The Crazed Wind

by Nod Ghosh

A woman is reunited with her estranged father, a proud man whose outlook is shaped by one of history’s forgotten tragedies, the Partition of India in 1947.

“As always with flash at its best, the power is in the space between the words. In ‘The Crazed Wind’, Ghosh provides a lush, unique collection of flash fiction, taking the reader from past to present day India and back, on a turbulent journey through cultural and family divides, leaving a disquieting truth.”
~ Eileen Merriman, author of ‘Pieces of You’ and ‘Catch Me When You Fall’

“‘The Crazed Wind’ is an ambitious, cleverly crafted work. The core relationship between a daughter and her father is examined with psychological astuteness that lends itself to compassion towards both. Using a hybrid of fiction, non-fiction, prose poetry, and playful structures, Ghosh creates an entertaining, unexpected series of pieces that blend to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts.”
~ Stephanie Hutton, author of ‘Three Sisters of Stone’

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2018

About the author

Flash fiction
Novels
Short stories

Reviews

[Michael Botur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that the book covers a culture very seldom captured in NZ literature. It could use a stronger plot, but hey, flash fiction novels aren't the same as literary fiction novels. I like seeing the emerging genre of the flash fiction novel in NZ.
I just like Nod - she is a hard worker, regularly publishing great quality creative writing and she does lots to support other writers, so ka pai.

[Sophie van Llewyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immersive, heartbreaking tale. The cartography of a family's life over spanning over decades. It's not only about the conflict between father and daughter, about expectations not being met. It's a gentle story unraveling well-guarded family secrets. It's a tale starting in a time when the death of young siblings is looked upon as a normal event, to times when the narrator has the freedom to move to the other side of the Globe in search of a better life.
The writing (as expected from Nod Ghosh) is beautiful, peppered with hypnotic twists. It's a story to savour flash fiction by flash fiction, little gem by little gem.

[Beth Beamish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a very moving account of the writer's attempt to reconnect with her father. Beautiful imagery and the brilliant juxtaposition of ideas kept me turning the pages — a delightful read from start to finish.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonder to be immersed in this flash novella, immersed in the setting of India and the intense family dynamics of The Crazed Wind

[Jenna Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fireflies. When I think of this collection, I think of the mysterious fireflies and an old man sitting in a draughty room with a library of books and all the time in the world and yet not enough time at all. An impressive, complex story told in flashes of insight and dreamy ambiguity.

[Jan Kaneen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvellous and moving presentation of reconnection or trying to reconnect. I love Nod's writing it shifts from quiet understatement to passionate emotion in a hair's breath. Its so rich and full and all encompassing. Read this tale of familial progression then read it again because these stories have layers and layers and layers.

[Stefanie Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read a flash novella before so this was an enjoyable, new experience for me. I loved the family tension as father and daughter tried to reconnect and the background wind and rain that was ever present throughout the stories. A reflective and emotional read, I look forward to reading more from this author.