Book review – Laghukatha
This is the first time that I have read a story which is just about 180 characters in length – the book starts with this shortest story. Most of the other stories are short too, as the stories first came out in the blog and hence have been written for the fast internet browsing audience of today. With non fiction, you tend to see how many pages you have completed, how long you have been reading etc, but it is always the reverse with fiction – I finished the first 74 pages in a couple of hours! The stories which follow, I am already familiar as I have read it earlier.
This book primarily consists of situations that someone might either want to be in, fantasize to be in, might be embarrassed to be in, or is afraid of being in and mostly ends on a positive note (Some are realistically sad endings, but they are a few in-between). The author deals with life’s complex situations without preaching what is wrong and what is right, and the tone is ‘observationist’ and neutral. The situations that are created is more from a “wishful thinking” point of view and it plays on the emotions to create a suspense as people do wish they were in certain situations which might be different from their routine life. Since a lot of stories involve doctors and hospitals, we assume that there might be some influence from ‘situational reality’ as observed by the author – and some of them do have fairytale endings making us happy and think ‘At least these things happen in fiction’!
On the flip side, the names of the characters are quite strange – Jui, Ketki et all. Maybe this is a deliberate ploy to make the reader notice and get involved. It would have been better if the book had something more than the blog – but a book is any day more comfortable to read!
Destination Infinity
PS: There is a selfish reason for doing this book review – Actually I am planning to write my autobiography (Since I need to live life before writing that, you people may have to wait another 33 years :P). But when I do write that and publish it (in whatever form that is popular then), I expect you people to buy it, write a similar review and encourage me – so, I am setting an example here. And yeah, that will be much more than 170 rupees… 🙂 But still you all will buy it – won’t you?
😀 😀 😀
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I have been thinking of buyin it since many days but never got around doing it…
doing it right away… !!!!!
and yes… I was first… !!!!!! 😀 😀
Ya, we know you were busy with the RCB selections… so what happened in the second round?
Sakhi must be so happy to read this!
I will also be happy if you review my autobiography after 33 years… that's one reason why I am reading many autobiographies now – I want mine to be better than all of them 🙂
It is on my wish list too 🙂 Next time I come to India – I am buying it for sure 🙂 Am sure it would be wonderful to read, Sakhi has a way with words.
Yes, we would buy your autobiography 🙂
After 16.5 years, I plan to give an introductory offer of 50% discount for all the people who would pre-order then… you could utilize that opportunity 😛
More than the book review, your autobiography topic, caught the eye! What is this 'wait for 33 years'. Did any jyothish tell you about how long you are going to live?!! I may not be there so long!! So, write by another max.ten years!!
I have read book reviews of Advani's book. Somehow, I used to admire him, till a few years back. Somewhere, I joined him in the 'normal politician' list! I remember reading Nehru's book, in my twenties and enjoyed.
Sakhi's short stories seems to be very very interesting. You are a GOOD writer – it shows in this review. You have analyzed in detail, each and every story. I will look for it. Thank you.
Actually I went to Landmark in Chennai to buy the autobiography of Nehru. I had that book kept separately and a person came near to me and started flipping the pages of that book. I told him that I was taking that book as there was only one copy – he then replied that he had read that book 50 years ago!!! He suggested to me the other book 'Glimpses of world history' as being better than this one… I am glad that he did… It's an exceptional book as I like history!!
But we need to become at least 60 years to write an autobiography no? Then only it will be accepted as one 🙁
I will be sixty in 3 years! I am already writing so much about me in my posts and comments, in bits and pieces! I don't think that any new information will remain to be told to the world after 2 years!!!
Have you seen the TV serial 'Discovery of India'. It was taken beautifully. It was re-telecast twice or thrice. And 'Chanakya'. Our history was told beautifully, in those two serials.
🙂 I want to see both – never seen them – I think I might get a collection of CD's for them from Landmark or somewhere… let me try.
sure we will buy.. dun worry 😀
I am not worried about the autobiography because, I am going to do marketing for it for the next 33 years!! One of the biggest campaigns the book-world will see!
Hey DI… Man, thanks a bunch. Not just for buying it but also for putting up the review.
And dont you think 33 years is a looooooooong wait?? Why dont you try something else till then?
Thanks man, thanks again 🙂 🙂
I have decided that my only published work (in paper) would be my autobiography… and it has to become a best seller, above all other autobiographies… Till then, the blog is there anyway 🙂
read that India’s complex social stratification, known as the caste system, has been one of the traditional cornerstones of society. Though urban Indians are shedding the caste labels of their parents and grandparents, many rural Indians – who make up 72% of the entire population – hold steadfast to the system. In small villages and towns, the Brahmin caste – consisting of scholars and priests – is still revered as one of the highest social strata. And members of the Dalit caste – formerly known as “Untouchables” – are still viewed as unclean and remain separated from others.
http://spittoon.23andme.com/2009/09/25/new-geneti…
I have read Sakhi's few fictions on her blog and they are amazing. Simple writing but poignant! I must get this book.
Yeah do. But you might have to pick up when you come to TVM!
BTW send me an autographed copy of your autobiography along with a high powered spectacles. 😀
You'll have to buy it from the shop, courier it to me and then I will autograph… 🙂
33 years??? where did u get that kind of maths from?? 😀
autobiographies shud be interesting alrite… but please get someone else to edit them thats all!! 😛
the short stories sound interesting… will try that book if i get my hands on it…
Hey, that's a good idea – someone else to edit! Maybe you can volunteer as a editor… I will give you one free copy of the book after your hard work 😛
This was a sweet, lovely review. Even though I have not bought Sakhi's book, I have read almost all her stories since I found her blog, I could fairly vet the review. And my verdict is sweet and lovely. 😉
I too thought I read a lot of stories, but I had not read the first 74 pages before!
Heyy, I thought Smita would come up with this review ! So its more of Sakhis already published stories, huh? Then it ought to be good !!! 😀 😀 😀
Autobiography ???? You sure? Ok, then dont make it complicated or else I would have to buy a pirated copy 😉
I just wish it becomes popular enough for someone to pirate it… but if it doesn't, I might have to do the piracy myself!!!
I am yet to get the book DI… planning to read them..
you have captured that point.. many of Sakhi's stories revolve around the doctors… I have noticed that…
she is brilliant in fiction!!!!
Nice review DI 🙂
Even many of the earlier stories revolve around doctors and hospitals, maybe the situational influence is from there
and for Auto biography… if I am still live then.. I will surely do read and review DI…. 🙂 🙂
In my case, I will live till 78-80 years it seems! So, 60 is sort of middle age for me!! These silly advances in health care, I tell you…
nice review.. Sakhi always writes great short stories.. and i love her writing style… so sweet of you to do the review..
and about your autobiography… will surely read it.. even i have to buy your self pirated copy… 😉
I think I might have to consider to release the book only as a pirated version… seems to be having a lot of demand here 🙂
lol 😛 we all like Sakhi's stories 😉 😛
Hmm..will you buy my poetry book? Then I might buy your Autobiography 😛
I will buy it, but will not read it 😛 – you too can do the same 😛
Laghu katha sounds interesting
Yeah, it is… check the linked website no…
Great review! I'll put up my own review of this book once I buy it.