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Unknown City: A Novel
Arindam Chatterjee--whom we first met in Amitabha Bagchi's bestselling novel Above Average--is now a nearly fifty-year-old novelist and professor. He is committed to revisiting the relationships he had in his twenties during his years in America and after graduating from IIT--be it with history student Supriya, who wanted a companion to laugh with, not a partner demanding intellectual gratification; or with the activist Lisa, who sought an anchor, not a man unaware of her struggle with depression; or with the writer Razia, who wished to be desired, not summoned to mend a broken soul.
As Arindam looks back, he realizes that the unknown city that's the human heart felt unknowable to him because he was wearing the blinkers of his masculinity.
In Above Average, Arindam had said, 'It is a blessing to be understood, and an even greater blessing to be granted understanding.' Has Arindam finally been granted understanding?
As Arindam looks back, he realizes that the unknown city that's the human heart felt unknowable to him because he was wearing the blinkers of his masculinity.
In Above Average, Arindam had said, 'It is a blessing to be understood, and an even greater blessing to be granted understanding.' Has Arindam finally been granted understanding?
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2025
4 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Amitabha Bagchi
13 books65 followersAmitabha Bagchi was born in Delhi and went to school there. The last few years of school was a blur of exams - Junior Science Talent Search, National Talent Search, Annual Maths and Physics Olympiads - and coaching classes to prepare for those exams. He finally found himself at IIT Delhi in the summer of 1992 thinking that the worst was over. It wasn't.
Belying the expectations raised by his uninspriring performance at IIT, Amitabha got his PhD in Computer Science in 2002. Then, after loitering around for a couple of years with the nebulous designation of post-doc, he returned to IIT Delhi where he is currently employed as an assistant professor.
Belying the expectations raised by his uninspriring performance at IIT, Amitabha got his PhD in Computer Science in 2002. Then, after loitering around for a couple of years with the nebulous designation of post-doc, he returned to IIT Delhi where he is currently employed as an assistant professor.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 10, 2025
Mixed feelings, mostly good feelings.
March 15, 2025
Amitabha Bagchi’s "Unknown City" is not a love story. It is a narrative about the echoes of love, the burden of regret, and the slow, often painful process of self-awareness. It follows Arindam Chatterjee, a middle-aged professor and novelist, as he revisits his past relationships, dissecting his own blindness and failures. As an extension to "Above Average", the book retains its protagonist but shifts from a coming-of-age narrative to a retrospective self-analysis. Arindam is no longer the ambitious IIT graduate navigating life; he is now nearly fifty, forced to confront the ghosts of his past through a series of emails and memories. The question is no longer What is love? but How did I fail to understand love?
The author structures the book like a fragmented diary like intimate, reflective, and nonlinear. The narrative oscillates between past and present, mimicking the way memory works: fluid, selective, and often unreliable. Arindam’s recollections of Supriya, Lisa, and Razia, the three women who defined different phases of his life and are presented as introspective monologues. The book’s introspective nature creates an immersive reading experience, but it also demands patience. The lack of direct dialogue and the diary-like quality can feel monotonous at times, especially for readers who prefer action-driven plots.
The author excels in crafting complex, layered characters, particularly the women who shaped Arindam’s emotional landscape.
- Supriya – The history student who was the first significant woman in his life who represents intellectual and emotional depth, yet remains elusive to Arindam’s full understanding.
- Lisa – A relationship shaped by distance and cultural differences, her presence forces Arindam to confront his limitations in communication and emotional vulnerability.
- Razia – Perhaps the most impactful of all, Razia is not just a love interest but a challenge to his deeply held biases and assumptions about relationships and understanding.
Unlike many books that place women in the background of a male protagonist’s journey, this book ensures that these women are not just reflections of Arindam’s growth. They are fully realized individuals with their own desires, disappointments, and trajectories.
Arindam’s biggest realization is not that he misunderstood the women in his life, but that he never truly "saw" them as individuals beyond his own desires and expectations. His emotional blindness, a theme that runs through the book, is not a singular failing but a deeply ingrained pattern, one that many men may recognize in themselves.
The book does not vilify Arindam, but it does dissect the subtle arrogance of male introspection. His reflections are not just about love but about how masculinity shapes the way men interpret love. As he ages, he realizes that the problem was never the complexity of women, but the limitations of his own perspective.
One of the book’s most poignant questions is whether love, once lost, can ever be truly understood in hindsight. Arindam’s relationships with Supriya, Lisa, and Razia were not just romantic entanglements; they were markers of his growth. Yet, in remembering them, he reconstructs them not necessarily as they were, but as he now understands them. Can one ever recall love accurately, or do we only ever remember our own versions of it?
✅ Strengths
✔️ Not just talking about past relationships but about identity, masculinity, and the way we construct our own narratives of the past.
✔️ Does not romanticize nostalgia; instead, he exposes its flaws and selective memory in a realistic and unvarnished manner.
✔️ Poetic style of writing without being overwrought, making introspection feel deeply engaging.
✔️ Unlike many male-authored novels that reduce women to one-dimensional love interests, it portrays its female characters with depth and authenticity.
✨ Areas for Improvement
✖ Slow-Paced and Densely Introspective
✖ The book reads more like a personal journal, which may not appeal to readers who prefer conventional storytelling.
✖ Arindam’s self-centered reflections can sometimes feel repetitive, making it difficult to fully empathize with him.
In conclusion, it is not a book for everyone. It is not a page-turner or a book that offers neatly wrapped resolutions. Instead, it is a mirror one that reflects the gaps in our own understanding, the regrets we carry, and the way time reshapes love and loss.
If you are a reader who enjoys literary fiction that delves deep into human emotions, masculinity, and self-awareness, this book will resonate with you. But if you are looking for a fast-paced romance or a conventional redemption arc, this book might feel like an exhausting journey.
💥 For readers who love: Literary fiction, introspective narratives, character-driven stories
The author structures the book like a fragmented diary like intimate, reflective, and nonlinear. The narrative oscillates between past and present, mimicking the way memory works: fluid, selective, and often unreliable. Arindam’s recollections of Supriya, Lisa, and Razia, the three women who defined different phases of his life and are presented as introspective monologues. The book’s introspective nature creates an immersive reading experience, but it also demands patience. The lack of direct dialogue and the diary-like quality can feel monotonous at times, especially for readers who prefer action-driven plots.
The author excels in crafting complex, layered characters, particularly the women who shaped Arindam’s emotional landscape.
- Supriya – The history student who was the first significant woman in his life who represents intellectual and emotional depth, yet remains elusive to Arindam’s full understanding.
- Lisa – A relationship shaped by distance and cultural differences, her presence forces Arindam to confront his limitations in communication and emotional vulnerability.
- Razia – Perhaps the most impactful of all, Razia is not just a love interest but a challenge to his deeply held biases and assumptions about relationships and understanding.
Unlike many books that place women in the background of a male protagonist’s journey, this book ensures that these women are not just reflections of Arindam’s growth. They are fully realized individuals with their own desires, disappointments, and trajectories.
Arindam’s biggest realization is not that he misunderstood the women in his life, but that he never truly "saw" them as individuals beyond his own desires and expectations. His emotional blindness, a theme that runs through the book, is not a singular failing but a deeply ingrained pattern, one that many men may recognize in themselves.
The book does not vilify Arindam, but it does dissect the subtle arrogance of male introspection. His reflections are not just about love but about how masculinity shapes the way men interpret love. As he ages, he realizes that the problem was never the complexity of women, but the limitations of his own perspective.
One of the book’s most poignant questions is whether love, once lost, can ever be truly understood in hindsight. Arindam’s relationships with Supriya, Lisa, and Razia were not just romantic entanglements; they were markers of his growth. Yet, in remembering them, he reconstructs them not necessarily as they were, but as he now understands them. Can one ever recall love accurately, or do we only ever remember our own versions of it?
✅ Strengths
✔️ Not just talking about past relationships but about identity, masculinity, and the way we construct our own narratives of the past.
✔️ Does not romanticize nostalgia; instead, he exposes its flaws and selective memory in a realistic and unvarnished manner.
✔️ Poetic style of writing without being overwrought, making introspection feel deeply engaging.
✔️ Unlike many male-authored novels that reduce women to one-dimensional love interests, it portrays its female characters with depth and authenticity.
✨ Areas for Improvement
✖ Slow-Paced and Densely Introspective
✖ The book reads more like a personal journal, which may not appeal to readers who prefer conventional storytelling.
✖ Arindam’s self-centered reflections can sometimes feel repetitive, making it difficult to fully empathize with him.
In conclusion, it is not a book for everyone. It is not a page-turner or a book that offers neatly wrapped resolutions. Instead, it is a mirror one that reflects the gaps in our own understanding, the regrets we carry, and the way time reshapes love and loss.
If you are a reader who enjoys literary fiction that delves deep into human emotions, masculinity, and self-awareness, this book will resonate with you. But if you are looking for a fast-paced romance or a conventional redemption arc, this book might feel like an exhausting journey.
💥 For readers who love: Literary fiction, introspective narratives, character-driven stories
April 22, 2025
This book felt like a close friend narrating his story.
Unknown City by Amitabha Bagchi is a deeply personal book that delves into the life of nearly fifty-year-old Arindam Chatterjee. In it, Arindam looks back on his past relationships in the 1990s and 00s. We get to meet Supriya, Lisa, and Razia, the three most impactful women in his life. The book reveals how he was too self-absorbed and blinded by his own masculinity to truly see his partners as complete individuals.
The main strength of the book is its narrative, it brings out the powerful themes but in a conversational style making the readers feel relatable to the characters in the book. Reading men’s perspectives on women’s thoughts is refreshing as it questions why men often fail to understand women's thoughts and feelings. The title made sense after finishing the book: “Consider the often-unseen "unknown cities" within the hearts of those they love.”
If you are looking for character-driven narratives with thoughtful yet melancholic prose, this book will be right down your lane.
Unknown City by Amitabha Bagchi is a deeply personal book that delves into the life of nearly fifty-year-old Arindam Chatterjee. In it, Arindam looks back on his past relationships in the 1990s and 00s. We get to meet Supriya, Lisa, and Razia, the three most impactful women in his life. The book reveals how he was too self-absorbed and blinded by his own masculinity to truly see his partners as complete individuals.
The main strength of the book is its narrative, it brings out the powerful themes but in a conversational style making the readers feel relatable to the characters in the book. Reading men’s perspectives on women’s thoughts is refreshing as it questions why men often fail to understand women's thoughts and feelings. The title made sense after finishing the book: “Consider the often-unseen "unknown cities" within the hearts of those they love.”
If you are looking for character-driven narratives with thoughtful yet melancholic prose, this book will be right down your lane.
April 14, 2025
Heartbreaks are terrible, but every broken friendship or relationship leaves you with a lot of information about your own self, if only you are audacious and accepting enough to dig in. The protagonist of Unknown City by Amitabha Bagchi, sets out to do exactly this. Arindam, a 50-year-old man, revisits the relationships he had in his twenties to look at everything he had probably missed in the first go.
I enjoyed parts of this book for its willingness to look at complex things that aren't always easy to understand or write about. I tolerated parts of it because in so many moments all of it felt too tiring and stretched.
But would I look forward to everything else Bagchi writes in the future? For sure.
I enjoyed parts of this book for its willingness to look at complex things that aren't always easy to understand or write about. I tolerated parts of it because in so many moments all of it felt too tiring and stretched.
But would I look forward to everything else Bagchi writes in the future? For sure.
May 2, 2025
𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖: 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐇𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐂𝐇𝐈
“𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝐼 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟”
✦ The novel 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘: 𝐀 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋 by 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐇𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐂𝐇𝐈 is a riddle - the writer puts a more traditional narrative to his creation. Bagchi's 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 is less like a plot but more like an interplay between memory, identity and choices. The novel distinguishingly follows 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐣𝐞𝐞, a promising IIT student, now a professor and a novelist who is turning fifty soon. He undertakes the journey to the emotional past that is written through Bagchi's thinking.
✦ This book is Bagchi's memory lane where he invites his readers into the meditative exploration of what it means to belong… to a city…to a memory…to oneself or to your own self and how places that we know once transform in a soft erosion of time. The novel itself is like a quiet, extended sigh - one of longing, nostalgia and with deep introspection.
✦ The pages open without the certainty of a firm beginning. Of course, it feels vague. It feels 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 but it also feels a warm hug from the author. The writer's use of language throughout this novel is lyrical and restrained, creating an atmosphere of heaviness:
“𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔”
✦ The protagonist encounters the various figures in his life - 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚, 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚, 𝐑𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐚 - but each of them interact in a way that feels incomplete. There's no line where they have started and where they have to stop. The book moves like this in the 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬 , mimicking the way memory in this real life. At the heart of this novel 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦’s attempt to come to terms with the man he has become is a kind of midlife reckoning.
✦ The women in his life are not “𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞” characters, they go beyond Arindam's limited understanding. Arindam's 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 during IIT days with Supriya shows the youthful love that is jovial, easy and full of comfort but ultimately it shallows in understanding the pinpoint. Another one is 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚, 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐭, who is struggling with depression and needs comfort and empathy that Arindam is unable to provide her. 𝐑𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐚, 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫, desires to be loved for who she is, not as a balm for Arindam's brokenness.
✦ 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, the title itself is a metaphor for this plot - 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝, filled with empty spaces where things once stood, or where understanding never took root. Arindam's memory lane is stuck in emails, letters and uncomfortable truths which shaped his identity, upbringing, ambition and ideas of masculinity.
“𝑀𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟. 𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡”
✦ Arindam's struggle is partly divided between 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐬. His feelings are hidden and his masculinity is hidden behind 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. Like him, memories sometimes can hurt, even the faded ones. Those who stay with Arindam's richly rewarded story will highly appreciate the value of the book.
“𝑊𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒”
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐇𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐂𝐇𝐈
“𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝐼 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟”
✦ The novel 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘: 𝐀 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋 by 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐇𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐂𝐇𝐈 is a riddle - the writer puts a more traditional narrative to his creation. Bagchi's 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 is less like a plot but more like an interplay between memory, identity and choices. The novel distinguishingly follows 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐣𝐞𝐞, a promising IIT student, now a professor and a novelist who is turning fifty soon. He undertakes the journey to the emotional past that is written through Bagchi's thinking.
✦ This book is Bagchi's memory lane where he invites his readers into the meditative exploration of what it means to belong… to a city…to a memory…to oneself or to your own self and how places that we know once transform in a soft erosion of time. The novel itself is like a quiet, extended sigh - one of longing, nostalgia and with deep introspection.
✦ The pages open without the certainty of a firm beginning. Of course, it feels vague. It feels 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 but it also feels a warm hug from the author. The writer's use of language throughout this novel is lyrical and restrained, creating an atmosphere of heaviness:
“𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔”
✦ The protagonist encounters the various figures in his life - 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚, 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚, 𝐑𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐚 - but each of them interact in a way that feels incomplete. There's no line where they have started and where they have to stop. The book moves like this in the 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬 , mimicking the way memory in this real life. At the heart of this novel 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦’s attempt to come to terms with the man he has become is a kind of midlife reckoning.
✦ The women in his life are not “𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞” characters, they go beyond Arindam's limited understanding. Arindam's 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 during IIT days with Supriya shows the youthful love that is jovial, easy and full of comfort but ultimately it shallows in understanding the pinpoint. Another one is 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚, 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐭, who is struggling with depression and needs comfort and empathy that Arindam is unable to provide her. 𝐑𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐚, 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫, desires to be loved for who she is, not as a balm for Arindam's brokenness.
✦ 𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, the title itself is a metaphor for this plot - 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝, filled with empty spaces where things once stood, or where understanding never took root. Arindam's memory lane is stuck in emails, letters and uncomfortable truths which shaped his identity, upbringing, ambition and ideas of masculinity.
“𝑀𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟. 𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡”
✦ Arindam's struggle is partly divided between 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐬. His feelings are hidden and his masculinity is hidden behind 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. Like him, memories sometimes can hurt, even the faded ones. Those who stay with Arindam's richly rewarded story will highly appreciate the value of the book.
“𝑊𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒”
April 11, 2025
Amitabha Bagchi's 'Unknown City' is a reflective and introspective novel that catches up with Arindam Chatterjee, the protagonist we initially encountered in his award-winning 'Above Average'. Arindam is now a virtual fifty-year-old novelist and teacher, and he goes on a journey of self-analysis, carefully deconstructing his earlier relationships to figure out what went wrong. Through his introspection, The author weaves a tale that explores deeply into the themes of love, regret, masculinity, and the intangibility of ever really knowing another human being. I was intrigued into reading this book because of the cover photo. It is simple yet so attractive.
The book is a non-linear account of events, bringing together scenes of Arindam's twenties, mostly from his years abroad in America and after his IIT graduation. We meet Supriya, the student of history who had craved laughter and friendship, and Lisa, the activist who had craved security, amongst many of the key players in Arindam's life. Through Arindam's adult eyes, we see his younger self's sometimes narcissistic point of view, his intellectual posing, and his inability to read the emotional cues of his partners.
The writing skills of the author are flawless. Through his vivid writing skills I could visualise the whole plot unfolding in front of my eyes. The writing of the author is dense with reflection, at times sounding like a chat during a late night with the reader. Arindam's candor and blunt honesty confront him with his own past errors and wrestle with the intricacies of human relationship. The novel explores with courage how experiences are gendered and how they influence our perception of relationships, bringing to the fore the aching knowledge that things become clear too late. Although in some places I felt that the pacing was uneven I was still engaged throughout the book without getting bored at all.
I will definitely recommend this book. 'Unknown City' is a brave and perceptive novel that provides a riveting exploration of self-knowledge and the nuances of love and relationships. Amitabha Bagchi has beautifully dramatized a man facing his past with candour and vulnerability, asking readers to consider their own knowledge of connection and compassion. While the rhythm may challenge some, the novel's deep thinking and layered characterization make it a rewarding and profound read. It is a powerful reminder of the need for self-criticism and the ever-unfolding path of coming to know the "unknown city" that is human nature. So grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as I did.
The book is a non-linear account of events, bringing together scenes of Arindam's twenties, mostly from his years abroad in America and after his IIT graduation. We meet Supriya, the student of history who had craved laughter and friendship, and Lisa, the activist who had craved security, amongst many of the key players in Arindam's life. Through Arindam's adult eyes, we see his younger self's sometimes narcissistic point of view, his intellectual posing, and his inability to read the emotional cues of his partners.
The writing skills of the author are flawless. Through his vivid writing skills I could visualise the whole plot unfolding in front of my eyes. The writing of the author is dense with reflection, at times sounding like a chat during a late night with the reader. Arindam's candor and blunt honesty confront him with his own past errors and wrestle with the intricacies of human relationship. The novel explores with courage how experiences are gendered and how they influence our perception of relationships, bringing to the fore the aching knowledge that things become clear too late. Although in some places I felt that the pacing was uneven I was still engaged throughout the book without getting bored at all.
I will definitely recommend this book. 'Unknown City' is a brave and perceptive novel that provides a riveting exploration of self-knowledge and the nuances of love and relationships. Amitabha Bagchi has beautifully dramatized a man facing his past with candour and vulnerability, asking readers to consider their own knowledge of connection and compassion. While the rhythm may challenge some, the novel's deep thinking and layered characterization make it a rewarding and profound read. It is a powerful reminder of the need for self-criticism and the ever-unfolding path of coming to know the "unknown city" that is human nature. So grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as I did.
March 5, 2025
Unknown City is the sequel to Above Average and shares the same main character, Arindam Chatterjee. Since I hadn't read the first book before jumping into this sequel, I felt a little disconnected at the beginning. But the plot itself isn't connected, so once I figured out what was going on, it was easier to follow the narration.
Often times, when we live through certain situations, we do not realise the gravity of said situations in real time. However, after time has passed and we look back, we come to realize what those situations taught us. Something similar happens with the protagonist of Unknown City, Arindam Chatterjee. Arindam looks back at his past relationships and introspects on what had worked out, what didn't and why they didn't.
Now at fifty years old and juggling the roles of a professor and a novelist, Arindam Chatterjee finds himself questioning his own choices, his outlook on the past relationships and how he had fallen a victim of the stereotype 'it's so difficult to understand a woman's mind'. As he does some serious soul-searching, Arindam now tries to look past his own prejudices and the unanswered questions that his past relationships with Supriya, Razia and Lisa left him with.
Written in a first person point of view, the book reads like a monologue that is similar to diary entries or a journal except for being undated. This style of writing is quite uncommon, I believe, and can get boring if not done well. Even though the lack of dialogues did throw me off a little bit at the beginning, once I got used to the style, it was easier for me to accept and focus on the narration.
🏹 What to expect from this book: 🏹
❤️🩹 Love and relationships from a male perspective.
❤️🩹 Questioning the society's acceptable standards of how a man "should" view their relationships.
❤️🩹 Overcoming personal prejudices at a later stage in life.
❤️🩹 Dealing with past regrets, learning to accept them and grow from the lessons they taught.
❤️🩹 Questioning the acceptable standards of 'masculinity'
If you are someone who enjoys literary fiction with complex characters and a deep exploration on what the society deems as 'masculine', emotional maturity and overcoming prejudices, I would definitely recommend Unknown City.
Often times, when we live through certain situations, we do not realise the gravity of said situations in real time. However, after time has passed and we look back, we come to realize what those situations taught us. Something similar happens with the protagonist of Unknown City, Arindam Chatterjee. Arindam looks back at his past relationships and introspects on what had worked out, what didn't and why they didn't.
Now at fifty years old and juggling the roles of a professor and a novelist, Arindam Chatterjee finds himself questioning his own choices, his outlook on the past relationships and how he had fallen a victim of the stereotype 'it's so difficult to understand a woman's mind'. As he does some serious soul-searching, Arindam now tries to look past his own prejudices and the unanswered questions that his past relationships with Supriya, Razia and Lisa left him with.
Written in a first person point of view, the book reads like a monologue that is similar to diary entries or a journal except for being undated. This style of writing is quite uncommon, I believe, and can get boring if not done well. Even though the lack of dialogues did throw me off a little bit at the beginning, once I got used to the style, it was easier for me to accept and focus on the narration.
🏹 What to expect from this book: 🏹
❤️🩹 Love and relationships from a male perspective.
❤️🩹 Questioning the society's acceptable standards of how a man "should" view their relationships.
❤️🩹 Overcoming personal prejudices at a later stage in life.
❤️🩹 Dealing with past regrets, learning to accept them and grow from the lessons they taught.
❤️🩹 Questioning the acceptable standards of 'masculinity'
If you are someone who enjoys literary fiction with complex characters and a deep exploration on what the society deems as 'masculine', emotional maturity and overcoming prejudices, I would definitely recommend Unknown City.
April 28, 2025
Arindam is a novelist and professor. As he is nearing his fifties he finds himself revisiting the relationships of his younger days, particularly those from his time in America after graduating from IIT. His journey through the memory lane makes him ponder on the many ways he misunderstood the women he once loved. As he journeys through his past, he comes to realize that the human heart still remained a mystery to him.
'Unknown City' is a literary fiction traversing through the life of Arindam Chaterjee as he reminisce about his part relationships. Arindam Chaterjee's character is first introduced by the author in his book 'Above Average', although I haven't read that book yet I could read and relate with this book. This is a quite different read from what I usually read. It's a slow, introspective exploration of relationships and identity, mostly character driven. I enjoy character-driven books and this book has done really well on that note. Although the book is really well drawn and the story unfolds gradually, demanding patience as the characters are deeply developed, at times, the pace can feel painfully slow, but I guess that's normal for books of literary nature, where depth and nuance are prioritized over plot. The emotional honesty woven into every page made me question so many things.
Coming to the writing. Both the quality and style of writing is really good. It is written in first person pov. But what's particularly noteworthy is, three hundred pages of raw, heartfelt emotion. The author captured the complexities of human relationships with remarkable sensitivity. I absolutely loved the writing style and the quality of writing. I would recommended this book to readers who enjoy character driven books.
'Unknown City' is a literary fiction traversing through the life of Arindam Chaterjee as he reminisce about his part relationships. Arindam Chaterjee's character is first introduced by the author in his book 'Above Average', although I haven't read that book yet I could read and relate with this book. This is a quite different read from what I usually read. It's a slow, introspective exploration of relationships and identity, mostly character driven. I enjoy character-driven books and this book has done really well on that note. Although the book is really well drawn and the story unfolds gradually, demanding patience as the characters are deeply developed, at times, the pace can feel painfully slow, but I guess that's normal for books of literary nature, where depth and nuance are prioritized over plot. The emotional honesty woven into every page made me question so many things.
Coming to the writing. Both the quality and style of writing is really good. It is written in first person pov. But what's particularly noteworthy is, three hundred pages of raw, heartfelt emotion. The author captured the complexities of human relationships with remarkable sensitivity. I absolutely loved the writing style and the quality of writing. I would recommended this book to readers who enjoy character driven books.
February 24, 2025
Unknown City by Amitabha Bagchi is a deeply introspective novel that deals about love, regret, and self-discovery. Arindam Chatterjee, who is now a middle-aged professor and novelist, revisits the relationships of his past. The women who loved him, challenged him, and ultimately, left him with some unanswered questions. He decides to reflect on his life journey especially his failures and blind spots and finally he confronts the most elusive mystery of all which is the human heart.
Themes ✨
•Second chances & self-reflection
•Masculinity & emotional growth
•Love, loss, and the weight of memory
•Understanding relationships beyond personal biases
This book is a beautifully written, and a thought-provoking journey into a man’s evolving self-awareness.
Supriya, Lisa, and Razia, the women in Arindam’s life are complex, but yet they are fully realized characters.
Amitabha Bagchi’s writing style is very immersive and easy to understand. He makes us reflect on our own past and choices.Also I felt like this book has a nuanced take on masculinity, emotional intelligence, and the regrets that come with growing up making this book an impactful read.
Why You Should Read It ?
If you are someone who love character-driven stories that dives deep into human emotions.Also If you are looking for an insightful look at how men perceive love and relationships, and how they often get it wrong.
And finally If you are someone who enjoy reflective, literary fiction with rich prose and layered storytelling.
This book is also a must-read if you’ve read Above Average and want to see Arindam’s journey come full circle.
Happy Reading ✨
March 2, 2025
unknown city by amitabha bagchi
genre : contemporary
My 💭:
[1/3/25 8.58 PM]
I absolutely cannot believe that I finished this book in one day! It was a lot to take in! 🤔
The protagonist Arindam takes us through his dating and relationship life during the late 90's to the early 00's. He analyses his past feelings and emotions after going through his past emails and recounting his conversations with his past partners. I kind of felt like the vibe of the famous tv series 'Sex and The City', full of deep thoughts and introspections about love and feelings and attractions, except this book's tone felt much more grey - because Arindam is conscious of his flaws and accepts them.
Reading this book felt like reading someone's personal diary, someone very analytical and self obsessed. I somehow got a peek at how an adult dating life goes and honestly, it feels so exhausting to me. One question of his really stuck with me : what is love supposed to feel like? Is it feeling a calm connection with someone to lean on if needed or is it the flames-and -flower-bursting around you and dazzling your life at the thought of someone? As per my personal experience, it cannot be both. One can either cool you down or set you on fire. I don't know the answer but maybe someday I will. Second thing is that, as the chapters progress, we see Arindam grow and he looks at love differently. So tell me, does the definition of love change inside us as we grow and experience life? If yes, then I'd rather be alone than be constantly uncertain.
If you are interested about dating and relationships, then definitely read this book!
Do you enjoy reading about love and relationships?
genre : contemporary
My 💭:
[1/3/25 8.58 PM]
I absolutely cannot believe that I finished this book in one day! It was a lot to take in! 🤔
The protagonist Arindam takes us through his dating and relationship life during the late 90's to the early 00's. He analyses his past feelings and emotions after going through his past emails and recounting his conversations with his past partners. I kind of felt like the vibe of the famous tv series 'Sex and The City', full of deep thoughts and introspections about love and feelings and attractions, except this book's tone felt much more grey - because Arindam is conscious of his flaws and accepts them.
Reading this book felt like reading someone's personal diary, someone very analytical and self obsessed. I somehow got a peek at how an adult dating life goes and honestly, it feels so exhausting to me. One question of his really stuck with me : what is love supposed to feel like? Is it feeling a calm connection with someone to lean on if needed or is it the flames-and -flower-bursting around you and dazzling your life at the thought of someone? As per my personal experience, it cannot be both. One can either cool you down or set you on fire. I don't know the answer but maybe someday I will. Second thing is that, as the chapters progress, we see Arindam grow and he looks at love differently. So tell me, does the definition of love change inside us as we grow and experience life? If yes, then I'd rather be alone than be constantly uncertain.
If you are interested about dating and relationships, then definitely read this book!
Do you enjoy reading about love and relationships?
April 24, 2025
In "Unknown City", author Amitabha Bagchi skillfully continues the poignant journey of Arindam Chatterjee👨💼, the introspective protagonist from his acclaimed novel "Above Average". Now approaching fifty, Arindam is a novelist and professor who grapples with his past as he revisits formative relationships💕 from his twenties.
As Arindam revisits his connections with three pivotal women from his twenties—the spirited Tamil girl Supriya, the activist fighting for depression Lisa, and the writer Razia—readers are treated to a deeply introspective look into the intricacies of love, longing, and self-discovery. Amitabha Bagchi’s portrayal of these relationships shines with nuance, as Arindam confronts the complexities of love💗 and the mistakes he made along the way.
The slow pace of the story allows for deep introspection, encouraging readers to reflect on Arindam's realizations about the complexities of love and connection. Amitabha Bagchi's writing is both lyrical and thoughtful, capturing the essence of nostalgia and regret with remarkable precision.
The author's exploration of Arindam's past relationships💞 and his quest for understanding is both relatable and enlightening, prompting readers to consider their own experiences and the ways in which societal expectations have shaped their own connections. Overall, "Unknown City" is a tender, introspective sequel that is sure to resonate with anyone navigating the complexities of love and identity💖🎑
As Arindam revisits his connections with three pivotal women from his twenties—the spirited Tamil girl Supriya, the activist fighting for depression Lisa, and the writer Razia—readers are treated to a deeply introspective look into the intricacies of love, longing, and self-discovery. Amitabha Bagchi’s portrayal of these relationships shines with nuance, as Arindam confronts the complexities of love💗 and the mistakes he made along the way.
The slow pace of the story allows for deep introspection, encouraging readers to reflect on Arindam's realizations about the complexities of love and connection. Amitabha Bagchi's writing is both lyrical and thoughtful, capturing the essence of nostalgia and regret with remarkable precision.
The author's exploration of Arindam's past relationships💞 and his quest for understanding is both relatable and enlightening, prompting readers to consider their own experiences and the ways in which societal expectations have shaped their own connections. Overall, "Unknown City" is a tender, introspective sequel that is sure to resonate with anyone navigating the complexities of love and identity💖🎑
April 28, 2025
Book Review: Unknown City by Amitabha Bagchi
Reading Unknown City was like hearing an old friend reveal the pages of his life he had never spoken about before.
Amitabha Bagchi presents a haunting and reflective account of Arindam Chatterjee, a man on the cusp of his fifties, who rummages through nostalgia about love and heartbreak from the 1990s and early 2000s. Through his remembrances, we meet three women who made an indelible impression on him—Supriya, Lisa, and Razia. As Arindam walks back into his emotional past, he comes to identify how his own ego and strict definition of masculinity defined, and quite frequently distorted, those relationships.
What's most striking is the tone of the book—it's intimate, nearly confessional, but it navigates tough themes with ease without ever sounding preachy. The narrative in a conversational tone pulls you in, and it's easy to relate to both the protagonist and his regrets. It's particularly noteworthy to watch a male narrator try to dissect how frequently men ignore the inner lives of the women they profess to love.
The title, Unknown City, achieves its own quiet brilliance by the novel's close suggesting the emotional topographies we so frequently overlook about the very individuals nearest to us.
If you appreciate richly human narratives that echo within the still places of thinking and feeling, this contemplative, character-driven novel may well resonate with you.
Reading Unknown City was like hearing an old friend reveal the pages of his life he had never spoken about before.
Amitabha Bagchi presents a haunting and reflective account of Arindam Chatterjee, a man on the cusp of his fifties, who rummages through nostalgia about love and heartbreak from the 1990s and early 2000s. Through his remembrances, we meet three women who made an indelible impression on him—Supriya, Lisa, and Razia. As Arindam walks back into his emotional past, he comes to identify how his own ego and strict definition of masculinity defined, and quite frequently distorted, those relationships.
What's most striking is the tone of the book—it's intimate, nearly confessional, but it navigates tough themes with ease without ever sounding preachy. The narrative in a conversational tone pulls you in, and it's easy to relate to both the protagonist and his regrets. It's particularly noteworthy to watch a male narrator try to dissect how frequently men ignore the inner lives of the women they profess to love.
The title, Unknown City, achieves its own quiet brilliance by the novel's close suggesting the emotional topographies we so frequently overlook about the very individuals nearest to us.
If you appreciate richly human narratives that echo within the still places of thinking and feeling, this contemplative, character-driven novel may well resonate with you.
March 3, 2025
🍁Book:- Unknown City
🍁Author:- Amitabha Bagchi
🍁Publication:- Harper Collins India
🍁Printed Price:- Rs. 599/-
"Unknown City" by Amitabha Bagchi is a novel and sequel to the author's bestselling novel "Above Average" in which the protagonist Arindam Chatterjee has said "It is a blessing to be understood, and an even greater blessing to be granted understanding." Readers search the answer of their most awaited question in this sequel - has Arindam finally been granted understanding?
We witness an almost fifty-year-old novelist and professor who is cherishing memories from the past throughout this novel. Readers meet three different yet important and impactful women of Arindam's life and learn about the diversity of women's nature. The novel starts with Arindam's journey to Delhi in order to meet Supriya, the history student. The book goes forward with the author's reminiscences of his IIT days, his life in America and his relationships in his twenties. Supriya, Lisa and Razia - the three women have contributed enough to the protagonist's life and the way Arindam has portrayed their characters is notable and praiseworthy.
This is a book about love, relationships, regret and turbulence of life. The novel is so thought provoking that it provides a lasting impression on readers' minds.
🍁Author:- Amitabha Bagchi
🍁Publication:- Harper Collins India
🍁Printed Price:- Rs. 599/-
"Unknown City" by Amitabha Bagchi is a novel and sequel to the author's bestselling novel "Above Average" in which the protagonist Arindam Chatterjee has said "It is a blessing to be understood, and an even greater blessing to be granted understanding." Readers search the answer of their most awaited question in this sequel - has Arindam finally been granted understanding?
We witness an almost fifty-year-old novelist and professor who is cherishing memories from the past throughout this novel. Readers meet three different yet important and impactful women of Arindam's life and learn about the diversity of women's nature. The novel starts with Arindam's journey to Delhi in order to meet Supriya, the history student. The book goes forward with the author's reminiscences of his IIT days, his life in America and his relationships in his twenties. Supriya, Lisa and Razia - the three women have contributed enough to the protagonist's life and the way Arindam has portrayed their characters is notable and praiseworthy.
This is a book about love, relationships, regret and turbulence of life. The novel is so thought provoking that it provides a lasting impression on readers' minds.
April 27, 2025
“Unknown City” by Amitabha Bagchi is a deep exploration of relationships as the protagonist looks back at his life, in the twilight of his middle age. A sequel to the author's 2007 bestseller 'Above Average' ,the book follows Arindam Chatterjee from Above Average, now in his 50s as he reflects on his life and relationships.
The book narrates the protagonist's experiences as he revisits his past relationships, in a bid to reexamine where they went wrong. The book is a self reflection by the protagonist on his shortcomings which failed the relationship; be his male ego or inability to provide emotional support or stability, craved for by his partner.The book is an attempt by the protagonist to confront his past and his own shortcomings with a maturity, lacked by his youthful self. The narrative, more like a conversation with the readers, tries to piece together
The novel feels like a conversation with the readers, on the protagonist's biggest regrets and failures, on his inadequacies in being a better partner, while revisiting his past and coming to terms with it. The writing beautifully portrays the guilt, regret and introspection of Arindam as he attempts to pick the pieces of his past.
Overall, "Unknown City" is a meaningful exploration of relationships and a fitting sequel to 'Above Average'
The book narrates the protagonist's experiences as he revisits his past relationships, in a bid to reexamine where they went wrong. The book is a self reflection by the protagonist on his shortcomings which failed the relationship; be his male ego or inability to provide emotional support or stability, craved for by his partner.The book is an attempt by the protagonist to confront his past and his own shortcomings with a maturity, lacked by his youthful self. The narrative, more like a conversation with the readers, tries to piece together
The novel feels like a conversation with the readers, on the protagonist's biggest regrets and failures, on his inadequacies in being a better partner, while revisiting his past and coming to terms with it. The writing beautifully portrays the guilt, regret and introspection of Arindam as he attempts to pick the pieces of his past.
Overall, "Unknown City" is a meaningful exploration of relationships and a fitting sequel to 'Above Average'
May 6, 2025
This is not my usual read, this was my thought when I flipped through 20 -30 pages.
How does it feel when a Man wants to think about his past relationships from a mature and different point of view?
This book has been written as a sequel to his book Above Average. The book talks about the relationship that someone had during their college, and when they think about these when they are settled or almost in their 50s. The book will take you through the life of the protagonist, who is thinking about his relationship from a mature mindset, and seeking out the reason for his breakup from Supriya. The timeline of the book is the late 90s, when the internet was sneaking into our lives, and communicating through emails was a thing. The protagonist, who was in America, is an aspiring author who is also looking for an alliance.
The book has so many characters introduced at various tangent phases in this book, which provides the structure to the entire story. The author mainly talks about Supriya, Ashlesha, and Liza. But there are some other characters as well.
The moment you start this book, you might feel lost as to where the story is leading, but your patience will pay off after you give some time to the book. Reading in such rich language and the mention of Ghalib Shayri will give you a smile while reading this book, and will also let you introspect as well.
How does it feel when a Man wants to think about his past relationships from a mature and different point of view?
This book has been written as a sequel to his book Above Average. The book talks about the relationship that someone had during their college, and when they think about these when they are settled or almost in their 50s. The book will take you through the life of the protagonist, who is thinking about his relationship from a mature mindset, and seeking out the reason for his breakup from Supriya. The timeline of the book is the late 90s, when the internet was sneaking into our lives, and communicating through emails was a thing. The protagonist, who was in America, is an aspiring author who is also looking for an alliance.
The book has so many characters introduced at various tangent phases in this book, which provides the structure to the entire story. The author mainly talks about Supriya, Ashlesha, and Liza. But there are some other characters as well.
The moment you start this book, you might feel lost as to where the story is leading, but your patience will pay off after you give some time to the book. Reading in such rich language and the mention of Ghalib Shayri will give you a smile while reading this book, and will also let you introspect as well.
April 28, 2025
When I began to read Unknown City , I didn't even know it was going to be an emotional walk through memory lanes-not just for the character , but somehow for me as well.
As I read Arindam Chatterjee visiting his old emails , old places of love , consuion and heartbreak to make sense of the feelings he once knew , it made me think about the people that have crossed my life-some who stayed, some who left, and some whose paths just happened to cross.
The author's writing is very patient and honest, filled with those small truths that most of us not even admit to ourselves. He catches those silent, unseen emotions-those you feel in the still of the night, when no one, indeed, is watching.
Sometimes it felt heavy on me almost like travelling through old memories you are not always prepared to face yourself. Each time I picked it up, I just stepped into another part of me as well. This book is for readers who are willing to sit with questions that have no easy answers, who know that love and life are messy, and that sometimes, understanding only comes years later.
If you ever loved, lost, or wondered about yourself, or just thought about how people in your past shaped you into the person you are today, you will probably understand Unknown City.
As I read Arindam Chatterjee visiting his old emails , old places of love , consuion and heartbreak to make sense of the feelings he once knew , it made me think about the people that have crossed my life-some who stayed, some who left, and some whose paths just happened to cross.
The author's writing is very patient and honest, filled with those small truths that most of us not even admit to ourselves. He catches those silent, unseen emotions-those you feel in the still of the night, when no one, indeed, is watching.
Sometimes it felt heavy on me almost like travelling through old memories you are not always prepared to face yourself. Each time I picked it up, I just stepped into another part of me as well. This book is for readers who are willing to sit with questions that have no easy answers, who know that love and life are messy, and that sometimes, understanding only comes years later.
If you ever loved, lost, or wondered about yourself, or just thought about how people in your past shaped you into the person you are today, you will probably understand Unknown City.
April 29, 2025
If you’ve read, the author’s previous work above average and you are awaiting to know whether Arindam was granted understanding or his life becoming complete, continue to read this book, I’m sure you will have no regrets. A retrospection into his earlier life choices and emotions by backtracking or getting a throwback of conversations and mails from the past. Arindam aware of his mistakes and his acceptance is what makes this a standout read.
The book is a profound account of events, bringing together scenes of Arindam's twenties, mostly from his years abroad in America and after his IIT graduation. Enter Supriya, Liza and Razia, what changes they bring about and made him realise is told in the most descriptive and authentic portrayal of themes such as self-reflection and choices. Each of these characters sought something which he couldn’t offer at that time. The author’s reflection on masculinity, and emotional intelligence makes a profound impact when you read the book.
His writing is flawless and lucid. His reflections on how the male gender perceives love. This makes the book so thought-provoking as well. The book cover deserves a special mention. It is simple and attractive.
The book is a profound account of events, bringing together scenes of Arindam's twenties, mostly from his years abroad in America and after his IIT graduation. Enter Supriya, Liza and Razia, what changes they bring about and made him realise is told in the most descriptive and authentic portrayal of themes such as self-reflection and choices. Each of these characters sought something which he couldn’t offer at that time. The author’s reflection on masculinity, and emotional intelligence makes a profound impact when you read the book.
His writing is flawless and lucid. His reflections on how the male gender perceives love. This makes the book so thought-provoking as well. The book cover deserves a special mention. It is simple and attractive.
March 10, 2025
Amitabha Bagchi doesn’t offer a comforting story of nostalgia or lost love; he hands you a mirror, polished with time and regret, and asks you to look closely. Arindam Chatterjee, now nearly fifty, is no longer the ambitious young man we first met in Above Average. He’s a novelist and professor, yes, but also a man circling back to his past, trying to understand the people he once loved and more importantly, how he failed them.
Unknown City refuses to romanticize memory. They were never just stops along his journey; they had lives of their own, desires unfulfilled, wounds that deepened in his presence. And for years, Arindam didn’t see it.
This is not a story of grand redemption. It’s quieter, sharper, an unraveling. The masculinity that once shaped Arindam’s relationships now feels like a limitation, a script he followed without realizing how it erased others. Bagchi doesn’t spell out lessons but lets them settle in the gaps between memory and hindsight. The narrative moves between past and present, making us feel the weight of years slipping by, the regret of understanding things too late.
Unknown City refuses to romanticize memory. They were never just stops along his journey; they had lives of their own, desires unfulfilled, wounds that deepened in his presence. And for years, Arindam didn’t see it.
This is not a story of grand redemption. It’s quieter, sharper, an unraveling. The masculinity that once shaped Arindam’s relationships now feels like a limitation, a script he followed without realizing how it erased others. Bagchi doesn’t spell out lessons but lets them settle in the gaps between memory and hindsight. The narrative moves between past and present, making us feel the weight of years slipping by, the regret of understanding things too late.
April 26, 2025
Unknown City is one of those books that quietly creeps under your skin, forcing you to question the relationships you thought you understood. It’s not flashy or full of big twists, but it’s incredibly thoughtful, and that’s what makes it so powerful.
The story revolves around Arindam Chatterjee, a man who finds himself revisiting his past and the people he thought he knew. As the narrative unfolds, you realize that the most intriguing mysteries aren’t external—they’re internal. It’s about the things we miss in our relationships, the unspoken words, the moments that slip by unnoticed until it’s too late.
What I loved most was how this book made me reflect on my own life. How many times have I thought I understood the people around me, only to find that there was so much more beneath the surface? This book beautifully captures the complexities of human connection and the quiet way in which we come to terms with who we are and who we’ve been.
If you’re someone who enjoys slow-burn stories that make you think long after the last page, Unknown City is worth your time. It’s a subtle reminder that sometimes, the biggest mystery is the one we never truly understand: ourselves.
The story revolves around Arindam Chatterjee, a man who finds himself revisiting his past and the people he thought he knew. As the narrative unfolds, you realize that the most intriguing mysteries aren’t external—they’re internal. It’s about the things we miss in our relationships, the unspoken words, the moments that slip by unnoticed until it’s too late.
What I loved most was how this book made me reflect on my own life. How many times have I thought I understood the people around me, only to find that there was so much more beneath the surface? This book beautifully captures the complexities of human connection and the quiet way in which we come to terms with who we are and who we’ve been.
If you’re someone who enjoys slow-burn stories that make you think long after the last page, Unknown City is worth your time. It’s a subtle reminder that sometimes, the biggest mystery is the one we never truly understand: ourselves.
June 3, 2025
Amitabha Bagchi's "Unknown City" allows readers to enter the mind and heart of a thoughtful middle-aged man as he seeks to understand his history of romantic relationships, and, specifically, the female perspective. The brave vulnerability of the narrator, Arindam Chatterjee, struck me most. He is willing to examine unflinchingly his own motivations, responses, and desires, even when they conflict with what he says he values and believes. That is, Chatterjee is an utterly human character. As in a real relationship, romantic or platonic, my occasional frustration and impatience with Chatterjee made me like and believe in him even more.
If you enjoy unhurried, deeply introspective conversations about relationships, this is the book for you.
Additionally, "Unknown City" provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of creative writing courses and programs and the experience of international students in the U.S. university system.
If you enjoy unhurried, deeply introspective conversations about relationships, this is the book for you.
Additionally, "Unknown City" provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of creative writing courses and programs and the experience of international students in the U.S. university system.
March 1, 2025
"Unknown City" :
Oh, imagine, walking through a city that has so many memories, regrets, and what-ifs, and that is what Arindam Chatterjee, an author and professor, does, looking back on the span of his life.
He introduces us to three of the finest women we might have ever known in life - Supriya, Lisa, and Razia - and how each of them changed a life of his.
All have their tales - their battles, their wound - and meet through him.
While remembering about these women, Arindam realizes how fragile life can be. Regret, love and human connection are just some of the things that he will come to grips over.
This is a tale about those who shape us as individuals, about the decisions we make, the steps taken, and lessons learnt. It is a story about being human, with all its trials and tribulations.
Oh, imagine, walking through a city that has so many memories, regrets, and what-ifs, and that is what Arindam Chatterjee, an author and professor, does, looking back on the span of his life.
He introduces us to three of the finest women we might have ever known in life - Supriya, Lisa, and Razia - and how each of them changed a life of his.
All have their tales - their battles, their wound - and meet through him.
While remembering about these women, Arindam realizes how fragile life can be. Regret, love and human connection are just some of the things that he will come to grips over.
This is a tale about those who shape us as individuals, about the decisions we make, the steps taken, and lessons learnt. It is a story about being human, with all its trials and tribulations.
March 4, 2025
Unknown City by Amitabha Bagchi is an engrossing read about love, loss and regret which keeps the readers hooked till the end.
The story revolves around Arindam Chatterjee, a professor, who analyzes his past relationships and emotions. Such a thought-provoking read with rich prose and good storytelling. The author talks about three important women, Lisa, Supriya and Razia, in Arindam's life. The story is intriguing with self-reflection, love and loss themes. The author flawlessly portrayed the emotions and the weight of memory.
The story portrays the impact of three women on the protagonist's life, which is beautifully written. The language used is lucid and easy to understand. Overall, I loved this book and would strongly recommend it to all.
The story revolves around Arindam Chatterjee, a professor, who analyzes his past relationships and emotions. Such a thought-provoking read with rich prose and good storytelling. The author talks about three important women, Lisa, Supriya and Razia, in Arindam's life. The story is intriguing with self-reflection, love and loss themes. The author flawlessly portrayed the emotions and the weight of memory.
The story portrays the impact of three women on the protagonist's life, which is beautifully written. The language used is lucid and easy to understand. Overall, I loved this book and would strongly recommend it to all.
July 7, 2025
'Unknown City' by Amitabha Bagchi is a novel that is written from the POV of man. The book felt very raw and deeply personal. I have not read any book earlier that talks about women from the perspective of a man.
We meet Arindam Chatterjee, a man in his 50s. He decides to look back on his past relationships from the 1990s to the 2000s. He decides to meet Supriya, Lisa and Razia- the woman who had a profound effect on his life.
I'm thinking of picking up the author's first part of this book named Above Average. The characters are well developed. The plot is powerful and the story is much deeper than just relationships. It's about the unsaid and unheard parts of a relationship. I enjoyed reading the book.
We meet Arindam Chatterjee, a man in his 50s. He decides to look back on his past relationships from the 1990s to the 2000s. He decides to meet Supriya, Lisa and Razia- the woman who had a profound effect on his life.
I'm thinking of picking up the author's first part of this book named Above Average. The characters are well developed. The plot is powerful and the story is much deeper than just relationships. It's about the unsaid and unheard parts of a relationship. I enjoyed reading the book.
March 13, 2025
Unknown City by Amitabha Bagchi’s follows Arindam Chatterjee as he reflects on past relationships and his emotional blindness. Through Supriya, Lisa, and Razia, he confronts how masculinity shaped his actions. It's a poignant story of regret, self-awareness, and growth.
The writing is introspective yet engaging, capturing the weight of regret and self-awareness. Its surely a must read
What I Loved About the Book:
The nuanced portrayal of flawed yet relatable characters.
The honest exploration of masculinity and emotional blindness.
The lyrical, engaging prose that makes reflection feel immersive.
The way past relationships are revisited with maturity and regret.
The writing is introspective yet engaging, capturing the weight of regret and self-awareness. Its surely a must read
What I Loved About the Book:
The nuanced portrayal of flawed yet relatable characters.
The honest exploration of masculinity and emotional blindness.
The lyrical, engaging prose that makes reflection feel immersive.
The way past relationships are revisited with maturity and regret.
March 29, 2025
A book that will give you the chance to read about different things from a man’s perspective from relationships to women the main character is seen thinking about it all as he sits down to look back at his life and its decisions
July 19, 2025
one of the best read so far.this book of work has man's relationship with woman and the whole emotions of it. reading the book took me also to rewind the relationship in my life too. a enjoyable and highly recommend reading
June 7, 2025
One of the most-anticipated Indian novels of 2025 is also going to be one of the finest. Has Bagchi's trademark lightness of touch.
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