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Two and a Half Rainbows: A Collection of Short Stories
Two and a Half Rainbows: A Collection of Short Stories draws inspiration from the myriad shades of humanity, its persistent struggles, and its little moments of joy. These stories attempt to capture the intricacies of human emotions and celebrate the human spirit through a neutral voice. Despite being rooted, the storytelling is engaging, as it employs multiple genres and tones.
In ‘Fireworks’, five-year-old Rony’s ecstasy is in stark contrast to his beloved maid Roma’s agony, as he witnesses a daily spectacle from his apartment window. Similarly, upon ‘Meeting Rosanna’ after 40 long years, Joseph’s excitement contradicts Rosanna’s apprehensions about him, owing to their past.
Despite Gajraj’s progressive demeanour, his hypocrisy comes to the fore, when he is angered by the frivolous promise made by the ‘Fly on the wall’. Likewise, little Advaith’s innocence is put to the test when a friend seduces him to explore his ‘Dual’ nature.
Thus, through a bioscope of sixteen realistic but fictional short stories, the author takes the reader on a journey through the by lanes of life’s bittersweet memories.
In ‘Fireworks’, five-year-old Rony’s ecstasy is in stark contrast to his beloved maid Roma’s agony, as he witnesses a daily spectacle from his apartment window. Similarly, upon ‘Meeting Rosanna’ after 40 long years, Joseph’s excitement contradicts Rosanna’s apprehensions about him, owing to their past.
Despite Gajraj’s progressive demeanour, his hypocrisy comes to the fore, when he is angered by the frivolous promise made by the ‘Fly on the wall’. Likewise, little Advaith’s innocence is put to the test when a friend seduces him to explore his ‘Dual’ nature.
Thus, through a bioscope of sixteen realistic but fictional short stories, the author takes the reader on a journey through the by lanes of life’s bittersweet memories.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2020
6 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 29, 2021
I love stories which point to something more than what is written, making you think and wonder. This is probably why I love mythology & philosophy and authors like Joseph Campbell, C Rajagopachari, Carl Jung & S Radhakrishnan who analyze and write about it.
This book is one such, and that starts right from the title, and is a defining trait of most of the stories. They prompt you to reach outside the confines of the written story.
The stories are a wide assortment – the first one ‘Dual’ about two friends has an intriguing end and probably the story which best illustrates what I wrote above. ‘Meeting Rosanna’ is about relationships rekindled and has this beautiful progression to the meeting of two souls. ‘Incongruous’ is a story which packs some suspense inviting some speculation as the story progresses. ‘Tigress in the backyard’ has this elderly character of Prabudh, who I loved. Some of the stories are shorter than others and yet close with an impact – such as ‘Compared’ & ‘The Incision’.
While I liked all the stories, I feel the ‘Fly on the Wall’, ‘Fireworks’, ‘Somewhere in Jungle Lok’ and ‘The Ritual’ fall short of the high standards that the book sets as a whole. But, again, I reflected on this and have to say that these are good stories as well if viewed in isolation.
In a first book, there is always a danger of trying too hard. Siddhartha does not do that. The stories are very honest, positive & thoughtful and the writing is very focused & purposeful.
Overall, a set of stories I loved & certainly recommend!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
This book is one such, and that starts right from the title, and is a defining trait of most of the stories. They prompt you to reach outside the confines of the written story.
The stories are a wide assortment – the first one ‘Dual’ about two friends has an intriguing end and probably the story which best illustrates what I wrote above. ‘Meeting Rosanna’ is about relationships rekindled and has this beautiful progression to the meeting of two souls. ‘Incongruous’ is a story which packs some suspense inviting some speculation as the story progresses. ‘Tigress in the backyard’ has this elderly character of Prabudh, who I loved. Some of the stories are shorter than others and yet close with an impact – such as ‘Compared’ & ‘The Incision’.
While I liked all the stories, I feel the ‘Fly on the Wall’, ‘Fireworks’, ‘Somewhere in Jungle Lok’ and ‘The Ritual’ fall short of the high standards that the book sets as a whole. But, again, I reflected on this and have to say that these are good stories as well if viewed in isolation.
In a first book, there is always a danger of trying too hard. Siddhartha does not do that. The stories are very honest, positive & thoughtful and the writing is very focused & purposeful.
Overall, a set of stories I loved & certainly recommend!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
January 13, 2021
When I see a book with a title that doesn't explain itself, I feel compelled to pick it up and know the rationale behind the intriguing name. That was my first point of attraction for this book. "Two and a Half Rainbows": it sounds so magical, interesting, exciting, and incomplete!!!
The anthology comprises 16 tales of varied lengths and from varied genres. Most of the stories are realistic, taken from seemingly day-to-day occurrences. A few of the stories touch upon the paranormal. You feel one with the characters as you read their experiences, even if you haven't gone through them yourself.
As I said, my expectations were already high just because of the title. It reminded me of that marvellous morning in June 2019 when we Mumbaikars woke up to see a beautiful double rainbow in our skies. So I connected with the Two Rainbows part. But why the Half? Other than the fact that there are 16 stories in the book (1 rainbow = 7 colours; the rest is math!), the colours of the rainbows aren't distinct but blend in with each other. Similarly, the stories in the book aren't complete or compartmentalised; they leave you with a sense of "What will happen next?"
For many of the stories, the ending will leave you gobsmacked. In fact, for a couple of them, I went back to the start to see what clues I had missed out on. The rest of the stories might not leave you astounded with a perplexing dénouement, but they'll make you feel joyful and satiated, and wanting to know more of the characters beyond the ending provided.
At no point did I feel that I was reading a debut work. The language and the narrative flow were superb. Those who don't like unresolved endings might be dissatisfied with a few of the stories. But what I really appreciated was Siddhartha's trust in the intelligence of his readers. He doesn't go out of his way to explain his stories or their open endings, something a lot of new writers tend to do. And I don't just mean that he shows and doesn't tell. He doesn't even point out where to look! The interpretation is left entirely to the reader. Of course, this is a risky approach too. It might not work with some readers, but I enjoyed it. It was really smart storytelling.
Of the 16 stories in this collection, I enjoyed 14, including 7 that fell in the "gobsmacked" category. That's 87.5%, hence 4.5 stars.
Check out Two and a Half Rainbows if you wish to add brilliant, vibrant hues to your reading.
*************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
The anthology comprises 16 tales of varied lengths and from varied genres. Most of the stories are realistic, taken from seemingly day-to-day occurrences. A few of the stories touch upon the paranormal. You feel one with the characters as you read their experiences, even if you haven't gone through them yourself.
As I said, my expectations were already high just because of the title. It reminded me of that marvellous morning in June 2019 when we Mumbaikars woke up to see a beautiful double rainbow in our skies. So I connected with the Two Rainbows part. But why the Half? Other than the fact that there are 16 stories in the book (1 rainbow = 7 colours; the rest is math!), the colours of the rainbows aren't distinct but blend in with each other. Similarly, the stories in the book aren't complete or compartmentalised; they leave you with a sense of "What will happen next?"
For many of the stories, the ending will leave you gobsmacked. In fact, for a couple of them, I went back to the start to see what clues I had missed out on. The rest of the stories might not leave you astounded with a perplexing dénouement, but they'll make you feel joyful and satiated, and wanting to know more of the characters beyond the ending provided.
At no point did I feel that I was reading a debut work. The language and the narrative flow were superb. Those who don't like unresolved endings might be dissatisfied with a few of the stories. But what I really appreciated was Siddhartha's trust in the intelligence of his readers. He doesn't go out of his way to explain his stories or their open endings, something a lot of new writers tend to do. And I don't just mean that he shows and doesn't tell. He doesn't even point out where to look! The interpretation is left entirely to the reader. Of course, this is a risky approach too. It might not work with some readers, but I enjoyed it. It was really smart storytelling.
Of the 16 stories in this collection, I enjoyed 14, including 7 that fell in the "gobsmacked" category. That's 87.5%, hence 4.5 stars.
Check out Two and a Half Rainbows if you wish to add brilliant, vibrant hues to your reading.
*************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
October 10, 2020
I met Siddhartha on Facebook, where he introduced his book to me. The blurb was well-written and intriguing, so I decided to give it a go.
I am constantly on the lookout for good contemporary fiction by Indian writers. However, most of the time, I am left disappointed. Either the language is laden with grammatical errors or the narration leaves a lot to be desired. Only rarely do I come across a literary gem with polished language and good narration that gives an overly satisfying experience. I'm glad to inform you that 'Two and a Half Rainbows' by Siddhartha easily falls into the latter category.
The book is a collection of short stories exploring the themes of familial relationships, life's bittersweet memories, mystery, love, friendship, and even horror. Some stories also give life lessons in a subtle, non-preachy way. I also loved how some of the longer stories have been divided into parts. It's a unique technique, and I think it is certainly effective in this book.
After reading the first few pages itself I knew that I had not made a mistake by choosing this book. The language is lucid and descriptive and free from grammatical and punctuation errors. Even the punctuation in dialogues—where young writers invariably falter—is flawless.
The book is sprinkled with unique metaphors and similes here and there, enriching the already brilliant writing. The paragraphs are short and there is a perfect mixture of long and short sentences, which makes for a wonderful reading experience.
The descriptions are vivid and the reader can imagine everything as if there are right there in the scene. There is an artistry in the narration as well, keeping the mystery alive right till the very end. I was awed by the endings of almost all stories. The characters are also well-sketched and I could relate to most of them.
The best part about the writing in this book is its intelligence. The narration is layered, and the conclusions of the stories are not spoon-fed to the reader. It makes them think, which is the hallmark of clever writing.
This is a one-of-a-kind book that deserves to be read by readers and non-readers alike. It is entertaining, clever, and extremely well-written. It is rare to find a flawless book like this, especially among the self-published ones. In fact, this book deserves to be traditionally published and reach bookstores across the country. I asked the author about it, and he said he didn't even try to approach publishers, which is unfortunate.
Nevertheless, I urge anyone who is reading this review to try this book out. Brilliant writers like Siddhartha Krishnan need to be encouraged.
4.7 out of 5 stars to this masterpiece.
I am constantly on the lookout for good contemporary fiction by Indian writers. However, most of the time, I am left disappointed. Either the language is laden with grammatical errors or the narration leaves a lot to be desired. Only rarely do I come across a literary gem with polished language and good narration that gives an overly satisfying experience. I'm glad to inform you that 'Two and a Half Rainbows' by Siddhartha easily falls into the latter category.
The book is a collection of short stories exploring the themes of familial relationships, life's bittersweet memories, mystery, love, friendship, and even horror. Some stories also give life lessons in a subtle, non-preachy way. I also loved how some of the longer stories have been divided into parts. It's a unique technique, and I think it is certainly effective in this book.
After reading the first few pages itself I knew that I had not made a mistake by choosing this book. The language is lucid and descriptive and free from grammatical and punctuation errors. Even the punctuation in dialogues—where young writers invariably falter—is flawless.
The book is sprinkled with unique metaphors and similes here and there, enriching the already brilliant writing. The paragraphs are short and there is a perfect mixture of long and short sentences, which makes for a wonderful reading experience.
The descriptions are vivid and the reader can imagine everything as if there are right there in the scene. There is an artistry in the narration as well, keeping the mystery alive right till the very end. I was awed by the endings of almost all stories. The characters are also well-sketched and I could relate to most of them.
The best part about the writing in this book is its intelligence. The narration is layered, and the conclusions of the stories are not spoon-fed to the reader. It makes them think, which is the hallmark of clever writing.
This is a one-of-a-kind book that deserves to be read by readers and non-readers alike. It is entertaining, clever, and extremely well-written. It is rare to find a flawless book like this, especially among the self-published ones. In fact, this book deserves to be traditionally published and reach bookstores across the country. I asked the author about it, and he said he didn't even try to approach publishers, which is unfortunate.
Nevertheless, I urge anyone who is reading this review to try this book out. Brilliant writers like Siddhartha Krishnan need to be encouraged.
4.7 out of 5 stars to this masterpiece.
December 30, 2020
Two and a Half Rainbows consists of 16 different stories, some of which continue over the course of two or three different parts. The stories range from multiple personalities to myth-busting, from blind superstition to hypocrisy. The first story, Dual, is written with such care that it is impossible for the reader to figure out what was really going on until the very last sentence. The story Fireworks talks of the innocence of children in a world ravaged by war and is sure to pull at your heartstrings. I also enjoyed the story of the tiger in the backyard, even though I saw through the premise from the beginning. However, not all stories could hold up to these high standards.
Most of the stories are wrapped to fit into the number of pages that the author has decided for them. I found that the stories started out beautifully but ended a little abruptly. The story of boys in a temple that they think haunted only to realise that it was their imagination running wild felt a little too much like the stories that we tell around a campfire, intended for jump scares but with no real content. Similarly, the stories of aliens and haunted trees both were told over several parts that I found were unnecessary. They talk about the power of suggestion and myths perpetuated by blind belief, with a bit of intrigue thrown in at the end that an experienced reader could spot a mile off. I also found a couple of grammatical errors that you pray you won't find, especially when reading a young Indian author.
Overall, I think the book could have benefitted from a round of strict editing. All of the stories were good for a quick, no-hassle read. The book could be a beach-read or a coffee table book that you don't expect to have meat on its bones and is only intended to entertain you while you are relaxing.
Most of the stories are wrapped to fit into the number of pages that the author has decided for them. I found that the stories started out beautifully but ended a little abruptly. The story of boys in a temple that they think haunted only to realise that it was their imagination running wild felt a little too much like the stories that we tell around a campfire, intended for jump scares but with no real content. Similarly, the stories of aliens and haunted trees both were told over several parts that I found were unnecessary. They talk about the power of suggestion and myths perpetuated by blind belief, with a bit of intrigue thrown in at the end that an experienced reader could spot a mile off. I also found a couple of grammatical errors that you pray you won't find, especially when reading a young Indian author.
Overall, I think the book could have benefitted from a round of strict editing. All of the stories were good for a quick, no-hassle read. The book could be a beach-read or a coffee table book that you don't expect to have meat on its bones and is only intended to entertain you while you are relaxing.
January 19, 2022
Reading anthologies isn't my forte, but this book had been on my radar since the author introduced it in our books group, one because of its pretty cover and intriguing title and second so many people whose views I respect, had already given it raving reviews...and it didn't disappoint!
It's a collection of 16 short stories and what connected me with the book was that most of them are stories we find around us every day! The book is written in simple language, no flowery prose, but it's lucid and flowing. My favourite were perhaps Dual and Roseanna and another mark to the author for making open endings work with such ease! All in all an immensely enjoyable read ❤️
It's a collection of 16 short stories and what connected me with the book was that most of them are stories we find around us every day! The book is written in simple language, no flowery prose, but it's lucid and flowing. My favourite were perhaps Dual and Roseanna and another mark to the author for making open endings work with such ease! All in all an immensely enjoyable read ❤️
May 29, 2021
A rainbow is always a delight to watch. Double rainbows are rare phenomena, certainly wonderful. But two and a half rainbows!? Incredible!? Seeing is believing. In this case, reading is believing. I read and I believed.
The book comprises sixteen short stories. Each is unique. Each has its own strength to stand alone without even being part of the anthology. The author's style is lucid with a certain technical mastery. All through the book it is maintained consistently. Though each story has its own identity they all have one common trait. At the beginning of each story we find one quote taken from the story. This quote doesn't reveal much. It rather intrigues the reader and encourages them to learn more. What I observed is that the quotes act like a centripetal force making the story revolve around the periphery. When we reach that point of the story where the quote occurs, we grasp the story with a different perception.
Most of the characters are without any physical description (the dwarf priest is one of the exceptions) but that does not leave us falling short in visualising them. That is so remarkable!
The author has made it evident that he takes his ideas from his own life. It is strongly felt that way while reading some stories. While some other stories leave us with a dilemma and prod us to negotiate between real and surreal... I could sniff the essence of Satyajit Ray in Siddhartha's work. The narrative style of the last story The Lone Singer reminded me of Vikram Seth's poem The Frog and the Nightingale.
I'm awed by with the author's power of expressing himself with simplicity and choosing such sublime words. My last word for this book would be IMMACULATE.
My Rating: 4.5/5
The book comprises sixteen short stories. Each is unique. Each has its own strength to stand alone without even being part of the anthology. The author's style is lucid with a certain technical mastery. All through the book it is maintained consistently. Though each story has its own identity they all have one common trait. At the beginning of each story we find one quote taken from the story. This quote doesn't reveal much. It rather intrigues the reader and encourages them to learn more. What I observed is that the quotes act like a centripetal force making the story revolve around the periphery. When we reach that point of the story where the quote occurs, we grasp the story with a different perception.
Most of the characters are without any physical description (the dwarf priest is one of the exceptions) but that does not leave us falling short in visualising them. That is so remarkable!
The author has made it evident that he takes his ideas from his own life. It is strongly felt that way while reading some stories. While some other stories leave us with a dilemma and prod us to negotiate between real and surreal... I could sniff the essence of Satyajit Ray in Siddhartha's work. The narrative style of the last story The Lone Singer reminded me of Vikram Seth's poem The Frog and the Nightingale.
I'm awed by with the author's power of expressing himself with simplicity and choosing such sublime words. My last word for this book would be IMMACULATE.
My Rating: 4.5/5
October 5, 2020
Book : Two and a Half Rainbows
Author : Siddhartha Krishnan
This is a collection of sixteen beautiful short stories by the author Siddharth Krishnan. From the very title you can understand these stories have a very unique thoughtful plot.
They mostly end into a conclusion where they leave an afterglow .They linger on for sometime in your mind. The endings let you think , introspect and though they are fictions but like poems they let you have your own interpretations of them.
They swim across a wide range of genres that take up nuances of human emotions , aspects of various relationships one creates and links themselves in their lives with and different facets of single moment for different characters.
They provide different perspective to a normal ordinary situation in a lucid manner leaving you in a reverie. I really liked reading the story 'Dual'. It arose from a mundane situation that we encounter easily in Indian familes but it also sends a subtle but deep message to our society. Then the story of 'Meeting Rosanna ' was quite heart touching. Later I also liked the short tale 'Incision.' The flow is also nice.
Each story starts with a relevant quote from the tale itself. Only thing is I wish these pages that are kept black coloured that started each story had high quality print . It would complete this book's beautiful look !
Altogether a thoughtful collection for people who are short story enthusiasts . Smooth and gripping narration with lucid language makes it a nice book for beginners as well.
Full review on blog.
Author : Siddhartha Krishnan
This is a collection of sixteen beautiful short stories by the author Siddharth Krishnan. From the very title you can understand these stories have a very unique thoughtful plot.
They mostly end into a conclusion where they leave an afterglow .They linger on for sometime in your mind. The endings let you think , introspect and though they are fictions but like poems they let you have your own interpretations of them.
They swim across a wide range of genres that take up nuances of human emotions , aspects of various relationships one creates and links themselves in their lives with and different facets of single moment for different characters.
They provide different perspective to a normal ordinary situation in a lucid manner leaving you in a reverie. I really liked reading the story 'Dual'. It arose from a mundane situation that we encounter easily in Indian familes but it also sends a subtle but deep message to our society. Then the story of 'Meeting Rosanna ' was quite heart touching. Later I also liked the short tale 'Incision.' The flow is also nice.
Each story starts with a relevant quote from the tale itself. Only thing is I wish these pages that are kept black coloured that started each story had high quality print . It would complete this book's beautiful look !
Altogether a thoughtful collection for people who are short story enthusiasts . Smooth and gripping narration with lucid language makes it a nice book for beginners as well.
Full review on blog.
November 27, 2021
This is a book I purchased solely based on the title and the cover. I was really intrigued by the title. Very rarely you get to see a double rainbow and on top of that there is a mention of another half rainbow in the title. It sure did make me curious. Later on, positive and great reviews about this book by our own astute reviewers in my the facebook book group Readers Forever made me delve into the book sooner than later.
This is a collection of 16 short stories of various genres. Not all stories are straightforward. It pushes you to think of what might have transpired or leaves you thinking about the open ends in story.
The first story Dual threw a curveball at me. I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn’t missing a important cue hidden in the story. This made me read the book with more fervor.
Meeting Rosanna is a simple story of old classmates meeting after a long time with a deep undertone. Same with Tigress in the backyard. But the story really touched my heart is Fireworks. It’s beautifully written and for sure will leave a mark on the reader. Few stories did not leave a big impact on me. But this number is too small.
This is a debut book for Siddhartha and nowhere in the writing you feel that this is a debut. The writing is so lucid and impactful. He leaves you thinking. The stories all belong to places which the author has links to. I felt like this added to the beauty of the stories. I wish to see more books from this talented Author. Go on ahead and give it a try. You will enjoy it too
This is a collection of 16 short stories of various genres. Not all stories are straightforward. It pushes you to think of what might have transpired or leaves you thinking about the open ends in story.
The first story Dual threw a curveball at me. I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn’t missing a important cue hidden in the story. This made me read the book with more fervor.
Meeting Rosanna is a simple story of old classmates meeting after a long time with a deep undertone. Same with Tigress in the backyard. But the story really touched my heart is Fireworks. It’s beautifully written and for sure will leave a mark on the reader. Few stories did not leave a big impact on me. But this number is too small.
This is a debut book for Siddhartha and nowhere in the writing you feel that this is a debut. The writing is so lucid and impactful. He leaves you thinking. The stories all belong to places which the author has links to. I felt like this added to the beauty of the stories. I wish to see more books from this talented Author. Go on ahead and give it a try. You will enjoy it too
April 4, 2023
This anthology comes highly recommended in Readers Foever FB group. Needless to say I was not disappointed but left with somewhat mixed feelings.
The book has sixteen stories. They are from our day to day existence, very relatable, and of diverse genres. There are many that deal with kids. Like Fireworks, Dual and The Incision. Others deal with human nature like superstition, hypocrisy, two friends meeting after a long time and even a fable.
The prose is simple and the narration is smooth. What is different about this anthology is that the author doesn't end most of the stories as you would expect them to. While this is an experiment that could backfire, it made me go back to the stories. There is a deliberate vagueness about the denouement that works in most cases but misses in some too.
Most of the stories end on a twist that one didn't see coming and this makes the stories interesting and worth a second read. I appreciate this ability of the writer to make his readers read the stories a second time.
Out of the lot, I liked the ones dealing with the kids a lot, especially 'Compared' that deals with the tensions generated on the eve of the results of board exams. I also enjoyed most of the others like Fly on the Wall dealing with the hypocrisy of middle aged men who like to hear themselves talk, Tigress in The Backyard where an old man can't get others to believe him about the presence of a tigress, Encounter that has two college mates who parted on bad terms sitting together on an airplane and The Lone Singer that has two older gentlemen from different walks of society bonding over their love for singing.
As I earlier mentioned, the ones dealing with the kids stood out for their simplicity and relatability. They were the ones I enjoyed the most. There were a few that I failed to connect with. Still the book made for a good reading experience with the depth of the stories and the twisted and unexpected vague endings.
Recommended to all those looking for a poignant anthology that makes you sit back and give a thought.
The book has sixteen stories. They are from our day to day existence, very relatable, and of diverse genres. There are many that deal with kids. Like Fireworks, Dual and The Incision. Others deal with human nature like superstition, hypocrisy, two friends meeting after a long time and even a fable.
The prose is simple and the narration is smooth. What is different about this anthology is that the author doesn't end most of the stories as you would expect them to. While this is an experiment that could backfire, it made me go back to the stories. There is a deliberate vagueness about the denouement that works in most cases but misses in some too.
Most of the stories end on a twist that one didn't see coming and this makes the stories interesting and worth a second read. I appreciate this ability of the writer to make his readers read the stories a second time.
Out of the lot, I liked the ones dealing with the kids a lot, especially 'Compared' that deals with the tensions generated on the eve of the results of board exams. I also enjoyed most of the others like Fly on the Wall dealing with the hypocrisy of middle aged men who like to hear themselves talk, Tigress in The Backyard where an old man can't get others to believe him about the presence of a tigress, Encounter that has two college mates who parted on bad terms sitting together on an airplane and The Lone Singer that has two older gentlemen from different walks of society bonding over their love for singing.
As I earlier mentioned, the ones dealing with the kids stood out for their simplicity and relatability. They were the ones I enjoyed the most. There were a few that I failed to connect with. Still the book made for a good reading experience with the depth of the stories and the twisted and unexpected vague endings.
Recommended to all those looking for a poignant anthology that makes you sit back and give a thought.
March 10, 2021
Short stories are beautiful, they have the potential to keep the readers hooked to them in lesser words, faster face and uniqueness each story carries with them.
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Two and a half rainbows, how fascinating this title is! And this was one of the many reasons why I picked up this book. I really wanted to know how the book unfolds to do justice with the alluring title and I am glad to say , it was an amazingly drafted book.
.
Spanning over 16 short stories, expressing myriad of emotions, describing mundane daily lives with simplistic beauty, taking readers on a feel-good journey, this book is just the perfect pick if you want to come out of a slump.
.
From encountering a long lost friend to a riverside temple expedition, from losing and finding hope again to establishing a belief for rituals, the book strikes a chord with every reader.
.
The narrative is lucid and smooth and the writing style is subtly impressive. The stories sre so finely and delicately designed that they are absolute page turners. The thing that I loved the most in the book was the absence of an absolute and obvious closure or ending. The readers are left with ample space to pause, introspect, think and drive their own conclusions. The ends suggest you something but they also ignites your imagination and like poetry, provides you with a blank page to create your own conclusion.
.
The book is quite fast paced and I was able to finish it in a single sitting. The stories stand unique to themselves but slide in seamlessly page after page . This was one of those books that can lift up one's mood and can be considered a great work of literature which can keep readers and nonreadera hooked alike .
.
If you looking for a short, interesting and thoughtful book, my suggestion for you will be to grab this book right away .
.
Two and a half rainbows, how fascinating this title is! And this was one of the many reasons why I picked up this book. I really wanted to know how the book unfolds to do justice with the alluring title and I am glad to say , it was an amazingly drafted book.
.
Spanning over 16 short stories, expressing myriad of emotions, describing mundane daily lives with simplistic beauty, taking readers on a feel-good journey, this book is just the perfect pick if you want to come out of a slump.
.
From encountering a long lost friend to a riverside temple expedition, from losing and finding hope again to establishing a belief for rituals, the book strikes a chord with every reader.
.
The narrative is lucid and smooth and the writing style is subtly impressive. The stories sre so finely and delicately designed that they are absolute page turners. The thing that I loved the most in the book was the absence of an absolute and obvious closure or ending. The readers are left with ample space to pause, introspect, think and drive their own conclusions. The ends suggest you something but they also ignites your imagination and like poetry, provides you with a blank page to create your own conclusion.
.
The book is quite fast paced and I was able to finish it in a single sitting. The stories stand unique to themselves but slide in seamlessly page after page . This was one of those books that can lift up one's mood and can be considered a great work of literature which can keep readers and nonreadera hooked alike .
.
If you looking for a short, interesting and thoughtful book, my suggestion for you will be to grab this book right away .
January 13, 2021
Two and a half Rainbows is a compilation of 16 stories each of which deal with different human emotions and cover topics viz, competition, hypocrisy myth-busting etc.
All stories are woven in a juicy manner which makes sure to keep readers hooked up till the end and at the same time leave the reader to think what happened next with the characters.
Each story begins with a quote taken from the story itself and some of the stories are written in parts.
The language used by the author is lucid and he has used a strong vocabulary but thing which put me off was the repetition of few terminologies in place of which synonyms could have worked better.
There were few stories which amused me like Dual and Incongruous, I love the way these stories ended while at the same time I felt a few stories were written just to fill the pages for example Aliens and Marijuana and they failed to entertain me.
The title of the book is apt as these stories have different shades of life and all the stories seem so familiar, it's easy to relate with the characters and the emotions they were going with.
Being a debut author Siddhartha has done commendable work and after two books full of grammatical error and no story, Two and a half Rainbows become something which gave me much-needed solace.
Overall, It was a refreshing read for me and if you are looking for a light read or want to come out of your reading slump then you should give this book a try.
All stories are woven in a juicy manner which makes sure to keep readers hooked up till the end and at the same time leave the reader to think what happened next with the characters.
Each story begins with a quote taken from the story itself and some of the stories are written in parts.
The language used by the author is lucid and he has used a strong vocabulary but thing which put me off was the repetition of few terminologies in place of which synonyms could have worked better.
There were few stories which amused me like Dual and Incongruous, I love the way these stories ended while at the same time I felt a few stories were written just to fill the pages for example Aliens and Marijuana and they failed to entertain me.
The title of the book is apt as these stories have different shades of life and all the stories seem so familiar, it's easy to relate with the characters and the emotions they were going with.
Being a debut author Siddhartha has done commendable work and after two books full of grammatical error and no story, Two and a half Rainbows become something which gave me much-needed solace.
Overall, It was a refreshing read for me and if you are looking for a light read or want to come out of your reading slump then you should give this book a try.
March 12, 2021
I was startled on reading the very first story 'DUAL' and let me share a gist of it.
Advaith and Manthan are best friends and they share the same path back from school. That day Advaith was sad as they passed on the result for maths. Though his marks are good, his father is someone who excepts him to score the fullest. This time his mark is 8/10 but this is surely not something his father expects from him. Manthan too has got the same mark but is so cool. Manthan gives a secret advice to Advaith to come out the crisis and that made him so happy. What was the advice? But this story is more than that and the last passage totally changed the perception of looking into the story.
As this book is inspired from daily events of life, many of us could completely relate with the characters. If not the characters, then surely the emotions. Almost every story has something to tell and that's tough for me to pick out my favourites.
The writing style is also good, with few new words to improve our vocabulary. Recommended for everyone who loves reading short stories of contemporary fiction that you could totally relate with.
Advaith and Manthan are best friends and they share the same path back from school. That day Advaith was sad as they passed on the result for maths. Though his marks are good, his father is someone who excepts him to score the fullest. This time his mark is 8/10 but this is surely not something his father expects from him. Manthan too has got the same mark but is so cool. Manthan gives a secret advice to Advaith to come out the crisis and that made him so happy. What was the advice? But this story is more than that and the last passage totally changed the perception of looking into the story.
As this book is inspired from daily events of life, many of us could completely relate with the characters. If not the characters, then surely the emotions. Almost every story has something to tell and that's tough for me to pick out my favourites.
The writing style is also good, with few new words to improve our vocabulary. Recommended for everyone who loves reading short stories of contemporary fiction that you could totally relate with.
December 29, 2020
Book Review 'Two and a Half Rainbows' by Siddhartha Krishnan
When I read the blurb of this book, it immediately appealed to me since I love reading short stories. However, I was apprehensive of the prospects since it is written by a debut author. Nevertheless, I decided to take the plunge.
The first thing that strikes you about the book is its language. It is lucid, visual and easy on the eye. There is a languid flow to the sentences making it feel like a breezy read. However, don't be fooled. Despite the absence of excesses and dramatics there is no lack of subtlety, nuance and cleverness in the writing.
Although, the stories are grounded in reality, they are garbed in various genres (slice of life, mystery, thriller, social & political satire, horror etc) to make the reading experience more enjoyable. The characters are also well-sketched and easily relatable.
However, the stand-out feature is that, while the stories proceed on expected lines, they often lead to unexpected endings which linger in your head long after they are read. For this reason I would suggest the readers to take one story at a time. There is also a subtle commentary to most stories but the messaging is not forcibly thrust on the reader. Its quite subliminal. And, while the readers can take what they like from the stories, nothing is spoon-fed, so don't be in a hurry and allow yourself some time to assimilate things. The stories which I liked the most from the collection were 'Dual', 'Meeting Rosanna' and 'Fly on the wall'. Each of these stories have a unique premise and its characters are people you will empathise and relate to. But every reader is going to have his/her own favorites depending on their preferences.
All in all I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories. It is definitely a refreshing read among what is available today under Indian contemporary fiction. Also, this is a commendable debut by the author Siddhartha Krishnan. As mentioned in the bio, the influences of Satyajit Ray, Ruskin Bond and RK Narayan are apparent in the author's writing but he does have a unique voice and the stories do not lack originality. I would highly recommend this book. It deserves to be read.
When I read the blurb of this book, it immediately appealed to me since I love reading short stories. However, I was apprehensive of the prospects since it is written by a debut author. Nevertheless, I decided to take the plunge.
The first thing that strikes you about the book is its language. It is lucid, visual and easy on the eye. There is a languid flow to the sentences making it feel like a breezy read. However, don't be fooled. Despite the absence of excesses and dramatics there is no lack of subtlety, nuance and cleverness in the writing.
Although, the stories are grounded in reality, they are garbed in various genres (slice of life, mystery, thriller, social & political satire, horror etc) to make the reading experience more enjoyable. The characters are also well-sketched and easily relatable.
However, the stand-out feature is that, while the stories proceed on expected lines, they often lead to unexpected endings which linger in your head long after they are read. For this reason I would suggest the readers to take one story at a time. There is also a subtle commentary to most stories but the messaging is not forcibly thrust on the reader. Its quite subliminal. And, while the readers can take what they like from the stories, nothing is spoon-fed, so don't be in a hurry and allow yourself some time to assimilate things. The stories which I liked the most from the collection were 'Dual', 'Meeting Rosanna' and 'Fly on the wall'. Each of these stories have a unique premise and its characters are people you will empathise and relate to. But every reader is going to have his/her own favorites depending on their preferences.
All in all I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories. It is definitely a refreshing read among what is available today under Indian contemporary fiction. Also, this is a commendable debut by the author Siddhartha Krishnan. As mentioned in the bio, the influences of Satyajit Ray, Ruskin Bond and RK Narayan are apparent in the author's writing but he does have a unique voice and the stories do not lack originality. I would highly recommend this book. It deserves to be read.
May 4, 2021
At the beginning of the year, I had decided to read more Poetry, Essays, and Short Stories. Taking Two and a Half Rainbows in an attempt to stick to my reading goal and also walk in the exploration of new authors birthing out from India, celebrating their works, and with my work getting to tell about the books to my audience. Such a delight. This collection starts with an honest and sincere preface. One such that raises the expectancy of the text and I am quite glad to say that the collection lived up to what I thought it would.
There are interesting similarities in the works of Siddhartha and Ruskin Bond and those were shining throughout the collection. While Ruskin writes more in the esteem of nature, I find it beautifully contrasting how Siddhartha writes beautifully about the psyche, ethos, beliefs, patterns of behavior of humankind. Most of the stories are probes to the psyche. Which was a plus point to me. And I am sure will be to a lot of readers who are interested in books exploring human nature. I urge them to pick this up. But not only this, the author is great at developing circumstantial invigoration. Which is significant to the art of storytelling.
'Fireworks' being one of the best stories in this anthology and of course, my favorite among others is an example of what I tried to express in the last two lines of the other paragraph.
To talk about the writing, it is simply fluid, and while turning the pages the reader has a feeling of waving the hand in the water.
And hence, this is an easy page-turner.
Many stories from the total of sixteen were impressive, they were mundane yet expressed with the right amount of detail. A good collection.
3.6/5
There are interesting similarities in the works of Siddhartha and Ruskin Bond and those were shining throughout the collection. While Ruskin writes more in the esteem of nature, I find it beautifully contrasting how Siddhartha writes beautifully about the psyche, ethos, beliefs, patterns of behavior of humankind. Most of the stories are probes to the psyche. Which was a plus point to me. And I am sure will be to a lot of readers who are interested in books exploring human nature. I urge them to pick this up. But not only this, the author is great at developing circumstantial invigoration. Which is significant to the art of storytelling.
'Fireworks' being one of the best stories in this anthology and of course, my favorite among others is an example of what I tried to express in the last two lines of the other paragraph.
To talk about the writing, it is simply fluid, and while turning the pages the reader has a feeling of waving the hand in the water.
And hence, this is an easy page-turner.
Many stories from the total of sixteen were impressive, they were mundane yet expressed with the right amount of detail. A good collection.
3.6/5
February 4, 2021
•With a title like this, who wouldn't read the book?
The book cover is apt to the content of the book. The title of the book is also very interesting and will surely make the readers curious to know what Two and a Half Rainbows is..
•I wanted to read this book, one story a day but it was soo good that I couldn't stop myself once I began. The first story in the book is called 'Dual' and as per me, it was a perfect beginning. I got hooked and then devoured all the stories in a single go.
•Two and a Half Rainbows consists of 16 different stories and of different lenghts and genres. I liked how some of the longer stories have been divided into parts.
•The book explores several themes of relationships, friendships, life's bittersweet memories, mystery, love, and yes.. horror!! The book has some fantastic stories to touch your hearts and engage your spirits.
•Most of the stories are realistic and lucid narration makes you visualize every scene before your eyes. Each story starts with a relevant quote which is very interesting and attractive.
•My favourite story was the 'Fireworks', it talks of the innocence of children in a world devastate by war..
Also liked I the story 'Dual'. It arose from the situation that we encounter in Indian familes but it also sends a deep message to our society.
•The book is written in a simple language and hence maintains a flow throughout the reading process.
•Recommendation? Yeah recommended to everyone who is reading this review.
The book cover is apt to the content of the book. The title of the book is also very interesting and will surely make the readers curious to know what Two and a Half Rainbows is..
•I wanted to read this book, one story a day but it was soo good that I couldn't stop myself once I began. The first story in the book is called 'Dual' and as per me, it was a perfect beginning. I got hooked and then devoured all the stories in a single go.
•Two and a Half Rainbows consists of 16 different stories and of different lenghts and genres. I liked how some of the longer stories have been divided into parts.
•The book explores several themes of relationships, friendships, life's bittersweet memories, mystery, love, and yes.. horror!! The book has some fantastic stories to touch your hearts and engage your spirits.
•Most of the stories are realistic and lucid narration makes you visualize every scene before your eyes. Each story starts with a relevant quote which is very interesting and attractive.
•My favourite story was the 'Fireworks', it talks of the innocence of children in a world devastate by war..
Also liked I the story 'Dual'. It arose from the situation that we encounter in Indian familes but it also sends a deep message to our society.
•The book is written in a simple language and hence maintains a flow throughout the reading process.
•Recommendation? Yeah recommended to everyone who is reading this review.
January 4, 2021
Two and a half rainbow by @sid_krishnan is a collection of sixteen short stories ,like the title suggests, each story is of different shades of humanity like happiness, sadness, mystery, love,family etc.
This book is a unique read ,even short stories are divided into parts and every single page is a surprise.
The quality that impressed me alot is how the author ends each of the stories.Unlike other short stories that has and intro a plot and an ending this one is entirely unique.The layered narration makes the readers think and introspect.
The narration is lucid and the use of similes and metaphors enhances the reading experience. The author gives you a chance to live 16 different lives during the course of this book.The plot are so relatable and realistic that it would quickly weave a picture in your mind.
Each story is very unique and interesting at the same time which leaves the book with 0% of lag.It was really hard to put down the book that I read it at one stretch.
This book is a must read! You will love this book!! If you are looking forward to pick up short stories you should go for this one!
This book is a unique read ,even short stories are divided into parts and every single page is a surprise.
The quality that impressed me alot is how the author ends each of the stories.Unlike other short stories that has and intro a plot and an ending this one is entirely unique.The layered narration makes the readers think and introspect.
The narration is lucid and the use of similes and metaphors enhances the reading experience. The author gives you a chance to live 16 different lives during the course of this book.The plot are so relatable and realistic that it would quickly weave a picture in your mind.
Each story is very unique and interesting at the same time which leaves the book with 0% of lag.It was really hard to put down the book that I read it at one stretch.
This book is a must read! You will love this book!! If you are looking forward to pick up short stories you should go for this one!
March 26, 2021
Delivering delight in minutes!
A string of piquant stories, each etched to deliver delight in minutes!
I basked in them at leisure, reading one now and then returning to the next a couple of days later. Each story is exactly that...a story...compact and collected. No emotional outbursts. No frills. No long-winding build-ups. What appealed to me the most? The Indianness of the stories and that there are no moral lessons at the end.
Quick, chatty conversations generously garnish every story. The icing on the cake is that almost all stories hover on the brink of the 'dark'. I particularly liked Tigress in the Backyard (both parts). The subtle angst and regret in Meeting Rosanna have been treated with elegance. Sixteen gems - some more sparkling than others, and altogether a comforting read.
Siddharth's writing flows flawlessly. His simplicity and imagery carried me on my own flight of imagination and I returned from the jaunt refreshed. I caught a whiff of Ruskin Bond between the covers. And that only made the stories even more delectable.
A string of piquant stories, each etched to deliver delight in minutes!
I basked in them at leisure, reading one now and then returning to the next a couple of days later. Each story is exactly that...a story...compact and collected. No emotional outbursts. No frills. No long-winding build-ups. What appealed to me the most? The Indianness of the stories and that there are no moral lessons at the end.
Quick, chatty conversations generously garnish every story. The icing on the cake is that almost all stories hover on the brink of the 'dark'. I particularly liked Tigress in the Backyard (both parts). The subtle angst and regret in Meeting Rosanna have been treated with elegance. Sixteen gems - some more sparkling than others, and altogether a comforting read.
Siddharth's writing flows flawlessly. His simplicity and imagery carried me on my own flight of imagination and I returned from the jaunt refreshed. I caught a whiff of Ruskin Bond between the covers. And that only made the stories even more delectable.
January 3, 2021
This is a very beautiful collection of short stories, stories which talk with you, be with you when you feel alone, these stories literally come from those raw backgrounds we all have been through at least onee, the characters are extremely real and I loved how the author kept things very simple and open, but at the same time I feel they're very elegant and never leaves you once you start reading it.
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It's been very long that I read such an amazing collection of books, I loved the way it's written and loved how things turn upside down in any story, some stories might not be so relatable but some of them just have my heart, you will never regret reading them. I will definitely recommend it. If you are a short story lover then I'm sure you will love it, one of my most favorite story is 'Fireworks' it's so hard hitting yet so well presented. Go for it.
Rating: 4.25⭐️
December 8, 2020
The colourful book cover and the title 'Two and Half Rainbows' increased my curiosity to read this book and I'm so happy I did it, for it is one of the best short story collections ever read by me.
The characters are so much relatable and for a minute or two, it made me feel astonished at the end of the stories. I could connect with the author so much right in the Preface and as I turn over the pages, it multiplied.
The stories are written flawlessly and effectively. I'm glad I got a chance to read this great book.
The characters are so much relatable and for a minute or two, it made me feel astonished at the end of the stories. I could connect with the author so much right in the Preface and as I turn over the pages, it multiplied.
The stories are written flawlessly and effectively. I'm glad I got a chance to read this great book.
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