This week I complete one year of weekly posts on the blog. I am happy to note and report that a Dehradun-based book blogger sent me this review of my book of short stories “Kaleidoscope”.

At the risk of blowing my own trumpet, I am enclosing it below. 🙂

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7 Reasons to Read Kaleidoscope by Ranjit Kulkarni

For me, a collection of short stories is always a delight. I love the diversity and the chance to meet a set of unfamiliar characters in different settings and circumstances. Recently, I came across a collection that instantly became my favorite because it was based around my favourite theme ‘society and its unspoken voice’. Well, that’s not the only reason that I read it thrice in a month. There is more to share about the book altogether.

1. Language:

This is my third Ranjit Kulkarni book. Earlier I read two novels based on funny characters. His narration and pros may look lucid but it has healing and stress-buster powers. Whenever I read this author either his blog or books, I feel as I met someone who has been writing for ages. He writes well. His stories are meaningful and straight from the vault of our society. They show us what is going on around us and how do we respond to all that. 

• Climax:

Often paranormal or horror short stories throw us into unexpected loops, however this collection is famous for simple, yet unexpected endings. There are 18 stories and each story has its own unique twist ending. You may be expecting a simple ending but things turn out very differently. I admit that to understand the last part of some stories, I read those stories quite a few times. I feel because of the great climaxes the stories are captivating to readers.

• Length of the Book:

Yes, this matters. I specially avoid books like ‘The Complete Works of this and that Great Writer’. Sorry, I am not doing any research. I love to read books that are easy to finish. This book contains 18 stories and yet the author managed to finish all in just 250+ pages…great work!

• Pace:

The pace of the book is related with the length of the book. As I said in the above point, 250 pages, now you can imagine that the pace of the book was brilliant. No particular story looked too short or too lengthy…they just suited my mood.

• Realism:

You believe it or not, short stories are more inclined towards realism. They originate from trifle experiences or observances an author makes in his life. This collection has a simple stories but their credibility is rock solid…you cannot doubt their veracity, the way they unfold in the end make it all worth.

• Experience:

While reading this collection, I personally gathered the pattern of life that goes in most of the urban cities for common or middle-class, as I saw that many stories are placed against the urban background.

• Insight into Relationships:

From the blurb I picked up mind games and tricks, yes human relationship is the most consistent theme in the collection. How do human relationships come under the mettle of test is depicted quite well in many stories. If you read this book, you will get a chance to peep inside factors that make or break the spectrum of relationships.

I know there could be more points that we can discuss about this book, but for me the mentioned ones mattered most. Read this book for sheer delightful experience and share your thoughts on the same. Happy reading!!

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Thanks a lot, Books Fond! You made my week. -Ranjit Kulkarni