A Fistful of Moonlight : Stories from Assam

• Publisher: Bee Books
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9391618235
• ISBN-13: 978-9391618230
• Page Count: 248 pages

About the Book

A Fistful of Moonlight: Stories from Assam is a collection of fourteen contemporary stories that delve into the complexities of life in Assam, exploring themes of love, identity, politics, and personal transformation. The stories blend realism and fantasy, offering a diverse and nuanced look at the struggles, joys, and aspirations of people in Assam, a region rich in culture and history.

Key Features

• Diverse Themes: The stories address a wide range of themes:
  • Love & Loss: Stories of unrequited love, emotional wounds, and the complexities of relationships.
  • Identity & Transformation: A young girl’s journey to liberating herself through a bold act, and the emotional turmoil caused by forced death and trauma.
  • Fantasy & Fairy Tales: A fresh take on an age-old fairy tale, blending the fantastical with the real.
  • Political & Social Realities: Stories that touch on the societal and political issues affecting people in Assam, such as the aftermath of the Baghjan oilfield disaster.
• Rich Cultural Representation: Through vivid storytelling, the book transports readers into the heart of Assam, highlighting its unique culture, struggles, and resilience.
• Narrative Variety: The stories range from surreal to grounded, offering something for fans of both literary fiction and those seeking deeper, more contemplative writing.
• Social Commentary: The collection also touches upon issues such as social taboos, generational trauma, and the complexities of being caught between different identities and expectations.

Highlighted Stories

• Shoes as a Lens: A man’s obsession with shoes becomes a metaphor for how he perceives the world.
• Generational Trauma: A daughter’s death triggers long-lasting consequences within a family, carrying a curse through generations.
• Identity Liberation: A young girl cuts her hair to symbolically break free from the pain of multiple identities.
• Baghjan Disaster: A community grapples with the loss caused by a disastrous event, affecting both lives and livelihoods.

This book is ideal for readers interested in contemporary Assamese literature, social narratives, and stories that weave together real-life struggles with elements of fantasy.