There were some amazing stories in this collection, but also some that I could barely finish reading. The inclusion of duds like Urvashi and Johnny baThere were some amazing stories in this collection, but also some that I could barely finish reading. The inclusion of duds like Urvashi and Johnny basically brought down the rating by 1 star because it was so absolutely annoying to read. The women writers ratio was pretty dismal with only 2 out of 21 authors making the cut. I simply did not think this could possibly happen in a Bengali anthropology.
Some of my favourites were:
The Kabuliwallah by Rabindranath Tagore: This really seems to be every Indian's favourite Tagore story, though I can think of many others that I enjoy more. But this was a fun foray into nostalgia, so it definitely makes the list.
The Homecoming by Banaphool: An insurance agent meets a family on a train and tries to sell insurance to them. He realises it's the family of goddess Durga but also manages to sell some insurance! Very hilarious story but short and sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Two Magicians by Satyajit Ray: This was a thrilling ride and I can totally imagine this story would do well on the screen. An older magician teaches a young one "pure" magic tricks in the Indian style, but is unable to market himself very well. His disciple goes on to become rich and popular by adopting a more flashy style of smoke and mirrors illusions.
Post Mortem by Sunil Gangopadhyay: A story of the investigation of an old man who died after jumping from a tram, it takes a more philosophical turn when the investigator tries to figure out why and who could be responsible for the event.
The Marble Table by Sanjib Chattoppadhyay: A controlling and abusive man holds his entire family in the grip of terror. When his father in law gets his finger caught in the marble table, it starts a saga that leads to lengthy repercussions. Finally, the old man is left alone with his table and has no one left. Apt end for abusers!
Thunder and Lightning by Ashapurna Debi: When a young man gets married off against his will, he wants to spend time with his wife. But the family members only wanted a servant for the house and discouraged this relationship. The man once again pulls away and escapes, leaving the young bride to the mercy of her in-laws and the family to poverty. When the bride finally decides to follow a different path that leads to freedom and money, the family is not loath to take advantage of her while simultaneously abusing her.
News of a Murder by Moti Nandy: I thought this was both hilarious and terrifying. When a woman is murdered by the house servant, another woman of the same name in another part of the city faces unexpected repercussions.
Some stories I did not enjoy included The Discovery of Telenapota and Flapperoos, both of which appear to be some type of weird science fiction. Urvashi and Johnny was a depressing story of a beggar and his singer wife depicting utter depravity. Overall a decent collection, but the "bad" stories were really unreadable for me!
Only two left, and I am trying Punjabi next! ...more
Isabella Bird was a Victorian explorer and author, and has written travelogues based on her travels around the world, from Korea to the US. Since she Isabella Bird was a Victorian explorer and author, and has written travelogues based on her travels around the world, from Korea to the US. Since she travelled in the second half of the 19th century, the books are very intriguing from a historical perspective, though they have the usual problems that the century itself had.
Among the Tibetans is Bird's account of her travels from Kashmir, India to Tibet. She describes the changes in landscape and culture and people as she gradually proceeds with her journey. It is interesting that she preferred Tibet to India, despite the obvious colonised attitude of the latter, or maybe because of it?
It was rather jarring to hear Ladakh called 'Lesser Tibet' or 'Lower Tibet', terms I have never heard of before. You realise politics and international geopolitics was a totally different beast at the time! People like Bird could also just sashay into countries, make demands of the local population, and make drama. And now they can't to the same extent. It's rather satisfying.
As always with British explorers, there was the inevitable racism. She literally describes Tibetans as ugly, short, squat, yellow-skinned, flat-nosed, oblique-eyed, uncouth-looking people!!! ...more
Say what you will about the Nancy Drew books. There are many faults and in some respects, the books have not stood the test of time very well (erasureSay what you will about the Nancy Drew books. There are many faults and in some respects, the books have not stood the test of time very well (erasure of races other than whites, upper class girls zooming around in complete safety, intimate connections with the police, etc.) BUT the Stratemeyer Syndicate thought up the most exotic and interesting ideas to write stories about!
In The Hidden Window Mystery, Nancy reads about a reward for finding a stained glass window and decides to pursue it. At the same time, a new neighbour starts creating trouble for her and is in general a nuisance to everyone. Carson Drew packs off his daughter to an (obviously rich) cousin's home in Virginia to follow a trail. There, Nancy enjoys garden parties, takes stained glass painting lessons, and hunts a ghost in addition to investigating the antique window.
I enjoyed this book but I will never cease to be amazed at how bad some white people are about understanding different cultures and yet are comfortable writing about it. An Indian gentleman living in the rich neighbourhood, you say? Wow, how nice and progressive! And then you read his name is Mr Honsho ... ...more
This time, Tintin and the gang are on their way to Australia to attend a space conference. They make a stop in Jakarta, where the rich and unscrupulouThis time, Tintin and the gang are on their way to Australia to attend a space conference. They make a stop in Jakarta, where the rich and unscrupulous Lazlo Carreidas takes a fancy to them, and insists that they travel with him in his personal jet. This leads to yet another adventure for Tintin, as the plane is hijacked in the middle of the flight by Carreidas' own secretary, and diverted to a Pacific Island.
Our old friend, Rastapopoulos, makes an appearance in his nth avatar, with the aim of forcing Carreidas make over his fortune to him after he had lost his own. Both characters actually provide a lot of humour in the story, especially Carreidas. The story strides into the supernatural as a device to save Tintin and the others at the climax, which I felt was slightly weak and lazy storytelling.
This is not as fun as many of the other books, but still pretty good. Hergé brings in a lot of old characters but they don't actually do anything. The clever clues or comedy in the illustrations were not as ubiquitous as usual. Overall, I think Hergé had a good idea for the story but did not know how to develop it. Maybe he was just bored and brought in all kinds of random ideas. Who knows?
I thoroughly enjoyed this peek into the Amish community, and it gave a slightly different flavour to the whole story, as if it's set even more in the I thoroughly enjoyed this peek into the Amish community, and it gave a slightly different flavour to the whole story, as if it's set even more in the past than it actually was. The story begins when a new neighbour of Nancy's asks her to help with finding some missing furniture. As Nancy begins to follow the trail, it leads her directly to the Pennsylvania Dutch community.
Someone is spreading the rumour that Nancy is a witch and many in the community seem to believe it. As Nancy and her friends get evicted from one host home after another, she redoubles her effort to catch the thief, who seems to be hidden among this community. Nancy also simultaneously tries to help a young Amish woman who has been disowned by her parents for being ... human.
The book brushes lightly over the abusive cultural practices, like a toxic patriarchal man practicing ostracisation of his own daughter. And apparently, he is the one who is hurt. I would much have preferred Nancy helps her get away to a shelter. But I guess the narrative is also a reflection of it's time.
In between all this drama, Nancy and her friends also found time to enjoy parties, feasts, and other enjoyments. Fun book! ...more
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