The story looks askance at a strange, but recurrent socio-political phenomenon typical of West Bengal: pre-modern superstition existing in the interstices of an enlightened political apparatus.
Black Tongue A Novel By Anjan Basu
From the author of ‘COURSES IN IVORY’.
an intriguing tale of GREED, POLITICS, A MURDER
That is not quite what it seem…. and WITCHCRAFT.
Set in contemporary Communist- ruled West Bengal, Black Tongue explores the story of a story of a young servant girl and her employer whom destiny brings together in an intricate dance of love and hate. Street-smart and assay, 16-years-old Maya has aspirations beyond her means. Then, she disappears. Amrita , Maya’s employer and a social worker, is charged with her death. The ubiquitous Party also begins to investigate the murder, a murder that turns out to be not quite what it seems.
Maya believes that her black tongue has wrecked Amrita’s beautiful world. Hate simmers in her. Amrita, in a bid to save herself, turns to ex-lover Paresh, the minister’s right-hand man. Maya’s brother, Naren, a cadre Worker, sees an opportunity to make a fast buck in her disappearances. Is This part of a sinister bigger plan? Or are they shielding somebody?
Through the novel, Anjana Basu explores the contradictions that connect middle-class kolkata and its urban slums with rural West Bengal. As the events unfold, the story looks askance at a strange, but recurrent socio-political phenomenon typical of West Bengal: pre-modern superstition existing in the interstices of an enlightened political apparatus.
The prologue to Black Tongue was selected as one of the three best stories in the 2005 Story South Million Writers Award for Fiction.
Author: Anjan Basu
ISBN: 8186939326
Size: 13.8cm X 21.5cm
Pages: 301
Price: Rs.295/-
Packing Weight | 0.5 kg |
Author | Anjan Basu |
Page count | 301 |