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I do wish some of my online Indian acquaintances had opinions about this book; in some respects it is difficult to know what to make of it.For a start one sympathises with the readers and reviewers online who complain about the structure of these stories. I would describe many of them as episodes rather than stories and for those who like an end to a story, this is a collection that will largely disappoint, most of them stopping rather than ending.For another thing, I imagine non-Indian readers
There was something immensely appealing about this collection of stories (plus two narrative poems at the end). As others note, nothing really happens in most of the stories. It's actually verisimilitude short story, if that's a genre -- like life, without a beginning, middle, and end to each episode. Kind of like Seinfeld, except not humorous, not completely lacking in empathy for others--I guess it really isn't Seinfeldian. (And Seinfeld really wasn't about nothing even though there was an ent...
Chaudhuri writes universal themes of human struggle among various elements and settings. Though the stories in this book were uneven (in terms of quality and tone), I enjoyed being transported between Calcutta and Mumbai. The end of the first story, "Portrait of an Artist," sums up many of the people I've met here, "Calcutta was his universe; like a dewdrop, it holds within it the light and colors of the entire world."
I have to say, I didn't really get it. These were such small stories, and there was so much detail packed in, but I felt, not a lot of description. It seemed like I should be building a literal mental street map from all the detail, but never understood the feeling from the description. Britannia India was worked into literally every story, and a number of other companies were worked into most of them repeatedly. Did these companies pay for the book to be published? Are there only half a dozen b...
A wonderful Indian (English language) author. A fine collection of stories, based largely in Calcutta and Mumbai.
This is my first Amit Chaudhuri book and I regret for waiting so much before picking him up. His writing is subtle and measured, lilting. Some say his stories seem like stopped in midway, not ended. But that's especially what Chaudhuri wants to do: to talk about the quotidian, the trivial things in our daily lives and how far one can go picturing them in a gripping way. He talks about things I have not seen anyone talk about. I always wondered how I can write about those, or whether it is possib...
I liked this. The minutae, mundane and pettiness of everyday life was detailed for all to see in the way that infuriates the tourist. It was presented in short stories so you could take it in, in small bites if you wanted. I'm not Indian nor have I lived in India so maybe I don't fully understand.
Except for a few stories others seem pedantry. Does not seem worth reading except for expats who may wish to reminiscence about Kolkatta and in some stories about Mumbai.
I can imagine non-Indian readers having trouble reading this book. In fact I'm sure one must have the experience of having lived in Calcutta to fully understand the world that Chaudhuri writes about. While many might see this as a negtive of the stories I felt quite the opposite. It felt like a very private world was being shown with the assumption that one was already an insider. Rather than alienating me I felt I was one of the insiders.The short stories are more observationl sketches or episo...
nothing to write about
A crisp read. Chaudhuri's collection encompasses several walks of Indian life. From the tenements of migrant Odia wage workers to the privileged cloisters of Bombay's who's who. Quasi autobiographical scenes dominate this slim volume as episode after episode from his early life and childhood are either directly portrayed or masked behind a veil of fiction. A study into human nature and character, as much as a fond reminiscence; this book is a must read for Amit Chaudhuri fans.
These are beautifully written, lapidary pieces. Often deliberately strange, they show us elusive moments, weighted with significance by those living through them, weighted, too, by knowledge of the past and fear of the future. Still, Chaudhuri's writing never feels ponderous, and I plan to seek out more of his work.
Reviewed here : Mama Kucing Books : Real Time Stories & A Reminiscence By Amit ChaudhuriI don't really like the stories in this book. Too many of it with not clear ending and clear story line. More like hanging threads of thoughts. For example"Confession of a Sacrifice". The lady said she was aware that she is being prepared for a sacrifice in the future. But there is no mention of what sort of sacrifice that she is being pushed to. It was left hanging there.I like story where there is a beginni...
