Bonjour bloggers et al. When I was in highschool, I've always dreamt of growing up to be an intellectual and to meet up people who would broaden my mind and inspire me with their thoughts. But that could not happen as I lost faith in people and refused to meet with more of them. I just became introverted and as a result of it, I also became insecure of myself. Now I often have thoughts of being such an empty and unnecessary person, with no talent or passion whatsoever. And every day seems to correct this idea as I don't take action to prove myself that it is wrong, or to change it. But until now, I've become sooo fed up with it and this morning I actually came across the idea of writing a blog series each week about the book I read within that week. I'm hoping that this blog series will help me be at peace with myself and make me realize that I can become the person I want to be.
The first book I want to write about is The Princess of Babylon by Voltaire. Before I start, I want to indicate that I am not really a full-time reader and that's why I only tend to read books that appeal to me and I feel excited about reading. Two weeks ago when I went to the bookstore I was marching between 'philosophy' and 'religion' shelves, reading the back cover and the first page of each and every book. When I came across The Princess of Babylon, it gave me the impression of a fairy tale not so isolated from the realities of our world. And this impression also continued throughout reading the book.
In the story, Formosante (the princess of Babylon) and Amazan (a shepherd from an unknown land) travel the world, the geographies as we know today, to find and engage with each other. And throughout their travel, the author gives information about the societies they happen to pass. For me, that was the most interesting characteristic of the story. Because the book turned out to be a fairy tale set up for implicit criticism of the actual world on the grounds of animal cruelty and animal consumption, luxury addiction, power games, lust, and religion. Although I'm not sure, it occurred to me that at the end of the story Princess and Amazan lost their values as the features of the mankind that were being criticized throughout the book defeated them.
Overall, I think it was a good experience to read this book as I became familiar with some mythological characters and I really enjoyed the way the story was being told as I could picture it with all details in front of my eyes. But the main theme was really vague for me and I can't really point out the ideas he's trying to deliver. So I think I might read it again after a while.
Did you read any of Voltaire's books or The Princess of Babylon before? If so what do you think?
Rate: ✒✒✒ 3.0/5
