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Needle at the Bottom of the Sea

Bengali Tales from the Land of the Eighteen Tides
By Tony K. Stewart
Series: World Literature in Translation
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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
Needle at the Bottom of the Sea by Tony K. Stewart is a captivating tale that explores the intersection of myth and reality. It weaves an intricate narrative, set in a coastal village, where an ordinary life becomes interlaced with mystical quests and vivid folklore. The story captures the essence of human resilience, delving into themes of nature, destiny, and the unseen forces shaping our lives.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4799
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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 are drawn to tales that expertly weave together mystery and intrigue with rich character development. The narrative immerses you in a setting that feels both familiar and mysterious, offering a unique perspective on human connection and the search for meaning in unexpected places. It's perfect for readers who appreciate a compelling storyline with thought-provoking themes.

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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

These enchanting stories from early modern Bengal reveal how Hindu and Muslim traditions converged on timeless themes of human morality, social culture, and survival.

The Bengali stories in this collection are first and foremost tales of survival. Each story in Needle at the Bottom of the Sea underscores the need for people to work togetherβ€”not just to overcome the challenges of living in the Sundarban swamps of Bengal, but also to ease hostilities born of social differences in religion, caste, and economic class.

Translated by award-winning scholar of early modern Bengali literature Tony K. Stewart, Needle at the Bottom of the Sea brims with fantasy and excitement. Sufi protagonists travel through a world of wonder where tigers talk and men magically grow into giants, a Hindu princess falls in love with a Muslim holy man, and goddesses rub shoulders with kings and merchants. Across religion, class, and gender, what binds these fabulous stories together is the characters’ pursuit of living honourably and morally in a difficult, corrupt world.

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  • Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
    These enchanting stories from early modern Bengal reveal how Hindu and Muslim traditions converged on timeless themes of human morality, social culture, and survival. The Bengali stories in this collection are first and foremost tales of survival. Each story in Needle at the Bottom of the Sea underscores the need for people to work togetherβ€”not just to overcome the challenges...
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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?

Needle at the Bottom of the Sea receives praise for its vivid exploration of Bengali tales, providing a window into local stories and the complex belief systems of common people. The translation showcases the blending of Islamic cultural elements into Bengali narratives, highlighting the human spirit's adventures through karma. Esteemed as a scholarly work, it appeals to literary historians and readers interested in South Asian romances.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520388932

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 March 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Illustration: 1 b-w illustration

Contributors:

  • Contributions by Ayesha A. Irani

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 363g

Pages: 424

Collections

Asian History Education & Reference Fiction General Fiction History & Archaeology History & Military Literary Fiction Religion & Spirituality Series: World Literature in Translation Tony K. Stewart

About the Author

Tony K. Stewart is Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in Humanities, Emeritus, at Vanderbilt University and a specialist in the early modern literatures of the Bengali-speaking world. His most recent work is Witness to Marvels: Sufism and Literary Imagination, winner of the 2021 Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy Book Prize from the Association for Asian Studies.

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