“Glorification of darkness” is an ever interesting fodder for people. Precisely, to the people with basic sensibilities. To the ones who think. Who try to analyze their deeds. Who try to find the shades of their sin – an act of transgression of The God’s law which predominantly signifies anything derogatory. Mostly to self – then to the outer world. And, does the shades vary? I wonder if even a genius Hamartiology student can answer this. And, with this challenge, Vivek Banerjee comes up with an anthology of 25 stories by six authors connected by a single thread – which we commonly term as ‘sin’ but are regular instincts we feel ashamed to disclose even when we stand in front of the mirror.
The introductory “Burn” sets the stage. And, it is heightened by “A woman’s touch” and the curve never stoops till it reaches the height with “Virtual Love”. The book is ornamented with stories that are equally different, unique and gritty. And, never has it lost the grip. And, never has it shied away. The stories portrayed avenge angst, voyeurism, and fear with equal flair. It will tune you to the mode and mould you unknowingly to the stage – where you can touch, feel and smell the characters. You will cripple inside with hatred when you read Shashi’s animal desire showed on his own baby or the intense jealousy of Parul that encompassed her psyche for a desperate measure – commit a sin. You will blink heavy and sigh deep. And, then you realize. These are the vices that exist in us and breed in us – unknowingly, unconsciously it takes over our mind, and action.
The stories are all well – knitted. The usage of words are decent – enough to make the content gripping. The stories here uniquely though bases on the same ground – are different. Different to the extent that none of the successor repeats any bit of its predecessors. As the shades darken the emotions go intense.
Short stories leave behind a reminiscing effect. And, it is truly justified here. The book is the “window” that the young guy shows to his friends in the story “The Bet”. And the stories reflect the “tree” outside that “very” window . It shocks you from within. Just like the shock of that story or the shocks from the movies of Gaspar Noe that make you shiver from inside – the “Shades Of Sin” is differently different. For the honesty of the authors – for the elegancy of the words – for the intense shrills of the topics – and above all, the thoughtful juxtaposition of hope and despair by Vivek Banerjee – the book deserves a read. May be an intense read. May be a must read !!
Book Details:
Title – Shades of the sin: Behind the mask
Author- Vivek Banerjee, Upneet Grover, Saksham Agrawal, Anandita Chawla, Vrinda Baliga, Sreelatha Chakravarty
ISBN- 9789381791196
MRP – Rs. 195
[box type=”info”]You can buy “Shades of the sin: Behind the mask” from Amazon.in
Summary: ‘Shades Of Sin’ is an interesting book to read.
