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Children of Decay
In an empty, barren moor, beside a polluted river and a dead forest lives a solitary old man performing a long-forgotten craft.
He is rumored to have murdered his own wife and children.
A powerful family's ancient purity has been broken as the banyan tree representing the sanctity of their name has started to decay.
So, to fulfill a prophecy, they must open an underground cellar for the first time in centuries.
Only days before the fated night, an escaped convict recites a dream that earns him a place at the estate and the family's prodigal youngest son disappears!
These are the absurdities our protagonists-a young man from the capital and a fisherman boy with a mysterious past-must face, as they partake in a journey where they confront the perils of growing into the realities of adulthood.
Children of Decay portrays a closed social environment-seen through the eyes of a witness narrator-filled with absurdity where industrialization has polluted not only nature in its literal sense, but also the spirit and conscience of people. But it also shows hope to restore, rebuild and reincarnate.
He is rumored to have murdered his own wife and children.
A powerful family's ancient purity has been broken as the banyan tree representing the sanctity of their name has started to decay.
So, to fulfill a prophecy, they must open an underground cellar for the first time in centuries.
Only days before the fated night, an escaped convict recites a dream that earns him a place at the estate and the family's prodigal youngest son disappears!
These are the absurdities our protagonists-a young man from the capital and a fisherman boy with a mysterious past-must face, as they partake in a journey where they confront the perils of growing into the realities of adulthood.
Children of Decay portrays a closed social environment-seen through the eyes of a witness narrator-filled with absurdity where industrialization has polluted not only nature in its literal sense, but also the spirit and conscience of people. But it also shows hope to restore, rebuild and reincarnate.
280 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2023
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Gopi Bain
1 book9 followersGopi Bain is an author who likes to tackle the hard questions with his writing. Born in a South East Asian nation, he had lived a vast majority of his life there. He currently resides in Melbourne, Australia where he immigrated to in 2013.
Movement has been a constant theme in Gopi’s life. Through the years, he had experienced rapid societal and cultural changes across classes, generations and geographies – observing urbanisation and materialism pollute both physical and human nature, while also experiencing clash and conflict of cultural identity. He likes to explore these themes through his writing.
Gopi is a strong believer of stories that provoke introspection and induce enjoyment. His stories span across genres, but can be identified by their characteristic twists and turns that use absurdity as a literary tool to create memorable plots, characters and ideas.
Movement has been a constant theme in Gopi’s life. Through the years, he had experienced rapid societal and cultural changes across classes, generations and geographies – observing urbanisation and materialism pollute both physical and human nature, while also experiencing clash and conflict of cultural identity. He likes to explore these themes through his writing.
Gopi is a strong believer of stories that provoke introspection and induce enjoyment. His stories span across genres, but can be identified by their characteristic twists and turns that use absurdity as a literary tool to create memorable plots, characters and ideas.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 8, 2023
A prophecy involving a decaying tree and the ruling family’s disrepute, a setting on a river islet, a cast of interesting characters, and a whiff of spirituality and societal issues, what a fantastic combination!
The title and book cover opened up my imagination to all sorts of possibilities, and I was not disappointed. There was a good lead up into what the prophecy would reveal. Would it help or shame the rulers?
In the meantime, we hear the folklore laced in history. Bishnu, a local fisherboy knows all the stories. Are there supernatural entities roaming the foggy swamps? Are they messing with the humans? Or are the humans messing with things they should leave alone? Bishnu chaperones the city-dweller protagonist around the local haunts, introducing him to an outcast flute-maker, and to a childhood friend of the ruling family on the islet. The pair are invited to The Gathering (the prophecy reveal) as guests tasked with the responsibility of keeping the rebellious youngster (of the rulers) under control. Good luck with that…
By not naming the protagonist, the reader feels as though they are the “city dweller” granted access to the hidden world of another culture. In this role, we can witness the effects of power, religion, quasi-religion, spirituality, ownership, and the fighting spirit of the people. Kudos to Bain.
We also get to experience some dysfunctional family drama (of the rulers). The kind of drama where you don’t know why the family are speaking so openly about each other’s jit but you can’t leave in case you miss something juicy ;).
The writing was so beautiful that on the odd occasion where you were hoping for things to move forward, you were kept entranced in the language of the land and water. Speaking of language, we were treated with some really cool new Bangla words that I’d doubt have succinct translations in english. I was desparately looking up maps at every mention of a place to see where this was set, however it remains untold. Bain fortunately acknowledged the people of the Bangladeshi villages so I am going to have to be content to visualise this as Bangladesh.
The only lingering qualm was that the protagonist lacked motivation for being so involved in the story. The prestige of being from the city as a reason for inviting him into personal family conflict conversations was not fully explained.
At some points I felt that this was in the same calibre as one of my favourite books, The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh. A fantastic debut novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The title and book cover opened up my imagination to all sorts of possibilities, and I was not disappointed. There was a good lead up into what the prophecy would reveal. Would it help or shame the rulers?
In the meantime, we hear the folklore laced in history. Bishnu, a local fisherboy knows all the stories. Are there supernatural entities roaming the foggy swamps? Are they messing with the humans? Or are the humans messing with things they should leave alone? Bishnu chaperones the city-dweller protagonist around the local haunts, introducing him to an outcast flute-maker, and to a childhood friend of the ruling family on the islet. The pair are invited to The Gathering (the prophecy reveal) as guests tasked with the responsibility of keeping the rebellious youngster (of the rulers) under control. Good luck with that…
By not naming the protagonist, the reader feels as though they are the “city dweller” granted access to the hidden world of another culture. In this role, we can witness the effects of power, religion, quasi-religion, spirituality, ownership, and the fighting spirit of the people. Kudos to Bain.
We also get to experience some dysfunctional family drama (of the rulers). The kind of drama where you don’t know why the family are speaking so openly about each other’s jit but you can’t leave in case you miss something juicy ;).
The writing was so beautiful that on the odd occasion where you were hoping for things to move forward, you were kept entranced in the language of the land and water. Speaking of language, we were treated with some really cool new Bangla words that I’d doubt have succinct translations in english. I was desparately looking up maps at every mention of a place to see where this was set, however it remains untold. Bain fortunately acknowledged the people of the Bangladeshi villages so I am going to have to be content to visualise this as Bangladesh.
The only lingering qualm was that the protagonist lacked motivation for being so involved in the story. The prestige of being from the city as a reason for inviting him into personal family conflict conversations was not fully explained.
At some points I felt that this was in the same calibre as one of my favourite books, The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh. A fantastic debut novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2022
This is a beautifully written, rich and evocative book.
The story melds complex relationships, interactions with the environment and spirituality in a complex dance that weaves literary prose and profound concepts together seemlessly. The individual voices are clear and distinctive, and the interplay between the characters moves the plot forward towards its inevitable conclusion with the flow that speaks to the heart.
Highly recommended.
The story melds complex relationships, interactions with the environment and spirituality in a complex dance that weaves literary prose and profound concepts together seemlessly. The individual voices are clear and distinctive, and the interplay between the characters moves the plot forward towards its inevitable conclusion with the flow that speaks to the heart.
Highly recommended.
December 7, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of Children of Decay for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If I were to review Gopi Bain's debut novel in a single word, that word would be “beautiful.” “Beautiful” likely isn’t the word that comes to your mind after reading the book’s title, Children of Decay, a headline that hints at darkness within its pages, but it's a dichotomy that simply adds to the book’s beauty.
From its opening page, the author paints a picturesque image of India and those who inhabit it. While industrialisation plays a part in Children of Decay, thereby placing it within the modern day, the novel’s world feels as though it sits outside of time. The author presents a snapshot so arresting that its era almost doesn’t matter; its presentation is timeless. This is a piece of literary fiction, it’s a mystery, it’s a thriller, it’s a coming of age story. But above all, it feels like a fable.
While Children of Decay isn’t a particularly long read, it packs so much in: an opening with a flute maker, then a fisherman, the interactions of a powerful family, prophecies, murders, and mythologies. These threads are expertly together, taking the time to luxuriate in the scenery, while also presenting the mundanities of life. Not a page is wasted as the author packs the aforementioned elements, and more, in, while moving it forward at a deliberate pace.
Told in four parts, the book touches on spirituality, mythology and humanity. It looks at both the Hindu and Muslim religions, including their respective mythologies, through its characters and the differences they look to, and their commonality as humans. As it explores the darkness humans are capable of, it presents an optimistic theme and an underlying sense of hope.
The prose is clear and crisp. Beautifully easy to follow, it isn’t particularly flowery. Instead, what appears to be simple language is carefully crafted to give all the information the reader needs while allowing their imagination to work. The descriptions feel magical, ensuring the reader will be lost within the words and transported inside the book. Given its setting, there are a number of words many readers won’t recognise, but the author has handily included footnotes for these, presented in an educational and inviting tone.
A large part of the prose’s success is thanks to the book’s narrator. The character is unnamed, with the world seen through his viewpoint. He is an engaging character, but largely acts as a witness to the book’s events. The remaining characters are beautifully drawn. The author has a wonderful ear for dialogue, with it all feeling natural, while also fitting with the fable-like delivery of the story, and the majestic feel of its prose. Through most of the book, Children of Decay isn't heavy on dialogue. There are exceptions where more emphasis is placed on the dialogue, including instances where multiple paragraphs are spoken by single character. Such instances work to the story’s benefit, and the conversations its narrator bears witness to.
Children of Decay has been edited wonderfully, and the proofreading ensures the book is largely free of typos. In an early chapter, a few sentences don’t start with a capital letter, but the remainder doesn’t include such errors. It’s not enough to dampen my enjoyment of the book, and I also read this a number of months prior to its release: it’s entirely possible those missing capitals will be replaced by its release.
In a single word, Children of Decay is beautiful. Touching on some wonderful themes, it presents a message of hope while presenting dark moments. The prose stunningly conveys everything it needs to about a magical world populated by brilliant characters. Children of Decay needs to be read.
My full review will be available on my website from 28 December 2022. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
If I were to review Gopi Bain's debut novel in a single word, that word would be “beautiful.” “Beautiful” likely isn’t the word that comes to your mind after reading the book’s title, Children of Decay, a headline that hints at darkness within its pages, but it's a dichotomy that simply adds to the book’s beauty.
From its opening page, the author paints a picturesque image of India and those who inhabit it. While industrialisation plays a part in Children of Decay, thereby placing it within the modern day, the novel’s world feels as though it sits outside of time. The author presents a snapshot so arresting that its era almost doesn’t matter; its presentation is timeless. This is a piece of literary fiction, it’s a mystery, it’s a thriller, it’s a coming of age story. But above all, it feels like a fable.
While Children of Decay isn’t a particularly long read, it packs so much in: an opening with a flute maker, then a fisherman, the interactions of a powerful family, prophecies, murders, and mythologies. These threads are expertly together, taking the time to luxuriate in the scenery, while also presenting the mundanities of life. Not a page is wasted as the author packs the aforementioned elements, and more, in, while moving it forward at a deliberate pace.
Told in four parts, the book touches on spirituality, mythology and humanity. It looks at both the Hindu and Muslim religions, including their respective mythologies, through its characters and the differences they look to, and their commonality as humans. As it explores the darkness humans are capable of, it presents an optimistic theme and an underlying sense of hope.
The prose is clear and crisp. Beautifully easy to follow, it isn’t particularly flowery. Instead, what appears to be simple language is carefully crafted to give all the information the reader needs while allowing their imagination to work. The descriptions feel magical, ensuring the reader will be lost within the words and transported inside the book. Given its setting, there are a number of words many readers won’t recognise, but the author has handily included footnotes for these, presented in an educational and inviting tone.
A large part of the prose’s success is thanks to the book’s narrator. The character is unnamed, with the world seen through his viewpoint. He is an engaging character, but largely acts as a witness to the book’s events. The remaining characters are beautifully drawn. The author has a wonderful ear for dialogue, with it all feeling natural, while also fitting with the fable-like delivery of the story, and the majestic feel of its prose. Through most of the book, Children of Decay isn't heavy on dialogue. There are exceptions where more emphasis is placed on the dialogue, including instances where multiple paragraphs are spoken by single character. Such instances work to the story’s benefit, and the conversations its narrator bears witness to.
Children of Decay has been edited wonderfully, and the proofreading ensures the book is largely free of typos. In an early chapter, a few sentences don’t start with a capital letter, but the remainder doesn’t include such errors. It’s not enough to dampen my enjoyment of the book, and I also read this a number of months prior to its release: it’s entirely possible those missing capitals will be replaced by its release.
In a single word, Children of Decay is beautiful. Touching on some wonderful themes, it presents a message of hope while presenting dark moments. The prose stunningly conveys everything it needs to about a magical world populated by brilliant characters. Children of Decay needs to be read.
My full review will be available on my website from 28 December 2022. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
January 16, 2023
If you're interested in exploring Islamic culture interwoven with a complex story of dysfunctional family relationships not only at war with one another for power but also with the outsiders they invite into their home under the guise of friendship, then this book is for you.
It was difficult to know where I was being led as I began Children of Decay, and it was far from my usual genre, but the settings drew me into Bain's created world and I had the idea this was an unearthly place with magic, folklore, evil and good all rolled into one.
Just when you think all the surprises are done, along comes another, and that's all I will say without giving away the plot.
It's obvious the author loves all things culinary, describing how dishes are made in great detail and I learned a great deal about the culture overall. I only hope I retain some of the new words I learned - there are 77 of these, all referenced.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy and broadening my ignorant mind.
It was difficult to know where I was being led as I began Children of Decay, and it was far from my usual genre, but the settings drew me into Bain's created world and I had the idea this was an unearthly place with magic, folklore, evil and good all rolled into one.
Just when you think all the surprises are done, along comes another, and that's all I will say without giving away the plot.
It's obvious the author loves all things culinary, describing how dishes are made in great detail and I learned a great deal about the culture overall. I only hope I retain some of the new words I learned - there are 77 of these, all referenced.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy and broadening my ignorant mind.
February 15, 2023
I received an advanced copy of Children of Decay in return for an honest review.
From the first page, the reader is captivated by the landscape of, what I assume is, Bangladesh. Gopi Bain writes eloquently and beautifully to set the scene for a book about religion, family, surprises, murder and some folklore. The book starts off slowly to establish a character-driven premise, but then it promptly rewards the reader for their patience by plunging them into a captivating plot through scenery and exchanges that drive the novel forward. The prose and dialogue is elegant and each scene is deliberate and unwasted.
My other enjoyment with the book is that Gopi Bain introduces many cultural elements into the novel and rather than assuming the reader knows all the cultural terms, he also includes non-judgemental footnotes for the curious reader. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the culture and the different dishes, attire, expressions and nicknames.
I'd highly recommend Children of Decay to any reader.
From the first page, the reader is captivated by the landscape of, what I assume is, Bangladesh. Gopi Bain writes eloquently and beautifully to set the scene for a book about religion, family, surprises, murder and some folklore. The book starts off slowly to establish a character-driven premise, but then it promptly rewards the reader for their patience by plunging them into a captivating plot through scenery and exchanges that drive the novel forward. The prose and dialogue is elegant and each scene is deliberate and unwasted.
My other enjoyment with the book is that Gopi Bain introduces many cultural elements into the novel and rather than assuming the reader knows all the cultural terms, he also includes non-judgemental footnotes for the curious reader. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the culture and the different dishes, attire, expressions and nicknames.
I'd highly recommend Children of Decay to any reader.
February 13, 2023
Children of Decay by Gopi Bain is typical of Literary fiction in that it’s a story for the purpose of exploring our humanness. Set on a river islet with a decaying tree prophecy and a disreputable ruling family, the expectation of a fantasy tale didn’t materialise. Rather, its purpose was to raise multiple issues, such as urbanisation, materialism, pollution, human nature and cultural identity, in order to make you think. The narrative was somewhat laborious at times and the characters muddling, making for an overall humdrum two stars read rating. Overall, this book may not suit readers seeking a more escapist enjoyment, failing to absorb the reader into it, as the best literature, irrespective of genre does. With thanks to Gopi Bain (the author), for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
February 15, 2023
A good read for those who don't like classic American style horror.
Set in a rural Indian village we are introduced to the main characters one at a time. As the story continues the reader will grow more curious about unanswered questions. Questions that build a small sense of unease. Despite the unease, your guard will be let down by the deceptive tranquility until the explosive climax. All of your unanswered questions will become clear afterward.
A horrifying tragedy with a hopeful ending.
Set in a rural Indian village we are introduced to the main characters one at a time. As the story continues the reader will grow more curious about unanswered questions. Questions that build a small sense of unease. Despite the unease, your guard will be let down by the deceptive tranquility until the explosive climax. All of your unanswered questions will become clear afterward.
A horrifying tragedy with a hopeful ending.
February 23, 2023
Brilliant story - immensely captivating with unforgettable characters.
June 19, 2024
Children of Decay
When I read a story in a genre I’m not normally associated with I always give an extra star to offset any bias. So I give Children of Decay 3* + 1*
Now, I’m gonna say for the most part I enjoyed Children of Decay. It was a well-rounded and decent read. It kept my attention (not easy).
I loved being in a part of the world I know nothing of. I love the love and acceptance of the characters within. I love that people from different religions become great friends and have great respect for each other. We live in such a toxic world that sometimes it feels like that’s not possible anymore.
But I did have some problems with it.
The first is that I was expecting some kind of low-key fantasy/spiritual tale. There is a lot of set-up for “Something” outside the natural realm. And that did not eventuate. I have no issues with the main story being grounded in reality. But when we, as the reader, are given a lot of focus on myths and legends one does desire something more, even if it’s subtle and in the background. It would’ve made the overall story somewhat more satisfying (to me personally anyway).
The protagonist also troubled me for two reasons.
1.) The protagonist isn’t named. They’re just given titles and affectionate descriptions. Like Beloved Guest, and dear friend, or something to do with being from the city. I couldn’t help but think of being introduced to someone in real life but forgetting their name, and instead of asking again you kind of just hover around, sidestepping it as much as possible, hoping someone else will say their name so you don’t have to embarrass yourself. That’s what it felt like to me. Nobody asks his name, they give descriptors instead, but everybody calls each other by their names. It just doesn’t fit.
2.) The other thing about the protagonist is that they contribute nothing to the story. But unlike Indiana Jones, there was nothing compelling about their personality or their journey that made their non-contribution worthwhile. The Honoured Guest is flat and mostly boring. A quarter of their dialogue feels like it's all them just asking what others mean. Their entire existence feels little more than a vessel for the real characters to reflect their thoughts and ways while avoiding “exposition”. But it still is exposition. So it didn’t really work. He did have his own moments, bringing his own thoughts to the group. But they were too far and few between.
I also got the feeling the writer wanted us to feel like we’re the protagonist. But it didn’t work because I’m nothing like that character and at times I wanted to just whack him. I loved his company, I didn’t love him.
Another issue is that I struggled to remember who was who. The main characters were no issue. But characters we see less of I struggled to remember. The author relied on us remembering their names when there were long gaps between meetings. The flute maker for instance. I couldn’t remember his name (I still don’t know it, lol) he was in the start of the book and at the end. But it wasn’t until several pages into our second encounter that I realised who he was. This could’ve easily been avoided if the writer put a visual cue (such as him being the flute maker) when he reappears near the end of the book. As such several characters left me scratching my head, trying to remember their involvement.
I also found the neatness of how everything came together a bit unpalatable. Everything is connected. Everything. And that left me somewhat dissatisfied. I don’t know why. But I feel that every character somehow being involved with this one event years earlier is somewhat off-putting. Can’t really comment without giving any spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.
Overall, it is a solid read. Would make a decent film or TV series. A lot of interesting ideas and exposure to different lives that I was fascinated with. But just falls short of something I really enjoyed.
When I read a story in a genre I’m not normally associated with I always give an extra star to offset any bias. So I give Children of Decay 3* + 1*
Now, I’m gonna say for the most part I enjoyed Children of Decay. It was a well-rounded and decent read. It kept my attention (not easy).
I loved being in a part of the world I know nothing of. I love the love and acceptance of the characters within. I love that people from different religions become great friends and have great respect for each other. We live in such a toxic world that sometimes it feels like that’s not possible anymore.
But I did have some problems with it.
The first is that I was expecting some kind of low-key fantasy/spiritual tale. There is a lot of set-up for “Something” outside the natural realm. And that did not eventuate. I have no issues with the main story being grounded in reality. But when we, as the reader, are given a lot of focus on myths and legends one does desire something more, even if it’s subtle and in the background. It would’ve made the overall story somewhat more satisfying (to me personally anyway).
The protagonist also troubled me for two reasons.
1.) The protagonist isn’t named. They’re just given titles and affectionate descriptions. Like Beloved Guest, and dear friend, or something to do with being from the city. I couldn’t help but think of being introduced to someone in real life but forgetting their name, and instead of asking again you kind of just hover around, sidestepping it as much as possible, hoping someone else will say their name so you don’t have to embarrass yourself. That’s what it felt like to me. Nobody asks his name, they give descriptors instead, but everybody calls each other by their names. It just doesn’t fit.
2.) The other thing about the protagonist is that they contribute nothing to the story. But unlike Indiana Jones, there was nothing compelling about their personality or their journey that made their non-contribution worthwhile. The Honoured Guest is flat and mostly boring. A quarter of their dialogue feels like it's all them just asking what others mean. Their entire existence feels little more than a vessel for the real characters to reflect their thoughts and ways while avoiding “exposition”. But it still is exposition. So it didn’t really work. He did have his own moments, bringing his own thoughts to the group. But they were too far and few between.
I also got the feeling the writer wanted us to feel like we’re the protagonist. But it didn’t work because I’m nothing like that character and at times I wanted to just whack him. I loved his company, I didn’t love him.
Another issue is that I struggled to remember who was who. The main characters were no issue. But characters we see less of I struggled to remember. The author relied on us remembering their names when there were long gaps between meetings. The flute maker for instance. I couldn’t remember his name (I still don’t know it, lol) he was in the start of the book and at the end. But it wasn’t until several pages into our second encounter that I realised who he was. This could’ve easily been avoided if the writer put a visual cue (such as him being the flute maker) when he reappears near the end of the book. As such several characters left me scratching my head, trying to remember their involvement.
I also found the neatness of how everything came together a bit unpalatable. Everything is connected. Everything. And that left me somewhat dissatisfied. I don’t know why. But I feel that every character somehow being involved with this one event years earlier is somewhat off-putting. Can’t really comment without giving any spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.
Overall, it is a solid read. Would make a decent film or TV series. A lot of interesting ideas and exposure to different lives that I was fascinated with. But just falls short of something I really enjoyed.
dnf
January 26, 2023Dnf on January 26th (2023) at about page 11
April 3, 2024
Master piece, captivating read
This book has taken me through a captivating journey full of wonder, self reflection and probably personal growth. Although this book centres on the happenings of the family, the writer grabbed my attention with his descriptive words about the surroundings, making me feel like I'm right there with the characters, seeing and feeling what they were right at that moment. This book has a very high philosophical value, thought provoking and internal searching. There were times that I read a paragraph and had to close the book and sit with my thoughts for a moment, internalizing what the writer said and how it made me feel. It is hard to explain in a few words. I would very highly recommend this book for matured readers. Words of caution: this book is not the "instant gratification" type of book. Be prepared to have an internal journey and growth while reading. It was awesome!
This book has taken me through a captivating journey full of wonder, self reflection and probably personal growth. Although this book centres on the happenings of the family, the writer grabbed my attention with his descriptive words about the surroundings, making me feel like I'm right there with the characters, seeing and feeling what they were right at that moment. This book has a very high philosophical value, thought provoking and internal searching. There were times that I read a paragraph and had to close the book and sit with my thoughts for a moment, internalizing what the writer said and how it made me feel. It is hard to explain in a few words. I would very highly recommend this book for matured readers. Words of caution: this book is not the "instant gratification" type of book. Be prepared to have an internal journey and growth while reading. It was awesome!
February 13, 2024
The only decay will be your mind after reading this drivel.
May 2, 2023
Gopi Bain’s city-born cinematographer walks through the district of Brahmanbaria in Bangladesh learning world views and pantheism from the raconteurs he meets. Chief among them was Bishnu, a man known for his fishing prowess and skills as a philosopher.
Bishnu guides the visitor through the countryside of Brahmanbaria on the way to Great Green Lake where the renowned Bhairab family anchors the sprawling area with their richly appointed estate.
The heart of the book unpacks the myths and realities of this family.
Bain’s city-dwelling storyteller spends most of the book chronicling his experience as a welcome visitor to the Bhairab compound. While he tries to understand the different generations in this clan, he can’t help but have favorites and fears about other members of this dynasty. The vagaries of the Bhairab family dynamics put him into a camp that’s out of power.
As a character says to Bishnu, “On some level, he was also doing it due to his deep-seated hatred for his own family, but his hatred and his care for you are intertwined in a messy little knot that is hard to separate.”
The more the city kid learns, the more mysteries deepen.
I enjoyed learning deeper truths of the Muslim and Hindu faith and folklore. The iconoclastic nature of Bain’s characters held me and walked me into many mysteries revealed that kept me off balance throughout the book.
The deep mysteries and the cultural richness held me in sway to the last page.
Bishnu guides the visitor through the countryside of Brahmanbaria on the way to Great Green Lake where the renowned Bhairab family anchors the sprawling area with their richly appointed estate.
The heart of the book unpacks the myths and realities of this family.
Bain’s city-dwelling storyteller spends most of the book chronicling his experience as a welcome visitor to the Bhairab compound. While he tries to understand the different generations in this clan, he can’t help but have favorites and fears about other members of this dynasty. The vagaries of the Bhairab family dynamics put him into a camp that’s out of power.
As a character says to Bishnu, “On some level, he was also doing it due to his deep-seated hatred for his own family, but his hatred and his care for you are intertwined in a messy little knot that is hard to separate.”
The more the city kid learns, the more mysteries deepen.
I enjoyed learning deeper truths of the Muslim and Hindu faith and folklore. The iconoclastic nature of Bain’s characters held me and walked me into many mysteries revealed that kept me off balance throughout the book.
The deep mysteries and the cultural richness held me in sway to the last page.
May 22, 2023
I found this book enjoyable to read. The author comes across as a master of using words to paint pictures. The descriptions of places and settings were vivid as I read. The characters are well defined, not in data dumps, but little snippets of action released at just the right pace. The plot is revealed in the same way, always well set up by the setting and characters.
The story is of a reporter out to find out about a flute maker. What he finds are interesting people in a dysfunctional family all trying to cope with the measure of life they have been given. A comparison might be a yankee reporter traveling to the southern states to get a story, but finding much more than he bargained or.
Very well worth the time to read. The story is one that will stick in your mind for a long time.
The story is of a reporter out to find out about a flute maker. What he finds are interesting people in a dysfunctional family all trying to cope with the measure of life they have been given. A comparison might be a yankee reporter traveling to the southern states to get a story, but finding much more than he bargained or.
Very well worth the time to read. The story is one that will stick in your mind for a long time.
February 26, 2023
I really enjoyed the way Gopi Bain wrote this, it was what I was hoping for in a mystery novel. The characters worked well overall and thought this was a unique concept for the story. I enjoyed what I read and can't wait for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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