What do you think?
Rate this book
Ferry Crossing: Short Strories From Goa
27 STORIES ON PEOPLE, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES. WOULD MAKE EXCELLENT SUPPL. TEXT.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
4 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 10, 2025
Ferry Crossing - Short Stories from Goa
Rating 4/5
I personally adore Goa and the next best thing, I thought I could do, when I'm unable to travel to Goa, was to read about Goa. When I came across this book which said short stories from Goa, I was pretty excited. The book too proudly proclaims what I intended to read about. It's about bringing out the history, culture and tradition of Goa which subtly exists and is often overlooked and shied away from the stereotypical brotherly image of a tourist destination.
I was in full enthusiasm to encounter history, the forts, the temples, churches, the crossing over of Portuguese and Indian culture, food and much more. Alas, few stories down I was sadly disappointed, because there weren't any of the above which I anticipated. Persistently I lingered on with what came my way. Somewhere along the course of my reading, I started appreciating the collection. The stories may or may not be set in Goa, have a Goan feel, vibe to them, but, bring about so many aspects, so many struggles, so many highs and lows of people of Goa and India be it Independent India or be it Goa under Portuguese rule.
These themes made me look at the year of publication of the book. It turns out to be 1998. My respect for the book and writers turned out a bit more. Many of the writers are from a bygone era and are not contemporary. They wrote in Marathi, Konkani, Portuguese and English. Yes, the stories are translated ones. Not that I found any objection to them. But, it pains me about my own self that, I only knew or rather read few English writers from that era, that writers from other languages are literally unknown to me. We appreciate RKNarayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Ruskin Bond, Khushwant so much so that, these writers like Pundalik Naik, Laxman Rao Sardesai, find no mention mainly because they aren't in English (or are they mentioned but I am again caught unaware! Any case, it's such an irony!
I felt glad, I felt relieved having read stories by these writers - the writing was indeed very mature. Poverty, lack of employment, casteism, loneliness, attachment and many more. These are the themes which the stories depict. The stories may or may not be set in Goa but the writers here portray that Goa wasn't immune to the struggles what the entire country was going through. Back then, the notion of holiday destination did not exist. Mainly because people never had money to ring into a theme such as a holiday. Most people was just existence and struggles for themselves and their family.
In the end, I simply let go of my Goan expectations of finding temples, churches, Goan food within these stories, instead (time) travelled along with the stories, to an India and amidst its people filled with emotions, compassion, depth, simplicist living, something which I often unfind (miss) these days. I guess going ahead we can only rely on these legendary story tellers of the bygone era to keep us sane with such stories (of compassion). As a homework, much I need to do to read about these writers and their stories too. Laxman Rao Sardesai is a prominent person with short stories of about 700. Now where can I find the translation please! or time to learn Marathi?
The stories can be enjoyed slowly thus taking the reader back in time to a time - when time was inexpensive!
Cheers,
Rating 4/5
I personally adore Goa and the next best thing, I thought I could do, when I'm unable to travel to Goa, was to read about Goa. When I came across this book which said short stories from Goa, I was pretty excited. The book too proudly proclaims what I intended to read about. It's about bringing out the history, culture and tradition of Goa which subtly exists and is often overlooked and shied away from the stereotypical brotherly image of a tourist destination.
I was in full enthusiasm to encounter history, the forts, the temples, churches, the crossing over of Portuguese and Indian culture, food and much more. Alas, few stories down I was sadly disappointed, because there weren't any of the above which I anticipated. Persistently I lingered on with what came my way. Somewhere along the course of my reading, I started appreciating the collection. The stories may or may not be set in Goa, have a Goan feel, vibe to them, but, bring about so many aspects, so many struggles, so many highs and lows of people of Goa and India be it Independent India or be it Goa under Portuguese rule.
These themes made me look at the year of publication of the book. It turns out to be 1998. My respect for the book and writers turned out a bit more. Many of the writers are from a bygone era and are not contemporary. They wrote in Marathi, Konkani, Portuguese and English. Yes, the stories are translated ones. Not that I found any objection to them. But, it pains me about my own self that, I only knew or rather read few English writers from that era, that writers from other languages are literally unknown to me. We appreciate RKNarayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Ruskin Bond, Khushwant so much so that, these writers like Pundalik Naik, Laxman Rao Sardesai, find no mention mainly because they aren't in English (or are they mentioned but I am again caught unaware! Any case, it's such an irony!
I felt glad, I felt relieved having read stories by these writers - the writing was indeed very mature. Poverty, lack of employment, casteism, loneliness, attachment and many more. These are the themes which the stories depict. The stories may or may not be set in Goa but the writers here portray that Goa wasn't immune to the struggles what the entire country was going through. Back then, the notion of holiday destination did not exist. Mainly because people never had money to ring into a theme such as a holiday. Most people was just existence and struggles for themselves and their family.
In the end, I simply let go of my Goan expectations of finding temples, churches, Goan food within these stories, instead (time) travelled along with the stories, to an India and amidst its people filled with emotions, compassion, depth, simplicist living, something which I often unfind (miss) these days. I guess going ahead we can only rely on these legendary story tellers of the bygone era to keep us sane with such stories (of compassion). As a homework, much I need to do to read about these writers and their stories too. Laxman Rao Sardesai is a prominent person with short stories of about 700. Now where can I find the translation please! or time to learn Marathi?
The stories can be enjoyed slowly thus taking the reader back in time to a time - when time was inexpensive!
Cheers,
December 22, 2024
Goa has, of late, been reduced to an easy caricature by the demands of tourism and advertising. Contrary to this, this anthology of 27 engaging stories introduces us to the old Goa composed of Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese and English narratives.
Those looking at racy stories on touristy Goa would be disappointed. This book, rather has stories rooted in authentic coastal Konkani life ranging from the naivete of first love, the humiliation of poverty, the colonial influence of Portugal, clash of egos among rural elite to the startling brutality inherent in everyday lives.
Simple and lucidly told, the stories in 'Ferry Crossing' reveal a Goa infinitely more human and complex than the stereotypical image of an enormous beach resort. To that effect, the title of the book is a bit misleading. There is nothing of touristy Goa here, only vignettes of life from the pre-touristy Konkan coastal life.
Those looking at racy stories on touristy Goa would be disappointed. This book, rather has stories rooted in authentic coastal Konkani life ranging from the naivete of first love, the humiliation of poverty, the colonial influence of Portugal, clash of egos among rural elite to the startling brutality inherent in everyday lives.
Simple and lucidly told, the stories in 'Ferry Crossing' reveal a Goa infinitely more human and complex than the stereotypical image of an enormous beach resort. To that effect, the title of the book is a bit misleading. There is nothing of touristy Goa here, only vignettes of life from the pre-touristy Konkan coastal life.
June 30, 2017
It would have been better if Mr. Shetty had mentioned the year in which these stories were written, as sometimes the reader is confused if a certain story is set in the pre or post independence era. Also a little background on the story, as in one of the stories there are African soldiers in Goa mentioned, which puzzled me.
Likable stories were - Bhiku's Diary, Transgression, Senhor Eusbio Builds His Dream Home and Antonio's Homecoming.
Likable stories were - Bhiku's Diary, Transgression, Senhor Eusbio Builds His Dream Home and Antonio's Homecoming.
January 24, 2019
A must read! Immensely charming, quirky, and humorous.
My favourites are as follows.
1. When an ass mounts a cow
2. Lord Vatobha and Aunt Radha
3. The sign of ire
4. At the shrine of Mary of the angels
5. Innocence
My favourites are as follows.
1. When an ass mounts a cow
2. Lord Vatobha and Aunt Radha
3. The sign of ire
4. At the shrine of Mary of the angels
5. Innocence
June 27, 2024
Some really good short stories from Goa (nothing to do with the Goa frequented by tourists). I liked these especially:
When an ass mounts a cow
The Turtle
Bhiku’s Diary
Ekolyo
What the flower Foretold
The Legacy
The Hour’s end
The Africa Boat
Salvation
When an ass mounts a cow
The Turtle
Bhiku’s Diary
Ekolyo
What the flower Foretold
The Legacy
The Hour’s end
The Africa Boat
Salvation
December 1, 2013
Gem of a book for its simplicity and depiction of horrors of daily life with a sprinkling of innocence just like the state it depicts, a hard hitting book and not everyone's cup of tea but glad i bought it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews