Book Review : Mostly Mundane

Book Name: Mostly Mundane

Author: Saugata Chakraborty

Publisher: Red Grab

Genre: Fiction

Format: Paperback

Print length: 78 pages 

Rating: 3.5/5

Mostly Mundane by Saugata Chakraborty is a collection of short stories with few of them interconnected, though the protagonist of each story remains the same.

 

Blurb on Amazon

Is your existence feeling a bit... predictable? Do the words ""chore list"" make you contemplate a permanent nap? If the thrill of alphabetizing your spice rack has worn off, you desperately need Mostly Mundane in your life. This isn't your standard how-to, find-your-purpose, or unlock-inner-peace self-help drivel. Prepare to have your mind delightfully scrambled by the sheer brilliance of the utterly ordinary. Mostly Mundane exposes the hidden hilarity waiting in the shadows of your routine. From the existential implications of facing a not so amused life skills teacher in a PTM to a weekend eating out going awry, this book turns the everyday into an epic adventure filled with side-splitting absurdity. Imagine this: Pondering the evolutionary significance of toothpaste while brushing those pearly. Chuckling at the existential crisis of a wrinkled shirt. Experiencing an internal monologue worthy of Shakespeare while waiting for the microwave. Think you've seen it all? Think again. Mostly Mundane will revamp your perspective and remind you that laughter is lurking in even the most mundane corners of life. If you're ready for a gut-busting shift from blah to brilliant, ditch the self-improvement manuals and dive into the world of Mostly Mundane. Your funny bone (and your sanity) will thank you.

Review

A fun-filled collection of short stories exploring the mundanities of life, Mostly Mundane follows the story of Shantilal Biswas in each tale as he struggles to find a new way to make a livelihood and follows each new endeavor with a new passion and never-giving-up attitude. In one of the stories, he appears as a palmist, or trying to write a book, in another as a consultant, and in another, he is a father being called to school, as he received a complaint about his son from his teacher. Similar stories reminding you of your daily life events and tasks will leave you laughing and wondering if you are the main character of each story as Shantilal.

The characters portrayed as common people will make readers feel at home as they would be able to relate with them in every way. Though the protagonist being the center of attention outshines as an inspiration for readers there are many supporting characters that deserve hype as they carry nostalgia and humor to make readers laugh, feel emotion, shed a tear of joy or sorrow, and connect with them. Mrs Kulkarni, a concerned teacher will remind readers of their school days and childhood taking them down memory lane. Shantilal's wife Anjali plays a significant role in defining Shantilal's character and reputation in this book the way he turns out as the favorite character of many readers.

The author's writing style is poetic. The central inference of the book is to uncover the hidden hilarity in routine activities. Saugata brings together common, often ignored, daily events and magnifies their inherent follies, turning them into comedic adventures. Some readers may feel overwhelmed due to the use of a lot of metaphors, and few stories appear incomplete. But eventually, this book will turn out as a light-hearted read taking readers from seriousness to giggling ear-to-ear if a few weak points are skipped.

The overall experience of reading this book is delightful and nostalgic, and along with that, it offers glimpses into situations and things humans often overlook, making them realize how every little thing in life has its beauty.  

Buy it from Amazon - Mostly Mundane

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.