NOCTURNE PONDICHERRY STORIES BY ARI GAUTIER (TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY ROOPAM SINGH)

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BOOK NAME: NOCTURNE PONDICHERRY STORIES

AUTHOR NAME: ARI GAUTIER (TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY ROOPAM SINGH)

GENRE: ANTHOLOGY - CONTEMPORARY FICTION 

PUBLISHER: HACHETTE INDIA 

BOOK BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.in/Nocturne-Pondicherry-Ari-Gautier/dp/935731881X



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BOOK REVIEW

Pondicherry - a city of beaches, love and peace. A city that echoes the sound of receding waves at dawn and comes to life with sparkling lights as dusk sets in. A town of tranquillity and hope, and more importantly, less traffic and more greenery. But as people keep talking more and more about these places, I wonder who will speak about those ignored counterparts that are covered in darkness through the night where hounds await their prey as the light goes off? Who will bring to light the stories of women and men who are wronged, those who are beaten to death, those who become slaves of alcohol and cannabis, those who are pushed off limits to do the unthinkable, those who are sold into prostitution? If everyone spoke of the happy events, who is to speak of the unspoken things that lie at the trench? And I think it's the sole purpose why this book exists.  


Every dazzling city full of life has a side to it where darkness engulfs people as a whole, in silence and secret. And it pains me to think that my hometown also hides horrors and sorrows amidst the celebrations and lively nightlife. But it is what it is. I could have encountered Jacques from 'The Exile', who was struggling with gender identity as I was soaked in the sun on a tender evening on a bench. I could have come face to face with Viji from the opening chapter by the shore without recognising her struggles and trauma. I could have had a casual conversation with Marguerite as I passed by the road without knowing her story. I could have met everyone in this book but still wouldn't have imagined such dark secrets hidden behind their smiling faces. And it pains me to think this was highly probable, if not possible. 


This anthology contains seven brilliant short stories, all revolving around the lives of commoners in Pondicherry. The way this book resonates with me can't be put in words as it describes the lanes and streets I had seen with fascination growing up. Every story has a connection to human characters and the deeper secrets they harbour, and they end in an uncharacteristic ending, which is thought-provoking. This 110-page collection is something I would definitely recommend for people who love unconventional stories with realistic characters. 


MY REVIEW: 5/5

This is a part of Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge

#penbooksandscalpel

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