No Presents Please: Mumbai Stories by Jayant KaikiniMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Wonderful insights in to the common man's life in Mumbai. In these stories he goes behind the masks of anonymity of the people who throng the city to realise their dreams. It helps the reader to understand the travails the common man has to undergo, the ignominy that he has to suffer, often at the hands of the high and mighty, in order to maintain his self esteem.
Kaikini also shows how Mumbai helps all those who are sincere in their efforts to succeed in life.
Would have loved it much more if the translation and editing was better. The translation is like Google translation and hence the subtle nuances of the original are lost. This book of short stories seems written essentially for the Kannada speaking people, to give them an insight into the lives of migrants to the big bad city of Mumbai. Am sure the original must have been a pleasure to read but unfortunately I do not read Kannada though am aware of the sensibilities of the Kannada speaking people.
It does bring on a smile and evokes sympathy at times for the characters specially if you are a Mumbaikar like me. 😊
A good read nevertheless.
View all my reviews
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteSounds like something for the familiar - what a shame it couldn't hold up to better linguistic scrutiny, for then it might suit the unfamiliar also! YAM xx
What an interesting review. :D
ReplyDelete