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Brink: Stories from the edge
Death is not a single note-it is a symphony of endings and beginnings, of silence and echoes. Death wears many faces, and they need not all be morbid or signify a finality.
This powerful collection of short stories, some of which were shortlisted for the various prompts by India's finest authors for the Times of India Write India contests, takes a stab in exploring these various faces.
They peek into the hearts of those who face, embrace, or deal with death. From the quiet release of a soul long bound by pain, to the chilling vengeance of a spirit wronged; from the tender closure of a love story unfinished, to the unsettling burial of a truth too dangerous to live-each tale explores a different mask that death wears.
Some offer hope, others demand reckoning, yet all reveal something deeply human. Vengeance and forgiveness, surrender and triumph, the end of hope or its beginning; each story unwraps a different facet, revealing that the way we die is perhaps the ultimate reflection of the life we lived.
Whether it arrives as a whisper or as a reckoning, death in these pages is never just the end. It is a transformation. It is a tragedy. It is a triumph. It is the final word-or sometimes, the first.
Thirteen stories.
Thirteen faces.
One inevitable truth.
This powerful collection of short stories, some of which were shortlisted for the various prompts by India's finest authors for the Times of India Write India contests, takes a stab in exploring these various faces.
They peek into the hearts of those who face, embrace, or deal with death. From the quiet release of a soul long bound by pain, to the chilling vengeance of a spirit wronged; from the tender closure of a love story unfinished, to the unsettling burial of a truth too dangerous to live-each tale explores a different mask that death wears.
Some offer hope, others demand reckoning, yet all reveal something deeply human. Vengeance and forgiveness, surrender and triumph, the end of hope or its beginning; each story unwraps a different facet, revealing that the way we die is perhaps the ultimate reflection of the life we lived.
Whether it arrives as a whisper or as a reckoning, death in these pages is never just the end. It is a transformation. It is a tragedy. It is a triumph. It is the final word-or sometimes, the first.
Thirteen stories.
Thirteen faces.
One inevitable truth.
228 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2025
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 10, 2025
BOOK REVIEW: BRINK
AUTHOR: BHASWAR MUKHERJEE
🥂 A TENDER YET HAUNTING! yes, you heard me right - it is a collection of short stories that examines the fragile threshold upon which human emotions often rest. Each story examines the fragile threshold upon which human emotions often rest.
🥂 Each story in this anthology captures a moment where a character stands at a turning point - emotionally, morally or psychologically - forcing them to confront truths they have avoided, memories they have buried or desires they have never dared to acknowledge.
“The rain is relentless. I can hear it thrumming on the metal roof and running down the broken pipe into the mud, and I moisten my cracked lips with my tongue. I wonder if they'll bring me food and water.
I wonder if they're coming at all….”
🥂 Several stories revolve around characters who are haunted by what they once had - or what they never found the courage to claim. The author presents grief as a silent weapon. There's some small decisions that changed the course of life. Also they highlight the line between right and wrong, and how people often hover dangerously close to that boundary before choosing who they really are.
🥂 The stories fill the nature of this human society - Human vulnerability, emotional honesty, unspoken pain, moments of reckoning and life's unpredictable pivots. They are real - which carry that emotional baggage that we all carry the same way. It is not loud but yes…dramatic.
🥂 The brilliance is hidden under the storyline which creates an emotional pressure to make the ends meet together. In this plotline, life pushes the characters to the brink - of hope, despair, self-resilience, forgiveness or transformation.
AUTHOR: BHASWAR MUKHERJEE
🥂 A TENDER YET HAUNTING! yes, you heard me right - it is a collection of short stories that examines the fragile threshold upon which human emotions often rest. Each story examines the fragile threshold upon which human emotions often rest.
🥂 Each story in this anthology captures a moment where a character stands at a turning point - emotionally, morally or psychologically - forcing them to confront truths they have avoided, memories they have buried or desires they have never dared to acknowledge.
“The rain is relentless. I can hear it thrumming on the metal roof and running down the broken pipe into the mud, and I moisten my cracked lips with my tongue. I wonder if they'll bring me food and water.
I wonder if they're coming at all….”
🥂 Several stories revolve around characters who are haunted by what they once had - or what they never found the courage to claim. The author presents grief as a silent weapon. There's some small decisions that changed the course of life. Also they highlight the line between right and wrong, and how people often hover dangerously close to that boundary before choosing who they really are.
🥂 The stories fill the nature of this human society - Human vulnerability, emotional honesty, unspoken pain, moments of reckoning and life's unpredictable pivots. They are real - which carry that emotional baggage that we all carry the same way. It is not loud but yes…dramatic.
🥂 The brilliance is hidden under the storyline which creates an emotional pressure to make the ends meet together. In this plotline, life pushes the characters to the brink - of hope, despair, self-resilience, forgiveness or transformation.
December 6, 2025
" Brink" is a compelling anthology of thirteen short stories that captures the fragile, unpredictable moments when life tilts sometimes gently, sometimes violently toward change. Bhaswar Mukherjee brings together characters who stand at crossroads, confronting choices that test their courage, values, and sense of self.
What makes this collection memorable is the emotional honesty running through every story. Mukherjee doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths , grief, betrayal, moral conflict, fractured relationships, and the silence that follows trauma. Yet, he balances the weight of these themes with glimpses of hope, resilience, and the quiet tenderness that keeps people going.
Several stories leave a lingering impact long after you finish reading them. Some unravel the complexities of friendship and love, some explore social and ethical dilemmas, while others reveal the hidden battles people fight behind closed doors. Each narrative is concise yet powerful, carrying the punch of a full-length novel in just a few pages.
The writing is simple but evocative, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and their struggles. What stands out most is how relatable the stories feel they mirror the world around us with all its imperfections, contradictions, and fleeting moments of beauty.
" Brink" is not just a collection of stories; it’s a reflection on what it means to be human. Thought-provoking and emotionally rich, it is a book that invites you to pause, introspect, and perhaps recognise a piece of yourself within its pages.
If you enjoy short stories that blend emotional depth with real-life relevance, this anthology is definitely worth picking up.
What makes this collection memorable is the emotional honesty running through every story. Mukherjee doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths , grief, betrayal, moral conflict, fractured relationships, and the silence that follows trauma. Yet, he balances the weight of these themes with glimpses of hope, resilience, and the quiet tenderness that keeps people going.
Several stories leave a lingering impact long after you finish reading them. Some unravel the complexities of friendship and love, some explore social and ethical dilemmas, while others reveal the hidden battles people fight behind closed doors. Each narrative is concise yet powerful, carrying the punch of a full-length novel in just a few pages.
The writing is simple but evocative, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and their struggles. What stands out most is how relatable the stories feel they mirror the world around us with all its imperfections, contradictions, and fleeting moments of beauty.
" Brink" is not just a collection of stories; it’s a reflection on what it means to be human. Thought-provoking and emotionally rich, it is a book that invites you to pause, introspect, and perhaps recognise a piece of yourself within its pages.
If you enjoy short stories that blend emotional depth with real-life relevance, this anthology is definitely worth picking up.
February 4, 2026
Every story in this book stands at a fragile edge, where life hesitates and something irreversible quietly unfolds. This collection of thirteen short stories doesn’t rely on shock or drama; instead, it draws you in with stillness, restraint, and emotional honesty.
The book uses death as a recurring thread, but never as a blunt ending. In each story, death feels more like a moment of truth, a pause where hidden emotions, unresolved relationships, and moral dilemmas surface. What I found most striking is how human and relatable the characters are. These are ordinary people placed in extraordinary emotional situations, making their journeys quietly devastating.
The stories are brief, yet complete. Each one follows its character closely until the very end, allowing readers to witness their inner worlds with clarity and compassion. Family bonds, love, betrayal, guilt, revenge, and loss are explored with sensitivity, without ever becoming heavy-handed. The writing is clean and contemplative, giving space for silence and vulnerability to do the work.
I also appreciated the thoughtful detail of opening every story with a quote from a well-known personality. These lines don’t feel ornamental; they deepen the mood and stay with you as the story unfolds. Despite being an anthology, the collection feels cohesive, with each story building on the emotional weight of the last.
What stayed with me after finishing Brink was the sense that death here is not finality, but reckoning - sometimes painful, sometimes gentle, and occasionally freeing. This is a reflective, emotionally rich read for anyone who enjoys meaningful short fiction that lingers long after the last page.
The book uses death as a recurring thread, but never as a blunt ending. In each story, death feels more like a moment of truth, a pause where hidden emotions, unresolved relationships, and moral dilemmas surface. What I found most striking is how human and relatable the characters are. These are ordinary people placed in extraordinary emotional situations, making their journeys quietly devastating.
The stories are brief, yet complete. Each one follows its character closely until the very end, allowing readers to witness their inner worlds with clarity and compassion. Family bonds, love, betrayal, guilt, revenge, and loss are explored with sensitivity, without ever becoming heavy-handed. The writing is clean and contemplative, giving space for silence and vulnerability to do the work.
I also appreciated the thoughtful detail of opening every story with a quote from a well-known personality. These lines don’t feel ornamental; they deepen the mood and stay with you as the story unfolds. Despite being an anthology, the collection feels cohesive, with each story building on the emotional weight of the last.
What stayed with me after finishing Brink was the sense that death here is not finality, but reckoning - sometimes painful, sometimes gentle, and occasionally freeing. This is a reflective, emotionally rich read for anyone who enjoys meaningful short fiction that lingers long after the last page.
January 25, 2026
Brink: Stories from the Edge is an effective collection of thirteen short stories that explore the dark, desperate times when life is on the verge of change, crisis, or loss. Instead of death being an end, Mukherjee describes how death can be a spectrum of experiences, endings, beginnings, silent transformations, reckonings, and reflections that teaches the characters how to face life itself. The stories discuss various facets of death and transformation, such as loss, grief, betrayal, redemption, vengeance, and closure. These stories do not merely deal with the problem of mortality, but they explore how people react when making decisions that would re-establish them existence.
The main thread, which links all the stories, is human vulnerability—be it sorrow, betrayal, love unfulfilled, ethical issues, or the silent acceptance of fate. The characters are literally on the edge, struggling to cope with a situation that challenges their core values and shakes their identity. The stories address crude feelings such as pain, vengeance, forgiveness, hope, and resilience, and they are not presented as far-fetched philosophical concepts but rather as what is apparent in the real world. The book is emotionally resonant, as many of the stories are based on the situations and feelings that can be shared by readers.
The prose of Mukherjee is not complicated and is evocative, rendering profound emotional themes without blurring their sharpness. The brevity of the short story format makes each of them standalone works, but when combined, they all create a fabric of experiences that seem closely connected emotionally. This accessibility makes heavy themes feel comprehensible and felt. Although each story is short, it has the emotional impact of a longer story, and the reader can fully engage with it and walk away transformed. The simplicity of the language contributes to its strength, as it allows the themes—life, loss, closure, and hope—to breathe on their own.
As I was reading this, I was not merely flipping pages but standing by each character in their most desperate times and sharing their pain, confusion, hope, and silent strength. How Mukherjee delves into the harsh sides of life made me stop and consider my own experience about loss and fear, in particular, how we really do not want to think about endings until it just drops in our lap. The stories were like mirrors, and I could see that the moments of grief, forgiveness, and morals are common and that even the darkest feelings, when dealt with honestly, can turn into a chance of growth and insight. I have been taught that sometimes resilience does not have to be loud or dramatic; sometimes it is the ability to take the pain silently, the ability to release, and the ability to continue forward with a compassionate heart.
The variety of themes and tone of emotions of the thirteen stories of Brink is what makes it interesting and dynamic. Some are heart-wrenching and even quietly devastating; others provide glimpses of reflection and even hope. As an example, some of the stories prompt the reader to contemplate dignity and letting go, whereas some expose abrupt changes of situation that linger well after the page is finished. This diversity guarantees the anthology does not become a one-dimensional read—each story presents a new emotional terrain yet adds to the overall question of the collection on the edge of life.
In conclusion, this is not a book about death, but it is a journey into the most definitive and delicate parts of life. It portrays the beauty and the brutality of being human, the fact that endings tend to be reflections of beginnings, and that decisions we choose to make during the moments of crisis reflect our most authentic self. The readers also walk away with a greater understanding of how fragile the beauty of life is and that there is room to hope and find meaning even in our most difficult times. This anthology is a curious and striking read for readers who enjoy thought-provoking and emotionally rich literature that resonates with the complexities of life and prompts self-reflection.
The main thread, which links all the stories, is human vulnerability—be it sorrow, betrayal, love unfulfilled, ethical issues, or the silent acceptance of fate. The characters are literally on the edge, struggling to cope with a situation that challenges their core values and shakes their identity. The stories address crude feelings such as pain, vengeance, forgiveness, hope, and resilience, and they are not presented as far-fetched philosophical concepts but rather as what is apparent in the real world. The book is emotionally resonant, as many of the stories are based on the situations and feelings that can be shared by readers.
The prose of Mukherjee is not complicated and is evocative, rendering profound emotional themes without blurring their sharpness. The brevity of the short story format makes each of them standalone works, but when combined, they all create a fabric of experiences that seem closely connected emotionally. This accessibility makes heavy themes feel comprehensible and felt. Although each story is short, it has the emotional impact of a longer story, and the reader can fully engage with it and walk away transformed. The simplicity of the language contributes to its strength, as it allows the themes—life, loss, closure, and hope—to breathe on their own.
As I was reading this, I was not merely flipping pages but standing by each character in their most desperate times and sharing their pain, confusion, hope, and silent strength. How Mukherjee delves into the harsh sides of life made me stop and consider my own experience about loss and fear, in particular, how we really do not want to think about endings until it just drops in our lap. The stories were like mirrors, and I could see that the moments of grief, forgiveness, and morals are common and that even the darkest feelings, when dealt with honestly, can turn into a chance of growth and insight. I have been taught that sometimes resilience does not have to be loud or dramatic; sometimes it is the ability to take the pain silently, the ability to release, and the ability to continue forward with a compassionate heart.
The variety of themes and tone of emotions of the thirteen stories of Brink is what makes it interesting and dynamic. Some are heart-wrenching and even quietly devastating; others provide glimpses of reflection and even hope. As an example, some of the stories prompt the reader to contemplate dignity and letting go, whereas some expose abrupt changes of situation that linger well after the page is finished. This diversity guarantees the anthology does not become a one-dimensional read—each story presents a new emotional terrain yet adds to the overall question of the collection on the edge of life.
In conclusion, this is not a book about death, but it is a journey into the most definitive and delicate parts of life. It portrays the beauty and the brutality of being human, the fact that endings tend to be reflections of beginnings, and that decisions we choose to make during the moments of crisis reflect our most authentic self. The readers also walk away with a greater understanding of how fragile the beauty of life is and that there is room to hope and find meaning even in our most difficult times. This anthology is a curious and striking read for readers who enjoy thought-provoking and emotionally rich literature that resonates with the complexities of life and prompts self-reflection.
December 23, 2025
Brink - Stories From The Edge... by Bhaswar Mukherjee
"Isn't it strange and a pity that we are well-schooled for life's journey, but not for that of death? It is an education self-taught, an ultimatum we must prepare ourselves for."
My Ammi often says, “If death must come, let it come while one is still moving through life. May Allah never make a person so helpless that they become a burden on others in old age.” I truly understood the depth of these words after reading the second story in Brink – Stories From The Edge by Bhaswar Mukherjee. While I’ve witnessed similar realities in life, reading about them makes the experience far more intimate and deeply personal.
Brink is a collection of thirteen short stories, each powerful in its own way. This book has firmly earned a place among my favourite short story collections of 2025. Mukherjee’s narration is distinctly Shashi Tharoor-esque-rich, layered, and demanding. I often found myself reading with a pencil in hand and a digital dictionary close by.
Each story revolves around death, or a person standing at its edge, hovering between life and its inevitable end. These are deeply humane tales: some characters choose death, while others are claimed by it without consent.
Mukherjee’s stories echo the quiet symphony of beginnings and endings. The opening story, set during the COVID-19 pandemic, follows Sardul, a factory worker in Mumbai, far from his home in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. He hasn’t seen his wife and two children in two years and has hidden a devastating truth from them, a factory accident that cost him one hand. Armed with hope and a train ticket, he prepares to return home, only for the sudden lockdown announcement to crush his plans. Forced to walk back with his friend Birju from Purnea, Bihar, Sardul’s journey ends in tragedy so overwhelming that it left me completely shattered.
Another story follows an elderly mother visiting her daughter’s family in Chennai from Kolkata. She wakes up one day in a hospital, unaware of how long she has been there. As painful truths slowly surface, the weight of her suffering leads her to make a heartbreaking decision, one that forces her to plan her own death in an unimaginable way.
There is also the story of Sparsh, a Class 9 student born with open spinal bifida, and the sole heir to Adesh Jain’s diamond-to-shipping empire. For Sparsh, Siya is his entire universe; for Siya, Sparsh is merely a “freakish cripple.” Bound together for school science experiments, Siya treats him with cruelty and disdain. But fate intervenes, and what unfolds next is both heart-wrenching and deeply unsettling.
Brink explores love, sacrifice, vengeance, friendship, truth, lies, and the many masks death wears. These stories are layered, revealing life through the lens of death itself.
One particular story shook me to my core, the disturbing tale of a daughter infatuated with her own father. The narrative is deeply uncomfortable, at times making you cringe, at times filling you with anger.
Bhaswar Mukherjee’s writing carries an undeniable emotional and philosophical force. His words compel reflection, allowing you to feel every emotion he intends to evoke. Each story presents a different facet of death, life, and everything that exists in between.
Bhaswar Mukherjee writes with honesty and clarity, using language not to show off, but to reach deep within the reader. His writing is rich yet restrained, and the philosophical depth in his stories feels natural rather than forced. Each story leaves a quiet impact, stirring emotions like sadness, unease, empathy, and reflection. Brink shows us that thinking about death is not something to fear, it is essential. When we accept our mortality, we become more aware of how we live, how fragile time and relationships are, and how much our choices matter. Through these stories, Mukherjee gently reminds us to live with greater awareness, truth, and humanity.
"Isn't it strange and a pity that we are well-schooled for life's journey, but not for that of death? It is an education self-taught, an ultimatum we must prepare ourselves for."
My Ammi often says, “If death must come, let it come while one is still moving through life. May Allah never make a person so helpless that they become a burden on others in old age.” I truly understood the depth of these words after reading the second story in Brink – Stories From The Edge by Bhaswar Mukherjee. While I’ve witnessed similar realities in life, reading about them makes the experience far more intimate and deeply personal.
Brink is a collection of thirteen short stories, each powerful in its own way. This book has firmly earned a place among my favourite short story collections of 2025. Mukherjee’s narration is distinctly Shashi Tharoor-esque-rich, layered, and demanding. I often found myself reading with a pencil in hand and a digital dictionary close by.
Each story revolves around death, or a person standing at its edge, hovering between life and its inevitable end. These are deeply humane tales: some characters choose death, while others are claimed by it without consent.
Mukherjee’s stories echo the quiet symphony of beginnings and endings. The opening story, set during the COVID-19 pandemic, follows Sardul, a factory worker in Mumbai, far from his home in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. He hasn’t seen his wife and two children in two years and has hidden a devastating truth from them, a factory accident that cost him one hand. Armed with hope and a train ticket, he prepares to return home, only for the sudden lockdown announcement to crush his plans. Forced to walk back with his friend Birju from Purnea, Bihar, Sardul’s journey ends in tragedy so overwhelming that it left me completely shattered.
Another story follows an elderly mother visiting her daughter’s family in Chennai from Kolkata. She wakes up one day in a hospital, unaware of how long she has been there. As painful truths slowly surface, the weight of her suffering leads her to make a heartbreaking decision, one that forces her to plan her own death in an unimaginable way.
There is also the story of Sparsh, a Class 9 student born with open spinal bifida, and the sole heir to Adesh Jain’s diamond-to-shipping empire. For Sparsh, Siya is his entire universe; for Siya, Sparsh is merely a “freakish cripple.” Bound together for school science experiments, Siya treats him with cruelty and disdain. But fate intervenes, and what unfolds next is both heart-wrenching and deeply unsettling.
Brink explores love, sacrifice, vengeance, friendship, truth, lies, and the many masks death wears. These stories are layered, revealing life through the lens of death itself.
One particular story shook me to my core, the disturbing tale of a daughter infatuated with her own father. The narrative is deeply uncomfortable, at times making you cringe, at times filling you with anger.
Bhaswar Mukherjee’s writing carries an undeniable emotional and philosophical force. His words compel reflection, allowing you to feel every emotion he intends to evoke. Each story presents a different facet of death, life, and everything that exists in between.
Bhaswar Mukherjee writes with honesty and clarity, using language not to show off, but to reach deep within the reader. His writing is rich yet restrained, and the philosophical depth in his stories feels natural rather than forced. Each story leaves a quiet impact, stirring emotions like sadness, unease, empathy, and reflection. Brink shows us that thinking about death is not something to fear, it is essential. When we accept our mortality, we become more aware of how we live, how fragile time and relationships are, and how much our choices matter. Through these stories, Mukherjee gently reminds us to live with greater awareness, truth, and humanity.
February 5, 2026
Bhaswar Mukherjee's Brink- stories from the edge is a collection of stories revolving and representing death. It shows death as a occurance, and here in each story, death unveils a side of it.
Mukherjee's collection of stories resolve in line between life and death, hope and despair. Rather than depicting death as a finality, he chooses to bring out the transformational journey as a sum of life moments. The themes include Death as transformation, not always tragic, but often a moment of revelation. It choices that blur the lines between right and wrong. Stories of this book are threaded with pain, grief, vengeance, forgiveness, and redemption. Brink has a unique way of gathering mirror contemporary realities.
Mukherjee’s writing is widely praised for being simple yet evocative. The stories are grounded in relatable human experiences. They feel, in many ways, like reflections of real life familiar yet unsettling. This grounded quality helps the reader connect with characters quickly, even when their journeys are intense or uncomfortable and unsettling. Perhaps, it's best when read slow.
It allows you to pause, reflect, and sometimes confront their own beliefs about life, death, and morality.
Brink rises above being a mere set of short stories and becomes a quiet reflection of who we are at our most vulnerable. It captures life in its unpolished moments—fear and hope, loss and courage and presents them with sensitivity and a rare emotional honesty. For me, this is the kind of book that speaks to readers who value writing that is emotionally resonant, thoughtfully layered, and fearless in its truth. If you wish to read a book which is emotionally resonating, thought provoking yet profound and relatable, this book must be your next read.
Mukherjee's collection of stories resolve in line between life and death, hope and despair. Rather than depicting death as a finality, he chooses to bring out the transformational journey as a sum of life moments. The themes include Death as transformation, not always tragic, but often a moment of revelation. It choices that blur the lines between right and wrong. Stories of this book are threaded with pain, grief, vengeance, forgiveness, and redemption. Brink has a unique way of gathering mirror contemporary realities.
Mukherjee’s writing is widely praised for being simple yet evocative. The stories are grounded in relatable human experiences. They feel, in many ways, like reflections of real life familiar yet unsettling. This grounded quality helps the reader connect with characters quickly, even when their journeys are intense or uncomfortable and unsettling. Perhaps, it's best when read slow.
It allows you to pause, reflect, and sometimes confront their own beliefs about life, death, and morality.
Brink rises above being a mere set of short stories and becomes a quiet reflection of who we are at our most vulnerable. It captures life in its unpolished moments—fear and hope, loss and courage and presents them with sensitivity and a rare emotional honesty. For me, this is the kind of book that speaks to readers who value writing that is emotionally resonant, thoughtfully layered, and fearless in its truth. If you wish to read a book which is emotionally resonating, thought provoking yet profound and relatable, this book must be your next read.
December 14, 2025
“Did I fail my father?
Did he deserve to pay this price for the war?
Will my death be in vain, or will his war amend its ways—
to stop using innocent lives as pawns?”
Stories from the Edge… BRINK by Bhaswar Mukherjee is a collection of 13 short stories that begin just before the climax and end with the inevitable—death. Each story feels real, raw, and unsettlingly human.
The author weaves every character with depth and emotional complexity, making them feel painfully authentic. Death isn’t just an ending here—it’s a tool, an instrument of storytelling, forcing the reader to confront truths we often avoid.
While every story leaves an impact, my personal favourites are:
It Was Not Their War
An Autumn Leaf
Closure Is a Myth
This book lingers long after the last page—quiet, heavy, and thought-provoking.
Did he deserve to pay this price for the war?
Will my death be in vain, or will his war amend its ways—
to stop using innocent lives as pawns?”
Stories from the Edge… BRINK by Bhaswar Mukherjee is a collection of 13 short stories that begin just before the climax and end with the inevitable—death. Each story feels real, raw, and unsettlingly human.
The author weaves every character with depth and emotional complexity, making them feel painfully authentic. Death isn’t just an ending here—it’s a tool, an instrument of storytelling, forcing the reader to confront truths we often avoid.
While every story leaves an impact, my personal favourites are:
It Was Not Their War
An Autumn Leaf
Closure Is a Myth
This book lingers long after the last page—quiet, heavy, and thought-provoking.
January 14, 2026
A book that acknowledges the courage in one's heart when they face, remember and let go of their hardship.
Every story is different and has a different situation but the struggle, betrayal and hardship they faced hit differently in each story.
All thirteen stories are different but I especially liked Arthashastra - A Story from the Gupta dynasty which is well researched and deep and " Twisted Minds" which speaks of revenge.
It's a kind of book that sees death in different forms. With its stories it dives deep in one's life and the way things changed could be a lesson for others. Some stories may remain unfinished but you can't undo or hide your wrongdoing.
Every story is different and has a different situation but the struggle, betrayal and hardship they faced hit differently in each story.
All thirteen stories are different but I especially liked Arthashastra - A Story from the Gupta dynasty which is well researched and deep and " Twisted Minds" which speaks of revenge.
It's a kind of book that sees death in different forms. With its stories it dives deep in one's life and the way things changed could be a lesson for others. Some stories may remain unfinished but you can't undo or hide your wrongdoing.
February 5, 2026
Brink feels like standing at the edge of something fragile emotionally, socially, and psychologically. Author writes with quiet intensity, exploring people pushed to their limits, where small moments carry heavy consequences. The stories are sharp, unsettling, and deeply human, leaving you with a lingering sense of discomfort.
What really stands out is how simple yet powerful the writing feels. The author does not use heavy or dramatic language, but the emotions still hit deeply. It feels real, like these could be people around us dealing with pressure, fear, loneliness, or guilt. The storytelling is calm on the surface but carries a lot of depth underneath.
By the end, Brink becomes more than just a collection of stories.
What really stands out is how simple yet powerful the writing feels. The author does not use heavy or dramatic language, but the emotions still hit deeply. It feels real, like these could be people around us dealing with pressure, fear, loneliness, or guilt. The storytelling is calm on the surface but carries a lot of depth underneath.
By the end, Brink becomes more than just a collection of stories.
December 12, 2025
brink : stories from the edge by bhaswar mukherjee
genre : contemporary short stories
My 💭:
[11/12/25 7.57 PM]
"For Life and Death are one, even as the river and the sea are one..."
Very rarely have I come across a book where the event of Death has been treated like another event in life itself. Most often, death is treated as a tragic ending to one's story or as a means of respite after a life full of hurdles. But the author has beautifully curated a collection of 13 stories where death is nothing but a turning point in life, for the person himself and the people around him.
The first story was about one's path in life with hope and faith, with the only destination : solace and peace. But life always has different plans for different people. The same path brought upon a new kind of beginning, a new chapter of life to Birju, but Sardul came face to face with a completely different kind of life. This story brought forth so many memories from Covid days and how severely it impacted people from rural communities. The second story dealt with a very controversial concept - Euthanasia. This was probably my favourite story of all, because these kind grey area questions are my favourite. The third story tied death to the regrets one has in life that come pouring out at the end moment. In another story, true friendship and love proved that even sacrificing life is worth it, for our beloved people.
There were a few historical stories as well, and they were filled with twists and double crossing and of course - death, portrayed as another part of the stories. I loved how none of the stories had predictable endings. Like, how the two jail mates came upon that uncommon understanding from their common love for a woman they both murdered, unintentionally. The story with Eshan and his multiple personality disorder gave me chills! Not because of what he did, but because how cruel his parents were! People resort to revenge and possessiveness when their ego isn't satisfied, but in the eyes of death, maybe maybe closure is possible. I guess, conscience is the one thing that always guides us, in life and death.
.
I really really enjoyed reading all the stories. Each of them really made me pause and introspect so many hard truths about living and of course, dying. People go about their lives, doing things beneficial for them, but never pausing to think about the others or if innocent lives are lost. Ir maybe they do, when it's too late - when death itself shows the truth. It's all about trying and doing right by our own self and our loved ones so that even on the brink of death, we find life.
.
A five star read!
.
"I realised that the completion of my
journey indeed had hung on a thread. Sometimes, that's all you need."
genre : contemporary short stories
My 💭:
[11/12/25 7.57 PM]
"For Life and Death are one, even as the river and the sea are one..."
Very rarely have I come across a book where the event of Death has been treated like another event in life itself. Most often, death is treated as a tragic ending to one's story or as a means of respite after a life full of hurdles. But the author has beautifully curated a collection of 13 stories where death is nothing but a turning point in life, for the person himself and the people around him.
The first story was about one's path in life with hope and faith, with the only destination : solace and peace. But life always has different plans for different people. The same path brought upon a new kind of beginning, a new chapter of life to Birju, but Sardul came face to face with a completely different kind of life. This story brought forth so many memories from Covid days and how severely it impacted people from rural communities. The second story dealt with a very controversial concept - Euthanasia. This was probably my favourite story of all, because these kind grey area questions are my favourite. The third story tied death to the regrets one has in life that come pouring out at the end moment. In another story, true friendship and love proved that even sacrificing life is worth it, for our beloved people.
There were a few historical stories as well, and they were filled with twists and double crossing and of course - death, portrayed as another part of the stories. I loved how none of the stories had predictable endings. Like, how the two jail mates came upon that uncommon understanding from their common love for a woman they both murdered, unintentionally. The story with Eshan and his multiple personality disorder gave me chills! Not because of what he did, but because how cruel his parents were! People resort to revenge and possessiveness when their ego isn't satisfied, but in the eyes of death, maybe maybe closure is possible. I guess, conscience is the one thing that always guides us, in life and death.
.
I really really enjoyed reading all the stories. Each of them really made me pause and introspect so many hard truths about living and of course, dying. People go about their lives, doing things beneficial for them, but never pausing to think about the others or if innocent lives are lost. Ir maybe they do, when it's too late - when death itself shows the truth. It's all about trying and doing right by our own self and our loved ones so that even on the brink of death, we find life.
.
A five star read!
.
"I realised that the completion of my
journey indeed had hung on a thread. Sometimes, that's all you need."
February 2, 2026
"Brink" approaches death, not as spectacle or shock, but...as a human truth, handled with empathy and remarkable emotional intelligence.
Across thirteen stories, the Author has explored moments when life stands exposed, like when choices can no longer be postponed and truths can just no longer be buried🤞
Death, in these pages, isn't a singular idea. It's been shown to arrive in different forms...as reckoning, release, consequence, confrontation and at times grace.
Mr. Mukherjee’s trust in silence is admirable.
He hasn't over explained emotions or dramatized suffering, instead, He's allowed the characters to exist as they are...all flawed, restrained, conflicted, and a lot recognisable🫰
Relationships have unfolded with the natural... universal tension.
Love, guilt, regret and responsibility have been written to surface naturally, often in understated moments!
Each narrative felt distinct in tone and setting, still the collection remained cohesive through its emotional honesty.
Some stories did disturb, others felt consoling, but none of them felt ornamental or forced.
Death, in the book, has not been used for effect, for it's functioned as a mirror, reflecting the lives that preceded it and exposing the moral weight of human decisions.
The brevity of the stories worked wonderfully in their favour. It sharpened their impact rather than diluting it! (Beautiful thing👌)
The balance this book achieves by the end...has all my admiration!!
This book is reflective without being heavy and is also philosophical without being preachy.
(At times, it even goes haunting, but that too, without losing compassion.)
I guess, BRINK, just very naturally and obviously, asks its readers to pause and sit with discomfort for a while, just to recognise how closely life and loss are intertwined🤞
Anyone reading and completing it in one sitting, will definitely lose the meaning, the book has to offer. Best, if you read it slow, taking all the time to understand what life and death actually are🙌 for ultimately, life is given to us everyday and death creates/adds a meaning to the life we live and if given enough thought, it actually reveals something profoundly true about how we live🙇♀️
Across thirteen stories, the Author has explored moments when life stands exposed, like when choices can no longer be postponed and truths can just no longer be buried🤞
Death, in these pages, isn't a singular idea. It's been shown to arrive in different forms...as reckoning, release, consequence, confrontation and at times grace.
Mr. Mukherjee’s trust in silence is admirable.
He hasn't over explained emotions or dramatized suffering, instead, He's allowed the characters to exist as they are...all flawed, restrained, conflicted, and a lot recognisable🫰
Relationships have unfolded with the natural... universal tension.
Love, guilt, regret and responsibility have been written to surface naturally, often in understated moments!
Each narrative felt distinct in tone and setting, still the collection remained cohesive through its emotional honesty.
Some stories did disturb, others felt consoling, but none of them felt ornamental or forced.
Death, in the book, has not been used for effect, for it's functioned as a mirror, reflecting the lives that preceded it and exposing the moral weight of human decisions.
The brevity of the stories worked wonderfully in their favour. It sharpened their impact rather than diluting it! (Beautiful thing👌)
The balance this book achieves by the end...has all my admiration!!
This book is reflective without being heavy and is also philosophical without being preachy.
(At times, it even goes haunting, but that too, without losing compassion.)
I guess, BRINK, just very naturally and obviously, asks its readers to pause and sit with discomfort for a while, just to recognise how closely life and loss are intertwined🤞
Anyone reading and completing it in one sitting, will definitely lose the meaning, the book has to offer. Best, if you read it slow, taking all the time to understand what life and death actually are🙌 for ultimately, life is given to us everyday and death creates/adds a meaning to the life we live and if given enough thought, it actually reveals something profoundly true about how we live🙇♀️
February 5, 2026
There's something quietly commanding about a collection that refuses to sensationalize death. Brink: Stories from the Edge doesn't arrive with fanfare or melodrama—it simply sits down beside you and asks you to consider mortality through thirteen different lenses. And remarkably, it does so without ever feeling repetitive or heavy-handed.
What strikes me first about this collection is its restraint. In an era where writers often feel compelled to explain every emotion, to spell out every moral lesson, Mr. Mukherjee trusts his readers—and more importantly, trusts his characters—to simply be. There's no overwrought grief, no theatrical deathbed pronouncements. Instead, we get people: flawed, hesitant, caught between what they want to say and what they're capable of saying. That authenticity is rare and deeply refreshing.
The premise itself is compelling: death not as a monolithic ending but as a varied human experience shaped by the lives that preceded it. Some stories disturb, as they should. Others console. But none feel like they're performing for effect, and that's where the collection's real strength lies. The emotional honesty holds everything together even as the narratives shift in tone and setting—from quiet release to chilling vengeance, from tender closure to unsettling revelation.
I'm particularly drawn to how the book explores the relationship between how we live and how we die. It's a bold thematic thread, suggesting that our final moments aren't arbitrary but reflective—a culmination rather than just a cessation. That philosophical underpinning gives weight to even the smaller, more intimate stories.
The fact that several pieces were shortlisted in prestigious contests speaks to their craft, but what matters more is that they feel genuinely felt rather than merely well-constructed. This isn't a collection trying to impress you with its cleverness; it's trying to sit with you in contemplation.
Brink won't be for everyone—those seeking escapism or easy comfort should look elsewhere. But for readers willing to face the uncomfortable, the unresolved, and the inevitable with clear eyes, this collection offers something valuable: a reminder that death, in all its faces, remains profoundly, undeniably human.
What strikes me first about this collection is its restraint. In an era where writers often feel compelled to explain every emotion, to spell out every moral lesson, Mr. Mukherjee trusts his readers—and more importantly, trusts his characters—to simply be. There's no overwrought grief, no theatrical deathbed pronouncements. Instead, we get people: flawed, hesitant, caught between what they want to say and what they're capable of saying. That authenticity is rare and deeply refreshing.
The premise itself is compelling: death not as a monolithic ending but as a varied human experience shaped by the lives that preceded it. Some stories disturb, as they should. Others console. But none feel like they're performing for effect, and that's where the collection's real strength lies. The emotional honesty holds everything together even as the narratives shift in tone and setting—from quiet release to chilling vengeance, from tender closure to unsettling revelation.
I'm particularly drawn to how the book explores the relationship between how we live and how we die. It's a bold thematic thread, suggesting that our final moments aren't arbitrary but reflective—a culmination rather than just a cessation. That philosophical underpinning gives weight to even the smaller, more intimate stories.
The fact that several pieces were shortlisted in prestigious contests speaks to their craft, but what matters more is that they feel genuinely felt rather than merely well-constructed. This isn't a collection trying to impress you with its cleverness; it's trying to sit with you in contemplation.
Brink won't be for everyone—those seeking escapism or easy comfort should look elsewhere. But for readers willing to face the uncomfortable, the unresolved, and the inevitable with clear eyes, this collection offers something valuable: a reminder that death, in all its faces, remains profoundly, undeniably human.
December 2, 2025
🍀Book - BRINK- Stories from the edge
🍀Author - Bhaswar Mukherjee
🍀Between the Pages -
“Revenge is a compulsive emotion, you know. In her plotting, I suppose she made the decision that mere death for Anuj would not do. It would have to be a blow that would cripple him for life and ostracise him from society.”
🍀Review-
Brink is a short-story collection — it brings together 13 stories by Bhaswar Mukherjee. The common theme of the stories is “on the edge”The stories keep you on the edge ,no doubt ,and explore death , loss, betrayal,emotional journey and societal issues .
Stories like “Crushed” feel very close to reality and evoke memories of the COVID-19 times. They remind us that illness and death are inevitable, but how we approach these challenges truly matters. “An Autumn Leaf” explores the delicate subject of euthanasia, prompting reflection on life and dignity. “Joriel” tells a story of friendship and love, showing how deceit can lead someone to lose their sense of self. “Starcrossed” conveys a bitter truth: situations can change in an instant, so we should never look down on anyone.
All the thirteen stories connect to the reader as they are from our surroundings and my favourite is “It was not their war” it talks about naxalites .
All the stories prove raw human emotions, moral dilemmas, suffering, redemption , hatred and over all its a platter of emotions good and bad both .
Every story brings its own intensity and evokes varied emotional responses.
The book attempts to hold a mirror up to life’s darker sides — which can be painful and haunting.
With simple language, relevant topics , relatable characters Brink is a commendable effort by the author to make the reader face to face with life and realise that life is not always fair .
It’s powerful and thought provoking.
Those who seek literature with emotional depth and moral weight, it offers a profound experience.
February 5, 2026
Brink by Bhaswar Mukherjee stayed with me in a very slow, quiet way like a thought that refuses to leave even when the day is over.
This book doesn’t try to shock me loudly.
For me this book was a 5 out 5 rated book, trust me its that phenomenal.
Instead, it slowly enters your mind and starts rearranging things there.
While reading, I constantly felt like I was standing at the edge of something…
truth, guilt, memory, love
and any step forward could change everything.
The writing is introspective, heavy with thought, and deeply psychological.
It doesn’t tell you what to feel.
It lets you sit with feelings.
My favourite chapter was “Closure is a Myth.”
That chapter felt painfully honest.
It quietly explains that life doesn’t always give us neat endings.
That some conversations end mid-sentence.
Some emotions stay unresolved.
And some answers never come.
While reading it, I felt like the author wasn’t describing a plot but a truth most of us live with.
The way memories return.
The way the past lingers.
The way closure feels like something we chase but rarely receive.
The rain…
the silence…
the inner monologue…
it all came together perfectly.
It was the chapter where I paused the most, reread lines
and just stared at the page
realising that maybe learning to live without closure
is sometimes the real healing.
What I appreciated about Brink is how it treats closure as an illusion.
Not every story ends cleanly.
Not every emotion gets resolved.
And that’s exactly how real life works.
The characters feel flawed…
sometimes selfish…
sometimes lost…
but always human.
This is not a fast or comforting book.
It’s reflective, unsettling and thoughtful.
I closed it feeling emotionally tired but mentally full
like the book had asked questions
I didn’t have answers to
and maybe never will.
And honestly…
that’s what made it
beautiful…..
captivating…
honest…...
real.....
This book doesn’t try to shock me loudly.
For me this book was a 5 out 5 rated book, trust me its that phenomenal.
Instead, it slowly enters your mind and starts rearranging things there.
While reading, I constantly felt like I was standing at the edge of something…
truth, guilt, memory, love
and any step forward could change everything.
The writing is introspective, heavy with thought, and deeply psychological.
It doesn’t tell you what to feel.
It lets you sit with feelings.
My favourite chapter was “Closure is a Myth.”
That chapter felt painfully honest.
It quietly explains that life doesn’t always give us neat endings.
That some conversations end mid-sentence.
Some emotions stay unresolved.
And some answers never come.
While reading it, I felt like the author wasn’t describing a plot but a truth most of us live with.
The way memories return.
The way the past lingers.
The way closure feels like something we chase but rarely receive.
The rain…
the silence…
the inner monologue…
it all came together perfectly.
It was the chapter where I paused the most, reread lines
and just stared at the page
realising that maybe learning to live without closure
is sometimes the real healing.
What I appreciated about Brink is how it treats closure as an illusion.
Not every story ends cleanly.
Not every emotion gets resolved.
And that’s exactly how real life works.
The characters feel flawed…
sometimes selfish…
sometimes lost…
but always human.
This is not a fast or comforting book.
It’s reflective, unsettling and thoughtful.
I closed it feeling emotionally tired but mentally full
like the book had asked questions
I didn’t have answers to
and maybe never will.
And honestly…
that’s what made it
beautiful…..
captivating…
honest…...
real.....
February 5, 2026
Brink is a compelling collection of short stories that lives up to its subtitle Stories from the Edge. The “edge” here is not only geographical or social, but deeply psychological and moral. Mukherjee writes about people who exist at the margins of certainty emotionally unsettled, socially displaced, or quietly fractured by circumstances beyond their control.
These are tales of human vulnerability ,alien, dislocation, moral ambiguity, and silence.
The book focuses on individuals who find themselves emotionally, morally, or psychologically unsettled, often standing at turning points they neither fully understand nor control. The “edge” in these stories is not dramatic or sensational it is subtle, internal, and deeply human, making the narratives feel authentic and relatable.
I genuinely enjoyed this book, and the stories left a deep and lasting impact on me. Right from the first story, Crossed, which revolves around Shardul and Birju, I found myself transported back to the difficult and uncertain days of the COVID era. The story stirred memories of what people endured during that time the fear, isolation, and quiet resilience and I felt an immediate emotional connection with it. Another story that deeply moved me was Star-Crossed, the story of two students, Sparsh and Siya I felt completely involved while reading it, emotionally invested in their journey and the fragility of their circumstances. Similarly, the stories of Sumit, Sarojini, and Ranbir held my attention with equal intensity. Each narrative drew me in, making me pause, reflect, and feel. All thirteen stories in the collection felt distinct, each carrying its own voice, emotion, and perspective almost like thirteen different faces of human experience coming together to form a powerful whole.
These are stories of individuals pushed to the brink by circumstances, yet portrayed with quiet dignity and emotional honesty, making the collection both moving and deeply human.
These are tales of human vulnerability ,alien, dislocation, moral ambiguity, and silence.
The book focuses on individuals who find themselves emotionally, morally, or psychologically unsettled, often standing at turning points they neither fully understand nor control. The “edge” in these stories is not dramatic or sensational it is subtle, internal, and deeply human, making the narratives feel authentic and relatable.
I genuinely enjoyed this book, and the stories left a deep and lasting impact on me. Right from the first story, Crossed, which revolves around Shardul and Birju, I found myself transported back to the difficult and uncertain days of the COVID era. The story stirred memories of what people endured during that time the fear, isolation, and quiet resilience and I felt an immediate emotional connection with it. Another story that deeply moved me was Star-Crossed, the story of two students, Sparsh and Siya I felt completely involved while reading it, emotionally invested in their journey and the fragility of their circumstances. Similarly, the stories of Sumit, Sarojini, and Ranbir held my attention with equal intensity. Each narrative drew me in, making me pause, reflect, and feel. All thirteen stories in the collection felt distinct, each carrying its own voice, emotion, and perspective almost like thirteen different faces of human experience coming together to form a powerful whole.
These are stories of individuals pushed to the brink by circumstances, yet portrayed with quiet dignity and emotional honesty, making the collection both moving and deeply human.
February 5, 2026
This book brings together 13 short meaningful stories many of which were curated from pieces shortlisted across multiple Times of India Write India contest prompts but I tell you to not expect competition style writing. What I read and understood instead are stories that feel livedin, personal and quietly powerful.
The common thread which i found linking and running through all the stories is being “on the edge” rather be emotionally, morally or socially. Death is present in every narrative but it never appears the same way twice. Sometimes it arrives as relief for a life weighed down by suffering. Sometimes as justice long overdue. Sometimes as a shadow that exposes buried truths, guilt or betrayal. Sometimes as a transformation rather than a full stop.
The stories move across familiar and deep Indian realities likd pandemic stricken households, fragile friendships, strained families, forbidden love, social conflicts and moral dilemmas that don’t come with easy answers.
The first story “Crushed” which echoed the helplessness of COVID times.
Next story us "An Autumn Leaf” which explores euthanasia, dignity and the courage what takes to let go.
This one “Joriel” dives into friendship, love and hiw a single cheat can slowly erase one’s sense of self and “It Was Not Their War” holds up a mirror to darker societal and political truths, showing how ordinary lives are often sacrificed in battles they never chose.
Each story opens with a thoughtfully chosen quote. Brink didn’t made me think about dying but it asked me to think about how we are living. This is the kind of book I read taking breaks. As one story at a time so that letting each one settle before moving on.
● 13 short stories
● Death explored as reflection not finality
● Stories rooted in Indian social and emotional realities
December 6, 2025
Brink is a collection of thirteen short stories that sit right at the edge of human emotion, grief, morality, betrayal, loss, and those quiet moments where life forces us to confront uncomfortable truths. Each story explores a different face of death, not as an ending, but as a doorway to something raw, revealing, and deeply human.
What I love most about this book is how real the stories feel. They echo moments we’ve lived through, people we’ve known, and fears we have carried silently. Bhaswar Mukherjee understands death and through every story, he explores how we face it, avoid it, or try to make peace with it.
“An Autumn Leaf” stayed with me long after I finished reading. It was heartbreaking, tender take on dignity and letting go.
“Star Crossed” hit like a quiet storm, reminding me how fragile circumstances can be.
And “Closure Is a Myth” felt painfully true. Not every story in life gets tied up neatly, and the author captures that with honesty.
What I Loved:
- The stories feel grounded and real like they’re pulled from the world around us.
- The writing is simple yet powerful, making even heavy themes accessible.
- Each story has its own emotional temperature some soothe, some sting, but all evoke something.
- Themes of moral dilemmas, redemption, grief, and humanity are explored with depth.
- The author captures the darker sides of life without losing compassion.
Brink is not just a book about death. It’s about the lives we live before it, the choices we make, and the emotions we carry. If you enjoy stories that hold up a mirror to life’s harsh, haunting truths, this collection will leave a mark.
A thought-provoking, powerful, emotionally rich read
What I love most about this book is how real the stories feel. They echo moments we’ve lived through, people we’ve known, and fears we have carried silently. Bhaswar Mukherjee understands death and through every story, he explores how we face it, avoid it, or try to make peace with it.
“An Autumn Leaf” stayed with me long after I finished reading. It was heartbreaking, tender take on dignity and letting go.
“Star Crossed” hit like a quiet storm, reminding me how fragile circumstances can be.
And “Closure Is a Myth” felt painfully true. Not every story in life gets tied up neatly, and the author captures that with honesty.
What I Loved:
- The stories feel grounded and real like they’re pulled from the world around us.
- The writing is simple yet powerful, making even heavy themes accessible.
- Each story has its own emotional temperature some soothe, some sting, but all evoke something.
- Themes of moral dilemmas, redemption, grief, and humanity are explored with depth.
- The author captures the darker sides of life without losing compassion.
Brink is not just a book about death. It’s about the lives we live before it, the choices we make, and the emotions we carry. If you enjoy stories that hold up a mirror to life’s harsh, haunting truths, this collection will leave a mark.
A thought-provoking, powerful, emotionally rich read
December 7, 2025
"My eyes are free to roam,but there is only darkness all around,save for that heartless sunlight playing hide and seek.they haven’t stretched the tape tight across my mouth the last time they came."
See i know the emotions you go through after reading above para from the book.
How fast do you want to read… and how many emotions do you want to feel at once?
Brink gives you both unapologetically.
With 13 stories, each one opens the door to a new emotion, a new perspective, a new sting or softness you weren’t prepared for. And if you ask me to pick one favourite… honestly, I can’t. I’m still somewhere stuck in the lingering pain of JORIEL, a little twisted inside Twisted Minds, swinging between SHARDS and NEMESIS, and trying to accept that maybe…
CLOSURE is a myth.
That’s the brilliance of this book
you don’t finish one story and move on.
You finish one and fall into another version of yourself.
Every story unwraps something different:
from pain to vengeance,
from forgiveness to unsettling truths,
from forced closures to the kind of emotions we avoid confronting.
And the best part?
Reading this one book genuinely felt like reading 13 different books, each with its own heart, its own ache, its own punch.
Bhaswar Mukherjee writes in a way that hits you first… and settles later.
Some stories you’ll understand immediately.
Some will haunt you after hours.
Brink isn’t just a collection of stories
it’s a slow emotional detour you take knowingly, then pretend you didn’t.
A raw, layered, unputdownable read.
Completely worth stepping into one emotion at a time.
See i know the emotions you go through after reading above para from the book.
How fast do you want to read… and how many emotions do you want to feel at once?
Brink gives you both unapologetically.
With 13 stories, each one opens the door to a new emotion, a new perspective, a new sting or softness you weren’t prepared for. And if you ask me to pick one favourite… honestly, I can’t. I’m still somewhere stuck in the lingering pain of JORIEL, a little twisted inside Twisted Minds, swinging between SHARDS and NEMESIS, and trying to accept that maybe…
CLOSURE is a myth.
That’s the brilliance of this book
you don’t finish one story and move on.
You finish one and fall into another version of yourself.
Every story unwraps something different:
from pain to vengeance,
from forgiveness to unsettling truths,
from forced closures to the kind of emotions we avoid confronting.
And the best part?
Reading this one book genuinely felt like reading 13 different books, each with its own heart, its own ache, its own punch.
Bhaswar Mukherjee writes in a way that hits you first… and settles later.
Some stories you’ll understand immediately.
Some will haunt you after hours.
Brink isn’t just a collection of stories
it’s a slow emotional detour you take knowingly, then pretend you didn’t.
A raw, layered, unputdownable read.
Completely worth stepping into one emotion at a time.
February 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brink: Stories from the Edge is a quietly powerful collection that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. Across thirteen stories, Bhaswar Mukherjee treats death not as a dramatic finale, but as a moment of clarity where life, choices, and buried emotions surface with unsettling honesty. The writing is restrained yet deeply expressive, allowing silence and subtlety to carry as much weight as words. Each story feels like standing at a threshold, where characters are forced to confront truths they’ve avoided for far too long.
What makes this collection truly special is its emotional authenticity. The characters are ordinary, flawed, and deeply recognizable, and their relationships especially familial ones are portrayed with natural tension, love, guilt, and responsibility. Death arrives in many forms here: as release, reckoning, consequence, or quiet grace. None of it feels sensationalized. Instead, the author’s empathy and emotional intelligence shine through, creating stories that disturb, comfort, and provoke reflection in equal measure.
Despite their brevity, the stories are remarkably impactful, proving that depth doesn’t require excess. The prose is lyrical without being heavy, philosophical without ever becoming preachy. Brink isn’t a book to rush through, it asks you to slow down, sit with discomfort, and think about how closely life and loss are intertwined. In doing so, it gently reminds us that death doesn’t diminish life; it gives it meaning. A haunting, thoughtful, and deeply human collection that deserves to be read with patience and care.
Brink: Stories from the Edge is a quietly powerful collection that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. Across thirteen stories, Bhaswar Mukherjee treats death not as a dramatic finale, but as a moment of clarity where life, choices, and buried emotions surface with unsettling honesty. The writing is restrained yet deeply expressive, allowing silence and subtlety to carry as much weight as words. Each story feels like standing at a threshold, where characters are forced to confront truths they’ve avoided for far too long.
What makes this collection truly special is its emotional authenticity. The characters are ordinary, flawed, and deeply recognizable, and their relationships especially familial ones are portrayed with natural tension, love, guilt, and responsibility. Death arrives in many forms here: as release, reckoning, consequence, or quiet grace. None of it feels sensationalized. Instead, the author’s empathy and emotional intelligence shine through, creating stories that disturb, comfort, and provoke reflection in equal measure.
Despite their brevity, the stories are remarkably impactful, proving that depth doesn’t require excess. The prose is lyrical without being heavy, philosophical without ever becoming preachy. Brink isn’t a book to rush through, it asks you to slow down, sit with discomfort, and think about how closely life and loss are intertwined. In doing so, it gently reminds us that death doesn’t diminish life; it gives it meaning. A haunting, thoughtful, and deeply human collection that deserves to be read with patience and care.
December 7, 2025
BRINK is a heart-wrenching, deeply introspective read that explores how individuals—often gracefully, sometimes unexpectedly—embrace death in the final moments of their lives.
All through the book, one question kept returning to me: Have we lived a life meaningful enough to be remembered with warmth once we’re gone?
I found myself wondering, “Who would cry when I die?” The narrative is powerful enough to stir such uncomfortable yet necessary reflections.
It reminded me of a famous dialogue from the film Anand:
“Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi, Babumoshai.”
The book resonates with the anonymous line:
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
In its pages, you get a first-hand window into what someone might feel when choosing euthanasia—an unsettling intimacy with the mind of a person standing at the edge of life.
You find yourself questioning Whitney’s choices: how delusion and guilt can convince someone to bear the weight of a death they never caused, to live under a false name, and build a false pride out of borrowed remorse.
And then there are the stories that challenge our moral foundations—how a murder, in the rarest circumstances, might save an entire kingdom, and how certain killings may carry their own complex justifications.
The book also subtly reflects on the universality of human fragility—how the fear of being forgotten, the desire for forgiveness, and the hope for redemption bind all these stories together. BRINK reminds us that death is not merely an end, but a mirror held up to the life we have lived.
All through the book, one question kept returning to me: Have we lived a life meaningful enough to be remembered with warmth once we’re gone?
I found myself wondering, “Who would cry when I die?” The narrative is powerful enough to stir such uncomfortable yet necessary reflections.
It reminded me of a famous dialogue from the film Anand:
“Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi, Babumoshai.”
The book resonates with the anonymous line:
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
In its pages, you get a first-hand window into what someone might feel when choosing euthanasia—an unsettling intimacy with the mind of a person standing at the edge of life.
You find yourself questioning Whitney’s choices: how delusion and guilt can convince someone to bear the weight of a death they never caused, to live under a false name, and build a false pride out of borrowed remorse.
And then there are the stories that challenge our moral foundations—how a murder, in the rarest circumstances, might save an entire kingdom, and how certain killings may carry their own complex justifications.
The book also subtly reflects on the universality of human fragility—how the fear of being forgotten, the desire for forgiveness, and the hope for redemption bind all these stories together. BRINK reminds us that death is not merely an end, but a mirror held up to the life we have lived.
February 5, 2026
Brink is a haunting, layered collection that approaches death not as a single event, but as an experience shaped by memory, choice, fear and release. Bhaswar Mukherjee writes with restraint and precision, allowing each story to unfold quietly before leaving a lasting impact. His prose is controlled yet evocative, trusting the reader to sit with discomfort rather than offering easy resolutions.
What makes this collection compelling is its emotional range. Some stories feel tender and reflective, others unsettling and sharp, but all of them centre deeply human responses to endings. Death here is not just loss, it becomes confrontation, closure, reckoning and sometimes transformation. Mukherjee’s strength lies in his ability to inhabit different emotional registers without sensationalising them, giving each narrative its own weight and rhythm.
My key takeaways
• Endings often reveal more truth than beginnings.
• Grief, vengeance, forgiveness and acceptance can coexist.
• Short stories can carry as much depth as longer forms when crafted well.
• The way we face death often mirrors how we choose to live.
The word Brink captures the essence of these stories - each character stands at an edge, whether emotional, moral or existential. It’s in these moments of suspension that the stories find their power.
Perfect for readers who enjoy literary short fiction, dark themes handled with sensitivity and stories that linger long after they end.
A quiet, unsettling and deeply reflective collection that treats death with complexity rather than finality.
December 14, 2025
I picked this up thinking it would be heavy and dark, and while some stories do go there, the collection surprised me in a good way. It doesn’t just dwell on death as an idea it focuses on people and situations around it, which made the stories feel more relatable than expected.
Since it’s a short story collection, some stories naturally hit harder than others. A few stayed with me long after I finished reading, especially the ones dealing with unfinished relationships and uncomfortable truths. Others were quicker reads but still interesting in how differently they approached the same theme. I liked that no two stories felt the same each one had its own tone and direction.
The writing is sharp and controlled. Nothing feels overdone or dramatic just to make a point. Some stories are quiet and emotional, some unsettling, and a few have a twist that genuinely works. I appreciated that the book doesn’t try to explain everything or spell things out you’re trusted to connect the dots on your own.
What worked for me was the variety. You move from grief to anger to closure without it feeling repetitive. Even when the subject matter is intense, the pacing keeps you engaged and curious about what comes next.
Overall, this is a solid, thoughtfully put-together collection. It’s not the kind of book you rush through, but it’s definitely one you enjoy dipping into. If you like short stories that explore darker themes without being overwhelming, this one is worth picking up.
Since it’s a short story collection, some stories naturally hit harder than others. A few stayed with me long after I finished reading, especially the ones dealing with unfinished relationships and uncomfortable truths. Others were quicker reads but still interesting in how differently they approached the same theme. I liked that no two stories felt the same each one had its own tone and direction.
The writing is sharp and controlled. Nothing feels overdone or dramatic just to make a point. Some stories are quiet and emotional, some unsettling, and a few have a twist that genuinely works. I appreciated that the book doesn’t try to explain everything or spell things out you’re trusted to connect the dots on your own.
What worked for me was the variety. You move from grief to anger to closure without it feeling repetitive. Even when the subject matter is intense, the pacing keeps you engaged and curious about what comes next.
Overall, this is a solid, thoughtfully put-together collection. It’s not the kind of book you rush through, but it’s definitely one you enjoy dipping into. If you like short stories that explore darker themes without being overwhelming, this one is worth picking up.
January 16, 2026
Bhaswar Mukherjee's "Brink" refuses death its traditional finality. Across thirteen stories, mortality becomes transformation rather than termination—a bold conceptual framework that could easily collapse into sentimentality but doesn't. Mukherjee treats death with philosophical curiosity, examining it as release, reckoning, vengeance, and even beginning. The collection's strength lies in emotional authenticity; these aren't abstract meditations but deeply human encounters with life's only certainty.
The stories, some previously shortlisted for Times of India Write India contests, demonstrate craft alongside heart. Characters feel lived-in rather than constructed, their relationships to death shaped by love, regret, justice, and surrender. Mukherjee understands that how we face mortality reveals everything about how we inhabited existence—death as mirror, not curtain.
What distinguishes this collection is tonal range. Some stories whisper quiet grace; others scream for accountability. A soul escapes prolonged suffering. A wronged spirit exacts revenge. Unfinished love finds closure. Dangerous truths get buried. Each masks a different aspect of the same universal experience.
The central insight resonates: death isn't monolithic. It adapts to the life preceding it, arriving as whisper or thunderclap, tragedy or triumph. Mukherjee suggests mortality doesn't erase meaning—it concentrates it into final, irreversible truth.
The stories, some previously shortlisted for Times of India Write India contests, demonstrate craft alongside heart. Characters feel lived-in rather than constructed, their relationships to death shaped by love, regret, justice, and surrender. Mukherjee understands that how we face mortality reveals everything about how we inhabited existence—death as mirror, not curtain.
What distinguishes this collection is tonal range. Some stories whisper quiet grace; others scream for accountability. A soul escapes prolonged suffering. A wronged spirit exacts revenge. Unfinished love finds closure. Dangerous truths get buried. Each masks a different aspect of the same universal experience.
The central insight resonates: death isn't monolithic. It adapts to the life preceding it, arriving as whisper or thunderclap, tragedy or triumph. Mukherjee suggests mortality doesn't erase meaning—it concentrates it into final, irreversible truth.
February 5, 2026
Calling it early! This feels like my 1st fav read of 2026!
Brink brings together 13 stories and each one of them meets you at a point where something inside a person is about to give way...
You are right there with them, at the edge, feeling everything that they are going through...that's when the title starts to feel real.
When one story ends and it feels impossible to move on, because that surely has to be the favorite! Then you read the next chapter and somehow it is just as powerful, if not more. This continues throughout the book making it impossible to pick just 1 favorite from this collection.
Some stories hit straight in the gut, other stay quietly unsettling, but each one leaves a mark.
Every ending makes you pause and by the time each story ends, the meaning behind the title becomes clearer.
The writing feels honest and raw. Nothing feels exaggerated or forced. Just honest storytelling that will stay close for a long time. Books like this don't come around very often, the kind of work that stays with you, the kind you know you'll return to or think about longer...
Definitely a work to cherish and remember ✨️ I will be on the hunt for more books like this...it feels like i have found my favorite kind!
If you enjoy stories that make you feel and sit with your thoughts for a while, you must give it a shot. This one might stay with you too ❤️
I still chose my top 3 favs from the book -
◇ Star Crossed
◇ Joriel
◇ An autumn leaf
Brink brings together 13 stories and each one of them meets you at a point where something inside a person is about to give way...
You are right there with them, at the edge, feeling everything that they are going through...that's when the title starts to feel real.
When one story ends and it feels impossible to move on, because that surely has to be the favorite! Then you read the next chapter and somehow it is just as powerful, if not more. This continues throughout the book making it impossible to pick just 1 favorite from this collection.
Some stories hit straight in the gut, other stay quietly unsettling, but each one leaves a mark.
Every ending makes you pause and by the time each story ends, the meaning behind the title becomes clearer.
The writing feels honest and raw. Nothing feels exaggerated or forced. Just honest storytelling that will stay close for a long time. Books like this don't come around very often, the kind of work that stays with you, the kind you know you'll return to or think about longer...
Definitely a work to cherish and remember ✨️ I will be on the hunt for more books like this...it feels like i have found my favorite kind!
If you enjoy stories that make you feel and sit with your thoughts for a while, you must give it a shot. This one might stay with you too ❤️
I still chose my top 3 favs from the book -
◇ Star Crossed
◇ Joriel
◇ An autumn leaf
February 7, 2026
I finished Brink: Stories from the Edge and I have not stopped thinking about it since.
This is one of those books that does not shout. It sits beside you quietly. It watches. It waits. And then, without warning, it opens something inside you that you did not realize was still tender.
Each story stands at the threshold between life and death, yet death here is never merely an ending. It feels like a pause. A moment of reckoning. Of truth. Sometimes the encounter is painful, sometimes gentle, sometimes deeply unsettling, but always human.
What moved me most was the ordinariness of the people at the center of these stories. A migrant worker. A mother. A child. Someone carrying grief, guilt, love, or long held silence. These are not tales designed for shock value. They are rooted in honesty, in the fragile decisions people make when everything is at stake.
The prose is restrained and thoughtful. It trusts silence. It trusts the reader. Because of that, the emotions land with quiet force. I found myself rereading lines, slowing down, and simply sitting with what had been said and what had been left unsaid.
This is not a book to rush through. It asks you to pause, to reflect, to confront uncomfortable questions about mortality, morality, love, and choice.
When I reached the final page, it did not feel like closure. It felt like something inside me had subtly shifted.
Some books entertain you.
This one stays with you.
This is one of those books that does not shout. It sits beside you quietly. It watches. It waits. And then, without warning, it opens something inside you that you did not realize was still tender.
Each story stands at the threshold between life and death, yet death here is never merely an ending. It feels like a pause. A moment of reckoning. Of truth. Sometimes the encounter is painful, sometimes gentle, sometimes deeply unsettling, but always human.
What moved me most was the ordinariness of the people at the center of these stories. A migrant worker. A mother. A child. Someone carrying grief, guilt, love, or long held silence. These are not tales designed for shock value. They are rooted in honesty, in the fragile decisions people make when everything is at stake.
The prose is restrained and thoughtful. It trusts silence. It trusts the reader. Because of that, the emotions land with quiet force. I found myself rereading lines, slowing down, and simply sitting with what had been said and what had been left unsaid.
This is not a book to rush through. It asks you to pause, to reflect, to confront uncomfortable questions about mortality, morality, love, and choice.
When I reached the final page, it did not feel like closure. It felt like something inside me had subtly shifted.
Some books entertain you.
This one stays with you.
February 7, 2026
Reading Brink felt like standing quietly at the edge of many lives, watching moments that are usually private, fragile, and deeply human. This collection of thirteen short stories does not try to overwhelm the reader with drama; instead, it gently pulls you in and asks you to sit with emotions we often avoid loss, longing, reconciliation, and acceptance.
What struck me most is how understated yet powerful the storytelling is. Mukherjee doesn’t explain emotions excessively or force conclusions. He trusts the reader to feel the weight of what is left unsaid. Death appears in every story, but it never feels repetitive. Sometimes it arrives as peace, sometimes as unfinished business, and sometimes as a quiet release from suffering. In many ways, the stories are more about life than death about the choices people make and the love they carry until the very end.
The characters feel familiar, almost like people we might know or versions of ourselves. Their fears, regrets, and hopes are portrayed with sensitivity, making the stories emotionally resonant without being melodramatic. I especially appreciated how relationships between parents and children, spouses, and loved ones are handled with warmth and realism.
The brevity of each story works in the book’s favor. They are short, but they linger. I often found myself pausing after finishing one, reflecting before moving on to the next. Brink proves that short stories can leave an impact just as lasting as a novel.
What struck me most is how understated yet powerful the storytelling is. Mukherjee doesn’t explain emotions excessively or force conclusions. He trusts the reader to feel the weight of what is left unsaid. Death appears in every story, but it never feels repetitive. Sometimes it arrives as peace, sometimes as unfinished business, and sometimes as a quiet release from suffering. In many ways, the stories are more about life than death about the choices people make and the love they carry until the very end.
The characters feel familiar, almost like people we might know or versions of ourselves. Their fears, regrets, and hopes are portrayed with sensitivity, making the stories emotionally resonant without being melodramatic. I especially appreciated how relationships between parents and children, spouses, and loved ones are handled with warmth and realism.
The brevity of each story works in the book’s favor. They are short, but they linger. I often found myself pausing after finishing one, reflecting before moving on to the next. Brink proves that short stories can leave an impact just as lasting as a novel.
December 4, 2025
Brink, a collection of 13 short stories by Bhaswar Mukherjee, packs a powerful punch. Five of these stories have made it into the top 10 across various author prompts, and it’s easy to see why. Each story dives into intense themes :life and death, loss and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, surrender and triumph. The common thread? Characters caught on the edge of significant change, grappling with crises that could redefine their existence.What makes this collection stand out is how it doesn’t shy away from tough subjects. Suspicion lurks in relationships, extramarital affairs complicate lives, and some stories confront the harrowing aftermath of rape. Stories like Shards, Joriel, and Morton Fork twist and turn in unexpected ways, leaving a lasting impression that stays with you well beyond the final page.Every story feels like a glimpse into the human soul, exposing raw emotions and tough choices. They wrestle with loss, betrayal, and the fragile hope that can either break or rebuild us. One small note, adding a reference to the basis of the story Arthashastra would have been a nice touch to deepen appreciation for the work.If you’re drawn to emotionally rich, thought-provoking tales that explore the messy complexity of life and human nature, Brink is definitely worth a read.
December 13, 2025
🕊️ Brink: Stories from the Edge by Bhaswar Mukherjee is a handpicked collection of 13 short stories that deal with death. The narratives explore themes of subtlety, tranquility, ethical judgment, bereavement, anguish, and vengeance. As Franz Kafka says, “The meaning of life is that it stops.” Each of these thirteen stories revolves around the fervent call of demise. However, the central theme is not death itself, but transformation, one that evokes the overwhelming and calamitous nature of life. 🌅
⚖️ To confess, I was regretting this book pick at first. But as I delved deeper into its pages, I slowly began to realize that these stories capture ethical redemption, suffering, harmonized hope, quandaries, predicaments, verity, and truth. I would rather rephrase the essence of the book as humanity steering through everyday struggles beyond death. Bhaswar’s presentation is both diligent and profound. Interestingly, a few of the stories were shortlisted for prompts by some of India’s finest authors across various editorials.✨
✨ The author’s prior experience in anthologies has been a helpful aid in shaping this fervent compendium. The cover image sensibly resonates with the brink of human dissolution depicted in every story. Full marks for the intensity carried through each segment, amalgamated with rich temperament and soulful depth.
⚖️ To confess, I was regretting this book pick at first. But as I delved deeper into its pages, I slowly began to realize that these stories capture ethical redemption, suffering, harmonized hope, quandaries, predicaments, verity, and truth. I would rather rephrase the essence of the book as humanity steering through everyday struggles beyond death. Bhaswar’s presentation is both diligent and profound. Interestingly, a few of the stories were shortlisted for prompts by some of India’s finest authors across various editorials.✨
✨ The author’s prior experience in anthologies has been a helpful aid in shaping this fervent compendium. The cover image sensibly resonates with the brink of human dissolution depicted in every story. Full marks for the intensity carried through each segment, amalgamated with rich temperament and soulful depth.
December 21, 2025
This collection approaches death not as a single moment of finality, but as a shifting presence one that carries both closure and continuation within it. Far from being uniformly grim, death here appears in many forms, each revealing a different emotional truth.
Curated from stories shortlisted across multiple Times of India Write India contest prompts, the anthology brings together voices that explore what it means to confront mortality. These narratives step into the minds of those who fear death, welcome it, survive its shadow, or are forever altered by its arrival.
Across the pages, death manifests in strikingly varied ways: as relief for a life weighed down by suffering, as a restless force seeking justice, as the gentle resolution of love left unfinished, or as the dark concealment of secrets too dangerous to surface. Every story peels back another layer, showing how death refuses to be one-dimensional.
Running through the collection is a strong emotional undercurrent of reckoning and redemption, bitterness and mercy, despair and renewal. Together, the stories suggest that the way one meets the end is inseparable from how one has lived.
Whether it emerges softly or crashes in with consequence, death in these tales is never just an ending. It transforms, unsettles, and illuminates sometimes closing a chapter, and at other times, opening an entirely new one.
February 5, 2026
It’s not every day you find a read that treats death as just another Tuesday. Most writers lean into the heavy tragedy or the “finally, it’s over” relief, but this author flipped the script. In these 13 stories, death isn’t a hard stop; it’s a pivot. It’s handled as a natural, almost seamless transition that reshapes the world for the deceased and those left behind. Truly a refreshing take on the inevitable.
Mukherjee maps the diverse geography of mortality. We see death as liberation for the suffering and a restless energy for the wronged. It serves as both a gentle goodbye for lovers and a cold burial ground for dangerous truths. This isn’t just a book about dying; it’s an exploration of the multi-dimensional weight that death leaves behind.
The book’s true strength lies in its raw authenticity. The narratives resonate deeply, mirroring our shared human experiences, the people who have touched our lives, and the quiet anxieties we all carry. Mukherjee’s profound understanding of mortality is evident, using each story to explore the universal struggle of confronting, evading, or accepting death.
Mukherjee’s writing is meditative, trading traditional ‘big reveals’ for a more grounded, slice of life feel. It is a rewarding read for anyone looking to slow down and reflect, though it may feel a bit muted for those seeking a more typical emotional arc.
Mukherjee maps the diverse geography of mortality. We see death as liberation for the suffering and a restless energy for the wronged. It serves as both a gentle goodbye for lovers and a cold burial ground for dangerous truths. This isn’t just a book about dying; it’s an exploration of the multi-dimensional weight that death leaves behind.
The book’s true strength lies in its raw authenticity. The narratives resonate deeply, mirroring our shared human experiences, the people who have touched our lives, and the quiet anxieties we all carry. Mukherjee’s profound understanding of mortality is evident, using each story to explore the universal struggle of confronting, evading, or accepting death.
Mukherjee’s writing is meditative, trading traditional ‘big reveals’ for a more grounded, slice of life feel. It is a rewarding read for anyone looking to slow down and reflect, though it may feel a bit muted for those seeking a more typical emotional arc.
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