Thanks to Bharani for the following review
This book consists of a collection of twelve stories. Stories give shades of life in a general and new age. The reader finds various characters from all walks of life simple yet with powerful meaning they carry. Stories that connect Singapore and India due to cultural exchange ad many Indians living I Singapore probably make stories more interesting read.
December 17, 2019
Thank you Ravi Teja for the following review
The twelve stories, I say the twelve constellations.
A wooden house with a fireside, snowing outside, a glass of vintage wine and this book. That's how you feel while reading the stories of the book.
Especially, the story 'dangling Gandhi' left me as a person who was actually taking a live part. As if listening to the conversation live and sound.
The twelve stories, I say the twelve constellations.
A wooden house with a fireside, snowing outside, a glass of vintage wine and this book. That's how you feel while reading the stories of the book.
Especially, the story 'dangling Gandhi' left me as a person who was actually taking a live part. As if listening to the conversation live and sound.
Thanks to Ranajani Rao for the following review
This book of a dozen short stories, most of them set in Singapore are a true reflection of life in this multicultural, multiracial city-state; not just in contemporary times but also in times past, reflecting pre-colonial and colonial times as well. The highlight of the book is the wide lens that studies the multi-ethnic, multilingual ethos of Singapore, as well as focuses on how life can be very different for protagonists from different social classes. From migrant workers to owners of fancy cars, from young boys gone astray to a common man's connection with Gandhi, the stories travel across this small island as well as eras in the history of Singapore. The author has aptly depicted the subtle nuances of Singaporean life with a lean writing style that manages to dig deep into each short story. A must-read for short story lovers looking for unusual takes and new narratives.
This book of a dozen short stories, most of them set in Singapore are a true reflection of life in this multicultural, multiracial city-state; not just in contemporary times but also in times past, reflecting pre-colonial and colonial times as well. The highlight of the book is the wide lens that studies the multi-ethnic, multilingual ethos of Singapore, as well as focuses on how life can be very different for protagonists from different social classes. From migrant workers to owners of fancy cars, from young boys gone astray to a common man's connection with Gandhi, the stories travel across this small island as well as eras in the history of Singapore. The author has aptly depicted the subtle nuances of Singaporean life with a lean writing style that manages to dig deep into each short story. A must-read for short story lovers looking for unusual takes and new narratives.
Thanks to Sirisha Naidu for the following review
Dangling Gandhi by Jayanthi Sankar is a collection of 12 short stories. The common theme across most of the stories is that they are set in the colonial period in Singapore.
The stories give us a peek into the cultural aspects of that period, including prejudices and social structures. The characters convey a deeper meaning than what is apparent.
The book is generously sprinkled with words for which one might have to look up for their meanings. On the upside, this may add to our vocabulary. But on the downside, it interrupts our engagement with the book.
Dangling Gandhi by Jayanthi Sankar is a collection of 12 short stories. The common theme across most of the stories is that they are set in the colonial period in Singapore.
The stories give us a peek into the cultural aspects of that period, including prejudices and social structures. The characters convey a deeper meaning than what is apparent.
The book is generously sprinkled with words for which one might have to look up for their meanings. On the upside, this may add to our vocabulary. But on the downside, it interrupts our engagement with the book.
Thanks to P.Muralidhran for the following review
DANGLING GANDHI LIVES UPTO MODERN READER’S EXPECTATIONS
As one of the first pre-publication readers, I read ‘Dangling Gandhi.’ The release of the book coincides with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, and that enthused me. The short story ‘Dangling Gandhi’ pricked my conscience. Many generations in India found a miracle maker in him and didn’t hunt for the invaluable treasure of his dream, i.e. a non-violent human race and how he was lifted to superhuman or god-man status. Images of gods or torsos dangle above the dashboard in vehicles. His image is dangling only in our memories and not embraced by us. The story’s message is very subtle, and the author has left it to the reader to ponder.
‘Did Churchill know?’ the title itself made me go for it as the next one to read. Many of us in South India have visited Munnar, a picturesque mountain station. But the history of the small village is not known to us. Can mountains be the borders of a man’s world? The storyline and characterization made me feel a rhythm of everlasting love, and the only thing does time cannot wear out.
For many Indian youths, Singapore is a dreamland and an ideal place to pursue higher studies and employment. The formation of days of Singapore opens our eyes to the gratitude we all owe to the workers and downtrodden who built not only Singapore but many other major towns or icons of the world. In Punkah wallah, besides this, I was moved to learn the plight of differently-abled. World, as we know with our senses, is different from their world. This story is an eye-opener for anyone who finds this world full of opportunities progress and bliss.
Peacock feather fan as a metaphor opens windows on our outlook towards others, i.e., how judgemental and indifferent to others’ sensitivities we all are. The subtle narration makes one introspect deeply.
In a remote town in Tamil Nadu, a great linguist who is having unbelievable command over English gives a very interesting read, and the story Mobile dictionary has taken up the question even today Indian society has not taken up. The question looms large, but we are indifferent. But the author is not.
Mostly I have found films depicting the plight of migrant workers so realistic that almost viewers are in tears. But what I didn’t find in the film medium I could appreciate while reading the stories ‘The peasant girl.’ and ‘Beyond borders’.
Pavilion gives a very neutral pen picture of the author on the indifference of the elite to the plight of the hapless around and the nation’s major issues as well. The satire is very subtle but disturbing.
Read Singapore is an eye-opener for any parent. Whether we did anything to kindle the finer capabilities and potentials in a child is a question probably we never took up. A very different narration, in a sense the world of a child unfolds before us from the child’s perspective.
Tribal life and the aboriginals’ culture is alien to the educated. The mindset that conveniently ignores their plight and their values are disturbed by the story Mother.
I haven’t read a story that comes close to the stress and strain of crossing teenage than the story ‘My mother is a feminist.’
“Am I a jar’ is a story that might give a cultural shock to Asian readers. But the story is not reflecting the author’s stand at all, nor she is selling any view on the gays or lesbians, but the story does throw light on what we hoodwink and move on ignoring.
The short story is the most popular form in genre fiction. In theme, form, and content readers look for newer avenues traversed by the writer. Jayanthi Sankar has lived up to this expectation in her short story collection ‘Dangling Gandhi.’
DANGLING GANDHI LIVES UPTO MODERN READER’S EXPECTATIONS
As one of the first pre-publication readers, I read ‘Dangling Gandhi.’ The release of the book coincides with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, and that enthused me. The short story ‘Dangling Gandhi’ pricked my conscience. Many generations in India found a miracle maker in him and didn’t hunt for the invaluable treasure of his dream, i.e. a non-violent human race and how he was lifted to superhuman or god-man status. Images of gods or torsos dangle above the dashboard in vehicles. His image is dangling only in our memories and not embraced by us. The story’s message is very subtle, and the author has left it to the reader to ponder.
‘Did Churchill know?’ the title itself made me go for it as the next one to read. Many of us in South India have visited Munnar, a picturesque mountain station. But the history of the small village is not known to us. Can mountains be the borders of a man’s world? The storyline and characterization made me feel a rhythm of everlasting love, and the only thing does time cannot wear out.
For many Indian youths, Singapore is a dreamland and an ideal place to pursue higher studies and employment. The formation of days of Singapore opens our eyes to the gratitude we all owe to the workers and downtrodden who built not only Singapore but many other major towns or icons of the world. In Punkah wallah, besides this, I was moved to learn the plight of differently-abled. World, as we know with our senses, is different from their world. This story is an eye-opener for anyone who finds this world full of opportunities progress and bliss.
Peacock feather fan as a metaphor opens windows on our outlook towards others, i.e., how judgemental and indifferent to others’ sensitivities we all are. The subtle narration makes one introspect deeply.
In a remote town in Tamil Nadu, a great linguist who is having unbelievable command over English gives a very interesting read, and the story Mobile dictionary has taken up the question even today Indian society has not taken up. The question looms large, but we are indifferent. But the author is not.
Mostly I have found films depicting the plight of migrant workers so realistic that almost viewers are in tears. But what I didn’t find in the film medium I could appreciate while reading the stories ‘The peasant girl.’ and ‘Beyond borders’.
Pavilion gives a very neutral pen picture of the author on the indifference of the elite to the plight of the hapless around and the nation’s major issues as well. The satire is very subtle but disturbing.
Read Singapore is an eye-opener for any parent. Whether we did anything to kindle the finer capabilities and potentials in a child is a question probably we never took up. A very different narration, in a sense the world of a child unfolds before us from the child’s perspective.
Tribal life and the aboriginals’ culture is alien to the educated. The mindset that conveniently ignores their plight and their values are disturbed by the story Mother.
I haven’t read a story that comes close to the stress and strain of crossing teenage than the story ‘My mother is a feminist.’
“Am I a jar’ is a story that might give a cultural shock to Asian readers. But the story is not reflecting the author’s stand at all, nor she is selling any view on the gays or lesbians, but the story does throw light on what we hoodwink and move on ignoring.
The short story is the most popular form in genre fiction. In theme, form, and content readers look for newer avenues traversed by the writer. Jayanthi Sankar has lived up to this expectation in her short story collection ‘Dangling Gandhi.’
Thanks to Aruna Kumar for the following review
Collection of 12 stories. Easy and quick read. Interesting stories, with narration that will make the reader enjoy the stories. Stories depicting all walks of life and generations. Human behavior and the nature of the characters make the reader enjoy the stories.
Collection of 12 stories. Easy and quick read. Interesting stories, with narration that will make the reader enjoy the stories. Stories depicting all walks of life and generations. Human behavior and the nature of the characters make the reader enjoy the stories.
Thanks to Devika Das for the following review
After a long time, I have read a wonderful collection of short stories. I definitely feel the author features in the league of Sudha Murthy, RK Narayan, etc. Especially, I loved the stories 'Punkah Wallah, Beyond borders and Dangling Gandhi. The stories are given a good perspective of the situation present during the colonial era in Singapore. I was amazed at the writing style - simple, crisp and combined with rich vocabulary. I am glad that I learned new words :) I would like to read more works of the author. I especially liked the cultural references to India made in the stories.
I can go on and on praising the stories but I won't as I want to avoid spoilers. Must read!
I can go on and on praising the stories but I won't as I want to avoid spoilers. Must read!
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