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Virgin Gingelly
BRAND NEW, Exactly same ISBN as listed, Please double check ISBN carefully before ordering.
260 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
About the author
V. Sanjay Kumar
7 books14 followersV Sanjay Kumar is a former investment banker and software entrepreneur. He is a Director at Sakshi, an art gallery in Mumbai. (www.sakshigallery.com)
He began his writing career in 2010. He has published four works of fiction since then.
He won the 2018 Bridport Prize for Short Fiction. Other stories were commended in the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize (two) and Galley Beggar Short Story Prize.
He has spent most of his life in Chennai and Mumbai. He resides currently in Bangalore.
He began his writing career in 2010. He has published four works of fiction since then.
He won the 2018 Bridport Prize for Short Fiction. Other stories were commended in the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize (two) and Galley Beggar Short Story Prize.
He has spent most of his life in Chennai and Mumbai. He resides currently in Bangalore.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 5, 2019
This book has to be one of the weirdest one that I've ever actually finished. It is a very unstructured musing that's somehow brought together as a novel.
The author is someone who has settled in Tamil Nadu - his forefathers are from UP and he has this constant dissonance by living in Chennai. This was something you can glean from the little blurb about him. This gets expressed throughout the book as this loose collection of stories about the residents of the Rainbow Colony. There are some sections of the book that work very well - there was a short section about the presence of a beef selling restaurant opposite a Brahmin man's house and his impotent letters of anger to the editor. I really enjoyed that little slice of life. It also starts off very well with a narrative of a dog from Delhi. These kind of tidbits are peppered throughout and make for some interesting commentary. But it did not come together as a whole.
This book might have worked a lot better if just presented as a string of short stories. It is instead structured as a novel that is peppered with stories written by the protagonist himself - at least that's my best guess. There was also this thing at the end where the protagonist signs off as different character names - one of whom is gay. Given the cover art too, maybe this was some sort of meta narrative of a misfit gay guy from North India battling it out in the agraharams of Chennai? I don't really know. Maybe there is a better collection of short stories by this writer that I can read and enjoy instead?
The author is someone who has settled in Tamil Nadu - his forefathers are from UP and he has this constant dissonance by living in Chennai. This was something you can glean from the little blurb about him. This gets expressed throughout the book as this loose collection of stories about the residents of the Rainbow Colony. There are some sections of the book that work very well - there was a short section about the presence of a beef selling restaurant opposite a Brahmin man's house and his impotent letters of anger to the editor. I really enjoyed that little slice of life. It also starts off very well with a narrative of a dog from Delhi. These kind of tidbits are peppered throughout and make for some interesting commentary. But it did not come together as a whole.
This book might have worked a lot better if just presented as a string of short stories. It is instead structured as a novel that is peppered with stories written by the protagonist himself - at least that's my best guess. There was also this thing at the end where the protagonist signs off as different character names - one of whom is gay. Given the cover art too, maybe this was some sort of meta narrative of a misfit gay guy from North India battling it out in the agraharams of Chennai? I don't really know. Maybe there is a better collection of short stories by this writer that I can read and enjoy instead?
June 12, 2025
"Virgin Gingelly" is a richly engaging novel that seamlessly merges Tamil culture with the English language, offering readers a delightful experience filled with humor and insightful observations. Its structure allows readers the flexibility to dive into the story from any point without losing track of the narrative, making it accessible for both introspective readers and those looking for lighter material.
The book’s departure from strict genre conventions lends it a unique charm, drawing readers in with vibrant characters and relatable scenarios. Those familiar with Tamil culture will particularly appreciate the authenticity and connection to their own experiences. The narrative kicks off intriguingly, presenting life through the eyes of a dog, which sets an engaging and fresh tone right from the beginning.
Throughout the novel, various characters grapple with their own struggles and desires, creating an interconnected tapestry of stories that elicit a range of emotions. The author, Sanjay Kumar, showcases a witty and observant writing style that captures the subtleties of everyday life with surprising precision. This approach adds depth and humor, even to challenging situations, making readers reflect on their own experiences.
As readers explore the lives of veshti-wearing elders, frustrated housewives, and bored teenagers, they encounter universal themes of longing and loss that resonate deeply. Kumar’s sharp wit not only entertains but also highlights the poignant truths of life in a manner that encourages reader engagement.
Overall, "Virgin Gingelly" is an enriching read, beautifully combining humor, cultural insight, and relatable storytelling. It offers a rewarding experience that is sure to resonate with a wide audience.
The book’s departure from strict genre conventions lends it a unique charm, drawing readers in with vibrant characters and relatable scenarios. Those familiar with Tamil culture will particularly appreciate the authenticity and connection to their own experiences. The narrative kicks off intriguingly, presenting life through the eyes of a dog, which sets an engaging and fresh tone right from the beginning.
Throughout the novel, various characters grapple with their own struggles and desires, creating an interconnected tapestry of stories that elicit a range of emotions. The author, Sanjay Kumar, showcases a witty and observant writing style that captures the subtleties of everyday life with surprising precision. This approach adds depth and humor, even to challenging situations, making readers reflect on their own experiences.
As readers explore the lives of veshti-wearing elders, frustrated housewives, and bored teenagers, they encounter universal themes of longing and loss that resonate deeply. Kumar’s sharp wit not only entertains but also highlights the poignant truths of life in a manner that encourages reader engagement.
Overall, "Virgin Gingelly" is an enriching read, beautifully combining humor, cultural insight, and relatable storytelling. It offers a rewarding experience that is sure to resonate with a wide audience.
June 15, 2025
It's hard to classify a book like "Virgin Gingelly". It's not an biography or a drama. It's a collection of stories and experiences of characters, all bound together by a single thread.
Set in a sleepy, middle class suburb of Chennai, Virgin Gingelly takes a look at the different characters and their fascinating stories. From runaway street dogs to unhappy housewives and from bored pensioners to angsty teenagers, the book is a kaleidoscope of assorted characters. At the heart of the story is a struggling writer. As their narratives start to blend, emerges a singular narrative of the identity and existential crisis.
The book surprises you right from the start with a narrative of street dog and it randomly keeps swinging between different characters. It's not a coherent or an easy read but the different stories pull you in, like watching a slice of life unfolding before your eyes. The book absorbes the rich Tamil culture with the sights and sounds of Chennai, blending the sometimes humourous and sometimes poignant observations about the characters and the city.
The writing is engaging, keeping you hooked, despite the unusual narration. What sets the narrative apart are the immensely relatable characters, each with their own unique stories, desires and struggles, like plucked from your own life. The book ties them together sufficiently enough to make you keep reading till the end. The blend of drama and the humourous tone makes the book immensely readable.
Overall, "Virgin Gingelly" is an engrossing read that takes you on a journey like never before.
Set in a sleepy, middle class suburb of Chennai, Virgin Gingelly takes a look at the different characters and their fascinating stories. From runaway street dogs to unhappy housewives and from bored pensioners to angsty teenagers, the book is a kaleidoscope of assorted characters. At the heart of the story is a struggling writer. As their narratives start to blend, emerges a singular narrative of the identity and existential crisis.
The book surprises you right from the start with a narrative of street dog and it randomly keeps swinging between different characters. It's not a coherent or an easy read but the different stories pull you in, like watching a slice of life unfolding before your eyes. The book absorbes the rich Tamil culture with the sights and sounds of Chennai, blending the sometimes humourous and sometimes poignant observations about the characters and the city.
The writing is engaging, keeping you hooked, despite the unusual narration. What sets the narrative apart are the immensely relatable characters, each with their own unique stories, desires and struggles, like plucked from your own life. The book ties them together sufficiently enough to make you keep reading till the end. The blend of drama and the humourous tone makes the book immensely readable.
Overall, "Virgin Gingelly" is an engrossing read that takes you on a journey like never before.
June 11, 2025
V. Sanjay Kumar's "Virgin Gingelly" is a rich and satirical tapestry woven from the lives of a rainbow-colored cast of characters who live in an urban agraharam on the outskirts of Mylapore, Chennai. Far from being a sequential narration, the book consists of a series of connected yarns, each painting a picture of the "simple conundrum of being and belonging" in contemporary middle-class Chennai.
The language of the author is a highlight of the book. It is gritty, funny, and sometimes unexpectedly lyrical, it traps the unique tonal essence of the South. Existential street dogs, resentful housewives, and nihilist teens are among the cast of characters, each with their own hungers and attempts to escape. Interweaving their tales of loss and boredom is a rich narrative of longing that is both locally rooted and universally accessible.
"Virgin Gingelly" is a wonderful and perceptive read for anyone looking for a new, original voice in modern Indian writing. I will highly recommend this book. I had a great time reading it. So grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as I did.
The language of the author is a highlight of the book. It is gritty, funny, and sometimes unexpectedly lyrical, it traps the unique tonal essence of the South. Existential street dogs, resentful housewives, and nihilist teens are among the cast of characters, each with their own hungers and attempts to escape. Interweaving their tales of loss and boredom is a rich narrative of longing that is both locally rooted and universally accessible.
"Virgin Gingelly" is a wonderful and perceptive read for anyone looking for a new, original voice in modern Indian writing. I will highly recommend this book. I had a great time reading it. So grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as I did.
June 17, 2025
Recently I have been on a roll with V. Sanjay Kumar's books, but Virgin Gingelly is unlike other books I have read by the author. The narrative is set in a modern middle-class, “urban Agraharam near Mylapore, Chennai. It starts with an unusual perspective of a dog and also has views of a stubborn writer, disgruntled housewives, veshti-wearing elders, and many more each character bound by a singular desire to escape.
The narrative is the highlight of this book, which can make you laugh and cry at the same time with its wit, sarcasm, and candidness. The fusion of Tamil and English is done well making the reading understandable and engaging. Being a South Indian this book is a close connect. The different narratives and individual stories without having any genre in particular made this one a unique and special read unlike anything I have read before. One thing I like the most is the author’s ability to turn mundane incidents into insightful reflections using simple ideas and crisp sentences.
This is not the kind of book you can read on a whim, you need to savor it slowly with patience to understand and capture its essence, more like abstract art.
The narrative is the highlight of this book, which can make you laugh and cry at the same time with its wit, sarcasm, and candidness. The fusion of Tamil and English is done well making the reading understandable and engaging. Being a South Indian this book is a close connect. The different narratives and individual stories without having any genre in particular made this one a unique and special read unlike anything I have read before. One thing I like the most is the author’s ability to turn mundane incidents into insightful reflections using simple ideas and crisp sentences.
This is not the kind of book you can read on a whim, you need to savor it slowly with patience to understand and capture its essence, more like abstract art.
June 4, 2025
This book made me laugh till my stomach started aching , this book made me cry and this book forced me to think about life and the circumstances it offers , well this summarize how much I loved reading this book.
This book is divided into varied chapters that offers some important lessons that readers can learn based upon their interpretations.
The book is written in a good english and it will for sure help the readers to enhance their vocabulary , also the context the Tamil phrases too, coming from North at certain context I need to apply my brain with outmost sincerity but I learned a lot about south side too through the contexts used in the book.
The chapter that sticks with me is Badnaam Basti , the start of chapter made me laugh most and the last lines made be cried, ' The municipality truck has come again, I am slow and they get me . '
One more chapter that stuck to me is 'Ramanathan ' and how it ended with the Iyer's letter to editor.
This book is one of my best read of 2025 .
This book is divided into varied chapters that offers some important lessons that readers can learn based upon their interpretations.
The book is written in a good english and it will for sure help the readers to enhance their vocabulary , also the context the Tamil phrases too, coming from North at certain context I need to apply my brain with outmost sincerity but I learned a lot about south side too through the contexts used in the book.
The chapter that sticks with me is Badnaam Basti , the start of chapter made me laugh most and the last lines made be cried, ' The municipality truck has come again, I am slow and they get me . '
One more chapter that stuck to me is 'Ramanathan ' and how it ended with the Iyer's letter to editor.
This book is one of my best read of 2025 .
June 10, 2025
I'm binge reading V. Sanjay Kumar books and this one caught my eyes because of the cover. Again a beautiful, unique book about identity and art.
It's not a fast book. It's slow and steady, like you're brewing tea. This book changes your world view because it's so introspective (big word, I know). Sanjay's characters are less artists more art themselves. And add the themes of identity and discovery and you have a perfect brew - this book!
I don't think I've read any idea-focused book like this one. It's not plot-heavy or character-heavy, this book. It's a tender literary concoction (forgive my food puns) with a beautiful cover and even beautiful words. This book proves that V. Sanjay Kumar is a great writer and I need to buy more of his books, stat.
Go read if you're an idea-hungry, view-hungry literature lover.
It's not a fast book. It's slow and steady, like you're brewing tea. This book changes your world view because it's so introspective (big word, I know). Sanjay's characters are less artists more art themselves. And add the themes of identity and discovery and you have a perfect brew - this book!
I don't think I've read any idea-focused book like this one. It's not plot-heavy or character-heavy, this book. It's a tender literary concoction (forgive my food puns) with a beautiful cover and even beautiful words. This book proves that V. Sanjay Kumar is a great writer and I need to buy more of his books, stat.
Go read if you're an idea-hungry, view-hungry literature lover.
December 13, 2025
the writing is forgettable but entertaining.
March 13, 2014
This book is simply not for those who are in the search of an easy read. The book is a masterclass in itself, with some humorous and poetic writing in between the prose. A book told not in the conventional manner but something different that captures the readers attention. A literary marvel to say the least.
Do read once for the sheer pleasure of reading something unique and get drenched into the author's writing.
For more, you can read here : http://ponderingtwo.blogspot.in/2014/...
Do read once for the sheer pleasure of reading something unique and get drenched into the author's writing.
For more, you can read here : http://ponderingtwo.blogspot.in/2014/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2014
Noir with a shade of sepia. Scatter with a hint of method. So much and more from a writer I read for the first time and completely had my mind blown away by. Virgin Gingelly is song of dusk that seems to be sung at dawn. To put it across more simply, imagine reading a Tarantino or Kubrick script in its first draft. This is what you could get, probably.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews