Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

Use this Topic to discuss books you are reading or that fit the 3rd Scavenger Hunt task.

Task 3: Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama died 500 years ago in 1524. Read a Boxall book by an author from one of the countries along the routes of Vasco de Gama’s three voyages or a book by a Portuguese author. (Contributed by Jennifer Austin)

(Note: The Era of Exploration and Discovery can be a controversial topic for some. While doing research on the 2024 Challenge suggestions by members, I did some reading on Vasco da Gama and was concerned about his actions on his voyages. In the US, our world history courses in High School mostly just mention his achievement of rounding the Cape of Good Hope. It wasn't until a few years ago that I read about the atrocities committed by Da Gama and other Portuguese explorers. However, I feel that this should be a teachable moment regarding the Era of Exploration and Discovery (anniversaries of which we are going to be seeing for many years). By simply omitting it, we silence the voices of those who were "horribly treated" by colonization. The challenge emphasizes reading books from the countries along his routes and that he visited. Humanity is flawed; no government is perfect. But we need to know the true history of events, so we learn from it and never repeat it. – Karen)

Oh I have the perfect suggestion for this one! While not actually by an author from one of his voyage countries or a Portuguese author, The Forbidden Kingdom is explicitly about 16th century Portuguese colonies in Asia (such as Macao) and according to the reviews I've read, criticism of European colonialism is a huge theme of the book (perfect for those who really didn't want to 'celebrate' de Gama).

Hope the mods will count this one despite it being by a Dutch author, since it fits the idea so well and is the book I want to read for this one.

Definitely works. I think I might read that one also.

Nice!

Amanda wrote: "Nice!"

Just curious, Amanda, you are so close to finishing the list, what do you plan to do when it's done? Are you going to do something special to celebrate?

Oh Good question! assuming i can translate the harder books on time I'm scheduled to finish in August\Sept this year, exactly 10 years after I intentionally started the list....think I'll have to make myself a cake that looks like book pile lol since I like doing cakes as well.

Edit: Also think I'm going to make my own 1001 list from the combined list and books I thought should have been included but weren't.

Amanda wrote: "Oh I have the perfect suggestion for this one! While not actually by an author from one of his voyage countries or a Portuguese author, The Forbidden Kingdom is explicitly about 16t..."

I'm one of those people. This man was a monster and still, to this day, celebrated in Portugal which tells you...a hell lot.

I'd rather celebrate 1974 and the 25th of April myself: that's Portugal moving forward, it's an actual holiday- mind you, Gama's death is not- and 2024 marks the 50th anniversary.

Not only did it mean the end to the dictatorship as the end of the colonial war, that had been waged by the then colonial powers, that have since become countries...not that Boxall bothered to feature a single books from any of these, because, I guess we really do need the complete bibliography of several white dudes but never mind entire countries.

But could be used for any post-colonial book, any book dealing with colonial oppression, any book dealing with dictatorships. Much greater scope.

Amanda wrote: "Oh Good question! assuming i can translate the harder books on time I'm scheduled to finish in August\Sept this year, exactly 10 years after I intentionally started the list....think I'll have to m..."

Wow, this is so impressive! And now I'm wondering when I officially started this project.... I still have a LONG way to go.

The Home and the World by Indian author and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, 3/5

I plan to read The God of Small Things. Not only is this book about India, it takes place at the very place where de Gama landed. There is still a remnant or two of the Portuguese in Kerala. I was fortunate enough to have visited this beautiful area of the world.

For this task I read A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. The author was born in India and also the plot takes place in India.

I read The Forbidden Kingdom as suggest above for this task!

The Moor's Last Sigh by Salman Rushdie was made for this task. The main character travels from India to Spain. A character is even named da Gama.