Malayali Memorial: And Other Stories - Hardcover

Unni, R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670099708 ISBN 13: 9780670099702

Publisher: Penguin Random House India, 2024

Synopsis

The latest collection of Unni R's short stories in translation shines with the tone of self-critique so characteristic of his earlier writing, gentle and penetrating at the same time. His world still comprises mostly the rural and peri-urban areas of Kottayam, his birthplace. It emerges through his words as a place with layers of life that lie beyond the merely human--the birds, animals, spirits, Jesus, Satan and even inanimate things have their role and place in it.

The stories feature a whole range of situations and characters, who are forever assailed by an awareness of their own vulnerability. In 'Malayali Memorial', the protagonist is a low-lying, wily and seemingly powerless man in a stridently casteist family; the young man in 'Boy and Girl' is the weepy sort, yet his powerless tears seem to have the power to soften the resolve of a confident young woman. Further, this collection includes Unni's experiments with the short story form. Overall, these stories break open the hardened shells of our existence, so that empathy and compassion may find their way out.

About this title

About the Authors

Unni R. writes short stories and screenplays in Malayalam. He is the author of six collections of short stories. He is known for his distinct idiom and black humour, sparse style and incisive social criticism.

J. Devika is a feminist historian, social researcher and translator, currently with the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Random House India
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670099708
• ISBN 13: 9780670099702
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224