Real Time: Stories and a Reminiscence [Paperback]

Amit Chaudhuri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Amit Chaudhuri’s stories range across the astonishing face of the modern Indian subcontinent. From divorcées about to enter into an arranged marriage to the teenaged poet who develops a relationship with a lonely widower, from singing teachers to housewives to white-collar businessmen, Chaudhuri deftly explores the juxtaposition of the new and old worlds in his native India. Here are stories as sweet and ironic as they are deft and revealing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Small slices of life in Bombay and Calcutta, intensely observed and exquisitely described, characterize the stories in Chaudhuri's first collection, after the highly praised novels Freedom Song and A New World. These vignettes, rendered in minute, sensuous detail, rarely relate a dramatic event; rather, they illuminate a moment in time. It's a measure of this talented writer's skill that on the small scale of 16 stories he is able to conjure, with sunstruck clarity, the different qualities of these cities and their inhabitants. Most of the tales are set between the 1970s and the present day (with the exception of two based on the Ramayana), and the characters are generally upper-middle-class. Some are minor administrators, others are employees of British industries; most appear content to adopt British language and customs. The incongruity of grafting Western standards on an ancient culture is central to many of these tales, and in the title story and elsewhere, Chaudhuri subtly mourns the fading of tradition. In other stories, and in two autobiographical selections, the protagonist is a would-be writer, and it's clear that many of Chaudhuri's themes come from his pampered upbringing in Bombay. In the affecting "The Old Masters," the narrator realizes that the financial and social success his ambitious father had achieved for the sake of his family will be "leveled out" by a son who vows to make a living through literature. "The romance of literature," the quality of being "enveloped in [the] contentment of reading," is summoned with both concrete detail and mystical yearning. One wishes, however, that some of the Indian terms and other references had been explained. For instance, David Davidar is mentioned but not identified, and it's unlikely that the average reader will know that he is India's most famous publisher.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The clash of cultures and lifestyles in modern India is palpable in this first book of stories by Calcutta novelist Chaudhuri (Freedom Song: Three Novels). In "The Man from Khurda District," Bishu, a cleaner, and his wife, Uma, are totally dependent upon the good will of their employer for all of life's necessities. Then they are fired and are forced to leave the housing provided for them: "Now that phase of their lives, which, after all, was so relatively brief that they had hardly become used to it, was ending, and another was about to begin." In stark contrast is the life we are shown in "White Lies," in which a successful CEO and his wife can have whatever they desire, including a guru. The everyday lives and diversities revealed here are beautifully described, but the use of many native words, unexplained and not evident by context, detract from the stories' effectiveness. The selections have no plot, their sole purpose evidently being to portray the many facets of Indian culture. These short, teasing vignettes left this reader wanting more. Patricia Gulian, South Portland, ME
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Picador (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312421141
• ISBN-13: 978-0312421144
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,209,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, December 6, 2002

By 

Rish (Mumbai , India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Time: Stories and a Reminiscence (Hardcover)

While reading this book I was strongly reminded of Chekhov, exhorting a writer to feel compassion down to his fingertips. The stories in "Real Time" amply demonstrate how this is a key to good writing.
Amit Chaudhuri is one of the most promising writers from India, in recent times. Four novels old, he has been often accused of writing full-length novels without even a semblance of a plot. At times his writing does feel like one has prepared a delightful gourmet meal without adding any salt.

Beautifully crafted sentences, his cadences are that of a poet. There does seem to be a presence of Gurudev Tagore, which pervades all his writings. (Me no Bong)
Correct me if I am wrong here but the writer does seem to have a fascination for DH Lawrence and Joyce, with a fair sprinkling of Proust.
Flawed though he might be, Chaudhuri still remains one of my favorite writers. There is something endearing about the human life that he describes in his books and I hope that as he matures as a writer we shall be treated to a remarkable repertoire of novels and short stories.
In his latest offering, "Real time", Chaudhuri has brought out a collection of his short stories. I, personally, would give this book a mixed review.
"Portrait of an Artist" is a charming character sketch of "Master Moshai", an image that lingers in your mind even after you have closed this book.
"White Lies", "Real Time" and "The Old Masters" are other works where Chaudhuri has his genius on full display.

However, Mr. Chaudhuri has failed miserably in at least two of his narratives, "Prelude to an Autobiography" and "The Great game". The poet and raconteur seems have fallen an easy prey to one of those seven deadly sins - Envy!!
The other stories in this collection seem to be fairly well written, but a bit in the grey zone. We have much more to expect from Amitda.

Not his magnum opus -but a good read all the same.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Slapdash, December 19, 2004

By 

krebsman (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Real Time: Stories and a Reminiscence (Hardcover)

This book is subtitled "Stories and a Reminiscence." I'll go with the latter, but in all honesty, there is not, technically speaking, a single short story in the entire book. Instead, there are a lot of doodlings and undeveloped ideas for short stories. A couple of these "stories" are simplified retellings of Indian mythology (although they are incomprehensible without notes), but most of them are little formless vignettes about the author's childhood and youth. Once in a while there is a poetic image or a minor epiphany, but not one of these "stories" has a plot. Although this is a thin book, it was a struggle to finish it. I do not know what Mr. Chaudhuri's novels are like, but after this inept gathering of "stories," I would be loath to read them. He has talent, but mere talent is not enough. Good fiction writing needs craftsmanship and structure. There is very little evidence of either in this book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bore yourself to death, August 7, 2004

By 

Bhadralok - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Time: Stories and a Reminiscence (Hardcover)

I have seen bookshops in india selling this book at 80 % discount yet it turned out to be a boring flop.There is one story in this book about a lady who is an aspiring writer - I think it might be autobiographical. Get a life Mr Chaudhari