didn't leave my bed till I finished the book. It was 3:00 PM in the evening. I forgot to brush, coffee, breakfast, lunch and also college.

I was puzzled how my uncle let me stay home and not go to college. That night I got the answer. He told me that after seeing me reading God Father he didn't want to disturb. You have to know my uncle to realize the enormity of this sentence. He is a strict disciplinarian. He also adviced me to remember that god father is just a ficton and not to get into trouble in coming days. I didn't realize what he meant at that time. In the next couple of weeks, unconsciouly, I was trying to emulate Michael Corleone. To cut the story shot, my attempts to emulate God Father resulted in Semester Debar. I was not allowed to attend the 4th Semester. My 4th sem marksheet has 'Absent' next to all courses.

I still dream about being 'Michael Corleone'

To Kill a Mocking Bird

This novel totally changed my views on this world. Its been more than 7 or 8 years since I have read this novel. But I can still feel the impact it made on me. If I can be 10% of Atticus Finch (the novels hero), then I know I have done something worthful with my life.

The novel is told from the view of Atticus daughter, Scout. At one time in the novel, a group red neck American's will surround Atticus and ask him not to interfere with their business with Tom (a black who is being charged with rape - He is the Mocking Bird in this novel). This incident happens in the mid of the night. Atticus children, Scout and Jem, were not supposed to be out there that night. Scout thinks if they are caught they will be grounded. But once Jem(Scout's brother) sees his father in that situation he goes and stands by him. Atticus asks Jem to go home. Jem for the first time in his life disobeys his father and refuses to leave. Scout is worried that her brother might be in big trouble once their father comes home.

Then the villagers leave Atticus alone and they all come home. Scout is expecting her father to reprimand her brother. But instead of grounding Jem, Atticus puts his hand on his sons head and looks at him in a very loving way. Scout being young, can't understand this scene.

But we can understand. Jem, just a small kid, knew his father was in trouble and refuses to leave his side. His act deeply touched his father and thats why he was looking at him that way.

While reading this, I was able to relate to this incident. Me and my father was driving back home from school and we were involved in a very minor accident. There were 4 guys in the other car against my father. Things got heated and I was scared that they might hit my father. So, I took a big rock from the ground and threatened them. I was foul mouthing them. Called them with all bad names I knew. If my mom heard those words, I would have been given for adoption right away. After seeing my craziness, they backed off. After the initial shock, I realised what I have done. Once my father thrashed me with his belt for just using the word 'Mayiru'. Now, I was really scared. All I could think was the feel of my fathers belt. After a couple of minutes, I worked up my confidence and took a peep at my father's face. Thats when I saw him smiling. I know right away things were going to be allright

In my view, Atticus Finch is the perfect Gentleman.

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My ideal hero would be a cross between Atticus Finch and Michael Corleone.