Holy

weary feet

brimming with devotion

holy pilgrimage

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Heights - Holy.

Kitchen

empty kitchen

devoid of its contents

blame high prices

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Heights - Kitchen.

The Disappearance Of Tejas Sharma - Review

The Disappearance of Tejas Sharma and Other Hauntings is an anthology of a dozen ghost stories set in India, meant for an audience with a penchant for the supernatural. The steps spiraled down into the pitch darkness of the well's gaping mouth. He could see the reflection of the moon as his iris adjusted to the dim milky illumination inside. Step by step, he climbed down the well holding on to its lichen-laden, cold stone wall with his hands. He was only halfway down when he heard the sound he had dreaded the most-of ripples on water. Something meant to come out of the water. Slowly, very slowly, a figure in the shape of a woman emerged from the water...

About the Author

Manish mostly writes fiction and this is his first book. His preferred genre is supernatural and horror. His other interests include travelling, wildlife and quizzing. He currently lives in Mumbai with wife Pratima and son Viaan.

It isn't easy to write a horror story. You don’t just need a good plot, you have to create the scenes also; and that too not just in your mind, but in the minds of your readers as well. The words must create an aura of mystery, and should take the readers across into a world they fear, yet are addicted to. Yes, we all love horror stories, and a good scary piece can always be an addictive read. It’s another matter that we might prefer to sleep at night with the lights switched on after reading the stories.

And it is this incredibly exciting genre that Manish Mahajan attempts in his anthology ‘The Disappearance of Tejas Sharma and Other Hauntings.’ Well, do I need to keep the lights turned on tonight? Read on…

First thing first, and let’s begin with the cover.  The design by CinnamonTeal Publishing is absolutely perfect, and fits right in sync with the theme of the anthology. It manages to create an eerie ambiance even before you start reading the first story, and stays rooted in that subconscious mind of yours. God, please don’t let this cover come into my dreams tonight. Nightmares of this sort can be scary.

The book comprises of twelve short stories, and is a quick read. However, to feel the weight of the scenic words, I recommend slow reading. Get intimate with the images carved in each page, focus your thoughts towards it, and you can feel your heartbeats increasing.

Though the book promises to be a horror fest, not all stories are scary. However, the author scores high with the uniqueness of the plot. Each tale has a different style of its own, and you will find various diverse elements in each of the stories. None of the stories are similar, and that’s a real achievement by the writer, considering the fact that we normally relate horror stories with ghosts and witches, thus narrowing the scope of finding unique subjects for every story.

If we consider this book as an anthology of paranormal tales, that would be apt, rather than defining it in the narrow genre of horror. Some stories really stand out, my favorites being ‘Her Unkept Promise’, ‘The Greatest Dare Of All Time’, ‘The Disappearance of Tejas Sharma’ and ‘The Secret In The Photograph.’ Again, these might not be too scary but impressed me a lot with their exceptional supernatural plots. In fact, the twists brought out in almost all the stories were unimaginably good, and all credit for that goes to Manish.

Before I conclude the review, I would like to admit that I loved the author’s diction. It’s always heartening to read an Indian writer who can express in such polished language. Perhaps, that’s what makes me wait for his next book now.

Should you buy this? Definitely, but do expect it to be a paranormal collection rather than a scary horror journey. However, whatever your expectations, there is no way you can keep this book aside. The magic of the plots, and Manish Mahajan’s brilliant storytelling style will keep you glued right till the end.

Title: The Disappearance of Tejas Sharma and Other Hauntings
Author: Manish Mahajan
Publisher: CinnamonTeal Publishing
Publication Year: 2013
Language: English
Binding: Paperback
No. of Pages: 84
Price: ₹ 250
My Rating: 4/5

Garland

worn out garlands

decayed smell of rotten flowers

love once, now lost

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Heights - Garland.

Tall Man Small Shadow - Review

Tall Man Small Shadow provides a philosophical insight into the mysticism of life and existence. The novel is woven around the lives of several characters, who, quite enigmatically, are linked with each other. As a result, the happenings in their lives affect the other threaded connections as well. Vipin Behari Goyal, the author, tries to present a story with this unique concept of existentialism, and succeeds to score high in most parts.

The characterization is the highlight of this story. Each of the characters have been defined prominently, and have important roles assigned to them in the plot. Anupam is the protagonist who loves to analyse the spiritual meaning of life and existence. He is a deep thinker and tries to comprehend the journey of life, and the meaning of death. Sulekha, his wife, is a quick thinker and an intelligent woman. She is well versed in the art of manipulation and devises strategies that make events appear as mere coincidences.

Their daughter, Aalya, young and beautiful, is a student of research in English Literature. She wishes to pursue her PhD, and is guided by Seema. The student-teacher relationship gradually turns into a deep camaraderie, and they start trusting and confiding in each other. They explore the dimensions of love and relationships, often controversial, but invigorating and relaxing to them.

Seema’s husband, Paul, is a drama director. He is a perfect partner to Seema and caters to all her needs. However, his inability to provide Seema with a child had created a void in her life. Sahil is the neighbor of Aalya. He secretly likes Aalya, but is afraid to delve deep into a relationship with her. The failure of his past love had left him insecure.

Vipin debuts with an unconventional theme and succeeds in presenting the story in an easy and lucid manner. The events flow seamlessly, and the viewpoints presented by different characters for the same event provide multiple dimensions to the plot. You find yourself peeping into the minds of the characters and analyse how they perceive the world around them.

However, the storytelling style often shifts from first person to third person narrative, which again doesn't augur well for the flow that the author had intended. This doesn't hamper much since the story progresses at a regular pace, but to an avid reader like me, this does come out as a chink that should have been rectified during the editing process. Also, there are a few grammatical hiccups which again threaten to stall the pace of the tale, and care should have been taken to eradicate them.

The author tries hard to present his thoughts, and his sincerity and honesty reflect in the words. The novel is short and good for a quick read. However, to truly understand the philosophical ideas imbibed between the lines, you need to read it at a leisurely pace, perhaps only a few chapters at a time, and then replay the events in your mind with your eyes closed. You will find the characters come alive.

Title: Tall Man Small Shadow

Author: Vipin Behari Goyal

Publisher: Cyberwit.net

Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

My Rating: 3/5

"Sometimes, Waiting For The Right Time Or The Right Product Is A Better Bet"

If you haven’t read The Homing Pigeons, then, well, you should. It is one of those pieces of beauty that is always a delicious treat to any avid book reader.

To read the full review of The Homing Pigeons, click here.

Today, I am in conversation with Sid Bahri, the author of The Homing Pigeons.

Congratulations Sid on your debut novel. It was a pleasure reading it and we would like to know more about you.

In case you find any question offensive, you can skip it. I apologize in advance for such instances.

The Homing Pigeons have been receiving rave reviews everywhere. Did you expect such a heart-warming reception to your debut?

I’m happy that the book is so well received. I’d be lying if I said I expected my book to be a dud but I didn’t expect this overwhelming response either. The Homing Pigeons took five years to be completed and published. It was written by night while I was working a day job. It was rejected by various publishers. Yet, when a reader or a reviewer appreciates it – it all seems worth it.

How did you conceive the plot of The Homing Pigeons?

Quite by accident. When the book started out in early 2008, it was only Aditya’s story and his journey during the recession. When I revived the book in 2012, I thought that I’d add a character of Radhika, who was a millionaire widow. It could have been a love story between a widow and a gigolo but I didn’t think I’d be able to do justice to that story. Also, because I was trying to catch up on Aditya’s story that was written earlier, I thought that I could build a story around their past and I did.

The story has been told in first person narrative, alternating between the two characters. As a writer, how was this journey of shifting from one character to the other, understanding their point of views and presenting them distinctly?

I don’t think that was half as challenging as writing in two separate tenses. It was highly distracting to shift from one tense to another. It also meant having to read the manuscript over and over again. Overall, writing the book has been an exceptionally enriching experience. I’ve tried to use a unique narrative technique and thankfully, it’s come out well.

Tell us something about yourself, about your upbringing and your family.

I grew up in Chandigarh and Delhi and spent most of my adult life in Delhi and Gurgaon. Today, I live in the hills of Ranikhet, having given up my career in the outsourcing industry to follow my passion of writing. I’ve been able to do it because of the support of my wife – Puneet.

As a child, I was a voracious reader. I guess I inherited that from my mother. She encouraged me to read and maybe, that’s why I’ve been able to learn to write from a lot of authors.

Which authors inspire you the most? Apart from authors, who are your role models?

I like Jeffrey Archer, Ken Follett, and Sheldon amongst others. I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett while I was writing The Homing Pigeons and I knew that I had to change my narrative style into a first person account. I think in that sense, Kathryn Stockett would be my inspiration.

I think Steve Jobs is another person that has left me inspired.

Let’s imagine that your story is reproduced as a movie. If you are the film-maker, which Bollywood actors would you like to play the roles of Aditya and Radhika?

Aditya – Aamir Khan; Radhika – kajol. Two great actors who can do justice to the characters. I just hope their dates aren’t a problem ;-)

How would you describe your whole journey right from the conceptualization of the plot to the publication?

My journey into publishing has been fairly bumpy. The manuscript got rejected by various publishing houses before Srishti agreed to publish it. Even before that, it was a challenge to find the time to write whilst working in a full time job. I think one of the most defining moments in my journey as an author was when Mrs Bhagat – Chetan and Ketan Bhagat’s mother called me to tell me that she really liked the book. It’s those instances that make me feel that the pain was worth it.

What would you like to say all aspiring writers?

Writing a book is a very difficult job. It takes months, sometimes years to create a book and even then it may be rejected. There is only one way to deal with it – by being honest with yourself that your art is worth the market. I trashed the first book I wrote because it wasn’t worth a read. Sometimes, waiting for the right time or the right product is a better bet.

What would be your message to the readers?

I’d love to hear from you. I’m reachable on twitter, facebook, e-mail or my website. Your views about the book will help me improve. If you’ve liked or disliked the book, do drop me a line to tell me how I can give you better stuff in times to come.

Finally, after The Homing Pigeons, what next?

There is a sequel that’s being edited and then there is another book that refuses to complete itself. Right now, the promotions for The Homing Pigeons is taking up a lot of my time. I’m not being able to write as quickly as I normally would.

Thanks a lot Sid for your time. All the best for your current and future goals.

It’s been a pleasure answering the questions, Amrit. Thank you for having me over on your blog.

Ballet

Oh, those azure eyes

how he wished he had asked her

to ballet tonight

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Heights - Ballet.

Shepherd

princess sways

to shepherd's tune

no prying eyes

no prying eyes

love needs no mean guide

eyes show the path

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Heights - Shepherd.

Neil Must Die - Review

When his brother's newly-wedded young wife, Tuli, falls in love with Neil, it is considered blasphemy in the conservative Bengali household.

With his own emotions and sense of justice congesting him, Neil decides to run off from the cataclysm. Aimless, rootless, he is soon drawn into untoward methods of survival and self-destruction. But then he learns that Tuli is expecting his child. This is when Neil decides to turn around and take life by the throat. And then, life decides to slip out his hands and Gods decide Neil must die...

About The Author

Kaberi Chatterjee is a journalist-turned-author-turned teacher, born in India and grew up in a stately house under a conservative joint family system. She spent most of her childhood lost in her mysterious, huge house. Her imagination was fueled from here and she began writing poems and stories from the age of six. Born a Hindu and a Bengali, Kaberi attended an English medium Christian school where she grew up in learning about Christianity, singing hymns and carols. Kaberi grew up becoming a humanitarian by religion and spiritual by belief.

As she blossomed into a young girl, she saw life's realities and got deeply affected with the extent of poverty, hunger, unhappiness, corruption and hypocrisy around her. Soon she realized it was very difficult for a young mind to adopt a definite path of righteousness under these circumstances. Her own pain tortured her. Escapism was the sole resort. These thoughts gave birth to Neil and she wrote Neil Must Die.

“Neil Must Die” – so says the author, but do we agree? True, Neil isn't mortal, and neither is he a saint. He is sketched in black and white, the complexion of his character basking in the shades of grey, not the type of hero we would idolize. “Neil Must Die” – so says the author, but do we agree?

Neil lives his life, and then runs away from it, only to try coming back to his own self. As we roll over the pages in anticipation, the constant urge to walk with Neil, and to fight with the world alongside him, flows parallely within us. We succumb to his gentleness at times, and then try to evade his raw rustic persona when situations are unfavorable, oblivious to the fact that we are gradually falling in love with Neil.

And then there is Tuli. A girl so vibrant, lively and brimming with life, perhaps her name symbolizes her nature. She is ‘Tuli’, a paint brush, painting the canvas with her own set of dreams and imaginations, often challenging norms and pursuing habits one may term as blasphemous. But then, you can’t, and you won’t blame her, ‘cause you simply fall in love with her.

For all male readers, Tuli is that girl you often craved for in your fantasies, perfect yet bordering around imperfection, and that’s what makes her all the more appealing. For all the female readers, Tuli is the friend you would have loved to have during your teens, climbing trees, smoking in hushed silences, and laughing all day.

Tuli is pretty, and she knows it. She can be childish and mature at the same time. She wishes to fly loose, and then restrains herself at times. Tuli is the girl we know, and yet we do not recognize her.

Neil falls in love with Tuli, his brother’s wife, and the story catches pace. This is the segment I loved reading the most – their passionate love making combined with the fear and confusion that comes coupled with such a relationship. While they are madly in love with each other, they can’t confess it to the outer world due to obvious reasons. The friction in their relationship, the turmoil within their souls, and the angst in their hearts heightens the curiosity of the readers, and that turns out to be the biggest plus point of this book.

However, the author tries to dabble with different genres, shifting from romance to thriller to crime, and perhaps that’s where the plot starts dragging a bit. I, as a reader, would have loved it, if the author had focused only on the love story and not tried to venture into the other genres.

Credit should go to the author to have come forward with beautiful protagonists who will stay forever in the minds of the readers for long. Tuli in particular captures you heart, and you wish her to be happy with Neil. You question fate when they face tough times, but sometimes, destiny too is etched by the writer’s pen.

 “Neil Must Die” – so says the author, but do we agree? Read this novel, and let me know.

Title: Neil Must Die
Author: Kaberi Chatterjee
Publisher: Blackbuck Publication
Binding: Paperback
No. of Pages: 264
My Rating: 4/5

Thunder

(Image Source: http://lilliemcferrin.com/five-sentence-fiction-thunder/)

It never rains without a warning, and tonight she heard loud thunders, bellowing somewhere high up in the heavens.

The line went dead; the unspoken decisions were taken, as her voice staggered in the lonely night, choking with the streams of tears that threatened to smear her kohl-lined eyes.

Work had to be done, quickly, efficiently, and time was running out.

She wore her raincoat and gum boots and crept onto the wet streets, the clouds shouting at her, but in vain.

Her hands slid into the pocket of her faded denim; the metal of the gun felt cold, and soothing, and she smiled for the first time in several days.


This Micro-Fiction is shared with Five Sentence Fiction - Thunder.