Alka and other stories

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Goutam Das's Alka and Other Stories adds a new dimension to the short story as an art form. Most collections of short stories work by the interplay of different voices. This one offers the more satisfying rewards of a novel: unity of tone and a richness of recurring details that creates its own texture. All the stories take place in parallel worlds, not so much remote from ordinary life as hidden within its surfaces: secret alleys that afford unexpected - and unsettling views of men and manners. The author's portrayal of women characters calls for particular attention - Salim's mother, Alka, even Maitreyee, the invisible wife of Ritobrata. All their stories have a wonderful surreal quality and a sombre, compassionate tone.

I am also quite impressed by Ratna Jha's dexterous handling of the language, especially in achieving smooth culture transfer in places where indigenous Bengali expressions do not have equivalent idioms in English. One has to be truly bilingual to be able to pull off such a successful transfer.

NIRMALKANTI BHATTACHARJEE

Former Director, National Book Trust, India

Former Editor, Indian Literature (Sahitya Akademi's journal)

Currently, Editorial Director, Niyogi Books