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Damage
Are damaged people destined to inflict damage?
16 stories that examine the internal and external landscapes of people damaged by birth, upbringing, nature and circumstances. Set primarily in India, they examine the socio-political climate of the country alongside. Dark and disturbing, this collection endeavours to shed light on the duplicity and evil that exists amongst and sometimes even within us.
16 stories that examine the internal and external landscapes of people damaged by birth, upbringing, nature and circumstances. Set primarily in India, they examine the socio-political climate of the country alongside. Dark and disturbing, this collection endeavours to shed light on the duplicity and evil that exists amongst and sometimes even within us.
Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2018
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242 people want to read
About the author
Poornima Manco
15 books59 followersPoornima is an award-winning novelist whose short stories have been published in The Guardian and The Telegraph newspapers in the UK. Born and raised in India, she still retains a deep connection to her motherland, which reflects in all her stories and books. Poornima lives in the UK with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 8, 2020
This story collection felt much better than the previous collection by Poornima Manco.
The author succeeds in creating relatable, sympathetic main characters and stories, and includes the Indian culture while doing so. While being a bit exotic, the stories feel human and warm. Her writing style is clear, loving and sometimes sorrowful. She includes typical Indian words into her stories which can enrich the reading experience but for a read like me, who is not familiar with India much, it was rather interrupting because I had to browse back and forth.
I particularly liked "Love jihad" and "Ma vie sans couleur".
**I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens for leaving an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.**
The author succeeds in creating relatable, sympathetic main characters and stories, and includes the Indian culture while doing so. While being a bit exotic, the stories feel human and warm. Her writing style is clear, loving and sometimes sorrowful. She includes typical Indian words into her stories which can enrich the reading experience but for a read like me, who is not familiar with India much, it was rather interrupting because I had to browse back and forth.
I particularly liked "Love jihad" and "Ma vie sans couleur".
**I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens for leaving an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.**
June 4, 2022
*Long Post Alert*
2.5 Stars
One Liner: It could have been better
I picked up the book with some expectations. Having read two anthologies by the author, I was sure this would work. Sadly, it didn’t. Not because I’m not used to dark emotions. But because many stories don’t reach the mark, and one is subtly ideological.
Damage: The first story in the book and one with great potential. Yet, it felt like too many themes crammed into a smaller word count. None of it seemed real or relatable. (I don’t move in such circles anyway.) And no full-page introspections, please.
Samsara: If you are like me, let me inform you that Samsara is a perfume. The word also means family in Telugu (though it would be samsaram). An apt title, in a way. This is a sort of crime thriller with a female cop and the death of a politician’s wife. The plot had merit, but the narration didn’t have enough words. This story required a larger canvas. The female cop had such potential. A novel or a novella would do justice to her character.
Creep: A creep trying to smooth talk women to get laid. A short piece from the creep’s POV. Does the job but not enough.
Ma Vie Sans Couleur: I have no idea what happened here. There are too many themes (adultery, racism, mental illness, abuse) left hanging in the air, with faint threads connecting some of them. Too vague.
Secrets and Lies: The dead grandfather still manages to protect the young grandson. But can the boy find love and affection from this arrangement? The POV keeps the story interesting, as the intentions of other characters are revealed in bits and pieces.
The Consequence of Contradiction: This was a little confusing in the beginning. It settles down later and packs a punch. A very well-written tale that ends right where it should. One of the best in the book that will leave you thinking.
The Unlikely Casanova: “Creep is so middle class, Monisha. It’s Casanova!” says Maya Sarabhai. Indians will understand the reference here. To explain, this story is an elite version of Creep we read a couple of stories earlier.
Swami Claus: The internal darkness of self-declared religious leaders but with a twist. The double track is interesting and makes the storyline fresh. I initially thought it was about that pedophile and fraud Ram Rahim, but I’m not entirely sure. Children continue to suffer, be it in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, or America.
Ugly: A story told in two POVs- the brute husband and a too-loyal wife. Sadly, this is a common occurrence in our society. The story starts with a bang, but the ending is melodramatic and OTT. It would have been more powerful if the ending was realistic.
Palindrome: Is this inspired by Sridevi’s death? Maybe, maybe not. But an Indian reader cannot help but wonder. The title suits the story- the rise and fall of a famous actress in the film industry. It tends to lag at times but wraps up well.
Dear Anil: A letter from a woman to the only love of her life. She details the journey from childhood friendship to unrequited love to a relationship that probably wasn’t meant to be. A sad story indeed.
Unrequited: A semi-erotica presented as a feminist revenge story. It wasn't bad though.
The Strings That Bind Us: This was bittersweet in its own way. It seemed like the author wanted to use the same story for multiple themes (friendship between cousins, family dynamics, and children neglecting parents). It works because of the two lead characters.
Fallen: This is Raavan’s POV of Ramayana, and honestly, he deserved a better voice. Raavan has always been a huge (larger-than-life) presence. You are sure to find intense drama when Raavan is around. This version is mild and almost resigned. I don’t remember reading Raavan being this mild, even on his deathbed. And no, I didn’t mind the sly digs at Rama. Those are expected when the story is from Raavan’s POV, but I wish the tone was powerful enough to establish his voice. Gimme that attitude!
Like a Boss: Okay! This is a sort-of retelling of the Nirbhaya case that shook India years ago. I’m not sure how I feel about this but the writing is impactful. So that’s something.
The dead girl’s parents had to fight for so many years to get justice for the dead child. Incomplete justice because one of the rapists (a juvenile from the minority community) was released within three years. He was gifted a sewing machine, Rs. 10,000/-, and a new identity away from the public eye.
Imagine that! A teen old enough to rape someone is being protected and safeguarded even today. What’s worse is that his H-M porn sold on Amazon?
The girl gets pregnant and marries her lover. Then, we get to know she may not be treated well and may have been forced to covert. Nothing is explicit in the narration. It’s all between the lines and gut feeling. When the girl’s family and a friend try to get her back home, they find out that the guy’s family has left the city.
Jaipur, India Track- This is where the author’s intelligence comes out in full force. The H girl and M guy are high school kids from a poor background. The girl’s brother (wait for it) goes around campaigning for a saffron-robed Guruji who ‘spreads venom against Muslims’. The author takes great pain to show the ‘hatred’ and ‘bias’ in explicit detail. After all, how else will the reader know that they are reading about Hinduvadis?
The girl’s possibly uneducated mother speaks more like an upper-class woman about her ‘Hinduvadi son’ and the ‘hate-monger Guruji’. Finally, the story ends with the girl’s brother burning her M boyfriend and posting the video on Twitter. He is a ‘maniac’ Hindu burning a Muslim boy for daring to love his sister. We have almost no information about the clothes the characters wear in the story. But we most certainly know that the Guruji wears saffron. Such detailing!
Now, let’s shift the scene to real life and look at a few reports from recent times. Mind you, these are limited to the guys who were murdered. Don’t even get me started on the cases about women who were abused, raped, kidnapped, converted, butchered, and packed into suitcases. I’ve been following the reports for more than five years. I know exactly what I'm talking about.
Vijaya Kamble (25), a Dalit, was killed by the family of his Muslim girlfriend in Bangalore.
dead husband’s family. The media, of course, wants you to believe that the upper caste Hindus are somehow responsible for it when they are not even involved in the first place.
14-year-old boy from the Schedule Tribe community was butchered because the boy spoke to a Muslim girl.
Let me make one thing very clear. I am under no stupid illusion that Hindus don’t kill or commit crimes. I would have had no problem with the story if the girl’s brother was a maniac by default. He could have been an abuser who couldn’t digest his sister loving a boy from another religion. He could have been anything, literally, and the storyline would still hold strong.
What I object to is the blatant ideological thrust on readers by describing the guru and his activities while only hinting at what could have happened in the London track. Why not show them both the same way? Why go into detail about Guruji but not Mohsin and his parents? Why do I have to guess what Moshin did when the author clearly shows what the 'maniac Muslim-hater' brother from India did?
I’m reminded of the intellectuals' idea of a good Hindu. A good Hindu is someone who bends backward to appease others but has zero self-respect. This good Hindu, with a minus-level understanding of Hinduism, mocks their own culture and relates to a foreign culture.
Do you know who a bad Hindu is? A bad Hindu doesn’t appease others and is proud of their rich cultural heritage. A bad Hindu asks for equal rights and takes a firm stand, declaring that respect is a two-way street. Fake secularism doesn't mean a thing. The story pretty much pushes the idea of a good Hindu to the readers. Too bad I am not one of them.
I’ve read < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Eight - Fantastical Tales From Here, There & Everywhere and < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Holi Moly! & other stories by the author and enjoyed the stories. This book, however, is an exception.
The book feels like it has been written for people who are not comfortable with dark stories but want to try if they can handle grim and disturbing. The themes are hinted at, but there’s nothing graphic or detailed in some stories. This makes the Indian track of the Love Jihad story rather apparent.
To sum up, Damage & Other Stories could have been an outstanding collection if some stories were more fleshed out and personal ideologies were kept away from sensitive topics. The families are still grieving the dead and fighting for justice.
I should have rounded it off to 3 stars (which would be more accurate considering the stories), but I can’t make myself do that. So 2 stars it is.
2.5 Stars
One Liner: It could have been better
I picked up the book with some expectations. Having read two anthologies by the author, I was sure this would work. Sadly, it didn’t. Not because I’m not used to dark emotions. But because many stories don’t reach the mark, and one is subtly ideological.
Damage: The first story in the book and one with great potential. Yet, it felt like too many themes crammed into a smaller word count. None of it seemed real or relatable. (I don’t move in such circles anyway.) And no full-page introspections, please.
Samsara: If you are like me, let me inform you that Samsara is a perfume. The word also means family in Telugu (though it would be samsaram). An apt title, in a way. This is a sort of crime thriller with a female cop and the death of a politician’s wife. The plot had merit, but the narration didn’t have enough words. This story required a larger canvas. The female cop had such potential. A novel or a novella would do justice to her character.
Creep: A creep trying to smooth talk women to get laid. A short piece from the creep’s POV. Does the job but not enough.
Ma Vie Sans Couleur: I have no idea what happened here. There are too many themes (adultery, racism, mental illness, abuse) left hanging in the air, with faint threads connecting some of them. Too vague.
Secrets and Lies: The dead grandfather still manages to protect the young grandson. But can the boy find love and affection from this arrangement? The POV keeps the story interesting, as the intentions of other characters are revealed in bits and pieces.
The Consequence of Contradiction: This was a little confusing in the beginning. It settles down later and packs a punch. A very well-written tale that ends right where it should. One of the best in the book that will leave you thinking.
The Unlikely Casanova: “Creep is so middle class, Monisha. It’s Casanova!” says Maya Sarabhai. Indians will understand the reference here. To explain, this story is an elite version of Creep we read a couple of stories earlier.
Swami Claus: The internal darkness of self-declared religious leaders but with a twist. The double track is interesting and makes the storyline fresh. I initially thought it was about that pedophile and fraud Ram Rahim, but I’m not entirely sure. Children continue to suffer, be it in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, or America.
Ugly: A story told in two POVs- the brute husband and a too-loyal wife. Sadly, this is a common occurrence in our society. The story starts with a bang, but the ending is melodramatic and OTT. It would have been more powerful if the ending was realistic.
Palindrome: Is this inspired by Sridevi’s death? Maybe, maybe not. But an Indian reader cannot help but wonder. The title suits the story- the rise and fall of a famous actress in the film industry. It tends to lag at times but wraps up well.
Dear Anil: A letter from a woman to the only love of her life. She details the journey from childhood friendship to unrequited love to a relationship that probably wasn’t meant to be. A sad story indeed.
Unrequited: A semi-erotica presented as a feminist revenge story. It wasn't bad though.
The Strings That Bind Us: This was bittersweet in its own way. It seemed like the author wanted to use the same story for multiple themes (friendship between cousins, family dynamics, and children neglecting parents). It works because of the two lead characters.
Fallen: This is Raavan’s POV of Ramayana, and honestly, he deserved a better voice. Raavan has always been a huge (larger-than-life) presence. You are sure to find intense drama when Raavan is around. This version is mild and almost resigned. I don’t remember reading Raavan being this mild, even on his deathbed. And no, I didn’t mind the sly digs at Rama. Those are expected when the story is from Raavan’s POV, but I wish the tone was powerful enough to establish his voice. Gimme that attitude!
Like a Boss: Okay! This is a sort-of retelling of the Nirbhaya case that shook India years ago. I’m not sure how I feel about this but the writing is impactful. So that’s something.
The dead girl’s parents had to fight for so many years to get justice for the dead child. Incomplete justice because one of the rapists (a juvenile from the minority community) was released within three years. He was gifted a sewing machine, Rs. 10,000/-, and a new identity away from the public eye.
Imagine that! A teen old enough to rape someone is being protected and safeguarded even today. What’s worse is that his H-M porn sold on Amazon?
The girl gets pregnant and marries her lover. Then, we get to know she may not be treated well and may have been forced to covert. Nothing is explicit in the narration. It’s all between the lines and gut feeling. When the girl’s family and a friend try to get her back home, they find out that the guy’s family has left the city.
Jaipur, India Track- This is where the author’s intelligence comes out in full force. The H girl and M guy are high school kids from a poor background. The girl’s brother (wait for it) goes around campaigning for a saffron-robed Guruji who ‘spreads venom against Muslims’. The author takes great pain to show the ‘hatred’ and ‘bias’ in explicit detail. After all, how else will the reader know that they are reading about Hinduvadis?
The girl’s possibly uneducated mother speaks more like an upper-class woman about her ‘Hinduvadi son’ and the ‘hate-monger Guruji’. Finally, the story ends with the girl’s brother burning her M boyfriend and posting the video on Twitter. He is a ‘maniac’ Hindu burning a Muslim boy for daring to love his sister. We have almost no information about the clothes the characters wear in the story. But we most certainly know that the Guruji wears saffron. Such detailing!
Now, let’s shift the scene to real life and look at a few reports from recent times. Mind you, these are limited to the guys who were murdered. Don’t even get me started on the cases about women who were abused, raped, kidnapped, converted, butchered, and packed into suitcases. I’ve been following the reports for more than five years. I know exactly what I'm talking about.
Vijaya Kamble (25), a Dalit, was killed by the family of his Muslim girlfriend in Bangalore.
dead husband’s family. The media, of course, wants you to believe that the upper caste Hindus are somehow responsible for it when they are not even involved in the first place.
14-year-old boy from the Schedule Tribe community was butchered because the boy spoke to a Muslim girl.
Let me make one thing very clear. I am under no stupid illusion that Hindus don’t kill or commit crimes. I would have had no problem with the story if the girl’s brother was a maniac by default. He could have been an abuser who couldn’t digest his sister loving a boy from another religion. He could have been anything, literally, and the storyline would still hold strong.
What I object to is the blatant ideological thrust on readers by describing the guru and his activities while only hinting at what could have happened in the London track. Why not show them both the same way? Why go into detail about Guruji but not Mohsin and his parents? Why do I have to guess what Moshin did when the author clearly shows what the 'maniac Muslim-hater' brother from India did?
I’m reminded of the intellectuals' idea of a good Hindu. A good Hindu is someone who bends backward to appease others but has zero self-respect. This good Hindu, with a minus-level understanding of Hinduism, mocks their own culture and relates to a foreign culture.
Do you know who a bad Hindu is? A bad Hindu doesn’t appease others and is proud of their rich cultural heritage. A bad Hindu asks for equal rights and takes a firm stand, declaring that respect is a two-way street. Fake secularism doesn't mean a thing. The story pretty much pushes the idea of a good Hindu to the readers. Too bad I am not one of them.
I’ve read < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Eight - Fantastical Tales From Here, There & Everywhere and < a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Holi Moly! & other stories by the author and enjoyed the stories. This book, however, is an exception.
The book feels like it has been written for people who are not comfortable with dark stories but want to try if they can handle grim and disturbing. The themes are hinted at, but there’s nothing graphic or detailed in some stories. This makes the Indian track of the Love Jihad story rather apparent.
To sum up, Damage & Other Stories could have been an outstanding collection if some stories were more fleshed out and personal ideologies were kept away from sensitive topics. The families are still grieving the dead and fighting for justice.
I should have rounded it off to 3 stars (which would be more accurate considering the stories), but I can’t make myself do that. So 2 stars it is.
April 10, 2022
Another Poornima Manco book full of short stories (16 this time! Yippee!!) and how could I resist? Well, so I didn't (yes, I am an itty bitty spoiled, I know).
This collection of short stories was a mixed bag for me. Some left me sniffling and some left me quite indifferent. Let me rate each story one by one
1. Damage - Kalyan is a writer who comes in contact with 'Soda' (short for Saudamini) and falls helplessly in love with her. The problem is that she is happily married and has a son with learning disabilities. While the adults are navigating their complex lives, the son is quite confused about the world around him. Will the adults ever help him?
2.5 stars. I didn't quite like Kalyan and Soda AND I found the ending quite clunky with no relation to the story.
2. Samsara - The wife of a prominent minister in Shimla is murdered. It is up to ACI Soumitra Ghosh to find the murderer. Only, the task is not only hindered by the reticence of the minister in sharing information but also the innate sexism inbuilt in the fabric of Indian society (what can a woman police officer achieve?)
4 stars because I loved Soumitra and would love to have a full-blown novel with her as the investigating officer.
3. Creep - The inner workings in the brain of a creep at a bar.
3.5 stars because it accurately captures how a typical creep thinks.
4. Ma Vie Sans Couleur - A woman struggling with her life looks for solutions.
2 stars because it was all too confusing.
5. Secrets and Lies - A young boy witnesses his family falling apart after his grandfather dies. What will he do to keep them together?
3.5 stars because of its heartwarming premise and relatable characters.
6. The Consequence of Contradiction - A unhappy housewife starts an affair with a much younger man. But when the situation blows out of hand, what will she do?
4 stars because all the feelings and dilemmas of the lead character are so well-written I found myself thinking about her even after the story ended.
7. Love Jihad - A Hindu woman and a Muslim man in London plan to get married despite their parents' opposition. A Hindu woman and a Muslim man in Jaipur meet each other in secrecy and plan to elope when the chance comes. What will these two couples do to keep their love alive?
10 stars!!! This story completely broke my heart.
8. The Unlikely Casanova - THis story was quite similar to "Creep."
3 stars because I didn't get the ending.
9. Swami Claus - A Swami sits like a spider on his throne and throws out his sticky webs to reel in unsuspecting devotees. How can Lolita escape the web?
4.5 stars because the topic is so close to home and the way the author has sensitively dealt with it is amazing.
10. Ugly - This is a story we see all the time in India - a man gets married to a woman because of her dowry and then mistreats her because she doesn't fulfil one or the other of his conditions. How will she break free from her shackles? Does she even have any escape?
3.5 stars because though the story was good, the ending was too Bollywoodish.
11. Palindrome - An actress's incredible story. It reminded me forcibly of Sridevi (can't say if the author had her in mind, though).
4.5 stars because it shows the resilience of human nature when life hits them on the head repeatedly.
12. Dear Anil - A love letter of a lifetime to a love of a lifetime.
4 stars. Very heart touching.
13. Unrequited - A lady takes her revenge for her unrequited love.
4 stars for a strong female protagonist.
14. The Strings That Bind Us - Two cousins stumble upon a load of family secrets one summer...
3 stars for great characterization.
15. Fallen - A story told from Raavan's POV about the immortal story of Ramayan.
5 stars. It was much, much better written and conveyed all the feelings better than certain novels about Raavan I have read over the years.
16. Like a Boss - Raju is a college-going young boy. What can he and his friends do? Can they rape a random girl on a bus and cause indescribable damage? This story is a chilling retelling of the Nirbhaya story from the POV of one of the rapists.
10 stars not only because this story is close to every Indian's heart, but it also puts the reader in a place of empathy and makes us think, "What if we are creating these monsters?"
As usual, Manco's writing is flawless and I had the pleasure of reading the other books in the series too.
4 stars.
This collection of short stories was a mixed bag for me. Some left me sniffling and some left me quite indifferent. Let me rate each story one by one
1. Damage - Kalyan is a writer who comes in contact with 'Soda' (short for Saudamini) and falls helplessly in love with her. The problem is that she is happily married and has a son with learning disabilities. While the adults are navigating their complex lives, the son is quite confused about the world around him. Will the adults ever help him?
2.5 stars. I didn't quite like Kalyan and Soda AND I found the ending quite clunky with no relation to the story.
2. Samsara - The wife of a prominent minister in Shimla is murdered. It is up to ACI Soumitra Ghosh to find the murderer. Only, the task is not only hindered by the reticence of the minister in sharing information but also the innate sexism inbuilt in the fabric of Indian society (what can a woman police officer achieve?)
4 stars because I loved Soumitra and would love to have a full-blown novel with her as the investigating officer.
3. Creep - The inner workings in the brain of a creep at a bar.
3.5 stars because it accurately captures how a typical creep thinks.
4. Ma Vie Sans Couleur - A woman struggling with her life looks for solutions.
2 stars because it was all too confusing.
5. Secrets and Lies - A young boy witnesses his family falling apart after his grandfather dies. What will he do to keep them together?
3.5 stars because of its heartwarming premise and relatable characters.
6. The Consequence of Contradiction - A unhappy housewife starts an affair with a much younger man. But when the situation blows out of hand, what will she do?
4 stars because all the feelings and dilemmas of the lead character are so well-written I found myself thinking about her even after the story ended.
7. Love Jihad - A Hindu woman and a Muslim man in London plan to get married despite their parents' opposition. A Hindu woman and a Muslim man in Jaipur meet each other in secrecy and plan to elope when the chance comes. What will these two couples do to keep their love alive?
10 stars!!! This story completely broke my heart.
8. The Unlikely Casanova - THis story was quite similar to "Creep."
3 stars because I didn't get the ending.
9. Swami Claus - A Swami sits like a spider on his throne and throws out his sticky webs to reel in unsuspecting devotees. How can Lolita escape the web?
4.5 stars because the topic is so close to home and the way the author has sensitively dealt with it is amazing.
10. Ugly - This is a story we see all the time in India - a man gets married to a woman because of her dowry and then mistreats her because she doesn't fulfil one or the other of his conditions. How will she break free from her shackles? Does she even have any escape?
3.5 stars because though the story was good, the ending was too Bollywoodish.
11. Palindrome - An actress's incredible story. It reminded me forcibly of Sridevi (can't say if the author had her in mind, though).
4.5 stars because it shows the resilience of human nature when life hits them on the head repeatedly.
12. Dear Anil - A love letter of a lifetime to a love of a lifetime.
4 stars. Very heart touching.
13. Unrequited - A lady takes her revenge for her unrequited love.
4 stars for a strong female protagonist.
14. The Strings That Bind Us - Two cousins stumble upon a load of family secrets one summer...
3 stars for great characterization.
15. Fallen - A story told from Raavan's POV about the immortal story of Ramayan.
5 stars. It was much, much better written and conveyed all the feelings better than certain novels about Raavan I have read over the years.
16. Like a Boss - Raju is a college-going young boy. What can he and his friends do? Can they rape a random girl on a bus and cause indescribable damage? This story is a chilling retelling of the Nirbhaya story from the POV of one of the rapists.
10 stars not only because this story is close to every Indian's heart, but it also puts the reader in a place of empathy and makes us think, "What if we are creating these monsters?"
As usual, Manco's writing is flawless and I had the pleasure of reading the other books in the series too.
4 stars.
November 13, 2018
The book is wonderful and transports me to the heat, dust and (sometimes) squalor of rural India. I am almost tempted to start swatting flies as I turn the pages! The stories portray the dark side of Indian culture ie. child abuse, wife beating, and misogyny, which I find deeply sad and disturbing in my warm, happy, content life in middle England. I yearn for a happy ending!
December 31, 2019
As the year is coming to a close, I wanted to take it easy by reading a collection of stories which was in my wish list for almost a year or longer. And the most amazing thing happened yet again that it came straight from the Author from London. Co-indidentally it became my 50th book of the year and I must say that it is one of the most mind-blowing book that I have read this year. If I have to pick up the top 10 of this year, "Damage" will certainly show up on top. I have read another short story collection from Poornima Manco last year and I loved that one as well but this one is totally unpredictable, although fiction but based on what is going on in our part of the world as we speak. A few of the stories (two of them) are hardly two page long but trust me when I say this, I actually had to read them twice to get the real depth. I totally love those authors who actually challenge their readers like this as it made it even more interesting for me. Hats off to Poornima for the very first story where she opened up the mind and heart of a man for what he feels for his woman. The way she carved out those two terrific characters especially the way that man thinks and take things was totally mind-blowing. Author mist be a superb mind reader to do total justice to her character way beyond my imagination and expectation. You've got to read the story(s) to understand what I am trying to say. Also, I loved the way she isn't any easy on her readers and gives them nothing on a platter on top of that she rather shocked me with the brutality of it all as this is the closest one could ever get in fiction to a reality. I don't want to spoil it for those who would want to read the stories but I am craving to discuss them with someone who has read them already.
Going by the title of the book "Damage" I assumed it to be a story of a heart-break but it isn't only that but so much more. It indeed has some beautiful love stories, heart-touching characters and situations that actually put a huge lump in my throat, made me stare in space asking answers to so many questions. A lot of her stories are eye openers of sorts based on some real life characters especially the one with a swami that I hated to the core (as there were so many of them in news not so long ago of-course for all the more bad reasons). I will pick up three of them as my personal favorite which I totally loved and plan to read them again some time soon. "Damage" based on an extra marital affair of a middle aged man, his love interest and her son. How it all starts, where it leads and what it actually damages was totally unbelievable and unpredictable to say the least. My second favorite was "Love Jihaad", as the title suggest an inter-religion love affair and marriage, where it leads the two couples and how their story starts, progresses and ends was a totally chilling affair and unfortunately believable as I have personally witnessed one such story in my own circle not so long ago. But the third from my favorite list and the last story "Like a Boss" totally nails it as it reaches its dreaded yet predictable end shaked me to the core. The ease with which someone's life is of no value to those born with a sick mind and no purpose totally gave me goosebumps as the book came to an end with it and left me totally drained. I for one have certainly not read a better collection of stories from our part of the world which were thise closer to the real life.
Have you read "Damage" yet? If you have, do tell me what you feel about it but if you haven't read it yet, I suggest you get a copy at the earliest and read it ASAP. Also a word of warning, keep it away from your kids (under 15) as it may take a huge toll on them. I am going to make it a mandatory read for all my friends and cousins especially the young audience aged 15+ as they've got to read these stories as a warning on today's situation and making them more aware of the sad state of affairs across the world. And I will be eagerly looking forward to her upcoming full fledged novel as mentioned in the blurb.
Going by the title of the book "Damage" I assumed it to be a story of a heart-break but it isn't only that but so much more. It indeed has some beautiful love stories, heart-touching characters and situations that actually put a huge lump in my throat, made me stare in space asking answers to so many questions. A lot of her stories are eye openers of sorts based on some real life characters especially the one with a swami that I hated to the core (as there were so many of them in news not so long ago of-course for all the more bad reasons). I will pick up three of them as my personal favorite which I totally loved and plan to read them again some time soon. "Damage" based on an extra marital affair of a middle aged man, his love interest and her son. How it all starts, where it leads and what it actually damages was totally unbelievable and unpredictable to say the least. My second favorite was "Love Jihaad", as the title suggest an inter-religion love affair and marriage, where it leads the two couples and how their story starts, progresses and ends was a totally chilling affair and unfortunately believable as I have personally witnessed one such story in my own circle not so long ago. But the third from my favorite list and the last story "Like a Boss" totally nails it as it reaches its dreaded yet predictable end shaked me to the core. The ease with which someone's life is of no value to those born with a sick mind and no purpose totally gave me goosebumps as the book came to an end with it and left me totally drained. I for one have certainly not read a better collection of stories from our part of the world which were thise closer to the real life.
Have you read "Damage" yet? If you have, do tell me what you feel about it but if you haven't read it yet, I suggest you get a copy at the earliest and read it ASAP. Also a word of warning, keep it away from your kids (under 15) as it may take a huge toll on them. I am going to make it a mandatory read for all my friends and cousins especially the young audience aged 15+ as they've got to read these stories as a warning on today's situation and making them more aware of the sad state of affairs across the world. And I will be eagerly looking forward to her upcoming full fledged novel as mentioned in the blurb.
January 9, 2019
Poornima Manco’s second collection of short stories under the title Damage ( India Book 2) will leave you somewhat damaged emotionally.
Most of the stories revealing heartbreaking events which again are all set in India. Just when you think it can’t get any worse it does.
Wishing the stories to be entirely fiction, having a close connection with India myself, I know they are sadly based on true events.
Each story has a hidden message which leaves the reader wondering how life can be so cruel yet so soul searching at same time.
As with Manco’s first collection I’m left with a desire for more as she draws you into each chapter furiously yet abandons you just as quickly, leaving you with a myriad of unanswered questions...
Most of the stories revealing heartbreaking events which again are all set in India. Just when you think it can’t get any worse it does.
Wishing the stories to be entirely fiction, having a close connection with India myself, I know they are sadly based on true events.
Each story has a hidden message which leaves the reader wondering how life can be so cruel yet so soul searching at same time.
As with Manco’s first collection I’m left with a desire for more as she draws you into each chapter furiously yet abandons you just as quickly, leaving you with a myriad of unanswered questions...
December 10, 2018
Another beautifully written book by this author. The content is often dark but the humanity of the characters and the occasional humour lift these tales away from being only tragic. Each story will affect you in a different way from the dreaminess of 'Ma Vie Sans Couleur' to the stark horror of 'Swami Claus' and the creepiness of 'Creep'! Eagerly awaiting the third installment...
December 10, 2018
Definitely not for the faint hearted! Brutally honest and compelling. Revealing and truthful, this book will spook you out and have you hooked until its very last word. One can never be too sure of the outcome of a story from this author; she is truly the master of plot twists!
November 21, 2018
Most stories had me stunned. They seemed to be about people I almost knew so left me sad about how their lives evolved, how they used others or got used by many and those who barely found happiness. Why are humans so ruthless to each other when we know that we’re all made the same way, with skin, bones, emotions and in this world only for a certain period?
August 22, 2020
Parvathy's Well left me wanting. Damage ran me through the gauntlet. I was disgusted, I was flabbergasted, I was pained—more importantly, I was entertained. There's such a treasure trove of play in this collection that each story was a delightful discovery.
Intrigued by the lady detective story. Is she a future book series in the making? Please let it be so!
Feels like Manco is searching for her writing rhythm in this collection. Getting her creative muscles a stretch, so to speak. I'm wondering how she will fare with longer written fare. Looking forward to reading it if she decides to write it! I really dig how she captures India with such vibrancy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Intrigued by the lady detective story. Is she a future book series in the making? Please let it be so!
Feels like Manco is searching for her writing rhythm in this collection. Getting her creative muscles a stretch, so to speak. I'm wondering how she will fare with longer written fare. Looking forward to reading it if she decides to write it! I really dig how she captures India with such vibrancy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 23, 2024
Damage is a book of short stories set in throughout India, which as the title suggests, tells of people whom some may see as damaged. Each story explores a different, often heartbreaking, scenario or topic. It is written in a way in which each tale acts as a fable of sorts engaging the reader in its sometimes dark themes.
It has taken me close to two years to make it through this book. I tried over and over again but couldn’t make it more than a few pages. I sat with it again and finally got to the end of the first story and was in awe. It did not end the way I thought it would. After that, I flew through the rest of the book. While I didn’t enjoy every individual story, I found that I enjoyed the book overall. I only wish that I could’ve gotten through it when I first read it rather than dumping it on my DNF pile. Doing so was a disservice to the book however, I am glad that I have finally read it and can appreciate it.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of Hidden Gems and the author, Poornima Manco.
It has taken me close to two years to make it through this book. I tried over and over again but couldn’t make it more than a few pages. I sat with it again and finally got to the end of the first story and was in awe. It did not end the way I thought it would. After that, I flew through the rest of the book. While I didn’t enjoy every individual story, I found that I enjoyed the book overall. I only wish that I could’ve gotten through it when I first read it rather than dumping it on my DNF pile. Doing so was a disservice to the book however, I am glad that I have finally read it and can appreciate it.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of Hidden Gems and the author, Poornima Manco.
October 11, 2019
Years ago, when I first read 'Memoirs of a Geisha', I felt like I had been taken on a journey to Japan. Poornima Manco’s novels give me that exact same feeling about India: it is as if you are there, completely immersed in its climate and culture.
'Damage', the author’s second book of the India trilogy, consists of 16 short stories. They are all very different - some long, some short - which is what makes the book so interesting and unpredictable. However, there are some common themes: of unhappy marriages; of secrets, pleasure and guilt; of children letting down parents and vice versa; of women of a certain age, and whether or not they’ve still ‘got it’; of entitled and misogynistic men; and of hypocrisy and double standards in Indian society.
'Damage' is, just like its predecessor 'Pavathy’s Well & Other Stories', very dark. But in a way, that is also its strength, as it allows the author to explore the underbelly of Indian culture. Some of the stories, such as 'Like a Boss', are based on real events that you may have read about in the newspaper. This can make for some uncomfortable reading, as you suddenly recognise the story and know that there is going to be a tragic ending.
The main characters in the book are often very complex and not particularly likeable, but they pull you in nevertheless. Take Lolita, the victim of paedophilia in the chilling and brilliantly written 'Swami Claus'. Should we feel sorry for her, because of the damage that was done to her as a child? Or should we simply hate the monster that she has become? Is it wrong that we are pleased that “karma has ridden in on her chariot”, and she gets her comeuppance in the end? The power of the story lies in the fact that we feel all of those emotions, which is a testament to the skills of the author.
Poornima’s writing really seems to be evolving, and I felt that the descriptions of people and situations were spot on. I absolutely love the way she uses the English language, which can paint a picture in just a few sentences. Read, for instance, the first paragraph of 'Creep': “He sidled up to her, crab like in his approach. His shirt was stretched tight over his pot belly, buttons threatening to detonate any moment. ‘Hello’, he smiled greasily.”
You don’t need to hear anything else, you know straightaway what kind of guy this is.
The original and unexpected angles in the book (both a husband and a wife’s account of what is essentially a wedding night rape in 'Ugly', for instance), the variety of stories and the author’s insight into the human condition meant that I read 'Damage' in one go. I absolutely loved it, and I would definitely recommend it and give it five stars.
'Damage', the author’s second book of the India trilogy, consists of 16 short stories. They are all very different - some long, some short - which is what makes the book so interesting and unpredictable. However, there are some common themes: of unhappy marriages; of secrets, pleasure and guilt; of children letting down parents and vice versa; of women of a certain age, and whether or not they’ve still ‘got it’; of entitled and misogynistic men; and of hypocrisy and double standards in Indian society.
'Damage' is, just like its predecessor 'Pavathy’s Well & Other Stories', very dark. But in a way, that is also its strength, as it allows the author to explore the underbelly of Indian culture. Some of the stories, such as 'Like a Boss', are based on real events that you may have read about in the newspaper. This can make for some uncomfortable reading, as you suddenly recognise the story and know that there is going to be a tragic ending.
The main characters in the book are often very complex and not particularly likeable, but they pull you in nevertheless. Take Lolita, the victim of paedophilia in the chilling and brilliantly written 'Swami Claus'. Should we feel sorry for her, because of the damage that was done to her as a child? Or should we simply hate the monster that she has become? Is it wrong that we are pleased that “karma has ridden in on her chariot”, and she gets her comeuppance in the end? The power of the story lies in the fact that we feel all of those emotions, which is a testament to the skills of the author.
Poornima’s writing really seems to be evolving, and I felt that the descriptions of people and situations were spot on. I absolutely love the way she uses the English language, which can paint a picture in just a few sentences. Read, for instance, the first paragraph of 'Creep': “He sidled up to her, crab like in his approach. His shirt was stretched tight over his pot belly, buttons threatening to detonate any moment. ‘Hello’, he smiled greasily.”
You don’t need to hear anything else, you know straightaway what kind of guy this is.
The original and unexpected angles in the book (both a husband and a wife’s account of what is essentially a wedding night rape in 'Ugly', for instance), the variety of stories and the author’s insight into the human condition meant that I read 'Damage' in one go. I absolutely loved it, and I would definitely recommend it and give it five stars.
May 17, 2019
DAMAGE, by Poornima Manco, is a well and sensitively written collection of 16 short stories about individuals trying to exist in modern culture while largely unable to escape the their traditional Indian one. These are characters you know, but do you really know them? They now inhabit a world including extended international family and dominated by easy travel, instant communication and social media. Sadly, however, technology doesn’t change the rules but merely makes them easier to break.
Despite the variety of settings, the characters are all weary and restless. They must live by rules that are no longer relevant and are fighting against meaningless conformity. Deception, particularly self deception, deludes characters overwhelmed by powerful often violent emotions and the results of their obsessions and subsequent choices are often tragic. Occasionally, because of these traditions and rules, they still assume guilt for the results of ensuing events not really their fault such as in Damage, the first story for which the collection is named.
At the heart of nearly every story is a man (on the basis of his sex only) privileged with far more power and choices than the women around him. Each one is selfish and pursues a voracious appetite be he the son of an abandoned grandmother in ‘The Strings That Bind Us’, the exploitative swami in ‘Swami Claus’, the narcissistic lothario in ‘Unlikely Casanova’, Amar, the murdering mad brother, in ‘Jehadi Love’, Rahul, who chooses the daughter over the mother, in ‘The Consequence of Contradiction’, or the depraved letch in ‘Creep’, etc. Interestingly, they all find a woman or women to blame for their selfish and heartless actions whether it be a lover, mother, sister, daughter or wife. Only Damu in ‘Secrets and Lies’ seems to able escape this masculine curse but not without being saddled with the responsibility of everyone else’s sadness and losses by his god playing putative father.
The women depicted in the stories are mostly less powerful and thus subject to the twists and turns of fate, their behavior often contradictory in their voracious craving for love and subsequent regretful relationships. They surge with turbulent emotions but are frequently betrayed and sometimes by themselves. They stand the most to gain in future by freeing themselves from the system but also the most to lose in the present. Love and sex are powerful seductive drugs, but a bad reputation can ruin them forever. This submerges them in worlds of complicated, sometimes impenetrable fantasy and fabrication. The more intimate the relationships, the greater the deceptions.
One story that stands out in the collection is Palindrome. Nayan has achieved independence, power and success but still happiness and love elude her. She is painfully self aware but even self realisation cannot save her. Doomed, she, too, sadly loses hope in the human condition and her ability to change it.
The stories in Damage collectively pose the question: are all of us damaged in some way, and if so are we damaged solely because of our personal choices or because of our inability to escape the entrenched representations of traditional culture, class, family, religion, politics and sex? Every so often a laser beam of absolute clarity reveals an answer from within the layers of compounded entangled emotions of humanity’s dark side depicted in these stories.
Despite the variety of settings, the characters are all weary and restless. They must live by rules that are no longer relevant and are fighting against meaningless conformity. Deception, particularly self deception, deludes characters overwhelmed by powerful often violent emotions and the results of their obsessions and subsequent choices are often tragic. Occasionally, because of these traditions and rules, they still assume guilt for the results of ensuing events not really their fault such as in Damage, the first story for which the collection is named.
At the heart of nearly every story is a man (on the basis of his sex only) privileged with far more power and choices than the women around him. Each one is selfish and pursues a voracious appetite be he the son of an abandoned grandmother in ‘The Strings That Bind Us’, the exploitative swami in ‘Swami Claus’, the narcissistic lothario in ‘Unlikely Casanova’, Amar, the murdering mad brother, in ‘Jehadi Love’, Rahul, who chooses the daughter over the mother, in ‘The Consequence of Contradiction’, or the depraved letch in ‘Creep’, etc. Interestingly, they all find a woman or women to blame for their selfish and heartless actions whether it be a lover, mother, sister, daughter or wife. Only Damu in ‘Secrets and Lies’ seems to able escape this masculine curse but not without being saddled with the responsibility of everyone else’s sadness and losses by his god playing putative father.
The women depicted in the stories are mostly less powerful and thus subject to the twists and turns of fate, their behavior often contradictory in their voracious craving for love and subsequent regretful relationships. They surge with turbulent emotions but are frequently betrayed and sometimes by themselves. They stand the most to gain in future by freeing themselves from the system but also the most to lose in the present. Love and sex are powerful seductive drugs, but a bad reputation can ruin them forever. This submerges them in worlds of complicated, sometimes impenetrable fantasy and fabrication. The more intimate the relationships, the greater the deceptions.
One story that stands out in the collection is Palindrome. Nayan has achieved independence, power and success but still happiness and love elude her. She is painfully self aware but even self realisation cannot save her. Doomed, she, too, sadly loses hope in the human condition and her ability to change it.
The stories in Damage collectively pose the question: are all of us damaged in some way, and if so are we damaged solely because of our personal choices or because of our inability to escape the entrenched representations of traditional culture, class, family, religion, politics and sex? Every so often a laser beam of absolute clarity reveals an answer from within the layers of compounded entangled emotions of humanity’s dark side depicted in these stories.
September 13, 2021
Sacha's Book Reviews Blog
3.5 stars
I first came across this author after reading her novel "A Quiet Dissonance", and when I signed up for her newsletter I was directed to review other books she had written. I chose several short-story collections, this being the third one (I also reviewed “Parvathy’s Well & Other Stories" and "Holi Moly & Other Stories"), because I was in the mood for something distinctly different from what I had read from her before, but still with the enticing flavour of the cultural Indian backdrop.
The Premise
Damage
The collection opens with a dark tale of an illicit love triangle that deeply affects a child with special needs, showing that actions can have “collateral damage” consequences no one expects.
Samsara
A female detective defies expectations of her sex in the society, when she investigates a brutal murder of the wife of a Minister, a beloved woman in the community who had dark secrets.
Creep
A brief look at the machinations of the mind of a lecherous man as he approaches women with nefarious intentions.
Ma Vie Sans Couleur
An artist experiences life through colour, each colour representing a moment in her life that she cannot escape, as her memories overcome her and bleed from the past into the present.
Secrets and Lies
A child, sidelined for being different, experiences the death of a grandfather who took him in after his parents’ death, despite having had a volatile relationship with his daughter, his mother. Through the boy, he tries to right his sins by providing for him.
The Consequence of Contradiction
A woman in a loveless marriage engages in many affairs, until it comes to pass that one of her lovers is matched to her own daughter. Caught in a difficult situation, she has to decide if to protect her daughter or her own reputation.
Love Jihad
Two love stories, both taking place in 2017, unfold in parallel. In India, a Hindu/Muslim couple risks everything for their forbidden love. Meanwhile, another Hindu/Muslim couple’s relationship in London is permitted by their families, but also comes to a dark end.
The Unlikely Casanova
A brief look into the mind of a man who contemplates his emotionless approach to relationships he does not care for.
Swami Claus
A young woman’s loss of innocence as a child converts her from the abused to the abuser, due to meet her own untimely end.
Ugly
An arranged marriage of a handsome man to an “ugly” woman unfolds throughout decades as she sacrifices herself for her children to have a better life, and they despise their father for how he treats their mother.
Palindrome
An aging star loses her zeal for life as her daughter surpasses her in allure, and she reflects on her own upbringing once she learnt how her own mother sacrificed herself to survive.
Dear Anil
A letter recalls a lifetime of missed opportunities for a friendship to blossom into love.
Unrequited
After being rejected, a woman enacts her revenge on the object of her affection.
The Strings That Bind Us
Two young girls are curious to find out the origins of a kind old woman staying with one of their families, who is not related to the family.
Fallen
A fall from grace is told from the point of view of the Ravana, the demon king in Indian mythology.
Like A Boss
Under the influence of alcohol and peer pressure, a group of young men commit a ghastly crime.
The Pros
I had enjoyed the author’s previous collection with some dark tales, “Parvathy’s Well & Other Stories", but this one goes even deeper down that rabbit hole of darkness.
Told from the viewpoints of many characters in Indian society, these entirely separate stories weave a collection of tales that explore the damage some of us live with, caused by love, loss, lust, abuse, and our own evildoings. The writing style changes from story to story, but with each it is captivating and takes you on a journey to Indian culture and society.
Of the sixteen stories, my favourites were “Samsara” and “Love Jihad”. I loved how “Samsara” vividly brought to light a sinful corner of the perversions hidden in society, and also gave us the double thrill of the detective’s experience as well — it felt like this could have been an entire novel on its own, from the richness of how the tale interweaves. “Love Jihad” also had that intriguing element of duality, and the concept of karma coming full circle was splendidly delivered in “Swami Claus”, “The Consequence of Contradiction”, and “Unrequited”.
There were many others that also delighted me with their darkness, and the collection strings together these wicked fissures of society expertly, with a sprinkle of language and culture to enthrall the senses.
The Cons
While I loved many of the stories, there were a few that I had to re-read and still am not sure I fully understood, which affected my overall experience.
My least favourites of the collection were “Ma Vie Sans Couleur” because it was challenging to understand at first, and “Fallen” — though the story itself was good, it felt too brief and without enough action. I also did not care much for “Casanova” and “Creep” which had similar themes and were also very short, and though I really liked “Unrequited” I did wish we got a chance to understand the rejection that had taken place.
Conclusion
Overall, the collection was expertly assembled with a thread of dark drama to tie it all together, and still had a bit of humour sprinkled throughout as we see beneath the shiny glimmer of appearances to the happenings behind closed doors. Again, the collection as a whole provided a brilliant tapestry of Indian culture, and while there were a few stories I could have done without, overall this was a great collection with many tales that will remain with me for quite some time. The author is very talented in her writing, and having read four books by her now, I am quite a fan!
___________
This review also appears on my blog. Visit to read more of my reviews: Sacha's Book Reviews Blog
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March 18, 2019
*I Received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review*
Damage is a collection of 16 fiction short stories that take place in Indian Societies, both in India and elsewhere. The overarching theme of this book is how those who cause harm to others have grown up damaged. Dark tones progress along the book, from extramarital affairs and gun violence to rape.
The book delivers what it promises. The reader is shown realistic and believable sections of Indian society as Manco writes parts of dialogues in native language[s] to make the characters as authentic as possible. While doing so, the author also embellishes the prose with rich vocabulary and fascinating images. However, stringing pretty words is not sufficient in storytelling.
I enjoyed most plots, yet they felt artificially construed. The characters did not go through sufficient development within the stores, and I felt that these characters were created to show us a story that Manco wants us to see. It was only until the last few stories that I truly enjoyed reading. My favourite was the 11th, “Palindrome”, which started, continued and ended poetically. I’d have loved the whole book to contain a similar structure in which the main premise doesn’t drown the flow of the story — especially in the cases when the story’s rushed with time jumps at every other paragraph.
Full Review: https://poetrybyjeremy.wordpress.com/...
Damage is a collection of 16 fiction short stories that take place in Indian Societies, both in India and elsewhere. The overarching theme of this book is how those who cause harm to others have grown up damaged. Dark tones progress along the book, from extramarital affairs and gun violence to rape.
The book delivers what it promises. The reader is shown realistic and believable sections of Indian society as Manco writes parts of dialogues in native language[s] to make the characters as authentic as possible. While doing so, the author also embellishes the prose with rich vocabulary and fascinating images. However, stringing pretty words is not sufficient in storytelling.
I enjoyed most plots, yet they felt artificially construed. The characters did not go through sufficient development within the stores, and I felt that these characters were created to show us a story that Manco wants us to see. It was only until the last few stories that I truly enjoyed reading. My favourite was the 11th, “Palindrome”, which started, continued and ended poetically. I’d have loved the whole book to contain a similar structure in which the main premise doesn’t drown the flow of the story — especially in the cases when the story’s rushed with time jumps at every other paragraph.
Full Review: https://poetrybyjeremy.wordpress.com/...
March 28, 2021
This collection of short stories is too addictive to read, and definitely too short!
It keeps you on the edge, as the stories start with simple introduction builds and leads towards a strong climax but keeps you on the edge for the end because of the unpredictability.
Not whole but to some parts these stories mirrored real life; how people carry so much in them: hidden feelings, thoughts, ideals, and regrets. In the stories that ended with bitter feelings of betrayal-it's difficult to describe them into words how real it felt even if the characters and settings were author's own imagination.
Definitely recommended to give it a try, just with a fair bit warning that this book contains many strong topics and TW, as this book will not be everyone's cup of tea. As the name of the book goes- Damage- evey story has damaged characters, which was inflicted upon them unexpectedly, or by birth, or because they belonged to a specific caste/religion/economic class or due to circumstances of their environment.
"I received an advance review copy for free from booksiren, and I am leaving this review voluntarily"
It keeps you on the edge, as the stories start with simple introduction builds and leads towards a strong climax but keeps you on the edge for the end because of the unpredictability.
Not whole but to some parts these stories mirrored real life; how people carry so much in them: hidden feelings, thoughts, ideals, and regrets. In the stories that ended with bitter feelings of betrayal-it's difficult to describe them into words how real it felt even if the characters and settings were author's own imagination.
Definitely recommended to give it a try, just with a fair bit warning that this book contains many strong topics and TW, as this book will not be everyone's cup of tea. As the name of the book goes- Damage- evey story has damaged characters, which was inflicted upon them unexpectedly, or by birth, or because they belonged to a specific caste/religion/economic class or due to circumstances of their environment.
"I received an advance review copy for free from booksiren, and I am leaving this review voluntarily"
September 28, 2022
Is damage an on-going cycle for everybody?
Or does it just seem ‘like father, like son’ is destiny?
These stories are as realistic as they are dark. Human emotions and flaws run how the characters make decisions. Unfortunately, those choices adversely affect other people.
The author provides a Glossary of Terms for each story at the end of the book.
Stories:
Damage
Samsara
Creep
Ma Vie Sans Couleur
Secrets and Lies
The Consequence of Contradiction
Love Jihad
The Unlikely Casanova
Swami Claus
Ugly
Palindrome
Dear Anil
Unrequited
The Strings That Bind Us
Fallen
Like A Boss
I have read other works by this author and will continue to do so.
Or does it just seem ‘like father, like son’ is destiny?
These stories are as realistic as they are dark. Human emotions and flaws run how the characters make decisions. Unfortunately, those choices adversely affect other people.
The author provides a Glossary of Terms for each story at the end of the book.
Stories:
Damage
Samsara
Creep
Ma Vie Sans Couleur
Secrets and Lies
The Consequence of Contradiction
Love Jihad
The Unlikely Casanova
Swami Claus
Ugly
Palindrome
Dear Anil
Unrequited
The Strings That Bind Us
Fallen
Like A Boss
I have read other works by this author and will continue to do so.
January 2, 2019
Poornima Manco Damage is a book where the characters are driven to their destinies through themes of rejection, isolation, ignorance, violence and poverty to create stories that will reverberate in your mind to the spine chilling conclusion of Swami Claus, the sadness of Ugly to the utter heart breaking devastation of Like a Boss. This author is someone who creates a world that we sometimes recognise and although fiction, says it just,"as it Is", and although sometimes shocking and dark her writing is always REAL.
February 8, 2019
A very poignant and dark journey into the lives of damaged people and how their cultural making can drive them to explore and even experience their darkest inner self in a plethora of short stories set in India. The author successfully embarks us in this whirlwind of darkness by depicting real emotions in her characters which makes us love them, hate them or feel for them, but you will be touched, you will feel sadness, and even disgust at times, but you will for sure close this book and have felt something deep. Can’t wait for the next book!!
December 3, 2019
Damage & Other Stories is the second book in the India series. This captivating collection of short stories brings India to my mind with vivid descriptions of the country. The stories all tell a different tale with a common underlying theme, that of men over women. Men have the power and women must obey. These are heartwrenching tales that go straight to your soul and open your eyes to the abuses found in another country.
This is another very powerful read by Poornima Manco.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
This is another very powerful read by Poornima Manco.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
January 15, 2021
This is the third Poornima Manco book I've read and it truly lived up to its title. All the characters within the short stories were damaged. This was a dark read. Brutally honest, some stories were truly twisted and horrifying and sadly, true to life. The only disappointing aspect for me was that no matter what story it was, just as I was getting into it, it would end abruptly. I really wish the stories had been longer.
My thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com , and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was interesting to read a collection of stories about India and its peoples but most of the stories left me unsettled. While a few stories ended with non-dark ending over all the collection was filled with trauma.
I would recommend that readers check in with themselves before reading this collection because there were references to possibly triggering events including violence, sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, murder ….
It was interesting to read a collection of stories about India and its peoples but most of the stories left me unsettled. While a few stories ended with non-dark ending over all the collection was filled with trauma.
I would recommend that readers check in with themselves before reading this collection because there were references to possibly triggering events including violence, sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, murder ….
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July 29, 2020Dark but never boring
Compared to holy moly, this one seems in a different pedestal altogether. I could relate thr similarities between the heinous Delhi Nirbhaya case, and Sridevi's demise with 2 of the stories. The fact that the first one was written from the point of view of the perpetrator is why I could read it through. All the stories are unique and has different emotions attached, the author uses simple language with some good vocabulary.
Compared to holy moly, this one seems in a different pedestal altogether. I could relate thr similarities between the heinous Delhi Nirbhaya case, and Sridevi's demise with 2 of the stories. The fact that the first one was written from the point of view of the perpetrator is why I could read it through. All the stories are unique and has different emotions attached, the author uses simple language with some good vocabulary.
September 2, 2019
This lady is a brilliant writer. True to life stories reflecting the real & unpredictable world we live in. Not for the faint hearted, no where to hide, she has touched on politics both inside & outside of family life in India. Having read her first book ‘Parvathy’s Well & other stories this was also pure brilliance. Bracing myself for her next book...if I dare!!!!!
December 29, 2018
Dark, compelling stories which transport us to India. The author's writing has matured and her stories are chilling but uncomfortably realistic. Universal themes of human depravity and fragility mixed with Indian culture, fascinating and disturbing. I cannot wait for the next book.
July 23, 2020
Beautiful writing style, but I don’t enjoy “dark” themes.
March 15, 2021
Brilliant, evocative of India and compelling. A great collection from a great, contemporary story teller.
January 29, 2019
The second book of short stories from Poornima does not disappoint! It takes you to India through the smells, sounds, colours, can feel the air! The stories are full of dark turns and twists, never knowing where it will all lead, but always surprised how it turned out. I really didn't want it to end, the stories drew me in, taking me there. A real gem of a book!!
January 25, 2023
Damage & other stories(India Book 2) by Poornima Manco goodreads review
I got Damage & other stories(India Book 2) by Poornima Manco from BookSiresns for a fair and honest review.
Damage & other stories is a collection of16 short stories set to the background of Indian culture, examining if damaged people cause damage to other people.
While not all stories are as impactful as each other, I did feel there was enough in this collection that grabbed my attention both in the story telling and the meaning that is contained in them.
What really draws me into Poornima Manco writing, is the way that she set a story in Indian culture. While making these stories relatable on the personal level for readers.
In addition to the stories having a universal quality one one advantage of Poornima Manco writing is that while making the stories easy to read some of them really do have a shock value to them.
Having said that, with Damage having 16 stories there are times when some of them are not as successful as others however there were enough of them that makes this collection of short stories well worth reading.
I got Damage & other stories(India Book 2) by Poornima Manco from BookSiresns for a fair and honest review.
Damage & other stories is a collection of16 short stories set to the background of Indian culture, examining if damaged people cause damage to other people.
While not all stories are as impactful as each other, I did feel there was enough in this collection that grabbed my attention both in the story telling and the meaning that is contained in them.
What really draws me into Poornima Manco writing, is the way that she set a story in Indian culture. While making these stories relatable on the personal level for readers.
In addition to the stories having a universal quality one one advantage of Poornima Manco writing is that while making the stories easy to read some of them really do have a shock value to them.
Having said that, with Damage having 16 stories there are times when some of them are not as successful as others however there were enough of them that makes this collection of short stories well worth reading.
December 24, 2023
What a well chosen title for this book, for the stories are certainly about people who are - damaged or who damage others. Some dark, some heart breaking, others painful but all evocative and riveting for sure. Manco is a very talented story teller and although these stories are based in India, many of the sentiments could apply in any culture. Great read, leaving you with mixed feelings - in some sort of good way!
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