ECLECTIC STORIES ON HEARTFELT THEMES
Book Review: "Lines of Fate: First Love and other stories" by Neelam Saxena Chandra
Stories on the themes of love and human emotions interest readers for their novelty and sanguine feelings, even though such themes have been talked and written about since days of yore. The author Neelam Saxena Chandra, who has a distinguished oeuvre which includes novels, short story collections, novellas, and poetry collections, has come out with a short story collection “Lines of Fate: First Love and other stories”, which includes tales on love and other unique stories from different walks of life.
Some of the short stories in this book include ‘First Love’ – the titular story, ‘Live-In’, ‘The Guy on Mobike’, ‘A Free Bird’, ‘Still Waters’, and ‘Twining Tale’. Some stories delve into the intense passions of love and emotions, others foray into the nitty-gritty’s of Live-in relationships, and some describe how the process of partner selection and matchmaking has evolved in this technological age. There are stories on the themes of parental love, belonging, matchmaking and marriage; as well as those on friendships.
The book blurb reads, “Often a simple encounter on the path of life can change one's entire future. When a dice is rolled, one does not know what the outcome will be. Similarly, in an encounter between people, the aftermath is simply indefinite and unidentifiable. Maybe, the lines of fate decide the final outcome. Twists and turns are a part and parcel of each of these stories”.
Though many of the themes which have been incorporated in the stories have been written about in various books and novels – both classical as well as contemporary, these stories with their nuanced perspectives and modern twists feel like a breath of fresh air. Moreover, the character development is commendable, given the short time that the readers get to meet the characters. In a few pages, the complex emotions that the characters go through, their dilemmas, their back stories, and their thought processes for the various actions that they take, have been depicted really well.
This is an eclectic and entertaining short story collection which should be read by those wanting to read something relatable and gripping. Most of the stories have many twists and turns, and their climaxes definitely pack a punch. Those not inclined towards reading hefty novels can pick up this breezy read. Even beginners can also read this book, as the stories are written in a simple and lucid language.