DR. MAINAK SADHUKHAN
Assistant Professor, Chemistry Department, IIT-Kanpur
An assortment to relish
This is a collection of short stories of different genres. While the taste of each story is different, the author appears to have a witty yet sensitive soul which is reflected throughout his writing.
In this world of complicated lives and hate-filled propaganda, Mr. Pratyush Deb clearly knows how to appeal to the readers’ empathy. Particularly, the stories at the end of the book seems to be of great quality. I would recommend this book to anybody who wishes to dive into the kaleidoscope of human emotions.
A beautiful collection of transcendental meditations
Mr. Deb’s writing style is lucid, fluent, and conversational. His use of clear and short sentences and powerful verbs delineate the storylines almost with a scientific objectivity, yet he manages to retain the innate tenderness of the characters.
DR. ANIKET PATRA
Senior Research Scientist, Quantum Computing Project,
Institute of Basic Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
I do not think that it will be hyperbolic to claim that this anthology reminded me of ‘Malgudi Days’ by R. K. Narayan and of ‘Aranyak’ by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. If Henry David Thoreau were alive today, I would like to think that he might have proudly displayed this book on his decrepit dusty bookcase. Expecting great things (maybe a novel) from the author soon.
DHRUBA DAS GUPTA
Former journalist, research worker, award-winning environmentalist and activist for protection of Kolkata Wetlands. Presently, Project Director, Society for Creative Opportunities and Participatory Ecosystems, Kolkata
Pratyush Deb’s ”A Boat on the Sea of Stories“ engages with a wide variety of genres and allows us to flow through a visually appealing set of stories, one of the great attractions of this book. He observes life with empathy and humour, and some of his stories show an endearing attachment to nature.
Hopefully, he will present to us more on that theme in future. The author’s skillful treatment of a repertoire of characters in every story leaves an imprint on the mind. The title of the book, very thoughtfully given, bring up expectations of a long journey ahead of the author.
”A Boat on the Sea of Stories“ is an apt title for this wonderful collection of short stories. I loved the way the stories touched upon the humanity, social relationships and imaginative concepts. The characters are unassuming and the narrative flows smoothly. The author’s creativity shines through in the stories. A truly enjoyable read.
PARTHA GUHA
Co-Founder and Director, Elephant Design Pvt. Ltd, Pune
DR. PRASHANT PANSARE
CEO – Inteliment Technologies, Pune
Beautiful stories with a fluid writing style that draws the reader in. Each story contains a strong human element with characters evoking a range of emotions and conveys lessons from life itself in a charmingly simple manner. The sheer variety of genres in the collection makes ‘A Boat on the Sea of Stories’ a delightful read, and the perfect traveller’s companion.
”A Boat on the Sea of Stories“ by Pratyush Deb serves as a powerful metaphor for life’s journey. This collection of 12 short stories offers a vivid portrayal of life’s diverse experiences.
SOURAV DE
Photographer, writer, and film festival juror, acclaimed for his significant body of work.
As a filmmaker, I am naturally drawn to the visual potential of these narratives, and some stories indeed achieve this feat deftly. Deb’s concise storytelling allows readers to fully grasp the entire narrative structure, making it easy to retain the complete arc without losing any details during or after the read.
Ei Samay
The Times Group
Sunday, Aug 4, 2024
(Translated from Bengali)In this title, inspired by the medieval collection Kathasaritsagara, the author gathers twelve literary gems. These include tales of an underdog achieving rare success, transformative friendships, and narratives steeped in nature and mythology. These stories seamlessly blend themes of rebirth and revenge with those from modern scientific research. Written in a simple and lucid style, their dramatic and engaging nature will captivate readers. Dive into this literary ocean to embark on a journey through a raft of these endearing tales.