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The Scream
The Scream is a single story by Rohinton Mistry, to date his shortest book! And what a gem it is.
Set in a Bombay apartment, The Scream is narrated by a man at the end of his life, who is angry at the predicament of old age, at his isolation from his family and from a world that no longer understands him. He rails and raves in ways that are both hilarious and moving, and which touch us with recognition.
Printed originally in a limited edition of 150 copies that was sold exclusively by World Literacy of Canada as a fundraiser for their organization, The Scream was exquisitely produced and featured original artwork by the celebrated Canadian artist Tony Urquhart. This is the first trade edition of this treasure, which will retain beautiful production values as well as all of Tony Urquhart’s colourful, dynamic artwork, which was inspired by the story.
This gorgeous little book is a must-have for all of Rohinton Mistry’s fans, for their own shelves as a collector’s item and as the perfect gift.
Set in a Bombay apartment, The Scream is narrated by a man at the end of his life, who is angry at the predicament of old age, at his isolation from his family and from a world that no longer understands him. He rails and raves in ways that are both hilarious and moving, and which touch us with recognition.
Printed originally in a limited edition of 150 copies that was sold exclusively by World Literacy of Canada as a fundraiser for their organization, The Scream was exquisitely produced and featured original artwork by the celebrated Canadian artist Tony Urquhart. This is the first trade edition of this treasure, which will retain beautiful production values as well as all of Tony Urquhart’s colourful, dynamic artwork, which was inspired by the story.
This gorgeous little book is a must-have for all of Rohinton Mistry’s fans, for their own shelves as a collector’s item and as the perfect gift.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
8 people are currently reading
1,635 people want to read
About the author
Rohinton Mistry
26Ìýbooks3,532ÌýfollowersRohinton Mistry is an Indian-born Canadian writer. He has been the recipient of many awards including the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2012. Each of his first three novels was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. His novels to date have been set in India, told from the perspective of Parsis, and explore themes of family life, poverty, discrimination, and the corrupting influence of society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 14, 2017
Thanks to Teresa for letting me know that this story is available in . This tale is somewhat disjointed, being the rambling thoughts of an elderly man with an unstated medical condition, thoughts on his family, his home and living situation, and what happens outside on the street. I too see him as the patriarch of Family Matters...but he is not a fully reliable narrator. He no longer remembers his grandson, thinking him a servant. He sees ill wishes all around him but what are we to make of what he describes? But there is genuine humor, intelligence, despair, all present in this man who wants to continue to be valued. Whose scream is it that he hears?
October 23, 2013
I didn't read this short story in this illustrated edition, but in the collection . The story fits with the theme of Mistry's , as if it's told from the point-of-view of the same Parkinson's-afflicted patriarch, who doesn't recognize his grandson but remembers the 'big words' he's learned. He's certainly an unreliable narrator in many ways, but is he in all ways? The last line is perfect.
October 16, 2022
One of the person on my book club recommended me reading by same author. It is 600+ pages and it is a risk to read such a long book by an author you are new to so I decided I will find a short book by him.
I found it fast but the problem was I couldn't get a copy. Amazon showed the price of whomping 50 k for such a short read and even then it wasn't available. Who buys any book for 50 k unless special editions maybe? I don't know.
Anyways so I couldn't get the book which frustrated me but one of the reviews said that it was part of a book by and luckily I had the book.
I searched and Bingo!!! Well I can't tell you guys how excited and proud I felt.
The scream though just disappointed me. It is told through a pov of an unreliable narrator an Indian old man who's family treats him badly according to him. He hears the scream which others do not so they tell him not to talk about it. He explains his day to day life and nights as well when everyone else sleeps in another room and he in the living room. There were funny bits like
At the crack of dawn, I emptied them down the toilet bowl. I felt a pang of loss. Was there no better use for it? here he is talking about his bedpan and I laughed out loud.
But then there was few weird lines here and there which creeped me out like this one.
The cement is hard on my bones, on my shriveled old arse of wrinkled-skin bags. Once, it was firm and smooth and bouncy. Once, it was a bum that both men and women enjoyed gazing after. Not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door—just the right size, and without blackheads or pimples. Firm and smooth and bouncy are the precisely operative words. Not bouncy like a Rubenesque young woman’s, but enough, so that if you were to slap or squeeze it in a friendly fashion, both of us would feel good.
Or this
The crotch-sniffing cur is not interested. He sticks his snout in my groin and knocks my onions around, like a performing seal. Day by day, they hang lower and lower. Great care must be taken every time I sit. Oh, to have again a scrotum tight as a fresh fig. The indignities of old age. Shrinking cucumber, and enlarging onions. That’s fate. That’s the way the ball bounces.
Was this supposed to be funny? Was I supposed to be amused? Laughing at old man's thoughts and monologues? The old man is definitely not a reliable storyteller, his delusions and confusions are all over the place but this just annoyed me. And I was definitely not amused. Apart from this, the book was quite enjoyable and could relate very much to it, me being an Indian.
Maybe I wasn't the correct audience for it coz I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Overall it was well written but not for me. And it ended abruptly which again frustrated me further.
Now I'm confused if I should actually read books by Mistry or not.
But now I know for sure how people write this long reviews for book below 50 pages.
I found it fast but the problem was I couldn't get a copy. Amazon showed the price of whomping 50 k for such a short read and even then it wasn't available. Who buys any book for 50 k unless special editions maybe? I don't know.
Anyways so I couldn't get the book which frustrated me but one of the reviews said that it was part of a book by and luckily I had the book.
I searched and Bingo!!! Well I can't tell you guys how excited and proud I felt.
The scream though just disappointed me. It is told through a pov of an unreliable narrator an Indian old man who's family treats him badly according to him. He hears the scream which others do not so they tell him not to talk about it. He explains his day to day life and nights as well when everyone else sleeps in another room and he in the living room. There were funny bits like
At the crack of dawn, I emptied them down the toilet bowl. I felt a pang of loss. Was there no better use for it? here he is talking about his bedpan and I laughed out loud.
But then there was few weird lines here and there which creeped me out like this one.
The cement is hard on my bones, on my shriveled old arse of wrinkled-skin bags. Once, it was firm and smooth and bouncy. Once, it was a bum that both men and women enjoyed gazing after. Not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door—just the right size, and without blackheads or pimples. Firm and smooth and bouncy are the precisely operative words. Not bouncy like a Rubenesque young woman’s, but enough, so that if you were to slap or squeeze it in a friendly fashion, both of us would feel good.
Or this
The crotch-sniffing cur is not interested. He sticks his snout in my groin and knocks my onions around, like a performing seal. Day by day, they hang lower and lower. Great care must be taken every time I sit. Oh, to have again a scrotum tight as a fresh fig. The indignities of old age. Shrinking cucumber, and enlarging onions. That’s fate. That’s the way the ball bounces.
Was this supposed to be funny? Was I supposed to be amused? Laughing at old man's thoughts and monologues? The old man is definitely not a reliable storyteller, his delusions and confusions are all over the place but this just annoyed me. And I was definitely not amused. Apart from this, the book was quite enjoyable and could relate very much to it, me being an Indian.
Maybe I wasn't the correct audience for it coz I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Overall it was well written but not for me. And it ended abruptly which again frustrated me further.
Now I'm confused if I should actually read books by Mistry or not.
But now I know for sure how people write this long reviews for book below 50 pages.
April 10, 2021
Read this as a part of the anthology of stories on Human Rights called Freedom.
I enjoyed the elderly man's fragmented perspective and view of the world; his idea of what goes on in the 'back room' of the house, and how he believes his grandson to be the servant boy. Apart from presenting the shrinking life and memories of an old man, the underlying idea of the story was to question human intention; of human behaviour and the choice to be silent about certain things but to spring into action on other occasions. The old man in the story questions why the able-bodied people living across the street did not help the person who screamed for help that night, whereas the question is if he would have extended a helping hand had it been possible.
I enjoyed the elderly man's fragmented perspective and view of the world; his idea of what goes on in the 'back room' of the house, and how he believes his grandson to be the servant boy. Apart from presenting the shrinking life and memories of an old man, the underlying idea of the story was to question human intention; of human behaviour and the choice to be silent about certain things but to spring into action on other occasions. The old man in the story questions why the able-bodied people living across the street did not help the person who screamed for help that night, whereas the question is if he would have extended a helping hand had it been possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2017
it was an easy read. I was damn happy to grab it. I had read all the other books of my favorite writer, only this one remained to be perused, finally it's happened so I'm elated.
I'm sorry not to read it in its original form. I mean couldn't afford to buy it separately as it was published exclusively for a cause of charity, btw one day I was reading a review here and came to know that it's been published in a book called Freedom stories celebrating the universal declaration of human rights, that's when I had it in my possession.
this is an amazing book by an amazing writer. here's a story about an old man, who keep hearing the screams during night, where his people take him as a madman. he's been given a separate place to sleep.
They will learn, when they are old like me, untangling the enemy's
skein of deceit becomes easier as the time goes by.
.the screams keep coming. I weep, I pray, but the screams do
not stop. I sleep with two pillows. One under my aching head, the
other between my thighs. Some days I awake to an audience
towering over my mattress and me. All the back-room heroes,
standing there and laughing, pointing at the pillow between my
withered thighs. I am silent then. I know the time will come when
they, too, seek comfort in ways that seem laughable to others..
So instead of taking care his people just laugh at him.
after reading this I came to realize that I too have grandma to take care of, unfortunately it's too late cuz I'm abroad now and people there, don't take her as the old woman who may do something at times that seems laughable to others....so wish to be back someday and take care of her than take her as a crazy person.
So it's a book about the duty of others to their loved ones.
would love to reread it someday.
I'm sorry not to read it in its original form. I mean couldn't afford to buy it separately as it was published exclusively for a cause of charity, btw one day I was reading a review here and came to know that it's been published in a book called Freedom stories celebrating the universal declaration of human rights, that's when I had it in my possession.
this is an amazing book by an amazing writer. here's a story about an old man, who keep hearing the screams during night, where his people take him as a madman. he's been given a separate place to sleep.
They will learn, when they are old like me, untangling the enemy's
skein of deceit becomes easier as the time goes by.
.the screams keep coming. I weep, I pray, but the screams do
not stop. I sleep with two pillows. One under my aching head, the
other between my thighs. Some days I awake to an audience
towering over my mattress and me. All the back-room heroes,
standing there and laughing, pointing at the pillow between my
withered thighs. I am silent then. I know the time will come when
they, too, seek comfort in ways that seem laughable to others..
So instead of taking care his people just laugh at him.
after reading this I came to realize that I too have grandma to take care of, unfortunately it's too late cuz I'm abroad now and people there, don't take her as the old woman who may do something at times that seems laughable to others....so wish to be back someday and take care of her than take her as a crazy person.
So it's a book about the duty of others to their loved ones.
would love to reread it someday.
November 11, 2015
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Evocative! Enthralling! Sagacious! and Earnest...
A gem like the other three books by him. A marvel in just 48 pages. An art at its peak, and A writer at his best.
It takes a legend to move his audience in such a limited number of pages, and I had no doubt about RM's abilities when I picked 'The Scream' up. Hardly a read of around 50 minutes, but boy would it not take you to the age we all dread about. He does that so brilliantly- taking you to the ages you don't belong yet, making you feel like you are one of that group, making you laugh, and, then cry, and then just when you are about to loose it all, bring you back by a stroke of irony.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
This is it, then. I'll have to quench my desire for RM's books by re-reading them all. A matter of grave dejection it is- that we have got only four books by him at our disposal.
For me, reading Mistry's works had always been equivalent to peeking into a stranger's life- with such a vehemence that not only do you develop an affinity for his characters, but you also start feeling what they're going through.
Every time I read him, I curse my callowness when it comes to the segregation of facts from fiction in his books. He is such a magnificent writer, and his ability to amalgamate facts with fiction so poise that I often end up forgetting the genre.
Sad part is that having read everything that is published under his name, I have no more works by him left to be read. I wish if I had access to his manuscripts. He is certainly the kind of man I'd love to read into.
But rest assured- I'll read all his books once again, and then again, and then again.... and perhaps again..
Evocative! Enthralling! Sagacious! and Earnest...
A gem like the other three books by him. A marvel in just 48 pages. An art at its peak, and A writer at his best.
It takes a legend to move his audience in such a limited number of pages, and I had no doubt about RM's abilities when I picked 'The Scream' up. Hardly a read of around 50 minutes, but boy would it not take you to the age we all dread about. He does that so brilliantly- taking you to the ages you don't belong yet, making you feel like you are one of that group, making you laugh, and, then cry, and then just when you are about to loose it all, bring you back by a stroke of irony.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
This is it, then. I'll have to quench my desire for RM's books by re-reading them all. A matter of grave dejection it is- that we have got only four books by him at our disposal.
For me, reading Mistry's works had always been equivalent to peeking into a stranger's life- with such a vehemence that not only do you develop an affinity for his characters, but you also start feeling what they're going through.
Every time I read him, I curse my callowness when it comes to the segregation of facts from fiction in his books. He is such a magnificent writer, and his ability to amalgamate facts with fiction so poise that I often end up forgetting the genre.
Sad part is that having read everything that is published under his name, I have no more works by him left to be read. I wish if I had access to his manuscripts. He is certainly the kind of man I'd love to read into.
But rest assured- I'll read all his books once again, and then again, and then again.... and perhaps again..
November 13, 2008
The Scream comes to us from Rohinton Mistry, a wonderful Canadian author who has won many awards in Canada and internationally. I've read A Fine Balance and Family Matters and loved them. He is an amazing writer.
This novel is very small, as a matter of a fact, all total only 48 pages. However, these pages contain such a deep story. I now understand how a short story can leave a lasting impression.
The novel is set in Bombay and it tells us a single story of an old man at the end of his life. He is very angry at his family for brushing him off all the time and neglecting him. He feels all alone now and completely misunderstood. He keeps up a steady tirade throughout the book that is at times deeply moving and at other times quite funny.
This little book is also illustrated by the celebrated Canadian artist, Tony Urquhart. The illustrations portray the story beautifully .
I think one of the most important aspects of this lovely book is that all royalties, donated by both authors, go to World Literacy of Canada to help the organization continue its work with women and children in India. What better reason can there be to purchase a book!
This book was released in hardcover by McClelland and Stewart on October 21.
This novel is very small, as a matter of a fact, all total only 48 pages. However, these pages contain such a deep story. I now understand how a short story can leave a lasting impression.
The novel is set in Bombay and it tells us a single story of an old man at the end of his life. He is very angry at his family for brushing him off all the time and neglecting him. He feels all alone now and completely misunderstood. He keeps up a steady tirade throughout the book that is at times deeply moving and at other times quite funny.
This little book is also illustrated by the celebrated Canadian artist, Tony Urquhart. The illustrations portray the story beautifully .
I think one of the most important aspects of this lovely book is that all royalties, donated by both authors, go to World Literacy of Canada to help the organization continue its work with women and children in India. What better reason can there be to purchase a book!
This book was released in hardcover by McClelland and Stewart on October 21.
April 13, 2009
This book is very interesting. I loved the way it was written. Throughout the whole (very short) story I remained skeptical of the narrator but at the same time deeply sympathetic to his situation. Beautifully written.
Want to read
February 21, 2009Only 48pp.! :-(
March 24, 2013
Brilliant.
A fast read. Engaging and thoughtful.
One of my favorites quotes of all time:
"oh to have a scrotum as tight as a fresh fig"
A fast read. Engaging and thoughtful.
One of my favorites quotes of all time:
"oh to have a scrotum as tight as a fresh fig"
July 20, 2018
The Scream is the first work from Rohinton Mistry that I have read, but it has definitely piqued my interest. The narrative does a clever job of following the disjointed thoughts of an elderly man as he deals with the day to day struggles of aging, mistreatment at the hands of his family, cruelties inflicted in the world around him, and more. It was an interesting look into the mind of n interesting character. The language chosen was put to use well in a way that furthered the narrative well. The illustrations worked well with the story.
The story was less linear than I anticipated, but was enjoyable overall. I would recommend it, particularly as it is a very short read. I would be interested in reading more from Rohinton Mistry.
The story was less linear than I anticipated, but was enjoyable overall. I would recommend it, particularly as it is a very short read. I would be interested in reading more from Rohinton Mistry.
September 6, 2023
Read this from Marian's bookshelf, reminded me of Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart'.
I liked Poe's better.
I liked Poe's better.
June 24, 2016
"Nice read"
The Scream is a short narrative of an old man's complain and silent protest against the misunderstanding, loss of control and restricted freedom of movement that comes with old age. Strong visual image of the frustrated struggle against time and aging. I was shocked by the beauty of the first two pages, by Rohinton Mistry's magical sentences. This little book was printed as a limited edition for the fund raising effort of World Literacy of Canada. The writings were intertwined with modern artworks. It's not bad to be inspired visually, while enjoying the mental bliss of amazing writings.
The Scream is a short narrative of an old man's complain and silent protest against the misunderstanding, loss of control and restricted freedom of movement that comes with old age. Strong visual image of the frustrated struggle against time and aging. I was shocked by the beauty of the first two pages, by Rohinton Mistry's magical sentences. This little book was printed as a limited edition for the fund raising effort of World Literacy of Canada. The writings were intertwined with modern artworks. It's not bad to be inspired visually, while enjoying the mental bliss of amazing writings.
May 6, 2011
A quick but very absorbing read. I picked this book up in the library and thought I'd read the first page or two but I ended up reading the whole thing. This book is a reminder of our frailty in old age and our mortality. I felt a lot of sympathy towards the book's protagonist. This is the first book by Rohinton Mistry that I have read and I really liked his writing style. I will definitely be reading some of his other novels in the future.
May 14, 2016
Masterful!
Within these few pages, Mistry succeeds in encompassing the sum total of an old man's shrinking world, with all of its resentment, irony, wry humor, defiance. But there's no regret or despair, just a sense of loss, accompanied by a secret grin at the knowledge that "the others in the back rooms" haven't fooled him at all.
Within these few pages, Mistry succeeds in encompassing the sum total of an old man's shrinking world, with all of its resentment, irony, wry humor, defiance. But there's no regret or despair, just a sense of loss, accompanied by a secret grin at the knowledge that "the others in the back rooms" haven't fooled him at all.
October 21, 2011
Amazing work of art.
April 8, 2016
Liked the writing but was a bit confused regarding the ending.
It was so short maybe I will re-read it.
It was so short maybe I will re-read it.
March 21, 2015
a terrific short story from a one of my fav novelists. this one is both tongue in cheek (keep your dictionary handy) and spot on touching regarding agism. now, get back to long form rohinton!
July 14, 2013
Very different, a short one sitting read. Illustrated by Tony Urquhart, together they have combined 2 art forms to create a collectors piece.
September 4, 2016
The illustrations are incredible. I had to look up at least 10 words. It's quite sad, not overly eventful, but powerful and poetic.
March 5, 2022
A brilliant book! The book is so short it can be read in minutes, but you keep thinking about it long after. Mistry has very cleverly left it completely up to the reader to decide how to interpret the monologue. Having seen dementia up close (both mother and mother-in-law had it in their old age), this book evoked memories of how difficult it is for young people to understand the ailments of the aged. This leads to lack of sympathy and the cruel, unjustified labels attached to the aged who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's. Mistry always has a wonderful way with words, but he has really shown his capabilities in this one, combining humour (and unpronouncable long words) with serious observations on human nature. This book is a masterpiece!
January 16, 2018
Thought provoking is an often times overused cliché, but I think it fits this story beautifully.
Rohinton captures the dwindling days of an old man as he slips into senility, but still has enough in him to rail at the injustices of life. 25 pages of actual text are such a small amount to capture such a large amount of tragedy, and just like all of his other works, a good portion of humour.
Rohinton captures the dwindling days of an old man as he slips into senility, but still has enough in him to rail at the injustices of life. 25 pages of actual text are such a small amount to capture such a large amount of tragedy, and just like all of his other works, a good portion of humour.
April 25, 2019
Loved this book - just like I’ve enjoyed every other book by this author. He truly captures life - tough though that life may be - and tells it beautifully. You can’t help but be drawn into the characters of Mistry’s writings and really walk, live and, in this case, lie alongside them and see life, feel pain (or joy) through their eyes.
July 22, 2017
The illustrations were beautiful. The story, I think would have had much more meaning to a person more familiar with the culture and challenges of India. It is beautifully written and that for that reason is a good read.
August 14, 2017
Short book written from the perspective of an older man who can no longer rationally process what is happening in the world around him. Interesting illustrations and use of vocabulary.
August 25, 2019
Intoxicating brilliant and my friend has staged it!
March 8, 2020
A short story of an old man. A sliver of life in India.
April 25, 2020
A very short read, it's entertaining, definitely funny at moments, it will enrich your vocabulary. Themes of ageing and apathy and senility. It's fine.
July 3, 2020
False cold people living half lives, remember, one day you will have to die, so please live with true love and true kindness!!
April 15, 2021
"The flies are dropping like men."
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