Fern Road Boy

Book Details

• Author: Angshu Dasgupta

• Publisher: Speaking Tiger

• Language: English

• Edition: 2021

• ISBN: 9789354472077

• Pages: 224

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches

About the Book
Fern Road Boy is a haunting and atmospheric coming-of-age story set in 1980s Calcutta, a city teeming with complex emotions and struggles. Orko, a young boy, grows up believing that he will one day be like his mother. However, when she suddenly disappears, he is forced to confront a painful reality—that he is a boy, and boys grow up to be men.

In his confusion and grief, Orko wishes to be turned into a girl, like his friend Urmi, but his prayer is unanswered. His father, in an attempt to guide him, sends him to a football camp, where things begin to spiral out of control. Fern Road Boy chronicles Orko's emotional journey through this inner turmoil, as he struggles with identity, gender, and the loss of his mother, ultimately leading him to a powerful self-realization.

Described as a tender yet tough novel, Fern Road Boy is a beautifully crafted exploration of sadness, silence, and an issue often left unspoken. The book's emotional depth and keen empathy make it a standout debut, offering readers a thought-provoking reflection on the complexities of growing up, family dynamics, and self-discovery. Orko’s journey will leave a lasting impression on anyone who encounters it.