Customer Reviews

A Thousand Suns

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This dude knows how to write. Throughout the book, his passion, respect and sometimes joy as he describes life's adventures and the amazing people he has met permeate his writing. He brings the events to life, makes them very real.

In particular, his horrific account of the death of Caryl Chessman brought tears to my eyes. How could it be that in a so-called civilised country such deaths continue? I was outraged and appalled to learn from Lapierre that of the 500 death executions since 1977, 'seventy-five concerned men and women whose innocence was proven after their death.' 75 innocent people killed! Mon dieu! Er no, actually -- I've since found out from various anti-death penalty web sites that in fact 75 (or now around 85) people were released (ALIVE) from death row after their innocence was proven. The distinction, I think, is rather important!

He also claims that 'California has remained faithful to its gas chambers' as a manner of execution. As far as I could find out from various government and anti-death penalty web sites, California uses primarily, if not solely, lethal injection to dispose of its unwanted citizens.

Lapierre's account of 'tarantulas as hairy as apes' in Africa would excite ecologists -- who perhaps foolishly think wild tarantulas exist only in the Americas -- as much as his (unfortunately mistaken) sighting of a rhinoceros excited his host in the Ivory Coast.

Characterising Mohatma Gandhi with temporal accuracy, if somewhat dismissively, as 'an elderly half-naked Indian...living in poverty' no doubt adds credence to his amazement at the 'miraculous alchemy' and mutual understanding that existed between Gandhi and Lord Mountbatten. But is it really so miraculous when one considers that the middle-class Gandhi had studied for and received a law degree from London University and practiced as a barrister in South Africa for 20 years? Is it so miraculous that two educated men with experience in and a good understanding of each other's cultures could then understand each other?

Obviously any account of events is going to carry some subjectivity, like his rather derogatory characterisation of Gandhi, but it's disturbing when things presented as facts, like the huge number of innocent death row victims, are blatantly incorrect. It made me wonder how many other factual errors I'd inadvertantly absorbed as truth.

Nevertheless, it is great read, lively and interesting, and his contribution to the welfare of the poorest of the poor in India goes beyond admirable. Just take the 'facts' with a grain of salt!

1. 'A Thousand Suns', a fascinating book by Dominique Lapierre, famous author of books like `Is Paris Burning' and `City of Joy' takes its title from and Indian proverb that the author chanced upon during his stay in South India. It comes from (as indicated by the author) "Behind every cloud, there are a thousand suns". A perfect message for life in present day's gloomy outlook of life.

2. It goes without saying that the book, which has such a beautiful and motivating title ought to be full of life energy and epitomize everything that is the very essence of meaningful life. This book actually is a byproduct, but a beautiful and useful one. It consists of 15 independent well researched real life stories, which the author encountered in the run up to doing a specific assignment mainly related to the prime characters or places related to these stories, initially as a news correspondent and later as a writer.

3. At the end thus, he filed his reports / wrote his books, but the enduring beauty of life enshrined in the background of these reports / books remained. The author has really done a wonderful service to mankind by writing this book; else such beautiful pearls of human endeavor, wisdom, perseverance and enterprise would have been lost forever.

4. Written in a simple style with stress on delivering the message right, the author might have not achieved perfection of narrative, but what needed to be achieved i.e. delivery of the essentials of beauty of life has been achieved with perfection.

5. It is rightly said that `make your hobby your profession and you would not have to work for a day'. It is evident from reading this book that Mr Lapierre seems to have not worked for a day but have thoroughly enjoyed this life following his passion for writing.

6. All those who have faith in life and mankind and all those whose faith on these is wavering for some reasons must read this book to derive the requisite benefit.

The events Dominique experienced in his professional and personal life are related in a very witty and soulful manner. It is a book I am proud to own in my library and give as a gift, knowing the proceeds are given to a great humanitarian cause!

This is an interesting book by a man who has obviously had a fascinating life. He takes us across many continents and interviews many people, throwing in anecdotes about his life and interests.

However what stops me giving this book a 5 star rating is the fact that I feel that some of the topics are given superficial treatment (despite the lengths of the chapters), and there is too much emphasis on the author's own involvement. Fair enough, you might say, it is his book about his experiences, but I feel it is these experiences which should take central stage.

This is however only a small criticism, and it is a VERY interesting book, about interesting people in interesting times.

This wonderful series of adventures and relationships brings the reader into the fascinating world of Dominique Lapierre. He carries us back through his many and widely varied "assignments" as a journalist and author over the last 50 +years. Dominique and his wife shared many of the experiences .He makes you feel he is talking directly to you and sharing feelings that are close to his heart. Anyone who has ever read "City of Joy" and was moved by the story of Calcutta slums will really be interested in the background stories he provides which lead the writing of the book. I was only familiar with the author through his "City of Joy" book but after finishing "A Thousand Suns" I am anxious to read his other books. Longtime fans of the author will certainly relish this latest addition to their Lapierre library but anyone reading these stories will be caught up in the author's ability to evoke a sense of hope in seemingly hopeless situations.

A very well written book which shows human endurance, specially the last chapter has the power to change the way you feel about life.

After reading Beyond Love and City of Joy, I expected this to be just as good. Two third of the book is interesting - although I discovered what a prejudice author this is - but the nearer I got to the end of the book, the more disappointed I was. I expected a great ending, instead I found a very slow one.

I have read almost all of Lapierre's books and loved them. They were vivid, well-researched and absolutely riveting. But this book seems dated. He takes old pieces and pieces them into a book. We've been there.

Gripping. Lapierre shares in this book his most important events and adventures of his life, all extraordinary and all moving. An incredible life in an incredible book. In telling his story, he more than changes lives, he gives.

Got "A Thousand Suns" as a gift and it was wonderful experience reading Dominique Lapierre. He is a genius story teller.. book is full of emotions, inspiration and admiration.

In addition to his account of experiences, interactions, interviews and research, this book is collection of excerpt from all other work from Dominique Lappierre - O Jerusalem!, Freedom at Midnight, Is Paris burning? - Adolf Hitler, August 25, 1944., City of Joy: The Illustrated Story of the Film (Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook)....

It is great book, worth having in your library. But keep in mind that it is his point of view, you and many others may not agree. I don't agree with few and hence not 5 star for me.

After reading "A Thousand Suns", I couldn't resist reading his other books. I read "O Jerusalem!". Then it was "Is Paris Burning?" and "Freedom at Midnight" and "It Was Five Past Midnight in Bhopal".... read all these back to back.

-- ashutosh jhureley