Black Boy, and Way of the Shepherd

June 10, 2008

(I am down with a cold at the moment of writing this, so if you should find this post very rough and unedited, I say it now, that I’m sorry about that)

I’ve finished a couple of books this past couple of days.

The first book is Black Boy by Richard Wright. It’s an autobiography about how Richard Wright became a writer. I’m sure that after reading that sentence, you’ll say “that’s very interesting, Nightdreamer, but why should I care about how Richard became a writer?” Oh, that’s easy. Richard was a black man, and in his time - he was born when civil war was happening - it was all but unheard of for black people to read, let alone dream of being a writer. That was so, because racial inequality was very rampant during those times (to be honest, even on modern days, racial equality is an elusive case), and a black man’s only station in life was to become the servant of white people. In Richard’s case, he was often mistreated by white people, and looked down by black people because they think he’s crazy for even dreaming of becoming a writer. But it was precisely his unhapinness with all the people around him, regardless of what race, and of what beliefs, that had him becoming interested in reading and writing. I must warn you, though, that this is not a happy book. It is actually a very depressing one, since Richard mostly tells you about his disillusionment with pretty much everything: white people, black people, religion, the South, the North, democracy, and communism. It’s not all whining, though, as he mentions the solutions of how to fight for the rights of black people. He also has a good sense of humor, although most of the funnies are only in the early chapters. As for the writing, for someone who’s had to self-study everything about writing, he sure is one great writer, so much that he is among the most influential American writers of all time. I’ve read people on newspapers who pale in comparison to him. Heck, there aren’t a great deal of modern contemporary writers who can equal his writing skills. 

The other book is… well, surprise, surprise! I’ve actually finished a business book this time. It’s Way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leman and William Pentak. People who know me personally are aware that I am never a big fan of business books. I label most of them as boring overindulgent corporatese-ridden documents. Way of the Shepherd is never going to have a better writing than Black Boy, of course, but it is a rare business book that I find very readable from start to finish. I don’t know if the story it tells is factual or not, but the message is clear nonetheless: that you can learn to become good leaders by following the rules on how to become a good shepherd. There are seven rules. Geez, why is it always seven? The tips are practical and easy to follow, and at less than 150 pages, this book never overwhelms. Some passages are a bit on the hokey side, though, but that can be overlooked. 

Those are the last two books I’ve finished. Now I need to get back to sleep and have my petty sickness nursed.


Posted by nightdreamer at 4:19 pm | permalink

Previous Comments

No wonder you got sick. You read a lot of books? Like, seriously, didn’t you just finish In Cold Blood? I’m guessing you take a fast pace with words. If I could only be like you.

I saw a movie earlier, a 90s dark comedy called A Slight Case of Murder. It’s goodish if you like the same kind of movies I like. The main setting is the main character’s apartment, which houses a huge poster of In Cold Blood (1967), shown so many times althroughout the film. Made me remember your post of In Cold Blood. Now I want to watch the movie too.

If you have cinemax in your cable TV, it is shown everyday from Thursday to Sunday. There’s also David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence in HBO this week, which I’m out to watch.

Let me know if the mention of movie titles are threatening to give you a heart attack or a short circuit up in the cranium so I’ll know when to stop. ^_^

Posted by CM at June 10, 2008, 7:05 pm

I actually like your mentioning of movie titles. Although I like movies, I’m not quite as educated with them as I would like, so any amount of recommendations are okay in my book.

I managed to finish two books because the past few days were slow. The company outing was not very exciting (more on that on an upcoming post), and I took a sick leave today too. So, yeah, I did a lot of reading whenever I wasn’t asleep.

I suggest watching A History of Violence NOT on HBO. The reason being, there are a lot of graphic sex and violences in that movie that, in all likelihood, HBO will cut. I saw it a few years ago, and I liked it, although I didn’t find it very memorable. Maybe I ought to see it again soon.

I’ll check out A Slight Case of Murder. Is it also a crime type of story?

Posted by nightdreamer at June 10, 2008, 10:29 pm

Crime type, but it is a dark comedy, so you can expect tons of comic relief althroughout.

I suggested Case of Murder only because it’s available on cable TV all week long, but in another dimension, I can’t say it’s all that. The best movie I have seen so far (and I’ve seen 8 since June 1) is Coen Brothers’ Fargo. If you loved No Country for Old Men, you will love this one. I actually like Fargo better because it freezes the Coens at that time when they were younger and had a lighter approach to moviemaking. Now they’re simply gone cold and dark and simply delving into the greyest areas of morality in their current movies.

I’ve talked in great length about Fargo without regard for your having seen it. As you may well notice, just say movies and zing, you’ve got me lost in a psychotic episode.

I saw the cuts in HBO tonight when I watched A History of Violence. I still love it. David Cronenberg = badass Viggo Mortensen = heart rate spike. Nuff said.

Also, you brought two books with you on the beach? Where you would be surrounded by half-nekkid hot chicks on your entire stay? Have you gone nuts?!?

Posted by CM at June 11, 2008, 1:26 am

You see a lot of movies! 8 since June 1? Wow!

I’m quite ashamed to admit that I haven’t seen No Country for Old Men. Have the DVD for more than months now yet I never got around to watching it. I’m familiar with the author (Cormac McCarthy), though, and I’ve even read one of his books, which is “The Road”. He doesn’t come off as a very happy person, to me.

I haven’t seen Fargo. Might check it out. Thanks.

I only bought Black Boy to the beach. Yeah, people have been staring at me like I have lost my mind, but honestly, there weren’t a lot of hot chicks during my stay. There were a few, but all of them were companions to some guys, and I didn’t want to find out whether those guys were merely their friends or their lovers.

To put it shortly, I just wasn’t in the mood.

Posted by nightdreamer at June 11, 2008, 9:11 am

Some guys hanging out with hot chicks also happen to be nothing more than drop-dead gorgeous gay companions, ever considered that? Especially for a place like Galera. BOO your useless bad-timing mood!

Great. That’s my movie suggestion then. Fargo and No Country back to back. You can make your own choice among the two. Believe me, it’ll change your life.

I’m betting the McCarthy book isn’t a happy book at that, either. Like I said, No Country had gone to the deepest darkest corners of the human mind. Still, it provides great material for theme and character study. You can spend a week just dissecting its brilliantly wrought elements.

Oh, did I forget to mention I’ve finished full seasons of two TV shows too since June 1? And NBA finals, don’t forget the NBA finals. :P

Btw, Eastern Promises is a more entertaining Cronenberg-Mortensen combination. Now that’s a more memorable watch.

Posted by CM at June 11, 2008, 10:32 am

You really are a movie enthusiast. Ever considered applying for movie criticism?

Posted by nightdreamer at June 11, 2008, 10:40 am

Nope. But if I ever mutate into a superhuman with writing skills as adept as those monkeys over at NYTimes movies, then I will. Also, I like where my career path is taking me, and I have enough side projects to occupy my free time.

Posted by CM at June 11, 2008, 12:02 pm

But screw the NYTimes monkeys, I think you’re fine. Better than most of local newspaper’s system-sucker-ups film “critics” who always rate any Hollywood films high.

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