EKARAT - STORIES HE LEFT BEHIND BY AJAY KHULLAR

-

BOOK NAME: EKARAT - STORIES HE LEFT BEHIND

AUTHOR NAME: AJAY KHULLAR

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY FICTION

PUBLISHER: THE BROWSER

BOOK BUY LINK : https://www.amazon.in/EKARAT-Ajay-Khullar-Ekarat/dp/9392210086





This book, written by Ajay Khullar, the phoenix author 'EKARAT', was published posthumously by his father and is a collection of short stories, tributes, unfinished novellas and poems.


This book is unique in most of its ways because it's a collection of different styles of writing in a single book. The author explores dark and untrodden topics like infidelity, forbidden love, power and sexuality with a blend of satire and humour. His writing is powerful and painful at the same time. Every time a character was introduced in a story, it was distinct, and a few chapters left me asking for more. 


Few of the novellas and short stories were interconnected, and the unfinished endings left me wondering what exactly was running in the author's mind. Though I was able to imagine a few possible endings, it is sure that they would be perfect in every single possibility. The themes of loss, love, grief, mental trauma, and morality have been explored deeply. 

Though I loved many aspects of the book, including the lyrical prose mixed with sarcasm, I did not enjoy how the women characters were written. They all were written pretty similarly and forjudged. Infidelity has been dealt with very casually without highlighting any of its repercussions which made me frown. 


Overall, the book is enjoyable, with its ups and downs. The repetitiveness is not because the author wanted to be so but because most of his unfinished works had to be published, and they coincided with the rest of his works. 


MY REVIEW: 4/5

#penbooksandscalpel

I am participating in Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHAPTER 1 - ALIZA AND AHMED

-
Image
Their eyes met for the second time in the day. Every time this happens, Aliza feels a ticklish sensation in her stomach. It's not that they have not been closer than just eye contact, but the jitters won't leave her alone. Her mother-in-law was busy scooping out the last few morsels of chicken from the bowl with a creaking noise that numbed Aliza's ears. Her father-in-law was lost in thoughts enjoying his chicken malai korma and tempered ghee rice.   ‘Aliza, can you get me some warm water?’ Aliza comes running with a jar of water to fulfil her new wife's duties, and Ahmed finds his moment just when Aliza is filling his tumbler and his parents are busy eating. He pokes her in the hip, which is faintly visible between her saree fold and her blouse. Aliza winces and moves behind quickly. She turns around to ensure no one has witnessed it and promptly returns to work, flashing a smile. Ahmed had to steal moments like these between daily activities because the house was alwa
Read more

CHAPTER 4 - DISTANCE MATTERS

-
Image
'Congratulations on your promotion and transfer. We are looking forward to your full commitment to us. Do get back to this letter at the earliest with your answer.' Read the crafted piece of paper. Ahmed's parents were delighted and jumping with joy. They were chanting 'Alhamdulillah' fervently while Aliza stood confused. She could not make anything of this news because Ahmed's promotion meant everything to her. But his transfer would only mean that Aliza must stay back with her in-laws while he would visit only during weekends. She would happily do so, too, if not for her unsupportive mother-in-law. Aliza wanted to cry, and her eyes brimmed with tears that the world looked like a smudged canvas laying still in front of her. She looked at Ahmed pleadingly and waited until 10 to ask him if he really wanted to go. Asking in front of her in-laws would only mean the end of her good days. Ahmed did not look up because he knew what his transfer meant for both of them.
Read more

MY FAVOURITE BLOGCHATTER MOMENTS FROM 2023

-
Image
Contrary to every other year, in 2023, the writer in me had a great time compared to the reader me—all thanks to the team of Blogchatter. If you are new to the world of blogging or have been living under a rock, Blogchatter is an open community for bloggers and readers, and they organise writing and reading challenges for its members. Blogchatter keeps motivating its writers and readers with badges and credit points that can be encashed. My journey with Blogchatter started in mid-2022, and it's been so great so far. I have had meaningful conversations with fellow readers, bloggers and writers. I was also introduced to unique content through this community. Though I try to write most days of the year, there are also times when I feel I can't write anymore because I can't think of anything. I would either just blank out or be overwhelmed with my personal life and a full-time job. During moments like these, Blogchatter comes up with a timely rescue by introducing challenges a
Read more