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The King's Harvest
Just before midnight on New Years Eve, in a village above the Rangeet river in Sikkim, a woman called Kamala hacks her husband, Police Constable Puran, into forty-seven pieces, then walks to the nearby police station and turns herself in. At first, the murder seems an open-and-shut case to Dechen, the tough, foul- mouthed, prickly lady cop in charge of the investigation. But as she begins to delve into the lives of Kamala and Puran, she discovers a world of lies, deceit and love gone wrong, where nothing is as it seems, and the guilt of murderers is difficult to establish.
On a day of endless rain, a man emerges from thirty-two years of isolation to meet his king, whom he owes a share of the harvest from his fields. Journeying across leech-infested forests and forbidding valleys, he tells his children the story of his life one that has been full of drama and magic. But the biggest miracle of all awaits him in Gangtok...
These two novellas, united by their strong sense of place, showcase Chetan Raj Shresthas enormous gifts as a storyteller. Magical, gritty, nerve-wracking and stylish in equal measure, this is an exceptional debut.
On a day of endless rain, a man emerges from thirty-two years of isolation to meet his king, whom he owes a share of the harvest from his fields. Journeying across leech-infested forests and forbidding valleys, he tells his children the story of his life one that has been full of drama and magic. But the biggest miracle of all awaits him in Gangtok...
These two novellas, united by their strong sense of place, showcase Chetan Raj Shresthas enormous gifts as a storyteller. Magical, gritty, nerve-wracking and stylish in equal measure, this is an exceptional debut.
151 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 29, 2016
I’m not a big fan of Indian literature, or more specifically, Indian literature written in English. I find that most of it tends to pander to the typical foreign narrative of India- what I call The Slumdog Millionaire Effect. It’s astonishing how much of Indian literature is content to simply revolve around how poor Indian people are. Not that that’s entirely without truth- a majority of the population does live in extremely basic conditions in villages and slums with little to no amenities. However, it is a little simplistic, and if you ask me, exploitative, to package this as the ‘Real’ India and market it to pitying First Worlders waiting to shower Man Booker prizes on every tale of a smart young boy who rises from the dregs of society using his cunning to work the system.
The two novellas that comprise Chetan Raj Shreshta’s The King’s Harvest, thankfully, avoid that trap. It isn’t that he’s writing about rich urbanites either. His characters are still poor, small town folk from Sikkim, but he is a kind enough writer to recognize the stories and depths within each individual in the melee. He lets the stories play out against the idiosyncrasies of Indian Himalayan life, and a little of the magic of the mountains begins to show. If you’ve ever watched the Kanchenjunga at sunrise or sunset in October, you will have felt this magic I speak of.
It’s not all perfect though- the first story suffers from an overly convoluted plot with a few rather disorienting digressions, and the second one, easily the stronger of the two, gets just a little ham-fisted near the end. However, both stories still work thanks to the consistently excellent, vernacular-infused writing, the sublime settings, and a number of interesting, rounded out characters who bring them to life.
I will admit that having more or less grown up in and around Darjeeling, I can never assume an entirely disinterested viewpoint when it comes to life in that region. However, despite my obvious biases, this is still a book I’d readily recommend to anyone looking for a little diversity in Indian Literature. It’s a pity it hasn’t received more attention already.
The two novellas that comprise Chetan Raj Shreshta’s The King’s Harvest, thankfully, avoid that trap. It isn’t that he’s writing about rich urbanites either. His characters are still poor, small town folk from Sikkim, but he is a kind enough writer to recognize the stories and depths within each individual in the melee. He lets the stories play out against the idiosyncrasies of Indian Himalayan life, and a little of the magic of the mountains begins to show. If you’ve ever watched the Kanchenjunga at sunrise or sunset in October, you will have felt this magic I speak of.
It’s not all perfect though- the first story suffers from an overly convoluted plot with a few rather disorienting digressions, and the second one, easily the stronger of the two, gets just a little ham-fisted near the end. However, both stories still work thanks to the consistently excellent, vernacular-infused writing, the sublime settings, and a number of interesting, rounded out characters who bring them to life.
I will admit that having more or less grown up in and around Darjeeling, I can never assume an entirely disinterested viewpoint when it comes to life in that region. However, despite my obvious biases, this is still a book I’d readily recommend to anyone looking for a little diversity in Indian Literature. It’s a pity it hasn’t received more attention already.
December 8, 2017
For full review https://booksteaandmorecom.wordpress....
The book is a collection of two novellas The king’s harvest and An open and shut case. Both the stories take place in the state of Sikkim. An open and shut case starts on a New year eve with a host of people traveling to different parts of Sikkim in a shared vehicle. All seem to be in merriment with plans to spend their new year but on that night Kamala comes to the police station stating that she has killed her husband Puran and has hacked him to 47 pieces. The case looks simple with the person stating guilty but as the investigations take place different facets of the case are uncovered which is filled with deceit, unrequited love, and lies. The investigation officer Dechen faces a challenge with the truth looking blurred and multi faceted.
The second novella The king’s harvest is the story of a simple man who lives in isolation for 32 years with a belief in false stories and promises. He is oblivious to the developments that have taken place around the world. Then one day he plans to go and visit the king to give his harvest which has been lying idle. The story follows his travel across the forest with his children in an aim to meet a nonexistent king. In this journey, we come to know of his childhood and his life’s story.
This is one book you should not miss out on. It is witty, edgy, fast paced and captivating. The novelty of story and plot is what makes this one a must read. It gives you a glimpse into the region of Sikkim and the lives of people there especially the simple village folks. This is one gem of a book which in the true sense is unputdownable. This book makes you wish for more from the author and in this briefness and simplicity, the book leaves a deep impact. A definite re read for me.
The book is a collection of two novellas The king’s harvest and An open and shut case. Both the stories take place in the state of Sikkim. An open and shut case starts on a New year eve with a host of people traveling to different parts of Sikkim in a shared vehicle. All seem to be in merriment with plans to spend their new year but on that night Kamala comes to the police station stating that she has killed her husband Puran and has hacked him to 47 pieces. The case looks simple with the person stating guilty but as the investigations take place different facets of the case are uncovered which is filled with deceit, unrequited love, and lies. The investigation officer Dechen faces a challenge with the truth looking blurred and multi faceted.
The second novella The king’s harvest is the story of a simple man who lives in isolation for 32 years with a belief in false stories and promises. He is oblivious to the developments that have taken place around the world. Then one day he plans to go and visit the king to give his harvest which has been lying idle. The story follows his travel across the forest with his children in an aim to meet a nonexistent king. In this journey, we come to know of his childhood and his life’s story.
This is one book you should not miss out on. It is witty, edgy, fast paced and captivating. The novelty of story and plot is what makes this one a must read. It gives you a glimpse into the region of Sikkim and the lives of people there especially the simple village folks. This is one gem of a book which in the true sense is unputdownable. This book makes you wish for more from the author and in this briefness and simplicity, the book leaves a deep impact. A definite re read for me.
August 30, 2019
'The king's harvest' comprises of two novellas, An open and shut case and The king's harvest. Both are set in the beautiful state of Sikkim in North East India.
This is Shreshtha's debut book and I was bowled over by the beauty of his writing. He made Sikkim come alive in the pages of this book. The beauty of Sikkim is indeed captivating and I cannot wait to go there again.
~
An open and shut case is about a woman, Kamala, who on new year's eve, whacks her husband, cuts him into 47 pieces and surrenders herself at the police station. The murder, at the surface, seems very easy to decode, given Kamala had turned herself in, but there are more layers to it. As the lady investigator, Dechen, begins investigating the murder, she discovers secrets, betrayal and some including her own as well. A deliciously dark novella!!
The titular novella, The king's harvest, is a about a farmer telling his story to his children. He sets out to meet the King one day after living in isolation for 32 years, as he owes the king a share of harvest from his fields. He braves the rain, the forests teeming with leeches, dark roads and valleys to finally reach Gangtok. A surprise awaits him there!
This novella is all about drama and magic, and it almost reads like a folktale. I loved it.
~
The prose is splendidly beautiful. Words just flow from Shreshtha's pen. Just like the captivating beauty of Sikkim, his writing is captivating too. The two novellas presented a beautiful picture of rural Sikkim, away from the buzz of city life. I loved the delicate layers this book had and how the stories were given a satisfying closure.
Highly recommended.
4.5 ⭐
This is Shreshtha's debut book and I was bowled over by the beauty of his writing. He made Sikkim come alive in the pages of this book. The beauty of Sikkim is indeed captivating and I cannot wait to go there again.
~
An open and shut case is about a woman, Kamala, who on new year's eve, whacks her husband, cuts him into 47 pieces and surrenders herself at the police station. The murder, at the surface, seems very easy to decode, given Kamala had turned herself in, but there are more layers to it. As the lady investigator, Dechen, begins investigating the murder, she discovers secrets, betrayal and some including her own as well. A deliciously dark novella!!
The titular novella, The king's harvest, is a about a farmer telling his story to his children. He sets out to meet the King one day after living in isolation for 32 years, as he owes the king a share of harvest from his fields. He braves the rain, the forests teeming with leeches, dark roads and valleys to finally reach Gangtok. A surprise awaits him there!
This novella is all about drama and magic, and it almost reads like a folktale. I loved it.
~
The prose is splendidly beautiful. Words just flow from Shreshtha's pen. Just like the captivating beauty of Sikkim, his writing is captivating too. The two novellas presented a beautiful picture of rural Sikkim, away from the buzz of city life. I loved the delicate layers this book had and how the stories were given a satisfying closure.
Highly recommended.
4.5 ⭐
December 25, 2024
2.5 stars - I just didn't feel engaged by the writing in this book. Neither did this book transport me to Sikkim nor give me a lot of insight into life in the hills. The second novella did have that effect slightly, but it wasn't enough...idk
April 4, 2015
Two lovely darkish novellas set in Sikkim. A strong first book. Will look forward to more from him.
August 8, 2022
Two completely unconnected stories, both woven beautifully around Sikkim and its people
One set around the current bleak times, where a wife slaughters an abusive husband and what goes on behind the scenes of Indian police system
And another about a simpler time when people had limited needs, believed in the overarching supremacy of royalty and had devotion to causes
A refreshing holiday read, which made me pause and think about just how many radically different points of view can exist in the same place, at the same time
One set around the current bleak times, where a wife slaughters an abusive husband and what goes on behind the scenes of Indian police system
And another about a simpler time when people had limited needs, believed in the overarching supremacy of royalty and had devotion to causes
A refreshing holiday read, which made me pause and think about just how many radically different points of view can exist in the same place, at the same time
June 1, 2015
On the surface, these two stories share no resemblance to each other. One is about a police investigation of a murder, and the other is about a peasant wanting to see the Sikkimese king 30 years after he was removed from power. So why did the author choose to publish them in the same volume?
Answer: these novellas share the theme of ambiguous morality. In some ways, the actions of the characters seem morally acceptable. From other angles, the opposite is true.
In the first novella, the woman purposefully murders her husband. The author's description makes it clear that she fully understands what she is doing, and is not just reacting in anger. Then she cuts his body up into tiny pieces so that it no longer resembles anything remotely human. Afterward, she calmly takes her two small children and turns herself in to the police.
Obviously, this is a brutal, premeditated murder and the woman should be punished accordingly. But as the investigation continues, her husband's atrocious character and terrible treatment of her become clear. He frequently beat her, was never at home, and had several other women in other places. In fact, he was paying to live with another constable's sister in Gangtok, where he was normally stationed. In this situation, is it morally acceptable to punish the woman for killing this man? He made her life miserable, and, from accounts of the neighbors, the neighborhood is much better off without him. How should the police react in order to be fair and see that justice happens, but also to be compassionate towards all involved?
In the second novella, it becomes increasingly obvious to the reader that Tontem has been taken advantage of for decades. His "friend" who was the designated representative of the king in the area would buy Tontem's excess produce for ridiculously low prices. It is also unclear whether the messages "to Tontem from the king" were real, or simply a way to make Tontem grow cash crops that his "friend" could then grow rich from. And then, it turns out that Tontem's first wife had not actually disappeared; this same "friend" had taken her in and married her. They even had a child together! But our stalwart, loyal farmer does not realize that he has been taken advantage of, and instead continues to think of this man as a good friend, which no one contradicts.
Similarly, Tontem arrives in Gangtok to find it different than he had expected. But no one tells him exactly how different it is - that Sikkim is a part of India now, and no longer has a king. Instead, the people he meets are careful to not disabuse him of these notions. Is it right to let this man continue thinking things that are wrong? Is this attempt to preserve his innocence a favor, or evidence of further exploitation?
The author leaves these questions of morality for the reader to puzzle over.
All in all, this is a brilliant first novel that reveals both the beauty of Sikkim and its darker sides. I look forward to reading more of Chetan Raj Shreshta's work.
Read more: http://thegloballycurious.blogspot.in...
Answer: these novellas share the theme of ambiguous morality. In some ways, the actions of the characters seem morally acceptable. From other angles, the opposite is true.
In the first novella, the woman purposefully murders her husband. The author's description makes it clear that she fully understands what she is doing, and is not just reacting in anger. Then she cuts his body up into tiny pieces so that it no longer resembles anything remotely human. Afterward, she calmly takes her two small children and turns herself in to the police.
Obviously, this is a brutal, premeditated murder and the woman should be punished accordingly. But as the investigation continues, her husband's atrocious character and terrible treatment of her become clear. He frequently beat her, was never at home, and had several other women in other places. In fact, he was paying to live with another constable's sister in Gangtok, where he was normally stationed. In this situation, is it morally acceptable to punish the woman for killing this man? He made her life miserable, and, from accounts of the neighbors, the neighborhood is much better off without him. How should the police react in order to be fair and see that justice happens, but also to be compassionate towards all involved?
In the second novella, it becomes increasingly obvious to the reader that Tontem has been taken advantage of for decades. His "friend" who was the designated representative of the king in the area would buy Tontem's excess produce for ridiculously low prices. It is also unclear whether the messages "to Tontem from the king" were real, or simply a way to make Tontem grow cash crops that his "friend" could then grow rich from. And then, it turns out that Tontem's first wife had not actually disappeared; this same "friend" had taken her in and married her. They even had a child together! But our stalwart, loyal farmer does not realize that he has been taken advantage of, and instead continues to think of this man as a good friend, which no one contradicts.
Similarly, Tontem arrives in Gangtok to find it different than he had expected. But no one tells him exactly how different it is - that Sikkim is a part of India now, and no longer has a king. Instead, the people he meets are careful to not disabuse him of these notions. Is it right to let this man continue thinking things that are wrong? Is this attempt to preserve his innocence a favor, or evidence of further exploitation?
The author leaves these questions of morality for the reader to puzzle over.
All in all, this is a brilliant first novel that reveals both the beauty of Sikkim and its darker sides. I look forward to reading more of Chetan Raj Shreshta's work.
Read more: http://thegloballycurious.blogspot.in...
December 10, 2018
I read The King's harvest first and saved An Open and shut case for the later, as I was reading through I enjoyed An Open and shut more than the praised novella (harvest). To begin with, this is a debut novel by Chetan Raj Shrestha and is a winner of THE TATA LITERATURE LIVE! FIRST BOOK AWARD 2013
I don't know the author but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it has become my favourite.
The only complain that I have regarding it is,
it's matte cover. It is extremely difficult for a person like me to maintain the condition of the book.
The font size was too tiny for me. Shrugging aside the technical aspects of the book, the story gave me goosebumps.
For a long time I was in a quest to find a book by a local artist. I wanted to read about the people and the places I know.
The King's Harvest has two novellas packed with adjectives and metaphors.
The simplicity of language, the outstanding humour and the futility of general life. The narrative of the author makes the story a good read.
To unweave the king's harvest, it is an account of a sincere servant, his journey from an outcast bastard to being a Lord of vast stretched land. The savage description of Tontem and his small pack is delightfully presented. The author cleverly gives us the inception of their bizarre names Cimit, Chyadar, Batti, Turist.
Every page of the book is a treat with clever dialogues, brutally honest depiction and of history that I am unknown and unfamiliar with.
An Open and Shut Case is another such story.
It is darker than The King's Harvest, yet it felt truthful than the former.
The gory depiction, the violence, the corruption and the shifting of narratives gave the story three sixty angle.
The structure of the story disintegrates and forms again as if it has a soul of itself and knows loyalty.
I loved this novella because I cried at one point when Birey narrated the story.
For me a book that provokes and evokes a feeling is a good book.
I loved it and I am sure you'll like it too.
I don't know the author but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it has become my favourite.
The only complain that I have regarding it is,
it's matte cover. It is extremely difficult for a person like me to maintain the condition of the book.
The font size was too tiny for me. Shrugging aside the technical aspects of the book, the story gave me goosebumps.
For a long time I was in a quest to find a book by a local artist. I wanted to read about the people and the places I know.
The King's Harvest has two novellas packed with adjectives and metaphors.
The simplicity of language, the outstanding humour and the futility of general life. The narrative of the author makes the story a good read.
To unweave the king's harvest, it is an account of a sincere servant, his journey from an outcast bastard to being a Lord of vast stretched land. The savage description of Tontem and his small pack is delightfully presented. The author cleverly gives us the inception of their bizarre names Cimit, Chyadar, Batti, Turist.
Every page of the book is a treat with clever dialogues, brutally honest depiction and of history that I am unknown and unfamiliar with.
An Open and Shut Case is another such story.
It is darker than The King's Harvest, yet it felt truthful than the former.
The gory depiction, the violence, the corruption and the shifting of narratives gave the story three sixty angle.
The structure of the story disintegrates and forms again as if it has a soul of itself and knows loyalty.
I loved this novella because I cried at one point when Birey narrated the story.
For me a book that provokes and evokes a feeling is a good book.
I loved it and I am sure you'll like it too.
May 18, 2015
I haven't been to the North-East though I've been itching to pay a visit for a long time now. This book with two stories based in Sikkim just reaffirms my belief of the beauty which is the north-east. Quite inexplicable this being the debut novel of Chetan Raj, as the prose and flow just drowns you in a pool of literary ecstacy. I actually opened the map of Sikkim and followed the route of Puran Singh who was hacked to 47 pieces in Open and Shut case. If this dark, gory story wasn't enough, Chetan blasts you with intricacies so fine you actually feel like a kid of Tontem travelling with him to repay the King's harvest, constantly being hit by Tontem's innocence of the world he knows nothing about.
I'll patiently wait for Chetan's next, which certainly would be a zillion times better than the crass novels being dished out by the current crop of Indian authors.
I'll patiently wait for Chetan's next, which certainly would be a zillion times better than the crass novels being dished out by the current crop of Indian authors.
March 5, 2024
Originally reviewed at - http://www.bookgeeks.in/
The book is a compilation of two short novellas – “An Open and Shut Case” and “The King’s Harvest”. Both stories are unique in nature and the only similarity shared by the two is the place they are been written about. ‘An open and shut case’ is the story of a young woman Kamala, who murders her husband Constable Puran and hacks him into 47 different pieces. She then collects her daughters and goes go the local police station and then surrenders.
Find the full review here -
www.bookgeeks.in/entries/general-fict...
The book is a compilation of two short novellas – “An Open and Shut Case” and “The King’s Harvest”. Both stories are unique in nature and the only similarity shared by the two is the place they are been written about. ‘An open and shut case’ is the story of a young woman Kamala, who murders her husband Constable Puran and hacks him into 47 different pieces. She then collects her daughters and goes go the local police station and then surrenders.
Find the full review here -
www.bookgeeks.in/entries/general-fict...
February 21, 2018
Exceptionally beautiful. The prose is so well-crafted and the wisdom is so deep that one wants to go on reading. The title story could not have been done better. A richly layered glimpse into the unexplored lives of a little known world. Reminds me much of the prose of Gustave Flaubert, precise in its beauty and depth.
December 6, 2013
a very dark story!!! BUT BRILLIANT WRITING!! Looking forwards to the authors next book.
May 25, 2020
Borrowed wild valley flowers from Yumthang, Tadong, Zoom, Gangtok, Lhaizalzed, Chui Babzer and a bunch of other places in the Kingdom of Sikkim for my next read: 'The King's Harvest' by Chetan Raj Shrestha, winner of the TATA Lit. Live Debut Book in 2013 and a 'storyteller to watch out' for, or so the cover claims. My heart is nearly full this hour and I give it a 3.5/5. . .
'The King's Harvest', the book, is a compilation of two novellas. One is a murder anti-mystery, that'd take you for a ride on a Sikkimese police jeep, crooning to the tunes of the Nepali hit number 'Resham Firiri' all the way, wondering out loud about the ways of men, for its the story of a woman scorned, who has taken the law into her own hands, or rather a sickle, and hacked her husband into forty seven pieces on new year's eve, and the reader, along with the IO on the case, must determine the rights and wrongs of the matter. The other tale, lending its title to the book, is a non-linear tale of a deformed man, one Tontem of village Toring, of yore, who, owing to his deformity (read: an 'earless monster', he's called) gets shunted from one corner of the kingdom to another, on multiple quests not of his own making, but all the while staying loyal to the crown, most beloved servant, he is. Its a story across times, from days of the Chogyal, to the present day kingdom run by an appointed pseudo-monarch and the author's disdain for the country being a sell-out is apparent here and there. But both stories let you dream of Sikkim, long for its wintry mornings and blue hills, and the bluest of flowers that dot its perimeter, the yaks, the frozen lakes, the waterfalls! And the sounds of pahari music buzz out of its fading pages, if you strain your ears just a little. .
.
Negatives: The second novella's writing style shall force you to put in some effort, especially the set of names from alt-history and fantasia. And Chetan Raj does not stray from the sexism that's traditional to Sikkimese writers. Correct me if I'm wrong. Bottom-line: Read it if you pick mountains over beaches.
'The King's Harvest', the book, is a compilation of two novellas. One is a murder anti-mystery, that'd take you for a ride on a Sikkimese police jeep, crooning to the tunes of the Nepali hit number 'Resham Firiri' all the way, wondering out loud about the ways of men, for its the story of a woman scorned, who has taken the law into her own hands, or rather a sickle, and hacked her husband into forty seven pieces on new year's eve, and the reader, along with the IO on the case, must determine the rights and wrongs of the matter. The other tale, lending its title to the book, is a non-linear tale of a deformed man, one Tontem of village Toring, of yore, who, owing to his deformity (read: an 'earless monster', he's called) gets shunted from one corner of the kingdom to another, on multiple quests not of his own making, but all the while staying loyal to the crown, most beloved servant, he is. Its a story across times, from days of the Chogyal, to the present day kingdom run by an appointed pseudo-monarch and the author's disdain for the country being a sell-out is apparent here and there. But both stories let you dream of Sikkim, long for its wintry mornings and blue hills, and the bluest of flowers that dot its perimeter, the yaks, the frozen lakes, the waterfalls! And the sounds of pahari music buzz out of its fading pages, if you strain your ears just a little. .
.
Negatives: The second novella's writing style shall force you to put in some effort, especially the set of names from alt-history and fantasia. And Chetan Raj does not stray from the sexism that's traditional to Sikkimese writers. Correct me if I'm wrong. Bottom-line: Read it if you pick mountains over beaches.
May 1, 2021
Here’s why I loved reading the King’s Harvest by Chetan Raj Shrestha:
1. Folktale Fuses With Fairytale- Shrestha weaves the Sikkimese culture and lifestyle seamlessly into the story and spins it with his sharp wit and humor to deliver a tale that fills you with nostalgic warmth.
2. Provides A Peek into Sikkim’s Political Past - On stitching together bits and pieces of the subplot, we understand the incidents under which Sikkim merged with India.
3. A Layered Interpretation of Innocence - Some incidents filled me with fits of laughter, while some reinforced the truth that it is the order of the world for the powerful to take advantage of the power-deprived.
4. Witness Capitalism Creep Into Civilizations -The story subtly presents the differences in the lived realities of the economically opportune and deprived citizens living under the same sovereign.
5. A Discourse in Disability Sensitization -By allowing Tontem’s deformed ears to decide the fate of many incidents, the author awakens an alternative reality for those born to face societal mockery.
The story is quick-paced, humorous, and will keep you engaged. If there’s a downside to point out, it would be that even pure Tontem isn’t very peaceable when it comes to women. His carnal instincts get the best of him, and in his faraway village in the ends of the Himalayas, Tontem beats his first wife and then his second.
1. Folktale Fuses With Fairytale- Shrestha weaves the Sikkimese culture and lifestyle seamlessly into the story and spins it with his sharp wit and humor to deliver a tale that fills you with nostalgic warmth.
2. Provides A Peek into Sikkim’s Political Past - On stitching together bits and pieces of the subplot, we understand the incidents under which Sikkim merged with India.
3. A Layered Interpretation of Innocence - Some incidents filled me with fits of laughter, while some reinforced the truth that it is the order of the world for the powerful to take advantage of the power-deprived.
4. Witness Capitalism Creep Into Civilizations -The story subtly presents the differences in the lived realities of the economically opportune and deprived citizens living under the same sovereign.
5. A Discourse in Disability Sensitization -By allowing Tontem’s deformed ears to decide the fate of many incidents, the author awakens an alternative reality for those born to face societal mockery.
The story is quick-paced, humorous, and will keep you engaged. If there’s a downside to point out, it would be that even pure Tontem isn’t very peaceable when it comes to women. His carnal instincts get the best of him, and in his faraway village in the ends of the Himalayas, Tontem beats his first wife and then his second.
May 14, 2020
How do you go on to describe a book that has literally left you speechless? Frankly speaking, having been disappointed with the recent novels that have been coming out from the Indian authors in the recent past, including some from Sikkimese authors, I have been a highly reluctant reader when it comes to books by young Indian authors. This book, and also the book ‘Naive and Beautiful’ by Biswas Timsina have been eye opening for me in certain ways.
I loved this book. Both the stories in this book are well written, the language is lyrical and flows, making it an enjoyable read. In the first story, I could believe quite easily that the people in Sikkim would act exactly the way it is written. Highly believable! In the second story, I could see this happening, a corrupt friend, an even corrupt person in the higher up level who exploits an innocent man, and the man never understands what’s happening and the ruse goes on.
This book evoked in me a range of emotions and that I believe is what makes this book one of the best reads for me in a while.
Kudos to the author, Mr. Chetan Raj Shrestha. I had heard about this book quite a while back but was apprehensive about picking it up. Now I regret not picking it up sooner!
I loved this book. Both the stories in this book are well written, the language is lyrical and flows, making it an enjoyable read. In the first story, I could believe quite easily that the people in Sikkim would act exactly the way it is written. Highly believable! In the second story, I could see this happening, a corrupt friend, an even corrupt person in the higher up level who exploits an innocent man, and the man never understands what’s happening and the ruse goes on.
This book evoked in me a range of emotions and that I believe is what makes this book one of the best reads for me in a while.
Kudos to the author, Mr. Chetan Raj Shrestha. I had heard about this book quite a while back but was apprehensive about picking it up. Now I regret not picking it up sooner!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2021
I read this over a year ago in Sikkim where the stories are set. So this review review describes the lingering aftertaste of the reading. They are really beautifully written short stories rather than parts of something larger. Some writers ( example Borges) compress whole novels into the short format, not this book, I am left with the feeling I have read essays, the writer's version of a single point perspective; there is only one vanishing point. This is the classic short story format. Since reading is largely a matter of taste, and this is not favourite format, I give this four stars, though it probably deserves five if judged solely on the "perfect accomplishment of its purpose" (Joshua Reynolds's définition of great art inscribed above the entrance to the Victoria and Albert Museum).
March 16, 2021
Exceptional!
Set in the rugged beauty of the hills of Sikkim, these are two entirely different stories, each with the ability to captivate the reader. Although the first one was intriguing, I found the second story to be the most exceptional one I've ever read. Absolutely brilliant debut by the author! Looking forward to reading the next one.
Set in the rugged beauty of the hills of Sikkim, these are two entirely different stories, each with the ability to captivate the reader. Although the first one was intriguing, I found the second story to be the most exceptional one I've ever read. Absolutely brilliant debut by the author! Looking forward to reading the next one.
July 7, 2019
Unusual but interesting fiction
The two short novels give a good idea about Sikkim. The first one was average but the second one was exceptional hence the average of 4*
The two short novels give a good idea about Sikkim. The first one was average but the second one was exceptional hence the average of 4*
January 15, 2025
The book is a combination of two novellas titled an open and shut case and the king's harvest. Loved both the novellas. One of the best stories I have read lately.
December 24, 2014
This book is a compilation of two novellas, "An Open-And-Shut Case" and "The King's Harvest." Both stories take place in Sikkim, the tiny sliver of northeast India that borders Nepal, China, and Bhutan.
While the location is the same for both stories, the genre and subject matter couldn't be more different.
The first novella follows a police detective as she investigates the murder of one of her colleagues. She is crass and crude, firmly establishing and defending her rank among subordinate male officers and commanders alike. Shrestha cleverly contrasts her story with that of the accused killer and a Western tourist who wanders in and out of the narrative. By the end of the story we are so invested in the investigator's life that we care as much about resolving her crumbling marriage as we do about solving the murder.
If "An Open-And-Shut Case" is a modern Sikkimese noirish detective story, the "King's Harvest" defies convention altogether. In fact, I was more than halfway through the second novella before I was more or less sure I understood what was happening. The narrative follows a simple farmer on his way to deliver a message to the king of Sikkim, though as the story progresses, elements of time and character reliability begin to cloud the reader's sense of where they are in space and time.
Both stories are thoroughly enjoyable as stand alone pieces. Shrestha does a wonderful job of conveying the settings of his story. He is not pandering to a Western English speaking audience, however, and he leaves location names and local slang in place, leaving the reader to either parse the meaning on their own, or pause for a Google search. That said, Shrestha does not struggle with the awkward cadence and excessively flowery language that many modern Indian writers employ. His prose is measured and direct, delivering flourishes only where they are tasteful, leaving everything else clear and concise.
In all I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and am looking forward to more from Shrestha in the future. I'd particularly like to see the characters in "An Open-and-Shut Case" get fleshed out in their own full novel or series. A great book for anyone interested in the region, or for an unconventional twist to crime fiction.
http://joshuarigsby.com
While the location is the same for both stories, the genre and subject matter couldn't be more different.
The first novella follows a police detective as she investigates the murder of one of her colleagues. She is crass and crude, firmly establishing and defending her rank among subordinate male officers and commanders alike. Shrestha cleverly contrasts her story with that of the accused killer and a Western tourist who wanders in and out of the narrative. By the end of the story we are so invested in the investigator's life that we care as much about resolving her crumbling marriage as we do about solving the murder.
If "An Open-And-Shut Case" is a modern Sikkimese noirish detective story, the "King's Harvest" defies convention altogether. In fact, I was more than halfway through the second novella before I was more or less sure I understood what was happening. The narrative follows a simple farmer on his way to deliver a message to the king of Sikkim, though as the story progresses, elements of time and character reliability begin to cloud the reader's sense of where they are in space and time.
Both stories are thoroughly enjoyable as stand alone pieces. Shrestha does a wonderful job of conveying the settings of his story. He is not pandering to a Western English speaking audience, however, and he leaves location names and local slang in place, leaving the reader to either parse the meaning on their own, or pause for a Google search. That said, Shrestha does not struggle with the awkward cadence and excessively flowery language that many modern Indian writers employ. His prose is measured and direct, delivering flourishes only where they are tasteful, leaving everything else clear and concise.
In all I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and am looking forward to more from Shrestha in the future. I'd particularly like to see the characters in "An Open-and-Shut Case" get fleshed out in their own full novel or series. A great book for anyone interested in the region, or for an unconventional twist to crime fiction.
http://joshuarigsby.com
May 19, 2015
Chetan Raj Shrestha! A name to remember for times to come. The King's Harvest is one of the finest books I have read in recent times. It is a collection of two stories (novellas), An Open-and-Shut Case and The King's Harvest. The two stories share noting in common except for the location they are set in. And what a beautiful location that is. Shrestha's description of Sikkimese terrain is so detailed that you'll at once feel familiar with the settings. Apart from that there isn't much that the stories share. Yes, perhaps there is one more thing in common, they are both page turners.
An Open-and-Shut Case is the story of Kamala, the wife of Puran constable who kills her husband and hacks him into 47 pieces and then along with her daughters goes to the police station at midnight on the new year eve and surrenders. It's an open an shut case or perhaps not as Sangay OC found out. Dechen OC, Straun, Resham Firiri and the murder are interwoven to form a story that is beautifully narrated.
The King's Harvest delves into magical realism for me, not the Gabriel Garcia Marquez kind though. But it is again a beautifully narrated story and at the end of it all you'll be like "aur batao". The King's Harvest is the story of Tontem's life and his journey to Gangtok to meet the King. For 32 years Tontem has lived in isolation along with his family at Lhaizalzed and tended to the ultra-fertile fields there. Every year he sends 10% of his produce to the King through Kalia Sardar but he has gone missing for the past three years and the produce are rotting. Tontem must undertake a journey first to Yeigang to enquire about Kalia Sardar, where a surprise awaits him and then to Gangtok to meet the King and keep his honour.
Shrestha has done a top-notch job with his debut novel. Rarely will one find a debut novel written with such finesse and authority. It's a masterpiece, one that is certainly going to stand the test of time.
Recommendation: Go read it.
An Open-and-Shut Case is the story of Kamala, the wife of Puran constable who kills her husband and hacks him into 47 pieces and then along with her daughters goes to the police station at midnight on the new year eve and surrenders. It's an open an shut case or perhaps not as Sangay OC found out. Dechen OC, Straun, Resham Firiri and the murder are interwoven to form a story that is beautifully narrated.
The King's Harvest delves into magical realism for me, not the Gabriel Garcia Marquez kind though. But it is again a beautifully narrated story and at the end of it all you'll be like "aur batao". The King's Harvest is the story of Tontem's life and his journey to Gangtok to meet the King. For 32 years Tontem has lived in isolation along with his family at Lhaizalzed and tended to the ultra-fertile fields there. Every year he sends 10% of his produce to the King through Kalia Sardar but he has gone missing for the past three years and the produce are rotting. Tontem must undertake a journey first to Yeigang to enquire about Kalia Sardar, where a surprise awaits him and then to Gangtok to meet the King and keep his honour.
Shrestha has done a top-notch job with his debut novel. Rarely will one find a debut novel written with such finesse and authority. It's a masterpiece, one that is certainly going to stand the test of time.
Recommendation: Go read it.
November 4, 2014
Absolutely magnificent! After Prajjwal Parajuly (one of my school seniors), I discerned Chetan Daju's name as another author hailing from my homeland. I was dreadfully keen to peruse his work. Ergo, I initiated the book a few months back when I was on the verge of finishing jotting my first piece of fiction (a light campus novel). At that time, I was a trifle overawed by Chetan Daju's writing, so I abandoned it. However, lately, post a comprehensive manuscript-editing spree, I revisited the novel. I realized that I'd become better equipped to navigate through the seemingly intricate piece of literature. Roger, this is a literary masterpiece, unlike a majority of Indian-authored trashy books. The stylish narration, top-notch writing, the exemplary portrayal of environments & surroundings was absolutely captivating. Withal, the characters were etched out exceedingly adroitly by the author, and are given satisfactory closures. Its implausible to believe this to be a debut author's work; several established authors could be put to shame in comparison. Its a must-read for all Sikkimese; the beauteousness of the vein in which the scenic state is described is enchanting. Although this is a near-flawless novel, I, as a debut writer myself, am entitled to a few suggestions, I guess:
1. No explanation of the local language terms like 'Aila', 'Bhaila', 'Daju' etc. at least in the first reference (imperative for a non-Sikkimese reader's sake).
2. Overuse of the locution 'said'. Alternative synonyms like 'acknowledged', 'apprised', 'responded', 'vocalized', etc. could intensify the script-quality.
Withal, a marvelous debut work. 4.5 stars from my side. And Daju, please read my debut novel (provided it gets released). Thanks! All the best for your next one. Would love to read it!
1. No explanation of the local language terms like 'Aila', 'Bhaila', 'Daju' etc. at least in the first reference (imperative for a non-Sikkimese reader's sake).
2. Overuse of the locution 'said'. Alternative synonyms like 'acknowledged', 'apprised', 'responded', 'vocalized', etc. could intensify the script-quality.
Withal, a marvelous debut work. 4.5 stars from my side. And Daju, please read my debut novel (provided it gets released). Thanks! All the best for your next one. Would love to read it!
December 24, 2014
A surprisingly interesting read. I wish the novellas were longer, which means they were genuinely well written and worth reading. It makes me want to go to the northeast now more than ever. Lovely way to finish a year of reading and traveling.
June 29, 2014
Brings Sikkim alive with all the cultural nuances he's weaved in...took me back a year when I visited Sikkim for the first time....excellent debut attempt by Chetan.
September 3, 2014
Brilliant!
December 13, 2025
Original and refreshing. Beautiful descriptions and poignant word choice. A rarity in South Asian literature.
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