GBiB: Goa Books in Brief [Guest column: Clarice Vaz] ----------------------------------------------------------
Ti: Feasts, Feni and Firecrackers: Life of a Village Schoolboy in Portuguese Goa Au: Mel D'Souza, written and illustrated by Yp: 2008 Fm: Paperback Pu: mel.dso...@sympatico.ca Av: From the author, in Canada. Im: http://saligaoserenade.com/feasts-feni-and-firecrackers/ Review by Clarice Vaz clarice...@ymail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008319020265 --------------------------------------------------------- A sneak peek inside this book will lure you within its light-hearted stories with funny illustrations. Here one can walk down memory lane to reminisce and experience the gentle, laid back (read susegaad) life of the average 'Joao'. In this book, Mel tries to bring their traditions and little idiosyncrasies alive -- where children climbed and raided their neighbours fruit trees, when everyone knew each other and you had time to wish your friendly neighbours and passersby. It was a polite, courteous and happy Goa, where celebrations were joyous and unrestrained. A Goa of leisurely afternoon siestas... where the value of a pig was priceless... where dogs, fowls, cows, peacocks and foxes all dotted the landscape. Transport in those days was also cause for much excitement. The 'matchbox' bullock cart was summoned for long journeys. A bicycle parked outside ones driveway indicated wealth. They had brand names.... Raja, Hercules and Raleigh (for those rich men!) and they were even fitted with a kerosene lantern for night travel! Mel talks about the caminhao (public bus), the village doctor, the village beggars and oddballs, of match making and evil eye, bare feet football and bullfights! What makes FFFs such a delightful read is that it reminds the older generation of the 'good old days' and it gives the younger ones a glimpse of their heritage. The illustrations are simple, but brilliantly authentic and full of tradition and rural folklore. Only limited copies are available. You can contact Mel directly at mel.dso...@sympatico.ca =.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=. KEY TO ABOVE: Ti: Title; Au: Author; Yp: Year of Publication; Pr: Price (in Goa, Rs); Pp: Number of pages; Fm: Format; Pu: Publisher; Av: Availability; Im: Image(s) =.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=. -- P +91-832-2409490 M 9822122436 Twitter: @fn Facebook: fredericknoronha Latest from Goa,1556: http://goa1556.in/book/goa-in-sepia-tinted-postcards/