October End

by Anant Samant

The Story of a Young Sculptor & his friends

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

His every short story and novel reflects the stormy life that he has lived across the seas and in this soil. He considers himself to be a common man, living common life; But his literature shocked Marathi readers and critics with unread, unheard, unseen world. His first novel ‘M. T. Aiwa Maru’ was like a fresh wind gushing in to feed hunger of younger generations for something true, timely and new. It was praised, acclaimed and awarded. Now, even after twenty years it is the best seller and the only novel of its kind in literature.
His second novel ‘Trimakasi Madam’ is nearly an extension of ‘M. T. Aiwa Maru’.
‘Avirat’ tells the story of proud, nation-lover NRI coming back to India to start a hotel bussiness and see his faiths, notions and dream shattering. The great Marathi author shri Jaywant Dalvi claimed ‘Avirat’ to be greater piece of work than ‘M.T.Aiwa Maru.’
‘Oshtories’ is the most sensitive of his novels trying to differentiate soul, mind and body. It connects spirituality with photography. In this novel Camera has a character and Photos clicked are points of climax. Using Photography as a medium the author discloses the secrets of love, soul and body. No novel in any language can even be compared with ‘Oshtories’.
These five of his dozen novels are enough to explain versatility, variety and strength of his pen. His every novel is adored by young generation of Marathi readers. His direct and deceptively simple style of writing spawned number of imitators but no equals.
Four of his books, ‘M.T. Aiwa Maru’, ‘K five’, ‘ Front line story’, ‘Bypassche divas’ were adopted by ‘National Association of Blind’ as talking-books.

Reviews

[अनिकेत · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found it more like a Chetan Bhagat's books. A book of youth & for youth. A story of friendship & love, narrated by Vishal [an artist]

[Aditya Patil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read.
The book wasn't available as e-book and physical copy was available at only one website. Sadly that particular website doesn't give the book preview, so I only had the 5-6 lines given on backend of book cover and the front cover pic to judge the content. I read few words - Colaba, Jahangir road, which confirmed the story happening in backdrop of Old Bombay and already being intrigued by the front cover pic, I ordered the book.
A novella, the story happens in the last week of October. Though the dates doen't affect the story anyhow, its a different touch - a timebound story. The story revolves around 6-7 colleage friends who decide a get-together after many years and the dynamics between different characters. The protagonist has many love interests and frankly its difficult to love him as a reader. He's complicated, stubborn and seems self-centered.
As the book is ~120 pages long, the author doesn't dwell into how the charaters are the way they are or why a few share a unique bond with select members of the gang.
The things I liked in the book were the old Bombay backdrop and the story being almost 26 years old. Only one of the friends had cellular phone - a real source of awe for the rest.
I have bought couple of Mr. Samant's books this time. I reckon he's going to be one of my favourite authors soon.
3 ⭐from my side.

[Amogh Pendse · Rating 4 out of 5]

कल्पक

[Pankaj Patil · Rating 4 out of 5]

चार-सहा मित्रांच्या नजेरेतून पाहिलेली हि गोष्ट आहे.महानगरात जीवन कंठणे आणि झटपट पैसे कसे कामवावीत या महत्त्वाकांक्षेने पेटून उठलेल्या तरुणांची/युवकांची हि कथा सांगितली आहे त्यांच्याच पैकी एकाने.कथेत मैत्री आणि प्रेम आहे,प्रणय आहे आणि आहेत वाईट मार्गांवर पडणारी पाऊले.
महाविद्यालयात वा विद्यापीठांत शिकणाऱ्या तरुणांना आपलीच वाटावी अशी हि गोष्ट आहे.स्वप्नाची उडाण घेणाऱ्या त्या वयातील, मित्रांची कथा कशी आयुष्याची वळणे उलगडत नेते आणि वास्तविकतेची जाणीव करून देते हे अत्यंत सुंदर पद्धतीने रेखाटले आहे.