tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034640484718978462.post5797951010902646005..comments2024-03-25T11:09:42.479+05:30Comments on The Readdicts Book Blog: Read Along: Left From Dhakeshwari by Kunal Sen - Week 1 Discussion PostThe Readdictshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05097650583426983309noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034640484718978462.post-64066024356302578152013-08-08T02:15:22.030+05:302013-08-08T02:15:22.030+05:30Janhvi and Sarika, thank you to both of you: for y...Janhvi and Sarika, thank you to both of you: for your patience with and insight into the book. <br /><br />Indeed the stories are all about obsession- in one way or the other- but this obsession manifests itself most unequivocally in ‘Bomb Church’. It was one of the earliest stories I had written for the book and helped set the tone for the rest of it. <br /><br />If one is reading chronologically, ‘We Were Writers’ is perhaps, an impervious little story to get first-up, especially since it is steeped more largely in the Bengali milieu than the others, and often runs away with colloquial sentence-constructions and I think you alluded to that somewhere and it’s a point well-made; one could theoretically have started with a more accessible story, like the titular one.<br /><br />I understand that you prefer novels also because they quench more. I can see where you’re coming from. From a writer’s perspective, I like short stories for they don’t have to say what they don’t want to say. You can omit a lot, digress and be freer. I find that my stories are getting longer and darker but they remain in the realms of the short story and novelette formats.<br /><br />Once again, on behalf of the book, I thank you for the time you gave it. I will try to respond to the others shortly as they make some interesting points too. Kunalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02157383284162407295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034640484718978462.post-22681849634657574022013-07-28T23:01:41.121+05:302013-07-28T23:01:41.121+05:30Ankita loved your perspective about the cover and ...Ankita loved your perspective about the cover and the short stories with happy endings......since you write stories your self its amazing how practically you pointed out these facts. <br /><br />Great to have you as a co-reader :)Nimi Vashihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06362512669145816041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034640484718978462.post-90575256785891103032013-07-28T05:48:41.626+05:302013-07-28T05:48:41.626+05:30Hello S&J,
I have to say this.. You have cond...Hello S&J,<br /><br />I have to say this.. You have conducted it very beautifully, When I saw the 'Tree of characters' I was taken back by so many characters but after looking at it twice or so, I kinda liked it also the idea of it.<br />About story 'We Were Writers'-- the unsaid words between Gublu and Riju reminded me of that song 'What hurts the most' by Rascal Flatts. I agree that there is anger, it was vibrating through pages but yes there was acceptance.<br />About story - 'Bomb Church' .. well this story was very difficult for me to read because it was too emotional. I liked it though.<br /><br />Coming to your discussion:<br />1) As you all have pointed out, it's common theme is lost and no matter how much I try to stay away from such books, I always get pulled towards it. They have it's charm.. Losing is part of life and that's what makes a story real so in a way the theme of this book is also 'REAL'. And I am certainly intrigued by it.<br /><br />2) Short story have a lot different writing style then a novel, one has to be sure about what to elaborate and what not to. And Kunal Sen, the Author seems to be very well aware of that, His writing is different, precise. As for the first story, it took me time to understand but then I got it nd it was good indeed.<br /><br />3) I like the cover for many reasons, it is soothing, it speaks volumes because a mime featured has his eyes closed, as they say one can read you via. eyes so it's hard to read what's going in his mind and he is expressionless, almost stoic. I do wonder will the ending lead to that.<br /><br />4)I have read any short story before I started writing one and that all started because of Blogadda's weekend writing contest. Now I do like story stories and I do believe long story or short, it must have good plot, sub-plot etc. The characters should be lively enough. So I am cool with either. <br /><br />--> I am a sucker of Happy endings but when I write short stories, I have noticed that my sorties are always broken, there is contentment by the end but the story is tragic in itself so I guess It's like running away from something at the same time trying to hold it. That's how I feel about tragedies. and the stories revolving around it.<br /><br />--> I thank you guys for putting up such wonderful questions. I really enjoyed it. Cheers :) :) <3<br /><br />XX<br />Ankita SinghalAnkita Singhalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03865591363950941648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034640484718978462.post-21881791365821759282013-07-28T00:48:39.656+05:302013-07-28T00:48:39.656+05:30First of all a very good and thorough post Sarika ...First of all a very good and thorough post Sarika and Jhanvi. Well I am someone who loves stories happy or sad. I donot get attracted to happy endings as life can take any turn. As the person above me Tanja-Tanychy correctly pointed about the art of telling a story in short really requires a lot of talent. In this novel you will find a few stories which could easily be a full length novel, but they are open ended, such writings are truly a feast for the readers imagination. Now coming to your questions...<br />1. The themes in the book are varied but still have a common point "loss" though of different things. The writing also has something in common, its openended, mostly left to ones imagination.<br /><br />2. I agree that in the first story it was difficult for you to find out, who was who but once you get a hang of the authors writing it is not too difficult later on. What I loved the most is the snapshot of the current scene on screen followed by a zoom into the story style, I have never read this style before and I truly enjoyed it. the language is good. I have no doubts Kunal Sen is capable of achieving the highest accolades in writing.<br /><br />3. The coverpage is indeed brilliant, that too like most of the stories in the book makes you keep guessing. <br /><br />4.I love both short stories and long novels. Every story should be told in manner that keeps the reader interested. However Kunal has the talent of converting what could be a full length novel into a story of a few pages, and done it well which is remarkable.<br /><br />Looking forward to so much more from the read along and stay tuned for the next post, discussing the next three stories on my blog thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com<br />Nimi Vashihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06362512669145816041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034640484718978462.post-56771456399710665862013-07-27T23:54:07.529+05:302013-07-27T23:54:07.529+05:30I'm not actually into short stories and things...I'm not actually into short stories and things as I always need more, or more of the story and deeper background. I think that writers who can create an interesting and full story with little words have true talent. I hope you'll like the rest :)Tanja - Tanychyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084789780467257259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3034640484718978462.post-84154898355149220752013-07-27T19:50:48.195+05:302013-07-27T19:50:48.195+05:30YES! I love the cover as well! I dont know why, an...YES! I love the cover as well! I dont know why, and this is <i>so</i> random, but it reminds me of the Phantom of The Opera. So does the mime-artist story. I'm weird.<br /><br />I know what you mean about novellas. That's definitely the norm, which is why I usually stay away from them, but I read one the other day, by one of my favourite authors, and it rocked! So there are exceptions :)<br /><br />I've lost hope for a happy ending too, and I'm a sucker for happy endings :(. This is definitely some heavy reading (emotionally), but its still okay. I guess I cant have happy ending all the time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01869905647422999446noreply@blogger.com