Dumb Man's Folly: Stories of Ordinary People Living Ordinary Lives

by Pratap Singh Rathore

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2026

About the author

Capt. Pratap Singh Rathore has spent more than two decades at sea and now commands merchant vessels. Between voyages, he returns to Jaipur - the city of his birth and upbringing, and the place he continues to call home.
A devoted reader for over twenty years, he is particularly drawn to historical and philosophical fiction. Ayn Rand and Munshi Premchand are among his favourite authors - two writers separated by language, tradition and temperament, yet connected by their searching engagement with the individual, moral choice and society.
His interest in history extends beyond books to historical dramas and documentaries, reflecting an abiding curiosity about how people are shaped by their times - and how, in turn, they shape them. Years at sea, a long companionship with books and a sustained interest in human choices have together nurtured the reflective sensibility he brings to his writing.

Reviews

[Shweta Naik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising read for me, as before also I have read a collection of stories but never searched for the answers at the end of it, it was always given by the Author, mostly in the form of moral of the story.
Hey readers! Read this awesome book "Dumb Man's Folly - Stories of ordinary people living ordinary lives"by Pratap Singh Rathore, it tells the simple stories of how the way we look at society, equality, people, choices, etc. I liked how the stories made me stop and think instead of simply telling me what to believe. The characters felt real, with their own flaws, struggles and different ways of seeing things.
Some stories stood out to me more than others, but overall, it was a meaningful read. If you enjoy books that are simple on the surface but leave you thinking about them even after you’ve finished reading, this one is worth picking up.
It was a 4.5 ⭐ for me, I enjoyed it, simple language, fast paced & relatable.

[Madhulika Sampathirao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dumb Man's Folly is a collection of ten short stories that made me look at ordinary people and their ordinary lives a little differently. The stories revolve around people we see around us every day-workers, parents, children, neighbours, officials and devotees— and yet each of them carries their own struggles, beliefs, responsibilities and questions.
What I really liked about this book is that the characters are not simply shown as good or bad. They feel much more human, with their own weaknesses, contradictions and reasons behind the choices they make. The situations may seem simple at first, but as the stories unfold, they bring out deeper questions about freedom, responsibility, faith, equality and what is actually right or wrong.
Overall, Dumb Man's Folly is a thoughtful and grounded collection that finds depth in ordinary lives. It reminded me that behind the people we casually see every day, there can be complicated thoughts, struggles and stories that we know nothing about. If you enjoy realistic, reflective and slice-of-life stories that leave you thinking even after you finish reading, this book is definitely worth giving a try.

[Khushi · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Dumb Man’s Folly consists of only ten short stories, each one takes its time to unfold and leaves you with something to think about. These aren’t fast-paced stories that you simply rush through; they are the kind that make you pause once you reach the end and sit with the questions they leave behind.

What I really liked is that the writing is simple and easy to understand, yet the ideas behind the stories are much deeper. The stories aren’t connected to each other, but they share one thing they take ordinary people and everyday situations and look at them from perspectives that can make you question your own understanding.

The characters felt relatable because they aren’t larger-than-life personalities. They are people with their own beliefs, choices, flaws, and circumstances. And while the stories are easy to read, some of the thoughts they leave you with need a little time to absorb.

Overall, Dumb Man’s Folly is a collection that doesn’t try to give you all the answers. Instead, it quietly leaves you with a question and sometimes, that question stays with you longer than the story itself.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dumb Man’s Folly is a thought-provoking collection of ten stories that finds profound questions hidden within the ordinariness of everyday life. What I particularly appreciated was its refusal to offer easy answers or neatly defined heroes and villains. Instead, the stories explore freedom, responsibility, equality, faith, ambition, and the contradictions that shape human choices.

The writing is observant and quietly reflective, encouraging you to pause and question the assumptions we often accept without thinking. Each story leaves you with something to contemplate, making this a compelling read for anyone who enjoys literary fiction with a philosophical edge.

A thoughtful collection that reminds us that sometimes, the most ordinary lives hold the most extraordinary questions.

[Arghadipa Chakraborty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has ten stories which talk about different types of people such as devotees, parents, children, workers, neighbours and their lifestyle. The presentation technique is unique and the language is lucid. It is highly recommended.