This particular collection of Ray's dozen stories seems a bit disappointing as though it contains one of the most varied collections ranging from some of his short stories, punched with some of Tarineekhuro's narratives, culminating in the traditional style with a Feluda story and also containing, for the first time, a play and a couple of vernacular translations of Ray's english stories, but it lacks the regular Ray charm. Though Tarineekhuro returns in style with
Mahim Sanyaler Ghatana,
Ganatkat Tarineekhuro and
Galpabolie Tarineekhuro, the twists progressing more unpredictably and enjoyably more than before but curiously
Sakuntalar Kantahar lacks the characteristic Feluda wit and the Ray humour. The translations, courtesy Sreemati Bijaya Ray, titled
Puraskar and
Barnandha, matching in their theme and another very interesting aspect that the characters are nameless, but they are contrastingly enjoyable and gloomy respectively.
Haaui is a refreshing play and as far as I can place it, this is an adaptation of one of the author's own short stories.
Shilpi and
Pratikriti are again thematically similar but while the first has a delightful twist the later is abrupt and disappointing.
Abhiram begins with a promise of suspense augmented by its illustrations but the climax is almost totally predictable. But the best of the collection is
Mrigankababur Ghatana which borders sci-fi and will be remembered by the readers for its classic blend of psychology, suspense and the signature twist which again reminds us of the master story teller.
Brajaburo reflects another socio-psychological aspect which is enjoyable as a story and reveals the stark truth of loneliness.
So though it is a collector's item for completing the Ray works but some of the narratives are far from the average as far as the author is concerned. So readers may shop for it but might as well keep their expectations a few octaves low. The illustrations are though not all by the author but the others has done justice to the stories. These are at par will the original style of the author.
