Book Review

Remember Dhaka With A Smile

UNWA member and writer/journalist Reena Abraham, along with creative designer Laura Bonapace, has recently published a unique book about Dhaka.

Lost in Translation is a humorous look at misspellings, misnomers and other faux pas of the English language found around the city and in its newspapers.

“Lost in Translation is a humorous look at Dhaka with its own special eccentricities. It was a project that was enjoyable simply because our subject matter was so amusing. Every clipping and every picture that was taken was the result of much assiduous combing of Dhaka newspapers and streets. Our forays often resulting in great hilarity and frequent traffic jams as we dashed out among snarling cabs to capture that one not-to-be-missed signboard. Though exclusively Dhaka, the humour is enveloping enough to apply to any city anywhere in the world. A tongue-in-cheek perspective without condescension or judgment,” says the foreword to the 48-page book, a collection of headlines, signs and bloopers.

A memento of Dhaka and a good gift for friends and family back home, Lost in Translation is priced at Tk 500 and available at Omni books and Etcetera. Books are also available directly from the authors at 988357/019 344737 or through glowpub@yahoo.com. Website - www.glowpub.com.

Reena Abraham, who has returned to her homeland of Oman, and Laura Bonapace are now finalizing the second book of their publishing company Glow Publishing, called Bahrain: The Journey Begins.

Bahrain was the first among the Gulf countries to experiment successfully with democracy. The book takes you through the first days, capturing the historical moment through research, interviews and photographs.