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A Fistful of Moonlight: New Fiction from Assam
"Tender, terrifying, and heart-rending . . . A must read" GEETANJALI SHREE, author of International Booker Prize-winning Tomb of Sand
A Fistful of Moonlight is a collection of fourteen stories that explore love, identity, politics, fantasy and a fresh take on an age-old fairy tale, transporting readers into the heart of contemporary writing from Assam.
A man is so fascinated by shoes that he sees the world through the lens of footwear. A daughter's forced death sparks generations of trauma until the family confront their curse. A young girl is liberated when she chops away her long tresses and along with them the pain of several identities. The oilfield disaster at Baghjan claims a life and a community struggles to make sense of their loss. Social taboos prevent a love match leaving emotional wounds that will last forever. A family's future is at risk when they are forced to leave their home yet again.
UNTOLD is a writer development programme for marginalised writers in areas of conflict and post-conflict. These stories are the culmination of a literary project led by Untold and BEE Books in Kolkata, and include four stories by more established Assamese writers. A companion volume to My Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women, it introduces new and diverse voices to audiences worldwide.
A Fistful of Moonlight is a collection of fourteen stories that explore love, identity, politics, fantasy and a fresh take on an age-old fairy tale, transporting readers into the heart of contemporary writing from Assam.
A man is so fascinated by shoes that he sees the world through the lens of footwear. A daughter's forced death sparks generations of trauma until the family confront their curse. A young girl is liberated when she chops away her long tresses and along with them the pain of several identities. The oilfield disaster at Baghjan claims a life and a community struggles to make sense of their loss. Social taboos prevent a love match leaving emotional wounds that will last forever. A family's future is at risk when they are forced to leave their home yet again.
UNTOLD is a writer development programme for marginalised writers in areas of conflict and post-conflict. These stories are the culmination of a literary project led by Untold and BEE Books in Kolkata, and include four stories by more established Assamese writers. A companion volume to My Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women, it introduces new and diverse voices to audiences worldwide.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 26, 2025
This short story collection was interesting only in parts, but had a keen sense of place that makes it an interesting read.
In The Captive by Harekrishna Deka, a government servant kidnapped by a separatist organization is made to move from location to location. Initially, the government servant considers the kidnappers as terrorists, but after spending time with them and also under the influence of a youth, he develops sympathy with them.
New learning
Gamosa - A towel like cloth.
[image error]
In Tejimola's stepmother found a place to get a haircut by Manaswinee Mahanta, the protagonist is known as 'Tejimola's stepdaughter' after she married a merchant and in due course of time, she even forgot her name. A person who worked for the household, loved her and had given a letter, but when the person died she got depressed, left the merchants house and shaved her head (which you usually do if your husband dies)
New learning
Mekhela Chador: a traditional dress worn by women of Assam.
[image error]
A touch of a treasure by Jintu Githartha is a queer story, where a gay man reminisces about his love life - his early attraction towards a friend who dances; his proposal to a girl, Sumi, which may have been borne due to societal pressures, but when her marriage occurs, it relieves him of the need to act his love; his attraction towards a person that might have caused him to contract AIDS.
Roots by Madhurima Barua tells the story of Jayanti who is the mother of three kids and the wife of a drunk husband. She had eloped to marry, and had then moved to Soingaon village. Once, the river Kolohi flooded and it destroyed their home, but they rebuilt their home near the lake Ouguri, but new came that the government is going to avict (sic) the villagers
New learning
Jhakoi/Khaloi -instruments to catch fish
[image error]
Lau pani/Sulai - local alcohol (rice beer)
The water spirit by Imran Hossain tells the story of Tikheroo who is married to the the beautiful Padumi, and Goroi was born just before Tikheroo died. It was rumoured that Tikheroo was killed by the water spirit and the spirit took over the form of Tikheroo to live with Padumi.
In Boots by Nirutpal Baruah, Beda Bora has a shoe fetish and was married to Nidhi Kashyap. He had a closer look at the state boot when his friend Babul who joined ULFA was captured by military. When his daughter was bothered by a person, he becomes the state.
Puhor by Ashamoni Neog tells the story of Reni and Puhor who were soulmates, even commenting amongst themselves in jest that Reni might have to change sex to be with her, but when their closeness became an issue in college Puhor shouts at her in public that forces Reni to move out. Puhor is depressed and as part of her psychiatric treatment meets Ashwash who later goes missing and with the help of Nikhil she tries to find him.
The Courtyard by Debashish Buragohain tells the story of Roop's mother, who often dreams of her husband and father in law after she moves with her son Roop and daughter-in-law Nilima to Guwahati. But understanding her issue, they decide to take her back to her house and courtyard where her memories live.
The Hunt by Purobi Bormudoi is the story of a hunting trip, where Ahmed a skillful hunter and Anmol, a youngster who has joined the hunting gang recently go to the forest. They go into the forest and shoot a deer.
Lazy by Binu das tells the story of Neena, a housewife who due to house work wasn't able to pursue her passion of writing. Her husband Arup is not being sympathetic, and always says that her laziness is what is stopping her writing. At middle age, after advise from her son and friend, she embarks on the journey again.
In Values by Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Pitambor who is a shudra is unable to birth a son, as his second wife is bedridden. He needs a heir and his thoughts pan to the widow Damayanti who is a brahmin though. When priest Krishnakanta suggests he can help, Pitambor is ready to pay money, and in the process ignores his wife.
In A Wagtail's song by Bikash Dihingia, the narrator had befriended Surya at school and was attracted to him. They are one day caught while bunking school and this made their parents to move him to Guwahati. Unable to express his emotions and attractions towards Surya, the narrator had captured the details in diary only, but as he grew up he found his friend in social media.
[image error]
In the metaphorical The buried pond by Niruja Bora, it is told to the narrator that the phukuri has no fish and the narrator doesn't know why. Once, her grandma narrates the story of how one of her daughter's wing was clipped and eventually buried near the phukuri, after she dared to marry an outsider. The narrator decides that she would allow her daughters to fly.
In The roar of baghjan by Juri Baruah, the readers are placed in the midst of an oil field in Assam that had caught fire. The situation was worsening and Joseph the Italian engineer had ordered evacuation. Protik who works with Joseph looks helpless, while their helper Munin has to sacrifice his life.
In The Captive by Harekrishna Deka, a government servant kidnapped by a separatist organization is made to move from location to location. Initially, the government servant considers the kidnappers as terrorists, but after spending time with them and also under the influence of a youth, he develops sympathy with them.
New learning
Gamosa - A towel like cloth.
[image error]
In Tejimola's stepmother found a place to get a haircut by Manaswinee Mahanta, the protagonist is known as 'Tejimola's stepdaughter' after she married a merchant and in due course of time, she even forgot her name. A person who worked for the household, loved her and had given a letter, but when the person died she got depressed, left the merchants house and shaved her head (which you usually do if your husband dies)
New learning
Mekhela Chador: a traditional dress worn by women of Assam.
[image error]
A touch of a treasure by Jintu Githartha is a queer story, where a gay man reminisces about his love life - his early attraction towards a friend who dances; his proposal to a girl, Sumi, which may have been borne due to societal pressures, but when her marriage occurs, it relieves him of the need to act his love; his attraction towards a person that might have caused him to contract AIDS.
Roots by Madhurima Barua tells the story of Jayanti who is the mother of three kids and the wife of a drunk husband. She had eloped to marry, and had then moved to Soingaon village. Once, the river Kolohi flooded and it destroyed their home, but they rebuilt their home near the lake Ouguri, but new came that the government is going to avict (sic) the villagers
New learning
Jhakoi/Khaloi -instruments to catch fish
[image error]
Lau pani/Sulai - local alcohol (rice beer)
The water spirit by Imran Hossain tells the story of Tikheroo who is married to the the beautiful Padumi, and Goroi was born just before Tikheroo died. It was rumoured that Tikheroo was killed by the water spirit and the spirit took over the form of Tikheroo to live with Padumi.
In Boots by Nirutpal Baruah, Beda Bora has a shoe fetish and was married to Nidhi Kashyap. He had a closer look at the state boot when his friend Babul who joined ULFA was captured by military. When his daughter was bothered by a person, he becomes the state.
Puhor by Ashamoni Neog tells the story of Reni and Puhor who were soulmates, even commenting amongst themselves in jest that Reni might have to change sex to be with her, but when their closeness became an issue in college Puhor shouts at her in public that forces Reni to move out. Puhor is depressed and as part of her psychiatric treatment meets Ashwash who later goes missing and with the help of Nikhil she tries to find him.
The Courtyard by Debashish Buragohain tells the story of Roop's mother, who often dreams of her husband and father in law after she moves with her son Roop and daughter-in-law Nilima to Guwahati. But understanding her issue, they decide to take her back to her house and courtyard where her memories live.
The Hunt by Purobi Bormudoi is the story of a hunting trip, where Ahmed a skillful hunter and Anmol, a youngster who has joined the hunting gang recently go to the forest. They go into the forest and shoot a deer.
Lazy by Binu das tells the story of Neena, a housewife who due to house work wasn't able to pursue her passion of writing. Her husband Arup is not being sympathetic, and always says that her laziness is what is stopping her writing. At middle age, after advise from her son and friend, she embarks on the journey again.
In Values by Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Pitambor who is a shudra is unable to birth a son, as his second wife is bedridden. He needs a heir and his thoughts pan to the widow Damayanti who is a brahmin though. When priest Krishnakanta suggests he can help, Pitambor is ready to pay money, and in the process ignores his wife.
In A Wagtail's song by Bikash Dihingia, the narrator had befriended Surya at school and was attracted to him. They are one day caught while bunking school and this made their parents to move him to Guwahati. Unable to express his emotions and attractions towards Surya, the narrator had captured the details in diary only, but as he grew up he found his friend in social media.
[image error]
In the metaphorical The buried pond by Niruja Bora, it is told to the narrator that the phukuri has no fish and the narrator doesn't know why. Once, her grandma narrates the story of how one of her daughter's wing was clipped and eventually buried near the phukuri, after she dared to marry an outsider. The narrator decides that she would allow her daughters to fly.
In The roar of baghjan by Juri Baruah, the readers are placed in the midst of an oil field in Assam that had caught fire. The situation was worsening and Joseph the Italian engineer had ordered evacuation. Protik who works with Joseph looks helpless, while their helper Munin has to sacrifice his life.
December 23, 2024
Very enjoyable short stories that give good insight and flavour to Assam.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews