Leech and Other Stories

by Ranjan Adiga

Leech dives into the stories and lives of contemporary Nepalis struggling to belong to new worlds. In Kathmandu, they are caught between tradition and progress. In America, it is no different.

A leech caught inside a man’s nostril reveals fissures of class; a middle-aged Nepali man tries to come to terms with his sexuality in a deeply conventional social system; a professor worries about his immigrant status; a young couple try to bridge the silences in their relationship after moving to America.

Each story explores the distance between home and abroad, desire and reality, allegiance and treachery.

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Elsa Rajan Pradhananga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leech and other stories by Ranjan Adiga – my first read of 2025 and now one of my favorite English books by a Nepali author. The collection of ten short stories explores immigrant experiences, the loneliness we feel and the struggles we encounter in our attempts to truly belong.

The stories are so relatable. They reminded me of many people I know and got me a step closer to comprehending the complexities they may have navigated to get to where they are now.

During my commute every day, I savored exactly one precious story a day because they're all emotionally heavy and often put me through quiet introspection. Adiga is so good with words that the crushing pressure of expectations is almost palpable, the sound of muted doubts echoes and amplified fears left my heart thudding loudly long afterward. I'm so in love with this book, especially because it made me confront uncomfortable feelings I had long trained my heart to avert. And all this in a world where every choice feels like a trade-off. My fave in the collection was Student Visa.

The book is a must-read for anyone caught between two lands, two selves or two futures.

[Saswata Guha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Leech and Other Stories
Author: Ranjan Adiga
Publisher: Penguin Random House India
Published: 2024
Genre: Fiction-Short Stories
ISBN: 9789357318211
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

In his debut collection "Leech and Other Stories," Ranjan Adiga skillfully wields the leech, deftly attaching his readers to the captivating narratives and drawing them deep into the intricacies of his storytelling craft. The anthology comprises of 10 short stories delving into the experiences of Nepalis navigating unfamiliar territories.

Let us delve into few stories without any spoilers:

Sameer and Puja, a newlywed couple who have recently uprooted their lives from Nepal to pursue the American dream. However, their transition to the land of opportunity is far from smooth sailing. Struggling to find their footing among the affluent Nepali expat community, they soon realize that life in America is not the glamorous paradise they envisioned. The author vividly portrays the challenges faced by Sameer and Puja as they navigate the complexities of adapting to life in America. Through their experiences, readers witness the stark contrast between their initial hopes and the harsh realities of immigrant life. The tension between their traditional upbringing and the liberal values of their new environment adds depth to their struggle, ultimately highlighting the universal themes of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of happiness.

In a separate narrative, Ranjan Adiga delves into the lives of Nepali migrants and African refugees toiling in the shadows of the restaurant industry, where they find solace in sharing tales of their homelands, struggles with visas, legal woes, and aspirations for the future. The fragility of their existence becomes painfully apparent when they are forced to seek refuge from immigration authorities in the cramped confines of a restaurant restroom. Through their experiences, Adiga underscores the complex reality that Nepalis often do not neatly fit into the immigrant narrative, overlooked due to their country's obscurity and frequently misidentified as Indian by those unfamiliar with their unique cultural identity.

Another immaculately depicted human relationship story about an alcoholic father who visits his recently divorced son Nirmal in America after 20 years. Amidst the palpable tension and awkward silences, they find solace in the familiar embrace of alcohol, using it as a makeshift bridge to navigate the vast chasm of their differences. Despite their attempts to bridge the gap between their contrasting worlds and societal expectations, they soon come to the realization that some divides are simply too deep to mend.

There are some stories based on Nepal, "Leech" from where the book takes it name, unfurls the narrative of Ram, a migrant hailing from the hinterlands near the Indian border. His path intersects with that of a privileged, cosmopolitan student from the urban landscape, sparking an unlikely camaraderie. His rustic accent and provincial attire serve as constant reminders of his outsider status in the sophisticated milieu of Kathmandu.

Another story depicts plight of Sanjay, a bright student on the cusp of realizing his American dream with a partial scholarship awaiting him at a prestigious university. As he anxiously awaits his visa interview, he finds himself burdened by the weight of familial expectations resting heavily upon his shoulders. Amidst the flurry of well-meaning but often misguided advice from friends and relatives, Sanjay must sift through a labyrinth of conflicting counsel on how to navigate the pivotal interview process.

The anthology introduces characters like Sarita, a recent convert to Christianity, battling to carve out her identity in the corporate world of banking. Then there's Ma, a disillusioned homemaker struggling to rein in her defiant teenager while grappling with the unfulfilled promises of her own life. Iqbal, a skilled barber and masseur from the outskirts near the Indian border, navigating the bustling streets of Kathmandu far from his familiar surroundings. His clash with Krishna, one of his clients, exposes the clash of cultural norms and notions of propriety.

From the author's perspective, this collection represents a mosaic of human experiences, each story a poignant exploration of characters navigating profound personal transformations. Individually, these narratives offer compelling and often emotionally charged glimpses into the lives of individuals facing significant upheavals. However, when viewed collectively, they serve as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of migration on the collective psyche. Through the lens of migration, both as a physical journey and a longing for change, the author invites readers to contemplate themes of identity, belonging, and the universal quest for a better life.

Readers should dive into this book for its rich tapestry of storytelling that delves into the depths of the human experience. Each narrative is a gem in its own right, offering compelling insights into characters from diverse backgrounds facing profound personal challenges. From the struggles of migrants adapting to new worlds to the quiet battles fought within the confines of everyday life, this collection resonates with authenticity and emotional depth.

Deserving of a five-star rating, this book captivates readers with its evocative prose, nuanced characterizations, and thought-provoking themes. It not only entertains but also enlightens, offering a window into the complexities of the human condition. Whether it's the raw emotion of a father-son reunion or the quiet resilience of a woman finding her place in a male-dominated world, each story leaves an indelible mark on the reader's soul.

Moreover, this book transcends cultural boundaries, inviting readers from all walks of life to connect with its universal themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. It is a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge divides and foster empathy in an increasingly fragmented world. In short, this book is a masterpiece deserving of the highest praise, and readers would be remiss to overlook its profound impact.

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[Deotima Sarkar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranjan Adiga's crisp, evocative prose in his debut collection, Leech and Other Stories, nails readers to its stories as relentlessly as its titular creature. This collection of 10 short stories gives a deep exploration of the lives of Nepalis in unfamiliar territories and becomes a sweeping portrait of the immigrant experience.
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The title story, Leech, is the leading tone-setter of this book. It is a story of Ram, a migrant, whose friendship with one of the privileged students in Kathmandu courses through class and cultural disparity. This narrative sets the focus of the collection: identity and belonging.
Another strong story is that of newlywed and groom Sameer and Puja, chasing the American dream—showing how reality defers to expectation and how difficult it may be to adjust to a new culture. This tension between their very conservative upbringing and the liberal values of American society is almost palpable over their struggle.
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In another story, the strongly bonding Nepali migration into the restaurant business across the African refugee community faces a tested moment of camradierie as immigration authorities force them into hiding—an indication of how precarious their lives are and how invisible their unique cultural identities have remained.
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There's a particularly touching story of an alcoholic father who goes to America to visit his son, who has just been divorced, after 20 years of separation. It is a rotten relationship with both of them finding fragile bonding in shared drinks, tellingly inside of a lawyers' office, to underline how deep the divisions in families can be.
One story follows Sarita, a neo-Christian into the corporate world, while another is that of Iqbal, the barber from the borderlands, who struggles in the heart of bustling Kathmandu with cultural norms. Both stories reflect the broader struggles of migration and identity.
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Leech and Other Stories is a deft exploration of the Nepali immigrant experience, raw with emotion and subtle in character and language. A readable collection definitely.
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[The Indian Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

A meticulously crafted collection of short stories, in my humble opinion, is much like Forrest Gump’s life (as well as our own since we often hold stakes in the shared profession of living too), which is to say it is much like a box of chocolates.

You never know what you’re gonna get.

The book 'Leech and Other Stories’ by Nepali-American writer Ranjan Adiga, as it happens, works to enforce just that. It brings forth an intelligent and delicate curation of a multitude of episodes examining the triumphs, ambitions and failings of the human condition, and in doing so, it evokes such varied folds of emotions that each story comes as a piquant surprise just when you think you have the narrative down pat.

While the writing style is decidedly straightforward and incredibly readable, the book does find itself stuttering and floundering a little through its initial few footfalls as it lays down the groundwork for the varied accounts of contemporary Nepali lives – the bittersweet experience of migrants – their struggles, desires and tribulations – before making a neat segue into a literary experience that strikes an intriguing balance between the unnerving and the heart-warming.

When I first picked up the book, my interest was built predominantly on the shoulders of my fascination with the eponymous short story of a man discovering a leech stuck in his nostril hours before a job interview. Once I finished the collection, though, I was surprised by how little of that particularly macabre preoccupation I was left with in the end. What stayed, instead, was the indelible struggle of a man caught in the whirlwind of glaring prejudices. What struck a surprising chord with me was the endearing image of a mother drunk on joy, dancing with careless abandon. What thrummed in a sad dissonance was the anguish of a son simmering in pools of addiction, conflicted in his need to look to his father for help but not knowing how.

Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...

[Falguni Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how the author uses the overlapping theme of tradition and modernity, painting a vivid picture of the cultural and emotional struggles faced by Nepalis both at home and abroad.

In “Denver”, the author explores the dynamics of an arranged marriage between Sameer, an introverted traditionalist, and Pooja, an extroverted modern woman. The story highlights their attempts to reconcile their contrasting personalities and adapt to life in America, a land vastly different from their native Nepal. This narrative illustrates the broader theme of cultural dislocation and the tension between personal desires and societal expectations.

The titular story, “Leech”, uses the metaphor of a leech trapped in a man’s nostril to uncover the deep-seated class divisions in Nepalese society. This tale reminded me of the film “Parasite” as it talks about how social hierarchies can persist even in a modern world.

“Spicy Kitchen” addresses the pervasive issue of racism, both within Nepal and globally. The author’s portrayal is a stark reminder of the universal struggle against discrimination and the fight for dignity.

“Kali” stands out as a tender story about an adopted dog, offering a simpler yet emotionally resonant glimpse into themes of companionship and acceptance.

“A Short Visit” and “Student Visa” are particularly relatable, shedding light on the personal and professional challenges faced by immigrants and the pursuit of dreams amidst cultural and familial pressures.

“A Haircut and Massage” and “High Heels” further delve into the intimate struggles of religion and self-acceptance in a patriarchal society.

The author’s writing style is intimate and evocative, drawing readers into the nuanced worlds of his characters. Each story takes the reader through not only the lives of Nepali characters but humanity around the world, making “Leech and Other Stories” a thought-provoking read.

[Aparna Prabhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

”In America, the arguments dissipate into thin air, leaving their residue in the walls and on their bed.”

- Ranjan Adiga, Leech and other stories

A young couple Nepali immigrant couple in America try to bridge their differences post marriage. The sexual tension between them and a need for fitting in the upper class society was palpable.

Ranjan Adiga conducts a sensitive investigation on love, sense of belonging, alienation weighing in on the societal expectations that plague the families in Nepal. For instance, in ’Kali’, a sterilization scheme was in place to wipe out the entire canine population. A housewife whose opinions were subdued finds her voice when a stray walks into their lives. This particular story is a microcosm of a typical Nepalese society grappling with deeply rooted issues of tradition, power dynamics, and the intersection of progress and cultural values.

The intricacies of social divide is illustrated beautifully in ’A Haircut and Massage’ where Krishna takes off his religious thread, subtly implying that beneath the garb of faith divide, he comes to terms with his sexuality.

’Leech and other Stories’ is an assortment of tales that delve deeper into the lives of Nepalese people torn between traditions and modernity. The different themes deftly and delicately woven into each story definitely deserves a second read. Visually striking and penned with unflinching honesty, the collection is an eclectic mix that snakes the alleys teemed with Nepalese people from all walks of life. There is an overarching problem of migration that runs as an undercurrent in each of these parables. Just as the leech is part of a larger ecosystem, so too are migrants integral to the shifting dynamics of global societies, contributing in ways that are often unseen or undervalued.

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leech and Other Stories is Ranjan Adiga's debut collection, who's a Nepalese-American writer. What a fascinating and haunting cover, the sole reason for me to pick up this book! In this wonderful collection of ten short stories, each one of them explores the distance between home and abroad, desire and reality, allegiance and treachery.

People trying to fit in, insisting on themselves and their partners the lifestyle they can barely afford, trying to bridge the silences in their relationship, a leech entering a man's nostril and revealing the fissures of class, how a wealthy friend is able to take our the leech of his life, and how he ruins the relationship. A professor worrying about his immigrant status and a middle-aged Nepali man trying to come to terms with his sexuality.

When considered individually, each story is an exploration and depiction of an individual and a profound depiction of human emotions, and these powerful short get together this compilation to form a book that vividly talks about the impact of migration on the Nepali immigrants, their hopes and dreams and the challenges. The characters face cultural shocks and the differences are portrayed vividly.

The book has stories of identity and longing, the writing immaculate and poignant, touching and compelling. With realistic characters and real issues, this book is a must read. These feel like anecdotes from the lives of these individuals. The stories are crude, raw, creepy and human, at their best.

[The Biblioraptor (Ankit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voicing the Experiences of Nepali Otherness

( A much more watered-down version featured in The Asian Age )

Ranjan Adiga, both as a writer and as a Nepali-American, has always been fairly vocal about the contemporary issues Nepalis face, especially those that emerge from the social hierarchy they are subject to. His pieces “Are You an Indian? ‘No, I am a Nepali’” and “I’m not Muslim, but why should it matter if I were?” bring into view the prejudice that he, like many others, has faced both at home and in America. I believe when similar experiences are gathered and fictionalised, they make way for an anthology like Leech and Other Stories to come to life.

This collection of stories, as aptly reads the blurb, “dives into the … lives of contemporary Nepalis struggling to belong in new worlds.” The dreams of progress and upward social mobility push them forward whereas the strings of societal convention and “fate” tie them down. The author skilfully voices some of the most intimate insecurities of these people.

The representation of Nepalis and of the othering that some of them must come to terms with is quite effectively managed in this anthology. A certain homogeneity that permeates the pages is what makes it so. Many of these stories focus on the same or at least similar issues but from varying perspectives. “Denver” follows a young couple who have moved to America hoping for a brighter future but find themselves suspended between worlds; “Leech,” the title story, in a similar vein explores the events in the life of a Madhesi migrant in Nepal. We are witness to the disparity between the various kinds of immigrants from across the globe arriving in America in “Spicy Kitchen,” with the Nepali scholar harbouring a constant fear of being deported; the dread of having one’s visa revoked is also explored in “The Diversity Committee” but from a professor’s point of view. “Student Visa” lays bare the toils and troubles the average middle-class Nepali student undergoes simply to obtain one. All these stories explore the blemishes of a seemingly golden land replete with opportunities. Stories like “Kali” and “High Heels” are expressions of everyday struggles originating from the innate tendency for discrimination and violence that human society is built on. While most of these stories end on a rather hopeful note, their grim realities never really leave them.

Adiga’s stories often are set in the immediate past, which may as well have been the present when they were penned, and therefore are very much in the moment. For example, most of the stories involving Nepali immigration to the US are set during Trump’s tenure, who is pretty openly anti-immigrant. Subtle hints pointing towards such events and incidents inform the reader of the gravity of these experiences. American poet Prageeta Sharma writes in her poem, “On Immigration”:
“After being humiliated one continues the manuscript of identity.
Activities, diseases, doldrums, the crony affair after the situation,
the one where one faces how one is the undertaste,
how one isn't the neighbor, the piebaker, a white folk.”
The embodied fears, ignominy and angst that are consequences of being the other set the tone for the book. The descriptions of lewdness and actions of a sexual nature abundantly scattered throughout are, perhaps, meant to amplify a feeling of “cultural impurity”. However, they sometimes feel uncalled for when not driving the plot. Yet in the end, surely enough, the characters are all “bound by a deeper anxiety of being where [they] don’t belong.”

Adiga does not shy away from realistically portraying the Nepali populace in all their often-polarised forms: the oppressor and the oppressed, the discriminating and the discriminated, the conservative and the liberal, etc. Ranjan Adiga’s Leech and Other Stories is an important book for the times, especially because it unveils a long-hidden demographic group of the world in its entirety.

[_booksagsm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranjan Adiga's "Leech and Other Stories" is a compelling read that deep dives into the lives of Nepalis navigating new worlds. Adiga has written ten short stories each capturing the tension and conflicts between tradition and modernization. In a world where people have started facing challenges of identity and belongingness, these stories convey the unsaid. Each story describes the immigrant experience and reveals the personal & societal struggles faced by those trying to find their place in unfamiliar territory. These stories discuss the internal struggles in a world which considers Nepali immigrants as outsiders.

[Sambridi]

Always a pleasure to discover a new Nepali writer. My favorite in the collection was "A Short Visit." Very raw, very real, with layers revealing the truth of the main character. I was quite surprised to learn that this particular story was written quickly as a replacement of one that fell through (written in three weeks instead of many months).
Hope to read more from Ranjan Adiga in the future!

[simran]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Cut close to home.

May have gotten a bit emotional over 1-2 of them and had to pause and stare at nothing.

[Richa Bhattarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed this collection of stories. Such minute and fascinating depiction of relationships. Could relate so much. Something engrossing about the language.

[Jonah O'Brien]

"If that is how they humiliate us in the embassy, imagine the humiliation in their country."

[Aoife · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trash

[Karishma · Rating 4 out of 5]

SKIP THIS PART FOR ACTUAL BOOK REVIEW

I've realised a way to experience or learn about other cultures effectively is to read some of their fiction. I'm sure smarter people have realised this before; or indeed it was common knowledge. But for me it was a recent epiphany.

This anthology was a strangely familiar, yet foreign read. Not surprising, since Nepal is a close neighbour, and we share much of our culture. It is the only other Hindu majority neighbour. (I'll explain why that's relevant in a minute; not being a bigot.)

I also happened to visit Nepal for the first time ever this year. Again, so much of it was familiar and different at the same time. (And now I'm going to sound like a bigot.) I really dislike the men in my country. Not all of them, obviously, but the vast majority of them. So when I encountered Nepali men who were much nicer (and yet culturally similar), I was happy although not surprised.

A number of stories in this book are about (what I presume) are the ordinary citizens of the country. And while the names are just different enough to be different, they are so eerily familiar. Bibek vs Vivek for example.

The shocker for me is that I encountered a largely gentle populace during my visit. No gawking, groping lewdness that typifies experiencing Indian maleness for me. But in the book, they are exactly like that.

I was surprised to note that the "what-will-people-think" and "sleeveless-is-shameless" mentality is also very much a part of their mien. I thought that Nepal was better than India because of the 2 weeks I spent there, and I was surprised to see that the similarities are greater than the differences.

This was my biggest takeaway.

Now that I have warbled on and on about my personal feelings on reading the book. I'll talk about the book itself.

ACTUAL BOOK REVIEW

Sharply written stories. There are hard, unflinching edges. There is very little joy, as though joy has no place in reality. Successful people are damaged. Unsuccessful people are despondent. Everyone is caught in the endless, relentless circle of life, toes trodden on every time.

While I understand this is a literary choice—and that these stories are valid and must also be told—I am so tired of the unending misery that books seem to take as a path to greatness. Does happiness have to equate to complacency? I know that conflict is a change-maker, but the in-between periods don't need to be quite so depressive.

No one of the stories is a happy one. Not one has a happy ending. In fact, very few have endings at all. They cut off abruptly, leaving your mind to fill in the blanks.

Introduction of character + circumstances > event > end of event > full stop

This, again, is a valid literary device. However there is a massive imbalance between how much we are told about the character and their thoughts and feelings in the beginning (context stage) versus what we are told in the ending. It is almost like we've been given all the information, and we need to work out those details for ourselves.

Again, that's fine. But it isn't the point of reading a story, if I am doing the work of mentally completing it. Maybe I'm lazy (I absolutely am) but I want to be told what happens next. Firstly, I don't know these characters well enough. Second, what if they surprise me (which they can't do if I am completing their stories). And finally, reading is meant to be fun not effort. Don't make me work for it, yo.