Hemendrakumar Rachanabali Vol - XV

The Hemendrakumar Rachanabali starts with a collection of horror stories, the first being Mohanpurer Sashan. Besides the title story in contains several others which will give you the creeps as you go through them. But in Jeebanta Mreetadeha the details are more about one of the great floods at Contai where the plight of a family and their visitors are described. The collection ends with Abhishapta Murti that relates how a cursed statue found half-buried in Konark terrorizes a family. As the horror series ends begins the adventure Jakshapatir Ratnapuri as observed from the perspective of Bimal, in which a chance incident at Calcutta directs Bimal and Kumar on an exciting trail of ancient treasure whose clue is planted in a curious little riddle. Next comes the best Digvijayee Napoleon, that is nothing short of a magnificent ode written in prose for one of the greatest emperors of all times. Not only was the emperor in Napoleon has been detailed but his astute war tactics, his intellect, his erudite soul and his passionate patriotism blended with his misfortunes and fortunes – all have been narrated with a passionate zeal in this prose. The next again brought back cherished memory of my childhood as Firoza-Mukut Rahasya was a whodunit that I had earlier read in a book of collection of mystery stories. The best part of the story was that the evidence against the supposed criminal was so strong it was left upon Jayanta’s sharp intellect to look beneath the strata of the apparently straightforward events and unearth the real culprit and the stolen fragment of the seemingly priceless Firoza crown. The detective’s adventure continues in the collection Jayantar Adventure that contains a handful of short stories with Jayanta-Manik and Sundarbabu in action solving curious crimes as narrated by Manik. It starts with the murder mystery in Bansai Rahasya that the sleuth solves humoring the police force. In Kamrar Mamla, the intriguing plot is shrewdly solved by Jayanta but the escape of the murderer after the crime was not very convincing. The next Double Mamlar Hamla was a plot where an apparent suicide turned into a cruel murder mystery. It is followed by the short but stylish Aprilasya Pratham Dibase whose title itself provides the clue to the entire story. The making of a sleuth is Jayanta at his younger days is depicted in the next, Revolver whose title and the opening few lines are sufficient to provide the main plot of the tale.

Rajar Chithi 1942

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Pagla Saheber Kabar

The seemingly good-for-nothing Haribandhu was admitted much against his wish to a reformatory school at Motiganja so as to improve on his academic skills that seem to be limited to only Bengali poetry. As he started his days on the new school, from the very first day onwards, he seemed to be on the wrath of several of the older students whose ragging continued even after school hours and outside the school premises. Only one of his classmates, Gopal befriended him and protected him from the rest. Haribandhu also was offerred wisdom from Patal, apparently a common thief, but possessed wondrous martial arts' skills. Above all these was the mysterious mad Englishman - a legend - nobody knew whether he was living or dead - who appeared on his galloping white horse whenever somebody at Motiganja needed help. Infact he saved Haribandhu on several occassions. The presence of this apparition not only intrigued Haribandhu but also his legend haunted him likewise. Queer people seemed to protect the legend from sinister forces at Motiganja. Several attempts were made on the life of Haribandu and his well wishers. As Hari tried hard to cope with these along with the snags in his studies suddenly he finds himself central to everybody's attentions. Can he understand the reason for these and will he manage to do the undoable? As the plot gradually unfolds, the author presents an enjoyable adventure for both the old and the young!

K(n)aatae K(n)aatae - VI

The collection contains

·        Dress Rehearsaler K(n)aata

·        Monalisar K(n)aata

·        Ishkabon-Bibir K(n)aata

·        Haripada Keranir K(n)aata

of which the last couple are undoubtedly adapted Christie pieces, which I’ve read and so can’t give any credit to the originality. But the other two are really good though it seemed a bit complicated. But as I am continuously reading the author’s detective creations it is becoming increasingly like a school teacher’s talk rather than a narration. Also the use of quotations and references from famous literary pieces is sometimes too much for an ordinary reader like me. The main thing that is very much disheartening in these pieces is unlike Holmes, Marple, Byomkesh, Poirot, Father Brown or for that matter Feluda stories, the crux of analysis and detection seems diluted by uncalled for humour and incessant use of metaphors. The stillness of the analytical mind, unperturbed by the disquiet ambience is never felt rather forced into believing by the author, so uncharacteristic of mystery novels that I am used to.

K(n)aatae K(n)aatae - V

P.K. Basu’s four exploits are compiled in this volume starting with Bisher K(n)aata, whose naming itself is a pointer to the clue of a murder that takes place in the very heart of Calcutta. Two vengeful ladies, an irritating lover, a doctor with a revolver all seems to have a reason for murder. But who had dealt the fateful blow – it is for the detective to uncover! The next in the series Darpane Pratibimbita K(n)aata was an old one for me and so won’t bore with its summary that I’d earlier depicted. It is followed by Sakal K(n)aata Dhanya Kore, which could have been easily be said to be the best creation of the author in this collection, but for the fact that it is just a straight adaptation of a foreign novel. So, no credit for the author for the plot but for the way of adaptation with the ambience shifted from European backdrop to an Asian one without harming the mood of the story. The story actually gets its name as the Basus become granddad and grandmom when Sujata gives birth to a daughter. The next one Ch(n)aparanger Murshidabadi Sareer K(n)aata also could have been a classic but for its abrupt ending and some over simplified rationale. The father of the murdered victim seemed so less emotional and Basu’s inferences seemed bordering clairvoyance sometimes. This said, it is again very much irritating to find not only Basu but his clients and associates are also so much happy to dress like Europeans. Sanyal’s characters in his Basu novels are all so alike one another that each lacks any kind of individuality. The intelligence level of the important characters, barring Basu who can be considered no less than a living encyclopedia, is almost always the same, all are so adapt in engineering idioms, everybody loves to speak in riddles and metaphors. These may seem appealing at the beginning but the limitation is very much apparent for this style as it automatically restricts variation in the manner of storytelling. Also, a detective story, according to me, must focus mainly on the mystery and detection with only subtle touch to emotions and the rest. But Sanyal’s way of getting carried off at the emotional moments very often squeezes the very essence of suspense and intrigue. Finally a complain to the compilation as, contrary to the belief, I suddenly discovered that the compilations are not at all chronological and reference to previously unread chronicles may act spoilers and also change the otherwise fast paced tempo of the primary story.

The Complete Professor Challenger

I don’t know what attracted me most during ’97, the title that I came across for the 1^st time or the appealing price tag so much encouraging as to coax my parents easily into buying this for me. At that point of time Conan Doyle, to me, was the creator of Sherlock Holmes and a few spine chilling terrifying anecdotes. What I didn’t know was that he was equally brilliant in the realms of science fiction and when it comes to merge the limitless imagination that science offers in literature, none other than Sir Arthur will come as one of the greatest in the British literature.

Professor Challenger had been a creation of Conan Doyle whose brain matched Holmes (both Sherlock and Mycroft) and whose curiosity in the field of science seemed to match none than his own enterprising soul. On one hand his pride prevented him from mixing with the common man on the other hand a logical brain was all welcome for him. All these combined, we start with this brilliant professor as he guides an apparently odd crew of the adventurous and ever cool Lord John Roxton (very much reflecting in appearance and mannerism to Sherlock Holmes), the apprehensive professor of Comparative Anatomy, Summerlee and the young and daring Edward D. Malone of the Daily Gazette in their epic exploration of The Lost World near the perilous seclusion of the Amazon that seemed to crawl in the Jurassic Age with the pre-historic dinosaurs and the missing links abound. The plateau built on the remains of a dormant volcano offered adventure of the highest degree that gives the readers a glimpse to the age so remote that we can only imagine in our dreams. The narration was so vividly exciting and the descriptions of the flora and fauna so realistically done that one can only crave for more once the narrative ends. Mixed with the usual humour of Conan Doyle’s, the novel uses Edward Malone’s views of the adventure. This bold young man’s exploits as he discovers the new land and also his true self is most enjoyable in the sense that the readers – the new beholders in the strange land – discovers the uniqueness right with him and thus the surprises and awes that is felt by Malone transmits well to the readers. Though this had been a second read by me but still surprises blossom once more as if I was reading it anew.

The next in the series is one of the peaks of imagination in which the author so easily dwells that exposes the Earth in a shroud of The Poison Belt which pervades the world and all that is living causing apparent death to the entire living race except amoebas which though promises life in a future million year. The ingenuity of Challenger seems to delay the onset to his friends but that too for a few hours before which their living self seemed sure to perish. But the ultimate revelation of the story is sure to bring relief from a sheer tension that gradually builds to its maximum by the classic penmanship of the writer. Another important aspect of the narrative is the introduction of Mrs. Challenger in the proper sense that her personality had come to fore. Mixed with the same feeling of awe and wander the narrative once more promises an adventure of a different type that though is curious but surely enjoyable.

Following these two adventures is another most curious and more convincing in The Land of Mist where spiritualism challenges the erudite Challenger. The adventures begin with Malone as he delves as the representative of the press into the realms of various spiritual circles, both at home and abroad. Challenger, obviously is irritated at this but Malone, after being convinced of the truthfulness of the afterlife tries to persuade the professor on the path of spiritualism. Lord Roxton, a sympathizer to the cause, also joins in. Romance also is a part of the novel that goes hand in hand with the adventure. Conan Doyle has added some significant incidents in the Appendices that, along with the story itself, will no doubt, convert many a non-believer to a believer. The patient but firm way is which several of the supernatural events have been established bears the fact that the author was not only a believer but also participant in several of the rescue circles, séances and experiments concerning spiritualism. It is also noted that his wife was a medium and along with her, he had joined in several sessions of séances that helped clearing out any doubts that he may have felt. Some very remarkable experiences and evidences are being shared that will also help in establishing the truth that lies behind the misty land where the traditional scientific brain hesitates to traverse.

The fourth in the series is The Disintegration Machine, where we find Professor Challenger less as a scientist than a dutiful citizen. Requested to investigate a seemingly fantastic yet dangerous scientific invention, prudence prevails till the climax and a classic twist reflects a part of his character yet unknown to the beholders of his exploits.

But the best, at least my favourite, is When The World Screamed that at once tells us the height of fascinating imagination that the author was capable of. Truly a marvelous work of fiction this piece alters the perspective of the reader about the nature of our very own earth. The rationale seemed a little simplified and a bit less elaborate to convince the critical reader but its style of presentation is quite wonderful. Narrated from the perspective of an artesian boring expert, Peerless Jones with Malone enjoying the show as the genius’s sidekick, the adventure is aimed to find out the true nature beneath the earth’s crust. Scattered with humour the piece is a classic that I cherish fondly though I’ve read it more than once.

The entire compilation is a revelation of Conan Doyle’s versatility as several, including me before going through it, of the readers always associate him with Sherlock Holmes only. In fact, after reading Holmes I was a fan of the detective but reading this I became a fan of the author.

Coma

The first time I'd come across this book was in a second hand bookstore and knowing its popularity I'd at once picked it up. But a rude shock was in store for me when, after flipping through first few pages I found that several of the pages were blank white sheets. Grossly dissapointed as I returned it to the store, no other copy was available of it. Though the story remained unfinished for me but the suspense had already been sensed. So when I came across the narrative a second time, I wasted no time but started on it voraciously. Being already  familiar with Cook's novels, from the very first page the story absorbed me fully and the thrill mounted in a monotone that was rather enjoyable but for the very climax that seemed too much abrupt. The medical terms that crowd Robin Cook's novel, never seemed, in this one, a botheration as the medical rationale was established at each instance. The bad thing was using the terms while describing the simplest of incidents where it seemed too much of an overhead. Though the thrill was very well equated with no compromise on the actual storyline certain events appeared too much of an oversimplification with coincidences playing quite a major part. But overall the medical mystery and adventure makes it a classic thriller.

The Case of the Velvet Claws

The 1st Perry Mason novel brings a rich client trying to save her name from being publicized. But just before she was ushered into Mason's room, his secretary Della Strait had a hunch about her identity and as she spoke her mind to Mason he employed the detective Paul Drake to tail her. Thus from the very initial chapters, suspense sets in and the chase continues throughout. The case, that had started innocently enough compared to what is matamorphosed into finally, takes an ominous turn at the murder of a business tycoon that posed a threat to Mason himself as he was implicated indirectly as being the murderer. As Mason was trying to pile up evidences against the implication, time seemed his only enemy. The alert Drake came useful more than once and Mason finally seemed to uncover the truth after some breaks whose coincidences may disappoint the reader but were very much a relief to the lawyer. As Mason extracts himself from the velvet claws of a very shrewd woman and turns the tide in his favour while revealing the criminals, he takes refuge to a web of aptly designed bluffs interspersed with truth. As the confessions come one by one and the mystery is solved, the author is to be complimented for his clearer understanding of human psychology that forms the basis of the events that he portrays. The consistency of the characters throughout the novel is another point to note which is very difficult to maintain in detective stories. The story is fast paced with several twists in the plot that ultimately reaches the peak with the startling climax. Though the final chapter is a bit on the romantic side but on the whole the entire narrative is filled with enjoyable thrill.

Hirer Angti

The story starts with the common thief Sasthi planning on robbing a stranger of his priceless diamond ring. But as he learnt that the person is would be guest of the revered and respectable Ratan Banerjee, he pauses for a moment in his endeavour. But the lust for the ring seemed to get the better of his self as he conspires with others to steal it anyhow. However, surprises seemed in store for him and his comrades as not only did they fail three times in a row, but each time their own possession changes hands. As the infuriated Sasthi, bent on revenge, enters the feared boundary of the Banerjee mansions he becomes witness to yet another revelation, that of a possible treachery and assassination. The adventures that follows him and the inmates of Banerjee mansion remains to be enjoyed by the reader, both old and young, but one thing is certain  - Shirshendu had once more penned an entertainer filled with thrill, wit, suspense and humour. Essentially categorized as children’s book, with a varied mix of strange characters abound, the story is crisp, compact and enjoyable with an underline message, beautifully conveyed for readers of all age.

The Secret Adversary

Tommy and Tuppence's first adventure is both a thrilling chase and comedy interspersed. Tommy's practical views and the intuition of Tuppence matches the villaniously shrewd brain of the antagonist as the Young Adventurers set upon to unearth a long lost secret threatening the future of an entire nation. The document seemed to have changed hands from a secret agent to a civilian but all traces to the latter apparently vanished with the sinking of the ship where both were travelling. Five years after as the Government tries hard to recover it the sinister Mr. Brown with his commonplace appearance seems to outwit the professionals at every stage. As Brown and his associates plans a coup it is upto Tuppence and Tommy to outwit the criminals. In this help comes from Julius Hersheimmer, the American cousin of Jane Finn, the civilian in whose possession the papers are allegedly kept and James Peel Edgerton K.C. But the young sleuths are not sure whom to trust and whom to not as murder happens in front of their eyes and each step they take seem to fall in one sort of trap or the other. As Tommy and Tuppence tries to uncover the true face behind each mask the countdown starts for the coup. An excellent twist, as always in these mystery novels, awaits the readers near the finale but the way it has been set up speaks highly of the master writer. Though the subtelity of her later novels is a bit missing but this one is sure to bring enjoyment to the readers. A baffling mystery with a touch of romance makes this story a welcome premiere for two new adventurers.

Eker Pithe Dui

My favourite of Ray's assortment of a dozen short stories with horror, ghost, sci-fi, adventure and a mystery blended in the hardback. the content runs as

• Anukul
• Telephone
• Aami Bhut
• Kaagtarua
• Lakhpati
• Ganesh Mutsuddir Portrait
• Nitai O Mahapurush
• Kutum-Katam
• Nidhiraamer Icchapuran
• Raamdhaner B(n)ashi
• Master Angshuman
• Bosepukure Khunkharapi

The best part of the collection is the usual thrill of the twist at the climax is heightened by extreme fiction that has been masterfully masked till the finale. The stories include a humanoid robot with senses more like humans, a call from the land of the mist, narrative by a ghost that has been followed by a curious dream, the transformation of a proud soul, extraordinary skill of an artist, a horror adventure, a funny metamorphosis, a terrified ghost, a short adventure in Master Angshuman, my favourite in my younger age and the pick of the lot and finally the mystery surrounding the murder and the family of an opera artist. The stories are so designed as to keep its impression lasting for years if not decades.

Jonathaner Barir Bhut

Suchitra Bhattacharya weaves suspense as alleged poltergeist activities haunts an Anglo-Indian family. Shaking furniture and a host lot of other troubles terrorizes the infabitants and Mitin and Tupur enters the scene with the everdear Partha accompanying them. As Mitin searches up clues a new mystery evolves hinting to a lost treasure with a riddle left behind to solve it. The evil seems to lurk in the deep recess of the minds of the seemingly innocent ones and Mitin is determined to unmask them. A good story for the young minds with multiple plots never complicating the flow the writer presents a graphic narration of detection and mystery. Only one major complain that I noticed is during an irrelevant remark of Mitin whers she tries to relate a procedure with its digital analogue but the logic is so very erroneous that it leaves a scar on the intelligence of the detective.

Music with a Hope: Arindam Das launches album ‘Swapno Sambhab’

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