And here we are, at the one-but-last interview of the season. Allowing us to interview her, is one of the admins’ elder sister who has been a constant source of inspiration, criticism and the go-to person for all the insight on Literature for our very own Siddiqui. So it makes sense to have her here. After all, we couldn’t have been here without her. This folks, is the penultimate interview, with Bushra Siddiqui. (She is married and has a different last surname, but this is poetic.)
Reader Bio: Bushra loves to read all genres except self-help books. To her, the world of fiction is more real than the world we exist in. She says, “I’d be content with only one meal a day and a good book to read! Ok, make it two books…”
Bushra, describe why you read.
May be I like the escapism or may be sometimes I want answers which life pretty much never gives. Also, the questions which only artists and creative people can raise. It’s the only guilty pleasure that I’ve gotten myself into. As far back as I can see it was the only one I succumbed to. Okay, there was a soft drink craze during school but I quit within a year.
Which author makes you visit the era in which he/she writes? Is there a specific book that made you feel so?
All of Charles Dickens’ work does that to me.
What would you say about people who look down on fictional writing under the pretext that they only like to read hard facts and not mere “stories”?
I’d say that there is more truth in fiction than ever a newspaper or a news magazine can give you. All facts are fabricated, while fiction comes from pure imagination. Or, mostly. Unlike the “real” world created by corporations.
What are you currently reading?
Cobra by Fredrick Forsyth.
Which, according to you, is:
Best book you’ve read this year
Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel
Worst book you’ve read this year
The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobs
Book that you resolved to read this year, but did not
The sequel to Wolf Hall; Bring Up The Bodies.
Most overrated writer
Paulo Coelho
Most underrated writer
Jerry Pinto
Best book-movie adaptation
The Godfather
Worst book-movie adaptation
The 6th Harry Potter movie
Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak or The One Ring from Lord of the Ring? Why?
The Invisibility Cloak, any time. Before I’m disowned by my own brother for saying this I should add that I haven’t yet found the time and patience to read the Ring’s Epic.
Do you think certain writers purposely muddle with your brain and get away by being labeled intellectual for no apparent reason?
Most of them do that and miraculously get awarded. The Finkler Question is a perfect example.
There are many who believe that a movie is more worthy than a book; the argument being that visuals are more appealing and easier to understand. If you were to annihilate this argument by proselytizing a person with a book, which book would you choose?
The Catcher in the Rye. Firstly, this book is one of the most intriguing classics of modern literature. Secondly, I’d love to see someone make a movie on this one and show me the visuals of a Holden that awakens in me the same kind of feeling the book’s Holden does. It’s a challenge.
Give one word/phrase for:
- Re-reading: Madness
- Horror or Sci-Fi: Sci-Fi
- Wuthering Heights: Turbulent
- New books or Old Second hands: Old second hands
- Propaganda: Been there, read that
- Debut writers: Passionate
- Favorite Literary Villain: Estella, from Great Expectations
- Bookhad: Superb
A (book) quote that you would like to part with…
“You place too much importance on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!” – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
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Do let us know in the comments what you think, and watch this space for the last interview of this spotlight series.
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Previous Interviews:
bookhad 
Hello Bushra! Thanks for that nice interview and all those implicit book suggestions 🙂
I’ve had Em and the Big Hoom on my list for a long time. Now that you’ve mentioned Jerry Pinto, I will make it a priority to read it. Thanks again, for sharing!
This is arguably the best interview of the series!
I agree! Seemed to flow very naturally. I was put off by the lack of pic (now that we are used to pics with text and especially with the interviews), but I ended up reading the entire thing anyway. I don’t know who Bushra is, but super interview!
She is my sister!
:smug:
Thank you Bushra for the awesome suggestions!!! I too want to see Holden on the big screen 🙂 Haawwwww….you haven’t read LOTR??!!! Welcome to the club 🙂
Some hard-hitting answers there. Totally agree with your opinion on fiction.