tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post3450650153949810167..comments2023-12-16T05:23:25.816-08:00Comments on sri lankan books: Colombo Streets by Thisuri WanniarachchiUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-62436626645833310182010-11-03T22:51:14.027-07:002010-11-03T22:51:14.027-07:00@March 25th and May 14th comments are most obvious...@March 25th and May 14th comments are most obviously by thisuri! No malice, just pointing out the obvious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-71720790156791902112010-11-01T01:01:13.966-07:002010-11-01T01:01:13.966-07:00No Robert... kenyonreview is a very prestigious......No Robert... kenyonreview is a very prestigious.... well... actually I have no idea, A quick Google search brought up this - http://www.kenyonreview.org/<br />Can't be bothered to explain it to you though, so, good luck reading :)<br /><br />Well, it took me some time, but I finally managed to finish reading most of the replies that were worth reading. There were writers, reader,s professors, doctors, random people with no life, more random people and last as well as least - random people who think that expressing what a person feels is wrong. Anyway, being apparently the only actual writer who is as young as Thisuri and who has been writing for the past five to six years I have to regretfully join Egghead's side. Being Sri Lankan myself, I expect high quality work from my fellow writers. However, Thisuri's novel did not live up to my standards. When I read it, a few years ago, I found its grammar and language dull. It took me a few hours to finish it, and after finishing it, although I felt happy that there were others like me in Sri Lanka, I felt that she could have done a better job.<br />But, we mustn't forget that compared to many (not all) other Sri Lankans, her writing was very good. Many people think that all writing takes is a good knowledge of the English language and an idea, :P as if! I certainly wish it was that easy, but it isn't. For Thisuri to actually decide to publish a book and actually keep her cool and determination through the process [something I failed due to a lack of support :( ] is very admirable. <br />Although I don't at any point think that the book deserved to win a prize (at the national literary awards or something similar?). Nor do I believe she should be allowed to go to Kenyonreview (if it does exist). Why? Because that would hinder her chances of improving, which, at this point, is absolutely necessary for her survival in the literary world if she is determined to write more. And also because there are others out there in Sri Lanka who are better writers than her and deserve that scholarship more than she does... of course my last line could have been biased because of some friendly jealousy :P<br />Anyway, regardless of what some people say, I would really like if you could review or comment on some of my work as well, although it isn't yet complete. It would be a great help if you agree. <br /><br />And also, to those who criticize Egghead's review - <br />If Thisuri is a real writer, and I hope and believe she is, she wouldn't be discouraged or angered by Egghead's review. As writers, we welcome reviews that are harsh, after all, it is by facing such reviews that we can improve. So Thisuri, if you are reading this (I highly doubt it, but there is a chance), great work! You've achieved something that countless have failed to, as a fellow writer, I for one am awaiting the launch of your next book.<br /><br />Note - Pardon any grammar or spelling mistakes because I usually don't go through what I've written twice.Firestalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666933154963483577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-4959266341780430572010-10-16T21:46:36.357-07:002010-10-16T21:46:36.357-07:00Uncalled for Robert! Have you even read her book?Uncalled for Robert! Have you even read her book?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-19107662498522987522010-09-23T11:12:53.559-07:002010-09-23T11:12:53.559-07:00obviously the earlier comment was from thisuri! a ...obviously the earlier comment was from thisuri! a real monkey praising her own tail! <br />What on earth is a Kenyonreview ?? a Kenyan HIV camp?Robertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-59173976479987438282010-05-20T22:38:05.644-07:002010-05-20T22:38:05.644-07:00I think its silly to put insulting and useless com...I think its silly to put insulting and useless comments. They don't help anyone. Thisuri, thanks for your long and explanatory comment. It made a lot of sense and thank you for taking the review in the best possible spirit. I look forward to your second novel. Congratulations on your American Scholarship. I believe that it could have a positive impact on your creative work. Good Luck!eggheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01096249641253328077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-63654201357227017552010-05-14T19:00:28.098-07:002010-05-14T19:00:28.098-07:00who is the coward here? who doesn't have the g...who is the coward here? who doesn't have the gutts to mention his/her real name? who doesn't have the gutts to publish this on a newspaper? i understand, you probably would have tried but what kind of newspaper would accept reviews of this standard? at least thisuri had the gutts to publish her work. her work has been recognized internationally and and she is the first sri lankan to be awarded a full sholarship to study at the Kenyonreview writing school,which is known as the best writing school in the US. we all know who she is and what she is capable of. she is only sixteen. and i ask you egghead if in your pretty long life, which is probably more than twice as long as Thisuris have you acheived at least half of what she has acheived? we understand your joblessness by looking at the amount of time you have wasted talking bullshit about this little girl on this blog. <br />your name suits you egghead. <br />we feel sorry for you. find a job. find a life.<br />don't waste your time wondering why she doesn't give shit about ths review.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-60724158000661449962010-04-16T13:00:55.614-07:002010-04-16T13:00:55.614-07:00looks like this thisuri girl has chickened out alr...looks like this thisuri girl has chickened out already!<br /><br />poor her, must be feeling like a coward.LOL<br /><br />got to give it up to egghead !!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-21180026616905095982010-03-29T07:19:21.270-07:002010-03-29T07:19:21.270-07:00we are just being honest, if the book was not lame...we are just being honest, if the book was not lame, i would say that it is 'not lame' thats the whole point of a review right??<br />but its LAME. lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-4666575778262956302010-03-25T21:00:07.221-07:002010-03-25T21:00:07.221-07:00WTF is wrong with all of you dick heads... give th...WTF is wrong with all of you dick heads... give thisuri wanniarachchi a freaking break!!!!! u all need to get a life and egghead u specially!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />i will not watch a talented young author being put down like this...and egghead..people have feelings...maybe except u!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-37619077820277401222010-03-18T12:10:57.961-07:002010-03-18T12:10:57.961-07:00and looks like our 14 year old author watches porn...and looks like our 14 year old author watches porn in her loo!! LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-66984288197505903232010-03-18T12:09:43.425-07:002010-03-18T12:09:43.425-07:00Uditha,
Please dont feel pity because of age. If ...Uditha,<br /><br />Please dont feel pity because of age. If at this rate people write books, we wont have left any decent to recent.<br /><br />Government should have a screening process so that such gayish and lame books dont get into the bookshops!!<br /><br />Long live egghead, down with the lames :)Bestestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-22757511791099549722010-03-12T18:15:21.122-08:002010-03-12T18:15:21.122-08:00i was very impressed by the authors age and i pick...i was very impressed by the authors age and i picked this book up from sarasavi a few months ago. <br />i went through each of these comments and i wonder if all of you have any personal issues with this young writer. <br />to me colombo streets is a feel good novel that has few potholes here and there. To a certain extent i feel that this child's talent is no ordinary one, after all she is only fourteen. You should have considered the age of the writer before writing such a harsh review. What we need to do is to encourage her to keep on writing. <br />And i think the way she has responded to this review should be appriciated. <br /><br />Uditha WijayadasaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-83116533192521867502009-12-31T18:20:34.001-08:002009-12-31T18:20:34.001-08:00Sorry for the late reply. I saw this a few months ...Sorry for the late reply. I saw this a few months ago but wasn’t in a mood to say anything in reply. I sat for my ordinary level exam this December so I had to stay away from the internet for a while. First of all I thank you for the review and also to each of you who had different comments on it. Different people see things in different points of view. And I guess that’s what literature is all about. :)<br /><br />True, this is my first attempt to write a novel and my writing might not be perfect to some of you. Thank you for all your comments they will help me in future:). <br /><br />And about my interview to The Nation I think there was a bit of misunderstanding there. I never said I don’t read. Reading became a hobby of mine way before writing. What I had meant there was that I do not have much time to read (since I was interviewed a few months before my exam). <br /><br />Anyway, I am happy to see so many comments on my work. I’ve got loads to take from this for my future carrier. And I certainly don’t think this discouraging. I know I can’t expect you to be all nice to me because of my age, what matter is my writing. <br /> And just like you’ve said it’s a good sign that so many have read it. <br /><br />And I certainly disagree with the person who believes that "Sri Lankan reviewers" are “frustrated” people. Well, if they are “frustrated”, “ignored characters in the society” why would they want to point things out that would help writers improve themselves? <br /><br />And about banning children from writing books;<br /><br />one thing I’ve realized is that that children of our generation is not much into writing. Even children who know they can write well don’t want to be into it ‘cause they feel like it’s lame thing to do. <br />In Sri Lanka, at a time like this when fourteen year olds hang themselves in school toilets for the lamest reasons, when the hobbies like reading books and creative writing are being replaced by hobbies like, video games, porn and pooling, banning children from writing books is just going to make the situation worse:P I hope you weren’t serious about it. :P<br /><br />Once again Thank you. <br /><br />-Thisuri Wanniarachchi.Thisuri Wanniarachchihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11986024020391370327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-12932611096111785532009-12-25T17:57:25.843-08:002009-12-25T17:57:25.843-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.SilentSerenadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16444300179268479458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-51793278729575231922009-11-17T06:05:43.433-08:002009-11-17T06:05:43.433-08:00Egghead RULES!!!
This little girl is a real headc...Egghead RULES!!!<br /><br />This little girl is a real headcase!!! what a unimginative book!!dinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-54877474398942684492009-11-16T04:07:52.865-08:002009-11-16T04:07:52.865-08:00lol!i haven't read Colombo Streets-just some w...lol!i haven't read Colombo Streets-just some work she sent me sometime back. <br />It's great that you're such an avid reader who sets high standards for writers here. kudos! I think I'm going to visit your blog often.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-48357653569966259352009-11-15T20:44:59.986-08:002009-11-15T20:44:59.986-08:00Ok, after being chastised by numerous readers that...Ok, after being chastised by numerous readers that I have been unnecessarily harsh on Colombo Streets, I will say that I may have been somewhat extreme in saying that children should be banned from writing. So for the umpteenth time - apologies.<br />On a slightly different note, I am quite amazed that of all the posts, this one has elicited the most responses.<br />And thanks for saying you liked the 'Nothing Prepares You' review, it is easily one of my favourite books of Sri Lankan poetry.eggheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01096249641253328077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-29761608975494284562009-11-15T10:51:12.031-08:002009-11-15T10:51:12.031-08:00egghead, bumped into your blog quite by chance. Re...egghead, bumped into your blog quite by chance. Read a few of your other reviews as well-and this is clearly your most ruthless :) also by chance, i read some of Thisuri's work a while back when she (very randomly) sent some of her work to me asking for opinion-i do agree with you that her writing needs a bit more work and she needs to narrate story with more ownership (?) perhaps. However, i'm not sure her age has anything to do with it. It's bold that she attempts writing at so young an age-but to conjure banning children from writing altogether is slightly over the top-wouldn't you think?<br />p.s: Loved your review on "Nothing Prepares You"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-42896107357652921022009-11-12T03:14:18.039-08:002009-11-12T03:14:18.039-08:00This little girl has even hopes of being nominated...This little girl has even hopes of being nominated for a Gratien prize!!! She seems a very big headed person for 16 years!!! I've got to agree with Egghead!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-52747862275040268442009-06-21T22:07:58.336-07:002009-06-21T22:07:58.336-07:00About the review itself, I'm glad you noticed ...About the review itself, I'm glad you noticed this trend to start writing at a young age. Veritably frightening, some of the works. To say it's all well and good is like height of politeness and nothing else. <br /><br />SummerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-41547508588933688772009-06-20T23:18:03.216-07:002009-06-20T23:18:03.216-07:00Call me a biatch,but I agree with you, egghead. th...Call me a biatch,but I agree with you, egghead. the fact that the kid is 16 is no excuse for the hopeless grammar and sketchy work which gives Colombo Streets a very 'rough draft' feel. To make things worse, its obvious that the book has not been looked at by a decent editor because if it had, it may have been a damn sight better. <br /><br />IncompresoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-61300492370335537522009-06-20T07:31:01.906-07:002009-06-20T07:31:01.906-07:00Dr. Durden recommends that you should write, othe...Dr. Durden recommends that you should write, other words than loserAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-84131798282293966642009-06-20T02:30:06.046-07:002009-06-20T02:30:06.046-07:00u at least used ur brain a bit n commented a day a...u at least used ur brain a bit n commented a day after..hmm..i see improvementAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-62740680168096262782009-06-20T02:25:18.392-07:002009-06-20T02:25:18.392-07:00loooooooooooooooserloooooooooooooooserAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726429560999358758.post-28636136233711005072009-06-20T01:24:36.433-07:002009-06-20T01:24:36.433-07:00Because I am pedantic. Anonymous and all the other...Because I am pedantic. Anonymous and all the others who don't know how to spell it. The correct way is: loser, the way you have spelt it anonymous is: looser (which has a totally different meaning).<br />And yes, Summer, writers, are feisty, tetchy, annoying and opinionated. Isnt that wonderful!eggheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01096249641253328077noreply@blogger.com