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Curtain Call
We live our lives like the ceaseless flow of a river, but we remember it only in pieces, pieces we like to call memories, memories that are shared in the form of stories. What is life if not a number of stories tied together like an anthology? The Curtain Call, compiled and edited by Rafaa Dalvi, is one such anthology that brings together stories from different walks of life, stories that would make you pondering upon them for days, stories that make you think, and stories that will leave an imprint on the souls of the readers. From historical fiction to fantasy fiction, this multi-genre anthology contains thought-provoking stories that will take you through a delightful journey beyond time and reality. Whether it is a train journey, space expedition or Mrinalini's royal marriage, Gloria's guest, a spy or an Ookleeboo, a story of love or of bitter sadness, these stories will make you cry, laugh, love and, most importantly, live.
Featuring some of the best names in contemporary short fiction in India, the anthology chooses to avoid the traditional route of sticking to a single theme, providing the reader with something different to look forward to within each tale. From historical fiction to romance, horror and humour, there is something for everyone in this collection.
So what makes this posse different from the other collections of short stories available presently?
Simply a matter of class, really.
Between the 20 who have contributed here, you have authors with not 1 or 2 or even 10 or 20 published stories in their combined quiver. You have a whopping 75 published short stories (both Indian & International) and no less than 13 published novels between these authors. That is talent that has gone through literally more than hundreds of short story contests, honing their skills through both success & failure till they got the art of storytelling down to a science.
Featuring some of the best names in contemporary short fiction in India, the anthology chooses to avoid the traditional route of sticking to a single theme, providing the reader with something different to look forward to within each tale. From historical fiction to romance, horror and humour, there is something for everyone in this collection.
So what makes this posse different from the other collections of short stories available presently?
Simply a matter of class, really.
Between the 20 who have contributed here, you have authors with not 1 or 2 or even 10 or 20 published stories in their combined quiver. You have a whopping 75 published short stories (both Indian & International) and no less than 13 published novels between these authors. That is talent that has gone through literally more than hundreds of short story contests, honing their skills through both success & failure till they got the art of storytelling down to a science.
221 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2016
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Rafaa Dalvi
14 books20 followersRafaa Dalvi tries to escape from the mundane with words and contemplates befriending the voices in his head. He dreams about changing the world, one smile at a time.
Already published numerous times, his stories can be read in the anthologies – Curtain Call (editor), Kaleidoscope, Myriad Tales and many more. He has written three volumes of ‘Small is Big’, which is a collection of 100 micro tales. He’s the recipient of the Indian Bloggers League Booker Prize 2013. His book 'Small is Big - Volume 3' was awarded the Runners-up in the short-format category of Amazon KDP Pen to Publish Contest, 2019 edition.
Already published numerous times, his stories can be read in the anthologies – Curtain Call (editor), Kaleidoscope, Myriad Tales and many more. He has written three volumes of ‘Small is Big’, which is a collection of 100 micro tales. He’s the recipient of the Indian Bloggers League Booker Prize 2013. His book 'Small is Big - Volume 3' was awarded the Runners-up in the short-format category of Amazon KDP Pen to Publish Contest, 2019 edition.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 8, 2016
Initially I was skeptical to purchase and read this book, since the quality of 'writers' these days are coming down steeply, with only Marketing gimmicks behind their books to sell them like hot cakes. BUT, I am so glad I purchased this book. This is by far the best anthology that has hit Indian Market in a long time. I guess it is because there are twenty stories each belonging to a different genre, each with different emotions and expectations, written by contemporary Indian writers.
I finished Curtain Call quite quickly; and unlike most short story collections, it kept me on my toes as there is not a moment of boredom. It is very fresh in the sense that there is nothing predictable in the book. It is a brave attempt to paint a very broad canvas, and surprisingly it does justice to it.
A Crimson Affair by Rafaa Dalvi: A suspense historical fiction story with twists and turns like a roller coaster is the best story in the book and one that everybody would love to read. The best part of the story is the point that it ends on. It’s like you want more from the story. What happens next? It’s difficult to handle such an ending and the writer has done a good job.
Ablaze Within by Sanhita Baruah: Even if the story is the shortest in the book, it has got impact. It makes you think. The shortest but the most impactful. Best in the book.
Boys will be Boys by Roshan Radhakrishnan: A day-to-day situation put in smartly. Nothing much happens in the story, like dramatic twists and turns (which are there in the other stories), but it made me fall off my chair laughing. I loved it.
I am going with a 5 stars, just for the fact that Curtain Call might include some more stories for the readers. Who knows, there might be a Ruskin Bond, Manto, Dahl or O. Henry hidden among these gems of writers. This is what I call a cult classic and a fresh change from the usual IIT-IIM type of college urban romances. I sincerely hope that there are more of such short story collections in the Indian market.
I finished Curtain Call quite quickly; and unlike most short story collections, it kept me on my toes as there is not a moment of boredom. It is very fresh in the sense that there is nothing predictable in the book. It is a brave attempt to paint a very broad canvas, and surprisingly it does justice to it.
A Crimson Affair by Rafaa Dalvi: A suspense historical fiction story with twists and turns like a roller coaster is the best story in the book and one that everybody would love to read. The best part of the story is the point that it ends on. It’s like you want more from the story. What happens next? It’s difficult to handle such an ending and the writer has done a good job.
Ablaze Within by Sanhita Baruah: Even if the story is the shortest in the book, it has got impact. It makes you think. The shortest but the most impactful. Best in the book.
Boys will be Boys by Roshan Radhakrishnan: A day-to-day situation put in smartly. Nothing much happens in the story, like dramatic twists and turns (which are there in the other stories), but it made me fall off my chair laughing. I loved it.
I am going with a 5 stars, just for the fact that Curtain Call might include some more stories for the readers. Who knows, there might be a Ruskin Bond, Manto, Dahl or O. Henry hidden among these gems of writers. This is what I call a cult classic and a fresh change from the usual IIT-IIM type of college urban romances. I sincerely hope that there are more of such short story collections in the Indian market.
August 31, 2016
A potpourri of varied genres starting with a historical fiction to the romance to gruesome real world to what not. This anthology is packed with, rather I would say is stuffed with all the spices. Each writer brought their own flavor and understanding of the world through their stories. However, each is randomly placed. I couldn't find one binding thread, be it in form of theme, storytelling or anything. It was as if each writer had put forth their best but they were segments only. If you judge each story individually, then they are amazing. The first story which is a historical fiction, it keeps you on the edge till the end. There are other stories as well which leave a lasting imprint. There were times when you finish one short story and you just try to savor it or are just under trying to recover from it. Few writers were brilliant, I personally want to read their other works as well. The language was kept simple overall but some writers even embellished and outshone with that simplicity.
September 11, 2016
Possibly one of the best collection of short stories which I have come across lately ! A gripping collection of stories, each better than the last, written by various authors each bringing his own style of narration, theme and emotional mix. I started reading this at 4 PM and before I knew it, I was already reading 'Ookleeboo', which is like more than the halfway point. I can't resist but jot down here some of the stories which I particualrly liked:
1) THE CRIMSON AFFAIR by Rafaa Dalvi : Twist after twist! A story told in a fascinating way. Gripping to say the least. Impressed by the ability of the author to create vivid imagery which helps appreciate the piece of art better.
2) HIS LEELA by Karthik: Amazing narration of the problem faced by a Tamil housewife whose husband is fraught with insecurities. Loved the analogy of the Leela to the The Leela
3) REMINISCENCE by Mehek Bassi: Very insightful and subtly presents the idea of having to deal with life's challenges head on.
4) OOKLEEBOO by Diptee Raut: A fascinating tale about everyday nightmares told in a very different way
5) ANOTHER CHANCE by Ketaki Patwardhan: An amazing story of the importance of relationships and the need to balance work and personal life. Really something to ponder over in a fast paced world.
Overall, I do have to say that the book left me wanting for more. Hope to see more such collections soon
1) THE CRIMSON AFFAIR by Rafaa Dalvi : Twist after twist! A story told in a fascinating way. Gripping to say the least. Impressed by the ability of the author to create vivid imagery which helps appreciate the piece of art better.
2) HIS LEELA by Karthik: Amazing narration of the problem faced by a Tamil housewife whose husband is fraught with insecurities. Loved the analogy of the Leela to the The Leela
3) REMINISCENCE by Mehek Bassi: Very insightful and subtly presents the idea of having to deal with life's challenges head on.
4) OOKLEEBOO by Diptee Raut: A fascinating tale about everyday nightmares told in a very different way
5) ANOTHER CHANCE by Ketaki Patwardhan: An amazing story of the importance of relationships and the need to balance work and personal life. Really something to ponder over in a fast paced world.
Overall, I do have to say that the book left me wanting for more. Hope to see more such collections soon
September 6, 2016
Book Review- Reading an anthology of short stories penned by different authors is like listening to FM radio-one has no clue which song is going to be played next. On the other hand, reading a collection of short stories penned by a single author tends to lose its charm sometimes. The first story sets the tone in such a case. The reader becomes aware of the style of writing and knows what lies in store in the subsequent pages. No surprises there.
‘Curtain Call’ is a collection of short stories with an assortment of authors weaving their magical wand and painting the pages of the book with varied shades. As is evident from the blurb, each story of this collection has a different flavor. I had the unenviable task of reviewing this book and could not, therefore, savour the aroma at leisure. I would advise the readers to read one story at a time and feel the prose course through their bloodstream and invade the deepest caverns of their heart.
There are a few grammatical errors here and there but that does not interrupt the smooth flow of the prose.
The anthology contains twenty stories and if I had to choose one which is closest to my heart, I would be found wanting. Therefore, I would recommend all these little pearls as part of a beautiful necklace. Behold…
Verdict- An assorted cuisine, delectable.
‘Curtain Call’ is a collection of short stories with an assortment of authors weaving their magical wand and painting the pages of the book with varied shades. As is evident from the blurb, each story of this collection has a different flavor. I had the unenviable task of reviewing this book and could not, therefore, savour the aroma at leisure. I would advise the readers to read one story at a time and feel the prose course through their bloodstream and invade the deepest caverns of their heart.
There are a few grammatical errors here and there but that does not interrupt the smooth flow of the prose.
The anthology contains twenty stories and if I had to choose one which is closest to my heart, I would be found wanting. Therefore, I would recommend all these little pearls as part of a beautiful necklace. Behold…
Verdict- An assorted cuisine, delectable.
September 7, 2016
Part I: Beginning
This book begins with an editor's note, outlining every facet of his journey. Starting from conceiving this idea to actually implementing it; the trials and tribulations that came along to publish this anthology.
There are books and then there are books! The thing that sets one apart from another, is not just the writing or the author but the way the book is put forth to the reader. The element that sets it apart from the numerous other anthologies is the concoction of multiple genres in one single anthology.
Part II: Delving Deep
This anthology comprises of 20 short stories each of varied lengths and genres. Since each story is from the a different author, each has its set of positives as well as negatives. Since the number of stories is quite high, I am reviewing only a selected few in the order that I read them.
1. F.L.A.M.E.S by Amrit Sinha (Romance)
Amrit and Romance always go hand in hand, and it was no surprise that he wrote on romance. This is one genre where you can experiment from being cliched to innovative. The story is a cute teenage love story where emotions run raw throughout the 7 pages. The language is simple yet poignant and the writing fresh. What I liked the most was, the brilliant use of metaphors coupled with simplicity. It is a light read and explains the working of a teenage mind in the first spell of love.
2. A Crimson Affair by Rafaa Dalvi (Historical Fiction)
I've been reading this author's work for almost a decade now, when he wrote play scripts and articles for the college magazine, his initial dark themed blog and the recent ones too. And through these years, just like everything else his writing too has changed. Evolving from being a novice to a professional.
Coming to the story what I liked was; some of the characters are well known and it is a simple yet a very layered story. The narrative is detailed, the plot crisp as well as the characters strong. The story glues you till the end. As the tale enfolded I felt like I knew the end but it took me by surprise. Overall I felt that the author did justice to the genre as well as managed to recreate history.
Full Review can be read here: http://whispersacrosswords.blogspot.i...
This book begins with an editor's note, outlining every facet of his journey. Starting from conceiving this idea to actually implementing it; the trials and tribulations that came along to publish this anthology.
There are books and then there are books! The thing that sets one apart from another, is not just the writing or the author but the way the book is put forth to the reader. The element that sets it apart from the numerous other anthologies is the concoction of multiple genres in one single anthology.
Part II: Delving Deep
This anthology comprises of 20 short stories each of varied lengths and genres. Since each story is from the a different author, each has its set of positives as well as negatives. Since the number of stories is quite high, I am reviewing only a selected few in the order that I read them.
1. F.L.A.M.E.S by Amrit Sinha (Romance)
Amrit and Romance always go hand in hand, and it was no surprise that he wrote on romance. This is one genre where you can experiment from being cliched to innovative. The story is a cute teenage love story where emotions run raw throughout the 7 pages. The language is simple yet poignant and the writing fresh. What I liked the most was, the brilliant use of metaphors coupled with simplicity. It is a light read and explains the working of a teenage mind in the first spell of love.
2. A Crimson Affair by Rafaa Dalvi (Historical Fiction)
I've been reading this author's work for almost a decade now, when he wrote play scripts and articles for the college magazine, his initial dark themed blog and the recent ones too. And through these years, just like everything else his writing too has changed. Evolving from being a novice to a professional.
Coming to the story what I liked was; some of the characters are well known and it is a simple yet a very layered story. The narrative is detailed, the plot crisp as well as the characters strong. The story glues you till the end. As the tale enfolded I felt like I knew the end but it took me by surprise. Overall I felt that the author did justice to the genre as well as managed to recreate history.
Full Review can be read here: http://whispersacrosswords.blogspot.i...
September 22, 2016
The book is a blend of stories from different genres put together.
- The most intriguing thing about the book is that it never stops surprising you. You can never guess the next genre.
- Thrill dominates throughout the book.
(I've tried my best not to include any major spoilers)
A Crimson Affair is a Crime Suspense Thriller set in the Era of Mughal Empire. Birbal investigates the cause of a Murder only to unfold a story of secrets and mystery.
His Leela is a Mysery lit fiction about a man frustrated and disappointed in life who has been bottling up his emotions too far. But only until a ray of hope makes him open up.
Office Visit is a Horror fiction about a mysterious girl who isn't exactly what she looks like.
My Fair Husband is a Romcom with a tinge of Humor about a couple who remain to stay together even after one of them dies.
Mahua is an Erotica with a tinge of horror given a Satirical end revolving around a man who, when visits a forest regarding a survey, is taken aback by his unordinary experiences in the guest house.
Mistaken Identity is a light comedy that revolves around two strangers who meet on a joruney and falls for each other, eventually.
Ablaze Within is another misery lit fiction that demonstrates the life of a prostitute who was forced into this profession even before she was old enough to understand it.
Time After Time is a comedy of a young girl who buys a rather suspicious watch and travels in time.
The Lifeless Living Sculpture is a fantasy fiction about a sculptor who's madly in love with his own creation. He goes through phases of Adoration, Obsession, Heartbreak and dejection throughout the story.
Cooking Up A Storm is a crime thriller, an epitome of the proverb -Half Knowledge is dangerous. A troubled son kills two people in the revenge of something that never actually happened.
Reminiscence is a heart-warming motivational story that will leave you wanting to live your life to the fullest.
Ookleeboo is a low fantasy. A strange story about a strange guy who can get into people's heads and control their thoughts.
Another Chance is a thriller blended with Humor and Comedy. A story about fate and co-incidence. The guy dreams of his wife's death and sets not to let it come true.
Boys Will Be Boys is a perfect blend of Erotica, humor and comedy altogether. This one will make you laugh and grin *wink* throughout.
The Princess Bride is a Romance fiction about a wife living in the ghosts of ger hubby's past. This makes her go through self doubt and dissatisfaction issues.
The Sitarist of Palem is a low fantasy horror revolving around a girl who finds a haunted Sitar, goes through strange situations when she starts playing it.
The Last Rock on which the Universe Collapsed is an intriguing sci-fi depicting an extra-ordinary man who travles into space and faces adventurous incidents.
F.L.A.M.E.S a RomCom revolving around the love life of two teenagers. Depicts the innocence of their minds and the complexity of Love.
Agent W is a Detective thriller about secret agents and their secret mission following a trail of action, mystery and thrill altogether.
Office Games, a Corporate Humor tale revolving around employees in an office planning against each other to get their own purpose served.
My personal favourite among these were - The Lifeless Living Sculpture, Ookleebooand Boys will be Boys.
About the narration and editing, every author has it's own unique narration style, some of them will really get you hooked.
However, I spotted several typos in the book and I feel Editing could've been better.
About the quality of Paperback, the cover and pages are of pretty good quality, worth all the money.
Overall, it's a light and quick read.
I will give it 3.5/5 stars
Recommended to anyone who likes to read short and quick light reads.
- The most intriguing thing about the book is that it never stops surprising you. You can never guess the next genre.
- Thrill dominates throughout the book.
(I've tried my best not to include any major spoilers)
A Crimson Affair is a Crime Suspense Thriller set in the Era of Mughal Empire. Birbal investigates the cause of a Murder only to unfold a story of secrets and mystery.
His Leela is a Mysery lit fiction about a man frustrated and disappointed in life who has been bottling up his emotions too far. But only until a ray of hope makes him open up.
Office Visit is a Horror fiction about a mysterious girl who isn't exactly what she looks like.
My Fair Husband is a Romcom with a tinge of Humor about a couple who remain to stay together even after one of them dies.
Mahua is an Erotica with a tinge of horror given a Satirical end revolving around a man who, when visits a forest regarding a survey, is taken aback by his unordinary experiences in the guest house.
Mistaken Identity is a light comedy that revolves around two strangers who meet on a joruney and falls for each other, eventually.
Ablaze Within is another misery lit fiction that demonstrates the life of a prostitute who was forced into this profession even before she was old enough to understand it.
Time After Time is a comedy of a young girl who buys a rather suspicious watch and travels in time.
The Lifeless Living Sculpture is a fantasy fiction about a sculptor who's madly in love with his own creation. He goes through phases of Adoration, Obsession, Heartbreak and dejection throughout the story.
Cooking Up A Storm is a crime thriller, an epitome of the proverb -Half Knowledge is dangerous. A troubled son kills two people in the revenge of something that never actually happened.
Reminiscence is a heart-warming motivational story that will leave you wanting to live your life to the fullest.
Ookleeboo is a low fantasy. A strange story about a strange guy who can get into people's heads and control their thoughts.
Another Chance is a thriller blended with Humor and Comedy. A story about fate and co-incidence. The guy dreams of his wife's death and sets not to let it come true.
Boys Will Be Boys is a perfect blend of Erotica, humor and comedy altogether. This one will make you laugh and grin *wink* throughout.
The Princess Bride is a Romance fiction about a wife living in the ghosts of ger hubby's past. This makes her go through self doubt and dissatisfaction issues.
The Sitarist of Palem is a low fantasy horror revolving around a girl who finds a haunted Sitar, goes through strange situations when she starts playing it.
The Last Rock on which the Universe Collapsed is an intriguing sci-fi depicting an extra-ordinary man who travles into space and faces adventurous incidents.
F.L.A.M.E.S a RomCom revolving around the love life of two teenagers. Depicts the innocence of their minds and the complexity of Love.
Agent W is a Detective thriller about secret agents and their secret mission following a trail of action, mystery and thrill altogether.
Office Games, a Corporate Humor tale revolving around employees in an office planning against each other to get their own purpose served.
My personal favourite among these were - The Lifeless Living Sculpture, Ookleebooand Boys will be Boys.
About the narration and editing, every author has it's own unique narration style, some of them will really get you hooked.
However, I spotted several typos in the book and I feel Editing could've been better.
About the quality of Paperback, the cover and pages are of pretty good quality, worth all the money.
Overall, it's a light and quick read.
I will give it 3.5/5 stars
Recommended to anyone who likes to read short and quick light reads.
October 5, 2016
Curtain Call is an anthology of short stories which is compiled and edited by Rafia Dalvi and published Half Baked Beans. This book , as the title suggest is far different from our imaginations. The writers have poured their souls in the stories and have come out beautifully.
The cover of the book is fantastic and the title is antipole to the type of stories which are woven, but in a literal way the writers show their best role in form of stories which might justify the title.
This book can make you smile, laugh, cry, inspire and make you fight with your inner self. The authors have added their soulin it. Some of them came out to be marvalleous and flawless which left me spellbound.
Crimson Affair takes you back to those Akbar Birbal times whose tales were the part of our growth. This story highlights the intellectual and sharp mind of Birbal who unfolds a murder mystery in an artistic way.
His Leela elucidates the saga of a frustrated man who finds a true confidante in a bitch named Leela. The story is written in two narratives and one of it is a monologue.
Office Visit is a horror fiction where a girl is not the one whom she claims to be. The whole story is followed by series of events that includes suspense and mystery.
My Fair Husband is a romcom and a unique story where we find a strong connection between the couple even after the husband dies. The idea of the author is to show death in a lighter way.
Mahua is an erotic tale with suspense and horror as its prime features. It gives us chills through our spines and at the same time makes us laugh.
Reminiscence is an inspiring story that gives you the true meaning of life and lifts your mood up.
The Sitarist of Palem is a horror story that has elements of suspense, mystery and has all the features of a Gothic Fiction.
F.L.A.M.E.S is a teen fiction where we find lovers and has elements of romance and comedy in it. This story highlights the innocence of love with a blend of complexity.
There are 20 stories in total but these are my personal favourites. There are certain typos and I feel these can be easily avoided.
The cover of the book is fantastic and the title is antipole to the type of stories which are woven, but in a literal way the writers show their best role in form of stories which might justify the title.
This book can make you smile, laugh, cry, inspire and make you fight with your inner self. The authors have added their soulin it. Some of them came out to be marvalleous and flawless which left me spellbound.
Crimson Affair takes you back to those Akbar Birbal times whose tales were the part of our growth. This story highlights the intellectual and sharp mind of Birbal who unfolds a murder mystery in an artistic way.
His Leela elucidates the saga of a frustrated man who finds a true confidante in a bitch named Leela. The story is written in two narratives and one of it is a monologue.
Office Visit is a horror fiction where a girl is not the one whom she claims to be. The whole story is followed by series of events that includes suspense and mystery.
My Fair Husband is a romcom and a unique story where we find a strong connection between the couple even after the husband dies. The idea of the author is to show death in a lighter way.
Mahua is an erotic tale with suspense and horror as its prime features. It gives us chills through our spines and at the same time makes us laugh.
Reminiscence is an inspiring story that gives you the true meaning of life and lifts your mood up.
The Sitarist of Palem is a horror story that has elements of suspense, mystery and has all the features of a Gothic Fiction.
F.L.A.M.E.S is a teen fiction where we find lovers and has elements of romance and comedy in it. This story highlights the innocence of love with a blend of complexity.
There are 20 stories in total but these are my personal favourites. There are certain typos and I feel these can be easily avoided.
October 21, 2016
Having read the editor’s note I plunged to read this anthology immediately. At this point of time I also thought that it would be right from my part to suggest a bit to writers, publishers and editors. Although I do not rate this book five stars because it has its own limitations nevertheless I request the publishers and editors to take its example with regard to its perseverance, hardwork, and patience.
This anthology stands different with regard to the genre that it portrays. And the variety of stories it harbours. Any piece of literature to be successful needs time. It needs lot of attention with regard to editing, proof reading etc. Although this anthology has a bit of typos and proof reading errors, I appreciate it for the quality of stories that it presents. Every story is a gem. Every story gives you a different outlook on life and situations around.
Well, I wanted to comment individually on all 20 stories but I fear of not doing justice to all of them because they are exceptionally good. You get a taste of Birbal, the kind of stories you would love to hear in childhood and you also get a taste of modernity. Nevertheless I would like to mention a few stories that I liked the most; Crimson Affair, Ablaze Within, My Fair Husband, F.L.A.M.E.S, Another Chance and Boys Will Be Boys.
This anthology is the second anthology I read from Half Baked Beans publishers and I feel that the publication is doing really good with regard to its quality in publishing anthologies. Many find it hard to read and appreciate anthologies because you get different emotions on one platter. But reading a novel on the other hand is sitting with one author who narrates from his or her perspectives whatsoever he or she wants.
So isn’t it more gracious to have number of authors sitting by your side and expressing their emotions and help you broaden your perspectives? It is difficult to switch from one emotion to another but it is not impossible; as a theatrical drama transports you from one scene to another, from one place to another, so does this book.
So go for it and have a literary pleasure to treasure.
This anthology stands different with regard to the genre that it portrays. And the variety of stories it harbours. Any piece of literature to be successful needs time. It needs lot of attention with regard to editing, proof reading etc. Although this anthology has a bit of typos and proof reading errors, I appreciate it for the quality of stories that it presents. Every story is a gem. Every story gives you a different outlook on life and situations around.
Well, I wanted to comment individually on all 20 stories but I fear of not doing justice to all of them because they are exceptionally good. You get a taste of Birbal, the kind of stories you would love to hear in childhood and you also get a taste of modernity. Nevertheless I would like to mention a few stories that I liked the most; Crimson Affair, Ablaze Within, My Fair Husband, F.L.A.M.E.S, Another Chance and Boys Will Be Boys.
This anthology is the second anthology I read from Half Baked Beans publishers and I feel that the publication is doing really good with regard to its quality in publishing anthologies. Many find it hard to read and appreciate anthologies because you get different emotions on one platter. But reading a novel on the other hand is sitting with one author who narrates from his or her perspectives whatsoever he or she wants.
So isn’t it more gracious to have number of authors sitting by your side and expressing their emotions and help you broaden your perspectives? It is difficult to switch from one emotion to another but it is not impossible; as a theatrical drama transports you from one scene to another, from one place to another, so does this book.
So go for it and have a literary pleasure to treasure.
September 22, 2016
My feelings for ‘Curtain Call’, 20 short stories compiled and edited by Rafaa Dalvi, are mixed. Juicy apples and bland oranges don’t mix. It’s true that most anthologies with works by first-time authors tend to swing between the good and the average, thus. That they introduce us to new writers and fresh writing is an undeniable benefit, as is reading some memorable stories! While both these positives hold true for this multi-genre collection, what is also noticeable is that the editor’s claim of only ‘quality writing’ making the cut rings hollow a few stories into the book.
Good things first! Eight stories stood out for me, for reasons unique to each. Three other stories in ‘Curtain Call’ came in a close second, if you may.
Rafaa Dalvi intended well to compile this anthology, give new writers an audience and introduce readers to some good writing and promising authors. He did all that! But we cannot ignore the lack of critical eye with which it has been done. ‘Curtain Call’ will find its readers, no doubt. Those for whom a book is an open-and-shut case, where characters needn’t involve them, trouble them, challenge them or stories be unforgettable in their layers, novelty and style. Some prefer that momentariness of relationship with their reading while others want books to remain open long after they have been read and shelved. Most stories in this anthology are for the former, not the latter.
[Read the full review here - http://www.sakshinanda.com/2016/09/a-...]
Good things first! Eight stories stood out for me, for reasons unique to each. Three other stories in ‘Curtain Call’ came in a close second, if you may.
Rafaa Dalvi intended well to compile this anthology, give new writers an audience and introduce readers to some good writing and promising authors. He did all that! But we cannot ignore the lack of critical eye with which it has been done. ‘Curtain Call’ will find its readers, no doubt. Those for whom a book is an open-and-shut case, where characters needn’t involve them, trouble them, challenge them or stories be unforgettable in their layers, novelty and style. Some prefer that momentariness of relationship with their reading while others want books to remain open long after they have been read and shelved. Most stories in this anthology are for the former, not the latter.
[Read the full review here - http://www.sakshinanda.com/2016/09/a-...]
October 27, 2016
This year. I have been slow in reading books. I have been focusing my energies and devoting time to two yet to be finished project.
I picked up ‘CURTAIN CALL’- Compiled and edited by Rafaa Dalvi and published under ‘Half-Baked beans’ featuring stories by 20 storytellers, on request of one of the authors ( Sanhita Barua - story ‘Ablaze Within’ ).
I don’t think; I would have picked the book otherwise. more http://sanjeevkotnala.com/curtaincall/
I picked up ‘CURTAIN CALL’- Compiled and edited by Rafaa Dalvi and published under ‘Half-Baked beans’ featuring stories by 20 storytellers, on request of one of the authors ( Sanhita Barua - story ‘Ablaze Within’ ).
I don’t think; I would have picked the book otherwise. more http://sanjeevkotnala.com/curtaincall/
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