Etudes: 1

by Kaul Aseem

Like the Chopin pieces they take their name from (as well as their structure) this collection of studies spans a wide range of moods, tempi & some are short stories in the traditional sense, others are just scenes or images. Astutely observed, richly imagined and lucidly written, Etudes is a collection of smart, sparkling pieces that will surprise and delight you with every turn of the page. This is short fiction as you've never known it before.

Genres: Fiction, India, Short Stories

264 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this collection. sometimes the writing style works and sometimes it doesn't but it is overall so beautiful and entertaining. I especially love that there are accompanying musical pieces by Chopin (I think) at the back, to read the stories to. This shouldn't matter but it also has an interesting cover which adds to the whole theme of fragmentation and small things that make up a person's life.

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure when a random writer surprises you. I had figured this would be more pseudo-intellectual shit. So so wrong. Kaul reminds us that stories can be packed into 5 lines if desired and these are the ones that leave a lasting impression. The simplistic style makes it easier to read between the lines. Ofcourse not every story is worth talking about...some bored me shitless, so much that I cant even remember which ones they were. But on the other hand, the ones that didn't, I know I will be mulling over them for a while. Why I know this is a book I quite enjoyed it is because I can already think of revisiting the stories. It's a shame there aren't more to bite into.

[Rag. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of these stories leave a bitter taste in your mouth, some evoke a sense of despair, some bring a faint smile to your lips. A few of them will confuse you, may even frustrate you and many will surprise you. At least a couple of these 'pieces', while reading them, will definitely make you to say aloud to yourself, "This happened to me!". But every single piece in this book will linger on in your memory.A refreshing experience, reading this anthology is.

[Rohit Kalhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one book that I had been most uncertain about though the course of reading,I was skeptical when I bought this book, but somehow I liked the name "Etudes" :) "never judge a book by its ... err... name?" So here is a small review for all those who want to read a bunch of well-written short-stories. Almost all the stories are very well-written in most creative sense, the author captures you attention for most duration of the story. The narration is good and so is the style of writing. One problem I think is the fact that some story are too short for comfort of the reader. Its good to leave the reader curious, but not so much that the reader starts hating you :).

I would give this book 4 for its creativity, imagination and broad and diverse spectrum of topics covered in the short-stories.

[Arpita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories that takes you by surprise, each piece has a distinct mood and texture. Each piece is written to mirror the tone of a Chopin etude. Please do read up on the great Polish composer Frédéric Chopin who wrote primarily for the solo piano.

The Études by Frédéric Chopin are three sets of solo studies for the piano published during the 1830s. There are twenty-seven compositions overall, comprising two separate collections of twelve, numbered Opus 10 and 25, and a set of three without opus number.

And so Aseem Kaul writes as many stories to complete the set. He says in his prologue that his book is best read at a stretch with the corresponding Chopin music for each piece playing while you read. This should create the desired atmosphere he intended while writing these pieces.

[Narayan TK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Etudes by Aseem Kaul... it's an OK-OK book. A collection of short stories. Positives: The creativity and writing of the author... Negatives: Not all stories are good. Some are in fact boring, some are very-short that you just make a start and find that it's end... and some just a time pass. Still I ll say 3/5

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and entertaining read. A random and sometimes bizarre collection of "stories" that are more like excerpts from much longer stories. This book was actually quite touching and I found myself wanting to read more about certain characters, find out how their stories continued and ended. This book made laugh, cry and reflect. Great read!

[Maya Renganathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read in a lng time. I couldn't put it down and finished it within a day, while listening to the corresponding études of Chopin, as recommended by the author at the end of the book. Really really nice experience reading this.

[Mannsa Reddi]

Mr. Kaul paints many compelling pictures. He looks at the micro picture with a trained eye and presents a new dimension of normalcy.

[Isha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one!

[Sayantan Ghosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

75 little notes that are daring and original at the same time. Not all leave a mark, but ones that do are worth many a re-reads!

[Suruchika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best short stories ever! Can read this over and over for the fun.. absolute page-turner

[Pragyan Pradhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a surreal bunch of most exotic too short stories I ever read.