The Book of Chameleons - Reincarnation is so interesting
The Book of Chameleons was such an interesting read! It focuses on two characters, Felix Ventura and a gecko. This is very fascinating because the gecko is the book’s narrator and is unnamed for most of the book. I haven’t seen a book do this before, so it was a nice shift to read. In the book Atonement by Ian McEwan, there was a plot twist at the end of the book where the real narrator of the whole book is Briony. I was reminded of the book because how the narrator’s identity was a plot twist. Ventura described the gecko to be “the creature.” I thought that title showed how the gecko how power in paving the story and about what was going to happen next in the story. From the other books we’ve read so far in class, I liked how this book explored different themes that weren’t heavily focused on romance. The exposition of the plot is when a mysterious foreigner, a war photographer, wants Ventura’s help. I like how this story surrounds the theme of self-journey. As someone who always wondered what it would be like to have a different identity or how people even make a new identity for themselves. I was surprised when Ventura made a fictitious genealogy and family story for the client. I also found it really interesting that there was hints throughout the story about the gecko’s past life and whether he was a man. The quote, “If I were to be born again, I’d like to be something completely different” points to how the gecko had dreams of himself as a mean with a fear of women and sexuality. Perhaps there is an element of magic in the story due the element of reincarnation. It made me wonder about who he was in his past life. It made me wonder about how in Korean culture, people believe that reincarnation and that people have led multiple lives exist. It makes me wonder if our dreams are an outlet for us to realize our past lives or bits and pieces of the memories that we had then. For me, I have always believed that we have only one life in this world, so I believe that there isn’t reincarnation. However, I think the concept of reincarnation is interesting because that means in your lives, you can make different decisions and live different lives. Question: Would you want to be reincarnated and what would you want to be reincarnated as?
"I like how this story surrounds the theme of self-journey." In a way... but the emphasis is on how the past comes back to haunt us, literally, and that fantasy can't withstand a bullet or a stab wound. Speaking of plot twists, what do you think of the revelation about Buchmann/Gouveia's true identity?
ReplyDeleteHello! In response to your question, I wouldn't mind being reincarnated as a cat or a gecko. Both creatures are observant, and I would love to experience the life of a human from an observing POV
ReplyDeleteHi Hasfariza, I really liked your blog and how you wrote about the themes of self-journey depicted in the book. To answer your question, I think that I'd want to be reincarnated but I'm not sure what. I think being a human in the future could be cool or maybe even a dog. I heard lobsters can live forever as they don't die from old age, but I imagine life as a lobster must be miserable.
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ReplyDeleteHi, I found your blogpost very interesting, as I myself did not look too much into the reincarnation aspect during my initial read. Growing up in a traditional Sikh family, the concept of reincarnation has been pushed on me over the course of my life. Taught that only "bad" people are reincarnated, I grew up committing minor "wrongful" acts to ensure this. After all, who doesn't want to live again and again?
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I would ideally like to be reincarnated as a human. However, if that were not possible, I'd like to be a cat or panther (if dinosaurs count, then ideally that).
I actually really liked how you connected reincarnation to the gecko because it makes the whole story feel way deeper than just a quirky narrator choice. Like it’s not just watching things happen, it feels like it’s carrying something from a past life, which makes everything a bit more emotional and confusing in a good way. The idea you mentioned about dreams possibly being tied to past lives is honestly so interesting too, even if you don’t fully believe in it, it kind of makes you think twice about those random dreams that feel weirdly real. For me though, I don’t think I’d want to be reincarnated because I’d hate the idea of losing the people and life I have now, but if I had no choice I’d definitely pick something chill like a bird or even a cat, just existing and not stressing about anything 😭
ReplyDeletePlease don't get me started with reincarnation, it really freaks me out, it's one of those random thoughts I get at 3 am on those days I can't sleep, yk?. I had honestly not put too much thought on this concept for this specific book, but after reading your blog I do think this acts as the bridge from reality to identity in a certain way, as it challenges the normative life path of a person or animal ig. To answer your question I WOULD HATE to be reincarnated, thinking about forgetting everyone I love and all the lessons I learned kinda takes away the meaning of my life, and on the other hand... If I remembered my past life, well that's even more depressing as I feel like I would face a constant nostalgia of a life that no longer belongs to me.
ReplyDeleteHii, I think if I were reincarnated I would want to be reincarnated as a bird seems very freeing and I would want to fly
ReplyDeleteHi! Reincarnation freaks me out so much I get it! thinking about it like makes me so anxious lol! I think if I were reincarnated I'd like to be a jellyfish. Just like floating around for my entire life!!
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