That Calcutta... Those Bongs!

by Dipanwita Mukherjee

Here is your best chance to know all about 'that Calcutta' and 'those Bongs'! A collection of short stories, this book will tell you everything you wanted to know about Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) and the wonderful Bengalis. As you flip through the pages, you will fall in love with the Bengalis — their habits, idiosyncrasies, crazy ways of life, and of course, their delicious food! From the savoury hilsa to the intrinsic rasogollas to a tinge of gandharaj lime... your mouth will water — that's how their culinary skills are. You will become a part of their world among the dadas, didas and thakumas. And at times you might go O' Mago at their gullibility.

Replete with a witty sense of humour, mild sarcasm and intelligent irony, these stories will undoubtedly make you laugh, and at times, make your eyes go moist. Through these brilliant stories triggered by real life incidents and inspiration, the author takes you on a memorable journey which one will never forget.

Genres: Short Stories

205 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[Arti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of 21 short stories by Mrs Mukherjee. Each of these stories has a unique flavor. The Bengali terms used in between and then explained at the end of the book actually keeps the feel alive in the book. It actually gives a sneak peek into the routine lives of people in Bengal. While reading the book, I realized that what looked so insignificant to us when it is a part of our daily life, becomes actually important when it is well written.

Certain stories actually can be picturised as they are too close to real life especially, Spring onion greens (the relationship of a new bride with her in-laws), wrong entrance (was my favorite, very sweet), boroma (actually describes the life led by widows in Bengal till some years ago, maybe still), waiting to go home (makes us realize why our parents worry for us) and The Piano (makes us realize that our parents can everything for us so that we are happy). Reading the Gandharaj lime, I could actually get the smell of the lime, the story is so well written. Buro Ma was quite touching (it makes us realize what a mother can do for her child, come what may) and while reading The wish, the end was what I was hoping for.

It is actually worth the money spent.

[Kunal Sen · Rating 2 out of 5]

there's almost too much that happens in the stories, the ironies were overwrought, the endings are too pat.

dipanwita writes well, not greatly, but well. and sometimes, i feel that the leitmotif of the Bengali or Bengal is just incidental to the scheme of things and the narrative seems to be wrapped forcibly around it, around this tick, rather than evolving or stemming naturally from it.

the problem is there many stories and very few memorable ones and just a couple that actually dig deep instead of hovering on the peripheries. 'Gandharaj Lime' is the most exceptional: generational, tragic, tight and sharp. 'Wrong Entrance' has a pleasingly offbeat male lead and thus somewhat engaging, although the story is circuitous and tapers out without having the redemption of abruptness. the rest of the stories are sensationally unmemorable.

I would've gone for 1/5 since only two of twenty one stories scream out and grab your attention. But because of the price tag of Rs. 95/-, which is rather expendable, I am giving this 2/5.

[Kalyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eclectic short stories from Bengali society and cultural settings. The author tries to relive the subtle emotional underplays in a cultural settings. A book, which needs to be read slowly to feel the emotional whirl of each character.Don't expect grand twists at the end of each story, just flow with the book and you would enjoy the irony which reveals itself..... and of-course shades of Dipanwita ,the author's,own emotional undercurrent betraying her.

[Debdatta Purkayastha · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved this book, and my mom loved it too! :)

[Pritha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories on quintessential bengali life from 60s and 70s of the last century. A lot of the situations were prevalent in 90s as well. Pure nostalgia trip for a person like me who was born in mid eighties and spend childhood and adolescence in the nineties.

But all the stories are not that well structured. Some leaves us wanting for more and contemplate in a good way but some feels like something was missing despite all the right ingredients.

Overall, a decent read.

[Vinay Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The positive aspects of the book were that it was an easy and quick read, and the stories covered a lot of emotions/experiences. The flipside was that none of the characters were really memorable, and I couldn't really empathize with them either. Not much to reco. Perhaps a book you can try for a short journey.

[Aditi Shetty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bengali traditions, rituals and food have always fascinated me. Stories told by Bengali authors always have elaborate descriptions of their customs and lifestyle. This book is a collection of such stories which give you a glimpse of the Bengali way of life. All the stories are well written and has a kind of 'old-world' feel. The writing style is quite simple but effective. Even the stories are quite simple, devoid of loud humor, thrills and twists. So this book may not be for the young and the restless :) . I liked the glossary included at the end which explains the Bengali terms used throughout the book.

[Tuhina Sen · Rating 1 out of 5]

none of teh stories are heart touching ! too mundane ..

[Rangarajan Iyengar · Rating 2 out of 5]

wanted to finish a book in a flight ... short stories that didnt quite deliver. could have been much better ...

[Akshatha Chakkodubail Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read for people who enjoy short stories!

[Sushobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories of way back... when kolkata was calcutta...

full of the smell of calcutta, streets of calcutta, most important people of calcutta

[Partha Mondal · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good look into the day to day life of a bengali household with amny falvours and different facets of life.

[Soh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read.... !!

[Debjani Chunder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved every story. Reminds me of my childhood.

[Janani Iyer]

The whole reading experience is like a trip to the soul of Calcutta.

[Edwina Laycock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that the style of writing was childish and the stories did not have much deep meaning.