pranjuli's reviews
168 reviews

As is obvious, this rating is very skewed as this was a short story collection. In fact, I think this was one of my most amazing hidden find because of the giveaway, and I am genuinely surprised why this book hasn't been given more publicity. Most of the stories in the collection were VERY good .. Some of my absolute favourites were - 

WHIPPORWIND - The absolute best opening story this collection could have asked for. It was actually pretty long, in terms of how short stories go, most authors these days would have called it a novella in itself. 
I really really liked the writing and the landscape and the premise of that story. In fact, I would be very happy reading a full length novel set in that world. Just the beauty of seeing 'the beyond' and yet unable to touch it or feel it or even understand it .. the absolutely beautiful characters , with cute-quirky names .. I could go on about this. I really loved it. <3 

HAMMER THE SKY - This was also a very special story.. Though the magical realism element was introduced quite late in the story and very suddently too, I really loved how the story was built .. around the three siblings and their different perspectives. Reading this story especially during the times that we are living in , specifically with the ongoing Israel-Palestine offensive .. its too real. Loved it too. 

MORTAL, MORTAL - Took me a little while to get into this and I was quite fearful of the upgoing turn at every page but to my surprise (pleasant), this went quite a wholesome (but very sad) way .. and I loved it too! Yay. 

AN OFFERING OF LESSER GIFTS - Okay, so this wasn't the 'absolute' best, not by a long chance.. it got quite on-the-nose in certain parts and sometimes it felt unnecessarily long to come to the point .. but it was still good .. I probably won't ever re-read this but I liked it. 

And finally, my most favourite story of this collection ------ 

BLAZE - I know. I know. Very very clichèd. Very obvious story arc. Ofcourse we knew how the story was going to go and how it was going to end , from the very first line. But that's the beauty of classic tropes and stories and arcs. They are always beautiful. They are always fulfilling. And they ALWAYS hug your heart in ways you wish to be hugged when you are sad. 
I loved this simple story of strict-and-stern old-school grandma and unruly-carefree-helpless child left to be taken care of by her. It made me angry, it filled my heart for blaze, it made me cry. What more can I say. A story that can make you cry that too in less than 40 pages- what more can you want ? 
Love <3 

Best book ever. The perfect non-fiction for me. What a combination - economy, womanhood, Shahrukh, movies, labour market analysis... And the most beautiful insights and observations about all of them .. what a delight this has been. Shrayana <3 

The investigators findings/assumptions are only a *liiiittle* bit better explained than in the first one, especially in the last parts.