Prem Chandra of the Indian Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers (Jamalpur cadre) is a senior professional ( retired) who has seen the world.
This is what he writes about his engagement with the Chronicler.
” After a long time, I read a full book, breaking my big inertia. I found your book very enjoyable, at the same time, I travelled in a time capsule few centuries back, living in those times, and had some foreign visits too, of US and Gulf.
Sorrow of Shanti in Ashtami, was very touching. In our society, we need to evolve much more to take proper care of handicapped people. Come to think of it, each one of us, have few major physical and/or mental handicaps, which we are able to hide somehow, or we are not even aware of them.
Pandemic has shown us good mirror. Glimpse of the same a century back, was quite informative and brought good memories of our Calcutta days.
Fault Lines, nicely depicted the hindu karma theory, with a good pinch of mystery.
Finally, The Chronicler…, was superb climax. I learnt lot of our own history in a very interesting manner. Some characters in it like, Joba Sundari, Omichand, Satya and Rani Rashmoni, will remain in my memory for a long time. Effect of mixing supernatural in the story was too good and divine.
Congratulations Shakti, for writing this book so well in your first such attempt. It is of a high standard. Best wishes for your future such endeavours. In fact, now I look forward to your next.”
From Ashtami :
As preparations got underway to take the body for cremation, no one could miss that low pitched moan from the room of the deceased. It emanated from Shanti as he alone held onto his mother’s hand. It seemed disturbingly like a sound from the past trying to come to terms with that of an uncertain future. It ricocheted through the house and beyond, and failing to tug at the heartstrings of the folks around, carried to the heavens the sadness, tiredness and the irrelevance of it all.
Ya Devi sarva bhutesu Shanti rupena samsthita
Namestasyai Namestasyai Namestasyai Namoh Namah
Ashtami, part of the Chronicler of the Hooghly and other stories, continues to make emotional waves around the world with more than a hundred excellent ratings and reviews on Amazon.
Have you engaged with Ashtami yet?
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A New Beginning 