TWO SHORT STORIES TO READ IF YOUR TBR IS INTIMIDATING YOU.

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1. ABSCOND BY ABRAHAM VERGHESE

 


This short story by Abraham Verghese is gripping, intense and sublime.


Ravi’s dream of becoming a tennis star in New Jersey seems achievable with his father’s support, even though his mother wants him to tread in his father’s footsteps of becoming a neurosurgeon, like every Indian mother. But it all flips upside down one fine day, and all of a sudden Ravi must grow up and take charge. He was never prepared for what was coming, but he had no other choice than to accept it. Ravi learns that grief is subjective, taking one of its many forms in everyone.


I loved this bittersweet story about loss, grief, and acceptance. With the way it started, I least expected the turn of events, and it really took me by surprise. At this point, I am convinced Abraham Verghese can make 38 pages as interesting as a 500-page novel. He can showcase Indianness in a foreign land with as less words as he is allowed to, and he does so with great finesse. All I can say is, this story does not demand long hours, nor does it ask to be read with great care to details.


It is simple, quick to read, and straightforward with a punch that grabs your attention at once.

 

 

2. THE ANSWER IS NO BY FREDRIK BACKMAN (TRANSLATED FROM THE SWEDISH BY ELIZABETH DENOMA)

 


Fredrik Backman’s writing and ingenuity need no introduction. He can write with the same wit, intelligence, and exuberance for both a 500-page book and a 60-page short story. If I am guessing it right, you must have seen this book doing rounds in the book community recently, and I say it is very well deserved.

 

‘The Answer is No’ is an extremely compelling short story about Lucas, a happy loner enjoying his video games with Pad Thai. His problems start when someone discards an old frying pan in the basement of his apartment, and people start showing up at his door.

 

For Lucas, there is no greater trouble than having people flood his apartment, drawing him away from his sofa and games. But to his surprise, Lucas not only befriends his flatmates but also starts a cult unknowingly. But how far can Lucas tolerate? And how does he plan to end it all?

 

Honestly, I am amazed by the author’s versatility. This was my third one by Backman; the previous ones were at least 300 pages long. And I can confidently say that this short story had the same impact as his previous ones. Backman’s protagonists are always introverted and live in their own world and content. In his stories, there is always a message, especially on mental health, societal constructs, and human relationships, and it is well-balanced in this one as well.

 

I have seen many people struggle to finish Backman owing to his elaborate characterisation and focus on human emotions, which I love. Maybe a few of you are still confused about whether to start his books or not. For such people, I would very much recommend this one. Once you start reading Backman, you can never go back. Read this today and thank me later.

 

 


 This is a part of #BlogchatterHalfMarathon

#penbooksandscalpel


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