About the book
A landmark new anthology of Bengali literature in English, including many previously untranslated stories
'A splendid guide to unmapped lands… [Sinha] is one of the best living translators at work bringing the Bengali classics into English… he writes with exceptional elegance and wit' Spectator
The prose short story arrived in Bengal in the wake of British colonizers, and Bengali writers quickly made the form their own. By the twentieth century a profusion of literary magazines and journals meant they were being avidly read by millions.
Writers responded to this hunger for words with a ferocious energy which reflected the turmoil of their times: these stories covered land wars, famine, the caste system, religious conflict, patriarchy, Partition and the liberation war that saw the emergence of the independent country of Bangladesh. Across these shifting geographical borders, writers also looked inward, evolving new literary styles and stretching the possibilities of social realism, political fiction and intimate domestic tales.
A first in English, this anthology gathers together a century's worth of extraordinary stories. From a woman who eats fish in secret to the woes of an ageing local footballer, from the anxieties of a middle-class union rep to a lawyer who stumbles upon a philosopher's stone, this is a collection that celebrates making art of life, in all its difficulty and joy.
Editions of Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241562635
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780241562642
- EBook
- ISBN 9780141999883
Read an Excerpt
A landmark new anthology of Bengali literature in English, including many previously untranslated stories
'A splendid guide to unmapped lands… [Sinha] is one of the best living translators at work bringing the Bengali classics into English… he writes with exceptional elegance and wit' Spectator
The prose short story arrived in Bengal in the wake of British colonizers, and Bengali writers quickly made the form their own. By the twentieth century a profusion of literary magazines and journals meant they were being avidly read by millions.
Writers responded to this hunger for words with a ferocious energy which reflected the turmoil of their times: these stories covered land wars, famine, the caste system, religious conflict, patriarchy, Partition and the liberation war that saw the emergence of the independent country of Bangladesh. Across these shifting geographical borders, writers also looked inward, evolving new literary styles and stretching the possibilities of social realism, political fiction and intimate domestic tales.
A first in English, this anthology gathers together a century's worth of extraordinary stories. From a woman who eats fish in secret to the woes of an ageing local footballer, from the anxieties of a middle-class union rep to a lawyer who stumbles upon a philosopher's stone, this is a collection that celebrates making art of life, in all its difficulty and joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories about?
A landmark new anthology of Bengali literature in English, including many previously untranslated stories
'A splendid guide to unmapped lands… [Sinha] is one of the best living translators at work bringing the Bengali classics into English… he writes with exceptional elegance and wit' Spectator
The prose short story arrived in Bengal in the wake of British colonizers, and Bengali writers quickly made the form their own. By the twentieth century a profusion of literary magazines and journals meant they were being avidly read by millions.
Writers responded to this hunger for words with a ferocious energy which reflected the turmoil of their times: these stories covered land wars, famine, the caste system, religious conflict, patriarchy, Partition and the liberation war that saw the emergence of the independent country of Bangladesh. Across these shifting geographical borders, writers also looked inward, evolving new literary styles and stretching the possibilities of social realism, political fiction and intimate domestic tales.
A first in English, this anthology gathers together a century's worth of extraordinary stories. From a woman who eats fish in secret to the woes of an ageing local footballer, from the anxieties of a middle-class union rep to a lawyer who stumbles upon a philosopher's stone, this is a collection that celebrates making art of life, in all its difficulty and joy.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Classic fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241562635
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories?
Penguin Classics
Who is the Publisher of the book Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories?
Penguin Books Ltd
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241562635) and paperback(ISBN 9780241562642) and ebook(ISBN 9780141999883)
Where can I buy Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories?