Book Title: Shakchunni
Author: Arnab Ray
Publisher: Hachette India
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-9357318211
Date Published: Feb. 15, 2024
Price: INR 338
Book Review
Arnab Ray’s “Shakchunni” is a contemporary reinterpretation of Bengali folklore, crafting a terrifying narrative set in 1940s Bengal amid the Great Famine and World War II. The story focuses on the Banerjee family, rich zamindars who rule over Shyamlapur. Their lives become linked with the tale of the Shakchunni, a malevolent ghost that possesses married women. The drama develops amid a real sense of terror and foreboding, encapsulating the spirit of rural Bengal’s cultural dynamics as well as the advancing forces of modernity.
Ray expertly investigates the role of myths and stories in determining human behavior and social control. Through the Banerjees and their interactions with the Shakchunni, the narrative explores issues of patriarchy, female empowerment, guilt, and the repercussions of exploitation. The author’s detailed account of Bengal’s countryside during British control adds dimension to the story, creating a realistic image of a community wrestling with old conventions in the face of a changing world.
The horror in “Shakchunni” is subtle but effective, foregoing traditional jump scares in favor of a tense and atmospheric storytelling technique. Ray’s language evokes the era’s tension as well as the psychological torment of his characters, notably Narayanpratap Banerjee and his wife Soudamini, who are forced to confront otherworldly forces and family secrets. The novel’s cinematic beauty and finely created characters add to its immersive appeal, holding readers’ attention until the climactic end.
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Overall, “Shakchunni” is an engrossing investigation of folklore and socioeconomic dynamics, expertly combining horror with historical fiction. Arnab Ray’s storytelling talent shows through, taking readers on a thought-provoking trip through the darkest depths of myth and humanity. With its vivid writing and riveting plot, “Shakchunni” exemplifies Ray’s ability to create an intriguing and atmospheric novel that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
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