Tch Tch Tch

by Divyasha

Loop: As a mindful adult living alone in Paris, she makes her next ‘intelligent’ decision: suicide.
Ishta-deva: On planet Mars, she has finally accomplished her lifelong dream- of being the supportive woman behind a very successful man. What more can she ask for?
Coping: Two older Bollywood actresses meet over coffee to discuss and re-evaluate their individual relationship with a revered Bollywood hero. And other stories.

“Kompromat (from Tch Tch Tch) offers an illuminating glimpse of the very real fears that trouble young women in modern relationships.” – Vikas Swarup

“In Coping (from Tch Tch Tch), Divyasha addresses difficult contemporary issues impacting women through the lens of the Indian diaspora. Her writing is bold, the characters compelling and the narrative gripping. A must-read!” – Dr. Rohini Anand

188 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2021

Reviews

[Prema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book has its own hidden attractions. Flow of each chapter is such that it keeps you non stop until the end and leaves you there under deep sense of thought, humor and suspense. Boldness in expression and selection of right words to present the emotions , connections and situations is wonderful and very touching.

This book is very unique. Great source of thoughts provoking gender equality in inequality; art of expressing unexpressed; gateway to more such write ups bringing up hidden unsaid issues being faced by individuals, specially youths of modern period.
It has collections of several stories, each one of it has enormous scope and need for open minded free discussion specifically about issues related to modern women and also welcomes composition on similar issues related to men of coming generations.

Going thru this book keeps no one unlearnt something new. Language and words chosen makes reading easier and full of fun and synced with own emotions. Must read, earlier is better on reaching teenage. It can also be a beginners book for those who are shy to express themselves in odd circumstances.

The book title is chosen very wisely. The aspirant reader in search of knowing what " Tch Tch Tch" is jumps straight to the last chapter and finds it there. "Tch Tch Tch" is really " Tch Tch Tch".

[Yashaswi Budhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a deep understanding of the entire concept of power in the relationships and presented it well from all angles and not just one narrative of the situation. Also, if we think on it from all angles, we realise how disturbing/toxic it can be for us as a society, exposing us to the world of trauma and subjugation. But it also displays positivity in the extent strength is displayed in mere endurance sometimes.
These short stories are easy to read, free flowing and one story opens you to the amazing world the author is trying to open your eyes to.
I personally, loved the story "Tch Tch Tch", "Blood" & "Kompromat". The author has put in a lot of thought in choosing just the right titles for the stories as well. It also beholds how women have the unconditional ability to find strength in pain and not pass it on to the generations.

[Girish Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with contemporary subjects. It deals with characters embodying a modern lifestyle which was considered to be taboo some decades back even in metropolises in India. The stories have compelling characters. The stories have an underlying Indian theme. Some stories are knitted with wait/impatience. Anxious mindset, jealousies characterize some stories. Women are characterized in stories as bold and intelligent, not meek and submissive, sometimes tricky and sometimes devoid of power. There are love, fear, hatred, anger, selfishness, all kinds of emotions into play. Author has a knack to observe the things in great details. Her thoughts are well calibrated and articulated. She appears to be a voracious reader.

[Janvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed book!
The book takes into account a wide array of issues faced by women in their specific realities.
The short stories have been beautifully layered and help you live the emotions of protagonists or I should say re-live. The book slowly walks you through the what, when, how of events and each story is as gripping as the previous.
I think that its high time that we identify and acknowledge out these prevailing issues comprehensively, this book is one such example towards it.
Also, I would really like the author to talk about how patriarchy affects men and how their beliefs are born, tamed over their lives.

[Anisha Suri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories are beautifully crafted. The problems of the modern women are deeply reflected. For all the stories, I could imagine the scenes in front of my eyes... Sometimes I would expect a clear ending but there won't be any. I found this unique, leaving the readers to imagine. 'Blood', 'Kompromat', 'Ishta-Deva'...and I loved all the stories, It is so hard to pick the favorite. I will go back and read these time and again. Divyasha has done a fantastic job in writing this collection of stories. Must read!

[Poppy]

It's a good book about contemporary topics that aren't discussed enough.
The toxicity of the world we live in is shown in its gory details throughout all the stories.
I liked that the topics where discussed with different settings and situations to show how, even if we change background, but not our way of thinking, nothing really improves.