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Book Review 117: Medical Maladies: Stories of Diseases and Cure from Indian Languages, edited and introduced by Haris Qadeer

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Medical Maladies is an exceptional anthology that delves into the spectrum of medical experiences and practices in India. The collection features nineteen captivating short stories translated from various Indian languages. This compilation, which includes renowned authors like Rabindranath Tagore, Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhyay, Premchand, and Saadat Hasan Manto, as well as medical practitioners such as Rashid Jahan and Shirin Shrikant Valavade, offers readers a thought-provoking and immersive exploration of the intersection between literature and medicine.  A notable aspect of this collection is its inclusion of stories that delve into women's mental and physical health, including pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, and depression. By exploring these topics, the anthology offers valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by women within the Indian healthcare system, thereby adding a layer of depth and relevance to the overall narrative.   Through their narratives, the authors enc
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Book Review 116: What the Rains Foretold by N. Mohanan, translated by Manoj Neelkanthan

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Based on the origin myth of the South Indian state of Kerela and its people, N. Mohanan's  What the Rains Foretold  narrates the mythical tale of the highly accomplished scholar, Vararuchi. The book has been translated into English from the Malayalam original Innaathe Mazha by Manoj Neelkanthan. The tragic story of Vararuchi evokes pity and makes the readers contemplate. The young scholar Vararuchi refused the coveted position of the Roya  Pundit at the King's court and decided to embark on a journey in pursuit of truth and knowledge. While on his journey, he happened to hear a prophecy which stated that he was destined to marry a Pariah girl. On hearing this, he was distraught  and tried to prevent it by subverting fate. Years later, he got married to the beautiful and gifted daughter of a Brahmin, Panchami.  However, Vararuchi was unable to escape from the clutches of fate. As fate would have it, he comes to know that Panchami is the same child of the Pariah coup l e whom he
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Book Review 115: Sinbad and the Tomb of Alexander by Kevin Missal

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Packed with action, thrill and suspense, Sinbad and the Tomb of Alexander is a brilliant retelling of the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor, from the classic One Thousand and One Nights. This is the second book in the series After saving the world from Armageddon, Sinbad finds himself in the midst of another thrilling adventure! Sinbad has been bestowed with another important responsibility. Along with his friends, who accompany him in his quest, Sinbad has to procure the Water of Life. And in order to find that, he has to locate the three stones which will lead him to the Tomb of Alexander the Great, where the Water of Life is hidden. But Sinbad has a number of perilous encounters on his way - the Viking warriors, the Chinese alchemists, and even creatures of the dark! Will Sinbad and his crew be successful in their mission this time? You'll have to read the book to find out! Sinbad and the Tomb of Alexander is a tale of friendship, courage, sacrifice, heartbreaks and finding hope a
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Book Review 114: Birds of the Snows by Tarannum Riyaz

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Translated from the Urdu novel  Barf Aashna Parindey , Birds of the Snows by Tarannum Riyaz tells the poignant tale of a Kashmiri family.  The novel mainly focuses on the life of Sheba, the youngest daughter of Chowdhury Najam Khan and Suraya Begum. Sheba is very different from her sisters and perceives life very differently. She desires freedom and knowledge. The various situations she faces in life help her come to terms with the responsibilities of life. Her decisions and the choices she makes for herself reflect her strong set of values and ideals. The author has brilliantly explored Sheba's relationship with various other characters in the novel. The wise and ambitious young woman has several sides to her character. She tries her best to fulfil her duties as a loving daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and a student. She possesses a warm heart, a pleasant personality and has a deeply humanitarian and compassionate side to her character.  Besides Sheba, there are several oth
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Book Review 113: Five Novellas about Women by Indira Goswami, translated by Dibyajyoti Sarma

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Indira Goswami's Five Novellas about Women  brings to light the deplorable conditions of the marginalised section of the society. Translated from Assamese into English by Dibyajyoti Sarma, the five novellas in this anthology give voice to those who are often left unheard. The stories mainly focus on the plight of women. Women - marginalised, and oppressed by the society. The author portrays the lives of the rural poor, the plight of the urban underclass, and how the powerless are treated. Issues like widowhood, and female sexuality are prominent themes of her stories. The stories are a  raw representation of the harsh realities and deftly addresses the issues the women face.  Each of the stories shakes the readers to the very core. Most of the stories set in the North-Eastern state of Assam, transports the readers to a different world altogether. The brilliant writing style further makes the book an engrossing read.  Five Novellas about Women by Indira Goswami, translated by Dibyaj
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