TRUTH DIGGER: THE BEST OF SHOVON CHOWDHURY

by Shovon Chowdhury, Urmila Chowdhury, Sandipan Deb

The very best work of the acclaimed humorist Shovon Chowdhury

The author of the critically acclaimed dystopian novels The Competent Authority and Murder with Bengali Characteristics, Shovon Chowdhury was a writer with a razor-sharp wit whose work blended the bizarre with the profound. Part-jester, part-rationalist, he employed his terrific sense of humour (often directed at himself) to put an absurd spin on reality. Besides generous excerpts from his widely praised novels, in the section entitled ‘The Investigator’ the book presents a selection from his longest-running column with the tagline ‘We dig for the truth. So you don’t have to’; ‘We the People’ is a series of reactions to the increasingly bewildering political world; ‘The 4-Minute Manager™’ aims to make a management guru out of everyone; ‘Ask Uncle’ carries advice from your friendly neighbourhood uncle; ‘What If’ presents alternate histories from the Chinese capturing Assam to Madhuri never performing ‘Ek, Do, Teen’ and more; also included are poetry and the previously unpublished piece, ‘I Lost My Trousers in Tiljala’.

Wildly funny, thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining, Truth Digger pays tribute to one of our finest comic writers.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2022

About the author

Bio
Shovon Chowdhury is a Delhi-based amateur humourist. His blog, India Update has been widely condemned. He is also the creator of The Trilokpuri Incident, a research project on Facebook which is investigating something no one can remember.
He has completed one novel, The Competent Authority. It took him eleven years, because he can only type with one finger.
In his spare time, he does advertising work for clients who cannot find anyone cheaper. His work as co-author of the Very Rich Whitebook for the National Council of Applied Economic Research has left him deeply prejudiced against the very rich. His grandfather ran away from Dhaka to escape Japanese bombing in 1945, not realizing that the war was about to end, and arrived in Calcutta just in time for the Great Calcutta Killings of 1946. These shared family experiences have left him deeply averse to sudden movement, which is why he has lived in Delhi for the last twenty years.
He is too old to immigrate, but too young to give up.

Biblio

India Update, ongoing. A news site dedicated to giving the true picture.

http://shovonc.wordpress.com

The Trilokpuri Incident, ongoing. A research report on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tri...

The Competent Authority, a novel.

A Suitable Girl, short story.

Reviews

[Srija · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of the book and the cover page is intriguing. The title of the book has kindled my eagerness to dig it. The author hasn't missed proving the collection's integrity. This book is a collection of the writer as well as the acclaimed humorist Shovon Chowdhury's 8 columns, 3 short fiction and 9 poems. These works are blended with the unprecedented situation of life engrossed with prolific humour.

These 8 columns have been published in the "Hindu Business Line". These columns are short in length but it has dealt with the profound irony of an unusual situation in life. It makes me pause and think about the consequences of his keen eye for momentous problems in society.

The three novels' topics are very unique and humorous. At the same time makes you think about the fact of it. Extremely thought-provoking. I used to feel how sharp he is in his perspective on life. The political touch in these novels is too remarkable and erratic.

The last part of this book is a collection of 9 poems. All of them are moderate. They make me feel oh, yeah. Such fact full visions. Language is rational. Rich in taste which gives a crisp read. Sometimes I feel sceptical but they are adequate.

Overall, I recommend this book to all. Everyone must read this book to feel amused and taste the humour. The delightful thought-provoking moderate perspective of the author has been overlapped throughout the reading.

[Debabrata Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In Between
The Beginning & the end
Are lots of men
Who know the men
Behind them"
👉𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:-
📚ⓉⒾⓉⓁⒺ:- Truth Digger : The Best of Shovon Chowdhury
🖋️ⒶⓊⓉⒽⓄⓇ:- Urmila Chowdhury & Sandipan Deb
🗞️ⓅⓊⒷⓁⒾⓈⒽⒺⓇ:- Aleph Publication
🔤ⓁⒶⓃⒼⓊⒶⒼⒺ:- English
📖ⒻⓄⓇⓂⒶⓉ:- Paperback
👉𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:-
This is a compilation of some good columns, fiction stories & poems which are written by Shovon Chowdhury.
.
The columns are about very diversified topics like "the investigator" which was his longest running column for Hindu Business line & many more which are discussed here in the book.
.
In the fiction section there are three parts which are discussed
1. The competent Authority
2. The Man who turned into Gandhi
3. I lost my trousers in Tiljala
.
The last section is poems where author's beautifully penned down poems are assembled. The poems are about "middle men", "tomorrow never dies in Delhi", "Big Red Flashie Light", "Mama's Pizza", "Man of Glass" , "Stitching", " The Grumblies of the No-No", "Uncle's Invention" & Life.
.
To know more about them grab the book & give it a try.
👉𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 :-
🙂 Cover of the book is simple with a portray of the author that attracts you to buy it.
🙂 Writting style of the book is quite a compilation type. Here author compiled many outstanding write ups by the author.
🙂 Language used in the book is great. It's simple crisp & quite easily understandable to read.
🙂 The way author put forward the book from a completely new view point it gives a crisp experience of reading.
🙂 The poems are especially very much amusing to read they are light but had a very deep impact in your mind & heart.
🙂 The way author emphasized the articles or columns it gives you a clear cut idea about the conspiracy theory.
🙂 Pace of the book is quite moderate. It's not very fast nor very slow. Author described many things in a detailed manner but that never makes you feel bored while reading it.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑:-🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Suyogaya Awasthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read”.

Being 272 pages long, the underlying storyline of the book revolves around a collection of stories as created by the author himself and when humor is added to the equation, the result is the book at hand. Delving further, the book has been divided into several chapters with each of them being divided into separate categories including Columns, Humor, etc. The foreword of the book briefly encapsulates the whole of the author during his early years and as the times progressed further. The first section of the book belongs to the columns section begins with the chapter titled “The Investigator” whose content can be surmised from the title itself as it features stories of investigation with a social premise and owing to its precise content all the wrongdoers were put in their place despite their power and position. The other chapters are titled:-“The Investigator, We The People, Ask Uncle, What If, etc. When one adds to the equation other chapters including- The Competent Authority, The Man who turned Gandhi, etc., a combined fashion showcase many relatable elements for the readers which adds to the readability. As the chapters progress further, each of the chapters features a unique storyline and context, however, the shared commonality of humor and social angle always keeps intact the cohesive strength of the book.

The writing style of the book has been kept simple and easy to understand and the narration style and the language style verily resemble a very free flow of thought of the author. Additionally, the clarity aspect of the book can be easily ascertained from the titles themselves as each of them is capable of giving the readers many guesses as to what is the underlying context of each of the chapters as can be seen from titles such as:- We The People, Health is Wealth, etc. The combined effect of each of them remains to be that it is a must-read for anyone willing to go for a cherishing read and for someone willing to honor the absolute splendor of the departed author and his legacy.

[Christeena Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hey!
Wait!
No!
Damn!
Shit!
Really?
Over. "
~ "Life"(poem) by Shovon Chowdhury

Shovon Chowdhury was a name I haven't heard of until I read this book and a name Iam sure I won't ever forget due to the impact he had on me through his words.What a brilliant writer!

Writing humour is no laughing matter. While some hardly make you laugh,only gifted writers can really make you laugh hard. Shovon in that case is the dada of finest humour who never fails to hit the nails right on the head and never leaves any stones unturned.

"Truth Digger:the best of Shovon Chowdhury" edited by Urmila Chowdhury and Sandipan Deb is a tribute to this eminent writer who, through his longest running column 'digged the truth' and served it to his readers in a funny but thought-provoking manner. From personal anecdotes to his views on politics, arts, books, celebrities and even on pancreas (everyone should read it first I think) his writings are honest, realistic but most importantly entertaining.

"Ask Uncle" which is in a letter exchange format (epistles) is my most favorite column. Here he talks about what one should do if one's grandmother is talking to the furniture (depends on whether the furniture is talking back to her ), or if you love a girl and her father wants to kill you, or if you're sceptical to whom to vote - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? , or if you are doubtful which country to move to (Sweden is very nice, although cuisine may not suit you. France's cuisine is good, but people may not suit you) . I think the universal appeal to the question-answer exchange will make you love this column. Kindly consider my request and read this first, maybe??

Oh wait, are you having an exam right now? Read "Exam Stress Decoded" first. There's no tips and tricks offered but I guarantee you a hearty laugh - good to relieve stress, right? Maybe you must be in your 40s, then read " Men Over 40 who gym" but after reading don't come at me🙊 Just married huh? "Why my wardrobe is almost empty" is just for you. Into bollywood? "Bollywood in peril due to declining birth rate" suits your taste buds. "

"Revealed: pollution in Delhi due to smoking by Nehru" will quench the thirst of the political buff in you. There's atleast a column everyone can relate to, not a single column which can't make you laugh, many columns which you won't forget. That's how effective Chowdhury is! Don't miss out this book!!

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

works of fiction and poems. Extremely refreshing, witty and on-point writing tinged with humour make this book a worthy compilation, that a reader must invest in for the meaningful yet entertaining narratives.Sparing none, not even his own self Shovon Chowdhury communicated.Extremely thought-provoking. I used to feel how sharp he is in his perspective on life. The political touch in these novels is too remarkable and erratic.

The first section of the book belongs to the columns section begins with the chapter titled “The Investigator” whose content can be surmised from the title itself as it features stories of investigation with a social premise and owing to its precise content all the wrongdoers were put in their place despite their power and position.served it to his readers in a funny but thought-provoking manner. From personal anecdotes to his views on politics, arts, books, celebrities and even on pancreas.

The Man who turned Gandhi, etc., a combined fashion showcase many relatable elements for the readers which adds to the readability.These columns are short in length but it has dealt with the profound irony of an unusual situation in life.

The way author put forward the book from a completely new view point it gives a crisp experience of reading.
Loved the tributes he wrote for the Beatles even more.the author explain beautiful and the book is quite interesting.the writting style is beautiful and the language is easy and understand.

I obsessed with the title so i choice this book .

[Anurupa Ghosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of Shovon Chowdhury's excerpts from his famous newspaper column in The Hindu as well as extracts from his stimulating novels that inspires you to think out of the box.

This book is a satirical take on the various events that has taken place nationally or locally which the readers can taste it with a pinch of salt and digest the dark humour behind the stories.

VERDICT
Pros:
1) I must appreciate and applaud the author's sharp intellect for condensing the nation's mood throughout the years within short stories laced with humour. The stories were gripping which can induce bouts of chuckles throughout the read.

2) I admire the medium to heavy dose of sarcasm used in the stories which looks effortlessly placed. You can't help but stifle a laugh.

3) One of the catchy factors of the book is its hilariously astonishing headlines which prods the reader to actually go ahead and find out the core matter.

Cons:
Though the stories were written as isolated cases with no continuity, I was craving for more extensions due to which the endings seemed abrupt to me.

Overall, a wonderful read which can lift up your mood and must-try for everyone who want a taste of intellectual humour.

[Rakhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

National Reading Day has gone by and left behind several questions regarding reading and the purpose of reading. What we take home while we read is also an important factor that decides how we evolve as a human being. While we are mulling over it, I came across a collection of articles by a writer of extraordinary craft. Shovon Chakraborty is a master of satire and stalwart of literature.

Truth Digger - The Best Of Shovon Chakraborty



The author is natural in bringing forth the humor while exposing the reality. He has spared none and holds an unbiased approach towards every aspect be it politics, history or any walks of life for that matter.

From the extracts of his long running series in The Hindu to the excerpts from his novels he has given the readers a literary treat. His narrative holds a depth that force the readers to think beyond the obvious. At some points i had to read the passage twice or thrice to absorb his message.

The author had invariably left me thinking about the social set up of this country. A collection of thought-provoking pieces with some entertaining aspects.

[Craartology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth Digger: The Best of Shovon Chowdhury is a crisp collection of the man’s very best contributions as columns, works of fiction and poems. Extremely refreshing, witty and on-point writing tinged with humour make this book a worthy compilation, that a reader must invest in for the meaningful yet entertaining narratives. Sparing none, not even his own self Shovon Chowdhury wields his pen to write about the profound in the mundane quite effectively.

Extremely refreshing, witty and on-point writing tinged with humour make this book a worthy compilation, that a reader must invest in for the meaningful yet entertaining narratives. Sparing none, not even his own self Shovon Chowdhury communicated about the profound in the mundane quite effectively.

Of all that I’ve read and enjoyed I loved reading the columns of “The Investigator”; Chowdhury’s longest running columns in the Hindu Business Line. Those subtle digs bring a quirk that is impactful, leaving it a lasting space in the mind of the reader.

[Bookish Buddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth Digger: The Best of Shovon Chowdhury

Have you read any previous works by Shovon Chowdhury? Well, it's never late. You can read it anytime. I'm so delighted to know more about Shovon and his works through this book. The author was one of the greatest and most hilarious chronicles of all time.

Do you enjoy reading humour? Who doesn't? Right? Have you tried to put humour into words or crack a joke? We will understand the difficulty behind it when we actually try it ourselves. Trust me, it is damn hard. Shovon has established a record of his own that is pretty admirable. His razor-sharp wit is thought provoking and leaves a mark on readers' minds.

I really enjoyed the narrative and the writing style. I'm so glad that I got to read this book. Truth Digger consists of columns, fiction and poems. The columns were interesting and it was something new for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to you guys as well. Do check it out.

[Pavireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's cover is straightforward, featuring a portrait of the author that entices you to purchase it.
The book's writing style is more of a collection. The author has accumulated numerous excellent articles in this section. The book's language is excellent. It's straightforward and straightforward to read. The author's presentation of the book from an entirely unique perspective creates a sharp reading experience.
The poems are very fun to read because they are light but leave a lasting impression on your mind and emotions.
The author's emphasis on the articles or columns provides a clear picture of the conspiracy hypothesis. The book moves at a reasonable pace. It's neither quick nor easy.