lakemoonlo's review against another edition
3.0
It was very nice to return to Kathmandu in these stories. They are well written and observe loads of societal issues. Sometimes they felt unfinished to me.
rajani_tries_to_read's review against another edition
I read this book so long ago, I do not remember much. All I remember is that I did not care for it much. Although I do think that it was because of the adult theme, and I was too young to appreciate it. I remember mostly feeling scandalized while reading this book. I was quite a prude then. I think this book deserve a second read.
angelatm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thestressreader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
yeagleyreads's review against another edition
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sarahlk17's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of short stories focuses on broken or quirky romantic relationships in Nepal. The writing was stylized, yet readable. The characters nuanced. This was an engaging read.
anustha0118's review against another edition
1.0
I hated every single second of this awful book. I'm glad it ended. I don't ever want to even see the cover anywhere
joyce_ti's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
When I found this book I was eager to read it simply based on its unique title. Similarly, the blurb promised a collection of short stories that was filled with spirituality and exploring the nature of desire in a changing Nepali society. “In a city where gods are omnipresent, where privacy is elusive and family defines identity, these men and women find themselves at the mercy of their desires but at will of their society.” This really got to me, and I was very much looking forward to reading about the struggle of Upadhyay’s characters.
However, almost immediately after starting the first story, I was quite disappointed. This disappointment kept going throughout the first half of the book. Unfortunately, most of the stories were extremely depressing and almost all of the characters seemed unrealistically unsympathetic, which made them not at all relatable. I feel like these stories are supposed to show the dark side of the human condition and the flaws that live inside each of us. However, most of the characters simply did stupid and unkind things without proper relevance for the story. There was a lot of sexism that just felt untrue and honestly doesn’t do anything for the stories.
In the second half of the book, I found some stories that appeal to me. They show the struggle between living in two worlds with two identities and the clash between the modern and the traditional in Nepali society, as well as the advertised spirituality. The second half does more justice in showing human flaws realistically instead of simply presenting “bad” humans. Here, they are rather presented as restless and shifting between “good” and “bad.” I enjoyed reading this a lot.
I can’t really recommend this short story collection. While I liked a few stories immensely (e.g., “During the Festival”), to be honest, I don’t really see the point in telling many of the other stories.
However, almost immediately after starting the first story, I was quite disappointed. This disappointment kept going throughout the first half of the book. Unfortunately, most of the stories were extremely depressing and almost all of the characters seemed unrealistically unsympathetic, which made them not at all relatable. I feel like these stories are supposed to show the dark side of the human condition and the flaws that live inside each of us. However, most of the characters simply did stupid and unkind things without proper relevance for the story. There was a lot of sexism that just felt untrue and honestly doesn’t do anything for the stories.
In the second half of the book, I found some stories that appeal to me. They show the struggle between living in two worlds with two identities and the clash between the modern and the traditional in Nepali society, as well as the advertised spirituality. The second half does more justice in showing human flaws realistically instead of simply presenting “bad” humans. Here, they are rather presented as restless and shifting between “good” and “bad.” I enjoyed reading this a lot.
I can’t really recommend this short story collection. While I liked a few stories immensely (e.g., “During the Festival”), to be honest, I don’t really see the point in telling many of the other stories.
viefondue's review against another edition
2.0
I started this book with all the enthusiasm I could muster but was let down even before the first story ended. Neither did the characters appeal to me, nor were they inherently Nepali, as the author wanted to portray. There is a sprinkle of Nepali names, and places to make you believe you are in the heart of Kathmandu, or rather in the touristic centers of Kathmandu( so that foreigners/tourists can identify with it, no doubt). But the whole thing has a artificial, forced feel to it. What spoils the stories for me the most, is the ingrained sexism, which felt pretty intentional to me. All the women are "bad"-the wives are nagging, disinterested, plain; if there is an extra-marital affair, its the woman who initiates it; the woman is the gold-digger; And on and on. Once you realize this, which you do from the very first story, you can't overlook it.
yasmin_a's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Is there anything particularly Nepali about the stories and characters? More about living in a time of modernization, caught between old values and new desires - and the self-sabotaging actions that spring from this tension. None of the characters are likable, but I don't think they're supposed to be and I don't think they even need to be in a work of literary fiction. Each story ends on a moment of desire being ignited, its flames fanned, and our protagonist suspended deeper into the chasm between desire and duty. What is most appealing about this collection is Upadhyay's astute psychological presentations of these characters - intrigue, rumination, anxiety, dissociation and emptiness are all explored in this book.
Double consciousness of desire and duty? Old and the New?
Seems to be a motif of the home as a prison; suffocating and obstructive. 'This World' is a good story to think about globalisation, modernity, and cosmopolitanism as well as the absence of home.
Is there anything particularly Nepali about the stories and characters? More about living in a time of modernization, caught between old values and new desires - and the self-sabotaging actions that spring from this tension. None of the characters are likable, but I don't think they're supposed to be and I don't think they even need to be in a work of literary fiction. Each story ends on a moment of desire being ignited, its flames fanned, and our protagonist suspended deeper into the chasm between desire and duty. What is most appealing about this collection is Upadhyay's astute psychological presentations of these characters - intrigue, rumination, anxiety, dissociation and emptiness are all explored in this book.
Double consciousness of desire and duty? Old and the New?
Seems to be a motif of the home as a prison; suffocating and obstructive. 'This World' is a good story to think about globalisation, modernity, and cosmopolitanism as well as the absence of home.