// The Greatest Kashmiri Stories Ever Told

I rarely indulge in short stories and amongst them, I have only a few favourites. When Aleph announced the publication of Kashmiri stories, I was intrigued. Selected and translated by Neerja Mattoo, these twenty five stories are quite interesting. Neerja herself has published several anthologies and three books so it came as no surprise that her language prowess shone through her flawless translation.

As it so happens, I did not enjoy all the stories but I did have a few favourites. There are stories about people who come looking for their homes from which they had to flee years ago, about women who are nosey, about kids who settle down with ease in other cities while the elders miss their roots. No two stories are similar, giving us a wide array of topics to read about. Some of the stories are touching, and some just ordinary. But what impressed me was the seamless translation that Neerja managed to carry throughout the book.

If you're interested in short stories, then chances are that you may enjoy this collection. Most of the tales are of normal people going about their lives in a mundane manner. But look out for the ones that somehow burrows into your heart and makes a tiny nip, smarting your eyes with unshed tears.

Thank you for the copy @alephbookco