You can't approach any of Manik Bandhopadhyay's novels without intrigue, let alone if it was one of the more acclaimed ones, like thi**2.5 stars**
You can't approach any of Manik Bandhopadhyay's novels without intrigue, let alone if it was one of the more acclaimed ones, like this.
However, the wafer-thinness of the plot makes it painstakingly obvious that it's his first venture. The storytelling saves some of the grace, a generic plot involving lust triangles (yep) rarely gets more introspective, and while you're unsure if it is a critique of patriarchy because of the rather unapologetic temperaments of our male protagonist, the female characters have their own flesh and blood. I found some of the instances where the male insecurities kicked in, rather humorous, but it's kept rather subtle than the overall tonality of the novel.
The way the story ends, however, caught me off guard. That was the kind of substance I was looking for since the beginning, perhaps not as provocative, but one that leaves some leftovers for thought.
Got me out of my reading slump, so brownie points for that. But it is not a love story, please....more
Couldn't get time to read the last story of the collection, but that's fine. The stories cater to their purpose and bring out the too nostalgic culturCouldn't get time to read the last story of the collection, but that's fine. The stories cater to their purpose and bring out the too nostalgic cultural context with a touch of feminism, sports and comedy. Didn't ask for more....more
It didn't have to falter again, but for some reason, the author decided to induce again a hyperrealistic conclusion to a reasonably-realistic scenarioIt didn't have to falter again, but for some reason, the author decided to induce again a hyperrealistic conclusion to a reasonably-realistic scenario. One might think that they would've grown to accept this usual approach from the author, after a similar fantastical take that he took on জীবন অনন্�, but it gives you a jerk nonetheless. But not quite bad, for some reason. ...more
Moti Nandi isn't Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, who can tell downright absurd stories in a way that turns out to be brilliantly hilarious. After a point, thMoti Nandi isn't Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, who can tell downright absurd stories in a way that turns out to be brilliantly hilarious. After a point, the characters seemed outrageous and buffoon-like, and there was little to no sense in the incidents that followed....more
3.5 stars. Probably the best of the lot. And a lot of the credit is because of the emotional core the author was able to develop in the final few page3.5 stars. Probably the best of the lot. And a lot of the credit is because of the emotional core the author was able to develop in the final few pages, exploring motherhood, loyalty and companionship all at once. It gets inconsistent a few times, as one would've expected if someone had to congest all those aspects in so few pages, but at the end of the day, it does deliver....more
With each passing day, I fail further to appreciate Moti Nandi's literary choices and the way he constructs a basic tale. But it is still a decent, enWith each passing day, I fail further to appreciate Moti Nandi's literary choices and the way he constructs a basic tale. But it is still a decent, entertaining read. The characters are well realised, and the man knows his sports....more
The story talks a lot about the male ego, toxic masculinity, caste and class discrimination; it is sad how over all these years, the readers have madeThe story talks a lot about the male ego, toxic masculinity, caste and class discrimination; it is sad how over all these years, the readers have made it out to be just a romantic tale. Lalita, as a character study, overshadows Shekhar despite her limited space: a theme remarkably identical to the dynamics between the protagonists in the author's Palli Samaj. Also, there's a sense of futility in the protagonist's achievement....more
I have always heard Sarat Chandra's name spoken with a certain reverence, but, as with most Bengali authors, only his adapted-to-scre**3.2 stars**
I have always heard Sarat Chandra's name spoken with a certain reverence, but, as with most Bengali authors, only his adapted-to-screen works are the most talked about. Besides, this one has a lot of ambivalent takes, which is a first for me.
I don't understand what the fuss is about. First, this is a very well-written socio-political drama about caste discrimination, greed, envy and similar other 'virtues' of the then village society. It is raw and rugged, as ought to be, and does a lot of things but never sugarcoats the words that come out of the characters' mouths. At the same time, it meanders and never quite progresses: not in a cyclical way, but rather, like it oscillates between two fixed points set too close to perceive. It can be described most aptly as a string of events, each about our protagonist simultaneously trying to do good to the village and overcome the obstacles placed in front of him by his opposition.
Also, I never trust a character without a dark side. And the story is in too much black and white. But still, quite a worthy read; one might find structural similarities with Aranyak but that's irrelevant....more
It is not hard to comprehend why the publishers didn’t wish to proceed with the manuscript of this novel. It lacks a cohesive narrative structure and can be put forward best as a collection or a string of fragments that together make up a slice-of-life delineation. However, I feel that the author’s Aranyak is more like a string of events; that did not face so many problems, so maybe the structure was not all that bothered the publishers so much. Rather, the reasons were very much the same as why no one wanted to fund the adaptation when Satyajit Ray wanted to make it, the thematics and the honest, brutal description of the economic duress of the then village life of the lower-middle class. It is not very surprising, given how many Indians dismissed the movie as poverty porn.
I will always maintain that Manik Bandopadhyay and Bibhutibhushan are two among very few authors who can portray village life with such a display of calibre and authenticity. And Bibhutibhushan managed to add to the images a melancholic and nostalgic theme of loss of innocence and leaving your home for a hopeful yet unpredictable tomorrow.
It is confounding how the author brought some of the characters to life with so few words, especially Indira Thakuron (it feels weird to write all this in English. But there is no point in writing in Bengali either because I do not think I can do more justice to the review that way), who is present for around merely a tenth of the novel, perhaps. There is a subtle undertone to the story about the hierarchy of power in family dynamics and patriarchal dominance, but it is tough to be judgmental because the tonality was not ambiguously sympathetic but factual.
“বুড়ি সে কথ� হজ� করিয়া লইল। এরূপ অনেক কথাই তাহাকে দিনে� মধ্য� দশবা� হজ� করিত� হয়। সেকালে� ছড়াটা সে এখনো ভোলে না�- লাথি ঝাঁট� পায়ের তল, ভা� কাপড়ট� বুকে� বল-�
Another noticeable and remarkable aspect of the story is how it does not dwell on the grief of loss or sorrow. A character's demiss does impact the lives of the people around them, but it does not stop. That adds to the bittersweetness of the morale of the tale. But, it can be perceived as being too devoid of emotions. However, that argument does not last, because, in the long run, it is a tale of the relation between man and nature, like all of Bibhutibhushan's stories. Birth, coming of age, and adulthood all are but additional elements to elevate the storytelling.
On another note, Pather Panchali was further popularised by Ray’s masterful adaptation back in the 50s, a movie that is close to my heart but not as much as the books. That being said I doubt half of the people who understand Bengali have bothered to read it. Either way, I suggest anyone watch the movie first because otherwise, the details that the novel (or the next one, Aparajito) goes to will leave you asking for much more from the screen. And that is not a good thing.
To tell the truth, I am not competent enough to fully express my feelings about this novel. Or any of the other works by Bibhutibhushan that I first read as a child. They always manage to cause turmoil of a very absurd combination within me, and while I am glad or sad, there remains a void inside me. Maybe someday I can justify it. Either way, this is as good a start to this year as I could have asked.
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