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Depth of words

Posted by Krisha Music on Monday, December 22, 2014 | 0 comments

DEC 22 - Anup Subedi is a screenplay writer, documentary filmmaker and the President of Nepal Independent Filmmaker’s Society. Subedi is also the co-author of “The Observation of Documentary Film”. His series of documentaries on the 10-year Maoist insurgency will be released soon. Being a book reviewer himself, Subedi finds life in books. He talked to the Post’s Priyanka Shrestha regarding writing and books. Excerpts:

 
How did you first come to love books?
In our time, there used to be a long gap between the SLC examination and its results. During that time, I started reading books available in the library and bookstores near my home. I read a variety of books, mainly in Hindi and Nepali.
 
What was the last book you read and how did you like it?
The last book I read was “Liberty or Death” by Patrick French. The book changed my notions on India’s freedom movement and the partition. It sheds light on how freedom developed and ended in India and how the leaders acted during the revolution.
 
What are you reading right now and how is it going?
Currently, I’m reading VS Naipaul’s “Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey”. It is an interesting read for it traces the development of Islam in South Asia and East Asia in the form of a travelogue.
 
What is your favorite genre and why?
I don’t prefer a particular genre. I like both fiction and non-fiction because both have their own significance.
 
How do you select books to read?
Usually, the book at hand leads me to another book related to the context. And since most of my friends are bookworms, they recommend me good reads. Also, I follow new releases for my book reviews.
 
Reading electronically has become very popular nowadays. Have you also adopted this trend or do you still prefer to read from a physical copy?
I read news and magazines online. But when it comes to serious reading, I go for a hard copy.
 
Name a book that you would or would not recommend, and why?
I cannot recommend or not recommend a book. There are so many varieties of books, and each has its own way of telling a story. So, one should read according to her or his taste and interest.
 
What is good writing for you? What would you say makes a good writer?
Good writing for me consists of two qualities: depth of the subject and presentation.
Someone who has ample experience and can pen it down with apt depth makes a good writer.
 
How has reading affected your life?
Reading has made life interesting and easier. I take up a book when I’m alone and it liberates me. Books have guided me through work and through life.
 
How do you evaluate the present trend of Nepali literature?
In recent days, the novel-writing and book-reading culture has flourished. Since there is a good market for books, there also seems to be a brighter future awating the writers. However, in some works of Nepali literature, I have found the lack of depth in the presentation of the subject.
 
One book that inspired you a lot and why?
Different books have inspired me in different courses of my life. So, there is no specific book that I would mention.  My inspirations were different during my early years as a reader, and through time, I believe it has changed.
 
Your advice for young readers?
Read without being biased towards any genre. It might take more time and effort, but it will help you find your taste.