Author: Premchand
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Rakshandha Jalil
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2011
Language: English
Pages: 208
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9789350291528
Description
Premchand's fiction has been translated before, but seldom did these translations reveal the many facets of his literary genius, nor did they show the wide variety of 'types' he was capable of portraying. For, Premchand wrote not only about villains and martyrs, poverty, rigid social order or caste disparities.
His world, seemingly black and white though it is, is also lit by flashes of wit and humour, gentle irony and a persistent social commentary.
While Premchand's favourite characters – bhang-drinking pandits, miserable sweepers and arrogant Thakurs – do eature in this collection, this is perhaps the first time that the English reader will be introduced to his 'other' world – a world of unbelievably good men, lovesick young girls, and a penniless braggart's self-delusion.
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR:
Rakhshanda Jalil is a writer, translator and editor. Her debut collection of short stories Release and Other Stories was published by HarperCollins in August 2011.
Contents
1. The Thakur’s Well
2. Intoxication
3. The Temple and the Masque
4. Salvation
5. Why Do People Marry?
6. A Winter Night
7. The Price of Milk
8. Intoxications, Both!
9. The Secret of Civilization
10. The Shroud
11. The Road of Salvation
12. A Tale of Two Oxen
13. The Salt Inspector
14. A Quarter and One Ser of Wheat
15. Old Kaki
16. Idgah
17. Bade Bhai Saheb