Author: Hanif Kureishi
Reading Time: 10 metro rides (not read in the metro)
About the Book:
Intimacy is a very ‘intimate’ book. It borders on obscenity in its language at many places. Several times I got so disgusted that I wanted to put it down. But if you ever go past the dirty old man image of Kureishi, you will still think the book is obscene. Obscenely honest. It makes you wonder if people should be honest. It also makes you thankful that you can’t hear the other person’s thoughts. Although I wonder if it would be easy to live with one’s own thoughts, and if everyone thinks the way Kureishi has written… And if everyone does, then I don’t know whether to be happy or to be sad… I wonder who this guy was closest to- intimate with- Susan, Nina, Victor or the guy whose name I have forgotten.. and what about the kids and what about him… hmmm..
Favourite Quote: “At the same time, you have to find the right distance between people. Too close, and they overwhelm you, too far and they abandon you. How to hold them in the right relation?”
Final Analysis: I would say must read… but it is not for the faint hearted… extremely emotional… to be safe, i would say most people won’t like it.. but i say, it is the absolute must read…