The author paints a wide canvas of themes in this collection. The subjects are as different as chalk and cheese, with little repetition. Each story has a distinct and unique aroma which wafts through the consciousness of the reader.
What comes through clearly is the aurhor’s passion for expressing herself in words, an innate desire to bring into focus the social evils we suffer from, the keen eye that she has to capture the nuances of human behaviour, an in-depth understanding of relationships, and use of language that one can relate to. A lucid and enjoyable collection.
Whatever the trigger for each of the stories, all the narratives are based on detailed research done on the subject at hand, whether Covid-related medical investigations or the conditions inside a jail.
Let me share my reactions to different stories as follows.
Worthless
One pities the heroine for having lost her precious jewellery. The twist in the end is great, reminding one of stories by authors like Frederick Forsyth, O. Henry, and others. The story brings out a harsh truth of married life: that a communication gap between the two partners could lead to disasters.
Gone In A Wink
Oh, the social evil of the dowry custom! Reminded me of the recent OTT series ‘Dupahiya.’
The fact that both the kids were also in the sunken car besides their mother makes one feel even worse, though it serves as a good lesson for the hero.
The Switch
Frankly, I am amazed at the author’s virtuosity in whipping up this story. Hardened criminals, jail life, deadly brawls, switched identities, complicity of jail authorities – surely, these are not things one would normally experience in one’s life. Interesting.
Chained To A Virus
A reality check on the epidemic that all of us had to face a few years back. What stands out is the selfless support provided by the heroine to those in need. The end could break your heart.
Not Posthumously, Thank You!
A depressing story, this one. Suicidal thoughts arising out of loneliness. Draws our attention to the misuse of social media for personal gratification. But broadcasting live a murder, an illegal activity? The reader is left wondering if the hero did not worry about the imminent legal consequences. The present-day reality is eerily close to what the story depicts.
Twilight
The last two paragraphs beautifully capture the kind of loneliness that one feels within oneself occasionally. There are indeed times when one needs someone with whom one can share one’s innermost thoughts without any ego barriers.
This is what P. G. Wodehouse says:
“As we grow older and realise more clearly the limitations of human happiness, we come to see that the only real and abiding pleasure in life is to give pleasure to other people.” (Something Fresh)
What is missing here is a conclusion. You know that ‘The End’ feeling which you enjoy when you finish watching one of those ‘paisa vasool’ movies. Of course, there is a great deal of merit in leaving the end of the story open to a reader’s imagination.
All for Something
Here is the script of a thriller which could be gleefully lapped up by a director on any OTT platform. He/she could expand it to run for, say, 6/8 episodes, each of around 40 minutes in duration.
It conveys a message of great significance for society at large, pointing out the imminent danger of being tricked by persons whose real identities are hidden.
Bhairavi
Here is a story which describes graphically the process of an inner awakening. Bhairavi is the tantric Goddess that raises many deep spiritual questions to Bhairav or Shiva. I would say the theme falls on a boundary line of deep religiosity and spiritual faith bordering on hallucination and extraterrestrial experience. It depicts the decapitation of the head or ego by the author, who imagines she is Kali.
A Twisted Tale
This one is really twisted! The hero discovers that his abusive and argumentative wife has somehow done him something good!
I am not too sure about the percentage of people who happen to be bisexual in our society, but perhaps there are quite a few.
The Divine Hand
A love story during COVID times! A college-time romance which got rekindled, thanks to the epidemic and the lockdown.
Missing
What a tragedy. A story of star-crossed lovers. But a reader could be left wondering how the police missed the basement when they searched the house. And what happened to the baby Saroj was pregnant with?
At Any Cost
Strange to come across someone who does not want a domestic help even when she suffers from a few ailments and lives all alone. And the extent to which she goes to get rid of Basant! Quite a pot-boiler, this one. It appears that the heroine happens to be a perfectionist and wants someone who could follow her instructions without fail and do things exactly the way she herself would. A tall order, indeed.
Players
Those who love LGBTQ vibes would love this story, just like they would A Twisted Tale. What I liked was the detailed characterisation of the four players, and the way the author brings out their passion for whatever career they were pursuing.
The Family Curse
I had a feeling that perhaps the heroine would prove the curse wrong, but no luck!
This story could leave the reader depressed. Moreover, it could make them believe in the power of curses, nudging them towards superstition.
Lost Love
A story which is in the typical O. Henry mould. Goes on to show how much our perspectives get affected by deep-seated prejudices based on our past experiences. A Facebook post could get misinterpreted- and how! In any case, even if they had started a new phase of their relationship, she would have been burdened with his medical issues. Also, the fact that he was insistent on having her back, knowing fully well about his condition, goes on to show that he was essentially a selfish guy. A good commentary on the ego-centric ways of some members of the tribe of the so-called sterner sex.
About the Author
Dr Renu Singh Parmar is a former officer of the Indian Economic Service, with an MPhil in Humanistic Psychology and a PhD in Economics. She has written extensively on economic matters for publications such as The Economic Times, Deccan Herald, and The Hindu Business Line, and has contributed op-eds to The Times of India.
She is the author of four poetry collections—Ovarian Sentiments, Off the Radar, Whispers to Yogananda, and Inside Out—and this collection of short stories. Her poems have appeared in the Journal of the Poetry Society and Poetry India: Voices in the Making, an anthology published by the Poetry Society of India. Her short stories have been published in Story Cabinet and Kitaab.
A painter and storyteller, she brings to her writing a deep interest in human experiences, emotions, and the many dimensions of life.
Amazon link
Related Post
