Lorelei by Jamie McCormick | Book Review

A Word Thrice Uttered by Parveen Talha | Book Review

Summary:

A Word Thrice Uttered: Stories on Life’s Realities is a collection of short stories portraying the diverse realities of life through the protagonists – children, women, men, animals, even super naturals.
While Ratan’s story is one of irreparable damage to a child’s psyche, through callous handling, spilling onto his adult life, Ram Khilawan’s is a contrast where familial love inspires a child to put aside his trauma and attain the impossible despite poverty. Who would believe that, even in independent India, children are bought and sold, to slog as cheap labour, in a city like Allahabad, which gave to India one Prime Minister after another?
Where children are not spared, what would the plight of animals be! But here the author infuses hope through stories where animals return in equal measure the love and trust they receive from humans who treat them as family. Readers meet fascinating women confronted with irresponsible men and downright evil ones too. But nothing stops these women from taking the first step to a leap into liberation and self-empowerment. There are gentle touches into sensitive areas, through the thought processes of little Aslam and the experiences of Hafizji and his family. Panditayin, wrapped in the Ganga-Jumuni tehzeeb, makes readers long to turn the clock, back into that golden era. The supernatural characters here are not the run-of-the-mill horror models. Their stories have a plot, run on a theme and have turns and twists, which make these Supernaturals.

Author:

Parveen Talha

Publisher:

Niyogi Books

Release date:

September 12th 2017
No. of Pages:

Paperback, 192 Pages

The stories are beautiful and each story has a message. One can expect either a unexpected twist, a smile, a tear or anger at the end of every story. The detailing of people and the surroundings makes you feel a part of the story, the characters that will stay with you forever.  You get a brief view into another's world, and while sometimes you wish there was more, more often then not it's just the right amount.

I love short stories and essays because I can reread them until I understand the message and appreciate the the art without getting lost. Overall, it’s a beautiful book with intense characters, stories revolving around women and human emotions. This book is definitely worth the read and I'd recommend it to anyone, whether you have a strong background in short stories or are new to the genre. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the author and his stories and cannot wait to read his next book.

The stories cover a wide range of topics. The list of stories in the book includes are:

1. Thanks for Ditching Me 
2. Rustam
3. Amma! Come back....
4. A String of Bela Flowers 
5. Centipede
6. A Word Thrice Uttered 
7. Sona and Tiger
8. Gangaji Is Not Far, Bappa... 
9. Let Me Have a Love Affair 
10. Trial and Punishment
11. Where Did the Delicacies Come From?
12. Virginity Lost... So What 
13. The Magic Wand 
14. Real Sacrifice 
15. Panditayin
16. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie