10:04 by Ben Lerner is unique from the previous books we have read. It feels more realistic, and self-aware. For me, it is hard to grasp what the book is about, and what it’s trying to tell us. But I have picked up on a occurring theme; time. The book’s title is self-explanatory on that but even in the book time is mentioned. 

Lerner mentions Back to the Future, how the character is affected by the presence of the future, and the absence of the future. “I was reminded of the photograph Marty carries in Back to the Future, crucial movie of my youth: as Marty’s time-traveling disrupts the prehistory of his family, he and his siblings begin to fade from the snapshot.” (9) Back to the Future has a theme of time; time travel to be more specific. It’s interesting how this is mentioned. Will the topic be brought back? Or is it just the main character reminiscing about a movie of his childhood? 

A unique thing that Lerner does is provide images of what is being discussed in the story. It gives visual emphasis on what we are supposed to picture. The other books we have previously read do not provide this. With this tactic does Lerner want us to know exactly what he is referring to rather than keep us guessing and have us picture something entirely different? When talking about Back to The Future, Lerner provides images of exactly what he is describing from the movie. (10) I find this to be a good tactic because as I was reading, I had a hard time figuring out what was being described in the movie. With the images, I was able to realize what it meant. 

The synopsis of this book talks about the narrator having a medical condition, his friend wanting to conceive a child with him, and the possibility that the city will be soon underwater. It almost feels as if that isn’t the central idea, at least not in the beginning. We haven’t reached the meat of the story. It focuses on the narrator’s relation with time, and his misrememberment of events. Does he want this child? Is he fading from existence? What happened the other day? What is he doing now? How is he affected by the people around him? What are the people of this world doing? Do they feel the same as him? Is there a sprinkle of Main character syndrome?

I felt time was an illusion upon starting this book. Time passed by as I tried to figure out what was happening. Then I realized time had passed significantly and I had other things to do.

“I won’t remember this. This is the most beautiful view of the city I have ever seen, the most perfect experience of touch and speed, I’ve never felt so close to Liza, and I won’t remember it; the drugs will erase it.” (80)

While reading Ben Learner’s novel “10:04” there was many points were I had to reread the part I just read due to his portrayal of time. He often refers back to when his best friend Alex was married to her ex-husband Jon. It is apparent that there is romantic tension between Alex and Ben. The novel begins with Alex and Ben preparing for Hurricane Irene,  they are both worried of the destruction that this hurricane will bring. After going to Whole to receive the storm essentials they needed, they return back to Alex’s apartment .While they unpack their groceries, they open a cache of wine. Alex states to Ben to not get drunk and drink all of her water because he will he hungover the next day. They continue their normal routine of watching a movie from Alex’s projector, while she falls asleep. He “… tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and then let my hand trail down her face and neck and brush across her breast and stomach in one slow motion I halfheartly attempted to convince my self it was incidental” (Pg 23). While Ben continues to blame him being intoxicate for his romantic desires towards Alex, it is apparent that is not the case. However, Ben can not seem to forget how Alex’s ex-husband and his action towards both of them.  While Jon would get drunk he would go on about how heroic he is for being a labor lawyer and vent about his last marriage. While Jon is not longer in Alex’s life, it seems like Ben feels like he can not get through to Alex in a romantic way. Especially due to Alex’s remarks about being in her mid-thirties, single, and her biological time clock is ticking. Since she wants a child, so her mother with a late stage of cancer can she her grandchild. Her solution to this problem is artificially inseminating herself with Ben’s sperm. It seems to make Ben uneasy due to his emotional connection to Alex.

In addition to Ben not being able to adjust to the present with his relationship with Alex, the idea of how temporary life is a overwhelming theme throughout the beginning of the novel. Ben was diagnosed with Marfan which is a genetic condition that affects connective tissue. This condition can cause a tear in Ben’s aorta resulting in a rupture. The potential effects of his condition seems to never escape Ben’s mind, making him feel like he could die at any moment. Ben is hyperaware of ambulance noises around him and deaths of people in his inner circle. When Bernard, a mentor for Ben broke his vertebrae and received this information over email. Ben was in disbelief that this person he looks up to as a hero, was in fact just a human like him and his life is as fragile as his. 

As we can see the novel, “10:04” Ben uses the past and present to develop the beginning of the novel. The novel does a great job of making the reader feel like they are part of Ben’s inner dialogue. 

Fokir’s character in “The Hungry Tide” by Amitav Ghosh embodies the traditional way of life and knowledge of the Sundarbans as a skilled fisherman. He relies on ancestral techniques to navigate treacherous waters, emphasizing his profound connection to the region’s customs and beliefs. In contrast, Piya, a scientist, represents the modern, scientific approach, employing technology and a data-driven mindset to understand the Sundarbans and their unique wildlife. 

Fokir’s character is a central theme in the narrative, evident as he becomes involved in Piya’s scientific expedition. Initially, a significant divide separates their worlds. Fokir is wary of Piya’s modern equipment and methods, which he needs to fully comprehend and trust. However, their shared mission to preserve the natural world, particularly the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, becomes a bridge uniting their distinct approaches. Fokir’s character evolution involves a growing appreciation for scientific knowledge and technology, recognizing their value in conserving the Sundarbans and sustaining the livelihood he depends on. Simultaneously, Piya gains deep respect for Fokir’s traditional wisdom and intimate knowledge of the region. She acknowledges the wisdom passed down through generations and the invaluable role it plays in their shared mission.

The pinnacle of Fokir’s character development is his ultimate sacrifice for Piya at the novel’s end. This selfless act symbolizes the convergence of traditional and modern approaches. In the face of imminent danger, their differing worldviews become inconsequential as they rely on each other’s strengths to navigate the unpredictable Sundarbans. This reflects the novel’s core message of unity between tradition and modernity. Fokir’s transformation signifies the potential for harmonious coexistence between these two approaches, where traditional knowledge enhances the understanding of the environment, and modern methods aid in its study and preservation. This reconciliation between tradition and modernity is a central theme of the novel.

Fokir’s character development serves as a poignant reminder that the clash between these two worlds is not inevitable. Instead, their coexistence can lead to a more comprehensive and effective approach to address the challenges of the ever-changing Sundarbans. Ultimately, Fokir’s character underscores the novel’s message of reconciliation and cooperation between tradition and modernity, portraying the evolving relationship between these two life approaches in the Sundarbans. Personally, I greatly enjoyed The Hungry Tide and I felt that it was a very human story, working to not tell the reader something simple and salacious, but to dignify the different forms of knowledge that exist outside of Western modernity, and had the strength to visualize a world wherein these two things work together to define a new, healing kind of knowledge.

The Hungry Tide made sure that it hit every stop. It speaks on past conflicts, a search for this rare dolphin, a love triangle that does become a bit convoluted, conflict with others and nature. The problem is with all of this it feels like the conclusion was just rushed. You have this big death of one of the main characters and it seems to just be a moment. After that there’s no grieving everyone is just better they are happy again they found their peace. The people who had problems with one another are now perfectly fine with each other. A foundation is made in the name after Fokir who is the character who ended up dying during the storm that passed through the forest. Now it was a really sad moment as we know especially since the build up of this relationship has been growing since the two have met that Piya had some harbored feelings pent up for Fokir. So, for him to die in her arms must have come as a shock to her. But it feels like her grieving just gets glossed over like it didn’t happen.

I think this story as a whole isn’t the greatest. There are certain aspects that I find interesting. I think the reform of Kanai from this womanizer to someone who starts to care about other people and wants to make sure that they are ok even putting himself in danger to do so is great to see. I think the history of what happened with Nirmal in Marichjhapi was fascinating as it is such a big part of history and it connects two characters with Nirmal falling for Fokirs mom Kusum. The problem with that is that Nirmal stopped writing in it so it felt like something that was left unsolved and while we know what happened it is still I wish would’ve continued to see a different perspective. I felt as if Piya’s hunt for the dolphins was just boring to me. I think the only aspect I liked was the growth between Piya and Fokir because it grew progressively and it showed how much she respected him which Fokir never really got outside of her. I feel like the constant jumping back and forth between Kanai and Piyas perspective in what was happening in their lives was just difficult to follow and even when it got easy there wasn’t much to talk about. The tension between characters like Piya and Fokirs wife Moyna was really intriguing but felt as if it went no where.

The story had its moments where it was really captivating but others where it feels like it just falls flat in its entirety. I believe the ending is just rushed and it makes it so that it leaves so many loose ends and just leaves the reader yearning for something more.

          I started The Novel The Hungry Tide enthusiastically as I had been very pleased with the novel The Parable of The Sower.  I was expecting the book to have a similar layout  and to grab my attention as much as The previous novel had done. I was completely wrong as It was very different from The Parable of the Sower and the book did not  draw me in as much as I would want it to.

          The beginning of the novel was quite interesting. We first get introduced to Piya, a young, smart and independent Indian American girl who completely stands out from their ordinary girl. We also  get to meet Kanai who is an Educated , business New Delhi Man. He seems quite arrogant, quite the contrast from Piya. But what was even more interesting was seeing how Piya’s character was somehow similar yet completely different from kanai’s.They both dont seem to fit their surroundings  as they are dressed differently than the people around them.the way both characters had differences and similarities really had me interested in what would happen next between them.Somehow I started to force myself to read it when the journal was added into the reading. I was confused with how both texts related to each other in the beginning and it was confusing to have two readings in one book for me.

       As I kept reading and The character of Fokir was introduced I was hoping that his character and the part he played in the book would make me want to look forward to reading the book . I found his scenes and Piya’s to be  worth reading . I kept looking forward to their interactions.  Although Fokir did not speak in the text he still played a major role in the book .He was looked down on by Kanai and even by his own wife But he was respected by Piya. I was really let down by the ending of the book and how Fokir had to die. I was looking forward to something more But it was cut short . Overall the text was fine. I understood what the author was trying to get across . Both the present and past stories were interesting   to read but it was not my favorite. I wish the ending would of have given the characters some closure but I felt it was cut short