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The Blue Women: Stories
"A striking new collection of short fiction from the award-winning author of Kintsugi, Daura and Bhaunri. A young girl who forms a curiously intimate friendship with a bat... A man whose life is wrecked by an unsightly big toe... A teenager who will go to any lengths to have her stepfather to herself... The stories in The Blue Women paint vivid portraits of people's lives as they encounter the strange and the enigmatic - whether it is other people, creatures, nature, the inanimate, or themselves. With rare insightfulness, Anukrti Upadhyay shines a light on the fractures and fears, the prejudices and wounds, the desires and memories that inhabit the deepest recesses of her characters' psyches. Original and gripping, these are stories that will worm their way deep into your heart and mind."
- GenresShort StoriesIndia
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2023
9 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 3, 2023
Stories of women in love, or in search of love in grief, not understanding man and life as a by-product of a complicated family. The Blue Women is a collection of short stories you read to enjoy the idea of reading, dwindling in unknown people and leaving you wondering what might have happened in parts not told to you. As always love the simple writing of @anukrti and this is my 3rd read of hers.
March 8, 2023
Observation is an art. The observer an artist. A gifted one at that. Not a cliché at all because no one notices the common woman passing by. Her thoughts unheard, enigma unfelt, eccentricities ignored.
In such a world of haste, master storytellers breathe life into the otherwise unimaginative, quotidian doom-scrolling screens of urban realism.
Such an intense observer who morphs scenes and everyday people into striking stories is my dear sister Anukrti Upadhyay.
Vivid imagery spun from her spatially aware mind’s eye; people, places, sounds, taste, smell and feelings, entirely sensual story telling. The evocative stories of the unconventional Blue Women are so haunting.
Could be perceived as cliffhangers at times. But keeps a reality check that life continues on inexplicably, without closure. There’s a human touch to her stories, socially conscious and resoundingly tender.
Felt a fellow feeling in Vishakha - The Queen Of Mahim. Touched some raw nerves and gave a comforting silence that she left behind.
The Satsuma Plant which is the final chapter expresses grief in a lucid form, one that continued from one of Kintsugi’s (the author’s previous collection of short stories) artistic women Meena. The Japan connect is so telling that pent up grief needed a visual uprooting.
Couldn’t forget the sweet citrusy smell of Satusma as I closed the pages of the beautiful book.
#AnukrtiUpadhyay #Bhaunri #Daura #Kintsugi #Igreads #Bookstagram #literature #jaipur #sgbookstagram #readingnationsg #jaipurliterature #indianauthors #thebluewomen #shortstories #bookreview #bookstagrammers #book #fiction #bookreviewer #bookblogger #readersofinstagram #bookphotography #bookreviewersofinstagram #reader
In such a world of haste, master storytellers breathe life into the otherwise unimaginative, quotidian doom-scrolling screens of urban realism.
Such an intense observer who morphs scenes and everyday people into striking stories is my dear sister Anukrti Upadhyay.
Vivid imagery spun from her spatially aware mind’s eye; people, places, sounds, taste, smell and feelings, entirely sensual story telling. The evocative stories of the unconventional Blue Women are so haunting.
Could be perceived as cliffhangers at times. But keeps a reality check that life continues on inexplicably, without closure. There’s a human touch to her stories, socially conscious and resoundingly tender.
Felt a fellow feeling in Vishakha - The Queen Of Mahim. Touched some raw nerves and gave a comforting silence that she left behind.
The Satsuma Plant which is the final chapter expresses grief in a lucid form, one that continued from one of Kintsugi’s (the author’s previous collection of short stories) artistic women Meena. The Japan connect is so telling that pent up grief needed a visual uprooting.
Couldn’t forget the sweet citrusy smell of Satusma as I closed the pages of the beautiful book.
#AnukrtiUpadhyay #Bhaunri #Daura #Kintsugi #Igreads #Bookstagram #literature #jaipur #sgbookstagram #readingnationsg #jaipurliterature #indianauthors #thebluewomen #shortstories #bookreview #bookstagrammers #book #fiction #bookreviewer #bookblogger #readersofinstagram #bookphotography #bookreviewersofinstagram #reader
May 3, 2023
Human emotions and thoughts often have a mind of their own. Their intricacies and finer dimensions often leave us in a state of flux where we either feel like welcoming them or disregarding them altogether.
In this quirky collection of stories, author Anukrti Upadhyay delves deep into the abyss of emotional and logical complexities that makes up the human mind. No matter how disturbing, her characters hold mirrors to individuals who may not be related to us but are part of our daily mundane life as much as us. Her characters thrive on insecurity, jealousy, love, anger, lust, and envy, and yet they are bound to make you feel a unique kind of comradery with them. The stories in the collection are raw and at times ugly, but the stark similarity to reality makes them mesmerizing and riveting.
I haven’t come across a collection of stories that are so character driven in such a long time that I went through a roller coaster of emotions with this one. There were times when I got so lost in the plot that the characters felt too real and like living, breathing entities in my present. The guarded dusting of magic and mystery here and there brought a balance to the raw and realistic backgrounds, something that caught my attention the most throughout the read.
Out of all the stories in the collection, ‘Sona’, ‘The Dragon in the Garden’, and ‘Janaki and the Bat’ happen to be the ones closest to my heart.
I would definitely recommend this book to short story lovers who love a good collection of character-driven stories.
In this quirky collection of stories, author Anukrti Upadhyay delves deep into the abyss of emotional and logical complexities that makes up the human mind. No matter how disturbing, her characters hold mirrors to individuals who may not be related to us but are part of our daily mundane life as much as us. Her characters thrive on insecurity, jealousy, love, anger, lust, and envy, and yet they are bound to make you feel a unique kind of comradery with them. The stories in the collection are raw and at times ugly, but the stark similarity to reality makes them mesmerizing and riveting.
I haven’t come across a collection of stories that are so character driven in such a long time that I went through a roller coaster of emotions with this one. There were times when I got so lost in the plot that the characters felt too real and like living, breathing entities in my present. The guarded dusting of magic and mystery here and there brought a balance to the raw and realistic backgrounds, something that caught my attention the most throughout the read.
Out of all the stories in the collection, ‘Sona’, ‘The Dragon in the Garden’, and ‘Janaki and the Bat’ happen to be the ones closest to my heart.
I would definitely recommend this book to short story lovers who love a good collection of character-driven stories.
May 6, 2023
4.5 stars
Vividly imagined, varied and gripping stories. A strong collection. Highly recommended.
Vividly imagined, varied and gripping stories. A strong collection. Highly recommended.
July 23, 2025
The Blue Women by Anukrti Upadhyay is a haunting, deeply affecting collection of short stories that explores the uncanny and the intimate. Each story dives into the hidden fears, desires, and emotional complexities of its characters with quiet precision and power.
This collection is truly extraordinary. Not a single story felt dull or made me roll my eyes. In fact, a couple—Made in Heaven and Queen of Mahim—will stay with me for a long time.
What makes The Blue Women so beautiful is the way it handles sensitive themes without being preachy. Just like in real life, these moments creep in quietly: a woman choosing to live on her own terms is casually shunned, a wife is taken for granted by her ‘more successful’ husband, a female cab driver is viewed as an object of pity, a couple separates over differing ideals, and more.
These are not distant, fictional dilemmas—they are very much part of our everyday lives, regardless of gender.
The stories are wonderfully balanced, showcasing a wide range of characters—from scheming women to naïve men, from flawed humans to those extraordinary in their ordinariness.
If I had one small criticism, it would be the book’s cover, which didn’t quite draw me in—especially when compared to Bhaunri, whose cover I found much more intriguing.
It honestly surprises me that Anukrti Upadhyay isn’t more widely read. She is a brilliant storyteller. I loved her novella Bhaunri too—a dark, fable-like tale about the fury and power hidden within a woman, and what happens when it's finally unleashed.
This collection is truly extraordinary. Not a single story felt dull or made me roll my eyes. In fact, a couple—Made in Heaven and Queen of Mahim—will stay with me for a long time.
What makes The Blue Women so beautiful is the way it handles sensitive themes without being preachy. Just like in real life, these moments creep in quietly: a woman choosing to live on her own terms is casually shunned, a wife is taken for granted by her ‘more successful’ husband, a female cab driver is viewed as an object of pity, a couple separates over differing ideals, and more.
These are not distant, fictional dilemmas—they are very much part of our everyday lives, regardless of gender.
The stories are wonderfully balanced, showcasing a wide range of characters—from scheming women to naïve men, from flawed humans to those extraordinary in their ordinariness.
If I had one small criticism, it would be the book’s cover, which didn’t quite draw me in—especially when compared to Bhaunri, whose cover I found much more intriguing.
It honestly surprises me that Anukrti Upadhyay isn’t more widely read. She is a brilliant storyteller. I loved her novella Bhaunri too—a dark, fable-like tale about the fury and power hidden within a woman, and what happens when it's finally unleashed.
July 12, 2024
Trust me when I say Anukrti Upadhyay never disappoints her readers. Every story gets better by the page. From creating a magical and hypnotic fiction in Daura to the emotive and uncanny The Blue Women: Stories, I feel blessed to have devoured them all.
To read about women, written by a woman is the most conscientious attempt a reader can make to discover the female mind, body and soul. Anukrti Upadhyay does justice to every woman she writes about in The Blue Women. Stories about holding on and letting go, striving, adjusting, accepting, surrendering or simply breaking conventional barriers. Desiring the forbidden, being flawed and giving into vices can be dangerous but these women make their choice. These 12 stories are penned with evocative and elegant. The protagonists are ordinary yet astounding for their resilience and spirit. They are familiar yet strange and when one reads these stories one relates to the “we are all the same in different ways” notion.
To select one or a couple of favourites would be unfair, for every leading lady in this collection mirrors society and it’s relationship with women which defines a woman’s relationship with herself before others.
Verdict: Highly recommended! ❤️
To read about women, written by a woman is the most conscientious attempt a reader can make to discover the female mind, body and soul. Anukrti Upadhyay does justice to every woman she writes about in The Blue Women. Stories about holding on and letting go, striving, adjusting, accepting, surrendering or simply breaking conventional barriers. Desiring the forbidden, being flawed and giving into vices can be dangerous but these women make their choice. These 12 stories are penned with evocative and elegant. The protagonists are ordinary yet astounding for their resilience and spirit. They are familiar yet strange and when one reads these stories one relates to the “we are all the same in different ways” notion.
To select one or a couple of favourites would be unfair, for every leading lady in this collection mirrors society and it’s relationship with women which defines a woman’s relationship with herself before others.
Verdict: Highly recommended! ❤️
March 18, 2023
I have read Bhaunri by Anukriti and her writing and women centric stories made me fan of her writing. This book is a collection of some interesting stories about women characters.
Each of these moving and inspirational stories is an incredible tale of survival and hope and will surely touch the heart of every reader. I must say this book presented a very different version of life, so I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
Each of these moving and inspirational stories is an incredible tale of survival and hope and will surely touch the heart of every reader. I must say this book presented a very different version of life, so I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
December 21, 2023
I have always enjoyed Anukrti Upadhyay’s works. One of my favorite authors, there is something atmospheric about her writing. Be it Bhaunri, Daura, Kintsugi, or Neena Aunty.
Her recent collection of short stories, The Blue Women, is no different. Some disturbing. Some quirky. Some relatable. Some riveting. But all about women who refuse to be cast in a mold. Who are as flawed as they come. 12 stories with characters that stay with you long after.
Do pick it up if you haven’t already.
Her recent collection of short stories, The Blue Women, is no different. Some disturbing. Some quirky. Some relatable. Some riveting. But all about women who refuse to be cast in a mold. Who are as flawed as they come. 12 stories with characters that stay with you long after.
Do pick it up if you haven’t already.
January 18, 2024
Quirky , enigmatic stories.
I think I pretty much like everything that Anukriti has written so far.
Short stories are my least favourite go-to in fiction. This book too, like many others was largely a hit or miss. Some stories hook you, some are bizarre, some were very unrealistic for me, but what's common in all of them is the element of surprise which makes her writing stand apart from others in her league.
I think I pretty much like everything that Anukriti has written so far.
Short stories are my least favourite go-to in fiction. This book too, like many others was largely a hit or miss. Some stories hook you, some are bizarre, some were very unrealistic for me, but what's common in all of them is the element of surprise which makes her writing stand apart from others in her league.
November 21, 2024
The slightly too refined and convoluted language used in many casual conversations in this collection really jolted me out of the story multiple times, but I was almost unwillingly drawn back in every single time by the extremely vivid settings and complex characters. Upadhyay hasn't blown me out of the water with any of her works yet, but she somehow remains almost an auto-buy author for me.
Read
August 8, 2023What a gem of a book❤️
September 12, 2023
Stunning, unputdownable collection of short stories that capture the weird and unsettling everyday truths and violences that we live through, and engender.
May 30, 2023
Just one short story old and I love her already!
I am always on the lookout for Indian stories by Indian authors who write very well. Anukrti ticks all boxes for me. And the icing on the cake is I found the story gripping and thrilling, not an achy breaky life lesson.
Will read all stories and all her books.
I am always on the lookout for Indian stories by Indian authors who write very well. Anukrti ticks all boxes for me. And the icing on the cake is I found the story gripping and thrilling, not an achy breaky life lesson.
Will read all stories and all her books.
August 25, 2023
Ok so story time-
This is my first read by Anukriti Upadhyay and she's one of the best authors I have discovered this year and unfortunately even though I ran from one corner to another to get my book signed by her at JLF this year I was late by a few minutes and lost the chance of meeting her and getting my book signed :(
Coming back to the book-
It's a collection of various short stories and her writing is a work of art as it's very flowy. Each and every single story is so gripping that you won't be able to put the book down until you've finished it all. Yes it's one of those writings to get lost into. I wouldn't say every single story is an absolute banger but most of them are. These stories reflect and touches every single aspect of Indian Society and Lives whether it's struggles of a women, a child, anyone living in big cities, love etc. (including the gruesome things) and offers such a unique perspective and are so metaphorical in nature which makes up for a beautiful ending where you won't realise where the story is going until all the pieces come together at the end.
My favourite stories include-
-The Blue Women
-Made in Heaven
-Sona
-Insecta
-The Dragon in the Garden
-Janaki and the Bat
This is my first read by Anukriti Upadhyay and she's one of the best authors I have discovered this year and unfortunately even though I ran from one corner to another to get my book signed by her at JLF this year I was late by a few minutes and lost the chance of meeting her and getting my book signed :(
Coming back to the book-
It's a collection of various short stories and her writing is a work of art as it's very flowy. Each and every single story is so gripping that you won't be able to put the book down until you've finished it all. Yes it's one of those writings to get lost into. I wouldn't say every single story is an absolute banger but most of them are. These stories reflect and touches every single aspect of Indian Society and Lives whether it's struggles of a women, a child, anyone living in big cities, love etc. (including the gruesome things) and offers such a unique perspective and are so metaphorical in nature which makes up for a beautiful ending where you won't realise where the story is going until all the pieces come together at the end.
My favourite stories include-
-The Blue Women
-Made in Heaven
-Sona
-Insecta
-The Dragon in the Garden
-Janaki and the Bat
October 9, 2023
Read my full review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqvkTppPw...
review copy from HCI
review copy from HCI
February 2, 2023
Short and enjoyable read. The stories are vivid and imaginative, and I never could guess what was coming next.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews