Book Review: Lonely People Meet by Sayantan Ghosh

 

Book: Lonely People Meet 

Author: Sayantan Ghosh 

Publisher:Bloomsbury India 

Pages: 218

Price: ₹282 on Amazon 

(Kindle copy available).

Book Source: Personal copy (Won it as a prize for my Bookish League - hosted by Ritu - Post - When No One Was Looking: a Bookish Dreamscape

Unique storyline, interesting storytelling and very engaging writing. 

I don't want to reveal much about the plot because it would ruin the fun; I’ll just say that, as the title suggests, it's about dealing with loneliness and holding on to memories. 

On an extraordinarily ordinary day, Karno accidentally meets Devaki. An instant bond is formed and thus begins a friendship —one that gradually leads to love and longing, one-sided perhaps. Just when Karno begins to absorb the feeling of love, one morning — right after a beautiful night — Devaki is no longer a part of his life, and he is left struggling to deal with her absence and the ache it evokes. 

‘I never knew the weight of an absence could be this heavy.’

—from the book.

Lonely People Meet is an intriguing story that encloses a deliciously sharp twist at its core. As the story unfolds, you find yourself walking alongside Karno, searching for answers with him.

I had earlier read a lovely story by Sayantan Ghosh featured in an anthology ‘Best Friends Forever’, and when I came across his debut novel, I really wanted to pick it up. This book carries several striking stories within the story, which I loved. I instantly connected with the author’s writing style and the feel of it. For me, it was a slow burn read, not because it lacks pace, it's just my mental state was a bit different when I started reading it; I just wanted to savour it. 

Devaki is a fascinating character and I found Karno endearing, a lost soul in several ways. Another character who stood out for me was Faiza. 

The only thing that bothered me was that, at certain places, the writing becomes overly descriptive and reads like political commentary. It feels more like the author's personal opinion rather than the character’s narrative, which is fine but it felt slightly out of place for a fictional story. 

Overall, it's a different, soothing read, which I genuinely enjoyed. Definitely looking forward to his next book.

Some quotes that touched me:

‘All of us die twice in a single lifetime. Once when our body perishes and our mortal remains are buried or sent to the pyre. And again, when we fade from the memory of the last living person who remembered us.’

‘Sometimes sadness can be strength.’ 

‘One of them was meeting a long-lost lover, while the other was looking at a total stranger.’

‘In abandonment she had found the strength to renounce her memories.’ 

The Classics Swap

 

 Image source: Pinterest (AI modified)

Ananya opened the wooden gate, framed with bougainvillaea, and entered the beautiful garden where poppy, jasmine, dahlia, aparajita and guldaudi fluttered in full bloom. She turned right to a separate cottage-like room where her Dadi Ma lived. 

Dadi Ma sat in her room, engrossed in a book - ‘Saket’ by Maithilisharan Gupta that Ananya had bought for her from a very popular bookshop - Granthalaya - in the main market of the town. She’d brought another bag of books today —Rashmirathi by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and Chitralekha by Bhagwati Charan Verma… the kind Dadi Ma devoured like sweets. Two months ago it was 'Vayam Rakshamah' and 'Jaidrath Vadh'. 

As she entered the room, Dadi Ma looked towards her and her beautiful, wrinkled face broke into a bright, affectionate smile. 

‘Anu, you know I recognize your footfalls.’ Dadi Ma often said and Ananya absolutely believed her.

‘Ah, I knew it. Come beta, I have a box full of pedas for you,’ Dadi Ma said, as she bookmarked the book and put it on the bed. 

‘And I have two new books for you! Tantanaan...’ Ananya offered the packet dramatically.

Dadi Ma’s face lit up at the mere mention of the books. ‘The bookkeeper must be thinking that there’s an old spiritual soul trapped in this young, tomboyish girl,' Dadi said and began to open the packet. Ananya laughed as she stuffed a peda into her mouth. ‘Ha! Only if he knew that I have no patience to read such fat novels. How come you are so addicted to reading?’

‘Don’t call it an addiction. And even if it is, it's a beautiful one.’

‘Well, I have no interest.’

‘You have no interest because you haven’t found the right book yet.' Dadi Ma smiled but her smile disappeared as she looked at the new books that emerged from the packet. 'Shukra Grah Par Dhava?' She said.

‘Shukra Grah Par Dhava? What do you mean?' Ananya asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Dadi Ma didn’t say anything, just handed her three slim books. Ananya stared at the cover. 'Samay Ke Swami'? What on earth…?’

‘And Antariksh Ke Hatyare. All written by some Professor Diwakar! I haven't even heard of this author. They seem like science fiction,' Dadi Ma said.

Ananya took out her mobile phone from her jeans pockets and called the bookseller, as she pushed back her spectacles. 

‘What book have you given me?’ She chided as soon as the bookseller picked up the call. 

‘Someone else just called me saying the exact same words. Sorry about the inconvenience but could you please come over with those books? The other person is also coming to the shop and then you guys can exchange?’

After half an hour or so, Ananya entered the shop and found a young man anxiously waiting along with the bookseller. He was tall and handsome with a serious look but kind eyes. His hair was ruffled, and a one-day stubble shadowed his jaw.

‘Thank God!’ he said as he almost snatched the paperbag from her hands.

‘Thank God!’ Ananya mimicked. ‘I got my precious classics back.’

‘Excuse me! These are classics too,’ the man said.

‘Yes, classics that nobody has heard of.’

‘That’s sadly true, but these are really good and expensive and rare. I have paid four thousand for these books.’ He looked at those books with such longing.

‘Are you serious? Four thousand for these three little books?’ Ananya asked, flabbergasted.

‘Yes, you would know if you read them. I wish I could lend them to you but you know –’

‘No, thank you. I am not interested.’ Ananya cut him short.

‘But, I am really thankful that you brought them back. I’d like to buy a book for you as a thank you.’

‘No need because I don't read novels.’

The man looked incredulous. 'Well, that’s because you haven’t found the right book yet.’

‘Hey, that’s exactly what my Dadi Ma said!’

‘How sweet. And these classics are for your Dadi Ma, I guess.’

‘Yes. Anyway, bye and thank you.’ Ananya turned to go when he called, ‘I insist.’

Ananya turned back. ‘Insist?’

He smiled and held out a paperback with a uniquely beautiful cover. ‘I mean I have this book.’ 

‘Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer.’ Ananya mumbled.

‘Yes. You can borrow. If you don't like it, return, but if you like it, then you will come back for its sequel, ‘Every Seventh Wave’.' He flashed another book. 'And then you will finally find the right book for you,' he said, his eyes glinting with excitement. His love for reading mirrored her Dadi Ma's. 

There was something about the title of the sequel. Every Seventh Wave. 

He was still looking at her, the book hovering like a pause in their conversation, a sweet smile playing on his lips. 'And then, I'll buy you a book. Deal?' Ananya said. 

He chuckled. ‘An offer I can't refuse. So yeah, deal!’

Written for: Bookish League hosted by Ritu.

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The Slow Imprint Books by Neelesh Misra: A Fresh Path to the Art of Storytelling

Listening to Yaadon Ka Idiot Box stories had been a part of my life, but at that time, I never imagined I would one day be writing for the show—mainly because I didn’t write Hindi stories back then.

It’s been exactly two years since I became part of Mandali—the wonderful YKIB writers’ team that has allowed me to grow as a writer. We discuss stories and find every possible way to enhance them. It’s always a joy to attend those meetings.

I’m happy to share that Neelesh Sir finally stepped into the world of publishing, amplifying fresh and powerful voices (which I had always expected)—The Slow Imprint, in association with Eka by Westland Books. 

There was a wonderful book launch event yesterday (18th November). While I couldn’t attend the launch, I’m delighted about this new initiative. Happy to share the details.

The Books are on Pre-Orders.

And look at the lovely covers!

Gaon Se Bees Postcards by Shri Shiv Balak Misra,

the father of Neelesh Misra.

He is a geologist, and it’s a fascinating collection of his essays, experiences, and anecdotes.

Main Aksar Sochta Hoon by Neelesh Misra.

I’m sure you know that, apart from being a storyteller, Neelesh Sir is also a Bollywood lyricist with many popular songs to his credit. This book is a collection of poems written by him.

Junglee Phoolon Si Ladki by Anulata Raj Nair

The creative head and producer of YKIB, Anulata Ji writes lyrical and evocative stories across various genres. It’s a collection of her lovely, lovely stories.

Magic Box: A Collection of Children’s Stories

My son is particularly looking forward to this book. It features stories by Anulata Raj Nair, Deepak Rangnathan, Anita Sethi, and Deeksha Chaudhary.

Kaaljayi: Stories from the Vedas and Puranas

It’s a collection of imaginative spiritual tales by Chhavi Nigam, Anulata Raj Nair, Hrushali Jain, Shikha Dwedi, and Anulata Raj Nair.

So here are a variety of stories, and I’m really looking forward to reading them. I hope you find them interesting!

Also, if you enjoy a tale with an unexpected twist, you can pick my Free short story, The Accident, published by Juggernaut Books. 

Sharing with Bookish Leaguehosted by Ritu Bindra

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If We Were Having Tea: Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

 

I’m not sure where it came from but I suddenly imagine myself in a Bengali household. It’s an old fashioned Bengali home with a large verandah and a small courtyard where a huge neem tree stands tall. This room I stand in has a high ceiling, lined with heavy beams. There are two large windows with green shutters. A big, wooden almirah is tucked at the far corner; its glass doors flaunt nicely stacked books. Old books. I walk towards it and the first book I see is probably Datta, as my very limited knowledge of Bengali tells me. I have read the Hindi translation of this book.

I walk back and sit on a chair by the window from where I can have two views —inside there is a long corridor which leads to a couple of closed doors. Outside, there’s a narrow, quiet alley. The purplish grey sky waits for the dawn to break.

At this eerily early hour, the still sleepy house is breathing a pin drop silence. 

A gust of wind makes the white curtain hanging from the door frame flutter and I glance towards it. Suddenly you appear from nowhere, clad in a crisp white dhoti-kurta, a sombre expression on your face, and my childhood comes rushing towards me. My heart skips several beats as I cannot believe I am actually seeing you. Is it a dream, I wonder. It feels like I have time travelled. And now I feel what if you sit across from me and we have a little chat with a cup of tea? I can almost smell adrak-elaichi waali chai brewing somewhere. 

If we were having tea, I would simply tell you how much I have adored you all these years. 

I don't remember how I got introduced and drawn towards your books. Maybe it was after I found Mannu Bhandari’s ‘Swami’ in the small library of our home. You may not know about it so I’d tell you that it was a modified version of your book Swami. It remains my favourite till date. 

Or maybe it was after I read your poignant short story ‘Ram Ki Sumati’. 

I could see a flicker of a smile on your face and I’d quickly add, with a hint of pride, that we share our native land. I would tell you that I had even crossed  your school in the town where you used to study as a young boy. It was Durga Charan High School, right? This thought fascinates me so much that it's indescribable.

If we were having tea, I would tell you that I read your books in Hindi without even realizing that I was reading translations. I feel so lucky to have access to your books because of beautiful translations. I would gladly inform you that I have become a translator, something I had never thought I would do. But now that I am a translator, it gives me a different kind of feeling thinking of your books. 

If we were having tea, I would tell you that your books have been adapted into many beautiful movies like Khushboo, Swami, Parineeta and many more. I would see a flicker of surprise in your eyes. You shouldn't be surprised though because I have heard that you were on the sets when Devdas was being made. 

I was at my Maa’s friend's place when I found Devdas first. It peeked through the glass doors of an old, dusty bookshelf and I shamelessly borrowed it from her. 

I’d tell you that we have at least fifteen other Devdas movies, and I’m sure it would make you laugh. 

If we were having tea, I’d tell you that I had requested someone to buy your books from Calcutta and she brought me a big fat book — a collection of your novellas — Grihdaah, Chandranath, Parineeta, Srikant, Brahman Ki Beti, Path Ke Davedar, Charitraheen, Biraj Bahu. 

Sometimes I wish I could read Bengali.

 

If we were having tea, we would talk about writing and good storytelling. How could we not? How could I miss this chance? I would tell you how I felt that your stories were way ahead of time. Would you teach me a few (a lot of, actually) things about storytelling and creating memorable characters? Particularly strong female protagonists.

I am sure I would see a content smile playing on your lips. 

If we were having tea, I’d tell you that I dug out your book Panditmashai (Pandit Ji in Hindi) after 17-18 years and am currently reading it.

As we continue to talk, the dawn breaks into a golden, gleeful morning. Streaks of sunshine make a crisscross pattern on the table. A voice comes from somewhere. The sunshine turns bright, so bright that it blurs your presence, as though it's emanating from you. It feels like you are disappearing and my heart sinks. I don’t want this rendezvous to end. I want to talk more. 

‘I have to go. It was lovely talking to you,’ you say with a soft smile and my heart melts. You get up and walk towards the same door you came from. The brightness subsides and I see you fade into the length of the corridor. 

(It is Saratchandra's birthday today)

Written for Bookish League hosted by Ritu Bindra

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My Favourite Books with Octogenarian/Elderly Protagonists

 

I have said this so many times, saying it again. For me, the writing style and the characters make a big difference. If I connect with the characters and the writing style of the author, the subject or genre doesn't matter. 

In this post, I am going to talk about three books with an Octogenarian (a person who is between 80 and 89 years old) as the main protagonist. 

So, I’ll start with: The Car Share by Zoe Brisby because this is probably the first book I read and loved where one of the protagonists was an Octogenarian. Also because August is Women in Translation month, and this book is translated from the French by Kelly Lardin.

To be very honest, I wasn't even familiar with the term Octogenarian before. 

Maxine, a 90 yo with Alzheimer's & Alex, a 25 yo with depression share a car for a road trip. This journey lasts for roughly two days and what a terrific journey! Every scene, every situation is so interesting and meaningful.

It hooked me from the very first page. The protagonists — Maxine (she's a rockstar!) & Alex (he's so cute) — are so adorable! Their bonding is so endearing, their conversation so entertaining and witty! 

It's so sweet, funny, entertaining and heartwarming. I never thought I would love a book with such starkly different protagonists.

The ending kind of left me with a sense of loss. But, interestingly, the author Zoe Brisby shared a bonus chapter, which was like an epilogue, and I liked that as well even though I am not a fan of prologues or epilogues.

The Tea Service by Debeshi Gooptu

‘The tea would arrive on the dot at four every evening accompanied by her grandson. There was no sign of the little boy today. Where had he vanished?’

Debeshi is a dear friend, but when I say that she is a very good writer and storyteller, I am not being biased.

It’s not really a book. It's a Kindle short story, told from the point of view of an old lady who is waiting for her grandson. So poignant and beautifully written. One of my favourite stories by Debeshi who has written innumerable stories. 

Free for Kindle Unlimited users.

Locked away life by Drew Davies

‘Life should not be dampened with regret but nourished with hopes and dreams.’

Another Octogenarian (Esther)—Teenager (Bruno, who’s struggling to understand his sexual identity) pairing. Their bonding is so endearing.

Esther has shut away herself in her vine-covered manor house on the top of a hill for as long as she can remember.

And on a sunny spring day, eighteen-year-old Bruno is in the local library when he spots an advert. The old lady on the hill is looking for someone who can teach her about internet.

Heartwarming, thoughtful and refreshingly different. Beautiful, engaging writing style. A very good read!

It's free for Kindle Unlimited users.

Now, before you go, I'd like to tell you about my new translation. It doesn't have an octogenarian protagonist but one of the main characters is an elderly man ―Mohammad Zia Ul Haq, the former President of Pakistan.

My Hindi translation of A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif (Published by Kautilya Books) is out now.

It's a funny, witty political novel, based on the 1988 aircraft crash that killed Zia-Ul-Haq. Published by Penguin Books, the original book was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Have you read the original book?

Written for Bookish League hosted by Ritu Bindra

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Movie Characters with Books

 

This post is inspired by Madhulika Liddle’s post ‘People with Books in Hindi Cinema’ (A two part post). Of course, her post is more detailed and brilliantly researched. I really enjoyed that post (click the link to read it), so here I’m trying my version. :))

Love Story by Erich Segal: Mujhse Dosti Karoge. 

This is not a very successful film, but I like it. And in this film Rani Mukherjee is seen reading this book. In another scene, Uday Chopra wants to buy a book for her. Love Story. And she says, ‘Mere paas already ek love story hai.’ 

I am not sure about the text in the image because I haven't read this book. It's a hugely popular and well loved book. I bought it many years ago but I couldn't read it. I think I was too quick to give up, so maybe I can try again.

Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes: Me Before You

Me Before You is one of my favourite books. And the film adaptation is also good, particularly Sam Claflin as Will Traynor (my favourite fictional male character) is bang on!

So, Emilia Clarke is reading this book when she is looking after Will. 

I haven't read this book though. I have a novel titled Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes, which I bought in 2012, but I haven't read it. 

Raseedi Ticket Amrita Pritam: Soni

Soni is a lesser known but nice crime movie (on Netflix). It's about Soni, a policewoman who is very courageous, fearless and honest, but cannot control her anger and beats the shit out of someone who does something bad/crosses the limit, which often causes trouble. Her senior tries to defend her, and there's a scene (in the end) where she gives 'Raseedi Ticket' to her and asks her to read. 

Unfortunately, I couldn't find an image. Raseedi Ticket is Amrita Pritam's extremely popular autobiography. I haven't read it though.

Norwegian Woods by Haruki Murakami: Wake Up Sid

Again, one of my favourite movies! I have seen this movie multiple times. There's a scene where Konkona Sen comes home to find Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) reading a book. Honestly, I wasn't sure if he was reading the very same book but I did some research and found out about the book. In fact, there are other instances where characters from this movie are seen with books. 

Norwegian Woods is an immensely popular, well loved book, a love story, but I haven't read it.

Unnamed Book: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. 

It's my favourite movie! I can watch this movie over and over again. So they are in Spain, staying in a hotel, when they talk about Abhay Deol's fiance (Kalki) and whether he is happy about this relationship. Farhan Akhtar, to avoid this conversation, starts reading a novel. I tried but I couldn't find out the title of that book.

Emilia Galotti by G E Lessing:

The Reader

I have watched this movie (based on a book with the same name, set in the period of post WW2) but it's not really my favourite. The movie is based on a book 'The Reader' by Bernhard Schlink.

So, obviously (as the name of the movie suggests), the protagonists are often seen reading books (actually the guy reads to the much older woman he loves, as she is illiterate). But there's a particular scene where the title of the book is visible. Well, kind of. I tried hard to get the name.

Set in Italy, the book is a play, basically a political commentary based on 'the myth of Verginia'. Published in 1772.

The Jury (Or it could be The Judge because it's not visible after ‘The’) by Steve Martini: Dil Chahta Hai

Again, a favourite and fantastic movie. During the popular song ‘Jaane Kyun Log Pyar Karte hain…’ Preity Zinta is seen reading this book on the train. I haven't read this book but it seems like a popular legal novel. In fact, Steve Martini is known for writing legal novels.

So, have you read any of these books? Or watched any of these movies? Which one is your favourite?

Written for Bookish League hosted by Ritu

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