What do you think?
Rate this book
Cockatoo: A Novel
‘I just loved Cockatoo ! I loved how nearly each story ends in a twist ending. I loved how this book is both hilarious and heartbreaking. Yashraj Goswami skilfully gives words to unspoken desires and demands to conform. I highly recommend it’ HANSDA SOWVENDRA SHEKHAR , author of *The Adivasi Will Not Dance * Unforeseen encounters. Blurred friendships. Teetering marriages. Twelve captivating stories bound by an unwavering desire for liberation. An unnamed young man trapped within his own existence yearns to escape his plights. Neera, a woman who is getting on in years, embarks upon an unexpected ride down memory lane, sparked by the lively ramblings of her cab driver. The hazy lines between love and friendship perplex Rishabh, an engineering student, catapulting him towards a life-altering decision ahead of a college debate. Samar and Angai, two twentysomething men connected through a dating website, struggle to make sense of their uncertain desires. Within the pages of Cockatoo , these interweaving narratives fearlessly plumb the depths of the human condition. Its characters find themselves at critical crossroads, consumed by an insatiable need to be freed from their deepest fears and stifling inhibitions even as they navigate the intricate complexities of love, loss and longing.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2023
27 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 16, 2024
Talk about unique collection of short stories.
Yashraj Goswami’s debut work is a work of art. Written in a rather interesting style, Cockatoo has twelve stories which initially appears as individual pieces until a fine thread forms out of nowhere that eventually connects them. These stories are so fluidic in nature that once you finish the first chapter, you are pulled into the gentle flow of the book, finding it impossible to stop reading. The characters all seem like your next door neighbours, or someone you may have already encountered making it so easy to connect with them. But most importantly, it is the theme of the stories that makes this book a winner. From beautifully and achingly showcasing what it feels like to be a homosexual in this country to being a part of both simple and complex relationships, Goswami has nailed it all.
But what takes the cake is the surprise element that the author cleverly slips into these stories. Right from the first story until the last one, one can’t predict the turn the book takes or the decisions that the characters make. And this undertone of tension and unpredictability continues until the final chapter. We see multiple characters trying to survive the world, each battling their own challenges when we get to witness their lives collide in the most profound manner. It was only when I reached midway through the book did I realise how talented and creative the author’s mind truly was.
I’m not kidding when I say that I haven’t read anything like this ever before. And to think that Cockatoo is @mubble.fubbles ‘s debut work is stupefyingly genius. I cannot recommend this enough and if you love short stories then this one should definitely be on your list.
Thank you for the review copy @panmacmillanindia ✨🏳️🌈
Yashraj Goswami’s debut work is a work of art. Written in a rather interesting style, Cockatoo has twelve stories which initially appears as individual pieces until a fine thread forms out of nowhere that eventually connects them. These stories are so fluidic in nature that once you finish the first chapter, you are pulled into the gentle flow of the book, finding it impossible to stop reading. The characters all seem like your next door neighbours, or someone you may have already encountered making it so easy to connect with them. But most importantly, it is the theme of the stories that makes this book a winner. From beautifully and achingly showcasing what it feels like to be a homosexual in this country to being a part of both simple and complex relationships, Goswami has nailed it all.
But what takes the cake is the surprise element that the author cleverly slips into these stories. Right from the first story until the last one, one can’t predict the turn the book takes or the decisions that the characters make. And this undertone of tension and unpredictability continues until the final chapter. We see multiple characters trying to survive the world, each battling their own challenges when we get to witness their lives collide in the most profound manner. It was only when I reached midway through the book did I realise how talented and creative the author’s mind truly was.
I’m not kidding when I say that I haven’t read anything like this ever before. And to think that Cockatoo is @mubble.fubbles ‘s debut work is stupefyingly genius. I cannot recommend this enough and if you love short stories then this one should definitely be on your list.
Thank you for the review copy @panmacmillanindia ✨🏳️🌈
January 2, 2025
A solid, well-written collection of interconnected stories that loop, wind, cross, and weave a tricky web of surprise and deceit. Spread across twelve stories that deal with strange connections, unusual friendships, cheating spouses, sprouting love, running from intimacy and other elements tied to desire, the collection put emphasis on the unexpectedness of life, particularly of endings that ranged from surprising to tragic.
There is enough in the way of questionable morality/ethics that made me wonder if the characters were doing right by themselves. The complicated ways in which people decide to concede to conformity is something worth pondering. I tend to be critical of closeted queer men that marry women for samaaj mei izzat, and this novel touched well on how their decision ripples through those around them. It is an issue that I find myself reacting with little sympathy, I confess.
There is enough in the way of questionable morality/ethics that made me wonder if the characters were doing right by themselves. The complicated ways in which people decide to concede to conformity is something worth pondering. I tend to be critical of closeted queer men that marry women for samaaj mei izzat, and this novel touched well on how their decision ripples through those around them. It is an issue that I find myself reacting with little sympathy, I confess.
May 5, 2025
Embracing your sexuality was deemed natural in the ancient age when homosexuality was openly sculpted into statues that you can still find at Konark temple, Sri Virupaksha temple, Khajuraho temples, and many others. But then came heteronormativity which rejected and punished people who chose to follow any contradicting desires. We have definitely progressed a lot since then but they're still an "other" in the eyes of many. Yashraj Goswami gives voice to these "others" in his short story compilation Cockatoo. They're the leading characters in these stories and not some side characters added on for comic relief.
While reading this book, I couldn't help but think how homosexual people are often put into a box where their main and only characteristic is being queer, where they're identified only by their sexuality. "Do you remember [name]?" "Oh that gay person?" This story reminds us that there is more to their characters than just sexuality. They are also humans who have different beliefs, opinions, and very varied lifestyles. This book is a very character-based story and it expresses how different people handle their sexualities. While characters like Angai never hesitate to shout from the rooftops and embrace themselves for who they are, others like Karthik have to remain in the closet to fit society's standards in the fear of shaming their entire family. Some hide behind toxic masculinity while others struggle to bear the burden of their desires. However, there were too many characters to remember and some didn't get an appropriate ending (which may be the short story format but I didn't enjoy it), and that left me a little dissatisfied. Overall, an important book handling topics that need to be discussed and seen from new perspectives.
Thank you @panmacmillanindia for the review copy.
While reading this book, I couldn't help but think how homosexual people are often put into a box where their main and only characteristic is being queer, where they're identified only by their sexuality. "Do you remember [name]?" "Oh that gay person?" This story reminds us that there is more to their characters than just sexuality. They are also humans who have different beliefs, opinions, and very varied lifestyles. This book is a very character-based story and it expresses how different people handle their sexualities. While characters like Angai never hesitate to shout from the rooftops and embrace themselves for who they are, others like Karthik have to remain in the closet to fit society's standards in the fear of shaming their entire family. Some hide behind toxic masculinity while others struggle to bear the burden of their desires. However, there were too many characters to remember and some didn't get an appropriate ending (which may be the short story format but I didn't enjoy it), and that left me a little dissatisfied. Overall, an important book handling topics that need to be discussed and seen from new perspectives.
Thank you @panmacmillanindia for the review copy.
September 3, 2023
An explosion of emotions is what the book Cockatoo by Yashraj Goswami is.
With a colourful and drawing cover, the reader is provided with an apt depiction of what experience they are going to provided with while reading the book.
A novel with twelve stories which are separate yet interlinked is what Cockatoo provides you with. Stories that will draw you towards one path but by the conclusion the ground beneath the feet of the reader will be snatched away, virtually, of course. This uncertainty towards the conclusion of the stories make the reading enjoyable even though you might be left with certain uneasiness and a lingering feeling of silliness. It's a good book and writing if it's able to evoke specific emotions in the reader.
The writing is based on the underlying themes of the characters finding themselves, navigating through life and it's circumstances, figuring out their way through relationships and desires. All the stories were very realistic. We've seen the characters of these stories in our daily lives but just haven't paused and listened to their stories.
There were two three tales with which as a reader, I was not able to connect to. The rest were wonderful. The ones I enjoyed the most were:
• The Invitation
• Score
• The Anniversary
• Swipe, Kiss, Repeat
Cockatoo provides a relatively new perspective on short stories and reading. This would be a good choice for readers to pick up and enjoy on a Sunday evening.
With a colourful and drawing cover, the reader is provided with an apt depiction of what experience they are going to provided with while reading the book.
A novel with twelve stories which are separate yet interlinked is what Cockatoo provides you with. Stories that will draw you towards one path but by the conclusion the ground beneath the feet of the reader will be snatched away, virtually, of course. This uncertainty towards the conclusion of the stories make the reading enjoyable even though you might be left with certain uneasiness and a lingering feeling of silliness. It's a good book and writing if it's able to evoke specific emotions in the reader.
The writing is based on the underlying themes of the characters finding themselves, navigating through life and it's circumstances, figuring out their way through relationships and desires. All the stories were very realistic. We've seen the characters of these stories in our daily lives but just haven't paused and listened to their stories.
There were two three tales with which as a reader, I was not able to connect to. The rest were wonderful. The ones I enjoyed the most were:
• The Invitation
• Score
• The Anniversary
• Swipe, Kiss, Repeat
Cockatoo provides a relatively new perspective on short stories and reading. This would be a good choice for readers to pick up and enjoy on a Sunday evening.
August 26, 2023
One of the best and unique books that I ever read.
The book contained several stories that were different from each other but still connected to each other. While reading this book, I was eager to find this connection.
Also, the book talked in detail about homosexuality and it gave the best representation to the couples in the story.
The book had suspense as well as it made me think. That is one of the reason why I loved this book this much. Instead of just entertaining, it made me think and wonder what might have happened.
Overall, this is a great book that one mustn't miss reading!
The book contained several stories that were different from each other but still connected to each other. While reading this book, I was eager to find this connection.
Also, the book talked in detail about homosexuality and it gave the best representation to the couples in the story.
The book had suspense as well as it made me think. That is one of the reason why I loved this book this much. Instead of just entertaining, it made me think and wonder what might have happened.
Overall, this is a great book that one mustn't miss reading!
July 31, 2024
3.5 rounded to 4.
August 30, 2023
ɴᴀᴍᴇ : ᴄᴏᴄᴋᴀᴛᴏᴏ
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : ʏᴀꜱʜʀᴀᴊ ɢᴏꜱᴡᴀᴍɪ
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ : ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ, ʟɢʙᴛQ
🥇
Blurb : A man on the verge of jumping out of his seventh-floor window; a woman’s intriguing encounter with a cab driver late at night; a young couple’s dilemma between marriage and infidelity; an eight-year-old girl struggling with the burden of abuse and trauma; two men attempting to come to terms with their love for each other. Among these and many more interlocking, interweaving stories, Cockatoo creates its own world of characters – painting an arresting picture of the fragility of emotions and the nuances of human relationships.
My 💭:
Another golden read in the same week! Eeeek I am on a roll 🤩! And this book is a perfect example of why you should not judge a book's genre by its name.
Okay, so the first thing I noticed about this book (and had made a point to write it in my review 🤭) is that it smells AMAZING. I know you are thinking that this girl has officially lost her mind, but it's 100% true. I read sooo many books, but this one's smell hits different 🤤.
Now, for the book itself, it is, simply put, a gem. Who knew that our surrounding common people's stories can feel this much refreshing and educative? I am forever indebted to Bookstagram for making me cross paths with this book, otherwise I would have never read this book or discovered the author.
This book might seem like a collection of unrelated short stories with twisty endings. Yes the twisty endings got me interested, but midway through the book, when I realised everything is interconnected, I was HOOKED! I mean that's how it is IRL, we are all inter connected somehow without us knowing.
The characters were SO well written and it was so intriguing to read the stories from the pov of so many LGBTQ characters and their struggles in this crushing conservative society (India, when will you grow up?). I thought forbidden love had an exciting factor, but I never knew it hid THIS much pain.
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : ʏᴀꜱʜʀᴀᴊ ɢᴏꜱᴡᴀᴍɪ
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ : ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ, ʟɢʙᴛQ
🥇
Blurb : A man on the verge of jumping out of his seventh-floor window; a woman’s intriguing encounter with a cab driver late at night; a young couple’s dilemma between marriage and infidelity; an eight-year-old girl struggling with the burden of abuse and trauma; two men attempting to come to terms with their love for each other. Among these and many more interlocking, interweaving stories, Cockatoo creates its own world of characters – painting an arresting picture of the fragility of emotions and the nuances of human relationships.
My 💭:
Another golden read in the same week! Eeeek I am on a roll 🤩! And this book is a perfect example of why you should not judge a book's genre by its name.
Okay, so the first thing I noticed about this book (and had made a point to write it in my review 🤭) is that it smells AMAZING. I know you are thinking that this girl has officially lost her mind, but it's 100% true. I read sooo many books, but this one's smell hits different 🤤.
Now, for the book itself, it is, simply put, a gem. Who knew that our surrounding common people's stories can feel this much refreshing and educative? I am forever indebted to Bookstagram for making me cross paths with this book, otherwise I would have never read this book or discovered the author.
This book might seem like a collection of unrelated short stories with twisty endings. Yes the twisty endings got me interested, but midway through the book, when I realised everything is interconnected, I was HOOKED! I mean that's how it is IRL, we are all inter connected somehow without us knowing.
The characters were SO well written and it was so intriguing to read the stories from the pov of so many LGBTQ characters and their struggles in this crushing conservative society (India, when will you grow up?). I thought forbidden love had an exciting factor, but I never knew it hid THIS much pain.
August 25, 2023
Cockatoo is a compilation of 12 interweaving short stories. All contemporary, covering a myriad of social issues like, rampant colorism in India, transphobia, LGBTQ+ people and the weight of the suffocating secrets they endure. At first glance they might seem regular stories of regular people, which I'm not denying of course. In this book regular people - people like us and those we see around us - are made extraordinary by one Yashraj Goswami and his ability to weave masterful plots. Every single story made me pause and think back to the lines i just read, connecting the dots, savouring every word and thought it evoked.
I loved Cockatoo. It also broke my heart with each story. I mourned for the innocence lost, betrayed trusts and weary acceptance. Because of its complex characters and their questionable ethics, Cockatoo is all the more realistic. Each story comes with a twist, bittersweet endings give way to devastating ones if you read the stories serially. And you must read it in order, the plot twists wouldn't make sense otherwise.
There's a strange undercurrent in this book, like you can feel the crushing weight of being alive. Life is hard and there's no one better to solidify that notion other than a well rounded character going through the hurdles of life. Characters like Angai, Pranav, Chandar really jump off the page. Cockatoo is heartbreakingly real and that's why it's so good.
It's hard to imagine that Cockatoo is Yashraj Goswami's debut novel. In his book, he skillfully navigates the intricacies of friendships, desires and chance encounters. If you're reading only one book by an Indian author this year, make sure that it's this one. Highly recommended.
August 25, 2023
🦜It sure is a pleasing experience when a book surprises you with its content and taps on all the right emotional spots.
🦜‘Cockatoo’ is one such book, which with its collection of 12 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩-𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 and 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙠𝙮 stories takes you on an emotional and fulfilling ride.
🦜From the very first story, the author’s writing prowess and witty storytelling, caught my attention and I knew that this book was going to be a read worth cherishing!
🦜What appealed to me the most in this 12 story anthology, was the fact of how beautifully the most 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 are brought forward and of how the most 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 that we all harbour at some point in our lives in various forms and intensities, is showcased transparently in all of these thought-provoking stories.
🦜Finishing this book left me with a sense of mixed emotions, with 𝙨𝙖𝙙𝙣𝙚����𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.
🦜I truly had a great time reading this book and I would most definitely recommend each one of you to give it a shot; it won’t disappoint you!
🦜P.S. Don’t you think the cover of this book is stunning? I believe it speaks volumes and showcases the various layers of human emotions 💕
🦜‘Cockatoo’ is one such book, which with its collection of 12 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩-𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 and 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙠𝙮 stories takes you on an emotional and fulfilling ride.
🦜From the very first story, the author’s writing prowess and witty storytelling, caught my attention and I knew that this book was going to be a read worth cherishing!
🦜What appealed to me the most in this 12 story anthology, was the fact of how beautifully the most 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 are brought forward and of how the most 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 that we all harbour at some point in our lives in various forms and intensities, is showcased transparently in all of these thought-provoking stories.
🦜Finishing this book left me with a sense of mixed emotions, with 𝙨𝙖𝙙𝙣𝙚����𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.
🦜I truly had a great time reading this book and I would most definitely recommend each one of you to give it a shot; it won’t disappoint you!
🦜P.S. Don’t you think the cover of this book is stunning? I believe it speaks volumes and showcases the various layers of human emotions 💕
August 30, 2023
Cockatoo is a collection of twelve riveting stories that showcase the lives of a motley of characters unified in their quest for liberation amidst the chaos that fetters them.
As distanced as they may be on social, cultural and gender spectrum, their lives fuse together in this compelling interplay between desires and inhibitions, emotions and pragmatism, life and death.
The interconnectedness, in addition to lending a cohesion to the stories, lays a solid foundation for a detailed and deft exploration of intra- and inter-personal relationships and conflicts.
With plots that are effortlessly gripping and writing that is surprisingly addictive, this book is a skilfully nuanced dive into the many conundrums that punctuate life in the modern Indian society.
While the author weaves several themes into the narrative, it’s his keen yet kind, incisive yet artful portrayal of homosexuality that is the most deserving of admiration.
Written with remarkable finesse, this book is one of the best specimen of Indian YA literature I have read in a very long time.
I loved reading it and I’m sure you will too.
As distanced as they may be on social, cultural and gender spectrum, their lives fuse together in this compelling interplay between desires and inhibitions, emotions and pragmatism, life and death.
The interconnectedness, in addition to lending a cohesion to the stories, lays a solid foundation for a detailed and deft exploration of intra- and inter-personal relationships and conflicts.
With plots that are effortlessly gripping and writing that is surprisingly addictive, this book is a skilfully nuanced dive into the many conundrums that punctuate life in the modern Indian society.
While the author weaves several themes into the narrative, it’s his keen yet kind, incisive yet artful portrayal of homosexuality that is the most deserving of admiration.
Written with remarkable finesse, this book is one of the best specimen of Indian YA literature I have read in a very long time.
I loved reading it and I’m sure you will too.
September 11, 2023
Cockatoo by Yashraj Goswami presents twelve passionate stories about love, loss, identity and the complexities of human relationships.
Cockatoo is an anthology of twelve captivating stories bound by an unwavering desire for liberation. Within the pages of Cockatoo, these interweaving narratives fearlessly plumb the depths of the human condition.
Its characters find themselves at critical crossroads, consumed by an insatiable need to be freed from their deepest fears and stifling inhibitions even as they navigate the intricate complexities of love, loss and longing.
You will find an unnamed young man trapped within his own existence yearns to escape his plights. Neera, a woman who is getting on in years, embarks upon an unexpected ride down memory lane, sparked by the lively ramblings of her cab driver.
The hazy lines between love and friendship perplex Rishabh, an engineering student, catapulting him towards a life-altering decision ahead of a college debate. Samar and Angai, two twentysomething men connected through a dating website, struggle to make sense of their uncertain desires.
I enjoyed it but I expected a little more from this.
Cockatoo is an anthology of twelve captivating stories bound by an unwavering desire for liberation. Within the pages of Cockatoo, these interweaving narratives fearlessly plumb the depths of the human condition.
Its characters find themselves at critical crossroads, consumed by an insatiable need to be freed from their deepest fears and stifling inhibitions even as they navigate the intricate complexities of love, loss and longing.
You will find an unnamed young man trapped within his own existence yearns to escape his plights. Neera, a woman who is getting on in years, embarks upon an unexpected ride down memory lane, sparked by the lively ramblings of her cab driver.
The hazy lines between love and friendship perplex Rishabh, an engineering student, catapulting him towards a life-altering decision ahead of a college debate. Samar and Angai, two twentysomething men connected through a dating website, struggle to make sense of their uncertain desires.
I enjoyed it but I expected a little more from this.
September 17, 2023
I loved this book! Each story ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, that just makes it even more intriguing! All the stories are interconnected, so as you read each story, it is fascinating to discover the connection with the characters in the previous stories. It feels so satisfying once you're able to make the connection.
The book has great LGBTQIA+ representation. It talks about people who are a part of this community and how they are also people just like everyone else, but have to face so many problems in the society.
It was such a compulsive read, I couldn't put it down. Every time I was doing anything other than reading it, I was wondering when I could get back to it.
All in all, it is a fantastic book, I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a book to be hooked on to.
The book has great LGBTQIA+ representation. It talks about people who are a part of this community and how they are also people just like everyone else, but have to face so many problems in the society.
It was such a compulsive read, I couldn't put it down. Every time I was doing anything other than reading it, I was wondering when I could get back to it.
All in all, it is a fantastic book, I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a book to be hooked on to.
August 30, 2023
Twelve tales of human emotions that sometimes have a crazy twist that will make you pull at your hair or throw the book away but then you pick it up again and resume the reading.
The book begins with ‘The Invitation’ which has such a middle-class-mom-like twist that you can’t really accept it even though you know that’s exactly how it was going to go. Yashraj @mubble.fubbles has a way of pulling the reader’s imagination from their own presumptuous notions of a ‘twist’ into reality land.
These stories swim in the human emotions and play with the reader’s mind, letting us drift one way and then yank us back towards the end that the author wants for his characters.
The book begins with ‘The Invitation’ which has such a middle-class-mom-like twist that you can’t really accept it even though you know that’s exactly how it was going to go. Yashraj @mubble.fubbles has a way of pulling the reader’s imagination from their own presumptuous notions of a ‘twist’ into reality land.
These stories swim in the human emotions and play with the reader’s mind, letting us drift one way and then yank us back towards the end that the author wants for his characters.
August 30, 2023
Every single story, all the characters are so deeply and well written that it made me hooked and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. It's a perfect book to take you to the world the author creates, a world where you feel included and hopeful. It's a mix of love, desires, happiness, humor, heart break and I can't even find words to describe its beauty. It's a journey, an enthralling one indeed.
With an amazing blend and integration of characters in every story, this book made me feel I am not alone, it gave me clarity and hope in certain aspects of life, that’s the amount of value it holds. A must read!
With an amazing blend and integration of characters in every story, this book made me feel I am not alone, it gave me clarity and hope in certain aspects of life, that’s the amount of value it holds. A must read!
December 13, 2024
This book has my heart!
July 9, 2025
A collection of interconnected short stories exploring various themes will leave you crave for more.
June 23, 2025
”Our vices, however universal have some distinct flavour that manifests uniquely.”
- Yashraj Goswami, Cockatoo
Neera’s thoughts wandered lingering a little longer at the memories of her deceased husband, Kishor when she was travelling in a cab. Anirban is increasingly discontent in his marriage by his controlling wife, Aditi.
As the lives of Neera, Aditi, Anirban and others intertwine, the readers will find new found perspective to view their characters.
The characters in the book feel suffocated in life though they are trapped in a cage of their own desires. Their perspectives depicted through other personalities is what makes them very human. Yashraj Goswami delicately interweaves the urban stories with a lyrical sensitivity, revealing the beauty hidden in the mundane and the profound in the overlooked moments. His love for nature is evident by detailed portrayals and their usage as a metaphor to describe his protagonist’s true intentions. The unconventional narratives uncover intricate complexities that are often swept under the carpet.
’Unruly Sun’ is a poignant tale of two individuals belonging to the LGBTQI+ community - Samar coming into terms with his bisexuality and Angai, a feisty human who has embraced his identity. The sun playing tricks with their tender moments of intimacy is elegantly sketched.
’Cockatoo’ by Yashraj Goswami is a delicate examination of gender, identity and sexuality exploring the nuanced intersections between personal expression and societal expectation. The queer theme that runs through the stories instils a belief that the stories of their community are not only heard but are loved too.
- Yashraj Goswami, Cockatoo
Neera’s thoughts wandered lingering a little longer at the memories of her deceased husband, Kishor when she was travelling in a cab. Anirban is increasingly discontent in his marriage by his controlling wife, Aditi.
As the lives of Neera, Aditi, Anirban and others intertwine, the readers will find new found perspective to view their characters.
The characters in the book feel suffocated in life though they are trapped in a cage of their own desires. Their perspectives depicted through other personalities is what makes them very human. Yashraj Goswami delicately interweaves the urban stories with a lyrical sensitivity, revealing the beauty hidden in the mundane and the profound in the overlooked moments. His love for nature is evident by detailed portrayals and their usage as a metaphor to describe his protagonist’s true intentions. The unconventional narratives uncover intricate complexities that are often swept under the carpet.
’Unruly Sun’ is a poignant tale of two individuals belonging to the LGBTQI+ community - Samar coming into terms with his bisexuality and Angai, a feisty human who has embraced his identity. The sun playing tricks with their tender moments of intimacy is elegantly sketched.
’Cockatoo’ by Yashraj Goswami is a delicate examination of gender, identity and sexuality exploring the nuanced intersections between personal expression and societal expectation. The queer theme that runs through the stories instils a belief that the stories of their community are not only heard but are loved too.
June 13, 2025
I finished reading this gem a few days ago, yet I found myself at a loss for words to convey my thoughts immediately after finishing it. I took time to let this paperback sink in. Cockatoo, seemingly a collection of short stories, goes beyond the concept of a novel. It features diverse characters and narratives, all set in ordinary Indian surroundings. It highlights the profound spectrum of emotions and experiences that characterize everyday life.
It's remarkable how authentically the author portrays these themes, given that our society tends to sweep anything unconventional under the rug. A significant part of society, including anxious and conservative Indian youth, remains closed to discussing or destigmatizing natural aspects of life, like desire, sex, sexuality, dating, non-binary gender identity, mental health, and the stigma surrounding infertility. While acknowledging that change is underway, I feel that the pace of this transformation is not ideal, and any halt in progress could regress us to where we began. Goswami also sheds light on critical issues like divorce, barriers to quality healthcare for trans people, domestic violence, and police brutality.
In this debut masterpiece, the author demonstrates exceptional storytelling skills and accomplishes a commendable feat in stirring the depths of the reader's mind with thought-provoking narratives. These stories deserve to be read and retold, for they carry significant impact and offer validation to the diverse and queer experiences they portray.
Read the full review on my blog - https://bit.ly/46WnPOV
It's remarkable how authentically the author portrays these themes, given that our society tends to sweep anything unconventional under the rug. A significant part of society, including anxious and conservative Indian youth, remains closed to discussing or destigmatizing natural aspects of life, like desire, sex, sexuality, dating, non-binary gender identity, mental health, and the stigma surrounding infertility. While acknowledging that change is underway, I feel that the pace of this transformation is not ideal, and any halt in progress could regress us to where we began. Goswami also sheds light on critical issues like divorce, barriers to quality healthcare for trans people, domestic violence, and police brutality.
In this debut masterpiece, the author demonstrates exceptional storytelling skills and accomplishes a commendable feat in stirring the depths of the reader's mind with thought-provoking narratives. These stories deserve to be read and retold, for they carry significant impact and offer validation to the diverse and queer experiences they portray.
Read the full review on my blog - https://bit.ly/46WnPOV
February 23, 2025
Yashraj Goswami‘s "Cockatoo" — the last book I read in 2024 — is an astonishingly clever and confident debut! The novel, a mélange of twelve interlocking narratives, ringing with wit and humor and unexpected moments of pathos as each character grapples with uncomfortable truths about their desires, is skilly composed — poetically imagined yet remarkably restrained. I was swayed by its rhythms, amused by its purposeful ambiguity (which heightened the mood, making the characters and their peregrinations endearing), and charmed by the surprising freshness that is the hallmark of a debut author.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews