Circus Folk & Village Freaks
by
Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal
Circus Folk and Village Freaks
Circus Folk and Village Freaks by Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal is an amazing narrative poetry book. I rarely pick up poetry books. But I have done this time after hearing the author read out one of the chapters from the book.
To be honest, I can't have enough, even after reading the whole book in one go. Somehow the bookish worm inside me is famished and want more of it. Just like the protagonist of one of the proses, Murali who was the metal eater with an unsated desire to eat more and more metals instead of food. Quite weird story, isn't it. I enjoyed reading it a lot.
Something About The Prose
The book compiles 18 such weird tales of people who were different from the rest. They have some unique traits either by birth or by nature or were transformed by some accident or by fate. Something which added the twist in their life. Odd one in the group, these protagonists dared to be different and the stories narrate about their struggle to find identity and their true calling.
Some stories were funny, while some you might find quirky and bizarre, and of course a few would break your heart. But never once you would question the logic behind the one or would find them unreal. They were written with such conviction and prowess by the author Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal.
Our real world repletes with such unusual accounts. You must have heard and witnessed about them at some point in life. Before acceptability and self realization, they need to cross the bumpy road full of self doubts and mockery. It is this journey which has been portrayed beautifully by the author Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal.
Through these unusual characters the author Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal has plugged in the realities of our society like caste discrimination, superstition, feminism, physical abnormalities, homosexuality, social stigma, animal abuse and many more.
Writing Style
All the stories have been written in the prose style in couplets, rhyming towards the end giving a jingling and lyrical touch. The author Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal has the powerhouse of words. Circus Folk and Village Freaks has added many new words to my vocabulary and style to use them. Keep a dictionary handy to look up words in order to fully understand the prose. It is completely worth.
The book has been written in the metered verse. So when you read it aloud( trust me, you won't be able to resist the desire) it will sound melodious and tuneful due to the economical use of words written in the right rhythm.
Some stories will appear familiar, like the story of the Siamese Twins, Lingam story reminds me of the movie Vicky Donor.
Many a times rhyming appeared to be forced and words from other languages were extracted to fit into the prose.
Do I care?
No. I couldn’t care less about it.
Ultimately the stories came out beautifully. Each story was written with an objective in mind, a purpose to serve, and a message to give out.
The Verdict
Somewhere deep within you and me, we are all unique with our own freakishness. But we hide and restrain it for the fear of denial and unacceptance by the peers.
This book dares us to accept it and be comfortable with it. And I loved the overall the message the book gives out.
At last I have found out what kind of prose and poetry I love. Since I want to devour more such literary works, I am game for more narrative poetry books recommendations. If you have any do mention in the comment section below.
The cover perfectly resonates the beauty of the verse. Bright and gaiety flowers on the jacket sow the seeds of beauty which blooms in the poems as each freaky character find peace within, some perishing , but not before realizing their purpose.
It is highly recommended.
