Comments on: Is Rudyard Kipling’s Kim a book for our times?

By: Gavin Roger

Gavin Roger — Wed, 19 May 2010 07:45:29 +0000

It is interesting that many thought the purposeful formulation that Kipling used was difficult to read. He did this to notify the reader that the characters were not talking in English, but in this case Urdu or Punjabi (which are for more formal than English hence the “thee” etc.) I first read Kim when I was about 10 or 11 and instantly identified with the main character. I reread the novel during my teens and early twenties. I just have reread the novel after almost 20 years, and was very surprised (in fact, I’m using it, or rather commentary on it, for a history paper). Personally, I find it not much more racist than Twain’s “Huck Finn.” It is more our own perceptions of racism that we project onto it that become our stumbling blocks. However, there are certain elements of Orientalism in the work that many may find hard to understand. Rebecca, to get over your trouble reading Shakespeare — try reading it aloud — you may find that it makes much more sense then.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:59:48 +0000

That doesn’t sound like a book I could focus on now, much less when I was 11! Go BethFishReads!

I have a lot of trouble when the language is so different. I am challenged reading Shakespeare because of the same reason. I have to stop and translate it in my head and it takes much longer to read than it should. I don’t know if lots of people have this problem or if it is my ADD or what.

Good thorough review, though. Nicely done.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:13:57 +0000

Judging from the excerpt that you printed, I don’t think this would be the book for me. I am also not sure if this is one of the books that speaks to our times or must be read. I have heard much of this book over the years, but I now can safely say that my curiosity for it has been extinguished!

By: 100+ Reading Challenge | She Is Too Fond Of Books ...

100+ Reading Challenge | She Is Too Fond Of Books ... — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:24:58 +0000

[...] Is Rudyard Kipling’s *Kim* a book for our times? [...]

By: Monica (aka monnibo)

Monica (aka monnibo) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:55:17 +0000

Thanks for the link. I definitely struggled with the language too. I don’t remember the Just So Stories by Kipling to be so strenuous and I enjoyed those as a kid.

By: Alyce

Alyce — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:23:26 +0000

I’m glad to see that I wasn’t the only one that gave up on this book. I owned it for years, and could never really get into it. I finally donated it to the library book sale a few years ago.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:41:34 +0000

I’m sure I never read this when I was young and it sounds like I wouldn’t like it now. I would like to read some of Kipling but this one might not be the best choice for me!

By: softdrink

softdrink — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:31:48 +0000

I didn’t finish my Newsweek book either. I have serious doubts about that list.

By: Jenners

Jenners — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:43:34 +0000

I wonder if a more recent edition would have been accessible????

And so far, all the Newsweek book posts I’ve read, no one has really like the books!

By: sheistoofondofbooks

sheistoofondofbooks — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:22:49 +0000

Nicole – I hope that was a passage from KIM, not a passage from my review!

rhapsody – LOL! Yes, maybe I should expand on *that* narrative.

Beth F – I gave up on the print version (for now), but may view a movie at some point …

Sandy – oh, you thinker of deep thoughts! I believe there was a character in the Wizard of Oz who got a medal for that.

Kool-Aid Mom – I know, I can generally excuse the racism/stereotyping because they are reflective of the time in which the book was written. This one just got to me (beyond my ability to ignore it)

Kathy – and Monica’s review indicates that it really took off after about 100 pages. Oh, well … a missed opportunity for me.

Ladytink – I might look at some of Kipling’s other books (one day)

Melissa – I thought “one book, I can handle it” … but, I couldn’t

iliana – I remember some terms that my grandfathers used, which shocked me. My mother explained that they were products of their time, and I was able to accept it (and not lecture them). But, I just couldn’t get past it in this book.

Comments on: Is Rudyard Kipling’s *Kim* a book for our times?