A Heartfelt Trip Down Memory Lane

Kamalika_Reads 28

Book: Curries, Colours, & Chaos

Author: Suman Mukherjee and Jhimli B Saha

Publishers: Petals Publishers & Distributors

Genre: Short stories

Rating: 3.5/5

How I came to know about this book:

I have already read two books by Suman Mukherjee and have discussed them with him in depth. So, when he released his new book, he gifted me a copy.

You can read the review of his earlier two books:

https://kamalikareads.blogspot.com/2024/09/love-loss-and-conspiracy.html

https://kamalikareads.blogspot.com/2024/09/journey-to-remember.html

What the book is about :

"Curries, Colours, & Chaos" by Suman Mukherjee and Jhimli B Saha follows the childhood journey of Chandan, Mona, and their nine friends in the lively setting of Chukchuk Nagar, a railway colony. Comprising 40 chapters, the book encapsulates stories of friendship and the simplicity of life, enriched by a cast of unique characters and their memorable escapades.

What I have loved about the book :

For readers who, like me, grew up in a railway colony, this book is a nostalgic treasure that evokes fond memories. The authors use an interesting narrative structure, presenting each chapter in three parts: a third-person account and Chandan's and Mona's individual perspectives. This storytelling style adds layers to the narrative, offering different emotional lenses on the same events, a feature I particularly enjoyed.

The book shines in the episode where the children bravely attempt to save their Sikh neighbour during the post-Indira Gandhi assassination riots—a standout moment that showcases courage and unity, my favourite chapter.

What I felt could have been better :

However, this three-part approach can be tricky. The timelines of Chandan's and Mona's POVs are sometimes unclear, making it hard to discern whether they are recounting events from their childhood as a retrospective or as journal-like entries from the time. This occasionally leads to confusion, and the dual POVs can feel repetitive without adding much new insight.

The story is also marred by some minor inaccuracies, such as the mention of Mahalaya on the 6th day of Durga Puja, which disrupts the authenticity for those familiar with cultural details. 

Why one should read or not read this book:

The book's lessons, presented subtly, make it a recommended read for pre-teens. It imparts values and character-building messages without feeling preachy. The claim of the book being based on true events adds to its charm, though the name "Chukchuk Nagar" felt a bit too whimsical, more suitable for a children’s tale.

"Curries Colours and Chaos" is a warm, nostalgic journey filled with meaningful life lessons, enjoyed by young readers or anyone seeking a simple, heartfelt story.

The book can be grabbed on Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/2U6OpgZ