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The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told
The twenty-three stories in The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told represent some of the finest short fiction in Gujarati literature. Selected and edited by translator and writer Rita Kothari, this collection features established literary masters such as K. M. Munshi, Dhumketu, Himanshi Shelat, Dalpat Chauhan, Nazir Mansuri, and Mona Patrawalla, as well as accomplished new voices such as Panna Trivedi, Abhimanyu Acharya, Raam Mori, and others. In K. M. Munshi's epistolary 'A Letter', a childbride is worked to her death as she yearns for her husband's affection; in Neerav Patel's 'Creamy Layer', the politicized, urban, and upwardly mobile Mr and Mrs Vaghela must confront the deep chasm that has grown between them and their family in the village; in Panna Trivedi's 'Maajo', the story's eponymous young narrator longs for butter-soft skin and a Shah Rukh-like glance from a young man on the train; in ' The Fortunate Wife', Dwiref explores the selfish and oppressive nature of marital sex; in 'A Drop of Blood' Jayant Khatri looks at how violent acts engender more violence; Mona Patrawalla explores the tribal region of the Dangs and paints a hair raising picture of the violent forms of power wielded by the Parsi landlords there in 'The Black Horse'; in Dashrath Parmar's 'Nandu', the narrator struggles to hide his caste in the face of insistent questions; in 'Jumo Bhishti' by Dhumketu, we see the wonderful bond between Jumo and his beloved buffalo, Venu; and in Abhimanyu Acharya's 'Chunni', a young woman, Shaili, navigates the world of dating in a city far away from home-these and other stories in the collection are passionate, profound, and timeless, showcasing a range of styles and offering a variegated and singular picture of Gujarat.
- GenresIndiaShort Stories
260 pages, Hardcover
Published January 5, 2022
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125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 20, 2023
Gujarat has come to be associated with a set of signs – vegetarian food, caste-based politics, entrepreneurship, a world-wide diaspora, and the present Hindu nationalist right-wing ruling dispensation. However, these stories reflect that what is seen in the rest of India is also prevalent in equal amounts in Gujarat - horny husbands, bickering housewives, a post-modern Metamorphosis, child brides, inequality in caste and gender, domestic violence, the contemporary dating scene in the form of Tinder etc. The stories from different eras and in different styles – but all eminently readable.
April 20, 2022
Of the ones that make this collection a good read: 'Saubhagyavati' by RV Pathak looks at the way a woman's body and mind is ravaged within her marriage by her husband even as socially, she is hailed as the fortunate/blessed one. It is a blistering commentary on marital rape and consent without once using the said terms, leaving a powerful effect effect in its despair. 'Doors' by Himanshi Shelat looks at how women and young girls across the country today continue to defecate in the public with not a shred of privacy, dignity and safety ensured. The story unfolds from an almost acceptance of the status quo and looks at safety concerns around women and young girls within the home and in the outside world. Along with the theme of the story, the writing pulls you in.
Nightmare by MInal Dave is a terse, taut story on how one's fear drives prejudice and bias, leading to profiling of people who are unlike us in terms of their religion, what they wear etc. It is a story that is relevant today and which asks the important question of what is happening to us and where we have lost our empathy. A few other stories leave a mark in term of the narrative style, in the writing but overall, this is a mixed bag. But if as a reader, you want to discover writing from across languages, you should look this up definitely.
The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told from Aleph selected and edited by Rita Kothari works as an introduction to the world of Gujarati literary writing through short stories.. Having read the translated works of Dhumketu or Dalpat Chauhan, it was lovely to read 1 more story by the authors in this anthology while discovering a few other authors. But of all the books I have read in the series (am yet to read the Telugu and Urdu anthologies), this is the most uneven: of the 23 stories in the selection, a few shine unparalleled while the rest falter in terms of the writing or the expression or plot developments. There are only a few writing by women but the ones featured stand out tall.
Nightmare by MInal Dave is a terse, taut story on how one's fear drives prejudice and bias, leading to profiling of people who are unlike us in terms of their religion, what they wear etc. It is a story that is relevant today and which asks the important question of what is happening to us and where we have lost our empathy. A few other stories leave a mark in term of the narrative style, in the writing but overall, this is a mixed bag. But if as a reader, you want to discover writing from across languages, you should look this up definitely.
The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told from Aleph selected and edited by Rita Kothari works as an introduction to the world of Gujarati literary writing through short stories.. Having read the translated works of Dhumketu or Dalpat Chauhan, it was lovely to read 1 more story by the authors in this anthology while discovering a few other authors. But of all the books I have read in the series (am yet to read the Telugu and Urdu anthologies), this is the most uneven: of the 23 stories in the selection, a few shine unparalleled while the rest falter in terms of the writing or the expression or plot developments. There are only a few writing by women but the ones featured stand out tall.
March 24, 2022
Reading Kashmiri stories and Gujarati stories back to back made me realise how diverse Indian culture really is. Not that I didn't know that already, but to actually get the proof first hand is something entirely different and almost feels surreal. But one thing that also affirmed is my belief is that at the end of the day, we are all bound by a human connection with feeling drawn along the different axes yet meeting at tangents. That's the power of stories. When told from a raw perspective, stories have the power to transport the readers to the worlds they speak of, in a way that isn't quite different from physical transportation.
Gujarati stories impart the unique essence of Gujarat. I haven't read Gujarati literature before, but reading these short pieces has compelled me to jot down a mental note to buy more Gujarati translated literature the next time I go book shopping. Gujarat, one of the most important states of India has always Influenced people on politics, food and culture. The minute one thinks of Gujarat, they think of garba, or dhokla and thepla and of course, of political affluence. But but but, Gujarat is so much more than what is visible to the non-Gujarati and this book is here to reveal just that. Translator Rita Kothari's work here is phenomenal. She was able to showcase Gujarat both at its best and at its worth. She has succesfully removed the veil to show us the portrait of a state that's raw, real, personal and unkempt.
Gujarati stories impart the unique essence of Gujarat. I haven't read Gujarati literature before, but reading these short pieces has compelled me to jot down a mental note to buy more Gujarati translated literature the next time I go book shopping. Gujarat, one of the most important states of India has always Influenced people on politics, food and culture. The minute one thinks of Gujarat, they think of garba, or dhokla and thepla and of course, of political affluence. But but but, Gujarat is so much more than what is visible to the non-Gujarati and this book is here to reveal just that. Translator Rita Kothari's work here is phenomenal. She was able to showcase Gujarat both at its best and at its worth. She has succesfully removed the veil to show us the portrait of a state that's raw, real, personal and unkempt.
February 7, 2022
‘The Greatest Gujarati stories ever told’ was frankly my first exposure to the legacy of Gujarati Literature. Rita Kothari’s experience in translation in trustworthy, therefore I delved into the book feeling that I would soon be welcomed by a coherent, well-curated, thoughtful set of stories that will familiarise me with the kind of lives borne out of Gujarat. I wasn’t disappointed.
Kothari writes in her introduction: “…Gujarat has come to be associated with….the political power of Hindu nationalism….This present-ness is likely to shape our responses to both the production and reception of its literature, if at all we think of Gujarat in context of literature!…One hopes that this act of translation and the discussions surrounding Gujarati literature will nudge Gujarat to own up to its own multiplicities. At the same time, it might help a non-Gujarati reader to appreciate the less acknowledged aspect of Gujarat.”
The introduction flourishes quite well, and reading the piece along with the stories—you might not need a review, or even a critical discourse that can nudge you to read the book. It is all very subtle, the way Gujarat blooms through these writers and how they approach this influential state of Western India.
Kothari chooses the stories by allotting a very sensible emphasis to portray the shift from rural living to rapid urbanisation, the changing tides of values and morales that gets associated with your daily routine. Most of these stories are based deeply in rural or lesser urbanised contexts, but many of them point very ably towards the glittering cosmopolitan that exists not too far. I liked this choice to be honest, because in a way I wanted to know the heart of Gujarat—the land that exists in the towns and villages, and not in flyovers and cars. Through this journey, these Gujarati writers mostly accumulate in two looming pillars of Indian literature—caste and gender, and how their strata dominates Indian living in majority. Kothari writes in her introduction, “This anthology aims to contribute to an understanding of the region, add nuance to the idea of Gujarat…This collection also hopes to hint at the differences in the realm of the social and personal and provide a variegated and unsettled picture of Gujarat, showing how Gujarat itself is constituted by multitudes, each with challenges of its own; and how, on some days, being human is an aspiration, not a fact.”
I didn’t know much about Gujarat up till quite recently, maybe because I was too naive and ignorant to gather understanding of a state that holds no direct relation with me. But I am glad I picked this particular book, and I am also quite grateful that my introduction to Gujarat was through stories— and not through news and jugglery of journalists. Keeping aside all the political colours and battle of words, it is difficult for a non-Gujarati to appreciate Gujarat from the bottom of their heart, since this perspective will largely be curtailed by fabricated, decorated, arranged notions of the Gujarati community, all pointing to some agenda of governance and public policy.
As I wade across these translated anthologies from various parts of India— quite recently I read short stories in Tamil, Assamese, Malayalam— I come to a very large realisation that would be cumbersome for me to put to words. I will say that I see the deep-rooted contexts of India, shaped by generations of differences and harmony—and this realisation is not limited to a particular community, ethnicity or even language—this aspect of fragmented India is indeed very conjoined and aggregated, adding to my humble understanding of this intimidating subcontinent.
Kothari tries to hint at this conjecture yet again in her erudite introduction, and you can easily replace ‘Gujarat’ and ‘Gujarati’ here with any other state and any language born out of it : “…the Gujarati literary community would look for signs of familiarity in this anthology, totems of association, and nostalgia for the stories they grew up on, had conversations with, and remembered as great. Whether a selection such as this fully confirms that that memory is an open matter, for it has been done with a view to making these stories speak to each other, and sometimes disagree with each other.”
Thanks Aleph for my copy.
Kothari writes in her introduction: “…Gujarat has come to be associated with….the political power of Hindu nationalism….This present-ness is likely to shape our responses to both the production and reception of its literature, if at all we think of Gujarat in context of literature!…One hopes that this act of translation and the discussions surrounding Gujarati literature will nudge Gujarat to own up to its own multiplicities. At the same time, it might help a non-Gujarati reader to appreciate the less acknowledged aspect of Gujarat.”
The introduction flourishes quite well, and reading the piece along with the stories—you might not need a review, or even a critical discourse that can nudge you to read the book. It is all very subtle, the way Gujarat blooms through these writers and how they approach this influential state of Western India.
Kothari chooses the stories by allotting a very sensible emphasis to portray the shift from rural living to rapid urbanisation, the changing tides of values and morales that gets associated with your daily routine. Most of these stories are based deeply in rural or lesser urbanised contexts, but many of them point very ably towards the glittering cosmopolitan that exists not too far. I liked this choice to be honest, because in a way I wanted to know the heart of Gujarat—the land that exists in the towns and villages, and not in flyovers and cars. Through this journey, these Gujarati writers mostly accumulate in two looming pillars of Indian literature—caste and gender, and how their strata dominates Indian living in majority. Kothari writes in her introduction, “This anthology aims to contribute to an understanding of the region, add nuance to the idea of Gujarat…This collection also hopes to hint at the differences in the realm of the social and personal and provide a variegated and unsettled picture of Gujarat, showing how Gujarat itself is constituted by multitudes, each with challenges of its own; and how, on some days, being human is an aspiration, not a fact.”
I didn’t know much about Gujarat up till quite recently, maybe because I was too naive and ignorant to gather understanding of a state that holds no direct relation with me. But I am glad I picked this particular book, and I am also quite grateful that my introduction to Gujarat was through stories— and not through news and jugglery of journalists. Keeping aside all the political colours and battle of words, it is difficult for a non-Gujarati to appreciate Gujarat from the bottom of their heart, since this perspective will largely be curtailed by fabricated, decorated, arranged notions of the Gujarati community, all pointing to some agenda of governance and public policy.
As I wade across these translated anthologies from various parts of India— quite recently I read short stories in Tamil, Assamese, Malayalam— I come to a very large realisation that would be cumbersome for me to put to words. I will say that I see the deep-rooted contexts of India, shaped by generations of differences and harmony—and this realisation is not limited to a particular community, ethnicity or even language—this aspect of fragmented India is indeed very conjoined and aggregated, adding to my humble understanding of this intimidating subcontinent.
Kothari tries to hint at this conjecture yet again in her erudite introduction, and you can easily replace ‘Gujarat’ and ‘Gujarati’ here with any other state and any language born out of it : “…the Gujarati literary community would look for signs of familiarity in this anthology, totems of association, and nostalgia for the stories they grew up on, had conversations with, and remembered as great. Whether a selection such as this fully confirms that that memory is an open matter, for it has been done with a view to making these stories speak to each other, and sometimes disagree with each other.”
Thanks Aleph for my copy.
July 17, 2023
My third book in this series, I now come to The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told, an anthology created by Rita Kothari, a renowned Sindhi Gujarati author who has written several books om language and partition. But this anthology is uniquely Gujarati and depicts Gujarat in a multifaceted manner.
Kothari specifically refrained from buying into the rhetoric about Gujarat that is persistent both within the state and without and includes militant vegetarianism, dhandho, and of course, our beloved (/s) ruling party. Instead, she chooses a more organic approach to tell the story of Gujarat in a more comprehensive manner.
Some of my favourites are:
Creamy Layer by Neerav Patel : This is a brilliant story about how some members of disadvantaged communities make it good in life, but it also distances them from their roots and their families, and hence their support systems. The term 'creamy layer' in this case is both political and literal and is marvellously interweaved into the narrative.
Vaadki by Bhupen Khakhar : This one is a rather humorous tale surrounding the disappearance of a 'vaadki' or bowl. When Jamna becomes obsessed with its disappearance, her husband Jamnadas decides he has to find it by hook or by crook. Only, too many sexual escapades are exposed in the process.
Nandu by Dashrath Parmar : A Dalit man has a chance meeting with a fellow village boy in a distant town. The boy is beyond delighted to meet someone from 'home' and follows him around like a puppy. However, despite himself working a good job and the boy working as a servant in a guesthouse, caste rears its ugly head. Can a 12-year old boy be already infected with this poison?
The Invasion by Dalpat Chauhan : Natho singlehandedly breaks taboos of generations by not only farming his own field but also making it difficult for the upper caste people to retaliate. He is both smart and strong. A bit Bollywoodish but eminently satisfying!
Name: Nayana Rasik Mehta by Varsha Adalja : A battered woman finally gets her courage together to lodge a police complaint against her husband and mother-in-law. The police try to dissuade her but she manages to hold her own against the prevalent social narrative of 'adjustment'. Set in Mumbai!
The Twenty-First Tiffin by Raam Mori : One of the last stories in the collection, a tired wife and cranky mother runs the household by cooking and selling lunches to young men. The daughter is tired of her mother's behaviour but when the twenty first young man pays a visit to praise her food, she sees her mother bloom in front of her eyes.
Some of these stories are very vivid and excellently told, but are balanced by pretty long and boring stories such as The Death of Maaja Vela and The Bilge Water. These two were too long and the anthology would have scored even higher without their inclusion. In a collection of 23 short stories, 8 of them are written by women. That's a pretty good score and shows that despite its reputation, Gujarat must have a pretty decent literary scene.
Off to Goa now!
Kothari specifically refrained from buying into the rhetoric about Gujarat that is persistent both within the state and without and includes militant vegetarianism, dhandho, and of course, our beloved (/s) ruling party. Instead, she chooses a more organic approach to tell the story of Gujarat in a more comprehensive manner.
Some of my favourites are:
Creamy Layer by Neerav Patel : This is a brilliant story about how some members of disadvantaged communities make it good in life, but it also distances them from their roots and their families, and hence their support systems. The term 'creamy layer' in this case is both political and literal and is marvellously interweaved into the narrative.
Vaadki by Bhupen Khakhar : This one is a rather humorous tale surrounding the disappearance of a 'vaadki' or bowl. When Jamna becomes obsessed with its disappearance, her husband Jamnadas decides he has to find it by hook or by crook. Only, too many sexual escapades are exposed in the process.
Nandu by Dashrath Parmar : A Dalit man has a chance meeting with a fellow village boy in a distant town. The boy is beyond delighted to meet someone from 'home' and follows him around like a puppy. However, despite himself working a good job and the boy working as a servant in a guesthouse, caste rears its ugly head. Can a 12-year old boy be already infected with this poison?
The Invasion by Dalpat Chauhan : Natho singlehandedly breaks taboos of generations by not only farming his own field but also making it difficult for the upper caste people to retaliate. He is both smart and strong. A bit Bollywoodish but eminently satisfying!
Name: Nayana Rasik Mehta by Varsha Adalja : A battered woman finally gets her courage together to lodge a police complaint against her husband and mother-in-law. The police try to dissuade her but she manages to hold her own against the prevalent social narrative of 'adjustment'. Set in Mumbai!
The Twenty-First Tiffin by Raam Mori : One of the last stories in the collection, a tired wife and cranky mother runs the household by cooking and selling lunches to young men. The daughter is tired of her mother's behaviour but when the twenty first young man pays a visit to praise her food, she sees her mother bloom in front of her eyes.
Some of these stories are very vivid and excellently told, but are balanced by pretty long and boring stories such as The Death of Maaja Vela and The Bilge Water. These two were too long and the anthology would have scored even higher without their inclusion. In a collection of 23 short stories, 8 of them are written by women. That's a pretty good score and shows that despite its reputation, Gujarat must have a pretty decent literary scene.
Off to Goa now!
April 5, 2022
A collection of twenty- three stories, together representing the finest of Gujarati literature. K. M. Munshi, Nazir Mansuri, Himanshi Shelat, Bhupen Khakhar, Jayant Khatri and many more eminent literacy figures find mention in this collection.
These stories are a reflection of human emotions, together they bring out a narrative, not only of our society but also of us, who've always delegated responsibility of our shortcomings on the restrictions; either emotional, physical or mental; imposed by the constituents of society.
A letter, the black horse, Nandu, Chunni, together in this compilation they've shown how time has changed but what remains constant is the restrictions and prejudice of the constituents of society.
These stories are a reflection of human emotions, together they bring out a narrative, not only of our society but also of us, who've always delegated responsibility of our shortcomings on the restrictions; either emotional, physical or mental; imposed by the constituents of society.
A letter, the black horse, Nandu, Chunni, together in this compilation they've shown how time has changed but what remains constant is the restrictions and prejudice of the constituents of society.
March 25, 2022
Synopsis
The twenty-three stories in The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told represent some of the finest short fiction in Gujarati literature. Selected and edited by translator and writer Rita Kothari, this collection features established literary masters such as K. M. Munshi, Dhumketu, Himanshi Shelat, Dalpat Chauhan, Nazir Mansuri, and Mona Patrawalla, as well as accomplished new voices such as Panna Trivedi, Abhimanyu Acharya, Raam Mori, and others.
In K. M. Munshi’s epistolary ‘A Letter’, a childbride is worked to her death as she yearns for her husband’s affection; in Neerav Patel’s ‘Creamy Layer’, the politicized, urban, and upwardly mobile Mr and Mrs Vaghela must confront the deep chasm that has grown between them and their family in the village; in Panna Trivedi��s ‘Maajo’, the story’s eponymous young narrator longs for butter-soft skin and a Shah Rukh-like glance from a young man on the train; in ‘Saubhagyavati: The Fortunate Wife’, Dwiref explores the selfish and oppressive nature of marital sex; in ‘A Drop of Blood’ Jayant Khatri looks at how violent acts engender more violence; Mona Patrawalla explores the tribal region of the Dangs and paints a hairraising picture of the violent forms of power wielded by the Parsi landlords there in ‘The Black Horse’; in Dashrath Parmar’s ‘Nandu’, the narrator struggles to hide his caste in the face of insistent questions; in ‘Jumo Bhishti’ by Dhumketu, we see the wonderful bond between Jumo and his beloved buffalo, Venu; and in Abhimanyu Acharya’s ‘Chunni’, a young woman, Shaili, navigates the world of dating in a city far away from home—these and other stories in the collection are passionate, profound, and timeless, showcasing a range of styles and offering a variegated and singular picture of Gujarat.
My Take
What drew me to this book was its title "The Greatest Gujrati Stories Ever Told " In schools, we were asked to read books by Enid Blyton or Nancy Drew series. During highschools, we were asked to read books by Shakespeare (As you like it and The merchant of Venice) so I never really got a chance to explore our Indian Literature much, This was my first experience with Gujarati literature.
This book has around 23 short stories by different authors each covering and targeting different subjects. Some of these stories are thought-provoking. A few short stories that I really liked was Subhagyavati: The fortunate wife, Nightmare, the death of Maaja Vela, Vaadki & Maajo. I relate to a few of them.
In my opinion, this book represents the finest Gujrati Fiction and Rita Kothari has done a great job. this book is not for light reading, some stories are really heavy and intriguing. Gujrat and these stories have left an imprint on my heart forever and I can't wait to read and explore more Gujrati Fiction.
The twenty-three stories in The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told represent some of the finest short fiction in Gujarati literature. Selected and edited by translator and writer Rita Kothari, this collection features established literary masters such as K. M. Munshi, Dhumketu, Himanshi Shelat, Dalpat Chauhan, Nazir Mansuri, and Mona Patrawalla, as well as accomplished new voices such as Panna Trivedi, Abhimanyu Acharya, Raam Mori, and others.
In K. M. Munshi’s epistolary ‘A Letter’, a childbride is worked to her death as she yearns for her husband’s affection; in Neerav Patel’s ‘Creamy Layer’, the politicized, urban, and upwardly mobile Mr and Mrs Vaghela must confront the deep chasm that has grown between them and their family in the village; in Panna Trivedi��s ‘Maajo’, the story’s eponymous young narrator longs for butter-soft skin and a Shah Rukh-like glance from a young man on the train; in ‘Saubhagyavati: The Fortunate Wife’, Dwiref explores the selfish and oppressive nature of marital sex; in ‘A Drop of Blood’ Jayant Khatri looks at how violent acts engender more violence; Mona Patrawalla explores the tribal region of the Dangs and paints a hairraising picture of the violent forms of power wielded by the Parsi landlords there in ‘The Black Horse’; in Dashrath Parmar’s ‘Nandu’, the narrator struggles to hide his caste in the face of insistent questions; in ‘Jumo Bhishti’ by Dhumketu, we see the wonderful bond between Jumo and his beloved buffalo, Venu; and in Abhimanyu Acharya’s ‘Chunni’, a young woman, Shaili, navigates the world of dating in a city far away from home—these and other stories in the collection are passionate, profound, and timeless, showcasing a range of styles and offering a variegated and singular picture of Gujarat.
My Take
What drew me to this book was its title "The Greatest Gujrati Stories Ever Told " In schools, we were asked to read books by Enid Blyton or Nancy Drew series. During highschools, we were asked to read books by Shakespeare (As you like it and The merchant of Venice) so I never really got a chance to explore our Indian Literature much, This was my first experience with Gujarati literature.
This book has around 23 short stories by different authors each covering and targeting different subjects. Some of these stories are thought-provoking. A few short stories that I really liked was Subhagyavati: The fortunate wife, Nightmare, the death of Maaja Vela, Vaadki & Maajo. I relate to a few of them.
In my opinion, this book represents the finest Gujrati Fiction and Rita Kothari has done a great job. this book is not for light reading, some stories are really heavy and intriguing. Gujrat and these stories have left an imprint on my heart forever and I can't wait to read and explore more Gujrati Fiction.
May 21, 2022
“If inequality of caste and gender remains a recurring phenomenon, it is a reflection of how, as a society, we continue to be assailed by this reality.”
What first caught my eye was the editor’s note. She mentioned how given the current political climate, people don’t realise that Gujarat has given some great works of literature which try to erase such perceptions.
The stories deal with multiple themes, peeling the layers of the society’s skin, penetrating the psyche of all the classes and castes. The stories touch upon issues pertaining to women like domestic violence, marital rape from the perspective of a woman from a well-to-do upper class family, sexual abuse, menstruation from the outlook of a woman from a socially economic backward class, the grim reality of open defecation and caste politics, jumping to conclusions regarding someone’s religion due to our inherent biases etc. The stories showcase the hustle and bustle of the city life from nosy neighbours and safety issues to the life in the countryside with its caste barriers.
Like any short story collection, I enjoyed some stories but the others not so much. The writing is crisp and at times it feels open ended, compelling the readers to think long after they are done reading. This anthology is an introduction to new voices in the realm of tales from Gujarat.
I would have liked to read stories that focused more on the culture and food and life in Gujarat instead of just societal injustices. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy those stories because I did like them and the perspective they provided, which is different from journalistic writings.
It is difficult to represent a state only through 23 tales. But this anthology is a worthy endeavour in bringing these stories to the fore and making the masses aware of such instances that continue to persist.
“The tongue is a boneless creature and slipping is its character, you see.”
P.S: I'd a great time interacting with the editor of this anthology, Rita Kothari ☺️.
Thank you to Aleph for a copy.
What first caught my eye was the editor’s note. She mentioned how given the current political climate, people don’t realise that Gujarat has given some great works of literature which try to erase such perceptions.
The stories deal with multiple themes, peeling the layers of the society’s skin, penetrating the psyche of all the classes and castes. The stories touch upon issues pertaining to women like domestic violence, marital rape from the perspective of a woman from a well-to-do upper class family, sexual abuse, menstruation from the outlook of a woman from a socially economic backward class, the grim reality of open defecation and caste politics, jumping to conclusions regarding someone’s religion due to our inherent biases etc. The stories showcase the hustle and bustle of the city life from nosy neighbours and safety issues to the life in the countryside with its caste barriers.
Like any short story collection, I enjoyed some stories but the others not so much. The writing is crisp and at times it feels open ended, compelling the readers to think long after they are done reading. This anthology is an introduction to new voices in the realm of tales from Gujarat.
I would have liked to read stories that focused more on the culture and food and life in Gujarat instead of just societal injustices. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy those stories because I did like them and the perspective they provided, which is different from journalistic writings.
It is difficult to represent a state only through 23 tales. But this anthology is a worthy endeavour in bringing these stories to the fore and making the masses aware of such instances that continue to persist.
“The tongue is a boneless creature and slipping is its character, you see.”
P.S: I'd a great time interacting with the editor of this anthology, Rita Kothari ☺️.
Thank you to Aleph for a copy.
January 28, 2022
Truly The Greatest
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hey guys, it's been quite some time since I read some amazing fiction short stories.
That's when I decided to pick this one up.
The GREATEST gujarati short stories ever told.
So what's fascinated me... It was the title at first.
The GREATEST.
This books holds 23 short stories by 23 writers.
These short stories are said to be selected to form a profound, passionate and timeless collection offering a picture of Gujrat.
The stories are indeed very vivid and focus on a large spectrum of subjects.
Every story is distinctive in its own way, they are powerful and thought provoking. Making justice to the title.
I love reading short stories but a good one, that's difficult to find.
Almost every story in this books holds the potential to fascinate you with the plot, story and thoughts.
This is certainly something I won't be reading merely for purposes of light reading.
The stories are profound, short yet dense.
Making every page a worthy read.
It is the subject basically which makes it a memorable read. Even if I was not able to relate to some stories It was easy to connect and understand, this offers quite an impactful reading experience.
Though it would be difficult to represent GUJARAT with a collection of only 23 stories but this book does a good job.
The book sleeve Design is decent, it is minimal and looks Clean, beautiful to hold.
The book hardcover is of same colour as of sleeve, but haves nothing on front or back, just the name on the spine.
Not too much in love with Design of the book I was expecting a equally amazing Design as the stories, but it is pretty good. It offers a premium feel when held
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hey guys, it's been quite some time since I read some amazing fiction short stories.
That's when I decided to pick this one up.
The GREATEST gujarati short stories ever told.
So what's fascinated me... It was the title at first.
The GREATEST.
This books holds 23 short stories by 23 writers.
These short stories are said to be selected to form a profound, passionate and timeless collection offering a picture of Gujrat.
The stories are indeed very vivid and focus on a large spectrum of subjects.
Every story is distinctive in its own way, they are powerful and thought provoking. Making justice to the title.
I love reading short stories but a good one, that's difficult to find.
Almost every story in this books holds the potential to fascinate you with the plot, story and thoughts.
This is certainly something I won't be reading merely for purposes of light reading.
The stories are profound, short yet dense.
Making every page a worthy read.
It is the subject basically which makes it a memorable read. Even if I was not able to relate to some stories It was easy to connect and understand, this offers quite an impactful reading experience.
Though it would be difficult to represent GUJARAT with a collection of only 23 stories but this book does a good job.
The book sleeve Design is decent, it is minimal and looks Clean, beautiful to hold.
The book hardcover is of same colour as of sleeve, but haves nothing on front or back, just the name on the spine.
Not too much in love with Design of the book I was expecting a equally amazing Design as the stories, but it is pretty good. It offers a premium feel when held
February 25, 2022
Translated literature gives a potential for different cultural and social traditions, and we gain access to new perspectives on topical issues. The Aleph series ‘The Greatest Stories Ever Told’ is a treasury to the translated regional literature.
The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told is my first acquaintance with Gujrati literature. Short stories have been one of the most used forms of literature in the Gujrati community, and these short stories demonstrate the social affairs embedded in the Gujarati community. For instance, the very first published Gujarati short story ‘Govalini’ by Malaynil is about a woman from the cowherd community and her autonomy and wit that puts the educated narrator to shame and causes him great embarrassment. K. M. Munshi's early stories also have a satirical streak that exposes the hypocrisy of the upper-caste Gujratis in the Bombay Presidency.
This collection of twenty-three stories represents the polychromatic picture of Gujrat, beyond its political image of Hindu majoritarianism.
Stories in this help log help to explore the true meaning of Gujrat, both to its inhabitants as well as readers outside. Kothari's selection of stories is extraordinary and most of them are based in rural Gujrat. Follows stories from classical to contemporary, covering a broader and broader spectrum of subject matter: castes, class, gender and identity. The narrative is sharp and eloquent. I highly recommend this read.
The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told is my first acquaintance with Gujrati literature. Short stories have been one of the most used forms of literature in the Gujrati community, and these short stories demonstrate the social affairs embedded in the Gujarati community. For instance, the very first published Gujarati short story ‘Govalini’ by Malaynil is about a woman from the cowherd community and her autonomy and wit that puts the educated narrator to shame and causes him great embarrassment. K. M. Munshi's early stories also have a satirical streak that exposes the hypocrisy of the upper-caste Gujratis in the Bombay Presidency.
This collection of twenty-three stories represents the polychromatic picture of Gujrat, beyond its political image of Hindu majoritarianism.
Stories in this help log help to explore the true meaning of Gujrat, both to its inhabitants as well as readers outside. Kothari's selection of stories is extraordinary and most of them are based in rural Gujrat. Follows stories from classical to contemporary, covering a broader and broader spectrum of subject matter: castes, class, gender and identity. The narrative is sharp and eloquent. I highly recommend this read.
April 13, 2022
Ever since I started reading books, I haven’t explored much of Indian Literature, I have just read 2-3 books based on it. After reading this book, I realised that I know nothing about my own country as in schools also we were never asked to read books on Indian culture, just some fables were available.
The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told is a compilation of 23 short stories translated from Gujarati. All these stories cover different topics and are very inspiring. They make you think about different scenarios.
Being my first Gujarati literature, it has touched my heart, now I’m very eager to explore more of it. Rita Kothari has done an excellent job. I highly recommend all Indians give this book a shot.
Some of my favourite stories are Vaadki & Maajo and The Fortunate Wife.
The Greatest Gujarati Stories Ever Told is a compilation of 23 short stories translated from Gujarati. All these stories cover different topics and are very inspiring. They make you think about different scenarios.
Being my first Gujarati literature, it has touched my heart, now I’m very eager to explore more of it. Rita Kothari has done an excellent job. I highly recommend all Indians give this book a shot.
Some of my favourite stories are Vaadki & Maajo and The Fortunate Wife.
July 14, 2025
Hooter: Selection of translated Gujarati works covering abject poverty to unsatiated lovemaking.
I have heard of these authors from parents and relatives through the journals and periodicals where their short stories have been published. To find a translated anthropology is a goldmine to start with. I am not sure if these stories haven't aged well or lost in translation - a lot of them feel like empty shells devoid of character or emotion or maybe the color is in the vernacular.
There are a few that do capture the essence even in the translation like Sowbhagyavati ( the untold violence of marital sex) , Maajo ( the fleeting nature of external beauty), Jumo Bhisti ( the unconditional love of a pet parent and pet) and the light hearted Vaadki ( the missing bowl unravelling mysteries of the society)
That said - Rita had managed to capture a diversity of topics treading across caste, gender, open defecation, loyalty, economic inequality, friendship and infidelity and captures the wider diaspora of Gujarat beyond certain stereotypes that mainstream media have propagated.
An honest attempt at curating these short stories - some shine and some have lost their lustre in the translation.
I have heard of these authors from parents and relatives through the journals and periodicals where their short stories have been published. To find a translated anthropology is a goldmine to start with. I am not sure if these stories haven't aged well or lost in translation - a lot of them feel like empty shells devoid of character or emotion or maybe the color is in the vernacular.
There are a few that do capture the essence even in the translation like Sowbhagyavati ( the untold violence of marital sex) , Maajo ( the fleeting nature of external beauty), Jumo Bhisti ( the unconditional love of a pet parent and pet) and the light hearted Vaadki ( the missing bowl unravelling mysteries of the society)
That said - Rita had managed to capture a diversity of topics treading across caste, gender, open defecation, loyalty, economic inequality, friendship and infidelity and captures the wider diaspora of Gujarat beyond certain stereotypes that mainstream media have propagated.
An honest attempt at curating these short stories - some shine and some have lost their lustre in the translation.
June 13, 2025
I finished the entire book and it left me empty and frustrated. The quality of the stories were exellent as individual stories but as a collection having each story revolving either around caste or women drove a point home but make the book less resounding.
I understand these topics are important but being a Gujarati and being exposed to various forms Gujarati culture, this book did not capture the vibrance, diversity and multifaceted experience that is essence of being a Gujarati.
I am not usually the one to compare but I read Greatest Odia short stories of this collection and it was amazing, the only theme of the book was that the writers were from Orissa. An anthology such as this need not have two themes, I wished it had stories spanning genres that would make you laugh, cry and scare.
I understand these topics are important but being a Gujarati and being exposed to various forms Gujarati culture, this book did not capture the vibrance, diversity and multifaceted experience that is essence of being a Gujarati.
I am not usually the one to compare but I read Greatest Odia short stories of this collection and it was amazing, the only theme of the book was that the writers were from Orissa. An anthology such as this need not have two themes, I wished it had stories spanning genres that would make you laugh, cry and scare.
December 6, 2025
2.5 is more where my head is at.
I picked up this book in India, to learn more ably famous tales - it’s a good effort to collect stories from gujarati writers - that are set across India.
They vary in depth, length and engagement - some had come from the 1950s, with a heavy focus on caste, others from 2010s with a tinder story. Some were a struggle to read, others I sped through.
I have a slight issue that these short stories, are overwhelmingly negative. They don’t tell a stories of happiness, there is no feeling of connection or joy to champion. There is a common theme of domestic abuse, caste hierarchy, and femicide - which I think needs to be balanced with the pockets of progressiveness that exist.
I picked up this book in India, to learn more ably famous tales - it’s a good effort to collect stories from gujarati writers - that are set across India.
They vary in depth, length and engagement - some had come from the 1950s, with a heavy focus on caste, others from 2010s with a tinder story. Some were a struggle to read, others I sped through.
I have a slight issue that these short stories, are overwhelmingly negative. They don’t tell a stories of happiness, there is no feeling of connection or joy to champion. There is a common theme of domestic abuse, caste hierarchy, and femicide - which I think needs to be balanced with the pockets of progressiveness that exist.
December 30, 2023
Good poolside read on holiday.
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