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By Chetan Raj Shrestha
I have read Chetan before but not in novels. Random thoughts
are always easier to pen down than to tell stories and in his debut novel (2
novellas really), Chetan has outdone himself. I have read a lot of writers (I
mean really good story tellers from Hardy to Dostoevsky, Chekov to Annemarie
Selinko, Arundhati Roy to Steinbeck), but still haven’t read anyone who writes one
lucid English word after another, beautifully intertwined with the nuances of
the place (Sikkim in this case) and strings them together to tell unforgettable
stories of small everyday redemption and small everyday people.
A slight comparison to Amitav Ghosh would perhaps give an
idea as to the language. However, Chetan’s novelettes are very unique and can
stand their own.
Open and Shut Case
is about how different situations (and sometimes in other people’s lives) delivers
us. It’s written very well, set in the beautiful West Sikkim, giving readers a
peek into the lives and loves of really simple people.
The King’s Harvest
(not to be mistaken for a story about the rock band) is one of the most
original stories I have read. Although I did feel the journey itself could have
been more arduous to add more feeling (hmmm). But at the same time, it’s a
great record of the place that is Sikkim. Really, knowledge that such place as
described exists and the simplicity which is increasingly becoming harder and
harder to copy touches your soul and every time you pick up the book, you enter
into a different world – a world inhabited by Tontem who is so simple, if he
were in Mathematics or Chemistry, he wouldn’t have a formula!
While I would have hoped for a longer novel (like Shalimar
the clown/ My name is Red) because Chetan is capable of those, am sure – these 2
are also very engaging tales and for people of Sikkim, probably a tribute to
one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Sikkimese or no, it’s a must read.
Footnote: Please DO NOT confuse Chetan Raj Shrestha with
Chetan Bhagat – that would be quite insulting to Shrestha!
Another one: Love the cover!
Another one: Love the cover!
3 comments:
I am reading it as soon as my hands get on the book
you could well turn into a book reviewer..loved the review..
Thanks Dewaker - coming from you I will take it as a big compliment although due to lack of time I didn't read your comment earlier :)
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