About

Welcome to Project Dog-eared. As avid readers we realised that we go through a multitude of emotions and thoughts at different stages of reading any book. But, once we have finished the book, our impression of it was often based on one predominant emotion or memory of the book rather than our whole reading experience. We wondered if this could be improved upon , and came up with the idea of Project Dog-eared.

Here, we intend to choose a book - any book - some times agreed, but mostly our own individual choices and document our thoughts and emotions as we read along. We then intend to collate it all together at the end, possibly into a review.

In other words, this is just the good old scribble at the corner of the book, but more organised and shared live on the net. We must point out the reading is not collaborative but only a collective assortment - that is - unlike book clubs you don’t discuss the books as you read along. However some of you might want to follow what others are reading and comment on others’ posts and interact. So if you feel this is something that you would be interested in, give us a shout. We will log you on here. Then all you have to do is pick up a book of your choice and start reading and posting.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Atlantic Ocean - Nigeria, Addendum

A quick addendum log to the last extract of Naipaul arriving in Nigeria. In that example I had found two things funny : First, the idea of a hotel employee introducing a big ocean to a guest ! I have had similar experiences - It’s funny in a quintessential third world way. Second, Naipaul’s cheeky prose, in a sense he is dead serious that he couldn’t see the ocean yet he is teasing by saying he had to take it on trust.

Today found out more about the importance of Atlantic Ocean in a Nigerian psyche. ( As I said, there’s been lot of Nigeria in the air, also October is the Black History month in UK ) Apparently, Atlantic Ocean is a symbol for many things in a Nigerian mind. For anyone growing up in Nigeria, it represents freedom from so many things that plague Nigeria. Also, as the main portal for slave trade, ( West African end of the triangle ) it symbolizes bondage. Further many Nigerians regard it as the means to reach across to their long lost brothers in the West Indies. With so many connotations, one can also easily imagine lot of myths and folklores about the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria.
In short, Atlantic Ocean has a significant influence on a Nigerian consciousness.

To me this information in many ways explains why a hotel attendant had to announce the ocean by its name to a guest. Limited worldview but pride.

Further reads:
Atlantic by Simon Winchester released last week.

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