My Paper Half

Book Details:

• Author: Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay

• Publisher: Niyogi Books

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 152

• Release Date: 01-01-2014

• ISBN: 9789383098521

• Languages: English

About the Book:

In this thought-provoking novel, I Once Dreamt of a Man Handing Out Rupee Notes Instead of Handbills, we meet Upal, a man plagued by insatiable hunger and a desperate yearning for money. Coming from a background of poverty, he finds himself making moral compromises to fulfill his immediate needs. Driven by the hope of securing a better future, Upal squanders his self-respect in the pursuit of wealth, even clinging to his childhood friend Subinoy’s household just to have a roof over his head and food on his plate.

Through this compelling narrative, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay examines themes of greed, survival, and conscience. Upal’s dream of receiving rupee notes instead of handbills symbolizes his longing for material wealth and an escape from his constant struggle for basic sustenance. As the story unfolds, Upal’s conscience intermittently stirs, but is overwhelmed by his overpowering hunger for more.

The novel poses a poignant question—does the pursuit of wealth lead to true happiness, or does it merely result in the exploitation of one's own humanity? Upal’s journey is a cautionary tale of how unchecked desire can derail one’s self-worth and lead to tragic consequences. I Once Dreamt of a Man Handing Out Rupee Notes Instead of Handbills is a powerful reflection on the complex interplay of need, greed, and the search for contentment.