Official Review: The World Is One Big Giant Cell: All the...
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Official Review: The World Is One Big Giant Cell: All the...
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The World Is One Big Giant Cell: All the Problems of the Planet Are Interconnected" by Nozipho Mathe.]
“The World is one big giant cell” is a book of poems and prose which were written during Nozipho Mathe’s years at university. Mathe has recently completed a degree in textile design and it was during this degree that the poems were started. The university project was about the search for truth and reality in a world where capitalism is a part of everyday life; she has used various global events and her own life as inspiration for the works. In doing so, she touches on some very interesting subjects; many are questions we should all think about in relation to our own lives. The poems are a vehicle to voice her opinions in generally quite literal ways and while I don’t necessarily agree with all of her opinions, a number of the issues raised will likely stick with me for a long time to come.
The prose reads a bit like a stream of consciousness or perhaps the somewhat disconnected notes of an artist. There are no rhyming couplets and little attention is paid to the flow of words. It is clear that the works are not meant to be merely beautifully formed, as all attention is directed to the message rather than how the message is delivered.
The book is divided into four chapters or sections, each showing a different stage in her thought processes. Section one looks at how affects each of us individually, with a particular focus of Mathe’s experiences in trying to entire the textile industry. Section two is a series of satirical, semi-humorous descriptions of capitalism. Section three called “Becoming aware of mental slavery” looks at more general social issues (with a slight focus on situations in England). Lastly section four is a far more metaphysical in nature, as it considers ways in which the world might become a better place.
The first section is possibly my favourite as in this section there is a poem called “My Careers Advisor”. The poem questions the process of getting a career in the design world, where you must be “discovered” to be successful. She writes “who decides whether or not your work is good enough?”, this question above all others has replayed in my head as I write the review; with this one sentence she has shed light on one of the toughest aspects of any creative work. I am acutely aware of the irony of having to judge her books worth even as she comments on the difficulties of this system. To quote the character Anton Ego from the film Ratatouille, “…the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so”. It is for this reason I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars, this is perhaps higher than I would have rated it based on the quality of the writing alone however as this book has so clearly driven home it’s point, I believe it deserves the higher rating.
Mathe’s book can be bought from Amazon, and she also has a website that displays her various other artistic works, including portraits and hand-woven textiles.
***
Buy "The World Is One Big Giant Cell: All the Problems of the Planet Are Interconnected" on Amazon
“The World is one big giant cell” is a book of poems and prose which were written during Nozipho Mathe’s years at university. Mathe has recently completed a degree in textile design and it was during this degree that the poems were started. The university project was about the search for truth and reality in a world where capitalism is a part of everyday life; she has used various global events and her own life as inspiration for the works. In doing so, she touches on some very interesting subjects; many are questions we should all think about in relation to our own lives. The poems are a vehicle to voice her opinions in generally quite literal ways and while I don’t necessarily agree with all of her opinions, a number of the issues raised will likely stick with me for a long time to come.
The prose reads a bit like a stream of consciousness or perhaps the somewhat disconnected notes of an artist. There are no rhyming couplets and little attention is paid to the flow of words. It is clear that the works are not meant to be merely beautifully formed, as all attention is directed to the message rather than how the message is delivered.
The book is divided into four chapters or sections, each showing a different stage in her thought processes. Section one looks at how affects each of us individually, with a particular focus of Mathe’s experiences in trying to entire the textile industry. Section two is a series of satirical, semi-humorous descriptions of capitalism. Section three called “Becoming aware of mental slavery” looks at more general social issues (with a slight focus on situations in England). Lastly section four is a far more metaphysical in nature, as it considers ways in which the world might become a better place.
The first section is possibly my favourite as in this section there is a poem called “My Careers Advisor”. The poem questions the process of getting a career in the design world, where you must be “discovered” to be successful. She writes “who decides whether or not your work is good enough?”, this question above all others has replayed in my head as I write the review; with this one sentence she has shed light on one of the toughest aspects of any creative work. I am acutely aware of the irony of having to judge her books worth even as she comments on the difficulties of this system. To quote the character Anton Ego from the film Ratatouille, “…the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so”. It is for this reason I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars, this is perhaps higher than I would have rated it based on the quality of the writing alone however as this book has so clearly driven home it’s point, I believe it deserves the higher rating.
Mathe’s book can be bought from Amazon, and she also has a website that displays her various other artistic works, including portraits and hand-woven textiles.
***
Buy "The World Is One Big Giant Cell: All the Problems of the Planet Are Interconnected" on Amazon
Latest Review: "The Maestro, The Magistrate & The Mathematician" by Tendai Huchu
