I recently managed to get the copy of the book Shomoyer Baire by Anupam Roy. It released this year (2014) in Kolkata and has already been lapped up by fans and readers alike.
Unfortunately, I could not find the book on any online store or any book store here, so I contacted the publishing house and asked them to send me a copy. You can do this if you are based outside Kolkata, and can have the option of COD too!
Before I talk more about the book, here's a quick look at the details:
Details about the book:
Title: Shomoyer Baire
Author: Anupam Roy
No. of pages: 125
Publishers: Dey's Publishing
Format: Hardback
About the book (synopsis):
The book is a look at the life of Biplab (which means revolution in Bengali). The protagonist goes through various experiences throughout his life, all of which are drawn upon through various times in his life. The many experiences clash with each other, connect with each other, and through these, the reader gets a glimpse into his life, into his personality, and how the protagonist evolves through time, and why he does the things he does.
My take on the book:
For someone who is not fluent in reading Bangla (it takes me ages to read the script, and THIS is the first Bengali book that I have finished!) this book was the answer to - how to create a book in Bengali that is great on the subject, is interesting and still can be read easily.
For starters, the book is tiny (especially for those who are comfortable with the script.) It took me half a day to finish it off, in the midst of work and other commitments. So if you have free time, you can easily read it in the lesser part of an hour.
The cover is where you can see the mark of an artist. It is simply beautiful, I loved the way the old buildings have been shot in a different angle. It instantly reminds me of the old style houses I have seen in some parts of Kolkata, and that are so present in my memory of the city. I love latticed windows, those long verandas that spin so many different stories of co-existence, and this book and its cover brings all that alive.
