Before I review the book with a long title 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR and TRANSLATED FROM THE BENGALI BY V. RAMASWAMY; comprising of these beautiful ten stories, I have a small question for you all. I have an intimate friend from my childhood. From childhood till today, it is an unforgettable and awe-inspiring time to sit with him, whenever we get a chance to meet. This is the time when both of us completely forget about the time. No matter how much time we spend together, little remains. Do you have such a person in life? The same thing happened to me with this book. Every story appears like a new journey of life. These well written stories show a whole new color of art of writing and expression.
These simple-looking stories from the outside hit straight to the heart, and leave with a touching touch of love, giving a very interesting, gripping, deep, and serene feel in 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR. The title of the book, actually is the title of one of the stories of this book. The characters of every story seem familiar even though they are unfamiliar in reality. Each story appears like actually happening, and me being a part of it. Something like a hidden character witnessing everything that happens and experiencing every character in person. This is what it feels about such places and whatever is happening.
Whether it is the delicious dalpuri of Abdul Karim, the main character of 'Where's my heart wander' and his wooer Abdul Aziz byapari, or Abdul Karim's endless journey to find Shefali Begum's house. All this and so much happens in a single story. A lot is there in each of the stories on a very large frame. Each character of every story is main in itself. Similarly, every event that is happening in any of the stories, is the main event in itself. Great credit for this book 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR goes to its translator V. Ramaswamy, who translated it from its original Bengali language into English. The great thing is that there was absolutely no loss of interest in any story due to this translation. This is an incredible and commendable thing.
The book's cover and title are both as special as its stories. After reading many story books, I gave it to other people so that they too can enjoy those books. But this book is something special and I like to keep it with me, making it a part of my personal library. These stories are really worth re-reading. The story and style of writing is really awesome. Never even dreamed that selling watermelon in a residential area can bring so much change in the living and thinking of that area. 'The History Of Our Cottage Industry' is one such story in 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR. According to me, these ten stories are a compilation of ten short novels in themselves.
You can buy this book from Amazon India here.
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