Book Review
Afsaane by Ameya Bondre
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| Afsaane by Ameya Bondre | Collection of Short Stories |
Author: Ameya Bondre
ISBN: 978-9389763072
Genre: Short Stories
Length: 191 Pages
About the author:
Ameya is a physician and public health researcher, currently
working with a healthcare technology start-up associated with IIT-Bombay. Born
and raised in Mumbai, he studied at KEM Hospital, and later at Johns Hopkins
University in the United States. Ameya’s professional life has been rewarding
with honours from Johns Hopkins, MIT, Yale and TEDx, and several research
publications. Creative writing has been a constant companion over the years,
with multiple rounds of writing and editing back and forth, periodic workshops,
and continued learning from editors and readers alike. He formally started
writing short stories in the winter of 2017, to put them into ‘Afsaane’, his
first book.
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| Ameya Bondre |
Follow him on Instagram: @authorameya
REVIEW
Narration
Afsaane is a collection of short stories narrated in a very
unique way, represents the intricacy of human relationships combined with a
bunch of other subjects that challenge millennials’ anxieties in current dating
culture. The writing style is comprehensive and mysterious at the same time
accompanied by analogies and the soul of the book I believe, expositions that
intensify the feelings. All the stories are narrated in first-person POV except
for one. One of the stories is narrated by a drug, fascinating right?
Setting and Characters
All stories take place at different premises, cities, and
countries. As I mentioned before, Ameya Bondre has succeeded in creating reliable
settings for each story with well-written expositions. For example, in
‘Distances’ author has created a paradise of memories using wooden shelves
which helped brilliantly to bring forth reminiscence. There are a good amount
of pivotal and critical scenes, executed not perfectly but effective enough;
scenes that remain vivid for a lifetime in your memories. There are weddings,
break-ups, divorces, child adoption, meetings, and dates. The evocative
narration makes them striking and astounding.
What make these stories unique, are the unconventional
characters who all stand for reality and connect with young readers. At this
time, when a celibate chief of right-wing organization projects divorce as
something shameful, it is noticeable that Ameya’s characters are fearless in a
way, putting the welfare of their loved ones before sanctions of the society;
proves that the newness and uncertainty of the matter don’t make it shameful.
Theme
Firstly, it is necessary to understand that human relations
have always been intricate, no matter the time, but times have changed since
the last few years. Times and circumstances always offered a choice so
unconventional for the society, but now the idea of ‘acceptance’ has made
society less intolerant (although there are places where it is exactly opposite
for some reasons). There is one story about divorce after many years of togetherness,
for better of course and the reasons fair enough. Ameya Bondre has covered all
the aspects and perspectives that matter in each story. There is adoption of a
child, one attending marriage of his ex, getting over the death of your loved
one and moving on, a tale of infidelity that sows the seed for newfound love
and reunion of a long lost pair. A few of these stories are incredible and
stand out from the others.
My Opinion
Now it’s time for my favorites. I loved how Ameya came up
with perspectives of both, the parents and the grandparents regarding adoption.
Sensing the gravity of the subject, it is great, how the big picture is
compacted in a short story ‘Blinkers on’. ‘Trapped’ is an exceptional story,
for its narration through the drug itself about its addict. It gets a bit comical
when you realize that. However, it tells not to lose hope that it will be fine.
Meanwhile, for drugs, they hope that one snort them soon. After reading ‘A
Healthy Home’ one realizes how difficult it would be for Dalit women to raise
cranky and physically weak children. In a detached village and home rooted in
restricted beliefs, far from newer ideas. Here author sharply remarks and I
quote ‘No one had impacted her. Not her family. Not those relatives who got
excited about the birth of a male child. Not the health worker.’
I think this review is not enough for what all the book
contains. If you will try to look for a meaning, you’ll surely find a few which
will fascinate you.
Happy Reading!
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