indywrites's review
5.0
The Arithmetic of Breasts and other Stories is a remarkable short story collection, for the bold, different name; partly sensual, partly intimidating. Imagine how breasts and math can be linked? That itself should be enough for you to pick this book. Add to that the rather distinct, confident, no-holds barred voice of Rochelle and you have a wonderful book. In its digital format this book was also shortlisted for The Digital Book of the Year Award 2014 by Publishing Next, Goa.
The stories are each as different as can be but the underlying emotion is what stands out. The language, words and expressions just take you along as you read each story. Excellent command over language and content with the stories speaking of life, our ‘real life’. No extra words, no flimsy thoughts. Each word is made to count and delivers a punch. Exploring the most intimate yet obvious sentiment of us humans. All of us search for this fulfillment yet hesitate to share our desires. Rochelle talks of the good, the bad and ugly, showcasing each aspect with a story that stands out. Some are unusual, some quirky yet all let you in on a little more of the human motivation and desires.
The first story, The Arithmetic of Breasts was a winner just by the feel good factor and the tender, poignant emotions it evoked. I am a fan just after reading it and the subsequent stories only strengthened my opinion.
The Room with a Sea-View and Sky Park left me thoughtful and pondering on the likes it takes to make this word. Lots of insights into the human psyche in these two stories!
Dr. Love was just brilliant in the way the author twists us along with the surgery and how the human mind changes. This story has an amazing flow, so smooth as the transformation occurred yet I was partly aghast and partly relived – could not decide which was the callous one? The guy for whom she changed or the one who changed her?
A Place They Call Scary and Our Lovers were so touching and highlight the stark reality of our country, as with all the stories they make you think and wonder. Sad but true, the author does not mince her words and lays it all out for us to see. The double standards, the abuse and neglect.
The Scent of a Conscience had me wondering where the story was going; the author has connected the characters, emotions and feeling superbly. The fate of many lovers……
All the stories in the collection have so much to say and I found that Rochelle has not only managed to share the emotions but the thoughts that propel us to the actions we take as well. A single negative for me was that I found there were too few stories, I wanted to read many more from her. But I guess that is me being a greedy reader! ;)
The stories have a different take on love, life and longing. Sharing nuggets of wisdom about how we feel and think, this assortment of stories is a collector’s item, I will be holding on to the book and adding it to my display shelf of ‘much loved books’.
(©InderpreetKaur. I got a copy of the book from Author, the views are my own.)
The stories are each as different as can be but the underlying emotion is what stands out. The language, words and expressions just take you along as you read each story. Excellent command over language and content with the stories speaking of life, our ‘real life’. No extra words, no flimsy thoughts. Each word is made to count and delivers a punch. Exploring the most intimate yet obvious sentiment of us humans. All of us search for this fulfillment yet hesitate to share our desires. Rochelle talks of the good, the bad and ugly, showcasing each aspect with a story that stands out. Some are unusual, some quirky yet all let you in on a little more of the human motivation and desires.
The first story, The Arithmetic of Breasts was a winner just by the feel good factor and the tender, poignant emotions it evoked. I am a fan just after reading it and the subsequent stories only strengthened my opinion.
The Room with a Sea-View and Sky Park left me thoughtful and pondering on the likes it takes to make this word. Lots of insights into the human psyche in these two stories!
Dr. Love was just brilliant in the way the author twists us along with the surgery and how the human mind changes. This story has an amazing flow, so smooth as the transformation occurred yet I was partly aghast and partly relived – could not decide which was the callous one? The guy for whom she changed or the one who changed her?
A Place They Call Scary and Our Lovers were so touching and highlight the stark reality of our country, as with all the stories they make you think and wonder. Sad but true, the author does not mince her words and lays it all out for us to see. The double standards, the abuse and neglect.
The Scent of a Conscience had me wondering where the story was going; the author has connected the characters, emotions and feeling superbly. The fate of many lovers……
All the stories in the collection have so much to say and I found that Rochelle has not only managed to share the emotions but the thoughts that propel us to the actions we take as well. A single negative for me was that I found there were too few stories, I wanted to read many more from her. But I guess that is me being a greedy reader! ;)
The stories have a different take on love, life and longing. Sharing nuggets of wisdom about how we feel and think, this assortment of stories is a collector’s item, I will be holding on to the book and adding it to my display shelf of ‘much loved books’.
(©InderpreetKaur. I got a copy of the book from Author, the views are my own.)
b00kr3vi3ws's review
4.0
When the author approached me for a review for this book, my first reaction was to almost refuse. Can you blame me? I am not a fan of erotica and the book title suggested that the book might be so. I took a chance and asked the author about explicit scenes in the book and she said (and I am paraphrasing here) ‘Some of them have small explicit scenes that are needed for the flow of the story. They are integral and not item numberish.’ I have to say, I loved the way she put it and I said yes to review the book.
The first story is the title story of the book. When I started reading it, I felt disappointment at first, curiosity next and soon I was so immersed that I did not even realize when I reached the end of the book. Yes, the stories have explicit content and as such the target audience should be adults. But I loved the way the author has handled everything – from love, lust and infidelity. Sometimes even with the best intentions, the stories do not convey much and even the most beautiful themes come across as bawdy and obscene. But I am happy to report that Rochelle Potkar has handled things extremely well. She has managed to get to the bottom of all the feelings and bring them up and narrate them in a beautiful manner. These stories are not for everyone… They each have a certain depth that will be evident only if you approach the book with an open mind.
I have always felt that books can change the outlook of its readers. With the cheap romances that are flooding the market, people think that love and lust is the same thing. Or, that it is okay to have a number of partners at the same time or that one night stands are ‘cool’ things to do, that girls enjoy being eve teased or that girls eventually fall in love with their stalkers. The list goes on… And in a way, the author was right, on two counts, when she said that the scenes in her book were not item numberish. First, yes it is now the ‘IN’ thing to do – put a bedroom scene in the book to sell books – like item numbers are done for movies. And secondly, the explicit scenes are much needed in her stories, not to sell sex, but to show the emotions that run much deeper than just the surface figure of a person. I did not mean to rant but this is something I feel very passionately about – Love CAN exist between two people who have not even held hands and love stories can be told without sex scenes.
Coming back to the book - The Arithmetic of Breasts, Dr. Love, The Scent of a Conscience and The Room with a Sea View are my favourites in the book. The stories are short and crafty. Each story has something to offer to its readers only if they are willing to look for it – even a message if you know where to look. The depth of human emotions have been explored and exploited well in the stories. The author’s narrative style and striking language makes this book what it is and it is impressive to say the least. Like it is with short stories sometimes, the author has given an open ending to some of the stories that will make you stop and take a breath and think.
But I will say this once again – this book is not for everyone. This is a bold book from a bold author. If you are looking for a light read or the likes of those commercial love stories, do not pick this book up. You will not do it justice. If you are willing to read with an open mind and explore along with the author and maybe even take away some lessons from it – go ahead and give this book a try.
The first story is the title story of the book. When I started reading it, I felt disappointment at first, curiosity next and soon I was so immersed that I did not even realize when I reached the end of the book. Yes, the stories have explicit content and as such the target audience should be adults. But I loved the way the author has handled everything – from love, lust and infidelity. Sometimes even with the best intentions, the stories do not convey much and even the most beautiful themes come across as bawdy and obscene. But I am happy to report that Rochelle Potkar has handled things extremely well. She has managed to get to the bottom of all the feelings and bring them up and narrate them in a beautiful manner. These stories are not for everyone… They each have a certain depth that will be evident only if you approach the book with an open mind.
I have always felt that books can change the outlook of its readers. With the cheap romances that are flooding the market, people think that love and lust is the same thing. Or, that it is okay to have a number of partners at the same time or that one night stands are ‘cool’ things to do, that girls enjoy being eve teased or that girls eventually fall in love with their stalkers. The list goes on… And in a way, the author was right, on two counts, when she said that the scenes in her book were not item numberish. First, yes it is now the ‘IN’ thing to do – put a bedroom scene in the book to sell books – like item numbers are done for movies. And secondly, the explicit scenes are much needed in her stories, not to sell sex, but to show the emotions that run much deeper than just the surface figure of a person. I did not mean to rant but this is something I feel very passionately about – Love CAN exist between two people who have not even held hands and love stories can be told without sex scenes.
Coming back to the book - The Arithmetic of Breasts, Dr. Love, The Scent of a Conscience and The Room with a Sea View are my favourites in the book. The stories are short and crafty. Each story has something to offer to its readers only if they are willing to look for it – even a message if you know where to look. The depth of human emotions have been explored and exploited well in the stories. The author’s narrative style and striking language makes this book what it is and it is impressive to say the least. Like it is with short stories sometimes, the author has given an open ending to some of the stories that will make you stop and take a breath and think.
But I will say this once again – this book is not for everyone. This is a bold book from a bold author. If you are looking for a light read or the likes of those commercial love stories, do not pick this book up. You will not do it justice. If you are willing to read with an open mind and explore along with the author and maybe even take away some lessons from it – go ahead and give this book a try.
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