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The Evil Eye and The Charm: Stories of the Indian Lemon-Chili Charm
The lemon-chili charm, or the nimboo-mirchi as it is locally called, is a fascinating part of Indian folklore. This charm is supposed to ward off evil. With that belief, it is commonly hung at the doorposts of homes and offices, in vehicles, and even in local trains and buses. Such is the popularity of the humble nimboo-mirchi! But, like all superstitions, there is a deeper question here as well. Is there any shred of truth behind this almost ritualistic practice? And if not, why are millions of Indians following this practice since generations? The Evil Eye and The Charm is an anthology of six short stories, all of which are themed around the lemon-chili talisman. Read on to see whether charms such as these really hold any power, or is it just a bizarre set of coincidences that cause such beliefs.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2015
About the author
Neil D'Silva
35 books175 followersWith 12 books to his credit, Neil D’Silva is a known name in the Indian literary world. His unique stories have struck a chord with a wide range of readers, eliciting praise from various quarters. He is published with leading publishers such as Penguin Random House, Rupa Publications, and Hachette among others, and has won screen adaptation deals on four of his books.
He has been named as one of the Top 7 Indian horror writers to be read by UK’s DESIblitz magazine. Considered as one of the forerunners of contemporary Indian horror literature, he has been covered by several leading publications and is invited to speak at prominent litfests around the country.
He was a winner at the Delhi Literature Festival Short Story Competition of 2015. His book Maya’s New Husband won the title of Entertainer of the Year at the Literary Awards 2015 that was co-hosted by Authors’ Ink Publications and Inside Stories.
He has been named as one of the Top 7 Indian horror writers to be read by UK’s DESIblitz magazine. Considered as one of the forerunners of contemporary Indian horror literature, he has been covered by several leading publications and is invited to speak at prominent litfests around the country.
He was a winner at the Delhi Literature Festival Short Story Competition of 2015. His book Maya’s New Husband won the title of Entertainer of the Year at the Literary Awards 2015 that was co-hosted by Authors’ Ink Publications and Inside Stories.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 31, 2015
My reading was limited to romance n comic genre but after reading this Thriller one I'm totally mesmerised by this super awesome genre... Totally a page tuner
Do read !!
Do read !!
August 25, 2024
I liked the book in general. First story was quite creepy and the best of the lot. The fifth story ‘the locked box’ was stretched and a bit boring. The rest were good.
May 31, 2015
I bought this book from Amazon kindle edition "IT's FREE" :-)
This is my 1st book read horror genre before i ever read but used to watch horror movies. This book have 3 stories >>A Grave Situation>> Last Juice >> Chain Reaction
Story was very creepy and also perfect page turner i like the "A Grave situation " story because compare than two stories this one very creepy and scared i feel that! i like author's writing style and it was impeccable and characterization was also good His debut "Maya's new husband " will be released this month looking fwd more from this author :)
P.S - now i like horror genre because of Neil D'Silva
Thank you :)
Regards,
KARTHICK
This is my 1st book read horror genre before i ever read but used to watch horror movies. This book have 3 stories >>A Grave Situation>> Last Juice >> Chain Reaction
Story was very creepy and also perfect page turner i like the "A Grave situation " story because compare than two stories this one very creepy and scared i feel that! i like author's writing style and it was impeccable and characterization was also good His debut "Maya's new husband " will be released this month looking fwd more from this author :)
P.S - now i like horror genre because of Neil D'Silva
Thank you :)
Regards,
KARTHICK
July 20, 2015
This trio of stories is an interesting take on an old superstition that most people in India follow but actually nobody pays much attention to. I'm not much of a horror fiction reader - rather the opposite since I write romance - but I enjoyed reading these, especially the first one. The hallmark of horror is it should leave you chilled and give you a creepy feeling and this book fits the bill! :)
October 31, 2015
Won't exactly call it horror but there it lies on the borders of the genre. A couple of the moments gave me goosebumps as I sat reading the stories in the dark of night when everyone else was sleeping.
June 12, 2015
3.5/5
Well written stories with proper use of words. No doubt Neil is a good writer. Interested in his other works.
Well written stories with proper use of words. No doubt Neil is a good writer. Interested in his other works.
January 31, 2019
This book has been lying in my Kindle for long, as spooky stories leave me weak at my knees. However, this collection of short stories are pleasantly spooky at that. It's an effortless read revolving around the superstition among Indians with regard to the use of lemon and chillies to ward of evil eye. The twists in the end of each stories are unexpected and blood-curdling for sure.I completed the book in just one sitting. Pick up this book if you like some thrill read.
November 14, 2022
Nice little book of stories!!
When i saw the title, at first, I just couldn't believe someone can narrate such neat stories on the mere nimbu-mirchi that we see everywhere atleast in my city.
The authors way of writing was literally unputdownable for me... Overall i got something refreshing in paranormal to read \m/
When i saw the title, at first, I just couldn't believe someone can narrate such neat stories on the mere nimbu-mirchi that we see everywhere atleast in my city.
The authors way of writing was literally unputdownable for me... Overall i got something refreshing in paranormal to read \m/
December 28, 2018
Quick and amazing read, full review follow soon.
January 26, 2021
Awesome book
A great read. I enjoyed every story and could literally visualise myself in those scenes. Great work. One of the best authors in the horror genre
A great read. I enjoyed every story and could literally visualise myself in those scenes. Great work. One of the best authors in the horror genre
November 4, 2015
The first story revolves around a young couple who is harried because their child doesn’t stop crying and finally take the path less trod to solve their child’s problem – using a nazarbattu.
The author writes in a crisp, right here manner that takes the reader deeper into the story and creates a warm relate between the reader and the characters.
The one place where the writer stumbles, though, is filling up the characters that are in the book. For example, we know nothing of the couple other than that they have a child who’s crying. But that sometimes works in the author’s favor, like in the next story.
The next story tells of a mother and son who are polar opposites and that’s what forms the crux of the story. This story is the best of the lot because it leaves a lot of questions in the mind of the reader.
Why does the son do what he does? Did the evil eye already befall him, that caused him to do what he do? What is the cause of the death in the story? is it because of the actions, or is it natural causes?
The greatest supernatural stories that are those who leave a lingering question in the reader’s mind and this is the one that hits the bull’s eye.
The best supernatural stories are those that don’t begin in the traditional manner or end in one. They should leave the reader questioning, confused and should be fodder for hours of debate. This one fits the bill.
The third story in the collection is about a child who contracts a curse from a beggar after his interactions with him and has an interesting premise that’s rarely used in supernatural/occult books – the case of the contracting curse.
These three stories are so good because they aren’t only about something spooky or something unnatural. Somewhere, the author tries to – and succeeds – weaving a story about emotions and familial relations that remain with the readers long after they have read the book.
These stories are not just a compilation of horror stories but also an insight into the Indian psyches where family comes first.
The author writes in a crisp, right here manner that takes the reader deeper into the story and creates a warm relate between the reader and the characters.
The one place where the writer stumbles, though, is filling up the characters that are in the book. For example, we know nothing of the couple other than that they have a child who’s crying. But that sometimes works in the author’s favor, like in the next story.
The next story tells of a mother and son who are polar opposites and that’s what forms the crux of the story. This story is the best of the lot because it leaves a lot of questions in the mind of the reader.
Why does the son do what he does? Did the evil eye already befall him, that caused him to do what he do? What is the cause of the death in the story? is it because of the actions, or is it natural causes?
The greatest supernatural stories that are those who leave a lingering question in the reader’s mind and this is the one that hits the bull’s eye.
The best supernatural stories are those that don’t begin in the traditional manner or end in one. They should leave the reader questioning, confused and should be fodder for hours of debate. This one fits the bill.
The third story in the collection is about a child who contracts a curse from a beggar after his interactions with him and has an interesting premise that’s rarely used in supernatural/occult books – the case of the contracting curse.
These three stories are so good because they aren’t only about something spooky or something unnatural. Somewhere, the author tries to – and succeeds – weaving a story about emotions and familial relations that remain with the readers long after they have read the book.
These stories are not just a compilation of horror stories but also an insight into the Indian psyches where family comes first.
September 16, 2015
So here is my reiew:
Rating: 4 out of 5
What i liked in the book:
I am a huge lover of horror and mystries.This Book contains those story which we hear all around us, the lemon chilli, and with that regards we have our belives .
The author has been able to deliver those story and such a way that it gives you chills, while reading it.
My expresion throughout the book was wow, shit yaar, omg!!!
What I didnt like in this book:
Contains only 3 stories, I was so engrosed in reading the book and was enjoying but after the 3rd story it came as Few chapters from Mayas new husband and I was like frantically scrolling through the pages so that I can read the next chapter and I was like What the F*** its over.
The truth was I never wanted the book to end, Expected atleast 10 Stories.
Stories :
A grave situation: A story about a baby bein possesed is common story which we usually tell others to scare them, but the way it has been told chills you to the spine.
Last Juice: Science and belief are two sides of the same coin, both wants to disapproe of the other.The story is centered around this.Again you would love to read it over and over.
Chain Reaction: By far the best story. And Loved its ending
So overall i can say if you are looking for a quick horror read go for it, but if you are someone who has a book and you wants to go on and on with this, then you might be disappointed.
Rating: 4 out of 5
What i liked in the book:
I am a huge lover of horror and mystries.This Book contains those story which we hear all around us, the lemon chilli, and with that regards we have our belives .
The author has been able to deliver those story and such a way that it gives you chills, while reading it.
My expresion throughout the book was wow, shit yaar, omg!!!
What I didnt like in this book:
Contains only 3 stories, I was so engrosed in reading the book and was enjoying but after the 3rd story it came as Few chapters from Mayas new husband and I was like frantically scrolling through the pages so that I can read the next chapter and I was like What the F*** its over.
The truth was I never wanted the book to end, Expected atleast 10 Stories.
Stories :
A grave situation: A story about a baby bein possesed is common story which we usually tell others to scare them, but the way it has been told chills you to the spine.
Last Juice: Science and belief are two sides of the same coin, both wants to disapproe of the other.The story is centered around this.Again you would love to read it over and over.
Chain Reaction: By far the best story. And Loved its ending
So overall i can say if you are looking for a quick horror read go for it, but if you are someone who has a book and you wants to go on and on with this, then you might be disappointed.
May 29, 2015
As a Keralite I was not aware of the logic behind the nimboo-mirchi charms that I often saw hung outside some shops and houses in Delhi and Bangalore. Neil D'Silva's The Evil-eye and the Charm enlightened me of the occult science behind these doorway-hangings unique to certain parts of India. Obviously evil spirits like their things spiced and tangy.
The first story is best in terms of crispy writing. Not one irrelevant or redundant word. Elaborate descriptions used only where you needed to get under the skin of the protagonist. In all the three stories, even the minor characters sound real and interesting enough to imagine that you've met an Aniket, Dharini, or Alok round the corner during your morning walks.
It takes great observation and imagination to convert the suitable aspects of Indian lore to modern horror/fantasy/paranormal genre. While western writers have done this to death with their history and mythology even borrowing ideas from India, Indian writers sadly do not hold such a liberal view of the vast potential that lies untapped in Indian tradition.
Kudos to Neil D'Silva for breaking the mold and making the new Indian generation aware of their legacy in a style they can easily comprehend.
The first story is best in terms of crispy writing. Not one irrelevant or redundant word. Elaborate descriptions used only where you needed to get under the skin of the protagonist. In all the three stories, even the minor characters sound real and interesting enough to imagine that you've met an Aniket, Dharini, or Alok round the corner during your morning walks.
It takes great observation and imagination to convert the suitable aspects of Indian lore to modern horror/fantasy/paranormal genre. While western writers have done this to death with their history and mythology even borrowing ideas from India, Indian writers sadly do not hold such a liberal view of the vast potential that lies untapped in Indian tradition.
Kudos to Neil D'Silva for breaking the mold and making the new Indian generation aware of their legacy in a style they can easily comprehend.
June 6, 2015
Where do I start? These short stories are amazing. They read like cautionary tales, warning you of what might happen if you don't respect traditions. Each story ends with the dark ending you expect from horror in a way that leaves a chill in the air upon each completion.
Something that struck me about this novel was the ease of read. I was worried having grown up in the US that I would have trouble understanding the cultural references, but the story was incredibly immersive, and contextual clues provided enough information that even if I was unfamiliar with the word itself I could figure it out. I would suggest this story to anyone who loves horror and folklore, and I also think this would make an excellent addition to an independent study project on Indian culture for middle school or high school students. The cultural nuances of the writing extend past the clear technology vs tradition motif; and I think it would lend valuable insight into day-to-day life in India (ie: family structure and customs, dressing customs, as well as some vocabulary). I find such things very interesting when reading, hopefully you will too.
I can't wait to read his other novel, Maya's New Husband. :)
Something that struck me about this novel was the ease of read. I was worried having grown up in the US that I would have trouble understanding the cultural references, but the story was incredibly immersive, and contextual clues provided enough information that even if I was unfamiliar with the word itself I could figure it out. I would suggest this story to anyone who loves horror and folklore, and I also think this would make an excellent addition to an independent study project on Indian culture for middle school or high school students. The cultural nuances of the writing extend past the clear technology vs tradition motif; and I think it would lend valuable insight into day-to-day life in India (ie: family structure and customs, dressing customs, as well as some vocabulary). I find such things very interesting when reading, hopefully you will too.
I can't wait to read his other novel, Maya's New Husband. :)
May 28, 2015
The first story had a sinister ending, much like any Hollywood horror movie.
The second story made me want to get inside the pages of the book and punch the face of the guy, whose stupidity leads to a outcome made my eyes watery at the fate of his mother. Bloody idiot, I could thwack him around the face and box his ears.
The third is another sinister story, which ends on a similar note to the first. Neil has no qualms in putting his characters through the harshest of conditions. It is rare for any of them to get a happy ending, reminiscent of Stephen King's style. With Neil D'Silva, what you get is an engaging story set in the Indian culture, vibrant and full of age old myths and mysteries. Here he weaves superstitions and the power of belief in modern life. But reader beware, for just when you think you are home and dry, the author will pull the rug out from under your feet and leave you falling into the dark void of true horror.
A great new addition to the small community of horror writers from India, Neil's initial works show a lot of promise and potential. Expect big things from this writer in the future.
The second story made me want to get inside the pages of the book and punch the face of the guy, whose stupidity leads to a outcome made my eyes watery at the fate of his mother. Bloody idiot, I could thwack him around the face and box his ears.
The third is another sinister story, which ends on a similar note to the first. Neil has no qualms in putting his characters through the harshest of conditions. It is rare for any of them to get a happy ending, reminiscent of Stephen King's style. With Neil D'Silva, what you get is an engaging story set in the Indian culture, vibrant and full of age old myths and mysteries. Here he weaves superstitions and the power of belief in modern life. But reader beware, for just when you think you are home and dry, the author will pull the rug out from under your feet and leave you falling into the dark void of true horror.
A great new addition to the small community of horror writers from India, Neil's initial works show a lot of promise and potential. Expect big things from this writer in the future.
June 16, 2015
Though these stories are based on a very common superstition, what will take the reader by surprise is the spook- quotient!
The author starts each story by building up a scene that one can easily relate with. It may seem like a very commonplace scenario that might as well be taking place in your own home or in your neighborhood, as you read. What happens as the story progresses, has the potential to take your breath away.
Read my review of this collection of short stories here:-
http://klishmaklaver.blogspot.in/2015...
The author starts each story by building up a scene that one can easily relate with. It may seem like a very commonplace scenario that might as well be taking place in your own home or in your neighborhood, as you read. What happens as the story progresses, has the potential to take your breath away.
Read my review of this collection of short stories here:-
http://klishmaklaver.blogspot.in/2015...
December 7, 2015
Extremely well-written and absorbing, The Evil Eye and the Charm is another winner by Neil D'Silva. All three stories are suitably atmospheric and will have you feverishly turning the pages. While I loved all of them, A Grave Situation was my favorite, especially for the atmosphere of darkness it conjured. The second and third stories were a little predictable toward the end; however, that did not take away from their impact or enjoyment. My only complaint is, I would have loved more stories! 3 is too few, as far as I am concerned. :) Can't wait to read Maya's New Husband part 2.
July 17, 2015
This triple-terror collection is a sureshot plethora of spooks and chills.I had foolishly tried to challenge its spookiness by reading it post midnight. While I claim that the stories had engaged me all through the night, till dawn, but in reality, I had completed the read within three hours. The insomnia that followed was my comeuppance.
I loved all the three stories. Still, A Grave Situation is my favourite.
I loved all the three stories. Still, A Grave Situation is my favourite.
May 10, 2016
This is collection of Short Stories woven around Nimbu -Mirchi Charm.
The stories provide an insight to Indian Psyche and author's keen observation of Society. He also successfully seeds doubt in minds of the reader on existence of paranormal. All three stories have three different even though they are built around Nimbu -Mirchi Cult.
For someone who has not read horror and is planning to start - I recommend this book.
The stories provide an insight to Indian Psyche and author's keen observation of Society. He also successfully seeds doubt in minds of the reader on existence of paranormal. All three stories have three different even though they are built around Nimbu -Mirchi Cult.
For someone who has not read horror and is planning to start - I recommend this book.
December 26, 2015
D'Silva remains good as always at last-minute plot twists. I found the middle story "Last Juice" in particular, with its taunting, disrespectful son that is one-upped by irony to be a very derisive, enjoyable read. The fact that the book's tales all center on a particular folk charm was intriguing, especially given that they all involved parent-child relationships of different ages...but I did wish that there were more stories here to explore this theme than just three.
April 30, 2016
Attempts at spooking you but beyond the first one, I wasn't really spooked. Sometimes, the logic appears clear and somethings are unexplained... Just like a paranormal story would. I also felt the book was really slim.. Pick it if you are into paranormal stuff.
May 1, 2016
As usual, the author manages to attract a reader through his simple, crisp writing style, drawing even the mass reader. The author is a brilliant writer of the horror genre and these stories, focusing on many superstitions, are illuminating. I do recommend these short stories for anyone to read.
August 15, 2016
A perfect horror and spooky feast of short stories for horror lovers. The first story sends chills down ur spine and the other two stories are spooky enough too. I loved this book and will definitely recommend for horror lovers
April 15, 2017
6 short stories filled with horror. Though I liked them all, my favourites were The locked Box (very well written and the best), The long drive and Chain Reaction. I had enjoyed his "Bound in love" too, which has short stories with 'love' as the central theme, but each of the stories are distinct. Same with Lemon Chilli too.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews