Farewell Season
by Ashish Kalita is an absolutely extraordinary collection of nine short
stories. As the title suggests, farewell is a prominent theme in the book;
nearly all stories are built around the same scaffold. It explores the
different dynamics of human emotions and tales of fate that are caught in the
storm of circumstances. They eventually lead to farewell – some go ritually,
while others are unwelcomed and tragic.
The broader theme
of the book insists that farewells do have patterns, situations, intense
feelings, subtle madness…but can we ever understand them behind the veils of
emotional curtains? Ashish takes readers to the deeper levels of human psyche
and narrates powerful stories about love, family bonding, friendship, quirks of
fate, ironies of life, and so on. Another great aspect of the book is that it
binds the readers with North Eastern cultural heritage and flavor, sprinkling
the backdrop with cuisines, festivals, local jargons, etc.
The book
commences with the story of a boy named Bokul who is haunted by a recurring
nightmare in which his grandma turns into a witch. The story brilliantly
captures fear, dilemma, and the tenderness of a school boy’s heart. But the
interesting twist is that he isn’t a lone victim. There is a girl too from his
class. Are they connected through a nightmare?
The second story
Farewell Season is set in the bustling cosmopolitan culture of Delhi; it
narrates the tale of an old Punjabi couple longing to see their son return from
the USA…but that appears far from plausible…Then there is their shop caretaker
Vijay who ignores his wedding to serve them. The tumultuous maze of human
relationships is intriguing; it transcends bloodline. Ironically, near ones go
away and strangers embrace.
The book may
nudge you to cogitation; you may introspect about your choices and the life
that you left behind. You may wonder how small situations shape us, change our
perspectives and the course of our lives. Through a string of characters, the
author depicts how small episodes from life teach us many things. The stories
sound real, as though events from our own lives but with a tinge of fiction.
Each story has
something to teach. From an intriguing plot to an engaging narrative, they
convey the unspoken emotions, at times silently. The author’s command over the
English language is commendable. So many life events and characters intertwined
in their personal forte of choices and maze of circumstances, the book is a
sheer delight with a medley of feelings. The stories have a sense of
familiarity. They are relatable and to the point. Not to forget the interesting
title and cover. A simple, light and intriguing book that you must pick! Makes
up for a great weekend read. Highly recommended!
Buy from Amazon/Kindle
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