Autoplay: Not-so Stories

by G. Sampath

'Are there people you know who are not words?'A cancer survivor wreaks vengeance on the world, a builder erects the Taj Mahal of public toilets, a woman buys a treadmill for her depressed pet, a husband's life is hijacked by his wife's nightmares, a matrimonial advertisement says it like it really is. Autoplay explores the futuristic, semi-dystopian Hindu Aryan Republic of India.G. Sampath's stories work at the level of the pre-conscious, verbal kites waving their never-ending tails in the sky of consciousness. Through a minute rendering of feeling-states, he explores a whole range of emotional landscapes, from melancholy and mirth to rage and disgust. This is adventurous new fiction, exploring the themes of marriage, adolescence, love, terrorism, technology, consumerism and other familiars through feeling-eyes.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2017

Reviews

[Prasad GR · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of stories set in the future and narrated with tongue firmly in cheek, this collection brings a smile to the face quite often. The breathless phrases used to narrate the stories took turns amusing and frustrating me, but I couldn't help admire the skill that must have gone into their making.

The best part is the many close-up shots of human idiosyncrasies that continue in the face of technological advancement which starkly bring out the irony. The other highlight is the way life is portrayed in its banal details without glossing over anything. Coming right after Sapiens, I could relate to the plots better.

All said and done, I found this a source of entertainment during my commute and nothing more. That has made me determined to read only classics that have stood the test of time instead of trying to read anything and everything coming from the ministry of fiction. Occasional trips to the 'new' bookshelf should be fine though!

[Ankush Agarwal · Rating 2 out of 5]

In "AN ENQUIRY INTO THE MORPHOLOGY OF ATTACHMENT," Sampath manages to perfectly capture the feeling of being in a toxic and unhealthy relationship. The protagonist's internal turmoil and struggle to break free from this attachment are palpable and relatable. It's a beautifully written piece that showcases Sampath's talent as a writer.

However, the rest of the collection, unfortunately, did not live up to the same standard. The majority of the stories seemed to rely heavily on long, convoluted sentences that often detracted from the overall plot and narrative. It was difficult to fully engage with the characters and their experiences because of this stylistic choice.

While I appreciate Sampath's wit and insight in his newspaper columns and podcast, this collection of stories just wasn't for me. It's unfortunate, as I was looking forward to immersing myself in his writing.

If you're a fan of his work and enjoy experimental writing styles, you may find this collection more to your liking. However, if you prefer a more straightforward and easy-to-follow narrative, you may want to pass on this one.

[Mamunuru Shankar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't liked this book. Not my cup of tea!