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Cantilevered Tales
Cantilevered tales is a story about people, their quirks and why they become who they become. And lots of laughter!
I overheard a group of people talking about saving a water body from some unscrupulous builder and started keeping tabs on them. Not because I was interested in saving the environment or even that small little lake. What did interest me were the disparate lot of people and some desperate ones among them, who were determined that they were going to save a stagnant water body, which in my opinion had outlived its usefulness as anything at all, from becoming an office complex.
This is not a Builder v Helpless citizen epic. In fact that is the least important part of the book. This is about a group of inept people who you want to reach out and protect but you discover are more than capable of taking care of not just themselves, but of you too.
I overheard a group of people talking about saving a water body from some unscrupulous builder and started keeping tabs on them. Not because I was interested in saving the environment or even that small little lake. What did interest me were the disparate lot of people and some desperate ones among them, who were determined that they were going to save a stagnant water body, which in my opinion had outlived its usefulness as anything at all, from becoming an office complex.
This is not a Builder v Helpless citizen epic. In fact that is the least important part of the book. This is about a group of inept people who you want to reach out and protect but you discover are more than capable of taking care of not just themselves, but of you too.
- GenresIndian Literature
250 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2017
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Jayant Kripalani
3 books4 followersJayant Kripalani is an Indian film, television and stage actor and director. He also writes screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 29, 2017
A fast read
This started off very well.
The 'Khosla ka Ghosla'-ish feels were strewn all around. The book deals with the idea of 'development' and gives us a glimpse of how far corruption is rooted in bureaucracy.
By the end, it became slightly commercial Bollywood'ish. Suddenly the reader has to listen to the side of the corrupt businessman and become sympathetic towards him. However, I failed to sympathize and only found the man vile and tyrannical. I lost track a couple of times. But it was fast-paced and the language moves smoothly.
Not a bad read for the in-between-two-heavy-reads.
Pick it up if you like the 'Ji Mantriji' man. <3
This started off very well.
The 'Khosla ka Ghosla'-ish feels were strewn all around. The book deals with the idea of 'development' and gives us a glimpse of how far corruption is rooted in bureaucracy.
By the end, it became slightly commercial Bollywood'ish. Suddenly the reader has to listen to the side of the corrupt businessman and become sympathetic towards him. However, I failed to sympathize and only found the man vile and tyrannical. I lost track a couple of times. But it was fast-paced and the language moves smoothly.
Not a bad read for the in-between-two-heavy-reads.
Pick it up if you like the 'Ji Mantriji' man. <3
July 23, 2020
Week 30 Book 28
Cantilevered Tales by Jayant Kripalani
Rating: 3/5
I didn't know Jayant Kripalani, one of my fav actors, wrote! When I chanced upon this book on Kindle, I grabbed it!
This is a book about people, their Quirky personalities, and what makes them who they are.
Set in Calcutta and neighbouring areas, it instantly transports you to paschimbanga, with ample Bengali words thrown in, and delicious references to food.
It's a novel about a government official, his life, family, friends, colleagues, boss, and his enemy: a builder he has locked horns with.
A funny and breezy read! Keeps you entertained. Pro tip: don't read the afterword.
Cantilevered Tales by Jayant Kripalani
Rating: 3/5
I didn't know Jayant Kripalani, one of my fav actors, wrote! When I chanced upon this book on Kindle, I grabbed it!
This is a book about people, their Quirky personalities, and what makes them who they are.
Set in Calcutta and neighbouring areas, it instantly transports you to paschimbanga, with ample Bengali words thrown in, and delicious references to food.
It's a novel about a government official, his life, family, friends, colleagues, boss, and his enemy: a builder he has locked horns with.
A funny and breezy read! Keeps you entertained. Pro tip: don't read the afterword.
June 28, 2017
A brilliant read, at times laugh out loud funny, at times subtle wit. A must read.
June 2, 2017
In the voice of his protagonist, the author decides to answer what was meant to be a rhetorical question, by launching into the history of the Howrah Bridge – the third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction, thereby alarming his mostly quiet co-passenger and colleague of ten years.
From there, he delves into the back story of said colleague, winding his way around to the various other people who form the narrative of the book. Like his slow journey through the bridge traffic, he takes his time to unfold their stories and build them up as the eccentric characters they are meant to be.
He paints each scene with bright shades of tongue-in-cheek humour, paired with the most colourful Bengali phrases that dazzle his prose. I am not familiar with the Bengali language, thus the glossary at the end of the book was most helpful in deriving a full reading experience. It wouldn’t be the story it is, without the originality of the language, which proves its own inherent role.
The pages turn themselves at a foot-tapping pace as the reader gets wound up in the hilarious turn of events created by the seemingly ordinary Chingdi Kaka, Banshi Mama, Ashutosh Babu, The CM, and many more entertaining people.
I also couldn’t help but notice that the book is edited extremely well, absolutely flawless, something that I have rarely seen from Indian publishers. I only recommend that the glossary be more extensive to include other Bengali terms and phrases which are currently missing explanation. It would make a world of difference for readers who do not understand Bengali.
Cantilevered tales is a story about the quirks of ordinary citizens and their response to situations around them, which in turn makes them the people they become. All laid out with generous servings of wit and humour.
What Author Kripalani has created here is a literary masterpiece, as evident from his writing style that spotlights the sociopolitical theme he has chosen. Right from the pond caretaker, to the members of the Bird Witchers (you read that right) Association or the outrageously comic Oleek Babu, every person you come across is endearing.
Cantilevered Tales is clearly my choice for must-read novel of the year and goes right up to the top of my list of favourite books.
For complete review, visit aquamarineflavours.wordpress.com.
From there, he delves into the back story of said colleague, winding his way around to the various other people who form the narrative of the book. Like his slow journey through the bridge traffic, he takes his time to unfold their stories and build them up as the eccentric characters they are meant to be.
He paints each scene with bright shades of tongue-in-cheek humour, paired with the most colourful Bengali phrases that dazzle his prose. I am not familiar with the Bengali language, thus the glossary at the end of the book was most helpful in deriving a full reading experience. It wouldn’t be the story it is, without the originality of the language, which proves its own inherent role.
The pages turn themselves at a foot-tapping pace as the reader gets wound up in the hilarious turn of events created by the seemingly ordinary Chingdi Kaka, Banshi Mama, Ashutosh Babu, The CM, and many more entertaining people.
I also couldn’t help but notice that the book is edited extremely well, absolutely flawless, something that I have rarely seen from Indian publishers. I only recommend that the glossary be more extensive to include other Bengali terms and phrases which are currently missing explanation. It would make a world of difference for readers who do not understand Bengali.
Cantilevered tales is a story about the quirks of ordinary citizens and their response to situations around them, which in turn makes them the people they become. All laid out with generous servings of wit and humour.
What Author Kripalani has created here is a literary masterpiece, as evident from his writing style that spotlights the sociopolitical theme he has chosen. Right from the pond caretaker, to the members of the Bird Witchers (you read that right) Association or the outrageously comic Oleek Babu, every person you come across is endearing.
Cantilevered Tales is clearly my choice for must-read novel of the year and goes right up to the top of my list of favourite books.
For complete review, visit aquamarineflavours.wordpress.com.
May 23, 2018
Artist Jayant Kripalani is used to bringing stories to life visually, be it in film, television, or theater. But he is also an author whose first book, 'New Market Tales', brought out nostalgia and history in full force. And now, his second book 'Cantilevered Tales', promises to bring reality to the fiction that we read. The story of everyday people and their quirks, 'Cantilevered Tales' has a simple but attractive cover, and an even intriguing blurb.
I must admit I didn’t go into this one with a lot of hopes. [Sorry, Jayant Sir!] But when I did plunge into it, I was pleasantly surprised. There is simplicity in the way it is written, and in that simplicity lies beauty that is only enhanced by the humor and sarcasm.
Easy to read and enjoyable in numerous ways, 'Cantilevered Tales' follows the story of Khokon Lahiri and the people around him, told from Khokon’s perspective. I finished reading this book in less than a day and I wish it had lasted longer. There is a joy that every page and every sentence in this book gives you – one that you can hardly measure. All you can do is smile.
At some points in the book, I laughed. At some, I smiled. At others, I flipped the pages in eagerness to know what would happen. The humor and the wit form a formidable story, and the breezy, beautiful language tops it off like layers and layers of artful cream on an equally tasty cake.
There are puns, there is a little swearing, there is surprise, there is warmth – and all of these blend well to give us a story that can be termed a little masterpiece in its own right. With its sociopolitical plotline, the story could have gone awry at any point. But it’s an ode to the author that it stayed firmly on track and ended up the way it did. I simply enjoyed my way through this beautiful, beautiful book.
However much I am in love with the book, there is something missing that makes me lop off a star. I just cannot put my finger on it. I love the book but I cannot commit myself completely. Does that make sense? I realize I sound like a commitment-phobic lover who runs at the first sign of increasing closeness. But I assure you, this is an absolute rarity. :D
All in all, 'Cantilevered Tales', the story of a righteous bureaucrat and the people around him, and their quirks, is a must read if you’re looking for an easy, breezy story to entertain you on a hot summer’s day!
I must admit I didn’t go into this one with a lot of hopes. [Sorry, Jayant Sir!] But when I did plunge into it, I was pleasantly surprised. There is simplicity in the way it is written, and in that simplicity lies beauty that is only enhanced by the humor and sarcasm.
Easy to read and enjoyable in numerous ways, 'Cantilevered Tales' follows the story of Khokon Lahiri and the people around him, told from Khokon’s perspective. I finished reading this book in less than a day and I wish it had lasted longer. There is a joy that every page and every sentence in this book gives you – one that you can hardly measure. All you can do is smile.
At some points in the book, I laughed. At some, I smiled. At others, I flipped the pages in eagerness to know what would happen. The humor and the wit form a formidable story, and the breezy, beautiful language tops it off like layers and layers of artful cream on an equally tasty cake.
There are puns, there is a little swearing, there is surprise, there is warmth – and all of these blend well to give us a story that can be termed a little masterpiece in its own right. With its sociopolitical plotline, the story could have gone awry at any point. But it’s an ode to the author that it stayed firmly on track and ended up the way it did. I simply enjoyed my way through this beautiful, beautiful book.
However much I am in love with the book, there is something missing that makes me lop off a star. I just cannot put my finger on it. I love the book but I cannot commit myself completely. Does that make sense? I realize I sound like a commitment-phobic lover who runs at the first sign of increasing closeness. But I assure you, this is an absolute rarity. :D
All in all, 'Cantilevered Tales', the story of a righteous bureaucrat and the people around him, and their quirks, is a must read if you’re looking for an easy, breezy story to entertain you on a hot summer’s day!
October 17, 2017
The author has called his work, "gulp fiction". The first sentence deliberately starts with an abuse and makes one gulp in anticipation of what's in store. Through keen powers of observation and affection for his characters, the author spins a tale of modern India in all its idiosyncrasies and upheaval. The story tackles a deep issue lightheartedly. The book is an enjoyable read but I believe readers familiar with Calcutta would identify even further with this book. Read it. It's worth your time. I have been reading the publisher Readomania's books with great interest and am impressed with the quality of work they produce. It's a refreshing change from the standard fare doled out at bookshops lately.
August 8, 2017
The book was an interesting peek into a way of life that most of us have never experienced. A man living with a set of family retainers in a setting close to nature, while still straddling the life of a busy bureaucrat in the government. The author introduces you to rich characters, complete with life histories, but it's never boring. the plot itself is simple. Man protecting his home VS might of the builder. What makes it different is the unveiling of the darkness of the human nature through small incidents adding up to what we survive in civilized society today. An absolute must read.
June 29, 2020
From starting as a light breezy read to a few fun parts in middle to a somehwat serious end, the book is a fun quick read. What I really enjoyed is the back story of each character which made the book a very interesting and intriguing read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews