What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Circles
Ronojoy's mother dies alone in the Ashram she had abruptly retreated to twenty-eight years ago, leaving him - then only twelve- to fend for the emotional needs of himself and his six-year-old brother.When the cremation rites are complete, Ronojoy is handed a letter from his mother that is not so much a farewell as a confession. As before, it is left to him to decide whether to share the disturbing contents with his brother, whom he has always sought to protect.Thus, begins another tumultuous cycle in the lives of the two brothers who already carry deep scars from their childhood; their fragile minds ever at risk of succumbing to the dark.Written in spare, stark prose, Dark Circles deftly weaves past and present, offering tantalizing glimpses of bottled truths buried deep in the recesses of repressed memory; brilliantly exposing the dark undercurrents that swirl under the seemingly placid lives of families.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published December 20, 2018
2 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 23, 2018
Aren't all secrets a little hideous? Perhaps, it's just the feel of that word that's unnerving.
Udayan Mukherjee has explored this feeling exceptionally well with Dark Circles.
.
.
.
.
Subir, Mala, Ronojoy, Sujoy, and Apurva, and a secret that binds them as much as it's wrecked their lives. This is a tale of love and loss weaved together with strands of heartbreaking consequences of impulsive desires.
.
.
.
.
Brothers Ronojoy and Sujoy find themselves at the pit of another bottomless well with the passing of Mala, their mother. But it is not so much her death that has affected them as the secrets unveiled to them in a letter left to them by Mala. Years ago, with their father, Subir's suicide, the siblings have had their childhood marred by desolate memories. But they coped. And now after twenty-eight years, fate has once again decided to turn their lives upside down by revealing a horrible secret that could challenge their peace and sanity, once again; a secret that will finally complete the puzzle that they have been struggling to put together all their life.
.
.
While the story was fairly predictable, my heart went out to Ronojoy and Sujoy. I couldn't stop thinking just how unfair all of it was to them. Their characters could've been with more substance; I felt I was only scraping the surface of something that could've been so well written. As for Mala, Subir, and Subir's brother Apurva, their characters were just about sufficient to grasp with the roles they had to play in tying the loose ends together.
.
.
All in all, this was a bittersweet tale of a family fallen apart, crushed under the burden of a stagnating relationship and some impulse decisions for a momentary escape from the torment of a largely disappointed life.
Udayan Mukherjee has explored this feeling exceptionally well with Dark Circles.
.
.
.
.
Subir, Mala, Ronojoy, Sujoy, and Apurva, and a secret that binds them as much as it's wrecked their lives. This is a tale of love and loss weaved together with strands of heartbreaking consequences of impulsive desires.
.
.
.
.
Brothers Ronojoy and Sujoy find themselves at the pit of another bottomless well with the passing of Mala, their mother. But it is not so much her death that has affected them as the secrets unveiled to them in a letter left to them by Mala. Years ago, with their father, Subir's suicide, the siblings have had their childhood marred by desolate memories. But they coped. And now after twenty-eight years, fate has once again decided to turn their lives upside down by revealing a horrible secret that could challenge their peace and sanity, once again; a secret that will finally complete the puzzle that they have been struggling to put together all their life.
.
.
While the story was fairly predictable, my heart went out to Ronojoy and Sujoy. I couldn't stop thinking just how unfair all of it was to them. Their characters could've been with more substance; I felt I was only scraping the surface of something that could've been so well written. As for Mala, Subir, and Subir's brother Apurva, their characters were just about sufficient to grasp with the roles they had to play in tying the loose ends together.
.
.
All in all, this was a bittersweet tale of a family fallen apart, crushed under the burden of a stagnating relationship and some impulse decisions for a momentary escape from the torment of a largely disappointed life.
August 5, 2020
Early this year, much before the pandemic, I was surfing the shelves of the Siliguri Crossword store when I stumbled upon this book. As I read the back blurb, I felt as if the book was meant for me. I am always on the lookout for good contemporary/literary fiction writers from India, and this book seemed to be a perfect match for my literary taste.
Within the first few pages, I was hooked. Not only did the plot seem interesting, but I was also equally impressed by the quality of prose and the writing style. The plot is about two brothers and how a tragic incident in their childhood shapes/stains their lives. The letter from their mother, right at the beginning, reveals a horrific secret, and the entire plot revolves around how the two brothers cope with the burden of the shocking truth.
The plot is weaved beautifully. Spanning from past to present, it gives a clear picture of the trauma that the children go through in their childhood and how they cope with the hideous truth they discover much later. The characterization is deep and layered, and the interactions between the characters possess the emotional weight that is characteristic of the contemporary/literary fiction genre. It was deep and dark and moving. The ending could have been executed in a lighter note to give a semblance of hopefulness, but the author chose to go the dark way that readers may or may nor like. I would have preferred something slightly lighter.
The language is exceptional. I loved how the author has managed to blend beautiful metaphors and similes into the narrative almost seamlessly. The writing possesses a panache that writers generally take years/decades to master. I loved the fluid, classy writing, something one rarely finds in the commercial fiction of today.
The descriptions are vivid, and I could clearly picture the hills of Mukteshwar, the sunsets, the house, the forests. And they never seemed excessive or distracting.
I enjoyed this beautifully written, dark, melancholic book and would recommend it to all readers.
4.3 out of 5 stars from my side.
Within the first few pages, I was hooked. Not only did the plot seem interesting, but I was also equally impressed by the quality of prose and the writing style. The plot is about two brothers and how a tragic incident in their childhood shapes/stains their lives. The letter from their mother, right at the beginning, reveals a horrific secret, and the entire plot revolves around how the two brothers cope with the burden of the shocking truth.
The plot is weaved beautifully. Spanning from past to present, it gives a clear picture of the trauma that the children go through in their childhood and how they cope with the hideous truth they discover much later. The characterization is deep and layered, and the interactions between the characters possess the emotional weight that is characteristic of the contemporary/literary fiction genre. It was deep and dark and moving. The ending could have been executed in a lighter note to give a semblance of hopefulness, but the author chose to go the dark way that readers may or may nor like. I would have preferred something slightly lighter.
The language is exceptional. I loved how the author has managed to blend beautiful metaphors and similes into the narrative almost seamlessly. The writing possesses a panache that writers generally take years/decades to master. I loved the fluid, classy writing, something one rarely finds in the commercial fiction of today.
The descriptions are vivid, and I could clearly picture the hills of Mukteshwar, the sunsets, the house, the forests. And they never seemed excessive or distracting.
I enjoyed this beautifully written, dark, melancholic book and would recommend it to all readers.
4.3 out of 5 stars from my side.
November 30, 2018
Dark Circles revolves around a secret that leaves a scar so deep, it becomes practically Impossible to carry the burden of life.
It also speaks volumes about each individuals way of dealing with grief and guilt and how people would go to any lengths to feel a little less burdened and hurt.
Ronojoy and Sujoy, two brothers who have been with each other through difficult times suddenly face a crisis, that threatens to uproot their well being and peace of mind. Both the brothers try different ways to cope up and fill the void through stupid ways but that's when it strikes- who are we to judge.
Through 'Dark Circles', Udayan Mukherjee poses some questions and helps us form answers through the characters. The theme might be recurring, but the author's way of exploring it in a rather straightforward way leaves me sad and I most certainly, ended the book with a deep sigh!!!
It also speaks volumes about each individuals way of dealing with grief and guilt and how people would go to any lengths to feel a little less burdened and hurt.
Ronojoy and Sujoy, two brothers who have been with each other through difficult times suddenly face a crisis, that threatens to uproot their well being and peace of mind. Both the brothers try different ways to cope up and fill the void through stupid ways but that's when it strikes- who are we to judge.
Through 'Dark Circles', Udayan Mukherjee poses some questions and helps us form answers through the characters. The theme might be recurring, but the author's way of exploring it in a rather straightforward way leaves me sad and I most certainly, ended the book with a deep sigh!!!
January 22, 2020
I bought this book solely based on the spare blurb that appears on the back of its dust jacket.
It said, "What saddened Ronojoy was that his mother had underestimated the innate human capacity to forgive a loved one. Wasn't this, essentially what made us humane – to see how fallible we all were, and to make allowances for it, for each other?"
And also, because I liked the cover :)
In 215 pages, this compactly sized book, really packs a punch. It is devastating, dark, intense, deeply affecting and brilliant.
Every time I try to define the story, the only thing that I can come up with, is that it is such a "human" story. Because don't we all make choices / decisions we regret, don't we all then deal with consequences in what we think are the best ways, aren't we all at some point or other at the receiving end as collateral damage; and yet, we always strive to understand, make sense of our circumstances, find ways to rationalise and move on, because what other choice do we have. And so the metaphorical title of the book.
Yes, its a heavy one, and probably not for everyone :) but for a thinking person, I couldn't recommend this more. Ultimately, this book is about relationships.
The story begins with a letter, and everything unravels after that. We revisit the past, to make sense of the present...
"We tend to think of life changing events as lightening strikes, they seldom are. More often, they are a consequence of unremarkable events, and if one thinks back carefully, there are always points where a different choice could have led to an entirely different outcome. Yet, once the wheels have been set in motion, great disaster, like great achievement, seems to have an exorable pull that manages to work all levers in the direction of the fateful end…"
The prose is spare, simple and direct, but equally expressive. The people in the book did not feel like strangers, I completely understood their motivations, actions and reactions. Somehow, the writing does not lead you to "judge" anyone, and I really appreciated that. Because its easy to slot everything into black and white, when reality is never like that. The author is compassionate to all his characters, which also leaves it open ended for the reader to make their own conclusions.
My sense of familiarity was further enhanced with the setting being Delhi and Mukhteshwar, development sector professions, trains from Kathgodam... This could be anyone, even you or me.
So I guess I will stop here, because I don't think I can justifiably appreciate this story any more coherently :) Read it. It moved me.
It said, "What saddened Ronojoy was that his mother had underestimated the innate human capacity to forgive a loved one. Wasn't this, essentially what made us humane – to see how fallible we all were, and to make allowances for it, for each other?"
And also, because I liked the cover :)
In 215 pages, this compactly sized book, really packs a punch. It is devastating, dark, intense, deeply affecting and brilliant.
Every time I try to define the story, the only thing that I can come up with, is that it is such a "human" story. Because don't we all make choices / decisions we regret, don't we all then deal with consequences in what we think are the best ways, aren't we all at some point or other at the receiving end as collateral damage; and yet, we always strive to understand, make sense of our circumstances, find ways to rationalise and move on, because what other choice do we have. And so the metaphorical title of the book.
Yes, its a heavy one, and probably not for everyone :) but for a thinking person, I couldn't recommend this more. Ultimately, this book is about relationships.
The story begins with a letter, and everything unravels after that. We revisit the past, to make sense of the present...
"We tend to think of life changing events as lightening strikes, they seldom are. More often, they are a consequence of unremarkable events, and if one thinks back carefully, there are always points where a different choice could have led to an entirely different outcome. Yet, once the wheels have been set in motion, great disaster, like great achievement, seems to have an exorable pull that manages to work all levers in the direction of the fateful end…"
The prose is spare, simple and direct, but equally expressive. The people in the book did not feel like strangers, I completely understood their motivations, actions and reactions. Somehow, the writing does not lead you to "judge" anyone, and I really appreciated that. Because its easy to slot everything into black and white, when reality is never like that. The author is compassionate to all his characters, which also leaves it open ended for the reader to make their own conclusions.
My sense of familiarity was further enhanced with the setting being Delhi and Mukhteshwar, development sector professions, trains from Kathgodam... This could be anyone, even you or me.
So I guess I will stop here, because I don't think I can justifiably appreciate this story any more coherently :) Read it. It moved me.
May 4, 2019
Pro tip: This novel is best read with sad, sentimental music wafting out of the stereo. This will brings out true pathos, and create a ready path for all your traumatic memories to come tumbling out. In that regard, Dark Circles, the debut of author Udayan Mukherjee, is synonymous with a feeling of eternal sadness and doom, the cause of which you cannot identify.
The novel starts with death by cancer and progresses (or regresses) to alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, adultery, and existential angst--not necessarily in that order, but each incident and revelation more discomfiting than the one before. As its protagonist, Ronojoy, says, “Everything is topsy-turvy, nothing regular.”
Ronojoy and his brother, Sujoy, have had a problematic childhood. A mother who grows distant, a father who chooses to leave them. Brought up by their grandmother, they show traces of belligerence. In adulthood, this unrest within them begins to show up in more alarming habits. Ronojoy is scared of commitment, while Sujoy is unable to enjoy the warmth of his own committed relationship. At one time, both take recourse to the bottle. The brothers share a strong bond, but also share genes that turn them volatile and unapproachable in different ways.
While each brother struggles with personal demons, their mother passes away in an ashram in the hills, leaving behind a letter for the elder brother, Ronojoy. The letter is the answer to a lot of asked and unasked questions--about the family’s unravelling, the secret whispers, and the boys’ frustrations. The letter is also a Pandora’s Box, one which you wish you had never opened up, as you watch horrified at the rubble and debris it blows in.
The boys’ mother, Mala, bears an uncanny resemblance to Anuradha Roy’s heroine in All the Lives We Never Lived, which came out exactly a year ago. The same adulterous mother, the gradual abandonment, a guilt-ridden and sadness-wracked end. Even the identity of the beloved (or the ‘other man’ if you will) in both the novels is similar. Or perhaps this, the symbol of an ‘untamed, adulterous mother who suffers for her sins’ is a universal character that preoccupies writers and readers alike.
The novel, then, is a minute observation of a dysfunctional family. A family which, to begin with, was the quintessentially happy, educated, cultured Bengali couple with their beloved son. But the birth of the second son changes all that. “I don’t know what happened, but nothing was the same,” the domestic help tries to make sense of it, “That house was so full of love and joy and laughter and then one day it was all gone. It became like a funeral site.”
As truths bubble and simmer below the surface, and menacing secrets begin to unravel, the novel starts to draw you in. It wobbles between the dramatic and the melodramatic, the romantic and pragmatic, and most importantly, the sane and ‘insane.’ This study of the human psyche is perhaps the most interesting and important thing about the novel. Especially mental illnesses and how they affect individuals. It is almost a plea to us to notice our own deviations and illnesses before they begin to control us. This experience of the boys’ father, Subir, could be a textbook case: “This was around the time Subir started experiencing a dip. Nothing alarming, just a nagging sense of feeling low through the day. There was hardly any physical activity, yet he felt tired. He slept more… Almost unconsciously, he started avoiding company.”
In a gentle but still persuasive manner, the novel constantly reminds us of the need to self-examine. To forgive, forget, and be at peace. It is almost Buddhist in approach, introducing us to misery, disease and death in life, that which we cannot escape, that which is our very fate. But this is a cautionary tale of not falling into that pool of despair and failing to live our life is a warm embrace to its readers who are falling apart, an attempt to help people figure out the meaning in their lives within all the incongruencies.
And yet, all the sensitivity and delicacy of the novel threatens to be marred by its style. Transitions in the plot and voice are noticeably awkward, and the presence of an omniscient narrator in the boys’ memories does not make sense. The writing is just above average, there is a lot that can be polished and embellished. There is an overuse of cliched and banal phrases and idioms—“as if he had seen a ghost”; “we were in the dark”; “in my current state of mind”. Unnecessary details about sleeping well, eating a good breakfast, washing hands, drying hands, picking up a phone with your hands… take away the literary flow and charm. The story, also, seems heavily influenced by movies of yore --with a woman made to suffer and pay for her ‘aberration’.
This is not to say the novel isn’t enjoyable. A typically unexciting family story takes on the avatar of a mystery, layer after layer opening up to scrutiny and observation. Explorations on brotherhood and motherhood; depression and violence; sexual fulfillment and emotional longing… all ancient, ordinary themes but reworked by a knowing and sensitive mind. In Dark Circles, Mukherjee revives the forgotten art of telling a story in a simple and unexpectedly childlike, artless manner.
Originally published here: https://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/n...
The novel starts with death by cancer and progresses (or regresses) to alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, adultery, and existential angst--not necessarily in that order, but each incident and revelation more discomfiting than the one before. As its protagonist, Ronojoy, says, “Everything is topsy-turvy, nothing regular.”
Ronojoy and his brother, Sujoy, have had a problematic childhood. A mother who grows distant, a father who chooses to leave them. Brought up by their grandmother, they show traces of belligerence. In adulthood, this unrest within them begins to show up in more alarming habits. Ronojoy is scared of commitment, while Sujoy is unable to enjoy the warmth of his own committed relationship. At one time, both take recourse to the bottle. The brothers share a strong bond, but also share genes that turn them volatile and unapproachable in different ways.
While each brother struggles with personal demons, their mother passes away in an ashram in the hills, leaving behind a letter for the elder brother, Ronojoy. The letter is the answer to a lot of asked and unasked questions--about the family’s unravelling, the secret whispers, and the boys’ frustrations. The letter is also a Pandora’s Box, one which you wish you had never opened up, as you watch horrified at the rubble and debris it blows in.
The boys’ mother, Mala, bears an uncanny resemblance to Anuradha Roy’s heroine in All the Lives We Never Lived, which came out exactly a year ago. The same adulterous mother, the gradual abandonment, a guilt-ridden and sadness-wracked end. Even the identity of the beloved (or the ‘other man’ if you will) in both the novels is similar. Or perhaps this, the symbol of an ‘untamed, adulterous mother who suffers for her sins’ is a universal character that preoccupies writers and readers alike.
The novel, then, is a minute observation of a dysfunctional family. A family which, to begin with, was the quintessentially happy, educated, cultured Bengali couple with their beloved son. But the birth of the second son changes all that. “I don’t know what happened, but nothing was the same,” the domestic help tries to make sense of it, “That house was so full of love and joy and laughter and then one day it was all gone. It became like a funeral site.”
As truths bubble and simmer below the surface, and menacing secrets begin to unravel, the novel starts to draw you in. It wobbles between the dramatic and the melodramatic, the romantic and pragmatic, and most importantly, the sane and ‘insane.’ This study of the human psyche is perhaps the most interesting and important thing about the novel. Especially mental illnesses and how they affect individuals. It is almost a plea to us to notice our own deviations and illnesses before they begin to control us. This experience of the boys’ father, Subir, could be a textbook case: “This was around the time Subir started experiencing a dip. Nothing alarming, just a nagging sense of feeling low through the day. There was hardly any physical activity, yet he felt tired. He slept more… Almost unconsciously, he started avoiding company.”
In a gentle but still persuasive manner, the novel constantly reminds us of the need to self-examine. To forgive, forget, and be at peace. It is almost Buddhist in approach, introducing us to misery, disease and death in life, that which we cannot escape, that which is our very fate. But this is a cautionary tale of not falling into that pool of despair and failing to live our life is a warm embrace to its readers who are falling apart, an attempt to help people figure out the meaning in their lives within all the incongruencies.
And yet, all the sensitivity and delicacy of the novel threatens to be marred by its style. Transitions in the plot and voice are noticeably awkward, and the presence of an omniscient narrator in the boys’ memories does not make sense. The writing is just above average, there is a lot that can be polished and embellished. There is an overuse of cliched and banal phrases and idioms—“as if he had seen a ghost”; “we were in the dark”; “in my current state of mind”. Unnecessary details about sleeping well, eating a good breakfast, washing hands, drying hands, picking up a phone with your hands… take away the literary flow and charm. The story, also, seems heavily influenced by movies of yore --with a woman made to suffer and pay for her ‘aberration’.
This is not to say the novel isn’t enjoyable. A typically unexciting family story takes on the avatar of a mystery, layer after layer opening up to scrutiny and observation. Explorations on brotherhood and motherhood; depression and violence; sexual fulfillment and emotional longing… all ancient, ordinary themes but reworked by a knowing and sensitive mind. In Dark Circles, Mukherjee revives the forgotten art of telling a story in a simple and unexpectedly childlike, artless manner.
Originally published here: https://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/n...
November 18, 2018
One acrimonious truth disarmed a family of its happiness, peace and prosperity, scalded innocent minds and its ripple effect was felt for generations.
Dark Circles traces the journey of two brothers shocked by the sudden demise of their mother and revelation of a family secret in her last letter.The secret corroded the routine of normality created around their life. It opened the dungeons of grief, solitude and sufferings that threaten to disrupt their whole life.
The author deftly explores the enormous effect of an impulsive irrevocable act undertaken in the heat of moment on a family.His lucid writing, minimal prose and engaging story-line makes the book an interesting read.The characters are beautifully fleshed out.Each one carrying their own fettered wounds covered under the wraps of work and family.The practicality of the tale keeps the reader glued to it till the last word.One can easily feel the surging emotions,whimpers,helplessness and the rising resentment through the characters.
The central characters Ronojoy and Sujoy are very endearing.Loved the sibling bond and the depth of their understanding of each other which can be easily felt through their exchanges.My heart went out to Ronojoy who witnessed a gruesome event and was forced to grow up at a tender age taking up the responsibility of a parent for his brother.He constantly tries to keep his father's promise and fulfill mother' expectations hiding his own festered wounds behind a stoic face.
The book mainly deals with mental health and depression.The revelation of the truth had a deep effect on each member,their age, circumstances and their way of coping morphed them into different persons.Some drown it in liquor and silence,some became more withdrawn and quiet and some found the ultimate release in death.
It leaves the reader with a strange bitter sweet feeling when a progeny discovers striking similarity with their parent in most unexpected situation.The dawning of reason behind their past actions makes every piece fall into its place.The climax was predictable but the last few pages stunned me, left me numb.
It only depends upon a mere mortal human how one deals with the ghost of past, does he allow the dark circles of grief engulf him and bereft his sanity or move on to the morning of new hope and fresh start.
I will recommend the book to every reader who want to read a moving story and has the capacity to endure sadness.
Dark Circles traces the journey of two brothers shocked by the sudden demise of their mother and revelation of a family secret in her last letter.The secret corroded the routine of normality created around their life. It opened the dungeons of grief, solitude and sufferings that threaten to disrupt their whole life.
The author deftly explores the enormous effect of an impulsive irrevocable act undertaken in the heat of moment on a family.His lucid writing, minimal prose and engaging story-line makes the book an interesting read.The characters are beautifully fleshed out.Each one carrying their own fettered wounds covered under the wraps of work and family.The practicality of the tale keeps the reader glued to it till the last word.One can easily feel the surging emotions,whimpers,helplessness and the rising resentment through the characters.
The central characters Ronojoy and Sujoy are very endearing.Loved the sibling bond and the depth of their understanding of each other which can be easily felt through their exchanges.My heart went out to Ronojoy who witnessed a gruesome event and was forced to grow up at a tender age taking up the responsibility of a parent for his brother.He constantly tries to keep his father's promise and fulfill mother' expectations hiding his own festered wounds behind a stoic face.
The book mainly deals with mental health and depression.The revelation of the truth had a deep effect on each member,their age, circumstances and their way of coping morphed them into different persons.Some drown it in liquor and silence,some became more withdrawn and quiet and some found the ultimate release in death.
It leaves the reader with a strange bitter sweet feeling when a progeny discovers striking similarity with their parent in most unexpected situation.The dawning of reason behind their past actions makes every piece fall into its place.The climax was predictable but the last few pages stunned me, left me numb.
It only depends upon a mere mortal human how one deals with the ghost of past, does he allow the dark circles of grief engulf him and bereft his sanity or move on to the morning of new hope and fresh start.
I will recommend the book to every reader who want to read a moving story and has the capacity to endure sadness.
January 20, 2019
This one is a simple but thought provoking book!
Dark Circles is a story of two brothers, it’s a story of family bonds and it’s also a story of mental health and how timely interventions as well acknowledgment of these issues are vital and neglect can wreck havoc on life of the person and those around.
The author in mere 200 pages has managed to create an atmosphere of darkness; the brothers who lost their father at a young age to depression and ultimately to suicide and later dealt with an absentee mother are shown to be completely opposite but there lies such a strong bond between them.... the book also talks of how the horrors of a childhood can haunt you as an adult and how, just one mistake can lead to a series of events one more unfortunate than the other.
.
Dark Circles is a vicious cycle, one that can be broken but how and who breaks it is something the author wants us to find out on our own.
I highly recommend it for anyone looking for books where nothing much happens; but everything does!
Dark Circles is a story of two brothers, it’s a story of family bonds and it’s also a story of mental health and how timely interventions as well acknowledgment of these issues are vital and neglect can wreck havoc on life of the person and those around.
The author in mere 200 pages has managed to create an atmosphere of darkness; the brothers who lost their father at a young age to depression and ultimately to suicide and later dealt with an absentee mother are shown to be completely opposite but there lies such a strong bond between them.... the book also talks of how the horrors of a childhood can haunt you as an adult and how, just one mistake can lead to a series of events one more unfortunate than the other.
.
Dark Circles is a vicious cycle, one that can be broken but how and who breaks it is something the author wants us to find out on our own.
I highly recommend it for anyone looking for books where nothing much happens; but everything does!
November 25, 2019
Time, is a relative concept. Reading this book is an experience that will make you experience this relativity. In a poignant and elegant debut novel, Udayan Mukherjee has produced a work that has without a doubt jumped straight into my favourites shelf. Dark Circles is lucidly written, with a descriptive form that might bother most fans of purist literature, but it is refreshing. From adopting a matter-of-fact approach towards a rather gut-wrenching family secret, to a beautiful appreciation of mental health, each page of this book reaches out and clings to its reader. The depths of the book alternate between the obvious (the parallels of an urbane lifestyle as opposed to a quaint life in the mountains) to subtleties in plain sight (one of my favourite parts of the books is the conversation about good trees. I have put up a picture of it) to downright beautiful (the exchange between the brothers in the park).
Even though the book very articulately emphasises the dynamics between families, societies and mental health, personally what stood out for me was the capturing of complex emotions and thought processes in simple words. Again, one of my favourite paragraphs from the book dealt with the same.
A seemingly melancholic book that makes you stoically think about life, it made for the perfect companion on a long train ride. I am genuinely looking forward to more of Udayan’s work.
PS: Udayan was formerly the managing editor of CNBC India, and had quit his job to introspect in life. He spent a lot of time in the Himalayas, where he also ended up writing this book. Maybe the clichéd idea of discovering art away from the mundane chaos of urban life is true. Just some food for thought.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B41i9BdFn...
Even though the book very articulately emphasises the dynamics between families, societies and mental health, personally what stood out for me was the capturing of complex emotions and thought processes in simple words. Again, one of my favourite paragraphs from the book dealt with the same.
A seemingly melancholic book that makes you stoically think about life, it made for the perfect companion on a long train ride. I am genuinely looking forward to more of Udayan’s work.
PS: Udayan was formerly the managing editor of CNBC India, and had quit his job to introspect in life. He spent a lot of time in the Himalayas, where he also ended up writing this book. Maybe the clichéd idea of discovering art away from the mundane chaos of urban life is true. Just some food for thought.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B41i9BdFn...
July 17, 2020
The story portrayed by Udayan Mukharjee seems realistic. I knew him as an television anchor in cnbc tv18. I got to see another side of the anchor which I was able to appreciate. Congratulating him for the new beginning. Looking forward to more books from him in the future.
June 18, 2019
Dark Circles.
~
I have never failed to like the works of a Bengali author. Udayan Mukherjee is a familiar face on the TV and his book turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Dark Circles is a story of two brothers who guide and reach out to each other in times of dire need. The plot is relatively simple but the storytelling ability of the author takes it up a notch. I have always enjoyed easy and comfortable reads and this book falls under that category. A book that was interesting enough to be finished in a single day.
~
When Ronojoy and Sujoy's mother dies due to cancer in an Ashram where she has lived for decades, the sons are shocked. Her disease had been kept a secret but Mala leaves behind a letter to her eldest son which then creates a turbulence in the family. The contents of the letter reveals Sujoy's secret about him not being a legitimate child. Mala and her brother-in-law have a brief affair which stops when she discovers that she's pregnant with Sujoy. The affair leads to drastic changes in the family eventually leading to the death of Subir, the boys' father. The boys were then left in the care of their grandmother while Mala moves to an Ashram and becomes recluse. Dark Circles is about how broken and fractured the lives of children turns out to be due to familial disputes.
~
There are many things that I loved about this story. Be it the characters or the simplicity, the author has managed to put together a bunch of emotions in these pages. The sibling relationship is so beautifully written that it feels very real. There's not a single flaw in describing either the people or the places. He even addresses clinical depression and alcoholism which are probably the biggest demons people fight against everyday. Many families split while the children cope with it for ages. Ronojoy's character was probably my most favourite. He manages to steer his younger brother from danger many a times and protects him against everything hurtful. Other thing that I loved was how Udayan goes to say that not every story needs a happy ending. A beautiful read and I strongly recommend it.
~
Rating - 4.5/5.
~
I have never failed to like the works of a Bengali author. Udayan Mukherjee is a familiar face on the TV and his book turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Dark Circles is a story of two brothers who guide and reach out to each other in times of dire need. The plot is relatively simple but the storytelling ability of the author takes it up a notch. I have always enjoyed easy and comfortable reads and this book falls under that category. A book that was interesting enough to be finished in a single day.
~
When Ronojoy and Sujoy's mother dies due to cancer in an Ashram where she has lived for decades, the sons are shocked. Her disease had been kept a secret but Mala leaves behind a letter to her eldest son which then creates a turbulence in the family. The contents of the letter reveals Sujoy's secret about him not being a legitimate child. Mala and her brother-in-law have a brief affair which stops when she discovers that she's pregnant with Sujoy. The affair leads to drastic changes in the family eventually leading to the death of Subir, the boys' father. The boys were then left in the care of their grandmother while Mala moves to an Ashram and becomes recluse. Dark Circles is about how broken and fractured the lives of children turns out to be due to familial disputes.
~
There are many things that I loved about this story. Be it the characters or the simplicity, the author has managed to put together a bunch of emotions in these pages. The sibling relationship is so beautifully written that it feels very real. There's not a single flaw in describing either the people or the places. He even addresses clinical depression and alcoholism which are probably the biggest demons people fight against everyday. Many families split while the children cope with it for ages. Ronojoy's character was probably my most favourite. He manages to steer his younger brother from danger many a times and protects him against everything hurtful. Other thing that I loved was how Udayan goes to say that not every story needs a happy ending. A beautiful read and I strongly recommend it.
~
Rating - 4.5/5.
December 29, 2018
Follow Just A Girl High On Books for more reviews.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"Our troubles, they are just a part of us."
Dark Circles is the story of a letter left by a dying mother. It is the story of what happens when truth that has been hidden for far too long comes out. It is the story of grief and how one deals with it. it is the story about a family that has been drastically torn apart because of actions in the past. It is the story of two brothers, trying to cope up with their lives as their childhood haunts them. It is the story about choices, about rights and wrongs, and about how best to handle situations that are entirely out of our control. Yes, Dark Circles is a great read and I would definitely recommend it.
The book gives a clear idea of what kind of a toll can mental illness leave on a person. It is clearly about dealing with things, and getting on with life. Of course, one doesn't have to stay alone while this happens. Help is always provided to those who seek it.
However, what I liked the most about this book was its ending. It shows that not every family is perfect, that you don't have to have a perfect happily ever after to be at peace, that sometimes, even little things like a divorce or coming to terms with who you are can mean a lot to you.
Overall, Dark Circles was quite an intense book so I'd only recommend it to you if you are okay with reading about depressed people or mental illnesses in general.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"Our troubles, they are just a part of us."
Dark Circles is the story of a letter left by a dying mother. It is the story of what happens when truth that has been hidden for far too long comes out. It is the story of grief and how one deals with it. it is the story about a family that has been drastically torn apart because of actions in the past. It is the story of two brothers, trying to cope up with their lives as their childhood haunts them. It is the story about choices, about rights and wrongs, and about how best to handle situations that are entirely out of our control. Yes, Dark Circles is a great read and I would definitely recommend it.
The book gives a clear idea of what kind of a toll can mental illness leave on a person. It is clearly about dealing with things, and getting on with life. Of course, one doesn't have to stay alone while this happens. Help is always provided to those who seek it.
However, what I liked the most about this book was its ending. It shows that not every family is perfect, that you don't have to have a perfect happily ever after to be at peace, that sometimes, even little things like a divorce or coming to terms with who you are can mean a lot to you.
Overall, Dark Circles was quite an intense book so I'd only recommend it to you if you are okay with reading about depressed people or mental illnesses in general.
September 8, 2021
As human beings we commit mistakes, and some punish themselves for having committed those. We underestimate the ability to forgive each other and move forward, and get ourselves into this dark circle distancing us from everyone and in turn inflicting more pain on everyone, affecting our family bonds and scar kids for life. The circle in which we fall into would keep growing day by day. This books begins with a very disturbing secret being revealed after mother's death and shows us how the family deals with it later. The mother chose to keep a secret, but was it ever a secret ? There is no point in trying to think of possible alternate courses to your past. Accept your past and move forward. This book reminds us again, that baggage of your bitter past or secrets are to be dropped as you move forward. Brooding over it would only breed more sadness and helplessness around you. Siblings in the story, I felt handles trauma in different ways. One reacts to it and the other one holds it within. Still they are victims of the baggage they carry from a disturbing childhood. Certain scars remain !
May 29, 2019
"It needed so little to make children happy, Ronojoy thought, as he drove off. Just as it needed little to scar them for life." (Page 130)
"Dark Circles" is the story of two brothers whose already ruptured lives spirals out of control due to a hidden family secret. The book gives an insight into the glue that keeps a family together as well as circumstances under which the familial bond severs. The blurb of the book is really intriguing (swipe to read) and I went in expecting a lot. Although the book has ingredients for a really good book, it felt half baked to me. There was huge potential for the story to be so much more than it is. I felt the mental health aspect was not given ample space. Don't let that deter you from the book though. I really enjoyed reading it and it kept me hooked till the last page. It's a family saga with a dark twist that you can finish over a lazy weekend.
"Dark Circles" is the story of two brothers whose already ruptured lives spirals out of control due to a hidden family secret. The book gives an insight into the glue that keeps a family together as well as circumstances under which the familial bond severs. The blurb of the book is really intriguing (swipe to read) and I went in expecting a lot. Although the book has ingredients for a really good book, it felt half baked to me. There was huge potential for the story to be so much more than it is. I felt the mental health aspect was not given ample space. Don't let that deter you from the book though. I really enjoyed reading it and it kept me hooked till the last page. It's a family saga with a dark twist that you can finish over a lazy weekend.
May 3, 2020
3.5*/5
January 7, 2019
"Wasn't this essentially what made us humane to see how fallible we all were and to make allowances for it, for each other?- Dark Circle
The book follows the story of 2 brothers Ronojoy and Sujoy. The brothers have been each other's anchor and support ever since Rononjoy was 12 years old and Sujoy was 6 years old. Their mother Mala had left them to the care of their grandmother while she led a tough life in an ashram after an incident that left her emotionally drained. While they are now grown up and leading their own life there is a pain, anger in them and a sense of abandonment that perturbs both the brothers. Amidst this, the death of their mother and the revealings of a letter left by Mala for Rononjoy adds to the anguish and brings back the scars of childhood memories. Both brothers are left aghast by these developments and both suffer in their own ways.
The beauty of this book lies in how the author has breathed air in the characters and the beautiful description of the story. While the plot is the heart of this book it is the ability to portray the deep musings and sufferings of each character where the strength of the book lies. Like the novel Cobalt blue, this book shows how each of us suffers in different ways. While some cry, shout and are angry some of us keep the sufferings to yourself and have a daily battle with one's mind.
The book brings out a pertinent issue of mental health and depression. In its own way, it portrays how seeking help and medical attention is essential for depression. It portrays how suffering from mental health and keeping it to oneself can cause havoc and ruin one's life.
This is an important book that should be read.
The book follows the story of 2 brothers Ronojoy and Sujoy. The brothers have been each other's anchor and support ever since Rononjoy was 12 years old and Sujoy was 6 years old. Their mother Mala had left them to the care of their grandmother while she led a tough life in an ashram after an incident that left her emotionally drained. While they are now grown up and leading their own life there is a pain, anger in them and a sense of abandonment that perturbs both the brothers. Amidst this, the death of their mother and the revealings of a letter left by Mala for Rononjoy adds to the anguish and brings back the scars of childhood memories. Both brothers are left aghast by these developments and both suffer in their own ways.
The beauty of this book lies in how the author has breathed air in the characters and the beautiful description of the story. While the plot is the heart of this book it is the ability to portray the deep musings and sufferings of each character where the strength of the book lies. Like the novel Cobalt blue, this book shows how each of us suffers in different ways. While some cry, shout and are angry some of us keep the sufferings to yourself and have a daily battle with one's mind.
The book brings out a pertinent issue of mental health and depression. In its own way, it portrays how seeking help and medical attention is essential for depression. It portrays how suffering from mental health and keeping it to oneself can cause havoc and ruin one's life.
This is an important book that should be read.
December 9, 2018
Not all families are perfect. For me, none of the families are perfect. This book is a perfect example of that. I particularly like the ending of this book. It does not give any false hopes, no happy endings, but simple reality of life. Exploring the concept of clinical depression, if only the author would have dwelled into the concept a little more.
December 29, 2018
Title: Dark Circles
Author: Udayan Mukherjee
Publisher : Bloomsbury India
Published on: 1st November 2018
Binding : Hardback
ISBN: 9789388134934
"Denial, suppression or forgetting - which game of shadows had the mind resorted to, to shield a twelve-year- old from carrying such an enormous burden?
BLURB
Can one indiscretion be allowed to scar a family for life?
Ronojoy's mother dies alone in the Ashram she had abruptly retreated to twenty-eight years ago, leaving him - then only twelve- to fend for the emotional needs of himself and his six-year-old brother.
When the cremation rites are complete, Ronojoy is handed a letter from his mother that is not so much a farewell as a confession. As before, it is left to him to decide whether to share the disturbing contents with his brother, whom he has always sought to protect.
Thus, begins another tumultuous cycle in the lives of the two brothers who already carry deep scars from their childhood; their fragile minds ever at risk of succumbing to the dark.
COVER PAGE
The cover page of the book was the first thing which attracted me to this book. The cover page of the book is very beautiful and realistic in nature. It has an image of two brothers behind their backs standing looking at the hills. It is very suitable with the story. The colours used in the cover page are very subtle making it attractive.
REVIEW
When I saw the cover page of Dark Circles I was very curious to know what this book is all about. I was amazed with the title and it was as if there was an attraction that was driving me to read this wonderful book. Dark Circles by Udayan Mukherjee is a heart wrenching story. I never imagined that Dark circles also have such a meaning.
It is a book full of emotions which wrenched me like anything. It is a very overwhelming story of a family. I was blown away by the first chapter itself and it made me stick to my reading corner. This book is so overwhelming that I had to put it down at several intervals to console my self and accept what is happening in the story but I was not able to hold myself from reading it further. The book took me to a different world away from the reality. It is a very intense read about family tragedy, relationships in the family and depression and how it impacted a well woven family. I loved the fact that the issue of depression was so highly addressed in the book and all the symptoms which a person faces are addressed. This is a book which is not going to leave my mind ever.
The book is penned down beautifully in a lucid manner with all the the events described in a great detail and his writing style made me dive into the book. It is a very fine debut book. The way the author has separated the present and the past is amazing. I was glad that the the flashbacks didn't confuse me while reading as there was a very clear distinction made between the past and the present. The book very well covers the themes of mental health issues and the relationships in the family. The various events in the book are described in a great detail. I liked the fact that the chapters are not so long in length. The story moves at its own pace in a calm manner. The book is set mainly in Delhi and Mukteshwar.
Since, it is a family tragedy so there are quite a number of characters in the book such as Ronojoy, Sujoy, Subir, Apu Kaka, Mala, Dida and various others. And, all the characters are very well developed and hold a very prominent place in the story. I liked how at various points the different perspectives of the characters are written in the book. The best part of the book is that all the characters are very realistic in nature showing that everything is not happy, there are broken families, people have mental illness and everything is not perfect in life. I really loved Ronojoy's character and I was very well able to empathise with him. And, the relation that Ronojoy and Sujoy share with their grandmother (Dida) is very well portrayed. Also,the strong bond between the two brothers is amazing.
It is a very well written, heart touching and an overwhelming read. I am really happy that I got a chance to read this marvellous work of fiction which is so realistic in nature. It is so intense that it made me numb at various points but didn't stop me from reading more and the way the sensitive issue of depression is highlighted is highly appreciated. The title is very suitable and is well justified as each character in the story holds darkness in themselves. It is one my favourite books of the year 2018.
Overall, an amazing work of fiction which made me realise a lot of aspects of life. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.
* I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Bloomsbury India) in exchange of a review. Thank You.
Author: Udayan Mukherjee
Publisher : Bloomsbury India
Published on: 1st November 2018
Binding : Hardback
ISBN: 9789388134934
"Denial, suppression or forgetting - which game of shadows had the mind resorted to, to shield a twelve-year- old from carrying such an enormous burden?
BLURB
Can one indiscretion be allowed to scar a family for life?
Ronojoy's mother dies alone in the Ashram she had abruptly retreated to twenty-eight years ago, leaving him - then only twelve- to fend for the emotional needs of himself and his six-year-old brother.
When the cremation rites are complete, Ronojoy is handed a letter from his mother that is not so much a farewell as a confession. As before, it is left to him to decide whether to share the disturbing contents with his brother, whom he has always sought to protect.
Thus, begins another tumultuous cycle in the lives of the two brothers who already carry deep scars from their childhood; their fragile minds ever at risk of succumbing to the dark.
COVER PAGE
The cover page of the book was the first thing which attracted me to this book. The cover page of the book is very beautiful and realistic in nature. It has an image of two brothers behind their backs standing looking at the hills. It is very suitable with the story. The colours used in the cover page are very subtle making it attractive.
REVIEW
When I saw the cover page of Dark Circles I was very curious to know what this book is all about. I was amazed with the title and it was as if there was an attraction that was driving me to read this wonderful book. Dark Circles by Udayan Mukherjee is a heart wrenching story. I never imagined that Dark circles also have such a meaning.
It is a book full of emotions which wrenched me like anything. It is a very overwhelming story of a family. I was blown away by the first chapter itself and it made me stick to my reading corner. This book is so overwhelming that I had to put it down at several intervals to console my self and accept what is happening in the story but I was not able to hold myself from reading it further. The book took me to a different world away from the reality. It is a very intense read about family tragedy, relationships in the family and depression and how it impacted a well woven family. I loved the fact that the issue of depression was so highly addressed in the book and all the symptoms which a person faces are addressed. This is a book which is not going to leave my mind ever.
The book is penned down beautifully in a lucid manner with all the the events described in a great detail and his writing style made me dive into the book. It is a very fine debut book. The way the author has separated the present and the past is amazing. I was glad that the the flashbacks didn't confuse me while reading as there was a very clear distinction made between the past and the present. The book very well covers the themes of mental health issues and the relationships in the family. The various events in the book are described in a great detail. I liked the fact that the chapters are not so long in length. The story moves at its own pace in a calm manner. The book is set mainly in Delhi and Mukteshwar.
Since, it is a family tragedy so there are quite a number of characters in the book such as Ronojoy, Sujoy, Subir, Apu Kaka, Mala, Dida and various others. And, all the characters are very well developed and hold a very prominent place in the story. I liked how at various points the different perspectives of the characters are written in the book. The best part of the book is that all the characters are very realistic in nature showing that everything is not happy, there are broken families, people have mental illness and everything is not perfect in life. I really loved Ronojoy's character and I was very well able to empathise with him. And, the relation that Ronojoy and Sujoy share with their grandmother (Dida) is very well portrayed. Also,the strong bond between the two brothers is amazing.
It is a very well written, heart touching and an overwhelming read. I am really happy that I got a chance to read this marvellous work of fiction which is so realistic in nature. It is so intense that it made me numb at various points but didn't stop me from reading more and the way the sensitive issue of depression is highlighted is highly appreciated. The title is very suitable and is well justified as each character in the story holds darkness in themselves. It is one my favourite books of the year 2018.
Overall, an amazing work of fiction which made me realise a lot of aspects of life. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.
* I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Bloomsbury India) in exchange of a review. Thank You.
December 9, 2019
Dark Circles by Udayan Mukherjee is the story of two brothers who already are going through a tough mental state and they get shock of their life when elder son Ronojoy gets a letter from his deceased mother which is handed over to him after her death. This letter spills out deep dark secrets which she otherwise had been hiding all her life. So, i would say it's a heartbreaking read as there is a lot happening in the book in present day and in memory flashbacks of the characters. Author narrating the story of a family which has lost the glue which binds the family, beautifully suggests that different people give different reaction to same set of events as their mind process the events differently and everyone has a different character and viewpoint to respective event but forgiving brings mental peace besides an end to all the disturbing memories which otherwise keep on coming back making various excuses and hampering mental health. The prose is so well written that the characters and the events feel so realistic, there's no drama and unnecessary dragging.
In fact the book so successfully manages to talk about depression, guilt ridden acts, suicide and it's side effects on family or rather innocent family members, absence of important family members when their presence was most desired to deal with grief and losses, adultery, guilt ridden withdrawal and mental illness but the main focus of story is relationships and human emotions. The author has such a fine writing style that the story and prose has the ability to hold the reader till the end. The book has an open ending reflecting that the emotions can't be determined perfectly and hence can take any turn. A few things in life can't be ignored or lead to closure because they follow the rule of circle that is coming back to beginning and in few cases dark circles of guilt, rage, sorrow, anger, lust and loneliness.
In fact the book so successfully manages to talk about depression, guilt ridden acts, suicide and it's side effects on family or rather innocent family members, absence of important family members when their presence was most desired to deal with grief and losses, adultery, guilt ridden withdrawal and mental illness but the main focus of story is relationships and human emotions. The author has such a fine writing style that the story and prose has the ability to hold the reader till the end. The book has an open ending reflecting that the emotions can't be determined perfectly and hence can take any turn. A few things in life can't be ignored or lead to closure because they follow the rule of circle that is coming back to beginning and in few cases dark circles of guilt, rage, sorrow, anger, lust and loneliness.
November 1, 2018
Dark Circles revolves around the two brothers, Ronojoy and Sujoy, who deal with grief and secrets after the death of their mother. From past reading experiences, an author would prefer revealing mysteries at the end of the book, to surprise the reader, but here, Udayan Mukherjee decided to disclose the secret in the first chapter itself. But it worked for the book as this early disclosure helped the story build around the tragic childhood of the two brothers.
(read the full review on: https://musingsofalazywriter.wordpres...)
The story oscillates between the past and present as the brothers discover the reason behind their parents’ broken marriage and everything that took place when they were little. Both of them deal with the circumstances in their own ways. One drinks his troubles away, and the other tries to be the rock. But both are hurting.
I would also say that the ending felt a tad abrupt to me. A little more time could have been taken to explain a few things. But as I have said before, I like to have closure and I didn’t get a proper closure for one of the characters. I also feel that the plot was a tad soap opera-ish. But I understand why it seems so. The kind of drama and tragedy that surrounded the family made it give off that vibe.
Written in minimalistic prose, this book can be easily finished in one sitting. One can relate to the characters as they are just like us—fallible and imperfect. It may be a dark and sad story, but it gives one hope about the future, that no matter how trying the times are, everything heals and your happiness is in your hands. I totally recommend this book!
(read the full review on: https://musingsofalazywriter.wordpres...)
The story oscillates between the past and present as the brothers discover the reason behind their parents’ broken marriage and everything that took place when they were little. Both of them deal with the circumstances in their own ways. One drinks his troubles away, and the other tries to be the rock. But both are hurting.
I would also say that the ending felt a tad abrupt to me. A little more time could have been taken to explain a few things. But as I have said before, I like to have closure and I didn’t get a proper closure for one of the characters. I also feel that the plot was a tad soap opera-ish. But I understand why it seems so. The kind of drama and tragedy that surrounded the family made it give off that vibe.
Written in minimalistic prose, this book can be easily finished in one sitting. One can relate to the characters as they are just like us—fallible and imperfect. It may be a dark and sad story, but it gives one hope about the future, that no matter how trying the times are, everything heals and your happiness is in your hands. I totally recommend this book!
December 28, 2018
Dark Circles
Udayan Mukherjee
Bloomsbury India
2018. Pp – 208.
In an emotionally overwhelming way, Dark Circles is an intense read. The story is deep and the narrative is strong.
Blurb~
Ronojoy’s mother dies alone in the Ashram she had abruptly retreated to twenty-eight years ago, leaving him – then only twelve- to fend for the emotional needs of himself and his six-year-old brother.
When the cremation rites are complete, Ronojoy is handed a letter from his mother that is not so much a farewell as a confession. As before, it is left to him to decide whether to share the disturbing contents with his brother, whom he has always sought to protect.
Thus, begins another tumultuous cycle in the lives of the two brothers who already carry deep scars from their childhood; their fragile minds ever at risk of succumbing to the dark.
Written in spare, stark prose, Dark Circles deftly weaves past and present, offering tantalizing glimpses of bottled truths buried deep in the recesses of repressed memory; brilliantly exposing the dark undercurrents that swirl under the seemingly placid lives of families.
#bookstagramindia #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #review #bookreview #readdreamrepeat #blogger #bookblogger #delhibookstagrammer #indianblogger #igreads #delhiblogger #unitedbookstagram #delhibookstagramfam #bookishfeatures #bookporn #booknerd #bookstagramfeature #newyear #newyearreads
61 down @htbrunch #htbrunchbookchallenge #BrunchBookChallenge #htbrunch
Udayan Mukherjee
Bloomsbury India
2018. Pp – 208.
In an emotionally overwhelming way, Dark Circles is an intense read. The story is deep and the narrative is strong.
Blurb~
Ronojoy’s mother dies alone in the Ashram she had abruptly retreated to twenty-eight years ago, leaving him – then only twelve- to fend for the emotional needs of himself and his six-year-old brother.
When the cremation rites are complete, Ronojoy is handed a letter from his mother that is not so much a farewell as a confession. As before, it is left to him to decide whether to share the disturbing contents with his brother, whom he has always sought to protect.
Thus, begins another tumultuous cycle in the lives of the two brothers who already carry deep scars from their childhood; their fragile minds ever at risk of succumbing to the dark.
Written in spare, stark prose, Dark Circles deftly weaves past and present, offering tantalizing glimpses of bottled truths buried deep in the recesses of repressed memory; brilliantly exposing the dark undercurrents that swirl under the seemingly placid lives of families.
#bookstagramindia #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #review #bookreview #readdreamrepeat #blogger #bookblogger #delhibookstagrammer #indianblogger #igreads #delhiblogger #unitedbookstagram #delhibookstagramfam #bookishfeatures #bookporn #booknerd #bookstagramfeature #newyear #newyearreads
61 down @htbrunch #htbrunchbookchallenge #BrunchBookChallenge #htbrunch
October 31, 2019
The book store manager at CP, New Delhi left me a bit surprized when he recommended me Dark Circles while I was reading a Manto translation in English. His initially pitch was for the complete collection of Manto.
Maybe the Bengali connection of my wife & kids or he judged me the choice of books I was glancing through :-)
Its a good quick read, Udyan has penned an Indian/Bengali family from a vastly different angle than we are used to; things that are not talked about, generally hushed up. And wisely it does not compe across as preachy. There as no deep insights or triggers for contemplation in this story. Just an honest attempt of portraying a family where everyone makes mistakes, tries to own up to those mistakes in his or her own way. A hint of psychological challenges that all of us Indians are facing, but still considered a taboo in our society (Depression). The main plot of the story too evolves around a theme associated with shame universaly (extra-marital affair, iligitimate child).
Various facets of relationships within Indian/ Bengali families are explored througout the story. The one that truly stands out is the strong connect of sibling who have gone through tough childhood days together.
Maybe the Bengali connection of my wife & kids or he judged me the choice of books I was glancing through :-)
Its a good quick read, Udyan has penned an Indian/Bengali family from a vastly different angle than we are used to; things that are not talked about, generally hushed up. And wisely it does not compe across as preachy. There as no deep insights or triggers for contemplation in this story. Just an honest attempt of portraying a family where everyone makes mistakes, tries to own up to those mistakes in his or her own way. A hint of psychological challenges that all of us Indians are facing, but still considered a taboo in our society (Depression). The main plot of the story too evolves around a theme associated with shame universaly (extra-marital affair, iligitimate child).
Various facets of relationships within Indian/ Bengali families are explored througout the story. The one that truly stands out is the strong connect of sibling who have gone through tough childhood days together.
November 18, 2018
There are some books whose stories don’t leave our minds long after we are done reading them. This book was one of those.
Before I even talk about anything else, I genuinely loved the cover, title and even the creative play of font so much since the time I got my hands on this one. And summing up the emotions triggered by it, the book connects really well within itself and to its readers as well.
Coming to the plot, it spins around the two siblings, Ronojoy and Sujoy, who are to manage sorrow and insider facts after the passing of their mom. The story sways between them over a significant time span as the siblings find the explanation for their folks’ broken marriage and everything that occurred when they were pretty much nothing. Then the two manage the conditions in their own specific manners.
A lot happens in this quick read. A lot more goes on in the mind of ones reading it. The story might feel a little complex to many but for me, it was worth it. I also enjoyed some blanks that got my mind thinking. And in no way, I noticed this book is a debut, which since it is, I will be looking forward to more from the author.
Before I even talk about anything else, I genuinely loved the cover, title and even the creative play of font so much since the time I got my hands on this one. And summing up the emotions triggered by it, the book connects really well within itself and to its readers as well.
Coming to the plot, it spins around the two siblings, Ronojoy and Sujoy, who are to manage sorrow and insider facts after the passing of their mom. The story sways between them over a significant time span as the siblings find the explanation for their folks’ broken marriage and everything that occurred when they were pretty much nothing. Then the two manage the conditions in their own specific manners.
A lot happens in this quick read. A lot more goes on in the mind of ones reading it. The story might feel a little complex to many but for me, it was worth it. I also enjoyed some blanks that got my mind thinking. And in no way, I noticed this book is a debut, which since it is, I will be looking forward to more from the author.
April 1, 2022
A good story, well written, enjoyed after a long time.
If you are depressed and down this story might rejuvenate you or take you further down towards sadness.
As a mother dies she leaves a letter to her elder son in which she states that her younger son has a different father. This thought itself is a wonderful premise to start with.the story unfolds as how the two brothers face the situation and how their lives are effected by this disclosure.
The writing is excellent, for a first book by the author it is nothing short of brilliance. Every scene in the pages come out live as we are part of the plot and are viewing the characters in close proximity.
Sad, yes the plot rekindles in you the reason for your living and to forgive and forget the past, the more you cling to it the more it pushes you to sadness and depression.
Overall an excellent quick read makes you think about a lot of things that can suddenly changed without a warning.
If you are depressed and down this story might rejuvenate you or take you further down towards sadness.
As a mother dies she leaves a letter to her elder son in which she states that her younger son has a different father. This thought itself is a wonderful premise to start with.the story unfolds as how the two brothers face the situation and how their lives are effected by this disclosure.
The writing is excellent, for a first book by the author it is nothing short of brilliance. Every scene in the pages come out live as we are part of the plot and are viewing the characters in close proximity.
Sad, yes the plot rekindles in you the reason for your living and to forgive and forget the past, the more you cling to it the more it pushes you to sadness and depression.
Overall an excellent quick read makes you think about a lot of things that can suddenly changed without a warning.
March 10, 2025
A Sharp, Unapologetic Read
This book got me out of a reading slump, and that alone says something.
It tells a story that doesn’t romanticize life’s messiness. Depression, adultery, emotional suppression, and the quiet ways families fall apart, it lays everything bare without offering easy resolutions. The biggest takeaway is simple yet often ignored: communicate. If you don’t, the weight of unspoken words will break you.
The plot is strong, the writing is impressive for a debut, but the character development, especially for Subir, could have been more layered. The story moves fast, sometimes at the expense of depth, but that also makes it easy to read in one or two sittings. The ending isn’t neat or comforting, but it feels true to life. Some mistakes don’t get erased. Some closures never come.
3.5 stars. Worth reading, but be mindful if themes of mental illness and suicide are difficult for you.
This book got me out of a reading slump, and that alone says something.
It tells a story that doesn’t romanticize life’s messiness. Depression, adultery, emotional suppression, and the quiet ways families fall apart, it lays everything bare without offering easy resolutions. The biggest takeaway is simple yet often ignored: communicate. If you don’t, the weight of unspoken words will break you.
The plot is strong, the writing is impressive for a debut, but the character development, especially for Subir, could have been more layered. The story moves fast, sometimes at the expense of depth, but that also makes it easy to read in one or two sittings. The ending isn’t neat or comforting, but it feels true to life. Some mistakes don’t get erased. Some closures never come.
3.5 stars. Worth reading, but be mindful if themes of mental illness and suicide are difficult for you.
January 13, 2019
3.5/5
The story revolves around two brothers, Ronojoy & Sujoy who are very close to one another. As they lose their mother at a young age, Ronojoy being the elder son feels the burden of taking care of his younger brother but he is also burdened with a secret which his mother wrote in her last letter to him. A secret which has the possibility to break the harmonious relationship between the two brothers. Should such a secret be kept so in order to keep the family intact or should it be shared in order to keep transparency? Get this book to dive into their lives,
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
The story revolves around two brothers, Ronojoy & Sujoy who are very close to one another. As they lose their mother at a young age, Ronojoy being the elder son feels the burden of taking care of his younger brother but he is also burdened with a secret which his mother wrote in her last letter to him. A secret which has the possibility to break the harmonious relationship between the two brothers. Should such a secret be kept so in order to keep the family intact or should it be shared in order to keep transparency? Get this book to dive into their lives,
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
July 19, 2020
I started reading this book without a lot of expectations, wanting a break from reading non-fiction. The book revolves around the contents of a letter passed on to a son in which his now-dead mother reveals a dark secret which turns the lives of the two brothers upside down. Emotional, easy-to-read and breezy, this book was interesting and had a lot of plusses. It was interesting to see how the importance of mental health (and the lack of awareness thereof) was interwoven into the narrative seamlessly, although it is not dealt with in detail. I got to know that this is the author's debut novel, which is impressive. A neat debut which you will like, if you don't have too many expectations from it.
November 30, 2018
The book is intense. The plot rotates around a slip and moment of weakness, depression, complicated family chains and how it unfurls into a series of events which affects lives.
Emotive, tightly woven, with very well defined characters and a well paced read. Dark, tormenting, evocative and melancholic - some bits of the book thaws and rages into your heart - and is sure to move you through a whirlpool of emotions.
Rationale and balanced - deals with fabric of family and the evolving facets of complications in relations very closely. The story and the arguments between the characters are very beautifully worded. A must read.
Awaiting the next book.
Emotive, tightly woven, with very well defined characters and a well paced read. Dark, tormenting, evocative and melancholic - some bits of the book thaws and rages into your heart - and is sure to move you through a whirlpool of emotions.
Rationale and balanced - deals with fabric of family and the evolving facets of complications in relations very closely. The story and the arguments between the characters are very beautifully worded. A must read.
Awaiting the next book.
November 26, 2019
A quietly brilliant book that makes you think long after you turn the last page. Who actually bore the burden of the mother's difficult decision? Who was scarred most by the actions of the parents? An empathetic portrayal of imperfect people whose actions and decisions affect an entire family. Restrained, unhurried prose adds to the note of melancholy that runs through the story and hovers over the characters. A confident and pitch-perfect debut novel that resists the temptation to entertain and just tells a rather dark story really well.
August 12, 2020
Dark circles takes you on a emotional rollercoaster. Its smoothly paced and is engrossing. Slightly Bollywoodish story line, the treatment of the characters is real. The emotional upheavals of the two protagonists, Sujoy and Ronojoy , along with their mother Mala is the main story. The pain, the anguish and the struggle is well depicted. Mala's husband Subir and his brother Apu form the other main characters.
All their lives are interwoven and this takes the story to varied levels.
A tale well told!
All their lives are interwoven and this takes the story to varied levels.
A tale well told!
January 24, 2021
A dark family drama that traverses into the troubled childhood of two siblings and its lasting effects on their adult lives. The main characters are well sketched out, but certain plot points seems a bit simplistic. The outlining of the characters helps though, as the author explores tabooed themes as well as the psyches of the characters undergoing trauma in considerable depth. The narrative moves between the present and the past but the sombre mood is a constant. A combination of these two elements leaves a deep impression in this relatively short read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews