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Girl in the Meadow and Other Unusual Stories
The short stories in this book are all works of the imagination—my imagination, to be exact. So, all the brickbats and all the bouquets belong to me, and to nobody else. Since I have led a singularly blameless life, I expect that the bouquets will outstrip the brickbats by a considerable margin; however, the ways of this world are mysterious in the extreme, as the quantum physicists discovered nearly a hundred years ago.
The stories you are about to read cover a largish ground; I cannot say that there is a theme linking them all together. Some of them have a somewhat surprising ending, like C++ , The Dragon and Special FX ; some are straightforward tales which have been told in a perhaps non-linear manner, such as Schubert’s Eighth and The New Life . Some are tales which have happened to lots of other people; I have taken the liberty of telling them differently. Some of the stories are as old as the world, but that does not prevent them from happening over and over again across the centuries.
Taken all in all, these are stories I have liked telling and loved writing down, and I hope that you will like reading them. And before you ask, no, none of these stories have happened to me. Like I told you before, I have led a truly blameless existence and thus have only followed the strictly straight and narrow. So there.
The stories you are about to read cover a largish ground; I cannot say that there is a theme linking them all together. Some of them have a somewhat surprising ending, like C++ , The Dragon and Special FX ; some are straightforward tales which have been told in a perhaps non-linear manner, such as Schubert’s Eighth and The New Life . Some are tales which have happened to lots of other people; I have taken the liberty of telling them differently. Some of the stories are as old as the world, but that does not prevent them from happening over and over again across the centuries.
Taken all in all, these are stories I have liked telling and loved writing down, and I hope that you will like reading them. And before you ask, no, none of these stories have happened to me. Like I told you before, I have led a truly blameless existence and thus have only followed the strictly straight and narrow. So there.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2025
1 person is currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 4, 2025
Review of Girl in the Meadows and Other Unusual Stories by Jayanta Sengupta
Girl in the Meadows and Other Unusual Stories is a captivating collection of short stories by author Jayanta Sengupta.
I began reading it during a long layover at Bengaluru Airport, and it turned out to be the most delightful way to pass the time—story after story, paired with sips of aromatic filter coffee, made for absolute bliss.
Each story flows with an ease that draws you in completely. The writing style is simple yet deeply evocative, hooking your imagination and making you feel like you're right there in the heart of the narrative. The unfolding of events is so seamless and emotionally resonant, it gently tugs at something within you.
Reading this collection reminded me of my all-time favourite author, Ruskin Bond. There's a similar warmth, simplicity, and understated depth in Jayanta Sengupta’s prose. The language glides effortlessly, making the transition from one story to the next feel like a gentle drift.
The title story, Girl in the Meadows, was particularly poignant and rightfully finds its place as the title of the collection. It captures the tone and emotional richness of the entire book beautifully.
What truly stood out to me was the author’s gift for blending vivid imagination with emotional subtlety. The twists are never loud, but they stay with you. Each story lingers—thought-provoking, heartfelt, and quietly powerful.
This is a book that doesn't just entertain; it leaves a mark.
Girl in the Meadows and Other Unusual Stories is a captivating collection of short stories by author Jayanta Sengupta.
I began reading it during a long layover at Bengaluru Airport, and it turned out to be the most delightful way to pass the time—story after story, paired with sips of aromatic filter coffee, made for absolute bliss.
Each story flows with an ease that draws you in completely. The writing style is simple yet deeply evocative, hooking your imagination and making you feel like you're right there in the heart of the narrative. The unfolding of events is so seamless and emotionally resonant, it gently tugs at something within you.
Reading this collection reminded me of my all-time favourite author, Ruskin Bond. There's a similar warmth, simplicity, and understated depth in Jayanta Sengupta’s prose. The language glides effortlessly, making the transition from one story to the next feel like a gentle drift.
The title story, Girl in the Meadows, was particularly poignant and rightfully finds its place as the title of the collection. It captures the tone and emotional richness of the entire book beautifully.
What truly stood out to me was the author’s gift for blending vivid imagination with emotional subtlety. The twists are never loud, but they stay with you. Each story lingers—thought-provoking, heartfelt, and quietly powerful.
This is a book that doesn't just entertain; it leaves a mark.
July 23, 2025
A book of unusual short stories has to bring together a variety to justify that claim and Jayanta Sengupta has done justice.
Starting with a real short story, also the title of the book, that brings out the touching emotions of a father, the reader is invited to the experiences of a young coder who works within his skill profile to bring out a form of artistic expression with some believable looking code.
As Jayanta explains, many of the stories are as old as the world but he has shown how they happen again.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Starting with a real short story, also the title of the book, that brings out the touching emotions of a father, the reader is invited to the experiences of a young coder who works within his skill profile to bring out a form of artistic expression with some believable looking code.
As Jayanta explains, many of the stories are as old as the world but he has shown how they happen again.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
August 8, 2025
A diverse collection of short stories, most set in India--fun, full of energy and charm, and very readable. Wide-ranging subjects include coming of age, romance, comedy, the paranormal, and even two dives into Indian history during the Partition. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews