Gapsap (गपसप - पळसखेड परिसरातल्या अस्सल लोककथा) by Na. Dhon. Mahanor

 "Gapsap (गपसप - पळसखेड परिसरातल्या अस्सल लोककथा)" by Na. Dhon. Mahanor - Simple and sweet!

This book is published by Samakalin Prakashan. This 5th edition was published in 2018 and has 63 pages. 

This is a small collection of rural folktales from the area of Palaskhed, the place where author belongs. Folktales are spread by word of mouth rather than through written books. But this tradition is disappearing fast. This is author’s attempt to preserve the stories and making them more approachable to a larger pool of readers.

Gapsap (गपसप): This is the story of a cobbler who wouldn’t mend the broken footwear unless the owner tells a good tale (Gapsap). One day he meets a customer who teaches him lesson of his life.

Thakbaji (ठकबाजी): There are two expert cheaters. They decide to work together. But would they share the loot?

Kalkutya Gangyabhat (कळकुट्या गंग्याभट): Gangyabhat is a Brahmin. But he has a very bad habit of creating scandals out of nothing and making people fight. When he is about to die, he throws his final dice.

Rangrao Patlachi Goshta (रंगराव पाटलाची गोष्ट): Rangrao Patil and his young beautiful wife (Kesar) have no offspring. Rangrao has relations with several women. Narayan, a strapping young Brahmin likes Kesar and wants her. He and domestic help of Kesar hatch a plan to unite them.

Zhoot bolne mein maja hai (झूठ बोलने में मजा है): It’s the story of the daughter of a Kunbi, who, by her intelligence and confidence convinced a king that it’s fun to lie.

Pakhranchya goshti (पाखरांच्या गोष्टी): This is a collection of very very short stories about various birds that tell you why a bat hangs upside down, why Maina’s make a lot of ruckus? Why the owl can be shoo’d off only with one curse and nothing else? Why Koyal calls kuhu kuhu etc.

It’s a very small book. The stories are also small. Sometimes there is a confusion of time period. Sometimes they don’t sound credible. But all that is bound to happen when they are passed on through word of mouth. Nevertheless, they are all interesting.

Why did I read this book? Small. Was available.

What did I like? Originality. 

What I didn't like? Only 5-6 stories.

Recommend reading. A good quick read. 

The last tale of the flower bride by Roshani Chokshi

 "The last tale of the flower bride" by Roshani Chokshi - Very good!

This book was published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2023 and has 304 pages. 

Indigo Maxwell Castenada, a heiress marries a professor, scholar of myths and one who believes in fairy tales. She has placed only one condition. He will not pry.

In any fairy tale promises are broken. That’s what makes it a tale. Will the Professor break his promise? What is the secret? Will the marriage survive? What’s a flower bride?

Well a flower bride is a fairytale bride, made of flowers. Unreal!

This book merges reality with fairytale. Magic is in the air. The house, called House of dreams, is a living breathing organism. It has feelings, it responds, it reacts, it has moods. Indigo is the enigmatic heiress. She loves tales and fables. Professor, her husband satisfies this thirst of hers. They play games based on tales. Life is good until they are called to meet Tati, her aunt, at the house where she grew up.

Here a new character is introduced. Asher. Indigo’s best friend. No one knows where she went years ago. The story becomes interesting here onwards.

One has to understand that this story is a blend of facts and fiction, reality and magic, so the mortal world logic doesn’t always apply. It’s a very different world with a lot of references to fairytales. But it’s mind blowing. The book holds you hostage till the end. 

I have read a few books of Roshini, but this was way above any of them. She should write more such books.

Why did I read this book? Interesting title.  

What I didn't like? Slow pace. 

What did I like? Imagination of author.

A must read.