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jack
2010-03-08 13:19:57 hello all
jskksjqq
2009-12-01 11:33:38 hello all
ValeryLit
2009-11-13 21:16:25 Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
Fiegioutt
2009-10-01 12:15:29 phentermine
phentermine
Anup Phayal
2008-08-12 06:52:46 A must read novel for all who love Nepal or who are thinking of traveling to Nepal. The story of two different time periods, first of the 1970s and then after 2000, depicts the political changes that have taken place in Nepal.
The book is simple, no political correctness and very straightforward accounts of events. Due to such simplicity, some of the hilarious moments kept me laughing for a very long time. The highs and lows of Oscar’s life in Nepal and Netherlands, makes this novel very interesting. One is beautifully introduced to the Hindu philosophy that everything created must come to an end.
I know for fact that there are many Oscars and Harolds, who love Nepal and are true friends of Nepal. These heroes, who have scaled all challenges posed in front of them, be it physical, or the mountains in their personal lives, have always inspired us to choose a courageous option when in face to face with difficult situation. Such souls, full of passion and adventure, have always found a place to flock together, in the mountains and hills of Nepal. These souls are not different from that of Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Sherpa, George Mallory, Father Stiller, Tony Hagen and the list goes on.
Thanks to the writer, Mr Cas De Stoppelaar and Mr Adriaan Verheul who translated it for all of us and especially introducing the book to me, here in Sudan.
Sarah Douglas
2008-01-22 19:08:03 Elephant Polo is the perfect mix of action, adventure, modern history, desire, escape and redemption. This book has it all. Exquisitly developed characters seem to jump out of the pages as if you'd known them your whole life. The backdrop of the ongoing political crisis in Nepal gives the book depth, although many passages will also have you splitting your sides laughing.
Shiva
2007-12-24 07:08:35 I want to read this book, thrilled!
Krijn de Best
2007-11-12 12:27:43 When you think of a book about Nepal, your first reflex might be to take either ‘The Snow Leopard’ by Peter Matthiessen or ‘Into Thin Air’ by Jon Krakauer off the shelf. Entirely wrong! Elephant Polo by Cas the Stoppelaar is much more interesting as it delves much deeper. Originally published in Dutch in 2005, the book has now been translated into flowing English.
Of course, adventures by real heroes make for a good read, but Nepal is not a country of heroes who climb Mount Everest - those are exceptions. Nepal is a country of Hindus and Buddhists with a smattering of searching westerners.
The protagonist in Elephant Polo goes by the name of Oscar Oomen. This typically Dutch name is not exactly inspiring; it suggests that we are dealing here with a bit of a nerd. Oscar appears at first to be a rather flawed individual. He has no backbone and walks away from challenges. He much prefers to wallow in discontent rather than seek remedies. When push comes to shove he sees no problem in doing business with a onetime rival. It is difficult to identify yourself with such a coward. No, then we would much prefer the heroes in the above books!
Yet, is there perhaps some hidden strength lurking inside the depths of Oscar Oomen's soul ?
To be frank, I am not at all enamoured with Oscar in the book's first part, because no one would want to see him/herself reflected in such a way. Then I also have my doubts about Oscar in the second part: is he really pro-Nepal? Are his views on the Maoist rebellion not too negative? Many of us – true fans of Nepal – love to read positive things about 'our country’. Sure, Oscar's adventures are exciting and his viewpoints are remarkable, but there are things about Nepal that we prefer to leave unsaid. How can one speak evil about paradise?
This presents me with a dilemma. Oscar's observations do not fit in my admittedly idyllic picture of Nepal – but that does not make them irrelevant.
Now, in the third part of the book, the story unfolds and its meaning reveals itself. Oscar begins to challenge the reader. This is not a western book, nor is it a western story about Nepal. The plot is so absurd and so unexpected – it forces you to adopt a totally different perspective in order to follow Oscar's struggles. The result is beautiful, entertaining, and often touching. I say no more, because that would spoil your reading pleasure.
Oscar is a Hindu. The Creator, the Teacher, the Destroyer. In my view, there is no clearer trinity, in spite of later religions. Oscar is a failure in the Dutch academic tradition, a failure as a spouse, a failure in love, afraid of life itself. But he finds his ultimate strength in the universal truth of this trinity. He is the architect of the building of life in all three facets. Again, the ending of the book will make that wonderfully clear.
In short, Oscar is no friend of mine, but much deserves my respect and moreover, he has undoubtedly a grasp of Nepali realities that goes much deeper than Krakauer's or Matthiesen's.
Elephant Polo is a must-read for everyone who sees more in Nepal than just tall mountains and picturesque poverty.
Adriaan
2007-11-10 18:25:46 From the translator:
When by chance I met Cas, the author, we immediately got along. On the spur of the moment, from my gut, I offered to translate the book because I believed in it. The book has humor, depth, plenty of color, quirky characters and a really good story. Cas wrote a wonderful book that – I think – is worthy of a film.
Sylvia Vriesendorp
2007-11-10 16:58:25 I am so happy this book is now available to English speakers. I picked it up at the reception on checking in at the Summit hotel and once I started reading I could not put it away. It is wonderful, funny, at times irreverent account of the complexity of making things work, for the individual, his enterprise, his neighborhood and his adopted country. A treat for anyone who has fallen in love with Nepal, and especially for those who love to stay at the Summit
Kumudhini Rosa
2007-10-29 15:36:13 Adriaan - I want to thank you for the book Elephant Polo which I
completed today and enjoyed very much. Your translation and the lucidity of the language I enjoyed immensely and I want to personally
congratulate you on the work.
Anita Simons-Dingemans
2007-09-25 08:17:10 Finally a far greater audience can enjoy this entertaining novel, the life story of the Summit Hotel.
I stood at the cradle of the hotel and saw it grow. Congratulations Cas!
Robert Milders
2007-09-24 10:14:31 A couple of years ago Cas presented his book (in Dutch) to me which I think is a page-turner. I wish him much succes, both with the book and his continuing love affair with Nepal.
Coen van der Aa
2007-09-18 12:07:22 I read the Dutch edition of Elephant Polo (Olifantenpolo) and I must admit: it's a fascinating and well written novel about a country in transition.
I had the privilege of living in Asia for a couple of years. For those who share this experience: Elephant Polo is a 'must read'.
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