The Bells in
their silence is a book about the travels through Germany by Michael Gorra. He offers his own traveller’s tale of
Germany. It is sad to note that one of the review’s
state – “Nobody writes travelogues about Germany.” “The journey of thousand
miles must begin with a single step.”-Lao Tsu. That’s what Michael Gorra did. The
title of the book “The bells in their silence” is an antithesis in the figure
of speech. The book comprises of 7
chapters apart from a preface – The wanderer above the sea of fog. Michael highlights
all the information he got from the library giving needed references about the
authors and their works. It also
includes the 17th century traveller Fynes Moryson. The author was successful in moulding this
book more than a travel guide.
The special
feature of this book is the quotes of ancient scholars like Goethe and
Schiller. The author gives a wide description of many landmarks in the
state. The monuments and statues of
Goethe, Schiller, Karl august and Marcus aurelius add pride to the place. The rulers of Germany and other historical
details sum up to provide a clear picture of Germany in Ancient times. The
impact of cold war and “The Wall” in Germany, the Nazi rulers, World- wars all
made Germany- a non-visitors destination writes Cynthia Ozick .Michael advances
from writers to artists. He takes us to
a trip to Museums and German writer
Fontane’ s Architectural plan for Berlin.
He familiarises us with Facsimiles of the city maps from 1902. Usage of “metaphor’ and the word “peculiar’’
is explained in this book. Michael Gorra
is obviously a avid reader and a big proof comes as a package
of bibliography. “The Bells in their
silence” sounds great. Kudos to both
Gorra and Germany
Snippets:·
*BUddenbrooks was the first German novel read by Michael gorra.
*In page 118 of this book “The true charm of pedestrianism does not lie in the walking…… but in the talking. The walking is good to time the movement of the tongue by.” Twain himself puts its better.
*Details of the Germany of the holy- Roman Empire in page 67.
*Mark Twain – A Tramp Aboard in page 33.
*The structural details of Germany like parks, bridges, absent palaces, gardens, flats and temples are in page 61.
*BUddenbrooks was the first German novel read by Michael gorra.
*In page 118 of this book “The true charm of pedestrianism does not lie in the walking…… but in the talking. The walking is good to time the movement of the tongue by.” Twain himself puts its better.
*Details of the Germany of the holy- Roman Empire in page 67.
*Mark Twain – A Tramp Aboard in page 33.
*The structural details of Germany like parks, bridges, absent palaces, gardens, flats and temples are in page 61.
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