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The Elephant Trophy and Other Stories
The Elephant Trophy and Other Stories is a collection of 18 slice-of-life short stories featuring nuanced and diverse depictions of the Indian community in Malaysia. The overall theme of this collection echoes the outer and inner demons that possess the Malaysian Indian community. Specifically, the stories dictate the outlook of their lives as both Indians and Malaysians. The collection covers themes such as socio-politics, socio-economic imbalance, gender issues, social class juxtaposed to community values.
- GenresShort Stories
250 pages, Paperback
Published August 27, 2021
1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Paul GnanaSelvam
13 books9 followersPaul GnanaSelvam is an Ipoh-born writer and poet whose work often focuses on the experiences, issues and identity conflicts of those in the Indian diaspora. His first collection of short stories, Latha’s Christmas and Other Stories, was published in 2013. He began to write in 2005 and continiues publishing poems and short stories both locally and internationally in e-magazines, anthologies and literary journals. His latest collection of short stories 'The Elephant Trophy & Other Stories' was published by Penguin Random House SEA in July 2021. His short story, Tug-of-War, won 2nd place in the Blue-White-Dot Short Story Writing Competition (2023) organised by Sunway University Press. He currently lectures at Universiti Teknologi MARA (Perak Campus), Malaysia.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 26, 2021
If you’re ever curious about the Indian Malaysian experience, this book should be on your reading list. If you love reading slice of life stories from multiple perspectives that dip across various genres, then this book should be on your reading list. Paul Gnanaselvam’s latest anthology is probably his best work yet and it has a whopping number of 18 short stories, all unique and strong on their own.
Full disclosure: I was given this book by Penguin Random House and I know the writer personally. However, my opinion is entirely my own and I’ve reviewed Paul’s work even before I became acquainted with him.
If you’ve been following my reviews, you’ll notice that I rarely give anthologies higher than 3 stars. Anthologies are usually a mixed bag – some stories work, some don’t. One of the general downsides of anthologies is that it’s usually a catch-all for an author’s work, regardless of quality or writing style, which can be very jarring. Of course, some stories in Elephant Trophy will naturally outshine the others but what struck me the most is the quality of the writing is so consistent throughout that they complement each other so well. That is so difficult to achieve in an anthology, especially with 18 different stories! As a writer myself, I can’t even begin to imagine how long this took to complete. When I read this book, I knew that I was reading from a writer whose writing style has matured and was just eager to show what he can do.
What I love about this book is that it is a uniquely Indian Malaysian experience that doesn’t try to dictate what it means to be Indian, Malaysian or Indian Malaysian. One of the things that a lot of Malaysian writers tend to suffer from is the question of what it means to be a Malaysian or is it clear enough from the story that THIS IS A LOCAL STORY. But Paul doesn’t even bother with that. Why try to enforce a cookie-cutter concept when the reality is so far from that? So, what happens is that we get to see 18 perspectives of those identities in play. You can read about the perspective of a child growing up poor in KL, an Indian immigrant playing up their loyalty to Malaysia in Putrajaya and also, a rendezvous in Melbourne.
One of my favourites is “Kari Curry”, a story about a man trying to bury the past he witnessed. It has such a sinister undertone that is absolutely delicious until its satisfying conclusion. “The Identity Bargain” is a story focused on wordplay that left me sniggering at the end. But the ones that I really liked are parked at the end of the anthology. “Annama’s Treaty” is so captivating, displaying a woman’s guilt and naivety partaking in an affair yet you can’t help but root for her because life is just so damn unfair. The title story “Elephant Trophy” blends the past and the present in such a way that it feels almost magical. The closing short story “Masalodeh” is brilliant in subtly showing casual racism and the people who cunningly use them as a weapon. But my absolute favourite is “The Truth about Mo”, a powerful story about a mother who could not stop her child from spiralling out of control. For a short story to pack such an emotionally moving tale, it almost felt like a longer piece of work.
To me, this book is a solid anthology of work. For Malaysian Literature, it is definitely one of the better offerings out there and I’m glad there is a book like this. I think Malaysian readers are still hesitant about buying the books of local writers because there is this preconceived notion that a local writer cannot write as well as international ones. But I feel that, with this anthology, Paul has shown that there are local writers that have become confident storytellers in their own right. As a long-time reader of his work, I am really happy to see his growth as a writer and I can definitely see Trophy Elephant as an example of great Malaysian writing when this gets published. Now, I’m going to wait when he releases a novel.
Full disclosure: I was given this book by Penguin Random House and I know the writer personally. However, my opinion is entirely my own and I’ve reviewed Paul’s work even before I became acquainted with him.
If you’ve been following my reviews, you’ll notice that I rarely give anthologies higher than 3 stars. Anthologies are usually a mixed bag – some stories work, some don’t. One of the general downsides of anthologies is that it’s usually a catch-all for an author’s work, regardless of quality or writing style, which can be very jarring. Of course, some stories in Elephant Trophy will naturally outshine the others but what struck me the most is the quality of the writing is so consistent throughout that they complement each other so well. That is so difficult to achieve in an anthology, especially with 18 different stories! As a writer myself, I can’t even begin to imagine how long this took to complete. When I read this book, I knew that I was reading from a writer whose writing style has matured and was just eager to show what he can do.
What I love about this book is that it is a uniquely Indian Malaysian experience that doesn’t try to dictate what it means to be Indian, Malaysian or Indian Malaysian. One of the things that a lot of Malaysian writers tend to suffer from is the question of what it means to be a Malaysian or is it clear enough from the story that THIS IS A LOCAL STORY. But Paul doesn’t even bother with that. Why try to enforce a cookie-cutter concept when the reality is so far from that? So, what happens is that we get to see 18 perspectives of those identities in play. You can read about the perspective of a child growing up poor in KL, an Indian immigrant playing up their loyalty to Malaysia in Putrajaya and also, a rendezvous in Melbourne.
One of my favourites is “Kari Curry”, a story about a man trying to bury the past he witnessed. It has such a sinister undertone that is absolutely delicious until its satisfying conclusion. “The Identity Bargain” is a story focused on wordplay that left me sniggering at the end. But the ones that I really liked are parked at the end of the anthology. “Annama’s Treaty” is so captivating, displaying a woman’s guilt and naivety partaking in an affair yet you can’t help but root for her because life is just so damn unfair. The title story “Elephant Trophy” blends the past and the present in such a way that it feels almost magical. The closing short story “Masalodeh” is brilliant in subtly showing casual racism and the people who cunningly use them as a weapon. But my absolute favourite is “The Truth about Mo”, a powerful story about a mother who could not stop her child from spiralling out of control. For a short story to pack such an emotionally moving tale, it almost felt like a longer piece of work.
To me, this book is a solid anthology of work. For Malaysian Literature, it is definitely one of the better offerings out there and I’m glad there is a book like this. I think Malaysian readers are still hesitant about buying the books of local writers because there is this preconceived notion that a local writer cannot write as well as international ones. But I feel that, with this anthology, Paul has shown that there are local writers that have become confident storytellers in their own right. As a long-time reader of his work, I am really happy to see his growth as a writer and I can definitely see Trophy Elephant as an example of great Malaysian writing when this gets published. Now, I’m going to wait when he releases a novel.
February 19, 2022
“And in this country everyone seemed to speak so many different versions of the same language that it veered completely from its original”
I didn’t know Putrajaya means Victorious Son in Tamil/ Sanskrit. And that kari means meat, sometimes charcoal, sometimes referring to grease, and meat swimming in a condiment of spices is then “curry”. Also an elephant never forgets..
Just stating a few. There are many things to learn from these 18 short stories, filled with various themes; from family customs to personality conflict & disorder to social issues, all featuring life of Indian community in Malaysia
Being a writer, poet and also a teacher himself, the author proved to have a great writing skill. The language used is a well balance of Malaysian slangs with grandiloquent style. I don’t know much about writing but I realised the author used flashbacks in almost all of the stories. It’s not a big issue for me because I actually like it. The style delivered the stories well
As aforementioned, this book is basically slice of life that covers various themes. Some stories are quite light and refreshing but some are dark and wild. This is yet another added point to the book because you can switch vibes from one story to another
Despite focusing on the Indian customs and cultures, non Indian won’t have trouble in understanding these stories thanks to “the accessibility to rich cultures, celebrations and all things non Indian were exotic and exhilarating. Malaysia Boleh..” (pg 45). Just like Zamani, we are accustomed to Tamil & Hindi especially the songs 😂
P/s: I was surprised to see representation of Muslim women ‘social abuse’ in Cikgu Ton, really appreciate it, given that the author is male & non Muslim
Also checkout my bookstagram @sugarspicewhatevernice to read some of the stories that lingered on my mind. I was simply awestruck to them because of the plot or ending or moral values in the stories
Many thanks to @putrifariza @times.reads for introducing this book to me, adding to the collection of Malaysian cultures book recommendation 🙌🏻
I didn’t know Putrajaya means Victorious Son in Tamil/ Sanskrit. And that kari means meat, sometimes charcoal, sometimes referring to grease, and meat swimming in a condiment of spices is then “curry”. Also an elephant never forgets..
Just stating a few. There are many things to learn from these 18 short stories, filled with various themes; from family customs to personality conflict & disorder to social issues, all featuring life of Indian community in Malaysia
Being a writer, poet and also a teacher himself, the author proved to have a great writing skill. The language used is a well balance of Malaysian slangs with grandiloquent style. I don’t know much about writing but I realised the author used flashbacks in almost all of the stories. It’s not a big issue for me because I actually like it. The style delivered the stories well
As aforementioned, this book is basically slice of life that covers various themes. Some stories are quite light and refreshing but some are dark and wild. This is yet another added point to the book because you can switch vibes from one story to another
Despite focusing on the Indian customs and cultures, non Indian won’t have trouble in understanding these stories thanks to “the accessibility to rich cultures, celebrations and all things non Indian were exotic and exhilarating. Malaysia Boleh..” (pg 45). Just like Zamani, we are accustomed to Tamil & Hindi especially the songs 😂
P/s: I was surprised to see representation of Muslim women ‘social abuse’ in Cikgu Ton, really appreciate it, given that the author is male & non Muslim
Also checkout my bookstagram @sugarspicewhatevernice to read some of the stories that lingered on my mind. I was simply awestruck to them because of the plot or ending or moral values in the stories
Many thanks to @putrifariza @times.reads for introducing this book to me, adding to the collection of Malaysian cultures book recommendation 🙌🏻
November 10, 2021
The Elephant Trophy is 18 short stories depicting the lives of the Indian community in Malaysia. There are so many characters and issues involved, like gender, class, identity, socio-economics, politics, and domestic lives.
I have so many favourites but I especially enjoyed ‘Cikgu Ton’ because it reminded me of my school days in a national school in Malaysia. I also like ‘To the Cheramah’; it is like a modern-day Ali, Mutu and Ah Hock story (but with aunties instead) and it clearly shows race & class divides, but with kindness in the end.
‘Shooting the Breeze’ deals with gender and depression, but not from a character you would typically expect. The narrator is a kind friend listening to the protagonist's story and it makes the reader empathise with the protagonist too.
I enjoyed ‘The Ride’, a story about rich and poor school boys, and the elevator nicknamed Mulot was so interesting I wonder how the author came up with that. I also like the scheming uncle in ‘The Sunday Assassin’, the character is bitter but in a funny way.
‘Taxi Rescue’ was another one I enjoyed, about a taxi driver who picks up a drunk “stray” girl. The ending was unexpected and it makes you think about why some people are the way they are - in a perplexing sort of way.
I sense a recurrent theme throughout and it’s that the author writes with empathy for his characters, no matter how difficult, despised or dysfunctional they can be. There is a lot of kindness and desire for justice in many of the stories, and for some of them, like 'Cikgu Ton', I wished the story was longer because I want to know more!
I hope to read more of Paul's stories and hope that he will write a novel someday!!
I have so many favourites but I especially enjoyed ‘Cikgu Ton’ because it reminded me of my school days in a national school in Malaysia. I also like ‘To the Cheramah’; it is like a modern-day Ali, Mutu and Ah Hock story (but with aunties instead) and it clearly shows race & class divides, but with kindness in the end.
‘Shooting the Breeze’ deals with gender and depression, but not from a character you would typically expect. The narrator is a kind friend listening to the protagonist's story and it makes the reader empathise with the protagonist too.
I enjoyed ‘The Ride’, a story about rich and poor school boys, and the elevator nicknamed Mulot was so interesting I wonder how the author came up with that. I also like the scheming uncle in ‘The Sunday Assassin’, the character is bitter but in a funny way.
‘Taxi Rescue’ was another one I enjoyed, about a taxi driver who picks up a drunk “stray” girl. The ending was unexpected and it makes you think about why some people are the way they are - in a perplexing sort of way.
I sense a recurrent theme throughout and it’s that the author writes with empathy for his characters, no matter how difficult, despised or dysfunctional they can be. There is a lot of kindness and desire for justice in many of the stories, and for some of them, like 'Cikgu Ton', I wished the story was longer because I want to know more!
I hope to read more of Paul's stories and hope that he will write a novel someday!!
December 4, 2021
The Elephant Trophy and Other Stories by Paul Gnanaselvam is a collection of short stories with realistic representation revolving around the Indian community in Malaysia. The stories are are told from multiple perspectives and genres which makes it a really interesting read.
This book has 18 different stories, told in the pov of different characters and settings. For a book with 240 pages, it's packed in a lot of slice-of-life stories. Some are sad, relatable, intriguing, horrifying, painful and so much more. Solely focusing on diverse Indian tales from growing up, working life and even to the elderly.
This book is so unique and very well written. All the short stories are consistent when it comes to writing and it feels like the writer is constantly thinking out of the box with little details in life that we may have overlooked before. So, this book made me reflect on myself and ask how I can be better than before,
I don't think I would have picked this up myself so I'd have to thank Putri and Times Reads for recommending this book to me. This book is such a powerful read and I encourage more Malaysians to go read it.
This book has 18 different stories, told in the pov of different characters and settings. For a book with 240 pages, it's packed in a lot of slice-of-life stories. Some are sad, relatable, intriguing, horrifying, painful and so much more. Solely focusing on diverse Indian tales from growing up, working life and even to the elderly.
This book is so unique and very well written. All the short stories are consistent when it comes to writing and it feels like the writer is constantly thinking out of the box with little details in life that we may have overlooked before. So, this book made me reflect on myself and ask how I can be better than before,
I don't think I would have picked this up myself so I'd have to thank Putri and Times Reads for recommending this book to me. This book is such a powerful read and I encourage more Malaysians to go read it.
February 6, 2023
This anthology of 18 short stories offers a multitude of experiences to the reader. While the characters are predominantly from a Malaysian Indian community,the experiences could belong to just about anyone from diverse backgrounds.
The characters are set against their cultural beliefs and ties which at times conspire to work against them and at other times, help them make peace with their faith and community.
One story stood out for me and it was The Elephant Trophy which proferred diverse interpretations even after the third reading.
This is a collection of stories you can't put down and place back on the shelf-- it begs to be re-read.
The characters are set against their cultural beliefs and ties which at times conspire to work against them and at other times, help them make peace with their faith and community.
One story stood out for me and it was The Elephant Trophy which proferred diverse interpretations even after the third reading.
This is a collection of stories you can't put down and place back on the shelf-- it begs to be re-read.
Read
August 12, 2022superb collection of stories, The truth about Mo resonated with well me. The elephant trophy is worth reading again.
May 6, 2023
Honestly, I didn’t expect this collection to be composed of some disturbing short stories. I mean disturbing in a good way.
This collection made me uncomfortable in a way that made me realize how marginalized, underrepresented ethnicities may feel, especially when they are not residing in their home country.
I may not be Indian or Malaysian, but this book affected me as it tackled so many issues in our society today. Reading each story felt like my heart was being squeezed. I admit it wasn’t easy to read through this collection, but of course i had to keep on until the end because these stories are relevant, and must be read.
This collection made me uncomfortable in a way that made me realize how marginalized, underrepresented ethnicities may feel, especially when they are not residing in their home country.
I may not be Indian or Malaysian, but this book affected me as it tackled so many issues in our society today. Reading each story felt like my heart was being squeezed. I admit it wasn’t easy to read through this collection, but of course i had to keep on until the end because these stories are relevant, and must be read.
Read
May 29, 2023Book review published by the International Institute for Asian Studies, Netherlands.
By Sally Anne Param
Link: https://www.iias.asia/the-review/elep...
Although the English language is not the main language in Malaysia, it is heartening to know that short stories written in English have become a literary genre increasingly undertaken by Malaysians. This evidences the country’s burgeoning English literature scene, as quoted in both popular and academic narratives. It is within this growing literary milieu that The Elephant Trophy and Other Stories (referred to as TET and Others from now on) is reviewed. As the second published anthology of stories by author Paul Gnanaselvam, TET and Others is gaining global recognition.
The book is a great read, made up of eighteen stories, engaging the reader from the first page of the first story. All the author’s characters are of a Malaysian Indian descent, realistically delineated as they attempt to make meaning through their quotidian lives. The characters in TET and Others can enjoy the conventions that come with the genre of the short story: to be dwelt on more definitely within a concise plotline. And yet, this is where the author’s strength is more evident, having to be able to pack a brief and rich storyline with the interplay of socio-economic, political, and cultural elements as the background. This multi-layering of determinants acts as a lens that shapes the purpose of each story, whetting the reader’s appetite in understanding and appreciating the author’s oeuvre.
The stories in TET and Others are based on the lived reality of the Malaysian Indian post-colonial community, depicted within the diaspora imaginary. This community’s forefathers came to Malaya (as the country was then called) in the 18th century, due to British colonisation. The majority of the Indians came in as indentured labourers for the building of railways or the planting of rubber. A smaller number of Indian migrants came in as professionals to work in schools, hospitals, and government offices. Gnanaselvam weaves the recollection of these actualities as the backdrop setting to his stories, reminding readers that current characterizations have their roots in diasporic history. Whether it be the reference to similarities between India and Malaysia (‘The Identity Bargain’), being part of a school system (‘The Ride’), or keeping an office job (‘The Sunday Assassin’), the original scheme of things set up by the British occupation is alluded to.
Although citizens of the land, the Indian population remain silenced in local narratives until today due to political agendas. This is why the author chooses to give life and emotionality to this group through his stories. History needs to be rewritten, as it were, so that current realities that stem from historical ones can be talked about. Thus, readers of TET and Others have to contend with the consequences of the colonial ‘divide and rule’ policy, where marginalised Indians face discrimination as they attempt to beat the system of racialised inequalities. This harsh reality is what Gnanaselvam portrays as part of the everyday life of some of his characters. Komalam in ‘Komalam and the Market Women,’ Ramu in ‘Cikgu Ton,’ and Devi in ‘To The Cheramah’ are all examples of individuals who have to struggle to fight against what society has dealt them. Nevertheless, there are characters who are depicted as having comfortable lives, whose ‘problems’ are those that only the privileged experience. Anu in ‘Marigold Wedding’ schemes in materialising her migration plans, Vijayakumar in ‘Kari Curry’ bends backwards to clinch the sale of a high-end property, and Anjali in ‘Tropic Quest’ agrees to the use of the race card so that she can live independently on her own. The author has made a conscious effort to tandem both ends of the Malaysian Indian lifestyle: those who own cultural capital and those who do not. Some characters are shown to have more agency than others. Some characters are depicted with less tenacity in their search for a better life. These outcomes speak of the intricacies of human nature, captured through the competence of a skilled writer.
Although his work is fiction, Gnanaselvam aims to entrench the element of a lived experience in the representation of society in his stories. This is achieved by referring to actual places that exist on the map of Malaysia. Sungai Pari, the Hang Tuah station, and Jalan Gasing are examples of actual rivers, train stations, and roads in Malaysia. The description of food is another element that endears readers to the lived lives of the characters. Mooru (Indian yoghurt) is prepared using an earthen pot, curry leaves, and mustard seeds (in ‘Sellama and the Curried Prawns’). Trays of idli (Indian rice cakes), bowls of tomato chutney (Indian condiments), and saambar (Indian lentil stew) are served at Paati’s (grandmother’s) house in ‘The Elephant Trophy.’ Prawn fritters, potato chips, and chicken burgers are eaten in ‘Shooting the Breeze’ as an example of changing food choices for the urban young. The conscious use of proper nouns amidst vivid descriptions in the unfolding of each scene helps establish the Malaysian Indian experience for the readers.
The beauty of TET and Others is that at one level, the stories can exist just as short stories should – that is, with creatively constructed plotlines, characters, and settings. However, at another level, for the more perceptive reader, the diverse stories are telling of the characters’ search for identity in a multi-cultural society, where their own lived spaces are telling of a minority status and a diasporic past. In ‘Taxi Driver,’ Raju the taxi driver says it best when he tells the young aimless lass he has picked up, “You have a whole life ahead of you… You need to study, go to work, get married.” In a nutshell, these elements speak of a fulfilled life for the Malaysian Indian – to be successful at school, at the workplace, and in the family. The characters in TET and Others all live with the need to survive both external limitations and internal demons (real or perceived) that remind them of their marginalised existence.
These 18 slice-of-life stories support a greater story. Shaped by diaspora, Independence, nation-building, and globalisation, these colourful stories depict individual attempts to progress as Indians living in Malaysia. TET and Others is evidence of Paul Gnanaselvam’s triumph.
By Sally Anne Param
Link: https://www.iias.asia/the-review/elep...
Although the English language is not the main language in Malaysia, it is heartening to know that short stories written in English have become a literary genre increasingly undertaken by Malaysians. This evidences the country’s burgeoning English literature scene, as quoted in both popular and academic narratives. It is within this growing literary milieu that The Elephant Trophy and Other Stories (referred to as TET and Others from now on) is reviewed. As the second published anthology of stories by author Paul Gnanaselvam, TET and Others is gaining global recognition.
The book is a great read, made up of eighteen stories, engaging the reader from the first page of the first story. All the author’s characters are of a Malaysian Indian descent, realistically delineated as they attempt to make meaning through their quotidian lives. The characters in TET and Others can enjoy the conventions that come with the genre of the short story: to be dwelt on more definitely within a concise plotline. And yet, this is where the author’s strength is more evident, having to be able to pack a brief and rich storyline with the interplay of socio-economic, political, and cultural elements as the background. This multi-layering of determinants acts as a lens that shapes the purpose of each story, whetting the reader’s appetite in understanding and appreciating the author’s oeuvre.
The stories in TET and Others are based on the lived reality of the Malaysian Indian post-colonial community, depicted within the diaspora imaginary. This community’s forefathers came to Malaya (as the country was then called) in the 18th century, due to British colonisation. The majority of the Indians came in as indentured labourers for the building of railways or the planting of rubber. A smaller number of Indian migrants came in as professionals to work in schools, hospitals, and government offices. Gnanaselvam weaves the recollection of these actualities as the backdrop setting to his stories, reminding readers that current characterizations have their roots in diasporic history. Whether it be the reference to similarities between India and Malaysia (‘The Identity Bargain’), being part of a school system (‘The Ride’), or keeping an office job (‘The Sunday Assassin’), the original scheme of things set up by the British occupation is alluded to.
Although citizens of the land, the Indian population remain silenced in local narratives until today due to political agendas. This is why the author chooses to give life and emotionality to this group through his stories. History needs to be rewritten, as it were, so that current realities that stem from historical ones can be talked about. Thus, readers of TET and Others have to contend with the consequences of the colonial ‘divide and rule’ policy, where marginalised Indians face discrimination as they attempt to beat the system of racialised inequalities. This harsh reality is what Gnanaselvam portrays as part of the everyday life of some of his characters. Komalam in ‘Komalam and the Market Women,’ Ramu in ‘Cikgu Ton,’ and Devi in ‘To The Cheramah’ are all examples of individuals who have to struggle to fight against what society has dealt them. Nevertheless, there are characters who are depicted as having comfortable lives, whose ‘problems’ are those that only the privileged experience. Anu in ‘Marigold Wedding’ schemes in materialising her migration plans, Vijayakumar in ‘Kari Curry’ bends backwards to clinch the sale of a high-end property, and Anjali in ‘Tropic Quest’ agrees to the use of the race card so that she can live independently on her own. The author has made a conscious effort to tandem both ends of the Malaysian Indian lifestyle: those who own cultural capital and those who do not. Some characters are shown to have more agency than others. Some characters are depicted with less tenacity in their search for a better life. These outcomes speak of the intricacies of human nature, captured through the competence of a skilled writer.
Although his work is fiction, Gnanaselvam aims to entrench the element of a lived experience in the representation of society in his stories. This is achieved by referring to actual places that exist on the map of Malaysia. Sungai Pari, the Hang Tuah station, and Jalan Gasing are examples of actual rivers, train stations, and roads in Malaysia. The description of food is another element that endears readers to the lived lives of the characters. Mooru (Indian yoghurt) is prepared using an earthen pot, curry leaves, and mustard seeds (in ‘Sellama and the Curried Prawns’). Trays of idli (Indian rice cakes), bowls of tomato chutney (Indian condiments), and saambar (Indian lentil stew) are served at Paati’s (grandmother’s) house in ‘The Elephant Trophy.’ Prawn fritters, potato chips, and chicken burgers are eaten in ‘Shooting the Breeze’ as an example of changing food choices for the urban young. The conscious use of proper nouns amidst vivid descriptions in the unfolding of each scene helps establish the Malaysian Indian experience for the readers.
The beauty of TET and Others is that at one level, the stories can exist just as short stories should – that is, with creatively constructed plotlines, characters, and settings. However, at another level, for the more perceptive reader, the diverse stories are telling of the characters’ search for identity in a multi-cultural society, where their own lived spaces are telling of a minority status and a diasporic past. In ‘Taxi Driver,’ Raju the taxi driver says it best when he tells the young aimless lass he has picked up, “You have a whole life ahead of you… You need to study, go to work, get married.” In a nutshell, these elements speak of a fulfilled life for the Malaysian Indian – to be successful at school, at the workplace, and in the family. The characters in TET and Others all live with the need to survive both external limitations and internal demons (real or perceived) that remind them of their marginalised existence.
These 18 slice-of-life stories support a greater story. Shaped by diaspora, Independence, nation-building, and globalisation, these colourful stories depict individual attempts to progress as Indians living in Malaysia. TET and Others is evidence of Paul Gnanaselvam’s triumph.
January 31, 2022
Disclaimer. I personally know the author and he kindly gave me a copy of his book as a present.
I've been reading Paul's work for quite a number of years now and it's clear that he has grown as a writer during that time. The Elephant Trophy and Other Stories features what is to my mind some of his best work yet.
For me the standout story here is Masalodeh. It is both a brave and slightly humorous piece that tackles subjects often considered taboo or too hot to handle in culturally diverse Malaysia.
Paul's stories foreground the Malaysian Indian experience and serve as a reminder of how often that experience is pushed aside or ignored or downright denied. There is a controlled undercurrent of righteous anger in many of these stories that could in less careful hands have overridden the narrative. Instead Paul uses this as fuel to build up a head of steam that propels these stories forward, making this collection very readable and an important testimony of a community that is overlooked and sidelined far too often in modern ethno-nationalist Malaysia.
I've been reading Paul's work for quite a number of years now and it's clear that he has grown as a writer during that time. The Elephant Trophy and Other Stories features what is to my mind some of his best work yet.
For me the standout story here is Masalodeh. It is both a brave and slightly humorous piece that tackles subjects often considered taboo or too hot to handle in culturally diverse Malaysia.
Paul's stories foreground the Malaysian Indian experience and serve as a reminder of how often that experience is pushed aside or ignored or downright denied. There is a controlled undercurrent of righteous anger in many of these stories that could in less careful hands have overridden the narrative. Instead Paul uses this as fuel to build up a head of steam that propels these stories forward, making this collection very readable and an important testimony of a community that is overlooked and sidelined far too often in modern ethno-nationalist Malaysia.
August 6, 2023
One of the best short story collections I have read in a long time!
Beautiful, flowing, descriptive writing; memorable and lovable characters that would have you rooting for them!
I especially like it when there is a twist; I chuckled at the ingenuity of the characters, and the writer for crafting such wonderfully delicious plot.
I also like it when there are nostalgic or touching moments that really strike a chord with me, because I have thought the same thing or I have been through such moments.
All the scenarios feel very realistic, and true to life.
I feel privileged that the writing resonated with me.
It was such a delightful read and I look forward to more of his work in the future!
Beautiful, flowing, descriptive writing; memorable and lovable characters that would have you rooting for them!
I especially like it when there is a twist; I chuckled at the ingenuity of the characters, and the writer for crafting such wonderfully delicious plot.
I also like it when there are nostalgic or touching moments that really strike a chord with me, because I have thought the same thing or I have been through such moments.
All the scenarios feel very realistic, and true to life.
I feel privileged that the writing resonated with me.
It was such a delightful read and I look forward to more of his work in the future!
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