Reviews & Musings

Namrata reviews S.L. Bhyrappa’s Brink (Translated by R. Ranganath Prasad and published by Niyogi Books, 2020) calling it a much-needed reminder in today’s times when mental health is still spoken about in a hush-hush manner.  Translated by R. Ranganath Prasad from a popular Kannada novel ‘Anchu‘ originally written by S.L. Bhyrappa, Brink is a story that touches a raw nerve with the reader in various ways. It talks about mental health and relationships with a rare poignancy all throughout its narrative.  Considered to be one of the foremost writers in Kannada literature, Bhyrappa has been honoured with many awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Daatu in 1975 and Saraswati Samman of K.K. Birla Foundation for Mandra in 2010. His novels have been translated into almost all Indian languages. Previously R. Ranganath Prasad worked for a public sector bank and later resigned from his job to pursue his interest in literature and translations. Initiated to metrical versificatio...

  Image Source: Amazon.in ISBN - 13 : 978-9390327782  Genre: Fiction, Anthology Short Stories, Translated Literature, Contemporary Fiction Publisher : Harper Collins India Price: INR 399/- Book Blurb The tragic love story of a village drummer and his dancer lover...  A long-awaited letter that arrives too late...  A tea-house near Darjeeling, run by a mysterious queen...  When Dhumketu's first collection of short stories, Tankha, came out in 1926, it revolutionized the genre in India. Characterized by a fine sensitivity, deep humanism, perceptive observation and an intimate knowledge of both rural and urban life, his fiction has provided entertainment and edification to generations of Gujarati readers and speakers. Ratno Dholi brings together the first substantial collection of Dhumketu's work to be available in English. Beautifully translated for a wide new audience by Jenny Bhatt, these much-loved stories - like the finest literature - remain remarka...

  Image Source: Amazon.in Publisher : Aleph Book Company Year of Publishing: 10 October 2020 Genre: Anthology, Translations, Collected Short Stories, Hindi Short Stories, Classic,  ISBN-13 : 978-8194735304 Price: INR 699/- Buy Link: Amazon   About the Book The twenty-five stories in The Greatest Hindi Stories Ever Told represent the finest short fiction in Hindi literature. Selected and translated by editor, writer, and translator Poonam Saxena, and ranging from early literary masters of the form such as Premchand, Chandradhar Sharma Guleri, Bhisham Sahni, Harishankar Parsai, Mannu Bhandari, and Shivani to contemporary greats such as Asghar Wajahat, Uday Prakash, Sara Rai, and others, the collection has stories of darkness, hope, triumph, anger, and irony. In Premchand’s ‘The Thakur’s Well’, ‘low-caste’ Gangi struggles to find drinking water for her ill husband; in ‘The Times Have Changed’ by Krishna Sobti, the matriarch Shahni bids a heart-breaking farewell to her vill...

ABOUT THE BOOK Image Source: Goodreads.com The Greatest Odia Stories Ever Told showcases Odia’s greatest storytellers ranging from literary masters such as Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gopinath Mohanty, Reba Ray, and Manoj Das to contemporary stalwarts like Pratibha Ray, and Nrusingha Tripathy, among others. A young woman who was dragged away by a crocodile mysteriously resurfaces after a decade in Manoj Das’s ‘Mrs Crocodile’; a pet goat let loose in a government office causes amusement and chaos in Gopinath Mohanty’s ‘The Solution’; Godavaris Mahapatra’s ‘Maguni’s Bullock Cart’ deals with the anxieties of a bullock cart driver stuck between the trappings of traditions and modernity—the stories in this anthology traverse an exciting range of themes from fantasy to reality, and bone-chilling horror to rib-tickling humour. Timeless, evocative and striking, The Greatest Odia Stories Ever Told offers a rich selection of stories that are unrivalled in their range, style and complexit...

About the Book In these three stunningly original, lush and provocative novellas, award-winning writer K. R. Meera explores the tragedy, betrayal and violence that rise out of the dark heart of love. ‘ The Angel’s Beauty Spots ’ is a disquieting story about Angela’s repeated infidelities and the trauma of failed love; in ‘ And Forgetting the Tree, I… ’ Radhika tries to come to terms with a former love that refuses to leave her; and ‘ The Deepest Blue’ uses magic and metaphor to tell the story of a wife who yearns for a love that transcends lifetimes. Esteemed as one of the country’s finest storytellers, K. R. Meera’s The Angel’s Beauty Spots: Three Novellas will serve to embellish her already considerable reputation as a writer of strikingly original fiction. These novellas have been translated from the Malayalam by J. Devika.

                                           About the Book ISBN: 978-9388292764 Genre: Translations/ Fiction/ Short Stories Price: Rs. 399/- Publisher: Aleph Book Company The Hindi short story is one of the most exciting genres in modern Indian literature. The fifteen stories in this volume, by some of the most prominent writers in the field, provide a unique picture of the country today.  Most of the stories focus on urban middle-class individuals and especially those whose lives are marked by alienation and loneliness. They highlight the disruptions caused in a society that is modernizing at a rapid pace while still being blessed and burdened by a strong sense of traditional morality, duty and family ties. Among the writers included in this volume are Kamleshwar, Nirmal Verma, Phanishwarnath 'Renu, Krishna Baldev Vaid and Mohan Rakesh.

Introduction Source: Amazon.in ISBN:978-93-88292-14-6 Genre:  Fiction/ Translation Publishers: Aleph Book Company Price: Rs. 299/- (I got the book for review from the publisher)

Introduction ISBN:978-93-87561-42-7 Genre:  Fiction/ Classics Publishers: Aleph Book Company Price: Rs. 399/- (I got the book for review from the publisher)

Introduction ISBN :   978-93-5277-383-1 Genre:  Fiction/Translations Publishers: HarperPerennial Price:  Rs. 399/-  ( I got the book for review from the  publisher )

Introduction ISBN :  978-9386021144 Genre: Fiction/Anthology Publishers: Aleph Price:  Rs. 699/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher )

Introduction ISBN :  978-8129150400 Genre:  Fiction/ Anthology Publishers: Rupa Publications Price:  Rs. 295/-  ( I got the book for review from the  publisher )

Introduction Source: Amazon.in ISBN :  978-9383064076 Genre:  Anthology/ Fiction Publishers: Aleph Book Company Price:  Rs. 699/-  ( I got the book for review from the  publisher )

Introduction ISBN:  978-9386228499 Genre: F iction / Anthology Publishers: Juggernaut Price:  Rs. 399/-  ( I got the book for review from the publishe r )

Introduction ISBN: 978-93-815-0-6967 Genre: Fiction / Translated / Short stories / Novellas Publishers: Amaryllis Publishers Price: Rs. 599/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher ) Like all timeless masterpieces, these classic novellas and short stories by the renowned Assamese writer Homen Borgohain highlight at once the uniqueness and universality of human life. Carefully and sensitively translated by Homem’s son, Pradipta Borgohain, the works included in this collection are gems from Homen’s repertoire of fine writing. Whether it be the very famous novella Matsyagandha/ The Fisherman’s Daughter (now also a motion picture) or short stories such as ‘ The Curtain and the Strom ’, these stories show Homen’s keen understanding of the human psyche, relationship and society in general. With ‘ The Homecoming ’, Homen gives us a very realistic glimpse into the mind of a married man and his stifling existence, and how he slowly learns to cherish what he had alway...

Introduction ISBN:  978-81291453451 Genre: Fiction /Poetry / Mythology Publishers: Rupa Price:  Rs.595/-  ( I got the book for review from the publisher ) ‘S ri Krishna, I am being put through an ordeal, the foolish Acts of your cousins are burning me up, save from these wicked ones Who are stripping me of the cloth I am clad in! You alone can save me, the saviour of the helpless; If I lose my honour, can I stay alive? ’ She vowed to never tie her hair till the day the Pandavas avenged the humiliation she had been subjected to by the Kauravas. That her hair would be left untamed and wild till the day Bhima would kill Dushyasana and smear her hair with his blood. This is an epic poem narrating the saga of one of the most important, intriguing and complex female characters of Hindu mythology—Draupadi of Mahabharata.The Flaming Tresses of Draupadi traces the life and journey of Draupadi from her birth from the sacrificial fire—whereupon she was named ‘Ya...

Introduction ISIN:  978-9382616801 Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance / Drama Publishers: Pan McMillan India Price:  Rs. 399/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) ‘My eyes, they rain all the time My eyes, they rain all the time Till I see him in mine’ When Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa, feared by even the mighty Mughals, hears the exquisite Mastani sing, the passion that sparks between them grows quickly into a raging fire. The Peshwa defies his orthodox Brahmin heritage, declaring his love openly for the half-Muslim dancer, in the face of fierce opposition. A man way ahead of his time, Bajirao causes outrage when he marries Mastani, bringing her into his home as his second wife. N.S. Inamdar’s timeless tale, that has inspired both film and television, brings alive the romance, intrigue and valour of the eighteenth-century Maratha empire. This irresistible novel is one of India’s favourite love stories. Behind the book

Introduction Genre: Fiction Publishers: Juggernaut Price:  Rs. 60/- ( I got this book from the publisher for a review ) Chaos reigns. TV anchor Sulabha and news reporter Vishal forget to pick up their son from the crèche and later find him missing. Written by senior NDTV journalist Priyadarshan, the book follows their increasingly desperate search against the backdrop of one of the most horrific attacks in the city’s history. Author and teacher, Dr Vandana R Singh brilliantly translates the story to English. ​ Behind the book Source: Juggernaut.com  

Introduction ASIN:  B01JH2CS60 Genre: Crime Thriller / Murder mystery Publishers: BEE Books Price:  Rs. 250/- ( I got this book from the  publisher  for a review ) The Characters…. Three Women and Bishan Wife Shivangi, wife's friend Nandini and Jahnavi The turn of events... Nandini is brutally murdered! Shivangi is found in the bedroom, lying half naked and fatally injured. All evidences are pointing at Bishan. But, is it that simple? And the truth… Eye of the Eagle delves into the complications of relationships and world of complicated characters where mystery unfolds only through the eyes of Detective Shobor! ​ Behind the book   Get your copy from Amazon

Introduction ISIN: 978-81-8400-572-1 Genre: Fiction Publishers : Random house India Price: Rs. 299/- (I got this book from the publisher for review) Neelam’s hysterectomy at thirty hastens her into a sexless middle age and changes her relationship with her husband Ari. Their marriage remains stagnant until an unexpected telegram announces the visit of Ari’s ex-girlfriend Esha. By coincidence, their college professor Mahanam also arrives at their doorstep bearing an uncanny resemblance to Ari’s daughter. Events conspire to send all of them on a trip to Ajanta and Ellora where ancient stories spark memories of lost love and betrayal. Both deeply philosophical and playfully dramatic, The Fifth Man is a bittersweet meditation on middle-age desire.  Behind The book Source: Google Images