Reviews

Chowringhee by Sankar

savani's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

readingwhileipoop's review against another edition

5.0

চমৎকার একটা বই। শেষ করবার পর আমার মাথাটা একদম খালি হয়ে গেছে। আর বুকের মধ্যে কেমন একটা অদ্ভূত বিষণ্ণতা এসে ভর করেছে। আমার পড়া প্রিয় বইগুলোর একটা হয়ে থাকবে নিঃসন্দেহে।

sbhatnag's review

3.0

It took me what felt like a century to finish this book, but I enjoyed it. Sankar takes you into the world of an exclusive hotel, the Shahjahan, in mid-20th century Calcutta, through the eyes of an employee, where you become familiar with the hotel staff, the guests, the stories, and the secrets. Chowringhee is a story that could probably easily be applied to any luxury hotels around India, and the world. Although I have not read the original text in Bengali or in Hindi translation, the English translation flowed smoothly and was well written.

meowreads_94's review against another edition

5.0

বইটা যেন ফুসফুসে এক ঝলক টাটকা বাতাসের স্বাদ দিল। এপার বাংলা-ওপার বাংলার লেখা আলাদাভাবে চিহ্নিত করা সমর্থ করিনা তারপরও স্বীকার করে নিতে হয় ওদিকের লেখকদের একটা নিজস্বতা রয়েছে আমাদের মতোই। শংকর সাহেবের লেখার ধরনটি সেই গতানুগতিক ধারার বেশ বাইরে বলেমনে হচ্ছিলো প্রায়ই। আর হোটেল এর গল্প কেন জানি বরাবরই আমাকে বেশ টানে।আর পূর্বপুরুষের শহর কলকাতাকে একটা বিশেষ সময়ে চিনতে পারা, সেই সময়ের মানুষজনদের জানতে পারাটা তো সবসময়ই মনকে আনন্দ দেয়। বইয়ের সমস্তটুকু জুড়ে হোটেল শাহজাহান থাকলেও চৌরঙ্গী থেকে গল্প শুরু হয়ে আবার সেই চৌরঙ্গীতে এসে গল্প শেষ হওয়াটা বেশ ভাল লেগেছে।বলতেই হচ্ছে, প্রিয় বইয়ের তালিকায় যুক্ত হলো আরেকটি সৃষ্টি।

the_brewed_bookworm's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

mango_'s review

lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

sampada05's review against another edition

lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

rmarutio's review

4.0

Wow. Lovely simple book dealing with many things (primarily around a hotel). It was 2nd book of the author. I shouldn't say much. Just read this emotional rollercoaster journey.

"Our life is but a winter's day;
Some only breakfast and away;
Others to dinner stay and full fed;
The oldest man but sups and goes to bed;
He that goes soonest has the least to pay.
- A.C. Maffen"
The book starts from here.
Donno if you'll like it or not but it will allure you for sure.

harshada's review against another edition

4.0

Out of the many Bengali customs I love - book fairs at Durga Pujo pandals might be one of my favorites. It was there that I picked up this book. I'm a big fan of Arthur Hailey and I was pleasantly surprised when I found this book actually predates Hailey's Hotel by a few years.
This book is a masterpiece and my praises are bound to fall short. Some of the lines are so beautiful, I had to sit with them for a few moments. Credit where it's due - Arunav Sinha has succeeded to make English words sound as beautiful as they must have sounded in their original form.
The beautifully described characters are going to stay with me for a while. Just like the author's observations and descriptions. I loved penciling out parts of the book that struck me as genius writing.
If you're ever craving something Indian to read, look no further.

buried_in_stories's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25