The submerged valley and other stories - Manoj Das

One more from Manoj Das. Simply unputdownable. The last story the dusky horizon is definitely worth a special mention. Three friends make a mistake unknowingly and their unique ways to take penance for a girl's death. Definitely, well stated in the book by the master story teller.

Definitely, recommended.

Old folks of the northern valley and other stories - Manoj Das

Another great collection of short stories by Manoj Das. There is subtle charm of witty authorship in most of the stories. The last story bulldozer is kind of a novelette. That has a bit of highs and lows. It may not seem very well connected on first instance. I will consider that one a bit out of place in the collection though.

The miracle and other stories - Manoj Das

Presented as a collection of short stories at different periods, the stories have a mix of strange human emotions, reactions and mysticism in them. The stories are not very much aligned to any realism per se but many of them depict the irrationalities of general human reaction or expression. If you have lived in rural India one could connect very easily to the stories. Manoj Das again all masterful story teller as he is has presented these dozen stories in remarkable simplicity.

Definitely recommended and a breeze read in couple of hours.

The Escapist - Manoj Das (2001)

Yet another remarkable work by Manoj Das, the blessed son of Goddess Saraswati. Needless to write a review. The book is highly acclaimed by many eminent authors and critics. In fact the Kindle edition about 20% of the book is marked for commentary, appreciation and how to read the novel etc. From a simple reader standpoint the book is not the easiest of read. The style kind of goes about a little all over initially till the plot thickens. The story goes around a poor man who tries to earn a simple livelihood and lands up being a godman not by choice but by circumstances. How he adheres to it for all the attributed false expectations and promises made to him. How he is being used wrongfully by certain people around him. The hope or person he tries to save he has no means of saving her. And situation forces him to lie moribund near a river. And he escapes again in life but this time into the reality of being a seeker. As a seeker in the follower of truth his road again meets with his past for him to realize all those factor which has met him history has not been in anyway what they should have been. There had been a lot of changes in life and some serving poetic justice but some not getting the end goal they deserved.

Overall, it made me feel the book makes everyone look like an escapist in some form.