Review: The moving shadow

The moving shadow by Arunava Sinha
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think the best way to review / rate this collection of short stories is to rate and review the individual stories.

CRIME STORIES

Parashar Barma Makes a Bid - 4/5, the best story of this book. Keeps you hooked sufficiently and good plot and narration.

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The Moving Shadow - 1/5, The least appealing story of the book. With very loose and predictable plot and very dry and choppy narration. I believe the source itself was like that and the blame rests not on translation since rest of the stories in the book weren't choppy.

I felt like that not only did the story failed to evoke any sort of feeling but also the narrative simply failed to do its job. To give you an example this is text towards the end of the story by when we are supposed to relate or feel for some of the characters of the story. (spoiler free quotations):

Dipak’s voice was heavy with emotion.
Ratanlal was nonplussed.
Mr Morrison was silent.

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The Secret Agent - 3/5, decent story, gripping narrative. You can't stop it once you start, despite it being the longest story of the book. Saucy, gripping and well kept suspense. Although suspense is maintained not because audience fail to see some things like the best whodunit stories, but rather because of a back story that's only revealed towards the end. This is the most easiest way to maintain a suspense, as one can always put a back story towards the end. Stars just because the narrative was good enough that you won't feel too cheated because of the back story that comes at the end.

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Copotronic Love - 2/5 Okay-ish story. Nothing much to write about. The evolution of the story and the characters were very limited. Okay-ish. You can tell someone else this story maybe in a couple of sentences. Feels more like a plot than a story.


HORROR STORIES

Bhuto - 3/5 Good story. Feels better when read at night and in dim light. One of those horror stories which don't deign to explain stuff. Good narrative.

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The Moon is Back - 2/5 Okay-ish story. Again feels more like a plot than a story.

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Saradindu and This Body - 3.5/5 Good psychological story. Well written and author keeps giving subtle hints throughout as to what is happening.

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Foreshadowed - 3/5 Decent story. Smooth story. The twist towards the end doesn't happen because of a back story. The outcome is almost told in the beginning itself, the narrative is about how the prophecy is fulfilled.

Can't call it must read. If you have read it or wanna read it, cool; if not no worries.

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