Real Time: Stories and a Reminiscence [Paperback]

Amit Chaudhuri (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (2002)
• ASIN: B000OXCZZQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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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