At a time when perfection is peddled and fullness, even if it is fake and facile, is pined after, Barnali Roy’s latest book, Aftertaste of a Half-Lived Life, is real and relatable, to begin with. A collection of nine short stories, each one presents a classic vignette of contemporary life through which emotions, often felt with unease and left unaddressed, are voiced and validated.
Most of us are fragmented in some form or the other. Fortunate is he, who can find his “whole self” through the unconditional love of his partner. Afterall, like the Half-Cup Moon, many relationships become infallible only through their inadequacies and imperfections. That applies to our children too, who may not have the Table Manners that we expect them to exhibit. Their life choices may be downright different from ours and difficult to accept as well. But then aren’t there diverse ways to cook the same dish and myriad means to savour success and create companionships?
As you delve deep into the nuances of these disconcerting feelings, you will be faced with the duress of An Ordinary Woman. This short story is so intense and inviting that I could almost see myself in Sheila, the protagonist. And yes, I relished the relief when she chooses to embrace her true self and respond to her tangible needs. I must admit that the lucid language of the author and the engaging experiences she wants to share will encourage every reader to find out the flavour of the following tale and I was no exception.
The Curious Mr Rakshit exposes the changing dynamics of relationships and the unpleasantness that often accompanies it. But then who are we to judge ‘a marriage of convenience’ when we can’t appreciate the fact that in a marriage, a husband and a wife are equal in every sense of the word? It’s a matter of abiding by the law of moiety, be it at home or outside, and most of us, like Mr. Rakshit needs to evolve to acknowledge it. Indeed, a lot needs to be done to believe that a working woman, who is a divorcee, wears dresses, drinks and smokes is neither an available “hottie” nor a “bloody call girl!” She is the one, who decides to live life on her own terms, makes her own decisions, savours her self-esteem and stands up against every predator she encounters, be it in the shape of her repulsive husband or the reprehensible regional head. “When had life been easy for her?” is the probe into the reality of Women, even today, that Marked Spaces manifests.
So, someone like a Vrinda gets a Carl, who becomes “her happy place” only to be taken away tragically while she is left to experience the trauma of a space closing in on her. Till she is strong enough to break free from her confinement and respond to the call of Charu, I’m Waiting, Ma… The story beautifully captures a shift in the way love is perceived – not in receiving but in giving, not in the lacunae of a half-lived life but in the abundance of embracing the other half.
Sometimes the aftertaste of a lost relationship leaves you baffled and broken as you keep wondering whether it was better together or Better Apart? Rajit mirrors the mutiny of emotions that one experiences in this new age of nanoship. Afterall, the cherished singlehood comes with silence and solitude, and the mundane marriage can be reassuring and rewarding. Perhaps, it’s a matter of loving the Self or the Other…to each their own. Shalini, for instance, was in a quandary till she “made up her mind” to love herself and secure the same for her children. Her story is a testimony to the fact that we owe ourselves Second Chances even if they are attained after immense hurt, humiliation and harassment. An Ishaan must replace a Girish every time a Shalini is objectified, abused and her Mahi, reduced to a second citizen.
Barnali Roy’s book is, indeed, a beautiful bouquet of the various blooms of love. But the fragrance of love which moved me the most was her last story, A Touch of Sunshine. It is so deep and deft in capturing the essence of human life – the love for a purpose and the exuberance of living for someone. It is inspirational in its message yet so palpable in projecting the requirement of a reason to live and love. Having said that, I would highly recommend Aftertaste of a Half-lived Life to all of you since we all have either lived the emotions or longed for them.
To love the halves is an intentional act of everyday and everywhere and only when we come to terms with it, we relish the lingering taste of life that is unique yet inclusive in its own way.
By Promita Banerjee Nag
An avid word enthusiast and content-churner, Promita is fuelled by novel writings, ideas and light-hearted banter. A teacher by passion, she treads the path of unequivocal learning with and through her students. Mother, music and ‘mishti’ mostly convince her. If you wish for a tête-à-tête, feel free to reach out to her at promita033@gmail.com.
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