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When They Spoke
How often have we heard our mothers and grandmothers justifying their possessiveness about old and rusted objects, refusing to throw them away? “They are mementos. They have memories.”
How often have we sniggered, “As if these could talk!”
Just as often as we have exploited every single object that makes our life easier and whose easy availability we take for granted. We have never wondered what it feels to be used, exploited, and consumed, only to be discarded without a single look of gratitude; after all, eulogies and epitaphs are only for human beings.
When They Spoke is about 29 inanimate beings who wonder if it would be more apt to define us as non-living things, because, as each of them prove, their heart seems to be in order, and beating in the right pace!
How often have we sniggered, “As if these could talk!”
Just as often as we have exploited every single object that makes our life easier and whose easy availability we take for granted. We have never wondered what it feels to be used, exploited, and consumed, only to be discarded without a single look of gratitude; after all, eulogies and epitaphs are only for human beings.
When They Spoke is about 29 inanimate beings who wonder if it would be more apt to define us as non-living things, because, as each of them prove, their heart seems to be in order, and beating in the right pace!
222 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 15, 2016
Once I started, I quickly read all the stories while journeying on train. My favourites are: Framed Memories, The Gates of Heaven, I am Kalasnikov, Reflection, The Wind is singing, The Will to Live, The Enchantress, If only they asked.
Others are good too but these are special ones I like very much.
Others are good too but these are special ones I like very much.
December 25, 2016
I took a long time to read this. And by the time I finished, I was feeling wonderful to be published in this anthology along with the other 28 talented writers.
What would the stories be like if they were told by inanimates? Do you think they would be banal and lifeless just like them? These stories are nothing of the sort. Each one is unique and special in its own way. The inanimates that tell tales range from the Sky to paintings to mountains and so on. And the genres of the stories too are different.
And the editing is done so well.
I recommend it to all lovers of good writing.
What would the stories be like if they were told by inanimates? Do you think they would be banal and lifeless just like them? These stories are nothing of the sort. Each one is unique and special in its own way. The inanimates that tell tales range from the Sky to paintings to mountains and so on. And the genres of the stories too are different.
And the editing is done so well.
I recommend it to all lovers of good writing.
October 27, 2017
We are surrounded by a million inanimate objects and to think that they may see, hear, feel, and somehow be a part of our lives, can be mysterious and frightening in equal proportions.
These 29 tales told by some of these inanimate objects have the power to clutch you in a vice like grip such that after reading each story you let out a deep sigh at its powerful end.
These 29 tales told by some of these inanimate objects have the power to clutch you in a vice like grip such that after reading each story you let out a deep sigh at its powerful end.
October 10, 2016
What would inanimate objects say if they had a voice?
When They Spoke is an interesting collection of short stories written from the perspective of inanimate objects. It is an interesting read and the stories are unusual and sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes poignant, and sometimes even sad.
The choice of objects are varied and interesting too, ranging from a deadly Kalashnikov to a safety pin. Most of these stories will stay on with you as they have a powerful impact on the reader.
It also forces you to look at the world around you with a different perspective and prompts questions like what if the things around you really had a life of their own. How would they behave? How would they react to when put to use or rather misuse? Would they help make the world better? Would they protect their master like that safety pin does in The Rusty Needle With A Hat (Anirban Nanda) or would it exact revenge for innocent deaths like the Kalashnikov does in I Am Kalashnikov (Paulami DuttaGupta). Or would it be a silent spectator like the Vase in The Empty Vase (Deepti Menon) or the door in Front (Esha Chakraborty). Stories like Normal is Bo'Ring' (Neeti Banga) and Automate (Sanghamitra Bose) would make you smile while The Will To Live (Radhika Tabrez) and If Only They Asked (Ayan Pal) would compel you to ponder and question the intent behind human actions.
Each of these stories have an important message which is driven home subtly and without being preachy. If short stories that leave an impact are what you are looking at, this book is definitely a must read.
When They Spoke is an interesting collection of short stories written from the perspective of inanimate objects. It is an interesting read and the stories are unusual and sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes poignant, and sometimes even sad.
The choice of objects are varied and interesting too, ranging from a deadly Kalashnikov to a safety pin. Most of these stories will stay on with you as they have a powerful impact on the reader.
It also forces you to look at the world around you with a different perspective and prompts questions like what if the things around you really had a life of their own. How would they behave? How would they react to when put to use or rather misuse? Would they help make the world better? Would they protect their master like that safety pin does in The Rusty Needle With A Hat (Anirban Nanda) or would it exact revenge for innocent deaths like the Kalashnikov does in I Am Kalashnikov (Paulami DuttaGupta). Or would it be a silent spectator like the Vase in The Empty Vase (Deepti Menon) or the door in Front (Esha Chakraborty). Stories like Normal is Bo'Ring' (Neeti Banga) and Automate (Sanghamitra Bose) would make you smile while The Will To Live (Radhika Tabrez) and If Only They Asked (Ayan Pal) would compel you to ponder and question the intent behind human actions.
Each of these stories have an important message which is driven home subtly and without being preachy. If short stories that leave an impact are what you are looking at, this book is definitely a must read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews