Antarichya gudhgarbhi (अंतरीच्या गूढगर्भी) by Sankalp Abhale (संकल्प आभाळे)

"Antarichya gudhgarbhi (अंतरीच्या गूढगर्भी)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Sankalp Abhale (संकल्प आभाळे). This book is published by esahitya pratishthan in 2013 and has 43 pages.

Everyone has already one sorrow that can never be told to anyone. This book is the collection of stories of such internal sorrows.

'Balatkar (बलात्कार)' is a commentary on arranged marriage based on horoscope.
'Adarsha chor (आदर्श चोर)' is a small incident in the life of a person from his childhood when he was nobody.
'Affection (अफेक्शन)' explains the relationship of a motherless daughter with her father and rain.
'Pagar (पगार)' is story of a son giving treat to his mother upon getting his first salary.
In 'Pailteer (पैलतीर)' a man is about to travel in aeroplane for the first time that he dreamt as a child.
'Pati (पाटी)' is the story of a small girl who is trying to sell Java plums in pelting rain.
'Door nabhachya palyad (दूर नभाच्या पल्याड)' is about differentiating between true friendship and restrictiveness before it's too late.
'Werloren (वेर्लोरेन)' is a conflict between honesty and corruption.
In 'Shunya (शून्य)' two long lost friends meet again. She after conquering and losing everything and he after waiting for her all this time.
'Tuzyawina (तुझ्याविना)' is story of two estranged lovers and a tree they planted as a token of their love.
In 'Badal (बदल)' a man looks at the childhood of his son in comparison to his own.
In 'Duniyadari (दुनियादारी)' he and she met after a while to watch a movie when rain arrives.
In 'Maitra jeevanche (मैत्र जीवांचे)' a young girl decides to make a best friend out of her mom. Can she?

These are not really short stories, they are small incidents and very very short stories. It takes courage and confidence to maximize the meaning in minimum words. Author has done it decently well.

Some stories like Affection, Werloren nail the subject in very few words and are most effective whereas some stories choke for lack of page space and might have been more effective had they been a little longer.

Rain appears in 4-5 stories. A number of stories are about To and Ti (He and She). Many stories look back on life and repent for what was missed or not done. A number of stories are about friendship.

Not a must read.

Zadwata (झाडवाटा) by Anand Yadav (आनंद यादव)

"Zadwata (झाडवाटा)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Anand Yadav (आनंद यादव). This book is published by Mehta publishing house. This edition was published in 2013 (First edition 2000) and has 140 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of 14 short stories.

'Eka dagdi gharacha itihas (एका दगडी घराचा इतिहास)' is the story of only two storied house in the village and how it's occupants amassed wealth and what happens later.
'Bakdyawarche jag (बाकड्यावरचे जग)' is not really a story. It's the thought process of a traveler who looks at various scenes from the bus he is traveling in.
'Nar (नर)' is the story of a male and his attempts to find a mate, a female (मादी). But not human, who's he?
'Nave walan (नवे वळण)' is portrait of a village that undergoes changes due to the prosperity and its side effects brought by the new sugar factory from the eyes of a school teacher.
In 'Anghul (आंघूळ)' Bhau works as labourer. He is very tired and wants to bathe with hot water in one winter. There are numerous obstacles that make the bath more and more alluring. Can he take bath?
'Haat (हात)' is the story of a body builder who has lost both his arms in an accident thereby making him dependent for life. What does he want to do with his non existent arms?
'Pot (पोट)' is the story of Dattu Sawkar who was once a very rich merchant and has now list everything after a paralysis stroke and works as a labourer.
In 'Jeevan (जीवन)' all the bank staff is looking forward to one and half day of weekend when news arrives that mother of the bank manager is dead. What about the weekend plans?
In 'Eka gaditil prawasi (एका गाडीतील प्रवासी)' author, who has lost his job and is traveling to Pune in a bus observes his co passengers.
In 'Duty (ड्यूटी)' Banda, a village police, who supports education of two nieces doesn't have money to pay for their school fees. Is there a God sent opportunity?
In 'Badli (बदली)' Mane guruji, a primary teacher in a village, is summoned to bring 30 persons to a sterilization camp. He could find none. What would be the price?
'Palvi ani paangal (पालवी आणि पानगळ)' is the story of Datta, who ran away from all his responsibilities and family 25 years ago. He comes back to his village. What does he find?
'Dushkalanantarcha paus (दुष्काळानंतरचा पाऊस)' is the story of varied reactions to rain after a draught of three years. But not all reactions are happy, why?
'Zadanchi raanwat (झाडांची रानवाट)' is the regret of Darumma, an old farmer, who worries that none of his progeny wants to look after the farm. He worries what will happen after his death?

All the stories have rural background and use rural Marathi. Of these stories I liked Bakdyawarche jag, Dushkalanantarcha paus and Duty.

In a number of stories author has used non living things like bunglow, house, road and village as characters in the stories. It's a USP of the book.

Two of the stories are not really stories but articles about changes, progress and the impact on human lives. And they are very well written.

OK book. Not a must read.

Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी) by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील)

"Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील). This edition of the book is published by Mehta Publishing House (मेहता पब्लिशिंग हाऊस) in 2013 (first edition 1964) and has 148 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of short stories.

'Inga (इंगा)' is the story of politics in a rural highschool. It's the tug of war between Anna (Chairman) and Mr. Kamire (Principal).
'Hyoch Maza Shilon (ह्योच माझा शिलोन)' is the story of Nama tailor who wants his father in-law to gift him a radio, but he won't. What will Nama do?
In 'Dohale (डोहाळे)', Nargis likes to eat a variety of food but her mother in-law, a miser, won't allow her. How can she make it happen?
In 'Don kami pandav (दोन कमी पांडव)', three friends have affair with same girl at the same time. She is then married to another man in another village. What will the three do?
'Dhula (धुळा)' is the story of a loyal but unintelligent servant who will do anything for his master.
In 'Tol bhairav (टोळ भैरव)' Manuhar wants to have an affair with a school teacher but she already has a boy friend. What will happen?
In 'Kombdi (कोंबडी)' four policeman are bored to their bones while guarding a railway station and insipid food. They want chicken, but how?
In 'Potdukhi (पोटदुखी)', Mhadu Khot wins a substantial word puzzle prize. But many in the village cannot digest it. What do they do?
In 'Padarmod (पदरमोड)' a fourty year old peasant marries a girl after long celibacy. She seems to be young. When will he consummate his marriage?
In 'Vilayti pik (विलायती पीक)' Digambarpant decides to grow kobi, a foreign vegetable. He grows a big crop. What happens next?
On 'Gom (गोम)' an old man is distressed because his son in law beats his daughter. He implements a fantastic plan. Will the plan succeed?
'Khulyachi chawdi (खुळ्याची चावडी)' is the story of Tatoba and Sakhu who's son is very very ill, or is he...?
'Bhujang (भुजंग)' is the story of Janai who's husband is useless and has developed abnormal appetite. She sees a cobra in her field frequently. Will it bite?
'Uun (ऊन)' is the story of a person, who has lost his wife and has little say in a joint family, and his unadulterated love for his son.

Like all Shankar Patil stories, these stories also have a rural backdrop. Marathi language used in the book is rural Marathi. Most stories happen in one imaginary village near Kolhapur. The stories cover various aspects of village life ranging from village politics, scandals, illicit affairs, individual issues, cheating, lack of education, hunger etc. When not much happens in a small village, even minor and seemingly unimportant things become important and interesting. Villagers get something to chew on for a while.

Of these stories Don kami pandav, Kombdi, Potdukhi and Vilayti pik were the better ones but Bhujang & Uun were the best. I remember having seen a Marathi movie based on story Bhujang starring Nilu Phule (निळू फुले). Reference of some of these stories also appear in Shankar Patil's other books.

Although some of the stories handle serious issues like domestic violence and death, Shankar Patil has presented the stories in a lighter vein. He has inclined towards hilarity rather than philosophy. This is his preferred genre.

This book contains fourteen short stories. Average length of each story is about ten to eleven pages.

Read if you like rural stories and rural Marathi.

Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा) by Jaywant Dalvi (जयवंत दळवी)

"Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Jaywant Dalvi (जयवंत दळवी). This edition of the book is published by Saket prakashan (साकेत प्रकाशन) in 2014 (first edition 1961) and has 120 pages. I read the book through Grantha Tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी) scheme of Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान). This book is a collection of 12 short stories.

'Jalatil masa (जळातील मासा)' is the story of a lonely old Catholic man who can not forget Milinda, a salesgirl, who spent a night with him twenty years ago.
In 'Anolkhi (अनोळखी)', Appa attends college function of his daughter and meets a lady who looks much like his deceased wife.
'Vyatha (व्यथा)', middle aged Anuradha has taken Sanyas but had she really dissociated herself from the material things?
'Mangu (मंगू)' is the story of a boy in 2nd standard and his antics during the absence of his parents, one Sunday.
'Anamikachi kshanchitre (अनामिकाची क्षणचित्रे)' are highlights of the life of a man who is ugly, deformed and unsuccessful.
In 'Smrutishesh (स्मृतिशेष)' a man visits his widowed ex lover for a purpose after a gap of 25 years. What's the purpose?
In 'Indrayani (इंद्रायणी)', Devdatta an invalid husband doubts that his wife has an illicit relationship with her boss. Does she?
In 'Jagan (जगन)' school children decide to publish a handwritten Diwali magazine. How much politics and plagiarism can there be?
'Kalya ani paklya (कळ्या आणि पाकळ्या)' is the depiction of mind, emotions & romanticism of a young girl and her parents; her reference of love.
Gopi (गोपी), a priest, lusts Kalindi. He wants her, wants to marry her. When the opportunity knocks, is he ready?
In 'Sasa (ससा)' a man meets a beautiful young lady in a railway compartment. He wants to say a lot, can he?
'Anarsa (अनरसा)' is the story of delivery of a lady who has eaten Anarsa (an Indian sweet) during solar eclipse against the tradition.

I liked Indrayani, Jagan and Smrutishesh however Gopi was the best from this book. Average length of each story is about ten pages.

Nine out of twelve stories have a strong but implied undercurrent of sex or physical attraction. Two stories have children protagonists.

All the stories are abstract and handle one specific instance in the life of the protagonist. Most stories end at a point which leaves the reader hanging. I had a feeling of something missing in most of the stories. Was it by design?

It's a small book, I completed it in two days.

Not a must read. Give it a miss.

Navi Manse (नवी माणसं) by Narayan Dharap (नारायण धारप)

"Navi Manse (नवी माणसं)" a Marathi (मराठी) book by Narayan Dharap  (नारायण धारप). This edition of the book is published by Saket Prakashan in 2013 (First edition in 1976) and has 94 pages. This book is a collection of 4 stories. I read this book through 'Grantha tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी)' scheme run by Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान).

In 'Navi manse (नवी माणसं)', Mohan, an unsuccessful man notices a man who looks very similar to his brother in law. Can he save his sister from this man? Has it anything to do with recent flood? 'Lal rumal' is the story of a painter, a good man, who sees a terrible dream. His client, a psychiatrist, tries to decipher meaning. But was it a dream? In 'Dilasa (दिलासा)' a city man goes to a village in Konkan (कोकण) and loses his way in a storm. He gets shelter or does he? 'Aarop (आरोप)' is a story where a college professor accuses his mama-mami (मामा-मामी) of a crime. Are they guilty?

Narayan Dharap is known for his enigmatic and mystic stories. All four stories are enigmatic stories. But they are not horror stories.

Each story has a shock (धक्का) towards the end. Each story has mind play and the fear of unknown. The stories are simple, not very complicated. All the stories are good.

The book has only four stories. Thus the length of book is short. I felt that the book could have used one or two more stories. That would have made the book of a decent length.

Some readers do not like the genre. They may not be interested in this book. However if you don't mind this genre or like this genre, you may like the book.

Read if you like the genre.

Bandhara (बंधारा) by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील)

"Bandhara (बंधारा)" a Marathi book by Shankar Patil (शंकर पाटील). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House and this edition was published in 2013 (First edition 1989) and has 116 pages. This is a collection of eleven stories. I read this book through 'Grantha tumchya Dari (ग्रंथ तुमच्या दारी)' scheme run by Kusumagraj Pratishthan (कुसुमाग्रज प्रतिष्ठान).

"Bandhara (बंधारा)" is a story of a man traveling to his in laws in joy because he has become father 13 years after marriage and his silent fellow traveler who is going to same village. Why? "Perni (पेरणी)" is the story set in a village where it has rained after 3 years and sowing season has started. But everyone has a different thing to sow. Seeds, ideas, plans, opportunities and revenge. "Khasdaranche 'saha' vimanoddan (खासदारांचे 'सह' विमानोड्डाण)" is the story of first air travel of the lover of a politician, a member of parliament. "Bailancha vima (बैलांचा विमा)" tells us what happens when a farmer takes out the policy of his oxen and when one of them dies. "Pandharpeshi lok (पांढरपेशी लोक)" is a story of learned and timid passengers in a bus driven by drink driver and their reactions. "Hybrid Mawshi (हायब्रिड मावशी)" is the story of a shrewd business woman and how she sustains a business in a sleepy town that is undergoing changes of industrialization. "Nave ganit (नवं गणित)" takes us quickly through the life of a boy who round away from home and the transformations that take place in his life. For good or for worse? "Khelkhandoba (खेळखंडोबा)" is the story of census of monkey population in a village. "Gavgunda (गावगुंड)" is the story of a powerful man in a village who rapes young women but is so powerful that no one can do anything until some youngsters decide to do something. "Pur (पूर)" is an analogy of overflowing emotions with overflowing stream in the rainy season. "Dhumakul (धुमाकुळ)" tells us what measures are taken to find and kill a cobra that has entered a bungalow.

All the stories are rural stories. Author had portrayed controversies, idiosyncrasies, contradictions, limitations and emotions in this book. Some of the stories are humorous, some are sarcastic and some introduce us to the reality face-to-face. The average length of stories is 10-11 pages.

On occasions, when it was possible and expected, author has chosen not to dramatize the stories. Though all the stories are good, none is WOW.

Shankar Patil is a well known name Marathi literature. He is also known to tell his stories to thee audience verbally. I like to hear him, kathakathan (कथाकथन), more than reading him.

Not a WOW book. Read if you have time.

Virangula (विरंगुळा) by Da. Ma. Mirasdar (द. मा. मिरासदार)

"Virangula (विरंगुळा)" a Marathi book by Da. Ma. Mirasdar (द. मा. मिरासदार). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House in 2013 ( First edition 1961) and has 140 pages. This book is a collection of 12 short stories.

'Virangula (विरंगुळा)' is a story of a man past his middle age who has difficulty in making the ends meet and in supporting the family and who transforms in a different person when he is called to assist for cremation of a dead person. 'Paus (पाऊस)' is the story of a contract farmer (वाटेकरी), a farmer who does not own the land, who wants a loan from local money lender and how rain changes everything. 'Tailabuddhi Devdutt: Ek anubhav (तैलबुद्धी देवदत्त: एक अनुभव)' is a story thousand year old that tells us how the most learned man can fail to understand a woman. 'Bhog (भोग)' is about a person who has no dearth of talent, efforts or willingness to work, but luck is never with him. He always suffers. 'Moklik (मोकळीक)' is the story of a very old lady who has lived a satisfied life and who is nearing death by old age. But she doesn't die. Her mind is entangled in the loved ones. 'Dhondyacha mahina (धोंड्याचा महिना)' shows us how the social equations and importance shifts balance when a village faces a very strange threat; rain of rocks. 'Adgalichi kholi (अडगळीची खोली)' asks us question if the old ones are to be considered as unnecessary presence and banished to a store room? 'Watmari (वाटमारी)' is about a dacoit who has the heart of a father. 'Eka kugramatil vijaystambha (एका कुग्रामातील विजयस्तंभ)' is a 2000 years old story of rumormongering and a Yavan attack. 'Ajari padnyacha prayog (आजारी पडण्याचा प्रयोग)' is the story of a small boy who never falls ill and wants desperately to become ill. 'Ek hota brahman (एक होता ब्राह्मण)' is about a Brahmin who doesn't let go an opportunity to earn money without doing anything. 'Gavat (गवत)' is about demand supply equation in a village for removing grass.

Allmost all the stories have a rural backdrop. Author has a knack of identifying the idiosyncrasies in the social fabric of rural India. He looks at serious issues with a hint of humor.

All the stories are delivered deftly and with authority. The stories spam various topics from life to death, from ancient India to present India, from old people to young, from despair to hope and from sorrow to joy.

I have read Mr. Mirasdar's literature and heard his Katha kathan (कथा कथन) when I was very young, but when I read it now, I liked it even more. I am looking forward to read some more of Da. Ma. Mirasdar. I would say this was one of the best collection of short stories of the ones that I read recently.

A very good book. Recommend reading.

Assassination of Margaret Thatcher by Hilary Mantel

"Assassination of Margaret Thatcher" by  Hilary Mantel. This book is published by Fourth Estate in 2014 and has 256 pages. The book contains 10 short stories.

'Sorry to disturb' is about a Pakistani (?) man trying to get too close to a British lady in Saudi Arabia. 'Comma' is about a young girl and her poor friend who try to peek into a house looking for a human being that looks like a comma. 'The long Qt' is about end of a marriage where the wife has 'Long QT syndrome', a heart disorder. 'Winter break' is about an accident where someone dies. Who? 'Harley street' is about a lesbian couple and the author. 'Offences against the person' is about the mistress of her father and pleasure. 'How shall I know you?' is about a biography writer's travel for a lecture and a small girl she meets and a favor by a stranger. 'The heart fails without warning' is about a teenaged girl who is obsessed to become thin, paper thin. 'Terminus' is about author noticing her dead father at Waterloo station. 'The assassination of Margaret Thatcher' is exactly about that and a lady who's house is used by the assassin.

Some of the stories are really short. Only a few pages. Most of the stories take place in England.

The language is flowery. Presentation is abstract. First three and last story are relatively good.

Either the stories are not very good and hence I did not like the book or they are too good for me to understand. I read the book while traveling. Had I read it in a quiet, I might probably have liked it more.

AVOID

The red carpet by Lavanya Sankaran

"The red carpet" debut novel of Lavanya Sankaran. This book is published by  Headline in 2006 and has 215 pages. This book is a collection of eight stories.

'Bombay this' is the story of a shy person, his attractions, disappointments and fantasies. 'Closed curtains' is about an man who's wife had almost lost memory and son has left India forever and who tries to find pleasures of everyday life and parental love in neighbors. 'Two Four Six Eight' displays the emotional world of a young girl and her relationship with her maid servant. 'The Red carpet' is the story of a driver who is satisfied with what he has and whose joy knows no bound when he gets that little extra which he had not expected. 'Alphabet soup' is a story of Second generation Indian-American girl who travels back to Bangalore to trace her roots. 'Mysore coffee' is about the dilemma of suicide. 'Birdie num-num' is about return of a girl from America to India whose mother wants to marry her. 'Apple pie one by two' is about two friends who have studied, worked, founded a company and sold it together and who are now parting.

Lavanya has a unique writing style. She appears not to be trying to tell anything in the stories. All the stories end without any conclusion and readers are left to interpret the end of each. Based on the mood, intelligence and creativity of the readers,  end of each story can be interpreted in ten different ways. The stories make the readers work their imagination and think.

All the stories are situated in Bangalore. The IT and pub culture, the changing times and anticipation run through the stories as common themes. It appears that Ramu is Lavanya's favorite name. A character named Ramu appears in three out of eight stories.

All the stories are good stories. I liked 'Two Four Six Eight' and 'The Red carpet' the most and 'Alphabet soup', the least.

Although this is Lavanya's debut book, I have read her second book 'The hope factory' first. Somehow there was a break of more than one month while reading this book. Had I read it continuously, probably I would have enjoyed it more.

A good book. Recommend reading.

Valay (वलय) by Va. Pu. Kale (व. पु. काळे)

"Valay (वलय)" by Va. Pu. Kale (व. पु. काळे). This edition of the book is published by  Mehta Publishing House in 2012 (First publication 1966) and has 146 pages. This is a collection of twelve short stories. Interestingly author has dedicated this book to the production of song 'Mera kuch saman (मेरा कुछ सामान)' from film 'Ijazat (इजाज़त)'.

'Swapnawedi (स्वप्नवेडी)' is about a young girl who travels by train in Mumbai for her job. 'Nar Madi (नरमादी)' is a incredible love story of a husband towards his wife. 'Vishwas (विश्वास)' is a story of a person who can not stand unfaithful behavior but has tremendous empathy. 'Sukh vikne ahe (सुख विकणे आहे)' tells us about a person trying to sell happiness and loses everything in the process. 'Ardhyawar virle geet (अर्ध्यावर विरले गीत)' is a story of a husband who does not consummate his marriage till his wife is cured of ill health. 'Laat (लाट)' is a story of a lady who loves, adores and worships an actor selflessly. 'Shekhar wargat basla ahe (शेखर वर्गात बसला आहे)' shows us how guilty conscious can change everything. 'Dishabhul (दिशाभूल)' talks about issues created by money in a friendship. 'Piun vij mi, phule phulawli (पिऊन वीज मी, फुले फुलवली)' is about a lady who refuses to be defeated by impending death.

Three of the stories have female protagonist who turns out to have lost her mind. Five stories have or are related to death. But all the stories are eventually about human emotions.

The thoughts of the characters take various motions. Sometimes they are in simple harmonic motion, some times in a zigzag, sometimes like waves, sometimes like ripples and sometimes like a mud slide. Author has written very well.

What do I think is the central theme of the book? I think it is the uniqueness within the normal. Although all characters are normal human beings, thay have a steak of uniqueness that makes them stand apart from the crowd.

This book was written in 1966. Almost 50 years ago. However the stories have not become irrelevant with time. Except the sums of money, which seem paltry today, the stories could have happened in today's world.

A good book. Recommend reading.

Ayushyache dhade giravtana (आयुष्याचे धडे गिरवताना) by Sudha Murthy (सुधा मुर्ती)

"Ayushyache dhade giravtana (आयुष्याचे धडे गिरवताना)" by Sudha Murthy (सुधा मुर्ती). The book is translated in Marathi by Leena Sohoni (लीना सोहोनी). This book is published by Mehta Publishing House in 2013 and has 156 pages.

This book is a collection of 23 short stories like most of Sudha's books. Most of the stories have come from her own experiences while working for Infosys foundation and has her as one of the characters. All the stories are about common people that we encounter in our daily lives as well as some special ones. Most of the stories are from Karnataka.

Rahmanchi awwa (रहमानची अव्वा) has a lady who raises two children with two different religions, Upawas (उपवास) depicts the importance of milk for a poor person and how the moneyed are insensitive to it, Gunasutre (गुणसूत्रे) shows that honesty and loyalty is not passed down through chromosomes, Teen jalashay (तीन जलाशय) tells us stories of extraordinary contribution by ordinary people to solve the problem of water in their town, Chikatgunda(चिकटगुंडा) is the story of a person who talks too much, Bhootabarobar watni (भुताबरोबर वाटणी) is an incredible story of poet Bharvi, Shraddha (श्राद्ध) tells us about clash of feelings and tradition, Ayushyache dhade (आयुष्याचे धडे) are lessons learnt by author from small incidents, Tumhi mala wicharayla have hote (तुम्ही विचारायला हवे होते) shows need of a person to establish his importance and how author goes round it.

The stories I liked most are Gunasutre (गुणसूत्रे), Teen jalashay (तीन जलाशय), Tumhi mala wicharayla have hote (तुम्ही विचारायला हवे होते).

Some people behave, the way they do, due to their situation and some despite their situation. It's amazing to know the depth of human beings. Sudha's power of observation must be acknowledged. Many such incidents in our lives go unnoticed but for Sudha, they form a story.

It's a good book. Recommend reading.

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

"Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout. This book won Pulitzer prize for fiction in 2009.

This book is a collection of 13 stories. But this is not a typical short story collection because all these stories take place in one costal town called Crosby, Maine. And Olive Kitteridge appears in all these stories.

Olive is a large lady, a retired school teacher who taught mathematics, not known to be delicate with words, who lives with her husband and has a son who is a podiatrist (doctor specializing in feet).

The stories are woven around citizens of Crosby, Maine and visitors to the town. Small and seemingly minor and at times innocuous incidents that have significance to the characters. The stories are about human emotions and relations, priorities likes and dislikes.

The stories are good, subtle and shows Elizabeth Strout's power of observation and ability to delicately peel the cover and bare human emotions for the readers. The stories are short and crisp. Although these are separate stories the central theme seems to be old age, sufferings and relations. At the end of each story you get a feeling that something is missing, much is left unsaid.

Although 'A little burst' and 'Basket of trips' were good stories, 'Incoming tide' and 'River' were the ones that I liked most.

Elizabeth has become obsessed with the title of the book. She has brought in Olive Kitteredge in a couple of stories, as a guest appearance when none was required, for no real reason other than to be faithful to the title.

Read if you like reading about emotions and feelings without much happening around. Otherwise avoid.

One amazing thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

"One amazing thing", by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Chitra is an award winning Indian-American writer. She is better known as author of 'Mistress of spice'.

A number of people are waiting in the Consulate of India, in USA, to get their Indian visa. Uma - a second generation Indian-American, Tariq -  a Muslim Indian-American who has turned towards religion after 9/11, Mrs & Mr Pritchett an aged American couple, Jiang an old Chinese lady (who's forefathers had migrated to India and who has inturn migrated to USA) with her grand daughter Lily and a black American ex army officer Cameron; along with embassy staff of receptionist Malathi and  visa officer Mangalam.

While they are waiting for their turn an earthquake strikes. Outer building collapses trapping them in the visa office. There is no electricity, very limited food, no supplies and no tools. A section of ceiling collapses, there are injuries. Water starts seeping. Minor arguments turn into fist fights. Each person forms opinion about others based on their experience, what they have read and preconceived notions.

The situation appears gloomy and desperate. Hope is waning. This is when Uma comes up with idea of each one telling a story from their life. These seemingly normal looking people have a special and amazing stories to tell. Stories of love, betrayal, anguish,  delusion, stupidity, reconciliation and hope.

What are their stories? Who's story is the best? Does this storytelling bring peace between them? Does some one try to help them? Are they rescued?

Chitra is a very good story teller. All the stories are short and sweet, although initial stories are better than later ones. You remain interested in the book till end as it's not a lengthy book. This was first book of Chitra that I read and I would like to read more of her books.

Good book. Recommend reading.