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The Heroine and Other Stories
D. Jayakanthan’s short stories depict the life of common people in Tamil Nadu in the middle of the 20th century and reflect his progressive thinking. Selected and translated by the author’s daughter, these stories sensitively explore situations in the lives of both the marginalised and the middle class and comprise some of the best of his writing.
Each story in this collection delves into the depths of the human psyche, revealing the hidden strengths ordinary people find within themselves when faced with extraordinary circumstances. Portraying courage, vulnerability and humanity in its many dimensions, The Heroine and Other Stories reminds us of the richness of our regional literatures, presents highlights from the oeuvre of a master storyteller and holds up a mirror to ourselves
Each story in this collection delves into the depths of the human psyche, revealing the hidden strengths ordinary people find within themselves when faced with extraordinary circumstances. Portraying courage, vulnerability and humanity in its many dimensions, The Heroine and Other Stories reminds us of the richness of our regional literatures, presents highlights from the oeuvre of a master storyteller and holds up a mirror to ourselves
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2017
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49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 6, 2017
The Heroine and Other stories is translated from Tamil by the Author’s daughter, Deepalakshmi J.
The cover of the book is beautiful with the image of an original painting by S Elayaraja.
This book is a collection of 10 short stories and 1 novelette, The Masquerade.
The stories are beautiful and each story has a message. Considering the time when the stories were published, they were quite ahead of its time.
Some of the stories have bold plotlines and I really appreciate the Author.
This being the first book I read which was translated from Tamil, I enjoyed the experience.
The stories cover a wide range of topics. Some stories which had bold plotlines were The Heroine and New horizons. The story which touched my heart was, It’s only words. It’s a story about a blind woman, Rukmini.
There is a story on friendship, A Friend Indeed. Then there is a story about chance luck, Beyond Cognizance.
The novelette, The Masquerade is also good. It’s set in 4 parts and is about two friends, Kumaran and Veeran.
Overall, it’s a beautiful book with intense characters, stories revolving around women and human emotions.
I suggest you all read this book. It will make up for a cozy read.
The cover of the book is beautiful with the image of an original painting by S Elayaraja.
This book is a collection of 10 short stories and 1 novelette, The Masquerade.
The stories are beautiful and each story has a message. Considering the time when the stories were published, they were quite ahead of its time.
Some of the stories have bold plotlines and I really appreciate the Author.
This being the first book I read which was translated from Tamil, I enjoyed the experience.
The stories cover a wide range of topics. Some stories which had bold plotlines were The Heroine and New horizons. The story which touched my heart was, It’s only words. It’s a story about a blind woman, Rukmini.
There is a story on friendship, A Friend Indeed. Then there is a story about chance luck, Beyond Cognizance.
The novelette, The Masquerade is also good. It’s set in 4 parts and is about two friends, Kumaran and Veeran.
Overall, it’s a beautiful book with intense characters, stories revolving around women and human emotions.
I suggest you all read this book. It will make up for a cozy read.
November 6, 2017
Beautiful translated work of short collection of stories from Tamil into English meshed in the fabric of human relations and ideologies. It is beautiful crafted work by Jayakanthan in Tamil who is Padma Bhushan recipient. This book has been translated very aptly by his daughter Deepalakshmi. The stories weaved around families & friendships is thick with old world charm of RK Narayan's Malgudi days and serves as a constant reminder to read more of regional works and give credit where it is due.
September 20, 2021
📑 : 157
🔖 : #shortstories #translation
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🥻Have you ever read stories with characters that resembled people we see in our daily lives? What if those stories were set in the 1960s but reflect the progressive thinking of the author? Well, that's how Jayakanthan or JK was known as the most progressive writer of his times!
--
🥻This book is a collection of ten stories and one novelette, originally written in Tamil and translated by his daughter J. Deepalakshmi. Predominantly set in Tamil Nadu, the stories are meshed in the fabric of human relations and social ideologies. Each story sensitively explores situations in the lives of both marginalized and the middle-class, delves into the depths of the human psyche, revealing the hidden strengths ordinary people find within themselves when faced with extraordinary circumstances!
--
🥻Some stories portray courage, whereas others portray vulnerability and humanity in various dimensions. The first story "The Heroine" is so aptly titled and I would say it's written quite ahead of its the time! Other stories focus on friendships, luck by chance love, and so on. The novelette "Masquerade" is divided into four parts and stands out for its uniqueness.
--
🥻Kudos to Deepa for her apt selection of stories from her father's numerous works. The essence of these alluring stories hasn't been lost in translation and serves as a constant reminder to read more of our regional works! JK is best known for his ability to explore a myriad of sensitive emotions, especially in women. That said, the self-talk of his women characters is incredibly authentic and relatable:)
--
🥻 Each story in this collection is a timeless classic. The one thing I felt was that JK could have been kinder to the male characters as they have been depicted as weak or succumbing to pleasures! I would highly recommend this if you love to read impactful stories!
--
🌽I read this book for #underratedbooksreadathon and I'm so glad that I picked up this beautifully translated work!
🔖 : #shortstories #translation
--
🥻Have you ever read stories with characters that resembled people we see in our daily lives? What if those stories were set in the 1960s but reflect the progressive thinking of the author? Well, that's how Jayakanthan or JK was known as the most progressive writer of his times!
--
🥻This book is a collection of ten stories and one novelette, originally written in Tamil and translated by his daughter J. Deepalakshmi. Predominantly set in Tamil Nadu, the stories are meshed in the fabric of human relations and social ideologies. Each story sensitively explores situations in the lives of both marginalized and the middle-class, delves into the depths of the human psyche, revealing the hidden strengths ordinary people find within themselves when faced with extraordinary circumstances!
--
🥻Some stories portray courage, whereas others portray vulnerability and humanity in various dimensions. The first story "The Heroine" is so aptly titled and I would say it's written quite ahead of its the time! Other stories focus on friendships, luck by chance love, and so on. The novelette "Masquerade" is divided into four parts and stands out for its uniqueness.
--
🥻Kudos to Deepa for her apt selection of stories from her father's numerous works. The essence of these alluring stories hasn't been lost in translation and serves as a constant reminder to read more of our regional works! JK is best known for his ability to explore a myriad of sensitive emotions, especially in women. That said, the self-talk of his women characters is incredibly authentic and relatable:)
--
🥻 Each story in this collection is a timeless classic. The one thing I felt was that JK could have been kinder to the male characters as they have been depicted as weak or succumbing to pleasures! I would highly recommend this if you love to read impactful stories!
--
🌽I read this book for #underratedbooksreadathon and I'm so glad that I picked up this beautifully translated work!
March 19, 2018
Collection of Jayakanthan's short stories translated into English by J Deepa (his daughter).
Very good read and brings out the facets/responses of different women in many life situations faced as a mother, a wife etc. Takes us to the 1960's and 70s. Could have been kinder to the men in the different stories as the men are depicted to be overall weak and succumbing to either pleasures or challenges.
Very good read and brings out the facets/responses of different women in many life situations faced as a mother, a wife etc. Takes us to the 1960's and 70s. Could have been kinder to the men in the different stories as the men are depicted to be overall weak and succumbing to either pleasures or challenges.
May 15, 2019
Some stories were good some were okaish.
April 28, 2021
Some good collection of short stories translated from Tamil. The language is simple and easy to understand. Few of the stories leave an impact on your mind even after you have finished them.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews