Kevein Books and Reviews

In the burgeoning landscape of North-East Indian literature, Nikhil Khasnabish has carved a niche as a writer who treats the socio-political and cultural realities of Assam with both a journalist's precision and a poet's heart. His latest offering, The Son of Santra Hill, is perhaps his most ambitious work to date — a sprawling narrative that deftly weaves together realistic fiction, historical folklore, and high fantasy into a singular sociocultural tapestry. Set against the verdant, mist-shrouded backdrop of Santra Gaon, the novel introduces us to Otenga, a young man caught in the crosshairs of a generational and ideological rift. His father, Paniram Rabha, a poor peasant whose life has been a grueling battle against the soil, harbors the quintessential dream of the marginalized: to see his son ascend to the security of a government post. When Otenga fails his BA examinations, the domestic tension reaches a boiling point. However, Khasnabish frames this not merely as a failur...

At the Pace of the Pines is a contemplative contemporary novella by Amit Pande that interrogates the profound emptiness enforced by modern living. Neither a traditional memoir nor a simple personal narrative, this 93-page work of literary fiction possesses the delicate texture of an intimate, slice-of-life study. It explores a deep psychological landscape, demanding that we question the very nature of our existence and the price of our survival.   The Protagonist and the "Quiet Weight"   The narrator is a man weary of the world—jaded, tired, and weathered by a void that modern success fails to fill. Having endured the hollow pressures of urban life, he seeks a pace and comfort of his own, though the path to finding it forms the core of this introspective journey. The novella’s undercurrent explores the psychological toll of urban isolation and corporate burnout. While the storyline is devoid of a high-octane plot, the narrative feels strikingly familiar and deeply persona...

In the landscape of Indian literature, the voices from the North East have often been relegated to the footnotes of the national narrative. However, Ramu Upadhaya, an author deeply rooted in the soil of Assam, has emerged as a consistent and formidable chronicler of regional anxieties. Through his previous works, Upadhaya has navigated the complex socio-political terrains of Gorkhaland, Dima Hasao, and Haflong, giving breath to the aspirations of those living within India’s territorial peripheries. His latest offering, The Quest of Baojender, is a 54-chapter odyssey that transcends mere storytelling, serving as a powerful vessel for North Eastern voices delivered with a mixture of raw thrust and intellectual gusto. The Spiritual Cartography of Baojender   At the heart of the novel lies the concept of "Baojender." The term finds its roots in the word Baojen, which traditionally signifies a tiny, humble hamlet. Yet, in Upadhaya’s imaginative skeins, the "by-liner" o...

Dabi Aas by Shaikh Sarafat Ali is a sequel to his previous novel Dabi Aas (Diary). The story continues with the same set of characters that were left in the previous part. At the outset of this novel, John is seen being a famous painter. His pain of yesteryears that he endured while bein in love with Ishita transformed him drastically. As John's fame grows as painter, his memories of earlier days of college and job haunts him. Though he knows he cannot go back in the time yet the wounds that he got will remain with him. Against the tide of time, John longs for Ishita's love. But things have changed a lot at Ishita's side. She was married when John became her companion during a job. That love was different and John did not dare to disturb her family life. Thus, both could not reciprocate that. However, feelings were strong at both sides. It was John who retreated. What all happened with their love story had already described in the first part – Dabi Aas Diary. Much part of t...

“Rakht Banddhan” by Dipnanda Bhaduri is an eclectic mix of thriller, horror, and supernatural novel. It is set in beautiful tea estate place Coorg in South India. However, its timeline and the mettle of characters stretcher across boundaries. One of the finest aspects of a horror thriller could be its perfect backdrop that exudes vibes of ghostly activities and eerie ambience. Coorg is that one backdrop and because of that the novel seems rooted in Indianism but also exudes a gothic reverberation. At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Bhargavi – a poor displaced young woman. Her personal story of struggle doesn’t take the main course narrative, yet through sweeps and memories we get to know about the gap between her aspirations and current misery. Through a contact of a doctor, she takes up house maid job in a riche estate in Coorg where she confronts with other auxiliary characters of the novel like Kumar and Mamtha and Swami Ji. She has to report to Ashwini Amma, the senior l...

“The Monk in The Mansion” by Rajiv Agarwal offers a refreshing and subversive take on spiritual growth, daring to bridge the gap between deep spirituality and modern hedonism. Unlike traditional texts that advocate for the renunciation of the material world, Agarwal argues that spiritual enlightenment and worldly success are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they can—and should—coexist through precision and practice. The core premise of the book is that the root of spirituality lies within the mind rather than in the rejection of tangible possessions. Agarwal challenges the long-standing myth that one must retreat to the Himalayas or live in a forest to achieve "saintly" status. By shifting the focus from external environments to internal landscapes, he demonstrates that a "monk-like" state of being is achievable even while enjoying the privileges of a mansion. The book is far from a dry theoretical treatise. It is a vibrant narrative punctuated by the author’s own...