Just when you think it's smooth sailing, life throws a curveball. A servant becomes the master. Family secrets are revealed in unexpected moments, and we find ourselves caring for the generation that cared for us. In this eclectic mix of cross-genre tales, families fall apart and come together, true love finds a way, and societal hierarchies threaten to topple.
I love this author - she is one of my absolute favourites and I have loved every single one of her books. I eagerly await her new book and when one is due out, it makes my day as her books and writing are guaranteed to give me hours of reading pleasure. And this book... Wow! I adore short stories but with many short story collections, even those of authors whose novels I love, I end up disappointed. A short story is a funny beast - it needs to hook, engage and entertain the reader in the space of a few pages. It is a tricky feat that few authors achieve - but every story in this book does just that! I laughed, cried and was reduced to tears reading these beautiful stories, each one, perfection. This book is a masterpiece, each story exquisite, a world in itself, each character in every story coming to life on the page. This author has such a beautiful way with words. I was quickly drawn into every story - beautiful vignettes of life, sad, heartbreaking, heartwarming and poignant. I loved them all but if I had to choose, my favourite is Turning Tides. Loved how it came full circle. Sad and yet beautiful. Gave me goosebumps. This author captures daily life, the struggles and the triumphs so beautifully. I love her novels and I have now discovered that I love her short stories even more, if possible. Cannot wait to see what this very versatile, extremely talented author has in store for us next.
After having read this author’s ‘Old Money’, it was a pure delight to read her short stories. This book has a wonderful collection of uplifting stories with great comebacks the like of which one gets to read rarely. When a good tale is narrated as eloquently as the author is known to do, one is filled with joy and deep admiration for the versatile storyteller. So enchanted with her rich text and unique style, I’m not likely to miss her next. I finished it in one sitting. I wish the author the very best.
A collection of stories can only be called successful if it holds your attention until the last page. from A White Christmas to Letters from Carmen the pages unfurl one emotion after another.
A White Christmas is a story of a woman who takes a second chance in life. This story particularly touched my heart. A couple in love, slightly older and one with responsibilities. How do their family members react to their relationship? Children have this way of putting their parents on a pedestal, forgetting that they are human too. Chatterjee has brought out the conflict of emotions such relationships creates very well.
On the same line, I would also say that the resolution came out too easily but then we have to give it the concession of being a short story.
Two of the stories deal with the father and daughter relationship. Each dealing in the complexities of the relationship in their won. The first one, Since When, has some very heart touching moment. A girl, losing her mother at a very young age, The scene where Mina hears her father saying I love you, brings tears to my eyes.
The Turning Tides, on the other hand, carries the burden of the bittersweet nature of human relationships. A father leaves his land behind and goes to look after his daughter and her son. How his life changes as he grows old is a very heart-wrenching story. The stark reality of this story astounded me. It's the truth. However inhuman we sound - it's the freaking truth.
Lost and Found had a personal touch. Something many women would experience. I like the way how the girl stood for her pride. We need that in today's world.
My favorite of the lot is My Memsaab. The ending will pull at your heartstrings. Pitoli is going to stay with me for a long time. The pathos this story has will make you imagine the life of Pitoli as she travels towards a better life only to be reminded that class and status mattered in the society.
A collection of very well articulated stories. The differences in the culture in every story is well etched and not in one place did I feel that the author has done justice to the cross culture life of the desi's in the USA.
A collection of stories can only be called successful if it holds your attention until the last page. from A White Christmas to Letters from Carmen the pages unfurl one emotion after another.
A White Christmas is a story of a woman who takes a second chance in life. This story particularly touched my heart. A couple in love, slightly older and one with responsibilities. How do their family members react to their relationship? Children have this way of putting their parents on a pedestal, forgetting that they are human too. Chatterjee has brought out the conflict of emotions such relationships creates very well.
On the same line, I would also say that the resolution came out too easily but then we have to give it the concession of being a short story.
Two of the stories deal with the father and daughter relationship. Each dealing in the complexities of the relationship in their won. The first one, Since When, has some very heart touching moment. A girl, losing her mother at a very young age, The scene where Mina hears her father saying I love you, brings tears to my eyes.
The Turning Tides, on the other hand, carries the burden of the bittersweet nature of human relationships. A father leaves his land behind and goes to look after his daughter and her son. How his life changes as he grows old is a very heart-wrenching story. The stark reality of this story astounded me. It's the truth. However inhuman we sound - it's the freaking truth.
Lost and Found had a personal touch. Something many women would experience. I like the way how the girl stood for her pride. We need that in today's world.
My favorite of the lot is My Memsaab. The ending will pull at your heartstrings. Pitoli is going to stay with me for a long time. The pathos this story has will make you imagine the life of Pitoli as she travels towards a better life only to be reminded that class and status mattered in the society.
A collection of very well articulated stories. The differences in the culture in every story is well etched and not in one place did I feel that the author has done justice to the cross-cultural life of the desi's in the USA.
This is a heartwarming collection of short stories. The first story I'd really like to see in a separate book - I want to continue reading about the families. The last story made me find the tissue box - it was heartbreaking but wonderful. The rest of the stories are mainly set in India. I love stories from India and to learn about a culture so different from my own (Norway). There are many lessons to learn from the stories. The book is very well written.
A collection of 9 beautiful stories. One of those books which you pick after reading a review and are hooked from the beginning. Some stories based in US and others in India. They are so different from each other and only common thing is their brilliance..