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Hawa Hawa

and Other Stories
Series: The India List
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Hawa Hawa by Nabarun Bhattacharya is a novel that delves into the lives of characters living on the fringes of society, exploring themes of survival and existential absurdity. The story unfolds in a fantastical urban setting, blending magical realism with poignant social commentary. Nabarun Bhattacharya crafts a narrative that is both surreal and reflective, offering a unique insight into the human condition.
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Format: Hardback
$3999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate innovative storytelling and are drawn to narratives that delve into the complexities of human emotions and societal critiques. Its rich characterisation and thought-provoking themes make it a compelling read for those who seek depth and originality in general fiction.

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"The stories collected in this book were originally published in Bengali by Protikkhon in 1995 as part of the volume Nabarun Bhattacharya, Chhotogolppa"--Title page verso.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A collection of inventive and surprising short stories from one of India’s most prominent countercultural writers.

In this wildly inventive collection of Nabarun Bhattacharya’s stories, we meet characters such as a trigger-happy cop in an authoritarian police state, a man who holds on to a piece of rope from a deadly noose, a retired revolutionary thrilled by delusions of grandeur, and people working for a corporation that arranges lavish suicides for a price.

Ranging from scathing satires of society to surreal investigations of violence and love, these stories are also a window onto the political and social climate in Bengal. They trace both pan-Indian developments like the 1975 Emergency and local ones, such as militant-leftist Naxalism and the decades-long Communist reign in the state.

Expertly translated from the Bengali, Hawa Hawa and Other Stories is a journey through the mind of one of the most daring countercultural writers of India, one with particular resonance in these chaotic times.

Series: The India List

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Bhattacharya's Hawa Hawa is praised for its biting satire and timeless wisdom, skilfully bridging past and present. While rooted in daily life, the stories are infused with surreal elements from Calcutta's realities. Some reviewers note it's a slow and unsettling read, yet its critique of power dynamics remains ever relevant.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780857429827

Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 03 May 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Seagull Books London Ltd

Contributors:

  • Translated by Subha Prasad Sanyal

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 367g

Pages: 152

About the Author

Nabarun Bhattacharya (1948–2014) was born into a family of writers, filmmakers, artists and academics. A journalist from 1973 to 1991, he gave up that career in order to become a full-time writer. His best-known works include the novel Harbert (1992). Subha Prasad Sanyal is the winner of the Harvill-Secker Young Translator’s Prize (2018). He is pursuing a degree in English from Jadavpur University, Calcutta.

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