Chronicling Shame-Veiled Sensual Realities: 'Cockatoo's' Liberating Echo | Cockatoo by Yashraj Goswami

           

"Chronicling Shame-Veiled Sensual Realities: 'Cockatoo's' Liberating Echo"

Cockatoo by Yashraj Goswami

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

Cockatoo by Yashraj Goswami

Author: Yashraj Goswami

ISBN: 978-9389109955

Genre: Collection of Short Stories

Length: 216 Pages

Publication Date: 18^th July 2023

Publisher: Pan

Cover Illustration and Design: Devangana Dash | Website: https://www.devanganadash.com/

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3Rrmc6Y

About the Author:

Yashraj Goswami is a writer, poet and teacher based in Delhi. His words have appeared in various publications, including the Indian Express, Huffington Post, Scroll.in, and DNA. His poems and short stories have been widely anthologized. His writing gently probes the varied shades and expressions of masculinity in modern India. Cockatoo is his first book.

Yashraj Goswami (PC: Youth Ki Awaaz)

Instagram: @mubble.fubbles

Twitter: @aviDSays

Disclaimer: This review is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

I finished reading this gem a few days ago, yet I found myself at a loss for words to convey my thoughts immediately after finishing it. I took time to let this paperback sink in. Cockatoo, seemingly a collection of short stories, goes beyond the concept of a novel. It features diverse characters and narratives, all set in ordinary Indian surroundings. It highlights the profound spectrum of emotions and experiences that characterize everyday life.

It's remarkable how authentically the author portrays these themes, given that our society tends to sweep anything unconventional under the rug. A significant part of society, including anxious and conservative Indian youth, remains closed to discussing or destigmatizing natural aspects of life, like desire, sex, sexuality, dating, non-binary gender identity, mental health, and the stigma surrounding infertility. While acknowledging that change is underway, I feel that the pace of this transformation is not ideal, and any halt in progress could regress us to where we began. Goswami also sheds light on critical issues like divorce, barriers to quality healthcare for trans people, domestic violence, and police brutality.

These subjects aren't superficially tackled; Goswami has crafted finely detailed stories with well-fleshed-out characters, intricately woven and nested structures, and brilliant storytelling from various perspectives, utilizing irony and other literary devices to engage with readers on an open canvas that says, "you may see it coming, but I'm going to surprise you anyway." I found myself laughing, shedding literal tears, and experiencing numerous jaw-dropping moments throughout my reading journey.

Despite the episodic and stand-alone nature of the stories, akin to the structure of Arabian Nights, the book culminates in a cohesive whole. Upon finishing the book, readers can piece together a completed puzzle—a comprehensive novel with a clear beginning, middle, and closure. And since this work of joining the dots is upon readers, or you can say because of its open-endedness, readers get a huge enough canvas to make the best out of their reading experience. You can't get enough of it.

Goswami, in this debut masterpiece, demonstrates exceptional storytelling skills and accomplishes a commendable feat in stirring the depths of the reader's mind with thought-provoking narratives. These stories deserve to be read and retold, for they carry significant impact and offer validation to the diverse and queer experiences they portray.

Happy Reading!

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Uncomfortably Honest: Krishnagopal Mallick’s Queer Tales of Boyhood & Sexual Identity | 'Entering the Maze' Translated by Niladri R. Chatterjee

          

"Uncomfortably Honest: Krishnagopal Mallick’s Queer Tales of Boyhood & Sexual Identity"

Entering the Maze: Queer Fiction of Krishnagopal Mallick Translated from Bengali by Niladri R. Chatterjee

Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

Entering the Maze: Queer Fiction of Krishnagopal Mallick Translated from Bengali by Niladri R. Chatterjee

Author: Krishnagopal Mallick

Translator: Niladri R. Chatterjee

ISBN: 978-9391125905

Genre: Queer Fiction & Short Stories

Length: 176 Pages

Publication Date: 6^th April 2023

Publisher: Thornbird: An Imprint of Niyogi Books

Cover Designer: Pinaki De | Blog: http://pinakide.blogspot.com/

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/3EZxTec

Krishnagopal Mallick (Courtesy: Scroll.in)

About the translator:

Niladri R. Chatterjee is Professor, Department of English, University of Kalyani, West Bengal. A recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship and the British Council-Charles Wallace Fellowship, he has co-edited The Muffled Heart: Stories of the Disempowered Male and Naribhav: Androgyny and Female Impersonation in India. He is also the author of a novel called The Scholar. His areas of interest are Masculinity Studies and Queer Studies. Since 2010 he has been running a Facebook group called New Gender Studies.

Niladri R. Chatterjee (Courtesy: Frontlist)

Instagram: @niladdictive

Disclaimer: This review is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

Organisations in urban India, OTT media services, and the gig economy are slowly becoming inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community. However, it’s also important to acknowledge that in rural India, which constitutes about 65% of the population, queer individuals struggle against sexual repression and spend a good part of their lives suffering psychologically as they still risk being subjected to conversion therapies, physical violence, and sometimes, even family-sanctioned corrective rapes. The thriving moralism, religionism, and cultural nationalism in contemporary India is engendering a more conservative and heteronormative society and a youth whose traditional values are increasingly at odds with the principles of equal rights for queer folks. Widespread societal bias and prejudice, often perpetuated by those adhering to heteronormativity, have led to a common misconception that queer individuals are prone to trauma and suffering. While Chatterjee labelling this overly generalising perspective, a liberal view may not be accurate, he successfully challenges it through his translation of Krishnagopal Mallick’s queer fiction, which defies such limiting stereotypes and offers a nuanced portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences.

In the rich tapestry of Indian literature, the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals often find expression in regional languages, offering authentic and diverse perspectives on sexuality and identity. Unfortunately, many of these nuanced narratives have been overlooked or marginalised due to their divergence from heteronormativity. Translation emerges as a vital tool, a bridge that allows these hidden stories to resurface and flourish. It preserves the cultural nuances and authentic voices and challenges the pervasive homophobia that has marginalised them. ‘Entering the Maze’ is one such attempt to bring these voices into the spotlight and celebrate the richness of India’s LGBTQ+ literary heritage.

‘Entering the Maze’ is a collection of queer fiction stories by Krishnagopal Mallick, translated from Bengali by Niladri R. Chatterjee. The book is divided into four parts: an introduction by the translator, two short stories titled ‘The Difficult Path’ and ‘Senior Citizen,’ and lastly, the novella ‘Entering the Maze’ (initially published in May 1993).

In the introduction, Chatterjee introduces us to the world of Krishnagopal Mallick’s literary works and dives deep into it, drawing connections between his texts, his worldview, his life, and the profound influence of his homosexuality. Chatterjee references a passage from Mallick’s memoir ‘Hujugani,’ where he writes about ‘Byuhprabesh’ and mentions that he never resorted to imagination, validating that the work is not entirely fictional and complements the cover, featuring two identical figures, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. He compares Mallick with his contemporaries globally, nationally, and regionally in terms of queer themes, sources of inspiration, the use of author surrogate, and their romantic involvements. The scope of his comparisons spans from the French Nobel Laureate Andre Gide to E.M. Forster and even includes the Gujarati artist Bhupen Khakhar. Yet, he concludes, seldom do writers approach the innocent candour with which Krishnagopal Mallick presents stories of his boyhood and homosexuality in print, all while leading a contented married life with a child.

In ‘The Difficult Path,’ the 58-year-old narrator leads you on a journey through College Square in North Kolkata, observing and chronicling every subtle and monumental transformation. During a chance encounter with a lost boy near a concert venue, their journey together becomes a metaphorical exploration, depicted through a stoned and muddy path, raising questions about intentions and boundaries leaving readers with lingering thoughts. The story skilfully weaves the narrator’s reflections on the evolving spaces of Kolkata and human connection.

Sensual undertones are Krishnagopal Mallick’s hallmark, cleverly threaded with provocative details like a reference to a VIP Frenchie commercial. Similar to ‘The Difficult Path,’ ‘Senior Citizen’ also places readers in a morally challenging predicament. The author artfully employs irony to craft the persona of an elderly narrator. The story sets your moral judgment on an unpredictable course, prompting recalibration and a deliberate examination of right and wrong. However, what becomes evident is that the situation presented is far from being clear-cut; it resides in shades of grey. Despite a conspicuous absence of concern for issues like consent, the author adroitly blurs the line between consensual and non-consensual acts of intimate contact. This deft handling of a sensitive subject, conveyed with playful and mischievous authenticity, reflects the reality of such situations, ultimately underscoring the paramount importance of consent.

Finally, the pièce de résistance within this anthology of queer fiction presents itself—the novella bearing the title ‘Entering the Maze.’ It stands as a prime exemplar of the most candid and timeless coming-of-age literature. Within its pages unfolds a richly layered and subtly nuanced narrative, an exploration of boyhood, puberty, and the intricate journey toward self-discovery. The author employs a fourteen-year-old protagonist as a surrogate, charting the course of his life over a single year against the backdrop of post-Indian Independence Kolkata in 1950-51. The narrative embarks on a resounding note, providing readers with a glimpse of what awaits within its chapters. The novella begins with a portrayal of Gopal in shorts, and his transition to embracing dhotis and pyjamas towards the end symbolises his coming of age. Gopal’s fervent engagement in crafting a detective novel and the ingenious interplay of nested narratives illuminate the author’s unquenchable thirst for literature during his formative years. In a profound manner akin to the preceding short stories, ‘Entering the Maze’ unflinchingly captures the essence of the coming-of-age experience. It confronts the unspoken aspects of this transformative journey, which often remain concealed. These pivotal years, marred by the struggle to conform to prescribed notions of femininity or masculinity, bear profound significance.

The novella also features the influx of Bengali Hindu refugees from East Pakistan, the spectre of recurring riots, and haunting memories of war. The novella illustrates how these experiences shape the lens through which teenagers perceive the world. The author adeptly navigates these intricate layers, summoning vivid imagery and seamlessly traversing the terrain of adolescent self-discovery. The ordinary rituals of student life - the pursuit of geographical knowledge, the recitation of poems, and the fascination with stamp collection - all find a place within this novella’s pages. Each page, every line, and every word reverberates with profound meaning, offering readers a glimpse into the invaluable treasures concealed within its narrative depths.

Krishnagopal Mallick’s unreserved and unapologetic expression of his homosexuality tells you what it means to embrace your sexuality; it’s like, through his queer fiction, he shows you that he takes pride in being a homosexual man without ever saying the word “pride”. Such innocent, honest, and vibrant narratives of coming-of-age and the exploration of one’s sexuality have the power to ignite hope anew. As Chatterjee concludes his introduction, and I concur, we must bring such books back on the shelves. They not only enlighten us but also empower those who continue to fight for their right to love freely and authentically.

Happy Reading!

Are you on Instagram and Goodreads? Let's connect!

Dhiraj's Bookshelf

Dhiraj Sindhi's favorite books »

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Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee | YA Romance

          

"Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee"
Book Review by Dhiraj Sindhi

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

Author: Sher Lee

ISBN: 978-1035028313

Genre: Young-Adult Romance

Length: 272 Pages

Publication Date: 15^th June 2023

Publisher: Pan Macmillan India

Cover Art: Myriam Strasbourg | Website: www.myriamstrasbourg.com

Cover Designer: Casey Moses | Website: www.caseymoses.com

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/44LeZ5u

About the author:

SHER LEE writes rom-coms and fantasy novels for teens. Fake Dates and Mooncakes is her debut. Like the main character, she has made mooncakes with her favorite aunt and has an abiding love for local street food (including an incredible weakness for xiao long bao). She lives in Singapore with her husband and two adorable corgis, Spade and Clover.

Sher Lee with Spade and Clover

Instagram: @sherleeauthor

Website: sherleeauthor.com

Disclaimer: This review is only intended for initiating discussions. The opinions and views presented in this article are my own and do not reflect anything about the book's author. 

REVIEW

"Fake Dates and Mooncakes" is a feel-good teen drama that had me hooked from the very first page. From the outset, it was clear that FOOD would play a vital role, and the delectable prose, steeped in Singaporean and Chinese culinary traditions, lived up to the promise hinted at in the title. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Brooklyn and the Hamptons, the narrative unfolds through the eyes of Dylan. His world revolves around family – Aunt Jade, along with her children Megan and Tim, not to mention their lovable pet, Clover the Corgi. Dylan grapples with a life-altering decision, torn between pursuing a career as a veterinarian or a chef. At the heart of it all lies Wok Warriors, Aunt Jade's Singaporean-Chinese takeout restaurant, where Dylan lends a helping hand when he's not buried in his studies. However, his world takes an unexpected turn when Theo, the son of a wealthy businessman, enters his life. Theo crashes his cousin's wedding uninvited, with Dylan reluctantly posing as his pretend boyfriend.

Watching Dylan navigate the world of "rich-people problems" alongside Theo was undeniably adorable. Dylan agrees to this charade because of his growing fondness for Theo. On the flip side, Theo's character raises some eyebrows. More often than not, Theo's well-intentioned actions and privileged background seem to bring more chaos than harmony into Dylan's life. Their relationship becomes overshadowed by the financial support Theo provides. Consequently, the focus shifts away from matters of love or genuine dating; it becomes more about friendship and Dylan's reliance on Theo, as it appears he has no other confidant in this endeavour—winning the mooncake-making contest to save Wok Warriors.

Honestly, I found it challenging to see their relationship as anything beyond friends with benefits. Dylan brings emotional depth to their connection through his rich cultural values, while Theo helps Dylan navigate the challenges of opulence, attention, and some rather indifferent individuals. This dynamic didn't resonate with me. Their relationship feels shaky right from the start, lacking the profound connection I was hoping for, aside from a few symbolic gestures like the bracelet, baseball cap, and 'remembrance,' which contribute to the plot but don't really add depth to their bond. However, apart from the aspect of love, other themes are skillfully woven into the narrative. I found myself captivated by the exploration of the legend of Chang'e, the sensitive handling of xenophobia, the tantalizing food, and the intricacies of mooncake-making. Whether you're seeking solace in a comforting read during your leisure time or looking to mend a wounded heart, this book is a perfect choice.

Happy Reading!

Are you on Instagram and Goodreads? Let's connect!

Dhiraj's Bookshelf

Dhiraj Sindhi's favorite books »

=========================

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe for more content. Thank you so much for reading!

Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace. ☮