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Showing posts with label Short Story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Short Story. Show all posts

Friday, February 21, 2020

Book Review: Afsaane by Ameya Bondre | Short Stories

Book Review

Afsaane by Ameya Bondre


Book Review: Afsaane by Ameya Bondre | Short Stories | Dhiraj Sindhi | Indian Book Blogger
Afsaane by Ameya Bondre | Collection of Short Stories

Author: Ameya Bondre

ISBN: 978-9389763072

Genre: Short Stories

Length: 191 Pages

Publisher: BlueRose Publishers (27 December 2019)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2TcHVR9

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.

Book Review: Afsaane by Ameya Bondre | Short Stories | Dhiraj Sindhi | Indian Book Blogger
Ameya Bondre

Follow him on Instagram: @authorameya
Facebook: Author-Ameya-Bondre


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

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Book Review: Temple Classroom & Other Stories by Puja Roy | Short Stories

Book Review

Temple Classroom & Other Stories by Puja Roy


Book Review: Temple Classroom & Other Stories by Puja Roy | Short Stories | Dhiraj Sindhi
Temple Classroom & Other Stories by Puja Roy

Author: Puja Roy

ISBN: 978-8194182634

Genre: Short Stories

Length: 117 Pages

Publisher:  Rubric Publishing (19 September 2019)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/358g09g

About the author: 

A Comparative Literature graduate from Jadavpur University and a Diploma in Film Studies, Puja is also the founder of the digital book club The Book Buzz'. She holds a Master's degree in Advertising and Public Relations and is currently employed with an education foundation that works for children from the underprivileged sections of the society. An avid reader and a translator, Puja loves to research on history, cinema, art and culture.


Puja Roy

Instagram: @roy.puja03
REVIEW

Temple Classroom & Other Stories is the collection of sixteen distinct stories, which have nothing specific in common and are addressing a variety of subjects. Talking about the writing style, the foreword is written by Koral Dasgupta and it was so wonderful that my expectations became very high for the book. After reading the stories I can say the overall experience was a bit disappointing. I'll expand on that later. Some stories are set in villages and some in cities like Vadodara and Mumbai.

Well, the positive side of the book. I felt that these three stories were unique and brilliant. 'The Root', 'Silver Anklets' and 'The Tea Story'. These all stories elaborate on the feelings of characters very well and shows how these characters are struggling in their own mind. It literally shows the change of perspective in the end and how these characters develop, be it a very little change. I loved them. These characters. Emotions and feelings surrounding them. Other than these, there is a story about a girl who wishes to bring quality education to her village where girls are not allowed to study after certain age. There is an inspiring story of a housewife who finds her true calling and has to go against her family, for the better. One story talks about the acid attack and another story about child sexual abuse and another about an underprivileged child who has to go through so much in life at an early age. This 'Phulo' story has a unique lesson in it.

Some of them are inspiring but mostly these stories are ordinary. Let me clear this first, what I mean by ordinary is, we all have come across these stories (most of them) in various forms, in news, social media, I mean these stories are found everywhere. Also if these weren't extraordinary (tales of struggle, fulfilling dreams, lasting hope and courage and more) then it wouldn't have made to these pages. Considering that, I didn't find anything new in these stories. Stories lacked of emotions and the perspective that could have narrated the stories better, although the characters were well defined. Another thing that I didn't like was the purpose of these stories. Fine, some are inspiring and others are addressing the issues we're struggling through but other than that I found few of them very idle. And the endings were unsatisfactory.

This collection might not be one of the best, but I really appreciate the efforts put in this work and talking about these issues. As Suzanne says and I repeat every now and then, 'The least we can do is call it what it is and talk about it.'

Happy Reading!

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

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Chamaeleonaire by Dhiraj Sindhi | Fantasy Fiction Story

Hello, readers fam, friends and fiction lovers! I am back with another endeavor and to practice storytelling via this blog. Thank you so much for your support all the way here.

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Featuring


The Art of Animation
Picture credits: The Art of Animation


DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chamaeleonaire

A Fantasy Fiction by Dhiraj Sindhi

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Book Review: Still Loved...Still Missed! (The Myriad Hues of Souls) by Mridula | Dhiraj Sindhi

Book Review

Still Loved...Still Missed! : The Myriad Hues of Souls

by

Mridula




Author: Mridula

ISBN: 978-1645466635

Genre: Short-Stories

Length: 78 pages

Publisher: Notion Press (15th March 2019)

My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Order your copy right now: https://amzn.to/2DIp49v

About the author:



Mridula enjoys reading and writing short stories on subtle feelings. She was bestowed with the Most Popular Writer Award of short story publisher Your Story Club in 2012. She is a nemophilist (A hunter of the woods) and possesses a doctorate in agricultural sciences. She works as a government official and lives with her family in Kerala.

She can be reached at the emailtrailblazer11.22.44@gmail.com

REVIEW

Still Loved…Still Missed! is a collection of 14 short stories and a poem. The writing style is awesome that each sentence will make you think twice before moving ahead, although it is an easy read. Each one of these stories holds a deeper meaning to it and bring your attention to the values that we forget to notice. Some of the stories are written in third-person POV and some in first-person, that of humans and non-humans too.

First thing attracted me, was the subtitle of this book ‘The Myriad Hues of Souls’. And it suits perfectly to the book. Like its cover, stories are dark, some heart-warming and rest heart-wrenching. Stories would keep you to the edge, lost in the world of emotions. The theme of these stories differ but the common element was the diverse range of sentiments, be it a human soul or any other.

Let’s talk about stories. Stories cover different settings, from Californian forest to Ganga. Seasons from fall to winter. Characters from a petal of the flower to a spider to an environmentalist. There can be no depth to the characters in short stories, however, you will connect to them easily. They will drag you into melancholic hole of their sentiments. Stories, in a way depicts the author’s love for the environment and animals.

The words she has used are precise and profound, for example- “The same silence of visiting a dead person.” That would surely catch your attention. Also, the author has described parent-child relationship in many of them and seems to be connected to each other. Relations are complex and so is the love between them.

We are born to perform our destined roles in a delightful but unconditional way.

One more thing I would like to mention is, the way each story unfolds. It is fantastic and unpredictable. The stories take unexpected turns when you least expect it or reveal something that makes you halt and makes you think about it. Each one of it leaves a strong impression that you would not like to forget it for long.

My Favorite-Five stories I loved:

5. Still Loved…Still Missed!

4. Fly…Flew…Flown!

3. My Little Child

2. And Quite Flew the Little Birds

1. Bluebells in the Woods ❤️

I would like to quote two more lines because nothing else can make you happier than seeing your dreams coming true and only you would know what it took from you.

As a child, the verb ‘fly’ lured her. To say “I flew” was her desire, and to boast, “I have flown over the clouds,” was her dream.

I would recommend this book to everyone out there. This magnificent piece deserves all your attention.

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

Friday, April 19, 2019

I HAD A DREAM | A Thank You Speech | Dhiraj Sindhi

Hello, Readers' Fam! Welcome back to The Universe of My Secrets. So, a nearly a month ago I wrote a Thank You Speech (for my own fictional character) to submit it to a contest (There was a prompt actually that I cannot share), which turned out to nothing. Maybe I did it in so much hurry and casually. Now, I want to show it to you guys. Tell me what you think about it!

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I HAD A DREAM | A Thank You Speech | Dhiraj Sindhi
Just for Award Vibes


DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A Thank You Speech for receiving Life-Time Achievement Award

I HAD A DREAM

A very good evening to everyone!

Firstly, thank you, God, for making me worthy of this award. I dedicate this to my parents and my loved ones for I cannot be grateful enough. Thank you to all jury members for giving such prestigious award, I am truly obliged for this great honor. Thanks to my diligent team for working day and night before every album-launch that I could hold this award firmly on behalf of you all team members. Thanks to you, my audience for I am who I am because of you. You all had been an inevitable part of this journey to make my dream come true.

Yes. Certainly, I had a dream! I learned playing piano from my mother at the age of six. I loved to hear her play it everyday, she would take me to another world. I always dreamt of being like her, enrapturing everyone with her talent. She left this world very soon in my late childhood. Then, I knew how to play piano but never thought of it as a talent. Years passed by and I lived with one thought that I could never do better. When I was struggling in my teenage, my father reminded me of that dream. He used to quote Benjamin Franklin ─ ‘Hide not your talents, they for use were made, what’s a sundial in the shade?’ He believed in my talent when no one could see it. He encouraged me to carry on the legacy and fulfill my dream and said ‘You will do the best you can, with the talent you have.’ From that day until now, I’ve lived my dream of playing piano everyday, be it a concert-hall or be it my home, I never missed a day.

I wish they were here today to see me accepting this award. Mum. Dad. If you are listening to me, I love you.

Having a dream is vital to be alive in the sea of humanity. The tough task is to believe in them and keeping them alive with you. I had a mad dream of composing such music that would change my world and I didn’t give up. It just takes a smile to fight against all odds. I would thank myself for not losing hope when it was most likely for me to give up. In the future, I would count on every opportunity that would make myself better at what I do.

Once again, thanks to everyone, I am so grateful to have you all. Please, forgive me if I forgot to mention you. Thank you!

Have a nice time!


***
Let me know in comments, what you think about this. You can Direct Message me on my Instagram @binge_bawse_

SPONSORED

Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi

Now Available

Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi

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


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Monday, February 18, 2019

Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi (Halloween Short Story) SYNOPSIS

Hey readers' fam!! Here is the Synopsis and where you can buy and read Winged Sisters. Now available on top most online bookstores. Check it out here.

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
Buy on Amazon


(Click on above image for Amazon page of book)

SYNOPSIS

The streets remain deserted at nights in Nahant for many years now. The population is decreasing day by day. There doesn’t seem any cure to the number of suicides taking place. No one knows the actual reason behind it and most are completely unaware about it. Dankworth family is one of them.

On their second Halloween in Nahant, Gale and Delphia─ Dankworth siblings, come to know the truth about the infernos taking place, from their new friend Vinda Tremblay that all this is related with dead Villan sisters. Unfortunately on that night Gale and Delphia gets sucked into the graves in an ancient villa, being the saviors to Nahant and the Winged Sisters.

This book narrates the story of sisters & siblings, bravery & kindness, life & death and most importantly about completely ceasing black-hearted from the universe.


Find Winged Sisters on Goodreads and post your reviews there also.

Goodreads Link to the Book is here: Goodreads Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
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Comment down what you think about WInged Sisters.

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Thank You So Much Friends for reading. Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Halloween Special Short Story (Part 7)

Hey readers' fam!! I am back, finally! (What's writer's block?) Anyways, here is the next important page of WInged Sisters Tale. Enjoy and keep commenting. #wingedsistersbydhiraj Use the hashtag on social media if you like the tale.

Source: Pixabay.com

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
Buy on Amazon

(Click on above image for Amazon page of book)

Part 7

(Cont.)

Maybe. She was going to die few hours from then. What Delphia and Gale were supposed to do? Probably. Rescue them. How they were supposed to rescue the sisters? Maybe they would have informed the family about forthcoming deaths? That would’ve definitely freaked them out, the whole time travel stuff. They might have not intrigued Villans or even shown themselves.

**Further content cannot be displayed because of legal rights**

WINGED SISTERS NOW AVAILABLE


WINGED SISTERS BY DHIRAJ SINDHI


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


Comment down what you think about WInged Sisters.

Stay tuned for more!!

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Thank You So Much Friends for reading. Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Halloween Special Short Story (Part 6)

Hey readers' fam!! I hope you all are enjoying the darkness. Time to meet the sisters. Are they actually winged? Find here. Comment down what you think about WInged Sisters. #wingedsistersbydhiraj Use the hashtag on social media if you like the tale.

Source: Pixabay.com

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
Buy on Amazon

(Click on above image for Amazon page of book)

Part 6

(Cont.)

To confirm the doubts Gale opened the door and found ‘The Villan Villa’ written on bronze nameplate on front and closed it immediately as it was extremely cold.

**Further content cannot be displayed because of legal rights**

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


What happened 49 years back? That mother had to immolate herself!!!

Stay tuned for more!!

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Thank You So Much Friends for reading. Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Halloween Special Short Story (Part 5)

Hey readers' fam!! I hope you all are enjoying the darkness. Here to the real monsters on the earth. Comment down what you think about WInged Sisters. #wingedsistersbydhiraj Use the hashtag on social media if you like the tale.

Source: Pixabay.com

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
Buy on Amazon

(Click on above image for Amazon page of book)

Part 5

(Cont.)

Before she could explain anything to her, Mrs. Tremblay strode away with a fuel container. As she reached her husband, she emptied the container over his head. Before his eyes. He couldn’t make out what was happening. When he tried to stop his wife, Mrs. Dankworth came running with an iron rod and hit him hard on his back. Mrs. Tremblay sat her husband’s lighter ablaze to kill her husband but Mrs. Dankworth didn’t want to be a part of a crime so she snatched away the lighter. Mr. Tremblay took advantage of this act and took hold of rod and Mrs. Dankworth fell to the ground as he hit her on back of the head.

**Further content cannot be displayed because of legal rights**

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


Finally checked into  The Villan Villa!

Stay tuned for more!!

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Thank You So Much Friends for reading. Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Halloween Special Short Story (Part 4)

Hey readers' fam!! I hope you all are enjoying the darkness. This part of the story contains young adult content. Comme down below what should be done with such evil character in Winged Sisters. #wingedsistersbydhiraj Use the hashtag on social media if you like the tale.

Winged SIsters By Dhiraj Halloween Special Hooded figure
Source: Pixabay.com


DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Part 4

Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
Buy on Amazon

(Click on above image for Amazon page of book)
(Cont.)


“Nice to meet you! Hope to see you soon.” he gave it to Mrs. Dankworth.

“Nice to meet you too.” she accepted it awkwardly.

**Further content cannot be displayed because of legal rights**

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


Would they survive? Be ready to meet the WInged Sisters!

Stay tuned for more!!

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Thank You So Much Friends for reading. Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Halloween Special Short Story (Part 3)

Hey readers' fam!! I hope you all are enjoying the darkness. Here I am with further story. Comment down below what you have to say about Winged Sisters. #wingedsistersbydhiraj Use the hashtag on social media if you like the tale.

Winged Sisters by Dhiraj
Source: Pixabay.com

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
Buy on Amazon

(Click on above image for Amazon page of book)

Part 3

(Cont.)


The Halloween turned into grieving ceremony but soon it turned back to Halloween as Delphia pottered around and talked about jack-o'-lantern and trick-or-treating and their costumes. Gale talked in whispers with Vinda and when Delphia caught them sitting close, she sat them apart and cleared space for herself.

**Further content cannot be displayed because of legal rights**

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

Check out tomorrow for meeting WInged SIsters!

Stay tuned for more!!

Follow me on InstagramFacebookTwitter and Pinterest. Don't forget to subscribe. Don't forget to subscribe for more content.

Thank You So Much Friends for reading. Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Halloween Special Short Story (Part 2)

Heya readers' fam!! How is it going? On this occasion of Narka Chaturdashi I'm sharing this part 2 of dark tale about two sisters. Happy Diwali to all of you! Hope this Diwali brighten up your path to happiness for always. Enjoy!

Winged Sisters - Halloween Special Short Story by Dhiraj
Source: Pixabay.com

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Winged Sisters by Dhiraj Sindhi
Buy on Amazon

(Click on above image for Amazon page of book)

Part 2

(Cont.)

Siblings stood still in front at the gate. The rust coated gate was closed with heavy locks and chains. Horrified by the scene kids sprinted towards the neighboring house. They knocked at the door and then entered the house which was surprisingly very quiet for this particular day. Tremblay family sat in silence but when little guests came for trick-or-treating they jumped to their feet and welcomed siblings with huge smile on their face. They offered everything they prepared for the Halloween party. As she heard some voices Mr. & Mrs. Tremblay’s daughter rushed to the hall.

**Further content cannot be displayed because of legal rights**

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Still, Where are sisters?

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Thank You So Much Friends for reading. Will see you in the next post. Till then buh-bye. Take Care. Peace.

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